Pretty Lies, Polished Secrets: One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose

This was a solid four-star read for me — dramatic, messy, and exactly the kind of thriller that pulls me in with social chaos instead of bloodshed.

One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose leans fully into the “rich people behaving badly” trope, and I mean that in the best way. The setting is dripping with wealth, privilege, and carefully curated appearances. Underneath all of that? Jealousy, betrayal, and the kind of secrets that don’t stay buried for long.

What I enjoyed most was the character work. Everyone has something to hide, and no one feels completely innocent. The banter and inner monologues were entertaining, sometimes petty, sometimes sharp, and often suspicious. I kept changing my mind about who I trusted, which is always a good sign in a thriller like this.

Olivia, in particular, tested my patience. She annoyed me so much that I had to pause a few times just to process her decisions. But honestly, that reaction just proves the writing worked. If a character can get under my skin like that, the author did their job.

There are quite a few characters, though, and I won’t lie — that part was a little overwhelming for my ADHD brain. If you’re anything like me, annotating or jotting down quick notes might help you keep track of who’s who. Once I settled into it, the multiple perspectives added to the tension instead of distracting from it.

The pacing was strong at the start. I loved being dropped straight into the gossip, the social maneuvering, and the quiet hostility between these women. Toward the last stretch, it slowed slightly — or maybe I was just impatient because I wanted answers immediately. Either way, I stayed engaged. I needed to know how it would unravel.

This isn’t a gore-heavy thriller. The tension comes from scandal, manipulation, and the slow exposure of secrets. It’s more about social warfare than physical violence, and sometimes that kind of drama feels even sharper.

Overall, I had a great time with this one. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s addictive, entertaining, and perfect when you’re in the mood for glossy drama with a dark edge. And honestly, a thriller that keeps my attention the whole way through already earns a lot of points from me.

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Title: One of Us Is Dead
Author: Jeneva Rose
Genre: Thriller
Subgenre: Domestic Thriller / Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Page Count: 312 pages
POV: Multiple
Narrative Style: Third person
Series Information: Standalone

Themes and Tropes

• wealth and privilege
• betrayal, secrets, and jealousy
• marriage dynamics
• rich people behaving badly
• gossip-fueled drama

Gore Level: 1/5
Very minimal — more scandal and tension than blood.

Spice Level: 1/5
Some adult situations and innuendo, but nothing explicit.

Profanity: Mild to moderate.
Violence: Non-graphic; threats and off-page harm.
Substances: Alcohol consumption is frequently mentioned.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An entertaining, drama-filled thriller packed with secrets, shifting loyalties, and messy characters you’ll love to side-eye.

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