Summary
The Only One Left is a gripping Gothic thriller by bestselling author Riley Sager, released in June 2023. This instant New York Times bestseller has captivated readers with its chilling tale of murder, mystery, and long-buried secrets. Set against the backdrop of a decaying cliffside mansion in Maine, the novel weaves together past and present, exploring the infamous Hope family murders of 1929.
The story centers on Kit McDeere, a home health aide who arrives at Hope's End to care for Lenora Hope, the sole survivor of the massacre that claimed her family decades ago. As Kit helps the elderly, mute Lenora recount the events leading up to that fateful night, she uncovers a web of lies and deception that challenges everything she thought she knew about the case.
Critics have praised Sager's masterful storytelling, noting the novel's “jaw-dropping twists” and “breakneck pace.” Drawing comparisons to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and Edgar Allan Poe's “The Fall of the House of Usher,” The Only One Left has been hailed as a “thrilling page-turner” that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With its blend of historical intrigue and modern-day suspense, this novel has quickly become a must-read for fans of the genre.
Plot
In 1983, home health aide Kit McDeere arrives at Hope's End, a decaying mansion on the Maine coast, to care for Lenora Hope. Lenora, now in her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, was accused of murdering her family in 1929 but never convicted. Unable to speak due to a series of strokes, Lenora communicates with Kit using a typewriter. One night, she makes an intriguing offer to Kit: “I want to tell you everything."
As Kit helps Lenora recount the events leading up to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear that there's more to the story than previously known. The narrative alternates between Kit's present-day experiences at Hope's End and Lenora's account of the past. Kit meets the mansion's staff, including housekeeper Mrs. Baker, cook Archie, maid Jessie, and groundskeeper Carter, who believes he's Lenora's illegitimate grandson.
Kit's investigation takes an unexpected turn when she discovers the body of Mary Milton, Lenora's previous nurse who had mysteriously disappeared, on the beach below Hope's End. This revelation, along with new information about the night of the murders, leads Kit to question Lenora's version of events. She begins to suspect that the seemingly harmless old woman might be more dangerous than she initially thought.
As the truth unravels, Kit uncovers shocking secrets about the Hope family, including hidden identities, long-buried affairs, and unexpected connections to her own past. The story culminates in a dramatic sequence of events at Hope's End, involving Kit, Lenora, and other key players, as the final pieces of the decades-old mystery fall into place.
Themes
Uncovering hidden truths
Consequences of past actions
Deception and mistaken identity
Family secrets and betrayal
Perception versus reality
Redemption and forgiveness
Gothic atmosphere and suspense
Setting
The Only One Left by Riley Sager is set primarily in the 1980s, with flashbacks to the 1920s. The story unfolds in coastal Maine, a region known for its rugged shorelines and picturesque landscapes. This setting provides a stark contrast between the natural beauty of the area and the dark secrets hidden within Hope's End, the cliffside mansion at the center of the narrative.
Hope's End, a decaying mansion perched precariously on a cliff overlooking the sea, serves as the primary location for much of the novel. This Gothic-inspired setting creates an atmosphere of isolation and foreboding, perfectly complementing the mystery surrounding the decades-old Hope family murders. The mansion's deteriorating state mirrors the declining mental and physical condition of its sole inhabitant, Lenora Hope.
Beyond Hope's End, the story briefly touches on other locations, including Kit McDeere's hometown and her childhood home. These settings provide context for Kit's backstory and play a crucial role in the novel's climax. The contrast between the insular world of Hope's End and the wider coastal Maine community underscores the themes of secrets, isolation, and the long-reaching consequences of past actions.
Characters
Kit McDeere: The protagonist and narrator. A 30-something home health aide with a troubled past who takes a job caring for Lenora Hope. Kit is compassionate but haunted by accusations that she euthanized her terminally ill mother. She becomes determined to uncover the truth about the Hope family murders while struggling with her own moral dilemmas.
Lenora Hope: An elderly woman in her 70s, confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak due to strokes. Initially believed to be the sole survivor of the Hope family massacre in 1929. Lenora communicates with Kit via typewriter, slowly revealing her version of past events. Her true identity and role in the murders become central mysteries of the story.
Virginia Hope: Lenora's younger sister, presumed dead after the 1929 murders. Her true fate and identity are gradually revealed through the course of the novel. Virginia's complex history and motivations drive much of the plot's suspense and twists.
Patrick McDeere: Kit's father, revealed to have a surprising connection to the Hope family's past. His actions in both the past and present have major repercussions for the main characters. Patrick's true nature and motivations become increasingly important as the story unfolds.
Mrs. Baker: The housekeeper at Hope's End. She plays a key role in maintaining secrets about the past and proves to have a much deeper connection to the Hope family than initially apparent.
Carter: The groundskeeper at Hope's End who believes himself to be Lenora's grandson and heir to the Hope fortune. His presence adds tension and suspicion to the household dynamics.
Mary Milton: The previous nurse who disappeared shortly before Kit's arrival. Her fate becomes an important subplot in the novel.
Detective Vick: The police detective who investigated both Kit's mother's death and the disappearance of Mary Milton. His involvement adds pressure to Kit's situation.
Archie: The cook at Hope's End. A minor character who contributes to the atmosphere of the mansion.
Jessie: The maid at Hope's End, later revealed to have a surprising connection to the Hope family.
Quick facts
The book was published on June 20, 2023 and quickly became a New York Times bestseller.
The story takes place in 1983 at a cliffside mansion in Maine called Hope's End.
The plot was inspired by the real-life Lizzie Borden murder case from 1892.
Riley Sager is actually a pen name for author Todd Ritter.
The novel incorporates elements of Gothic horror and murder mystery genres.
A key plot device is an old typewriter that the elderly Lenora uses to communicate.
The book features interstitial chapters containing Lenora's typed confession.
Critics have noted similarities to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and Edgar Allan Poe's “The Fall of the House of Usher".
The story spans multiple time periods, with events in 1929 and 1983.
The novel's epilogue reveals that Lenora Hope lived to be 101 years old.
About the Author
Riley Sager, the pen name of Todd Ritter, is a New York Times bestselling author known for gripping thriller novels. With a background in journalism, editing, and graphic design, Sager transitioned to full-time writing, crafting suspenseful stories that captivate readers worldwide.
Sager's debut novel, Final Girls, published in 2017, won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and has been translated into over 35 languages. This success launched a prolific career, with Sager releasing a new thriller almost annually. Notable works include Lock Every Door, Home Before Dark, and The House Across the Lake.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Sager now resides in Princeton, New Jersey. When not writing, the author enjoys reading, cooking, and watching movies. Sager's favorite films include classics like Rear Window, Jaws, and Mary Poppins, showcasing a diverse taste in cinema that likely influences the atmospheric storytelling in their novels.
In addition to the Riley Sager pseudonym, Ritter has published works under their own name and the pen name Alan Finn. The author's latest novel, The Only One Left, was released in 2023, with more thrillers planned for the coming years, including Middle of the Night in 2024 and With a Vengeance in 2025.
