Literally Dead Book Club discussion

ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware
Discussion 1 of 3.

Pages 1 - 125
Prior chapter ends with "walks out the door"
Upcoming chapter begins with "ERIN"

Thoughts so far?
What are you liking?
What are you curious about?
Is this what you expected?
Anything surprising happen?

There are so many talks about shares and the company and Skiing. where is the mystery?
I like the writing style though and the characters are interesting.

Finally got to a point where something goes wrong! I’m likening it so far. It was a bit confusing in the beginning remembering who’s who, but it got easier.

I noticed a lot of people finding the writing on app dev and company shares boring 😝 I'm a bit bias as I work closely with that industry on the daily, so it's nice to read about that world in this context.

The bio in the front definitely helps keeping track with who's who.

I got to the bit where........finally......something is peaking my interest, will it last

I have an interesting reading experience with Ruth Ware. I've actually read all her books all I didn't care for until I read The Death of Mrs. Westaway and The Lock of the Key one. I liked both of those. So since then I said I guess I would only read her new ones unless I cared about the summary of the book, since I mostly read her by name not because the book sounded interesting.

This one didn't really sound interesting to me but I said what the heck I'll participate because there's a group read for it. At first I was having a bit of trouble with all the characters but that could be because I'm audiobooking it not actually reading it. I don't love this one so far. I'm not on the edge of my seat but I'm not overly bored yet either. I doubt I'm going to love this one with the way it's going so far.

I'm happy that something is finally happening! I found the beginning a bit hard to figure out who's who.....but happy things are starting to take off!

I’m intrigued by the political maneuvering. My favorite character is Erin though. Everyone else is a little boring.

Also, the app seems so simple and yet like something I’m kind of surprised doesn’t exist yet. I know so many people who would probably be obsessed with that app! 😂

Weird difference from the audio vs the text: the audio doesn’t mention the number of snoopers each character has (only the snoopscribers). Wonder why. 🤔

I think my opinion is being tainted by the ratings and reviews I've seen online before even starting.

I'm actually really into this book. I couldn't put it down last night when I got to the entire section about going skiing.

Of course, it isn't really reading like a mystery or a thriller at all. The only mystery is why is Liz there and why is she acting so timid and scared? I wonder if she has a traumatic past with Topher. Did he do something to her before she left the company? Why did she leave?

I'm not scared or thrilled or mysterioused (lol what?) at all but I'm LOVING the snowy mountainside setting right now in 30c October.

I’m still so unsure about this book. The characters are okay I guess. The setting is nice! Reminds me of trips in Germany, which is nice. I DNF the last Ruth Ware I tried to read so I’m hesitant with this one too. 125 pages seems like a long time to drag on with irrelevant information, but who knows, maybe it will become relevant.

I’m enjoying it, but it’s not reading like a thriller and theres way too many people.

I had a little trouble with remembering who was who at first, but eventually got it. I love the setting. So far I am intrigued by all of the company drama, and I'm happy that it finally picked up a little.

I just finished up to this point and I really have no idea what’s going on.

I’m far more interested in Erin than I am anyone else. Danny is annoying - what is it with him and Erin.

I’m trying to logically understand why Liz would go skiing with a bunch of people and wouldn’t just sell her shares.

I do like it so far. These are just my thoughts so far.

Ruth Ware and I aren’t best friends, but I enjoy her books like candy that’s gone slightly bad.

Happy to see it's picking up now. It reminds me a bit of "The Guest List" where everyone gathers for an event just with less POVs.

It is giving me Agatha Christie vibes which I am enjoying. I feel that like AC's books it takes a while for the story to settle in so I'm hoping that it follows her trend.

I want to know why the point of views are from Erin and Liz. So I'm waiting for that link to happen.

Didn't have much expectations from it just another thriller for me!

So far I'm enjoying this book :)
I did not like the turn of the key at all, but so far I'm enjoying all the characters and the setting. I would like a little more background on the characters though.

I mostly like the atmosphere especially in the first few chapters.

I work in tech, so the overall theme that folks work for Snoop is something that I like and understand, but the first 25% of the book does feel slow, though things are really starting to pick up.. super curious to see where this is going and what’s Erin and Liz trauma about — or at least that’s the vibe I am getting from both of them

Thoughts so far?
I think it has a great setup for a good book, I just hope it is executed in a great way. It does give me vibes to the Guest List in the way that it is a group of people who are all connected in a secluded place with 2 workers who seem to not be connected, but one of them has something dark that happened in her past that we do not know about...yet.
What are you liking?
I think it is interesting that we only get 2 perspectives in the whole book. (I flipped through and didn't see any other perspectives than Erin and Liz) I like that the 2 perspectives are "outsiders" to the company and I hope that makes the book more interesting.
What are you curious about?
I am curious about why Liz left Snoop. I am also curious about Erin's past that has been referenced a few times. I am also curious about how close some of the characters are that we might not know about yet...OR if we think they are super close, are they really? like Topher and Elliot for example.
Is this what you expected?
I did not really have much expectations going into this. I did not read much about it other than it is similar to ...And then there were none.
Anything surprising happen?
I was surprised Eva was the one to go missing. for some reason I thought it would be Topher, not because he left at the beginning but because I thought that would cause some tension in the group since it seems that there are people who really don't like him at all.

just got my copy. I sadly, have only been able to read the first page or two. I like the into to the radio show/podcast characters.

IDK how i'm feeling about this yet... it's a bit boring but things seem to be picking up now. Guess we'll see!

I'm borrowing the audiobook, as it had the quickest availability, and I really wish I had text to refer back to. I'm not sure what page I'm on, but at the end of disc 4 (of 11) I was kinda frustrated with how slowly it was moving. And there is so much taking things at face value or taking people at their word. Which I hope will turn into plot twists, but this setup section is far too long.

I'm curious to know more about Liz's relationships with these people and how that ties into her family life that we're given glimpses of. She may be a first-person narrator, but she's definitely holding a lot back, as is Erin. As a writer, I keep thinking about what went into the author's decision to have those two POVs be what we readers have to go on.

I'm a little worried that this is going to veer too closely to The Guest List and/or And Then There Were None in its resolution, but the story still has some openings to go another direction.

Although the begging was really slow, finally it's picking up. I'm curious to see why, though there are so any characters, we only get two POVs. Is there a connection between Liz and Erin? Certainly they both have a past which I hope it'll unravel in the second part of the book.
It reminds me very much of "The Guest List" which I liked a lot, so I hope I like this one too.

I don't particularly care for Ruth Ware so I am sitting this one out.

I hope we get to learn what happened to Erin. I adore Danny. Eva kinda comes off as self-centered. not sure how I feel about Topher. and Liz, I want to know more about her.

I like the multiple pov's, anyone else?

I am liking this book so far. We know that four people are murdered, I want to know how, why, who. I’m interested in both Liz and Erins story. I mean, we know why Liz is there, but what happened for her to not be working there anymore? Erin has a scar on her face, why? Who’s Will?

I really wish that Ruth Ware had come up with a better way to get information about the company and the shares across. I would have rather seen an article or some sort of mixed media about Snoop’s features and maybe some sort of financial document showing the shares. That would be much more interesting and quick than having to read the forced info dumps.

“Snoop? Have you been living in a f-ing cage, Erin?” and then launching into a contrived conversation about the app.

I was a bit reluctant to start this one because I have heard a lot of people say they really didn't like it.. but so far, I'm really enjoying it. I can see it is not the most action-packed thriller, and many of the characters are a bit shifty, but I am finding myself riveted to the story, especially now that Eva is dead. From the title, I'm guessing all or most of the chalet guests will end up dead, and I am curious to see how that will happen since they cannot leave the chalet due to the avalanche. For me, this is a great page-turner and I want to keep going.

Snoop is like a creepy last.fm.

I found it a bit slow to get into with all the company stuff and the skiing, but now I can't put it down.

I'm currently finding the little Snoop info at the beginning of every chapter a bit pointless because a) there's only the two perspectives and both barely use the app, and b) the power is gone and nobody's snooping anyway. But maybe it'll be important later on?

I want to know if Eva is really dead. The whole scene with the "lone figure" coming up the hill was odd. I didn't even get that it was supposed to be Eva until they talked about it later.

I'm curious about how Liz got the inheritance. I feel like there's something fishy about it.

I'm not sure if I'm liking it yet but going through the book by audio (narrated by Imogen Church) is helping set the mood.

I'm actually really enjoying this so far!

I don't like to read too thoroughly into the group comments until after I've finished the book, so that I don't have too many theories in my head, as someone is bound to be right on their guess. However, it seems like many people are finding the skiing and shares talk boring. Maybe it's due to the fact that I work in marketing and was a business major, but I haven't been bored at all!

I want to learn more on Erin's past. Clearly something severely affected her, most likely related to snow. Also why did she drop out of med school? Perhaps she inadvertently caused an avalanche and someone she loved died from it? Idk.

Early possible predictions are that Eva faked her death, maybe someone else is in on it (Elliot?)... Also, suspicious about Inigo and if he actually did get in touch with emergency services. If he's the killer, how perfect of a trap to say that help is on the way and no one is allowed to ski down.

Also thinking there might be something behind Liz's thought process and how she always states that "I know what I have to do and everything will be okay." Seems a bit ominous.

Excited to continue! I've only read one book by Ruth Ware before (Woman in Cabin 10) and so far this one is a lot better.

I really love this so far! I know some people are finding the shareholders and company talk boring, but I honestly think it develops the characters even more to see them interacting in a professional environment. It'll be a nice contrast to how they act when they start panicking later. The comparison in their actions will provide a lot of insight to who they pretend to be, who they actually are, and how much they can stand before tipping the scales into the actions of the latter.

I was already interested in Liv and Erin from the get go. I love Erin a lot, honestly. She's a lovable character with her own mysterious past. Plus, I love her interactions with Danny. On the other hand, Liv is so awkward that I can't help but want to cheer her on. She's so down in general, and I think I honestly feel pissed on her behalf at everyone else.

I'm also really enjoying the characters of Rik, Eva (though it appears she's dead now), and Danny. Everyone else still needs some spotlight before I make an opinion on them (besides Topher, who I hate with a passion.). I assume we'll get more of that with the mounting challenges the group will be facing.

The setting is lovely too, btw. Idk if it's because I read this first bit in a sitting at night with a blanket, my cat, and a storm, but the chalet has me feeling so cozy, though that vibe is now quickly leaving in the wake of the avalanche.

Also, am I the only one who wants Snoop to be a real thing? I was in a long distance relationship for two years before moving across the country for my now fiancee, and I would've killed for this app (lmao see what I did there). I still would love it now because I live in a different state than my sisters (9 and 11), and I would love to keep up with their music taste. You know, stay up to date with the kids lmao. (I'm 24 btw).

I love close circle mysteries (i've heard other people call it that), so I'm honestly just excited for the murder to start. Was Eva really in an accident or was she pushed? If it's murder, my guess is it is Topher's best friend (Elliot? the coder guy). He probably did it to get Topher more shares and thinking that doing it made him a good friend. But that seems like an obvious choice, so I'm hoping I'm wrong lmao.

Thoughts so far?
I like it and enjoy so far. Even thought this is just beginning and we don`t even know if Eva is truly dead - my guess is that it won`t be that easy and she or her corpse will show up later at absolutely unexpected place. After one or two more people die and the paranoid survivors will think that it`s Eva`s doing.

What are you liking?
The set up - looking back is seems kinda obvious that it would be Eva to go missing/dead. There are many motives and hints of motives so far that is fun to speculate. I mean there`s the whole company buyout, Eva and Topher apparently used to date, Eva also had an affair with one of the guys and then there`s Liz. Liz is weird - in the first chapter she thing about how she has to go and then she feels guilty about "betraying" Topher and yet it`s a surprise for her that there will be a buyout. Why did she "had to" go? To kill someone? It`s also suspicious how nervous and fearful she is.

What are you curous about?
Who`ll die next. My bet is on Rik. Or perhaps Danny or maybe he`ll die latter.

Is this what you expected?
I didn`t have any expectation - this is my first book by Ruth Ware

Anything surprising happened?
No, not yet.

One more thing came to mind after I posted -> what if one of the guests (or more people) also knew Will? Just a thought.

I'm disappointed in another weak female character, Liz. I hope this one actually gains some edge to her. It's reminiscent if the Death of Mrs. Westaway in that sense, which I did not give a good rating to. Erin is strong and I'm appreciating her character. The rest of the characters we will just have to see how they play out. They seem like they are the entertainment of this book.

I love the story and the setting. I'm not quite sure on how it is going to be built upon yet, but hoping for some life lessons that correct the self absorbed a-holes that currently exist.

My bet is on Elliot right now.

Finally I can join book club discussions again! So excited :).

Thoughts so far?
Loving it. Finally a thriller that doesn't create conflict 'just' from family drama or romantic relationships or teen angst or infidelity or past-friendship-gone-wrong.

Liz's 2% conflict was really good - it was a realistic depiction of someone being handed an instant 'power' that they never asked for in the first place. And given she was 'untrained' in handling company politics, the pressure was understandable, especially considering the unhealthy company culture (when the top bosses were bullies).

What are you liking?
I like the setting ('lockroom mystery'), the concept of 'snoop', the different characters, and the company factor that ACTUALLY has company talks (instead of just putting together a group of people who work for the same office and then again only covers relationship drama, not the actual work).

What are you curious about?
At this point, I'm still unsure on what could've happened to Eva. Some people say it's pretty easy to guess who the killer is from the start, but TBH I actually don't know for sure yet! My early guess would be either Topher or Liz. Although Elliott could've done it too given he had plenty of time being alone. And Daniel and Erin could've had a past connection (revenge plot?)

At this point, I'm also guessing that Liz is pregnant - given her constant nausea, her abstain from drinking, her oversized clothes, and her 'extra motivation' to consider the $12 million.

Is this what you expected?
Yes. I always went through Ruth Ware's books really fast because they were so easy to read, and this was no exception.

Anything surprising happen?
We always knew some people would be missing, so it was just a matter of who and when in the story. Eva's disappearance wasn't really surprising.
I think the timing of the avalanche was the surprise for me in this part - for a second I thought this was it, Erin would be stuck in the snow going forward (and I would've been disappointed had that been the case, because I didn't want to read another 'snow survival' story).

I've just started this one and so far it feels very much like what I've come to associate with the name Ruth Ware.

scared

I like the book so far. I think the framework for the mystery is being built. I like the atmosphere of the book so far. Isolated ski chalet post avalanche with no power seems promising. I'm curious to see how the business buyout unfolds. I am keeping an open mind and minimizing expectations to just enjoy the book. I was not expecting to have to research skiing to understand what is going on but I'm not bothered by it. Nothing really surprising has happened besides the avalanche.

This is my first Ruth Ware and I must admit I was nervous going in. I’ve heard so many mixed opinions in her books. And so far, I really like it! Yeah, not a ton has happened so far, but I’m so involved with the characters and the setting...so far I think I’d rate this a solid 4 star. I’m hoping the momentum keeps up!

Not too bad so far! I’m still intrigued. My only prediction of the book so far is that I don’t believe Eva is truly dead... there seems to be too much pressure on the fact that everyone is convinced that she is, in fact, dead, and making plans before her body is found.

I'M LOVING THIS! I'm honestly surprised that a lot of people are saying that it is only now just getting interesting. I've been hooked right from the beginning! Can't wait to see where this story is going

I kind of feel like Topher has something to do with Eva's death...seeing as he now will have her shares in the company...

its not too bad of a book. but it doesnt exactly have me wanting to keep reading. its slow and i feel its more based around the business point of view and not so much the mystery. yes stuff has begun to happen but its very slow.

I'm finally happy that we are getting somewhere bc tbh the beginning of this book dragged a bit for me. I am actually liking it more now that things are coming out. Im curious about Liz, there is something about her that I can put my finger on but there is something up with this lady. I definitely did not expect any of what I have read going into this book. Eva being dead first, that was very surprising. I thought Topher would be the first as he is the most annoying character to me

I see a lot of folks think the book is dragging along- I really am glad they put all the descriptions, etc., of Snoop. I’m a total idiot when it comes to “tech talk,” so it was informative to me. I’ve not disliked any of Ruth Ware’s books - just enjoyed some more than others. Her books are usually character development first, then the “WTF is happening “ mid-book.
I was surprised also that it was Eva who died first...or did she? Didn’t like her so much anyway, but definitely Topher is the biggest tool. I feel kind of sorry for Liz, but there is something fishy about her also. Pregnant? Maybe
I like Erin and Danny’s relationship- brother and sister type. And I want to know what’s up with Erin’s medical school business. It seems obvious that she was involved in an avalanche or something similar with Will, but that could be all wrong.
So far I’ll put this as one of my more liked books in this book club. Along with The Guest List...or was it The Hunting Party? All similar vibes, but all paying homage to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I’m not mad about that.

OK, this book took some time to get used to, but at the end of this Chapter ist start getting interesting.
Did anyone notice that the newspaper article talks about all british people bit for some reason Erin thinks Inigo is American and he should with an American accent.
I am curious if it was really Eva they saw skiing or some one else? they didn't really see as Carl fell down. was that on purpose maybe?
Andy why only Inigo has some reception, did he really call for help?

I really enjoy the writing style. Multi-POV is kind of my jam! The details of the company are very interesting to me, however I’m ready for the mystery to really amp up! I think from past Ruth Ware books that I’ve read, this is what I’ve come to expect. She doesn’t really jump right into the meat until further in and she really spends her time setting the characters and the mood. I like that we are seeing perspectives from Liz and Erin. They are definitely the most relatable characters of the bunch! 🤣

hi, i know i’m late but better late than never!! honestly i’m kind of bored so far. it’s not an awful story, but where the thrill? the mystery? already 1/3 and we’re JUST getting to this avalanche where the thrill is supposed to start?

i’m suspecting a major twist to be that Eva is still alive. i’m not sure why and i’m not sure how but that’s what i’m predicting.