1. The Crash by Freida McFadden
Why You Should Read It:
Because getting snowed in with strangers during a blizzard is always a great idea… until it’s not. The Crash is Freida McFadden at her twistiest—just when you think you’ve figured it out, she throws another snowball at your face. If you like thrillers where the setting feels like an extra character (read: spooky, isolated, and cold enough to make you want hot chocolate), this one’s for you.
Pros:
Delivers a solid “oh no she didn’t!” moment every few chapters
Unreliable narrators that keep your brain doing cartwheels
Pregnant heroine = high stakes and high tension
Perfect for fans of fast-paced thrillers with a psychological edge
Cons:
Might make you reconsider ever accepting help from a “nice couple” again
Side characters are a little undercooked compared to the twisty main plot
Book Review:
Meet Tegan: heavily pregnant, stuck in a blizzard, and about one bad decision away from starring in her own true crime documentary. After a literal crash (yep, in the snow, in the middle of nowhere), she’s rescued by a seemingly perfect couple who take her into their remote home. Seems lucky, right? But if psychological thrillers have taught us anything, it’s that no one is that generous without a dark past and a hidden agenda.
As the storm rages on outside, things inside the cabin start to feel… off. Tegan can’t shake the feeling that her hosts are hiding something. They’re just a little too attentive, a little too interested in her pregnancy, and there’s something about that locked room down the hall that screams “do not enter unless you want nightmares.”
Freida McFadden masterfully tightens the tension page by page. Through flashbacks and internal monologue, we learn more about Tegan’s past—spoiler alert: it’s not sunshine and baby showers. The narrative peels back the layers of trauma, fear, and suspicion, making you question what’s real and who to trust.
The climax comes barreling in like the snowstorm that started it all, and without giving too much away—let’s just say you’ll never look at a rocking chair the same way again. The Crash is the kind of book you devour in one sitting and then immediately shove into a friend’s hands while whispering, “Read this. Trust me.”
2. Close Call by Elise Hart Kipness
Why You Should Read It:
Because nothing says “murder mystery” quite like a missing tennis star and a sports reporter with Olympic-level instincts and family baggage. This isn’t your usual locker-room drama—Close Call is sharp, stylish, and packed with adrenaline. And bonus points: it might actually make you care about tennis for the first time.
Pros:
The U.S. Open setting is fresh and totally original
The father-daughter duo adds heart to the thrills
Fast-paced and loaded with suspicious side characters
Great for fans of “journalist uncovers dark secrets” plotlines
Cons:
Tennis jargon might throw off those of us who think “Love” means romance
The mystery resolution, while satisfying, is a touch convenient
Book Review:
Kate Green used to be a professional athlete. Now she’s an Emmy-winning sports reporter with killer intuition and a love-hate relationship with her dad… who just so happens to be an NYPD detective. When a young tennis prodigy goes missing mid-tournament at the U.S. Open, Kate can’t help but chase the story—even when it leads her straight into danger (because of course it does).
As Kate digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled mess of lies, shady deals, and secrets that certain people would kill to keep buried. Literally. There’s a slick agent with too many secrets, a coach with a temper, and a family that’s suspiciously quiet. Everyone has a motive, and Kate’s the only one asking the uncomfortable questions.
What makes this thriller stand out is the personal subplot: Kate and her estranged father are forced to work together, and let’s just say their teamwork is less “buddy cop comedy” and more “awkward Thanksgiving dinner.” Their relationship gives the story some emotional heft, balancing out the action.
With crisp pacing and just enough tennis drama to keep it spicy, Close Call serves up suspense with a perfect backhand twist. You might not know the difference between a forehand and a foot fault, but you’ll still find yourself glued to the page.
3. The Girl You Know by Elle Gonzalez Rose
Why You Should Read It:
Because nothing says “justice” like faking your identity to infiltrate an elite academy and solve your twin sister’s murder. It’s like Gossip Girl met Pretty Little Liars at a funeral and decided to team up. Dark, twisty, and soaked in secrets, this one’s a must for fans of stylish high-stakes revenge.
Pros:
Deliciously dramatic boarding school setting
Powerful sisterhood themes
Emotional payoff mixed with sinister reveals
Great pacing with just enough melodrama to keep it juicy
Cons:
The “twist” might be guessed by keen readers
Could’ve gone even darker with the revenge plot (if you’re into that)
Book Review:
Luna’s twin sister, Aurora, is dead. The official story? Suicide. But Luna’s gut says otherwise. And since the police are more into donut breaks than solving teen murders, she takes matters into her own hands—by enrolling in the exclusive academy where her sister died. New identity. New mission. No backup.
Once inside, Luna is surrounded by privilege, secrets, and a student body that looks like they stepped off the set of a CW drama. But underneath the shiny exteriors are lies, grudges, and a whole lot of darkness. Aurora wasn’t the only one with enemies.
Elle Gonzalez Rose writes Luna with grit and heart. She’s smart, determined, and deeply vulnerable—a perfectly flawed heroine you’ll root for, even when she’s breaking into dorm rooms and lying to everyone she meets. As Luna unravels the mystery of what really happened to her sister, she also discovers how tangled their lives had become… and how close she might be to ending up just like her.
This isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a story about grief, identity, and the price of digging up the past. It’s thrilling, emotional, and exactly the kind of book that keeps you reading way past bedtime.
4. Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi
Why You Should Read It:
Because there’s nothing quite like watching someone slowly lose their grip on reality—especially when it’s paired with gorgeous prose and secrets darker than your last existential crisis. Claire, Darling is part psychological meltdown, part slow-burn revenge story, and fully unputdownable. If you like your thrillers with elegance, dread, and a pinch of madness, Claire’s your girl.
Pros:
A beautifully crafted descent into psychological chaos
Deep, literary-style character study wrapped in a thriller
Raw, real emotions: grief, betrayal, obsession—all the good stuff
Fantastic for fans of Gillian Flynn or Paula Hawkins
Cons:
Slower pace might not suit those looking for car chases and explosions
Claire’s mental spiral might hit a little too close to home if you’re emotionally fragile
Book Review:
Claire thought she had it all—a fiancé, a dream job, and a future that looked like a Pinterest board come to life. But then she discovers he’s been cheating on her… with her best friend. Classic betrayal 101. Instead of screaming into a pillow like the rest of us, Claire does what any self-respecting psychological thriller heroine would do: she unravels. With flair.
What follows is a gripping, slow-burning collapse. Claire becomes obsessed with uncovering why this betrayal happened, convinced there’s more to the story than just basic human trashiness. But as her investigation gets murkier, so does her mind. She starts seeing things—hearing whispers, sensing shadows. Are they real? Is she paranoid? Or is she finally seeing the truth through all the lies?
Callie Kazumi writes with a quiet kind of menace, building tension through Claire’s thoughts as they spiral from heartbreak to full-blown psychosis. The beauty of this book is that it’s not just about revenge—it’s about identity. Who is Claire without her carefully curated life? And what happens when a woman finally stops pretending to be okay?
By the time the final twist hits, you’ll be questioning everything—including whether Claire is the victim or the villain. Either way, she’s unforgettable. Pour yourself a glass of wine before you start this one—and maybe hide your ex’s contact info. Just in case.
5. One Death at a Time by Danielle Valentine
Why You Should Read It:
Because this book doesn’t just play mind games—it brings out the emotional chainsaw and starts hacking away. One Death at a Time is gritty, dark, and disturbingly clever, like if Groundhog Day had a lovechild with Gone Girl. Plus, it’ll definitely make you reconsider every decision you’ve made since high school.
Pros:
Inventive plot with a fresh twist on the time-loop trope
Deliciously dark and morally messy
Main character you’ll want to shake and hug
Keeps you guessing and gasping from chapter to chapter
Cons:
Messes with your head (in a good way, but still)
Might require a flowchart to track what’s real by the end
Book Review:
Meet Evie. She dies at the beginning of the book—and then again. And again. And again. Welcome to the worst version of déjà vu ever. One Death at a Time throws us into a time-loop thriller where Evie must solve her own murder to escape the endless cycle of dying and reliving the same horrific day.
Each loop peels back another layer of the mystery: her toxic friendships, a questionable ex, the secret she thought no one knew. Evie is the kind of flawed, scrappy heroine you can’t help but root for—even when she’s making the kind of impulsive choices that make you want to throw the book across the room (in the best way, of course).
Danielle Valentine doesn’t just build suspense—she traps you in it. The structure of the story means every detail matters, and the psychological weight builds as Evie becomes more desperate, more paranoid, and more determined to figure out who’s pulling the strings. It’s a little bit horror, a lot of thriller, and 100% addictive.
The ending delivers a gut punch that somehow feels both inevitable and shocking. One Death at a Time is a wild, heart-racing puzzle that forces you to confront how well you really know the people closest to you… and whether you can trust yourself to do the right thing when it counts.
6. The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
Why You Should Read It:
Because there’s nothing more comforting than moving into a fancy apartment… until the building starts whispering to you, your neighbors give you serial killer vibes, and you’re pretty sure your new home wants to eat you. The New Couple in 5B delivers classic haunted house energy but with a modern, psychological twist. Think Rosemary’s Baby meets Only Murders in the Building—minus the laughs.
Pros:
Creepy high-rise setting with “this place has secrets” written all over it
Engaging protagonist who’s not just a damsel in distress
Layers of mystery: past crimes, mental health, and marriage tension
Lisa Unger keeps the suspense slow, steady, and chilling
Cons:
Slightly slower pace may not suit readers needing thrills every page
If you live in an old apartment… you’re going to feel very seen (and scared)
Book Review:
When Rosie and Chad inherit a lavish Manhattan apartment in an iconic building, it feels too good to be true—which, in thriller world, means it absolutely is. As they settle into their luxurious new digs in The Windermere, Rosie starts to notice that the building’s history might be… less “rich and storied” and more “deeply cursed.”
There’s a mysterious woman next door who knows more than she should. The doorman always seems to be watching. And then there’s the dream-like memories Rosie can’t quite place. Are they real? Is it trauma? Or is The Windermere doing something to her mind?
Lisa Unger is a master of the slow burn. The story creeps along with growing unease, as Rosie uncovers The Windermere’s dark past—murders, cult activity, possible demonic influence, you know, normal building issues. As her sense of reality unravels, her marriage starts to strain, and she becomes increasingly isolated.
But what makes this book really sing is the psychological tug-of-war: Rosie’s own past trauma resurfaces as she’s pulled deeper into the building’s secrets. You’ll find yourself questioning whether she’s unraveling—or if something truly sinister is pulling the strings.
By the time you hit the final chapters, you’ll be triple-checking your lease and maybe sleeping with the lights on. The New Couple in 5B is a dark, delicious exploration of how grief, trauma, and old buildings can haunt us—literally and metaphorically.
7. The Coworker by Freida McFadden
Why You Should Read It:
Because office drama is fun until it turns into a full-blown murder mystery. Freida McFadden proves once again that she is the queen of “Whoa, did not see that coming!” The Coworker turns the mundane 9-to-5 into an unraveling psychological chess match—and trust me, HR would not be able to handle this one.
Pros:
Snappy, suspenseful, and impossible to put down
Relatable office setting twisted into something unrecognizably creepy
Dual POV structure that messes with your loyalty and sanity
Plot twists so wild you’ll question your own memory
Cons:
Characters are meant to be unlikable… which can feel frustrating
May make returning to your cubicle deeply uncomfortable
Book Review:
Dawn Schiff is… different. She’s quiet, intense, and absolutely devoted to her job at Vixed, a nutrition company where the break room coffee is as bland as the company culture. But when she doesn’t show up to work one morning, her desk neighbor Natalie—popular, social, and just a little shady—starts getting questioned.
Turns out Dawn sent a very strange email before vanishing. And once the police get involved, the office becomes less about spreadsheets and more about secrets. Everyone has a theory. Natalie has her own version of events. And Dawn? She has a story too—one you’ll slowly get through her perspective.
Freida McFadden knows how to keep you flipping pages and muttering “WHAT?!” at 2 a.m. The dual timeline and dual POV format keeps you guessing who’s the real victim here. The writing is razor-sharp and almost cruelly clever—just when you start trusting someone, the rug is yanked out from under you.
As the narrative progresses, the tension snowballs. Every coworker becomes a suspect. Every action starts to feel sinister. And when the truth comes out? It’s both jaw-dropping and disturbingly satisfying.
The Coworker is office noir at its finest—a sinister, twisty tale of gossip, obsession, and what happens when the wrong person feels ignored for too long. It’ll make you look at your own workplace in a very different (paranoid) light.
8. Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen
Why You Should Read It:
Because nothing messes with your head like finding out your mother might not be who she says she is—and your whole life might be a lie. Gone Tonight is a chilling mother-daughter psychological thriller where trust is slippery, the past is murky, and your jaw will be somewhere on the floor by chapter ten.
Pros:
Unique plot centered around mother-daughter dynamics
Emotional weight paired perfectly with high-stakes suspense
Dual perspective keeps the mystery layered and tense
Stunning final act that redefines everything you’ve read
Cons:
Pacing is slow at first while it sets up the emotional groundwork
Requires some suspension of disbelief near the end
Book Review:
Ruth and Catherine are close—really close. Ruth is the overprotective single mother who’s sacrificed everything. Catherine is the driven daughter, ready to move to a new city and start her nursing career. But then… things don’t add up. Ruth seems scared. She doesn’t want Catherine to leave. And her reasons? They don’t make sense.
Told in alternating perspectives, we slowly peel back the facade of Ruth’s carefully controlled world. Flashbacks reveal a young woman running from something terrifying, building a new identity, always staying one step ahead. But of what?
Sarah Pekkanen excels at the emotional thriller. The story is just as much about trauma and survival as it is about lies and danger. Catherine’s growing suspicion and Ruth’s crumbling stability play out like a slow-motion car crash—you can’t look away.
As the tension mounts, truths begin to emerge: names that don’t match, histories that have been rewritten, and a threat that’s much closer than Catherine realizes. The final reveal lands like a punch to the gut, turning this from a domestic drama into a chilling psychological rollercoaster.
Gone Tonight is a quiet, creeping thriller that burrows under your skin. It explores how far a mother will go to protect her child—and what happens when that child starts asking the wrong questions. Spoiler: it gets dark fast.
9. The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
Why You Should Read It:
Because rich families are always hiding something. And usually, it’s not just tax evasion—it’s murder, manipulation, and enough skeletons in the closet to start a Halloween superstore. The Heiress is Southern gothic at its juiciest, with old money, dark legacies, and a twist that’ll make your brain do a double-take.
Pros:
Dual timeline storytelling that slowly peels back generations of secrets
Deliciously eerie setting in a crumbling Southern estate
A morally ambiguous main character you’ll secretly root for
Rachel Hawkins delivers drama with a razor blade smile
Cons:
The pacing is intentionally slow and atmospheric—not for readers needing instant thrills
Some plot points require a willingness to roll with a few heightened reality moments
Book Review:
Ruby McTavish is dead. But in her wake, she leaves behind not just a fortune but a legacy of death, scandal, and whispered suspicion. When Camden, her adopted son, inherits her sprawling North Carolina estate, he wants nothing to do with it. He left that life behind—or so he thought.
But then Cam’s wife, Jules, convinces him to return to the crumbling mansion that haunted his childhood. Because why not poke the trauma bear, right?
What follows is a dual-perspective, dual-timeline unraveling of Ruby’s life and Cam’s present. We learn about Ruby’s many husbands (who all mysteriously died—charming!), her controlling family, and the choices she made to keep her secrets buried beneath layers of Southern charm and tragedy. Jules, meanwhile, starts poking around the estate and quickly realizes there’s more to this legacy than dusty antiques and family portraits.
Rachel Hawkins serves up psychological tension with a Southern twist: eerie plantations, coded diaries, family betrayals, and one of the most twisted matriarchs in recent thriller history. Ruby’s story slowly unfolds through letters and flashbacks, and each revelation makes you question her sanity, her morals, and whether she was a survivor or a sociopath.
The Heiress is all about legacy—what we inherit, what we reject, and what we’ll do to protect what’s ours. It’s about wealth rotting from the inside, and the seductive power of history that refuses to stay dead. Creepy, clever, and full of slow-burning dread, it’s one you’ll want to read with the lights on—and maybe a prenup.
10. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Why You Should Read It:
Because if you’ve ever shared anything online, this book will have you rethinking every digital footprint you’ve ever left. Lisa Jewell is back with another expertly crafted, reality-bending thriller that makes you second-guess literally everything—and everyone.
Pros:
A genius blend of podcast-style storytelling and psychological suspense
A deeply unsettling antagonist who feels way too real
Jaw-dropping twists that actually feel earned
Hits all the right creepy buttons without resorting to cheap tricks
Cons:
You might develop trust issues with your entire social circle
The podcast format may not be for everyone, but it’s cleverly done
Book Review:
Alix Summers is a successful podcaster known for interviewing fascinating women. Josie Fair, on the other hand, is…well, odd. Quiet. Creepy. Intrusive. The two meet by chance at a restaurant and discover they share the same birthday. Josie insists it’s fate and convinces Alix to interview her for her next project.
What starts as an awkward but seemingly harmless collaboration quickly becomes a full-blown psychological nightmare. Josie shares parts of her life that are disturbing, sure—but compelling. Alix is hooked. She wants the exclusive. She wants the story.
But then Josie disappears. And Alix realizes she doesn’t really know who Josie is. In fact, she might have just handed her entire life over to someone she knows nothing about.
Lisa Jewell spins the tale through podcast transcripts, interviews, and traditional chapters, creating a layered, unreliable narrative that constantly pulls the rug out from under you. Josie’s version of events starts to change. Alix’s podcast becomes the focal point of public fascination—and a crime investigation. And every new detail uncovered makes you scream internally, “WHAT IS HAPPENING?”
None of This Is True is a modern thriller for the age of oversharing. It digs into how easily we craft narratives—online and in life—and how quickly they can be weaponized. It’s creepy not because of what Josie does (okay, that too), but because it all feels so possible. So human. So very “this could totally happen.”
By the end, you’ll be side-eying everyone in your DMs and wondering if your podcast guest just ruined your life. It’s tense, twisted, and disturbingly addictive.
11. The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
Why You Should Read It:
Because housekeepers see everything—and sometimes, they’re not just fluffing pillows. The Housemaid’s Secret is Freida McFadden’s follow-up to her viral hit The Housemaid, and it’s got everything: a sketchy employer, an upstairs room that’s locked tighter than your secrets, and a protagonist who really shouldn’t be left alone with bleach.
Pros:
Genuinely shocking plot twists (plural!)
Fast-paced and addictive—like thriller popcorn
Millie is back and messier than ever
Surprisingly emotional core underneath the suspense
Cons:
Suspension of disbelief required (but you won’t care)
Not ideal if you prefer super realistic, slow-burn thrillers
Book Review:
Millie is back. She’s out of prison, trying to start fresh, and doing what she does best—cleaning up other people’s messes. This time, she’s hired by the Garricks, a wealthy couple with a swanky Manhattan penthouse and one major red flag: Mrs. Garrick never leaves the bedroom. Like, ever. And the door? It’s always locked.
Millie’s instincts tell her to run. But her bank account tells her to stay. And besides, she’s done this before—navigated rich people’s lies, buried her past, and survived far worse. At least, that’s what she keeps telling herself.
As the story unfolds, we’re served one juicy twist after another. Millie begins to suspect that Mrs. Garrick is being held captive by her controlling husband. But is she? Or is Millie falling for the same trap she walked into last time?
Freida McFadden writes like she’s got a stopwatch running—every chapter ends on a mini cliffhanger, and the pace never lets up. The real fun is watching Millie try to piece things together while hiding her own secrets. She’s a hot mess with a mop and a murdery past, and honestly, we love her for it.
The final act flips the entire book on its head, and yes, you will gasp. Possibly out loud. Maybe even throw the book across the room and then crawl to pick it back up. The Housemaid’s Secret isn’t just a thriller—it’s a delicious, chaotic rollercoaster ride where nobody is safe, everyone is lying, and justice may or may not come with bloodstains.
Read it in one sitting—just maybe don’t hire any help right after.
12. The Therapist by B.A. Paris
Why You Should Read It:
Because nothing says “welcome to the neighborhood” like learning someone died in your new house under very mysterious circumstances. The Therapist taps into that juicy, slow-building dread of suburbia—perfect lawns, smiling neighbors, and secrets rotting beneath the foundation.
Pros:
Compelling slow-burn suspense
A protagonist who is paranoid—but maybe with very good reason
Dark domestic setting with a claustrophobic feel
Twists sneak up on you like that one overly friendly neighbor
Cons:
A quieter thriller—more paranoia than action
Might be too subtle for fans of high-stakes chaos
Book Review:
Alice and her partner, Leo, just moved into a sleek new home in a gated London community called The Circle (because of course it has a weirdly cultish name). Everything seems perfect… until Alice learns that a woman was murdered in their house by her husband—who swears he’s innocent.
The victim? Nina, a therapist. And soon Alice is more interested in unraveling Nina’s past than unpacking boxes.
What starts as mild curiosity quickly morphs into obsession. Alice starts snooping, lying to her partner, and digging up information that makes her question everything about her new neighbors—and her relationship. Who’s hiding what? And more importantly, is Alice the next target?
B.A. Paris masterfully captures the slow unraveling of a woman’s psyche. Alice is anxious, vulnerable, and just believable enough that you’re not sure if she’s uncovering the truth or slowly losing her mind. The book lives in the gray area between domestic drama and full-on suspense, keeping you nervously flipping pages with that pit-in-your-stomach feeling.
The tension builds gradually, and while the first half is more mystery than mayhem, the final chapters kick into full-throttle revelation mode. Let’s just say: people are not who they say they are, secrets have teeth, and even therapists can’t fix this level of trauma.
If you like your thrillers slow, sinister, and soaked in paranoia, The Therapist will mess with your head—in the best way possible. Bonus: it’ll definitely make you Google every previous tenant the next time you move.
13. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Why You Should Read It:
Because it’s about a high-powered defense attorney whose husband is accused of murdering his mistress… and she decides to defend him in court. Talk about couple goals, right? If you’ve ever wanted a front-row seat to marital dysfunction with a murder twist, this is your golden ticket.
Pros:
A juicy courtroom drama meets psychological thriller
Dual POVs for maximum moral whiplash
Full of red herrings, reversals, and dramatic courtroom mic drops
Reads fast, like a gossip column on steroids
Cons:
If you need likable characters… keep walking
Some twists veer into soap opera territory (but we’re kind of here for it)
Book Review:
Meet Sarah Morgan: elite defense attorney, legal shark, and a woman who practically bathes in espresso. Her husband, Adam, is the opposite—moody, underachieving, and having an affair with a woman named Kelly. Classic, right?
Well, until Kelly is found dead in their lake house bed. Suddenly, Adam is the prime suspect in a murder investigation, and Sarah is thrust into defending the man who might have killed his mistress—and who’s definitely been lying through his teeth.
Told in alternating chapters from Sarah’s and Adam’s perspectives, The Perfect Marriage is a psychological thriller that plays dirty. Sarah tries to juggle the trial of the century while also dealing with the world’s worst husband. Adam, meanwhile, wallows in self-pity and flashbacks of his affair while inching closer to full meltdown mode.
As the trial unfolds, secrets come crawling out of every dark corner: betrayals, twisted motivations, a few seriously sketchy side characters, and a legal strategy that makes you shout, “OBJECTION!” from your couch. Jeneva Rose pulls off the rare trick of making both characters look guilty at different points—and then flips the whole story in a final reveal that’s pure, delicious chaos.
The Perfect Marriage asks: How well can you really know someone—even if you’ve shared a bed, a mortgage, and a murder charge? It’s sharp, addictive, and drenched in scandal. If you love morally grey women and morally bankrupt men, this book will absolutely satisfy your thriller cravings.
14. The Only One Left by Riley Sager
Why You Should Read It:
Because a teenage girl was accused of brutally murdering her entire family in the ’70s—and now, decades later, she’s an old woman who may still be holding onto the truth (and maybe a knife). The Only One Left is gothic, atmospheric, and twistier than a haunted staircase.
Pros:
Creepy mansion setting straight out of a horror movie
Dual mystery timelines—one past, one present
Satisfyingly layered twists that keep upping the ante
Riley Sager nails the “is she innocent or a master manipulator” vibe
Cons:
Slow-burn pace in the beginning may not hook action-junkies right away
Heavy on atmosphere and dread, light on constant thrills (but oh, it works)
Book Review:
In 1983, Kit McDeere is a disgraced caregiver sent to work at Hope’s End, a crumbling mansion on a cliff where the infamous Lenora Hope resides. Lenora is paralyzed, mute, and communicates by typing on an old typewriter. Fun, right? Well, not when your new patient is accused of murdering her entire family with an axe.
But Lenora begins to type out her story. Slowly. Carefully. And Kit starts to question everything: Did Lenora really kill her parents and sister as a teenager? Or was she the scapegoat for something much darker?
Riley Sager masterfully builds dread one keystroke at a time. The mansion itself becomes a character—full of creaking floors, locked doors, and memories that refuse to die. As Kit uncovers pieces of Lenora’s past, her own secrets threaten to unravel. Because of course she has secrets too. No one in this book is allowed to be emotionally well-adjusted.
The dual timeline adds rich depth to the story, with Lenora’s tragic youth juxtaposed against Kit’s present-day investigation. And just when you think you’ve figured it out—BAM. A twist. Then another. And another. It’s like Sager is gleefully playing Jenga with your sanity.
By the time you reach the climax, you’ll be flipping pages with sweaty palms, whispering “What the HELL is going on” to no one in particular. The Only One Left is a haunting, layered thriller that blends mystery, grief, and a touch of the gothic into something utterly unforgettable.