A review by brooksie03051
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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
The Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume their 17 year old daughter Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside the cliffside mansion Hope’s End since the night where the massacre occurred. Now the story is reduced to a schoolyard chant that all the local people know and all are afraid to step foot into the mansion.
Fast forward to 1983, and home-health aide named Kitteridge (Kit) McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora Hope after her previous nurse Mary fled in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye or note of explanation. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Kit is told that Miss Hope was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate by tapping yes or no answers with her only good left hand. But then Kit finds out that she can also use an old typewriter that her previous caregiver taught her to use. Something that others were not aware of. One night, Lenora uses the typewriter to make a tantalizing offer to Kit—I want to tell you everything.
"But here's the thing, I wasn't a good girl. Not in the least. You'll see for yourself very soon."
This story is not only about what happened at Hope's End but also about Kit and the reason why she has taken this new job at the infamous murder mansion. It is also told from a few points of view and what they thought happened that night. Lenora's story starts on the day her portrait is painted to commemorate her birthday. The same one Kit sees as she is brought in by Mrs. Baker (the housekeeper) that is on the wall in the mansion next to 3 other portraits of identical size but are covered in black silk crepe nailed to the frames hiding the family member underneath.
Just when you think you may have figured out the mystery, there is a twist to the story. This happens a few times as more and more information comes leaving you shocked and surprised. This is not a story that is easy to figure out the ending. It is not predictable in the least and even leading to the last few pages, when you think it's done, you get hit with one last surprise.
Hang on my pretties, it's going to be a wild ride!
10/10 recommend this book for all who love a good mystery.
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
The Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume their 17 year old daughter Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside the cliffside mansion Hope’s End since the night where the massacre occurred. Now the story is reduced to a schoolyard chant that all the local people know and all are afraid to step foot into the mansion.
Fast forward to 1983, and home-health aide named Kitteridge (Kit) McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora Hope after her previous nurse Mary fled in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye or note of explanation. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Kit is told that Miss Hope was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate by tapping yes or no answers with her only good left hand. But then Kit finds out that she can also use an old typewriter that her previous caregiver taught her to use. Something that others were not aware of. One night, Lenora uses the typewriter to make a tantalizing offer to Kit—I want to tell you everything.
"But here's the thing, I wasn't a good girl. Not in the least. You'll see for yourself very soon."
This story is not only about what happened at Hope's End but also about Kit and the reason why she has taken this new job at the infamous murder mansion. It is also told from a few points of view and what they thought happened that night. Lenora's story starts on the day her portrait is painted to commemorate her birthday. The same one Kit sees as she is brought in by Mrs. Baker (the housekeeper) that is on the wall in the mansion next to 3 other portraits of identical size but are covered in black silk crepe nailed to the frames hiding the family member underneath.
Just when you think you may have figured out the mystery, there is a twist to the story. This happens a few times as more and more information comes leaving you shocked and surprised. This is not a story that is easy to figure out the ending. It is not predictable in the least and even leading to the last few pages, when you think it's done, you get hit with one last surprise.
Hang on my pretties, it's going to be a wild ride!
10/10 recommend this book for all who love a good mystery.