Lucinda Berry’s newest psychological thriller, One in Four, deftly combines her clinical psychology background with her talent for crafting spine-tingling narratives. The title itself—a chilling reference to sexual assault statistics—sets the tone for a disturbing journey through trauma, addiction, and the devastating consequences of past mistakes. Berry delivers a taut, unsettling story that will keep readers guessing until its bloody conclusion, though not without some narrative hiccups along the way.
Plot Unraveled
One in Four by Lucinda Berry centers on Dr. Laurel Harlow, a chemical dependency counselor with her own sobriety journey, who reluctantly agrees to work on “Comeback Kids,” a reality show following former child stars in rehab. When the youngest participant, nineteen-year-old Maddie, dies mysteriously of anaphylactic shock, the investigation threatens to expose not only the show’s secrets but Laurel’s own buried past.
As Laurel works with police to uncover what happened to Maddie, she discovers disturbing evidence that makes her a prime suspect: a secret phone linking her romantically to Maddie and a journal containing entries where Maddie expressed fear for her life. Struggling to clear her name, Laurel is suddenly abducted by her wife Noelle and the show’s director Gia, who reveal a shocking connection to Laurel’s college days—a traumatic incident involving Gia’s sister Paris that set the stage for an elaborate revenge plot.
The narrative alternates between Laurel’s perspective and haunting flashbacks labeled “HER (THEN)” that gradually reveal a college sexual assault victim’s journey through trauma, bullying, and suicidal ideation. These sections build toward a devastating revelation that connects all the seemingly disparate threads of the story.
Psychological Depth and Character Study
Berry leverages her professional background to create psychologically complex characters grappling with addiction, trauma, and moral ambiguity. The strength of One in Four by Lucinda Berry lies in its unflinching portrayal of:
- Addiction recovery – The reality show contestants exemplify various stages of addiction and recovery, each with distinctive coping mechanisms and defense patterns that feel authentic rather than stereotypical.
- Trauma responses – Through the “HER (THEN)” sections, Berry portrays a devastatingly realistic journey through trauma, particularly how a sexual assault victim experiences gradual disconnection from her body, using self-harm as a means to “feel alive.”
- Moral ambiguity – The novel’s greatest achievement is creating a scenario where readers will question their own moral compass. Is Laurel a victim or perpetrator? Is revenge ever justified? Berry refuses to provide easy answers.
Laurel makes for a compelling protagonist whose professional competence contrasts sharply with her personal blind spots. Her inability to recognize her wife’s betrayal reflects Berry’s understanding of how trauma can create selective perception. Similarly, the gradual revelation of Gia’s motives builds tension while examining how grief can corrupt even the most talented individuals.
Atmosphere and Pacing: A High-Wire Act
Berry excels at creating a suffocating atmosphere of paranoia and dread. The reality show setting provides a perfect backdrop—a world where authenticity and performance blur, where cameras capture everything yet reveal nothing. The claustrophobic environment of Crystal Meadows mirrors Laurel’s increasingly trapped circumstances.
The pacing, however, occasionally falters. The first half builds tension masterfully as Laurel tries to understand what happened to Maddie, but the middle section—where Laurel is held captive—sometimes drags. Berry’s decision to reveal Gia’s motivations relatively early diminishes some potential suspense. That said, the final chapters accelerate toward a conclusion that’s both shocking and grimly inevitable.
Thematic Richness: Beyond Just Thrills
One in Four by Lucinda Berry explores several interconnected themes with notable depth:
- Reality versus performance – The reality show serves as a metaphor for how we all curate versions of ourselves for public consumption
- Accountability for past actions – Berry interrogates whether redemption is possible for those who’ve caused serious harm, even unintentionally
- The cyclical nature of trauma – The narrative structure itself reinforces how trauma creates ripple effects across generations
- Social media as an amplifier of cruelty – Berry demonstrates how online harassment can push vulnerable individuals toward self-harm
While these themes elevate the novel beyond typical thriller fare, occasionally Berry’s didactic tendencies emerge in character dialogue that feels more like a psychology lecture than natural conversation.
Strengths and Shortcomings
What Works:
- Psychological authenticity – Berry’s professional background shines in the portrayal of addiction, trauma, and recovery
- Structural creativity – The dual-timeline approach creates mounting dread as readers piece together the connections
- Moral complexity – There are no pure heroes or villains, just humans with their own reasons and justifications
- Unexpected twists – Several revelations genuinely surprise without feeling contrived
What Falls Short:
- Character decisions – Some of Laurel’s choices strain credulity, particularly her decision to investigate alone rather than immediately contacting authorities
- Coincidental connections – The central premise requires several unlikely coincidences that more skeptical readers might question
- Uneven pacing – The captivity section could have been tightened without losing impact
- Heavy-handed metaphors – Berry occasionally over-explains psychological concepts rather than trusting readers to understand them
Comparisons to Berry’s Previous Works
Fans of Lucinda Berry’s earlier works will recognize her signature blend of psychological insight and page-turning suspense. Like The Perfect Child, One in Four examines the darker side of caretaking relationships. Similar to Under Her Care, it explores how past trauma can distort perception in the present.
However, One in Four takes more narrative risks than some of her previous novels. The structure is more complex, the moral questions thornier, and the characters less easily categorized. This represents both growth as a writer and occasionally leads to moments where ambition exceeds execution.
For Fans of Psychological Thrillers
Readers who enjoy these authors and titles will likely appreciate One in Four by Lucinda Berry:
- Gillian Flynn’s unflinching examination of damaged women in Sharp Objects
- Lisa Jewell’s explorations of trauma’s long shadow in Then She Was Gone
- Tana French’s morally complex crime narratives in the Dublin Murder Squad series
- Ruth Ware’s claustrophobic settings and unreliable narrators like in One Perfect Couple
Final Assessment
One in Four by Lucinda Berry is a gripping psychological thriller that transcends genre conventions through its nuanced exploration of trauma, addiction, and accountability. Berry’s clinical background lends authenticity to her portrayal of psychological damage while never sacrificing narrative momentum.
The novel succeeds most brilliantly in making readers question their own moral certainties. By the final pages, you may find yourself understanding—if not endorsing—actions you would have condemned at the start. This moral destabilization is the hallmark of Berry’s most effective writing.
While some structural choices and character decisions don’t entirely convince, the overall impact is undeniable. Berry has crafted a dark, thought-provoking thriller that will leave readers contemplating its ethical questions long after turning the final page.
Who Should Read This Book?
One in Four by Lucinda Berry will appeal to:
- Psychology enthusiasts interested in realistic portrayals of trauma and recovery
- Thriller readers who appreciate morally complex situations over simple hero/villain dynamics
- Fans of stories that examine the long-term consequences of collegiate behavior
- Readers who don’t mind darker subject matter including sexual assault, self-harm, and suicide
However, sensitive readers should approach with caution given the graphic depictions of self-harm, suicide attempts, and sexual assault. Berry doesn’t sensationalize these elements, but neither does she shy away from their disturbing reality.
In One in Four, Lucinda Berry continues to establish herself as a psychological thriller writer whose clinical background allows her to explore the darkest corners of human behavior with unusual insight and authenticity. Despite some structural flaws, this remains a compelling, disturbing, and ultimately thought-provoking read that demonstrates why Berry continues to build a dedicated readership in this crowded genre.
