One by One

What hints does McFadden drop as to the identity of the unnamed narrator? How do the narrator’s past recollections interact with the present plot unfolding in the wilderness?

What mystery/suspense/horror tropes does McFadden engage with throughout the narrative? How does she utilize these tropes, and how does she subvert them?

Explore the changing dynamics in the relationships between Claire, Jack, and Noah. How does the novel explore the nature of trust, desire, and connection in intimate relationships?

Compare and contrast One by One to another novel in which members of a group get murdered in sequence, such as Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. How are the two works different or similar in their handling of this premise? What key themes and ideas do they have in common?

How does One by One fit into McFadden’s canon of suspense and horror novels? Which other books is it similar to, and which elements of it are unique?

How does the novel explore the problem of perception through the characters’ experiences? How do moments of mistaken assumptions, hallucinations, and/or uncertainties shape narrative momentum and the main characters’ arcs?

Trace Claire’s character growth during her time in the forest, particularly as it relates to her understanding of herself and her emotional state. How is Claire similar or different at the beginning of the novel compared to how she is at the end?

What role does the remote wilderness play in One by One? How is the setting described, and how does it help to mirror or illuminate the feelings and dilemmas faced by the characters?