Book Review: One Down by Diana Wilkinson

I am pleased to be welcoming Diana Wilkinson to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, One Down.

I’m not being paranoid! It’s all there in the crossword clues…in black and white. There’s no doubt the threat is real. Today, the answers spell out my murder.

May Third. Amanda. Silver Birch. Noontime. Assassination.

Is Nathan, my estranged crossword-setter husband, really planning to kill me? Or is it someone closer to home?

I check the door is bolted, slither to the ground, and count down the seconds to noon. There’s nothing left to do, and no one I can call. Who’d believe me anyway? The lady on the ground floor has already left the building, and my new boyfriend is on holiday. Or is he?

A tread of footsteps. A rap at the door, and I close my eyes, hold my breath…

*****

Completing the crossword puzzle is a part of Amanda’s daily routine, a thing she does to distract herself from temptation. 

However, when she starts to see clues that are meant for her, anxiety and need for alcohol increases. 

Is it her ex husband setting the clues? A man who blames her for a horrible accident? Whoever it is, they mean to cause paranoia or even worse, her death. 

I was intrigued by this novel and so was pleased to be on the blog tour for One Down. 

Having not read anything by Diana Wilkinson before, I didn’t fully know what to expect so was keen to get started. 

Amanda is an interesting character and evoked a few emotions. She’s tragic, vulnerable, frustrating and relatable all at once. She’s an interesting case study for addiction and the hold it can take on a person. One moment, I wanted to hug her and the next, I wanted to jump in and shake some sense into her. She certainly didn’t always make good life choices but who does all of the time? She didn’t deserve to have the experiences she had. 

Nathan likes to think he’s strong but, like Amanda, he battles insecurities and addiction. They just manifest differently. I felt that there was definitely a narcissistic streak in him but I couldn’t figure out if he was a good guy or a bad guy. The same with Joseph. 

In fact, Diane Wilkinson threads seeds of doubt all the way through and at one point, I was suspecting everyone! Well, everyone except Teddy. Who is behind the clues is something I hope you’ll discover for yourself. 

Told mainly from the point of view of Amanda and Nathan, the plot is unique and develops well. It had me well and truly hooked and reading all night – that thing of one more chapter, ok, one more. You know what I’m talking about. 

It’s so hard to talk about this novel without giving away big spoilers. 

One Down is a compelling, dark, twisted, clever psychological thriller about addiction and revenge. If you like puzzles or are looking for a gripping read, this book is perfect. 

(Thank you to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.)

About Diana Wilkinson –

Diana Wilkinson is a graduate of Durham University, spending a short spell in teaching before taking up a full-time career in tennis development.

A former Irish international player, she finally stepped off the tennis court to become a full-time writer.

Say hello to Diana via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

One Down was released by Boldwood Books on 16th January 2023. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.