Maybe it's just time to admit I'm not a big Riley Sager fan. I always go in with the best intentions, but just find I am continuously more and more disappointed with each new release.
"The Only One Left" is not exempt from this trend. It should be interesting, though. The premise and setting are especially intriguing. However, the characters feel repetitive, as do the plotlines. Certain elements just feel completely nonsensical and the movement of the plot relies far too much on coincidence. It's just twist after twist that I was completely indifferent when we finally reached what was intended to be the "shocking" final reveal.
Overall, this one is fine — a solid 2.5 from me. I'm not sure if I'll return for Sager's next release.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Dutton for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest review.

* Thanks Netgalley for the free e-arc of this book.

This was my first Riley Sager book and WOW. I have never read a mystery/thriller that gave me literal chills! There were lots of revelations and plot twists that caught me off guard, making me not want to put this book down! I thought I knew how this story would end, but I never saw the ending coming!!

Definitely looking forward to reading another Riley Sager book in the future.

As soon as I saw Riley Sager had a new book, I requested without even reading the description! The Only One Left didn't disappoint. Kit is out of options and needs this caretaking job, but is put in a position where she's cut off from others in a crumbling mansion where nobody is what they seem. Suspenseful and surprising.

After becoming the subject of a scandal, caregiver Kit McDeere is desperate to hold onto her job. However, the only client that will take her is Lenora Hope -- a woman who may or may not have killed her entire family 54 years ago. When Kit arrives, Lenora is incapacitated, only having use of her left arm. But as time goes on, Kit learns the one thing Lenora CAN do is type. And she's finally ready to reveal the real truth about what actually went down that fateful night 54 years ago.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC. I'm a huge fan of Riley Sager's writing. Every single book is a page turner. And The Only One Left was no exception. The final reveal was a little batshit bananas tiny-townish, but the ride was so fun and the characters were so interesting, I didn't care. As far as Riley's books go, this is one of my favorites. He does a great job capturing atmosphere, and this one was especially disorienting (ie. The entire house stands at a tilt due to it's placement on a cliff. Only heightening each characters fear that they may be going insane -- genius!)

Can't wait for Riley's next book!

Excellent novel with some great characters and a captivating story. I felt intense vertigo when reading some of the scenes involving Hope’s End. Such vivid descriptions and intensely gripping dialogue.
I was rooting for Kit to succeed. Without giving away any details, I was satisfied with the ending. Look forward to reading more by this author.

4/5 Stars

Wow. Now this feels like OG Riley Sager with so many twists and turns you might need a “The Only One Left- Ending Explained” video.

I know Thais has been compared a lot to a fictional Lizzie Bordón novel but despite having one of our characters be the sole survivor of a family massacre I didn’t feel like the real life crime played any role in the writing of the plot.

I loved the back and forth between perspectives and I will say at times if felt like a dark Victorian version of clue (which I was strangely here for). The characters were very well developed and the twists weren’t so twisted they couldn’t be guessed but weren’t so obvious they’d be easily done so (aka the perfect amount).

Besides having me pulling out my hair to know EXACTLY what happened all those years ago, the plot was well paced and satisfying.

Excellent read that I would recommend for anyone who loves a good whodunit!

Thank you to Netgalley and Riley Sager for the advanced read of “The Only One Left” in exchange for an honest review!

Riley Sager knows how to turn suspenseful tropes on their head. This mystery takes place in an eerie, old cliff house in Maine that is slowly sinking into the sea. Old secrets, compelling characters, and twists and turns make this a great summer page turner!

At seventeen, Lenora Hope
Hung her sister with a rope

Stabbed her father with a knife
Took her mother’s happy life

Riley Sager does it again with The Only One left! This atmospheric gothic mystery is perfect for those who like thrillers with clever twist and turns and unreliable (or are they?!) narrators.

Reminiscent of real life murder suspect, Lizzie Bordon, Only One Left takes us to Hope's End where Lenora Hope's entire family have been killed and she is the only one left on the crumbling estate that is literally falling into the sea. Becoming a recluse, Lenora is now an older women needing round the clock care and in need of a new caregiver. Her last caregiver disappeared in the middle of the night under mysterious circumstances leading our main character, Kit, to take over her role. But Kit has her own accusations following her to Hope's End. Will the two connect over being wrongly accused or do we have two murderers?

Readers will devour this novel as they try to figure out who killed the Hope family and what exactly happened so long ago. Can our narrator Kit be trusted?

Highly recommend and will suggest to all our patrons looking for a creepy thriller. Riley Sager is a must read!

My first Riley Sager book and I can’t wait to read more of his books. I’m always a bit nervous going into thrillers, so many are predictable and feel the same. But I wanted go try a Sager book and saw the buzz this one was getting. If you haven’t, I definitely recommend picking this book up! It’s a twisty, dark, atmospheric book about a caregiver who is down on her luck, and forced into caring for an elderly community member who had been rumoured to have killed her entire family. You can’t help but love the characters and the setting is delicious!

This is my favorite Riley Sager so far. I really enjoyed the story, writting and all the twists. The last twist in the story really had me surprised. It was just perfect, loved that it was set in the 80s and will be re-reading this fall.

Riley Sager seldom disappoints and The Only One Left is absolutely engrossing. Reminiscent somewhat of the Lizzie Borden case, Sager builds up the suspense nicely, along with a few surprising twists and turns. A mix between psychological suspense and the supernatural, the novel is a home run.

I was pleasantly surprised by this! I was a big Sager fan back in the days of Final Girls and Last Time I Lied, but was very disappointed in his most recent novels (though I know lots of readers loved them, so I'm sure it was a "me problem"). This was fresh, unique, and kept me guessing to the end. A great thriller!

Riley Sager never fails to disappoint! Sign me up for his new thriller and every time it will be my new favorite of his! After losing her patient and her home health aide job, our main character Kit is given one last chance - to take care of Lenora Hope, who has long been believed to be the murderer of her own family.

"At seventeen, Lenora Hope
Hung her sister with a rope

Stabbed her father with a knife
Took her mother's happy life

'It wasn't me,' Lenora said
But she's the only one not dead"

Kit must live in this old mansion full of mysteries, secrets, and lies. Who really killed the Hope family, and is there any hope left for either of them?

Lots of twists and turns in this one. A good mystery and I really enjoyed the way it unraveled between the Lenora typing out her story and the flashbacks.

Super twisty and kept me up all night trying to figure out what was happening. I did want more time spent in the house and building up the creepy factor but over all, the perfect spooky July experience!

Riley Sager never misses! Another thrilling and interesting read from this author. I couldn't put this book down, the setting was so incredbly atmospheric, I couldn't have asked for a better time -- highly recommend for the spooky months!

yes yes yes!! A new Sager book and I just loooooved it. Honestly I will read anything by this man! This story is one of my favourites and I loved the twists! Please read this book!

In Riley Sager’s latest endeavor, the highs and lows of every Sager novel are present. Lenora is a stellar character to be intrigued with, and the book does a wonderful job of setting up her mystery. The pages will turn with anticipation of what is to happen next; Sager will keep a reader moving. As to be expected with Sager, the setup leads to a conclusion that is less than satisfying and is riddled with too many twists and turns to keep their value. Despite this, I found this to be one of his more successful writing ventures and enjoyed what it had to offer.

This book had so much potential! For the first half or so I was gripped, mildly creeped out… then the climax happened. And twists upon twists upon twists. I had to roll my eyes at a couple of them and actually groan at the <i>cheese</i> of others. It devolves into daytime drama territory. This is Riley Sager after all, and I wasn’t expecting a masterpiece, but what a disappointment. I thought I had finally found a Sager novel I truly loved. 3 stars for the evocative atmosphere and mostly solid first half. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

"The Only One Left" by Riley Sager is a gripping and masterfully crafted psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Sager's storytelling prowess shines through in this chilling tale of suspense and mystery.

The novel follows a compelling protagonist whose journey unravels the layers of a haunting family secret. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to emotionally invest in their struggles and triumphs. The author's ability to build tension and maintain a sense of unease throughout the narrative is commendable, keeping readers guessing until the final pages.

Sager's prose is engaging, with a perfect balance of vivid descriptions and fast-paced action. The plot twists and turns are cleverly executed, providing unexpected surprises that will leave readers reeling. Each chapter reveals a new clue, further deepening the mystery and leaving readers eager to uncover the truth.

The atmospheric setting adds to the book's appeal, creating a sense of foreboding and enhancing the overall reading experience. Sager's attention to detail immerses readers in the story, making it feel as though they are living alongside the characters.

Additionally, the book delves into complex themes of family, trust, and resilience, making it more than just a thrilling read. The emotional depth adds another layer of richness to the story, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a profound level.

"The Only One Left" is a testament to Riley Sager's talent as a writer. It's a compelling page-turner that offers a blend of psychological intrigue and emotional resonance. Whether you're a fan of thrillers or looking to explore the genre, this book is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting Sager's future works.

In conclusion, "The Only One Left" is a standout psychological thriller that captivates with its compelling plot, well-crafted characters, and skillful storytelling. Riley Sager proves once again why they are a master of suspense, delivering a novel that will leave a lasting impression on any reader.