If you love psychological thrillers packed with dark secrets, eerie mansions, and shocking twists, The Only One Left by Riley Sager is a must-read. This gothic horror-thriller keeps readers on edge with its haunting atmosphere, compelling characters, and a mystery that unravels with each turn of the page.
Book Summary: A Chilling Tale of Murder and Secrets
At seventeen, Lenora Hope
Hung her sister with a rope
Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred.
Stabbed her father with a knife
Took her mother’s happy life
It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything.
“It wasn’t me,” Lenora said
But she’s the only one not dead
As Kit helps Lenora write about the events leading to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear there’s more to the tale than people know. But when new details about her predecessor’s departure come to light, Kit starts to suspect Lenora might not be telling the complete truth—and that the seemingly harmless woman in her care could be far more dangerous than she first thought.
Why You Should Read The Only One Left
- Unpredictable Twists – Riley Sager is known for his jaw-dropping plot twists, and this book delivers in full force. Just when you think you have the story figured out, another revelation turns everything upside down.
- Haunting Atmosphere – The gothic setting of a decaying mansion perched on a cliffside creates an eerie and immersive experience.
- Strong Female Protagonist – Kit is a well-developed character, grappling with her own past while unraveling Lenora’s dark history.
- Fast-Paced & Suspenseful – The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, keeping readers hooked from start to finish.
Who Will Love This Book?
- Fans of thrillers with gothic horror elements
- Readers who enjoy psychological suspense with unreliable narrators
- Those who love Riley Sager’s previous books, like The House Across the Lake and Home Before Dark
- Fans of authors like Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, and Alice Feeney
Final Verdict: A Must-Read Thriller for 2024
The Only One Left is a masterful blend of mystery, horror, and psychological suspense. Riley Sager once again proves why he’s a bestselling thriller author, delivering a book that keeps readers guessing until the very last page. If you’re looking for a spine-chilling read that will stay with you long after you finish, this is it.
Have you read The Only One Left? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Where to Buy
Find The Only One Left by Riley Sager on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or check your local bookstore.
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Book Quotes
She’s capable of so little yet accused of so much, and I remain torn between wanting to protect her and the urge to suspect her
― Riley Sager, The Only One Left
But that’s not what you’re most curious about, is it? You want to know if I’m as evil as everyone says I am. The answer is no. And yes.
― Riley Sager, The Only One Left
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