THEN THERE WAS ONE

A reality TV competition held on an island located on a mystery planet turns deadly.

Bexley Ryker, Zane Wilder, and Raya Quinn each receive invitations to participate in The Pinnacle, a show involving teamwork, “physical and mental challenges,” and trying to avoid being voted off. For this special 250th season, the 10 contestants will be between ages 16 and 18, and the winner will get both a large sum of money and a full university scholarship. Bex, a wealthy girl from the planet Rikas, wants a fresh start. Zane, whose late father was a prominent politician, needs the money to help his mother. Raya hates her impoverished life on The Moons, where the Gentry control the miners. After everyone arrives on the island, an anonymous provocateur dredges up the skeletons in each of their closets. Allusions to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None abound as the contestants are pitted against one other until they’re unable to distinguish friend from enemy. The chapters rotate among Bex’s, Zane’s and Raya’s first-person points of view, and their limited perspectives boost the impact of the suspenseful revelations. The novel’s unpredictable, action-packed storyline keeps readers guessing until the very end while also challenging the injustices inherent in classist systems. The three leads are cued white, and names suggest some diversity in the supporting cast.

A wild ride of a debut featuring mystery, murder, and mayhem that will keep readers riveted.