Drawing inspiration from one of Agatha Christie’s most iconic novels, Ruth Ware delivers a spine-tingling and devilishly good whodunit that’s right on par with the very best from the Queen of Crime and other Golden Age mysteries.
Staring down the very real possibility that her post-doctoral research is nearing a sudden end and that her contract won’t be renewed, Lyla finds herself at a bit of a crossroads when readers first meet her at the start of Ware’s latest mystery. Unfortunately, things aren’t much better at home for Lyla, who has spent several rather unfulfilling years with the younger Nico, an aspiring actor who’s been out of work since forever and is always “one big break” away from superstardom. Or so he believes, anyway, though Lyla isn’t so sure. Even so, reminding Nico that he’s always chasing the next big thing doesn’t score her any points. So, rather than be a dream killer, Lyla plans to avoid partaking in Nico’s next get-famous-quick-plan by telling him she can’t get the time off work. She is, after all, the breadwinner of the two and the only one bringing in any money. But to her surprise, with only a few weeks left on her current university contract, her boss tells her to go ahead and take the time off and explains that they’ll know more about her future employment status by the time she gets back.
So, with the time off secured and Nico’s trademark “knee-weakening” smile working overtime, Lydia agrees to join the cast of One Perfect Couple, a new reality show that’s being billed as Survivor meets Love Island. Previously, Nico’s agent pitched the idea and got him in front of a producer to audition for a spot on the low-budget show that’s being filmed for a new streaming service that’s yet to be announced. Nico was offered a spot on the casting list, but only if he brought Lyla. Now that she’s agreed, things are official, and the couple soon jets off to a remote, deserted island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, where they’ll compete with other couples for the chance to win a cash prize. Only things don’t quite go according to plan.
Lyla, who is less than impressed upon landing, is immediately thrown one curveball after another. For starters, she’s not happy to learn that the four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana—plus her and Nico will be matched at random. Having agreed to go with Nico under the assumption that they’d spend a couple of blissful, romantic weeks together on a tropical island, the thought of being paired with another man doesn’t go over well. Nor is she excited at the thought that Nico, whom Lyla considers to be considerably better-looking than her, will be matched with another woman. But that problem quickly feels more like an annoyance, or even a small nuisance, as opposed to a major issue when a violent storm begins rocking the tiny island overnight, causing panic to set in among the cast and crew. The story (which makes use of mysterious radio transmission between chapters to drive suspense, similar to the “Ten Little Solider Boys” poem in Christie’s novel) takes its first twist when one of the contestants winds up murdered, and the chilling reality that they’re now all trapped on an island, miles away from any help and with no way to communicate with the outside world, begins to set in. But if that was bad, things get worse in a hurry, as Lyla is forced to live out her worst nightmare . . .
The show is real, and the game is now afoot. The only two remaining questions are: can she figure out who the killer is? Or will she be the next victim?
Think Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, but with twice the suspense and even more twists and turns. An early favorite for best book of the year, One Perfect Couple is an absolute must-read for fans of nail-biting suspense and those who appreciate a contemporary take on classic mystery tropes, as Ruth Ware solidifies her position among the all-time greats by proving once and for all that she’s the unquestioned queen of the modern psychological thriller.
Book Details
Author: Ruth Ware
Pages: 400 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 1668025590
Publisher: Gallery/Scout
Release Date: May 21, 2024
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community on Twitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.