Riley Sager’s The Only One Left is a masterful blend of suspense, mystery, and psychological thriller that grips the reader from the first page to the last. Known for his deft storytelling and ability to create tension, Sager delivers a novel that is both a haunting exploration of past trauma and a thrilling ride through unexpected twists and turns.

Set in 1983, the novel follows Kit McDeere, a home health aide with a troubled past who is assigned to care for Lenora Hope, the last surviving member of the infamous Hope family. Decades earlier, the Hope family was brutally murdered, and Lenora, then a young girl, was the prime suspect. Confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak, Lenora communicates by typing on an old typewriter. As Kit starts her new job in the decaying Hope mansion, she becomes determined to uncover the truth about the night of the murders and whether Lenora is truly guilty.

Sager excels at creating an atmosphere of creeping dread and tension. The Hope mansion, with its crumbling walls and dark secrets, is a character in itself, adding layers of gothic horror to the narrative. The setting perfectly complements the eerie and unsettling mood of the story, making the reader feel as though they are walking through the shadowy halls alongside Kit.

The character of Kit McDeere is well-developed and relatable. Her own troubled history and her determination to prove herself add depth to her character. As she digs deeper into Lenora's past, Kit’s growing obsession with the case and her struggle to maintain her sanity are portrayed with skill and nuance. Sager’s depiction of Kit’s internal battles and her complex emotions make her a compelling protagonist.

Lenora Hope is an equally fascinating character. Despite her physical limitations, Lenora's presence is powerful and enigmatic. Her cryptic messages typed out on the typewriter provide clues and drive the narrative forward. Sager masterfully keeps the reader guessing about Lenora’s true nature and her role in the horrific events that shattered her family.

One of the strengths of The Only One Left is its intricate plot and pacing. Sager weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, slowly revealing pieces of the puzzle while maintaining suspense. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader engaged and on edge. Just when you think you have figured out the mystery, Sager throws in another surprise that upends your assumptions.

The novel also delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the search for truth. Through Kit’s investigation, Sager explores how the past can haunt the present and how the quest for justice can become an all-consuming obsession. The moral ambiguities and psychological complexities of the characters add depth to the story, making it more than just a straightforward thriller.

Sager’s writing is crisp and evocative, capturing the gothic atmosphere of the mansion and the mounting tension of the plot. His ability to create vivid and immersive scenes enhances the overall impact of the story. The dialogue is sharp and believable, further drawing the reader into the world of the characters.

In conclusion, The Only One Left is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that showcases Riley Sager’s talent for crafting suspenseful and emotionally resonant narratives. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and haunting setting, the novel is a standout addition to the genre. Fans of psychological thrillers and gothic mysteries will find much to love in this chilling and expertly crafted tale. Sager’s ability to blend psychological depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense makes The Only One Left a must-read for thriller enthusiasts.

HUGE clue/Knives out vibes with this book. Absolutely loved this book all the way through - big + old mansion and you don't know who to trust!!

First, thank you netgalley and the publisher for sending me the e-arc of this title. Second, I had a good time during this read even though parts of it was very predictable, not all of it though! This book is perfect for lovers of Verity and Silent Patient.

This book should have every reason to keep me interested, engaged, and loving it, but somehow each female character is only discussed in regards to the men in their life who are absent in the stories. Specifically, the two main characters and how they relate everything back to their fathers. It leaves them feeling one dimensional and lackluster a lot of the time. However, the setting is fascinating, and the mystery was worth moving forward with the story if only to prove that I knew how it occurred from the very beginning.

This wasn’t my favorite Sager book but I did enjoy it. It took awhile to finish but the ending had quite the twist.

An unforgettable thriller! Riley Sager's The Only One Left will have you thinking you know exactly what is happening until twist after twist confirms that you have no idea. An excellent read.

In a stately mansion on the cliffs, a horrible murder occurred many years ago. Now, the elderly sister needs a caretaker, who might be just the person to unravel the mystery and bring peace to the estate. Or die trying.

I love Riley Sager's novels but I could not get into this one. I will definitely read his next because The Last Time I Lied remains one of my favorite thrillers.

Wow! I was thoroughly impressed with this book from Riley Sager. I loved the Gothic setting. The crumbling Hope's End estate was the perfect setting for this tale. A lot of twists and turns until the very end. I liked that the ending was hopeful, too.

This is one of the author’s best books. Holy moly is it twisty!
It’s about a woman that is hired to be the caretaker of a wealthy old woman that lives in a notorious house up on a cliff. The reason it is notorious is because the whole world believes the lady murdered her entire family when she was young 👀
Things immediately become concerning for the caretaker……..

4.5

This was so entertaining. I couldn’t put it down and it reminded me of how I felt when I read Lock Every Door a few years back. Was the ending compounded with lots of things..yup. Did I let it bother me? Nope. I found some bread crumbs for certain things along the way but not nearly all of them. This won’t be for everyone but it was for me.

I can't get enough of Riley Sager. Don't ever retire.
The Only One Left echoes canonical thriller = mystery writers in a voice distinctively Sagerian. The unsettling mood portal intio a world where the reader inhabits mirrors the protagonist's. This level of craftsmanship is often absent in the saturated genre du jour.

Enjoy. The less said about the plot, the better the discovery.

Riley Sager is an auto-request author for me and this one did not disappoint. A twist so twisty I had to stop reading and think about it for a solid few minutes. I love the way he sets his scenes- they’re so vivid you literally feel like you are in this old tilting house with the characters. Definitely recommend!

Riley Sager continues his successful writing career with another fantastic thriller. A spooky mansion on the edge of a cliff, a geriatric Lizzie bordenesque woman, a nurse with secrets all come together in this fast paced psychology thriller.
While the twists and ending are wholly unbelievable they are certainly entertaining! I thoroughly enjoyed and all the twists even up to the last page. If you like Sager's other books I think you would also enjoy this novel.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me and an e-arc copy of this book for review.

Slow burn of a thriller and I loved every minute of the ride. Riley Sager is a master of spinning a great tale. I couldn't turn these pages fast enough! 5 stars!

Have been a big admirer of Sager's work and enjoy the quick and eerie tales that he forms. Loved the twisty gothic storyline. Will always pick up a Sager book for a good time

The Only One Left has such a great premise: Kit is a home health aide assigned to take care of her town's Lizzie Borden character, a wealthy woman named Leonora, who supposedly killed her whole family and got away with it 50 years prior. Leonora is partially paralyzed and unable to speak, so the two begin to communicate by typewritten messages. The plot and premise of this book were fine, but the execution leaves something to be desired. The build-up took forever and was super repetitive and the resolution didn't make a ton of sense. I am not usually very bothered by unbelievable endings. But since this book dragged at the beginning, having a silly ending was kind of annoying. I felt the same way about The House Across the Lake- promising premise, a long and repetitive story without much substance, followed by a twisty ending that didn't make much sense. Overall, I would say it was worth the time I spent reading it, but I would probably suggest reading other Riley Sager books before this one.

I had to DNF this, sadly -- I think RIley Sager isn't for me, though I understand and respect the folks who enjoy his writing, and I can see why! I think I'm just not the target audience.

A great story that is helped by the use of the past; set in the 80s. As an Agatha Christie fan this was a fun read, and I love having someone tell their own story because there is potential for unreliable narrator.

This was my favorite Riley Sager book! Loved the story and the characters. I was able to figure some things out but was still surprised at some points.