What do you think?
Rate this book
One Step Closer
“A perfectly plotted, tense and gripping thriller!”
– Ann Parker, bestselling author
Two months ago, a man was murdered in his own flat.
Now, Piper is on the run, desperate to stay one step ahead of the police and the truth she’s trying to bury. But when the weight of it all drives her to the edge – literally – she meets Jack, a quiet, shaggy-haired farmer who offers her an unexpected lifeline.
Life on the farm should be her perfect hiding A fresh start in a remote village, far away from any city, where no one asks too many questions.
But when strange letters start arriving, suggesting Piper is hiding far more than she’s letting on, Jack’s trust begins to waver, and suspicion about what Piper is really running away from takes root.
With the police and the media closing in, and her secrets threatening to unravel, Piper must Can she keep running from her truth, or will the truth finally catch up with her?
Alex James Eccleston, author of North Paradise, makes his return to crime in this gripping edge-of-your-seat psychological suspense mystery.
Two months ago, a man was murdered in his own flat.
Now, Piper is on the run, desperate to stay one step ahead of the police and the truth she’s trying to bury. But when the weight of it all drives her to the edge – literally – she meets Jack, a quiet, shaggy-haired farmer who offers her an unexpected lifeline.
Life on the farm should be her perfect hiding A fresh start in a remote village, far away from any city, where no one asks too many questions.
But when strange letters start arriving, suggesting Piper is hiding far more than she’s letting on, Jack’s trust begins to waver, and suspicion about what Piper is really running away from takes root.
With the police and the media closing in, and her secrets threatening to unravel, Piper must Can she keep running from her truth, or will the truth finally catch up with her?
Alex James Eccleston, author of North Paradise, makes his return to crime in this gripping edge-of-your-seat psychological suspense mystery.
459 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2025
784 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Alex James Eccleston
10 books11 followersAlex James Eccleston is a bestselling British thriller and suspense author, best known for North Paradise, Forbidden Shores, and Hey, You. Alex loves to write emotionally charged stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats by combining elements of psychological tension, crime, and sometimes, even a bit of romance.
In his most recent work, Nineteen Minutes To Midnight, a teen time travel sci-fi adventure, Alex dives deep into the furthest corners of imagination, uncovering a daring and exciting new side to his storytelling, complete with high-stakes, twists and turns, emotional resonance, and a world unlike any he’s ever created.
Alex knows how to hook you from the first line – and once he does, he doesn’t let go. His characters are messy, flawed, and real, the kind that stay with you long after the final page. His stories twist when you least expect them to, and just when you think you’ve caught your breath, he hits you right in the gut.
He’s been obsessed with books for as long as he can remember. Writers like Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Dan Simmons, and James Herbert opened the door – he still remembers the way Pet Sematary and The Rats made his skin crawl. Not just scary, but deeply unsettling in the best way. Those stories didn’t just entertain him; they inspired him, lighting a fresh, creative spark.
When he’s not writing, Alex is probably spending time with his family, lost in a book, or scribbling down the next idea that won’t leave him alone.
His novels take you on a ride – scary one minute, emotional the next – and once you’re in, there’s no getting off.
In his most recent work, Nineteen Minutes To Midnight, a teen time travel sci-fi adventure, Alex dives deep into the furthest corners of imagination, uncovering a daring and exciting new side to his storytelling, complete with high-stakes, twists and turns, emotional resonance, and a world unlike any he’s ever created.
Alex knows how to hook you from the first line – and once he does, he doesn’t let go. His characters are messy, flawed, and real, the kind that stay with you long after the final page. His stories twist when you least expect them to, and just when you think you’ve caught your breath, he hits you right in the gut.
He’s been obsessed with books for as long as he can remember. Writers like Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Dan Simmons, and James Herbert opened the door – he still remembers the way Pet Sematary and The Rats made his skin crawl. Not just scary, but deeply unsettling in the best way. Those stories didn’t just entertain him; they inspired him, lighting a fresh, creative spark.
When he’s not writing, Alex is probably spending time with his family, lost in a book, or scribbling down the next idea that won’t leave him alone.
His novels take you on a ride – scary one minute, emotional the next – and once you’re in, there’s no getting off.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 4, 2026
Author issues
I will not read this author again if this is how all his books are created. He goes back and forth, from then to now in years, months and days, plus they are titled also by characters in time ,all 6 of them. I spent as much time going back to chapter heading as I did reading the plot. Not fun. But I muddled through.
Then the ending was a shocker. Out of the blue! I think he got stuck and had to come up with something.
I WONT BE READING HIS BOOKS AGAIN.
I will not read this author again if this is how all his books are created. He goes back and forth, from then to now in years, months and days, plus they are titled also by characters in time ,all 6 of them. I spent as much time going back to chapter heading as I did reading the plot. Not fun. But I muddled through.
Then the ending was a shocker. Out of the blue! I think he got stuck and had to come up with something.
I WONT BE READING HIS BOOKS AGAIN.
January 28, 2026
I like British writers with the different words and different world building. Piper was the definition of a survivor and I enjoyed her coming of age. I say coming of age, not as a YA book, but as a criminal to a survivor. There were a few things that could have been improved but they are spoilers. Over-all I enjoyed One Step Closer.
September 17, 2025
I've read many of this author's books and they are always unique and exciting with many brilliant twists.
This is one of the best. The characters were ones you could get behind, especially Piper and Jack.
If you read One Step Closer you won't be disappointed, just surprised and intrigued.
This is one of the best. The characters were ones you could get behind, especially Piper and Jack.
If you read One Step Closer you won't be disappointed, just surprised and intrigued.
January 5, 2026
brilliant read
Absolutely jaw dropping…what an amazing story! Loved it! Super impressed with every twist and turn in this book! Wow..will definitely look up more books by this author!
Absolutely jaw dropping…what an amazing story! Loved it! Super impressed with every twist and turn in this book! Wow..will definitely look up more books by this author!
January 10, 2026
Brilliantly written ! Although I did struggle a little with the time zone changes, I do realise it was the best way to tell the story. So many twists and turns - kept me guessing until the very end! And what an ending !! Didn’t expect that!
February 11, 2026
Not a fan of books that jump back and forth in time. This one was all over the place. From far ahead of the crime to far back to near then far back again. Just hard to follow, and different character for each chapter. Did not like the inconsistency
February 17, 2026
Good read, wasn’t as gripping as I expected.
Different writing style. The story kept jumping forward and back, leaving you hanging until you got through a few chapters. Story line was good, all in all a good read.
Different writing style. The story kept jumping forward and back, leaving you hanging until you got through a few chapters. Story line was good, all in all a good read.
March 4, 2026
new author for me
I enjoyed this despite all the twists and turns. I’ll look for another to read. The writing keeps you reading. Love the character of Charlie and how the sisters loved each other.
I enjoyed this despite all the twists and turns. I’ll look for another to read. The writing keeps you reading. Love the character of Charlie and how the sisters loved each other.
November 1, 2025
OMG, This read was amazing. I couldn’t put my kindle down. I absolutely loved it. What a twist. This is a MUST READ. I’m hoping it will be a movie one day soon. Thank you Alex.
November 3, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Was gripped and couldn’t put it down
November 9, 2025
good story, lots of twists although sone were predictable. a little confusing at times, getting to know which characters pov you were reading, but overall a good read
November 13, 2025
Fabulous book
A tale of love, hate, abuse, fear and very well written. Had me gripped from the start and caused me to be late on an occasion! Highly recommend
A tale of love, hate, abuse, fear and very well written. Had me gripped from the start and caused me to be late on an occasion! Highly recommend
November 24, 2025
Fabtastic
Great story could not put down had tears a few times a really fantastic book can not wait to read more from this author.
Great story could not put down had tears a few times a really fantastic book can not wait to read more from this author.
November 25, 2025
Fabulous!
December 16, 2025
Wow! What an incredible mystery!
This book is definitely for adults but not blatently gratuitis. I read it straight through without being able to stop.
This book is definitely for adults but not blatently gratuitis. I read it straight through without being able to stop.
February 12, 2026
One of the worst books ever. If I read one more line about tears rolling down someone’s face or the stupid decisions the character made. Ugh
February 16, 2026
This seemed like one of the longest books I have ever read. There were several points that I thought this had to be the end based on a twist that was just revealed. However, another thing happened, and then the story just kept going.
February 16, 2026
complex and very satisfying
This is an author I would read again. The character development was very interesting and kept me attached, but the plot was most captivating.
This is an author I would read again. The character development was very interesting and kept me attached, but the plot was most captivating.
November 23, 2025
nice job
For me, reading books that hop back and forth between characters for each chapter isn’t to bad ( I can almost tolerate), but jumping from character to character in and out of past and present on top of that, may make an author a skilled writer, - but it is incredibly frustrating. Brain racking. Personally I don’t like that style of reading. However, the story itself was quite good. Connecting the dots, fantastic.
For me, reading books that hop back and forth between characters for each chapter isn’t to bad ( I can almost tolerate), but jumping from character to character in and out of past and present on top of that, may make an author a skilled writer, - but it is incredibly frustrating. Brain racking. Personally I don’t like that style of reading. However, the story itself was quite good. Connecting the dots, fantastic.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews