arnold_shelby 's review for:

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

2.5

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I would have given this book 4.5 easily, but I hate when authors

cast suspicions on disabled people and imply people are faking their disability

so that just absolutely ruined it for me. In this case, it went beyond implications and ended up

being the actual frigging ending!!!

I read Verity a couple of years ago, the only CH I've dared read because it was such garbage. And this idea that it's okay to be suspicious of disabled people being a major plot point of that book (and now this one).. I don't know if I'm unlucky and this never happens in other books?? But I simply cannot. For someone's caregiver to break their personal belongings?? Convinced they'd give themselves up and not let an irreplaceable heirloom break.. no. And then her explanation? Aaagghhhhhh

Otherwise, this book had some interesting plots, murders and mystery,

and a bastard baby/family line with a claim to the estate!!

. 

The progression of the house's tilt and the erosion of the cliff was interesting because it was an added time pressure to the storyline, as well as a helpful contributor to the mood and world building of the book- something is off, not quite right, and you don't feel like you're on steady ground. 

I'm just so mad about the other stuff that it won't get more than 2.5 unfortunately. Sorry Riley Sager. I've given you three chances now.. not sure that will happen again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Death of parent

Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Blood

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt

keep in mind, if you're concerned about disability portrayal in novels, this one does a terrible job of it as a major plot point. The third zinger is that it was all fake. For like 50 years.