The Only One Left

 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 happened in 1929 which shocked the Maine coast which is how that famous rhyme came about. Lenora of course is the only one left alive though she says she never did it. The town of course doesn’t buy it. Fast forward to 1983 Kat McDeree is a caregiver arriving at the famous Hopes End mansion where the infamous murders happened decades before. Kat is there to take care of the infamous Lenora Hope herself who cannot move most of her muscles except her left hand to knock for yes or no answers or to type little by little. Little does Kat know, the house is flooded with secrets and someone there would kill to keep them from leaving Hope’s End.

Pros & Cons

I love the setting of Maine and the mansion does give off a creepy vibe. The creepy rhyme in the book is similar to Lizzie Bordon. I liked that it went back to 1929 in parts of the book so we could put the pieces together. The story did seem to drag in parts and the twist I didn’t see it coming but it seemed rather farfetched. Other than those flaws I enjoyed the story. Some people said this was Riley Sager’s best. I disagree but for the most part it was a fun read. Buy a copy of The Only One Left which is available now to buy or pick up from the library.