The One by John Marrs Summary

The One by John Marrs is a science fiction thriller that explores a world where DNA testing can identify your genetically perfect soulmate. The novel follows five interconnected characters—a divorcée, a serial killer, a traveler, an engaged man, and a CEO—as they navigate the consequences of finding their supposed perfect match through a service called Match Your DNA.

John Marrs is a bestselling British author known for high-concept psychological thrillers and speculative fiction. With an average rating of 4.02 across nearly 1.2 million ratings on Goodreads, Marrs has established himself as a master of suspenseful, thought-provoking narratives. The One, published in 2017, became one of his most popular works and solidified his reputation for creating addictive, Black Mirror-style stories.

The One by John Marrs is ideal for fans of Black Mirror, speculative thrillers, and readers who enjoy multi-perspective narratives with ethical dilemmas. This book appeals to those interested in exploring relationships, sexuality, technology's impact on society, and moral questions about genetic determinism. Readers who appreciate fast-paced plots with cliffhangers and darker psychological elements will find this particularly engaging.

The One by John Marrs is highly recommended by readers who praise its addictive pacing, clever plot twists, and thought-provoking themes. With 103 chapters ending in mini-cliffhangers, the book creates a "breathless pace" that makes it nearly impossible to put down. However, readers should expect a darker tone and be prepared for ethically complex situations that may feel unsettling or "off" to some.

The One by John Marrs features five protagonists whose stories unfold simultaneously:

• Mandy, a lonely divorcée seeking love and motherhood
• Christopher, a narcissistic serial killer
• Jade, a woman trapped in a dead-end job who travels to Australia
• Nick, an engaged man matched to another man
• Ellie, the CEO of Match Your DNA who discovers disturbing truths about her company

Match Your DNA in The One by John Marrs is a revolutionary genetic testing service that identifies a person's scientifically perfect soulmate through a simple mouth swab. The service promises to connect people with their genetically destined partner, eliminating the uncertainty of traditional dating. However, the novel explores how this technology creates unexpected ethical dilemmas, dangerous obsessions, and life-altering consequences when people discover their supposed perfect match.

Christopher is a narcissistic serial killer in The One by John Marrs who becomes matched with Amy, a police officer. Despite his murderous nature, Christopher finds himself genuinely fascinated by Amy's strong, assertive personality. When Amy discovers Christopher's crimes, she realizes turning him in would destroy her career, so she kills him with his own weapon—a cheese wire garrote—burns his body, and erases all evidence of his identity.

Mandy's storyline in The One by John Marrs follows a divorcée who discovers her Match, Richard, died in a hit-and-run accident. Richard's mother offers Mandy the chance to carry his baby using stored sperm, but Mandy later discovers Richard is alive in a vegetative state. After giving birth, Richard's family steals her baby by cesarean section while she's unconscious, leading to their arrest when law enforcement tracks them down.

The One by John Marrs boldly examines sexuality through Nick's character, a heterosexual man engaged to Sally who discovers he's genetically matched to a man named Alex. Despite loving Sally and planning to marry her, Nick experiences an overwhelming attraction to Alex that challenges his understanding of his own identity. The novel presents this internal conflict without judgment, exploring how genetic compatibility might transcend societal labels and self-perception.

The One by John Marrs receives criticism for its alternating POV structure, with some readers preferring consecutive short stories rather than switching between unrelated characters. Some reviewers found the darker content unsettling, describing a "knot of discontent" that grew as ethically disturbing situations unfolded. Additionally, the format of 103 mini-cliffhangers, while addictive for many, can feel manipulative to readers who prefer more cohesive narrative flow.

The One by John Marrs is frequently compared to the dystopian TV series Black Mirror for its exploration of technology's dark consequences on human relationships. While not as disturbing as Black Mirror, The One shares similar DNA in examining how a seemingly beneficial technology—genetic matching—creates unforeseen ethical dilemmas, manipulation, and tragedy. Both works challenge audiences to question whether scientific advancement always serves humanity's best interests.

Ellie, the CEO of Match Your DNA in The One by John Marrs, discovers her Match "Tim" is actually Matthew Ward, whose mother Samantha worked on the original Match project. Matthew infiltrated Ellie's company seeking revenge because Ellie's unscrupulous early practices destroyed his mother's life. He successfully hacked the system for over a year, generating false Matches to sabotage the company, exposing the dangerous consequences of Ellie's ambition and ethical shortcuts.