Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Only One Survives

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon
7/16/24; 400 pages
MIRA Books

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a very highly recommended, remarkable, twisty psychological thriller. Once I started reading Only One Survives it was impossible to put this excellent thriller down.

After the two discovered their similar interest in music while in high school, drummer Vienna Taylor and guitarist Madison Pierce became best friends and began playing music together. After high school they briefly formed a duo called EmVee. Their success led them to form an all-female rock band called The Bittersweet, with some resistance from Madison, that also took off with a record deal. As they are heading up in the Catskills to a party to celebrate their success, their van crashes in a blizzard. They are injured and need to find some where to shelter - and not everyone will survive.

The writing is absolutely brilliant and exceptional! I was engrossed throughout the whole novel. The narrative unfolds in dual timelines following Vienna and Madison and all the events along their path to fame that lead them to the struggle to survive. The plot in both timelines is equally compelling and captivating. To avoid spoilers I can't say too much more, but there are several huge, jaw-dropping twists that occur - HUGE ones that make you gasp and reread what you just read as your head threatens to explode.

There is a large cast of characters but it is easy to follow who is who and where they fit into the plot. Vienna and Madison are both depicted as fully realized, flawed, realistic individuals.

If you like music and psychological thrillers with twists, you have to read Only One Survives. Thanks to MIRA Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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