One Wrong Word: A Novel

A heart-racing psychological thriller from USA Today bestselling and multiple award-winning author, Hank Phillippi Ryan.

One wrong word can ruin your life. And no one knows that better than savvy crisis management expert Arden Ward. Problem is, she's now forced to handle a shocking crisis of her own. Unfairly accused of having an affair with a powerful client, Arden’s life and dreams are about to crash and burn. Then, Arden is given an ultimatum. She has just two weeks to save her career and her reputation.

Is Cordelia Bannister the answer to her prayers?

Cordelia needs Arden’s help for her husband Ned, a Boston real estate mogul. Though he was recently acquitted in a fatal drunk driving accident, his reputation is ruined, and the fallout is devastating not only to the Bannisters' lives, but the lives of their two adorable children.

Arden devotes her skill and determination—and maybe her final days on the job—to helping this shattered family, but soon, revelations begin to emerge about what really happened the night of the accident. And then—another car crash throws Ned back into the spotlight.

This case is Arden’s final chance to protect her own future and clear her name. But the more she tries to untangle the truth, the more she’s haunted by one disturbing question—what if she’s also protecting a killer?

Gossip. Lies. Rumors. Words like that can hurt you. And Arden knows the reality. Sometimes one wrong word can kill.

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Published Feb 6, 2024

352 pages

Average rating: 7

2 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Andrea-The Shelf Life Books
Jul 03, 2025
6/10 stars
One Wrong Word is a twisty domestic suspense thriller told from three different POV’s. Arden Ward is known as a fixer in the crisis management world. But she is having her own personal career crisis to manage. Her boss has given Arden two weeks’ notice before she will need to leave the company and find employment elsewhere. The wife of a major client has claimed that Arden was having an affair with her husband. Before she leaves, she is handed one more case, with the promise of a referral and severance pay. Arden is asked to help the Banister family. The father, Ned has recently been acquitted of vehicular homicide. He was accused of being drunk behind the wheel and running over and killing a person in the parking garage. While he has been acquitted by the court, the public is not so forgiving. This case maybe Arden’s last chance to save her career and reputation. As Arden seeks the truth, secrets and lies unravel. There is so much more to the situation than meets the eye.

I love the twist and turns and so many red herrings in the book. I recommend this book to all thriller lovers. It had me second guessing who was the real villain here! This is one that cannot be missed.

I had the honor of reading this ARC thanks to Netgalley, the Author, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Tor Publishing Group /Forge Books

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