The Only One Left: A Novel

I had a lot of fun with this story. The twists were great and things progressed at the perfect pace reeling me in with every turn. The audio also really enhances the experience! Nice quick thriller that you can easily get lost into.

This was my first Riley Sager book, and The Only One Left pulled me into its twisty, gothic world with a constant creeping sense of dread and a steady stream of jaw-dropping reveals. For this book I purchased both the Kindle and Audible versions to access the Whispersync feature; the audiobook was narrated by Christine Lakin & Dawn Harvey Set in the 1980s at a crumbling cliffside mansion ominously named Hope’s End, the story follows Kit, a caregiver with a recently deceased patient, as she begins working with Lenora Hope, a woman long suspected of murdering her entire family in 1929. Lenora now lives in silence and near-paralysis after multiple strokes and other health issues, communicating only by tapping on a typewriter. She begins to tell Kit her side of the story, and from there, the mystery slowly unravels…and then unravels again and again. The dual timeline structure works well here. The majority of the storyline is from Kit’s 1980s POV, narrated brilliantly by Christine Lakin, whose performance I was thrilled to hear again after recently loving her work in Into the Drowning Deep. The flashback chapters, set in 1929 from Lenora’s perspective, are narrated by Dawn Harvey, who also does a great job bringing a younger Lenora to life with unsettling depth. The supporting characters at Hope’s End include Carter, the quiet groundskeeper; Mrs. Baker, the suspiciously loyal housekeeper; Archie, the longtime cook; and Jessica, the too-cheerful maid, and they all add layers of intrigue to the story. You get the sense that almost everyone is hiding something. Sager masterfully sets the tone, and the setting itself becomes a character. The tilting mansion teetering on the edge of a cliff, random night noises, and unexplained occurrences all add to the claustrophobic tension. That said, there were moments where the pacing dragged and I stalled out, but just when I was about to lose focus, a twist would drop and pull me right back in. The last 20% is wild 😳 packed with reveals, betrayals, and “wait, WHAT?!” moments that hit like dominoes falling. If you enjoy gothic settings, morally complex characters, and stories that keep twisting right up until the final page, The Only One Left is worth reading, even if it runs a bit long. I’ll be picking up more by Riley Sager after this one.

I loved the story, I loved the writing, this book had me hooked and I loved the ending. Highly recommend!

This is the best book I have read in years. I enjoyed the twists the red herrings and the final outcome. I highly recommend this book. I plan on reading more from this author.

I gave this book 3 stars, but almost all of those stars came from one aspect of the story: the end-of-life themes. They prompted me to reflect on difficult ethical questions surrounding hospice, suffering, and personal choice. Those moments stayed with me long after I finished the book. As a thriller, though, I thought it was just okay. The suspense kept me reading, but there were simply too many twists and reveals. By the end, it felt like almost every character—except perhaps Carter—was somehow connected to the mystery. Instead of making the story more compelling, the constant surprises made it increasingly difficult for me to believe the events could have realistically happened. I enjoy a good psychological thriller, but I also like the plot to feel grounded enough that I can imagine it actually occurring. For me, this one crossed the line from suspenseful into implausible. That said, if you enjoy books with nonstop twists and don't mind suspending disbelief, you'll probably have a lot of fun with this one. It just wasn't my favorite.

If you like to be tricked by the plot, this is your book! A bit slow for me at first but once I dove in, I was hooked! A must read for my thrill readers and murder mystery fans!

Loved this book!! It was gripping from the beginning and kept you guessing, really nice twist at the end too. I finished this in a day and loved every minute of it. My first book from the author but I will be reading more for sure.

Plot twist after plot twist! Loved it great detail and character building, pay attention to the details and you’ll enjoy!

私は日本語が第1言語なので、sisterの表記にはいつも揺らぎが生じるのですが、この人が犯人なのかな？と思った部分は全てミスリードでした Maryの行方が分かってからは、続きが気になってしまい高速で読むことができました また、結末も含めて非常におもしろかったです！

“The Only One Left” by Riley Sager is a captivating gothic thriller that intertwines elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological drama. Set in 1983, the narrative follows Kit McDeere, a caregiver with a tarnished reputation, who is assigned to look after Lenora Hope—a woman accused of murdering her family in 1929. Lenora, now incapacitated and unable to speak, resides in the decaying mansion known as Hope’s End, perched precariously on a cliff’s edge. As Kit assists Lenora in typing out her story, she becomes deeply entangled in the dark secrets of the Hope family and the ominous history of the mansion. Sager masterfully crafts an atmospheric setting reminiscent of classic gothic tales, drawing parallels to works like “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “Rebecca.” The novel alternates between Kit’s present-day experiences and Lenora’s typewritten accounts, effectively building suspense and keeping readers on edge. The characters are intricately developed, each harboring their own secrets, adding depth to the unfolding mystery. Critical reception has been largely positive. Kirkus Reviews describes it as “an entertaining thriller,” noting its ability to evoke classic gothic elements while delivering unexpected twists. Similarly, a review from Criminal Element praises the novel as “a masterclass in atmospheric suspense,” highlighting Sager’s skill in crafting a story where “no detail can be taken for granted.” In summary, “The Only One Left” offers a richly atmospheric and suspenseful journey into a family’s dark past, set against the backdrop of a haunting mansion. While the novel excels in building tension and developing complex characters, some readers may find the climax stretches plausibility. Nonetheless, fans of gothic thrillers and intricate mysteries are likely to find this book a compelling read.

I was recommended this book and it didn't disappoint. i could not see the twists coming. loved it!

I loved every chapter os this book. Lots of mystery and extra captivating. It’s my number one book of this year, so far.

What a surprise for me !! First book read by this author, and what a start. A five star review, a book filled with suspense, chilling twists, great pace, addictive story, shocking and compelling. Everyone believes that Lenora Hope is a mass murderer. When the Hope family was massacred decades ago, she was the only one left after that tragic night. Mute, paralysed and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora has never been able to tell her side of the story. Until her new live-in caregiver Kit brings her a typewriter. And with one working finger Lenora begins to type: I want to tell you everything!! Filled with great characters, all with troubles pasts, creepy, heart pounding moments, the feeling of a 1930's, 40's Alfred Hitchcock film. The twists keep coming to the last few pages, my best book this year. Clear five stars