One Little Mistake
- Judith D Collins
- Nov 9
- 6 min read
By: Miranda Rijks
ISBN: 9781837566648
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Publication Date: 11/09/2025
Format: e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Some thoughts should never be shared.
Kate thought the spreadsheet was harmless—a private ranking of her four best friends detailing their various strengths and weaknesses. But when it leaks online and goes viral, her carefully curated life implodes.
Social invitations vanish, her business crumbles, even her marriage starts to fall apart. It’s as if the silken thread that has been holding everything together has been pulled and now it’s all unravelling.
And it gets worse. Someone on the list seems to be out for revenge, determined to destroy whatever is left of Kate’s perfect life. As anonymous threats multiply and her son falls mysteriously ill, Kate doesn’t know where to turn or who to trust.
Then, as the fallout from the list turns deadly, she finally understands that her one little mistake could cost her everything – including her life.
One Little Mistake - the chilling psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Visitors and Make Her Pay.
My Review
Miranda Rijks (a favorite author) makes her triumphant return with a gripping psychological thriller, ONE LITTLE MISTAKE. The twisted tale revolves around a woman whose seemingly innocent creation—a private and candid rating spreadsheet detailing her four closest friends—spirals into a nightmare.
When this personal document is inadvertently leaked and gains viral notoriety online, it shatters her relationships, dismantles her business, and strains her marriage to the breaking point.
Amidst the chaos, a shadowy figure emerges, launching a chilling campaign of revenge that threatens to turn deadly. As the tension mounts and trust evaporates, the consequences of one little mistake unleash a storm of deceit and danger.
About...
In a moment of reflection, Kate, the protagonist, embarks on a project that spirals out of control—she creates a private ranking spreadsheet that meticulously categorizes her four closest friends: Dakota, Stella, Erin, and Lucia.
In this spreadsheet, Kate candidly documents her unfiltered thoughts on their various strengths and weaknesses, aiming to clarify her understanding of their dynamics and her place among them, ranging from tardiness to sense of humour, attractiveness to common sense.
She likes spreadsheets, personality profiling, and databases. But this was meant for her eyes only. How could this happen?
However, in a shocking twist of fate, the private document is leaked to the public—its contents brutally revealing—and it ignites a wildfire of controversy that sweeps through social media. The once carefully curated facade of Kate's seemingly perfect life begins to unravel, drawing unwanted attention and scrutiny from all corners.
Even the WhatsApp class groups of Rosie and Albie, her children. How embarrassing with horrible consequences. As the ramifications of the viral spreadsheet ripple through her life, Kate finds herself cornered by her friends, who feel betrayed and hurt by her unvarnished honesty.
Invitations to social gatherings dry up (and for the kids), leading her to feel increasingly isolated. Her thriving business, once the envy of her peers, begins to crumble under the weight of the backlash, and her marriage to Jared—who prioritizes his own interests and reputation over their family—falls into disarray. His dismissive attitude leaves Kate feeling abandoned, while their children, grappling with the fallout, also face the harsh whispers and judgment of their peers.
Adding to the chaos, an anonymous campaign of revenge surfaces, targeting Kate with ominous threats that further shatter her already fragile sense of security. The situation escalates when her son falls mysteriously ill, leaving Kate in a state of panic and distrust as she struggles to piece together who might be behind these sinister actions.
The narrative takes a dark turn when the fallout from the spreadsheet culminates in tragedy—the shocking discovery of a friend’s lifeless body sends Kate into a spiraling whodunit mystery. With emotions running high and trust increasingly elusive, Kate must navigate the treacherous waters of betrayal, uncovering not just the secrets hidden in her relationships but also grappling with a deeper menace that threatens to claim more than just reputations.
My Thoughts...
ONE LITTLE MISTAKE is a taut, twisted, furiously paced thriller that grips you by the throat from the very first page. It’s a terrifying, drama-filled ride that is as immensely entertaining as it is thought-provoking, showcasing Miranda's unparalleled ability to deliver fresh, fun twists that keep you guessing.
At the story's center lies Kate, who appears to have it all: a perfect job, a devoted husband, adorable children, and a close-knit group of friends. However, this seemingly perfect life is about to be shattered by an unexpected and catastrophic fallout from what many would dismiss as a harmless personal action. Her life unravels in ways you cannot imagine.
But the situation escalates further. As anonymous threats begin to flood in, directed against her and her loved ones, Kate must navigate a web of mistrust and paranoia. To compound her distress, her son mysteriously falls ill, her daughter is missing, and much more, adding a layer of urgency and despair to her already tumultuous life. Then one of her friends winds up dead, and somehow her husband is involved. What the heck is going on?
As the threats mount and the chaos deepens, Kate grapples with her isolation and struggles to determine who she can trust. The tension builds to a crescendo as the final twist unveils the identity of the mastermind behind the revenge plot in a jaw-dropping conclusion that will leave you breathless.
This wild roller coaster of a story is packed with multiple twists and shocking revelations that unfold with precision and flair. In her quest for the truth, Kate realizes that her "one little mistake" could cost her not only her social standing, but her life.
ONE LITTLE MISTAKE is a compulsively readable journey from beginning to end, serving as a cautionary tale about the perils of a single misstep. So cleverly crafted are the twists that you might find yourself wanting to stop guessing and simply enjoy the ride. And remember, never put anything you don’t want others to see on paper or your computer.
One little mistake leads to an explosion of chaos and hilarity—you will find yourself rooting for Kate despite wishing to steer clear of her precarious situation and her lists. The page-turner masterfully blends themes of trust, betrayal, and revenge with a protagonist who captivates you, even as her initial choices provoke doubt. And, please, that horrible husband of hers and those friends? With friends like this, who needs enemies?
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed the author's note, which provided insight into the inspiration behind this tantalizing novel.
Recommendations...
For fans of the author, Frieda McFadden, and those who enjoyed Hannah Mary McKinnon's (another favorite), The Revenge List, you won't want to miss this one. This gripping tale explores how an innocuous list can go viral, leading to unexpected and deadly consequences. Both of these books are essential reads for anyone craving a thrilling experience.
Special thanks to Inkubator Books and Netgalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 09, 2025
About the Author
Miranda Rijks is the bestselling author of 26 fast-paced psychological thrillers. You can download her FREE novella The Cheat, on her website mirandarijks . com. She also offers readers the chance to name characters in her books.
Miranda lives in Sussex, England, and when she’s not writing, she’s planning herMiranda Rijks is the bestselling author of 26 fast-paced psychological thrillers. You can download her FREE novella The Cheat, on her website mirandarijks . com. She also offers readers the chance to name characters in her books. Miranda lives in Sussex, England, and when she’s not writing, she’s planning her next trip to The Alps, knitting obsessively, or getting distracted by her black Labrador. Before turning to fiction, Miranda helped newbie entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. This completely changed her life and when she recovered, she started writing full-time. next trip to The Alps, knitting obsessively, or getting distracted by her black Labrador.
Before turning to fiction, Miranda helped newbie entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. This completely changed her life and when she recovered, she started writing full-time. WEBSITE
