Brooke Nelson's Reviews > The Only One Left

What does Riley Sager lace his books with? Because I am addicted.

This is easily my most entrancing, unputdownable read of 2023. I simply cannot get enough.

I am a thriller girl, through and through, and even more than that, I am a Riley Sager girl. When I saw he had a new book on the way, I put myself on the library hold list (poor person problems). And I was very first in line.



As it turns out, the library created a new listing for it and didn't move my name to the new listing so here I am, reading this book a wee bit (over three months) late. That being said, the library confusion was well worth it. The Only One Left exceeded my expectations in so many ways.

First, there is the crafting of the female MC, often a struggle, even more often a struggle for male authors. This is one of the areas where I am most impressed with Sager's handiwork. Not only does he write a believable woman, a realistic woman...

He writes a compelling one. I found myself rooting for Kit even when I didn't agree with her, even when I thought she was a little stupid, even when she was frustrating me. I still rooted for her, because she felt so real and possessed that oft-missed quality in main character's that makes me want them to win their battles. That is pure genius-level writing.



Next is the juicy part of the story--the plot, the action, and the mystery. Which in this particular book was absolutely mind-boggling . To say my jaw is on the floor would be an understatement. I began this book expecting to be surprised. After I guessed two of the smaller twists, I felt briefly disappointed. After I guessed a third, this one being a major twist, I entered a low level of despair, fearing this may be the end of the Riley Sager I've come to know and love, the one who writes plot twists that send me reeling.

Fortunately, the next twist, and the one after that, and the one after that, were absolute shocks to the system. Like totally unguessable. By the end, I had to shut the book, stare at the ceiling, and process everything I had just (mentally) witnessed. What a wild ride.



Needless to say, this is very easily my favorite Riley Sager book, and one of the absolute best thrillers I have ever read. I am so impressed by Sager's story-writing and his seemingly endless imagination, with twists and turns galore. He keeps my thriller girl heart so happy.

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