One by One

Deceit and trust play meaningful roles in One by One. The entire plot hinges on a deceit: While the others think they are going on a relaxing vacation in a charming inn in the woods, Lindsay and Warner know they are luring the group into a deadly trap with the intention of punishing Claire, Noah, and Jack for their extramarital behaviors. However, there are many smaller deceits that also play important roles, with the narrative exploring the complexities of deceit and trust in the characters’ lives.

The most important deceit is Claire and Jack’s romantic affair, which damages the trust between Claire and Noah. Claire knows that the lies she tells Noah have consequences, further fueling the fighting and hostility in their marriage and breaking down their levels of trust. When Noah asks Claire to leave with him to find their own way to the inn, she refuses, thinking it is safer to stay with the group. However, she later regrets her decision, thinking, “I’m beginning to wish I had trusted Noah and gone off with him” (173). If Claire and Noah had split from the group, they would have been safer, given that Warner works alongside Lindsay to torment Claire, Noah, Jack, and Michelle.