Review: There Should Have Been Eight by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkeley
Publication Date: November 2023

They met when they were teenagers. Now they’re adults, and time has been kind to some and unkind to others—none more so than to Bea, the one they lost nine long years ago.

They’ve gathered to reminisce at Bea’s family’s estate, a once-glorious mansion straight out of a gothic novel. Best friends, old flames, secret enemies, and new lovers are all under one roof. But when the weather turns and they’re snowed in at the edge of eternity, there’s nowhere left to hide from their shared history.

As the walls close in, the pretense of normality gives way to long-buried grief, bitterness, and rage. Underneath it all, there’s the nagging feeling that Bea’s shocking death wasn’t what it was claimed to be. And before the weekend is through, the truth will be unleashed—no matter the cost. . . .

There Should Have Been Eight is an isolated, closed circle thriller.   Told through the perspective of Luna, seven friends come together for a weekend get-away to reminisce about their friend Bea.  Everyone has a secret and people start disappearing and dying. Honestly, there should have been a thriller here somewhere, but sadly there just wasn't.

I really wanted to love this one.  But I just thought it was meh.  I was honestly bored thorough most of it.  I never really felt a sense of danger or urgency.  The characters were insufferable.  I couldn't find a character to root for. They are all supposed to be best friend, yet I never felt like they were.  Luna was going blind, but she refused to tell her friends?  Why?  I know she was still coming to terms with it, but why wouldn't you clue in your "best friends"? I also got tired of her complaining about the way Bea's sister handled Bea's funeral.  We get it, you are mad.  Move on. The ending was predictable.  I think fans of this author will like it, but it just wasn't thrilling enough for me.