Nalini Singh has had an extraordinarily successful career writing primarily sci-fi/fantasy novels and along the way developing a large following for her various series. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT is her second foray into the mystery/thriller genre, following 2019's A MADNESS OF SUNSHINE.

At its heart, the book is about friendships and the difficulty in sustaining them as the years pass by. Seven adults who had been friends as teenagers make plans to have a reunion of sorts. It will take place at a gothic estate that belonged to the eighth member of their group, Bea, who tragically passed away nine years ago.

"The murder in question...is truly of the locked-room variety that should appeal to fans of the genre. Singh utilizes these elements and plot twists to keep the story humming along until the wild finale that will leave you gasping."

It’s easy to see where the very reminiscent-sounding title of the book came from as the seven remaining friends all have different feelings about celebrating in any fashion without Bea there. Nevertheless, they see it as an opportunity to honor her memory and rekindle the close bond they all had once upon a time.

As most readers will muse, you can’t go back again, which is true in this case. After all, it is Bea’s sister, Darcie, who organized the entire affair and suggested the use of her family’s estate. There are other tragedies that play out here. For example, our narrator Luna finds out that she is suffering from a degenerative disease that will take away her eyesight permanently. This is not great news for anyone, especially when you make your living as a photographer.

THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT divulges interesting facts (or “red herrings”) about our guests. The mansion is quite run down. During their stay, the visitors are subjected to a major New Zealand storm that cuts off their electricity and all forms of communication. This group already was full of secrets and resentments. Now cast them in this setting, throw in mysterious tunnels, secret passages, people going missing and the expected murder, and you have a story that lives up to the hype.

The murder in question, which I will not reveal here, is truly of the locked-room variety that should appeal to fans of the genre. Singh utilizes these elements and plot twists to keep the story humming along until the wild finale that will leave you gasping. I hope she has more mystery/thrillers in store for her adoring fan base.