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Last One Alive
It was only supposed to be a relaxing weekend away from the drab of regular life, but what it became was a fight for survival. Megan is pursued through dense mountain woodland by a psychopath she doesn't know, a relentless nightmare she can't kill. No matter how she tries to stop him, he just keeps coming back, even stronger than the last time, chasing her deeper into the wild, and closer to a trio of despicable hillbillies who are sadistic on another scale. Lost in woods populated by pure evil all around, what hope does Megan really have?
- GenresHorrorSplatterpunk
206 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2013
12 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Kristopher Rufty
69 books241 followersKristopher Rufty lives in North Carolina with his three children and pets. He’s written over twenty novels, including ALL WILL DIE, THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD, DESOLATION, THE LURKERS and PILLOWFACE. When he’s not spending time with his family or writing, he’s obsessing over gardening and growing food.
His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.
He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com
His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.
He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 25, 2025
Halloween, Wrong Turn, Mayfair Witches, Werewolf in London …. Take bits and pieces from each of these movies and this book would be the result. This writing contains gore, murder, mutilation, hope, despair, compassion, desperation and action. There is not a dull moment. It is a little predictable at times but there is enough suspense to make up for it.
The ending had a little too much foreshadowing, more should be left to the reader’s imagination. It is a quick read that is worth the time used to digest its contents. I am giving it a 4/5 due to a round up from 3.5/5
The ending had a little too much foreshadowing, more should be left to the reader’s imagination. It is a quick read that is worth the time used to digest its contents. I am giving it a 4/5 due to a round up from 3.5/5
June 22, 2022
Megan and her best friend , Allison, along with Allison's boyfriend, Brian have decided to spend the weekend hiking and camping in the mountains. But on the second day, Megan's friends are both brutally murdered by a maniac with a machete. A maniac who is now hunting Megan through the forest... and who seems incapable of dying.
Her friends aren't the only ones to suffer this fate; Megan is camping in the area of the mountains they started referring to as the "Bermuda Triangle," because of all the missing persons reports over the last three years.
Last year, Hillary Dent was abducted while in the woods with her family, and when she finally escaped and stumbled upon a rangers station, she told them she was taken by three hillbillies. Ever since then, Forest Ranger, Amanda has become obsessed with finding the offenders - and she is out in the woods today trying to do just that.
During her hunt, Amanda is asked to stop by Megan's campsite to check on them, and when she sees the carnage, she knows the problem is far from over. It's not just hillbillies she has to worry about.
Will Amanda be able to find Megan and save her from the psychopath before she suffers the same fate as all the others have?
Her friends aren't the only ones to suffer this fate; Megan is camping in the area of the mountains they started referring to as the "Bermuda Triangle," because of all the missing persons reports over the last three years.
Last year, Hillary Dent was abducted while in the woods with her family, and when she finally escaped and stumbled upon a rangers station, she told them she was taken by three hillbillies. Ever since then, Forest Ranger, Amanda has become obsessed with finding the offenders - and she is out in the woods today trying to do just that.
During her hunt, Amanda is asked to stop by Megan's campsite to check on them, and when she sees the carnage, she knows the problem is far from over. It's not just hillbillies she has to worry about.
Will Amanda be able to find Megan and save her from the psychopath before she suffers the same fate as all the others have?
September 16, 2024
That was a fun little, somewhat campy, slasher with a good amount of gore and the type of sense of humor that likes to poke a little fun at your expectations every now and then.
July 2, 2017
Last one alive (novella)
A funny and ultra-gory "final Girl" vs "Unstoppable Masked Machete/Axes/Knives armed Mute Killer" fight in the woods Laymon Style. Story and characters were great, sadly the final twist was really disappointing for me.
The love seat (short story)
An insane short story, it was like reading a sex parody of a Twilight Zone episode directed by David Cronenberg... nice one!
Gearheart's wife (short story)
An old horror movies director and his wife have a guest at home... What can be wrong with that?
A sad story about the horrors of loneliness/madness combo.
Three average/good stories and the opening slasher novella really needed to be a full/lenght novel for me, but still a good one if you are fond of movies like "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Friday the 13th", "Wrong Turn", etc. Just not liked much the cliffhanging surprise ending, but at last it was an original one.
Rufty style is very Lymon-like, so if you are a fan of splatterpunk give him a try.
June 12, 2022
Great mix of different horror elements. Awesome story.
May 4, 2016
Discounting his collaboration with several other horror writers in Jackpot, Last One Alive represented my first foray into the World of Rufty. It's largely a dark and nasty place, where the characters tend to be unstoppable killing machines, or cliched hillbillies who like to torture, maim and murder for a bit of fun. Although, that said, there are a few more decent types. Such as camper Megan and her friend Allison. There's even room for one heroic individual, namely park ranger Amanda. But this story is called Last One Alive, so you can be pretty certain not everyone is getting out of this one with a pulse ...
Overall, I liked this fast-paced tale. It did, at times, get a little repetitive as girl runs away being chased by something, only to get caught, fight her way free, and then start getting chased again. But the quality of the writing is well above what one might expect for the subject matter, and Rufty displays a certain gleeful, sadistic tendency to put his characters through a painful wringer. And just when I thought my interest was waning things took a turn and went into unexpected territory. Arguably, that territory might have been a better book unto itself, but I'm a big fan of ending things on a high, and Last One Alive certainly ticks that box.
Unfortunately, the two short stories that followed the main event were not up to the same quality, and in a sense, completely undermined what I just said about ending on a high. The first, The Love Seat was entertaing and weird enough, I suppose, but the latter, Gearheart's Wife seemed utterly pointless and not at all frightening, unsettling or horrifying
So on that basis, I'm giving the novella that comprises the title of this one 4 stars, the short stories that follow it 2 stars, and rounding this to a 3 - 3.5 stars.
I'll be back for more from the World of Rifty soon.
3.5 Mortal Wounds That Do Not Kill for Last One Alive.
Overall, I liked this fast-paced tale. It did, at times, get a little repetitive as girl runs away being chased by something, only to get caught, fight her way free, and then start getting chased again. But the quality of the writing is well above what one might expect for the subject matter, and Rufty displays a certain gleeful, sadistic tendency to put his characters through a painful wringer. And just when I thought my interest was waning things took a turn and went into unexpected territory. Arguably, that territory might have been a better book unto itself, but I'm a big fan of ending things on a high, and Last One Alive certainly ticks that box.
Unfortunately, the two short stories that followed the main event were not up to the same quality, and in a sense, completely undermined what I just said about ending on a high. The first, The Love Seat was entertaing and weird enough, I suppose, but the latter, Gearheart's Wife seemed utterly pointless and not at all frightening, unsettling or horrifying
So on that basis, I'm giving the novella that comprises the title of this one 4 stars, the short stories that follow it 2 stars, and rounding this to a 3 - 3.5 stars.
I'll be back for more from the World of Rifty soon.
3.5 Mortal Wounds That Do Not Kill for Last One Alive.
January 24, 2017
In this novella, with two bonus short stories, Rufty displays his horror storytelling prowess and Laymonesque influence. LAST ONE ALIVE is a bit of an homage to the classic lost-in-the-woods slasher type story, with plenty of nods to the aforementioned late author, but enough originality to make it nasty fun (although the rather abrupt ending left me wanting more). "Love Seat" will make you never look at living room furniture the same way again, and "Gearhart's Wife" shows how far love and obsession devolves into madness.
For fans of Laymon, Rufty is one not to miss!
For fans of Laymon, Rufty is one not to miss!
July 9, 2025
I actually enjoyed this read. Right amount of gore and a sprinkle of paranormal elements
July 6, 2025
I am unsure how I feel about Last One Alive, I liked that it’s a backwoods camping slasher and was really likening the first half of the story, but then it ended up with witches and paranormal aspects but the worst was how it ended. I thought I had misprinted copy as it just abruptly ended and the next story started called Love Seat. I kept flipping through thinking I missed something but I didn’t…The next two stories weren’t my favourite either…
June 17, 2015
This is the most spot-on Richard Laymon pastiche I've ever read, and ranks right up there with some of the late author's best. This is the first work from Kristopher Rufty that I have read so I don't know if this is what he normally does or just a one-off. I've already purchased a couple more of Mr. Rufty's work and am eager to check them out. 4 stars, and a must for Laymon fans.
August 2, 2021
This book is amazing. A slasher story with a maniacal killer, psychotic hillbillies and a supernatural aspect. The ending will leave you with your mouth wide open and going Oh Shit!!
I definitely will never be going camping after reading this!
I definitely will never be going camping after reading this!
March 8, 2022
Mostly a slasher story, but kind of a mixed bag of horror elements. Really cool concept with a great twist. My first read from Rufty
August 8, 2013
If you didn't know better, you would honestly believe this was a novel by Richard Laymon. The characters are colourful and well rounded and the story flows with gallons of gore and creepiness. Very reminiscent of an old school horror movie, there are tons of jumpy moments which actually do make you gasp. I wasn't crazy about the ending. It seemed as if Rufty ran out of steam and wasn't really sure how to tie things up. This was quickly overcome with the additional short stories. Absolutely fantastic! Particularly loved GEARHEART'S WIFE but LOVESEAT was equally weird and entertaining.
I have to read more of Rufty's work!
I have to read more of Rufty's work!
March 31, 2022
This book has all the elements of a great horror story: isolation, strong characters, a deranged family of hillbillies, supernatural beings, and something else even worse… If you add some very well devised plot twists you have a tale that will make you stay on the edge of your seat all the way till the end! Fast paced and is full of blood, gore, and violence!
February 18, 2014
Pretty good read
February 26, 2016
I loved it. if Kristopher Rufty keeps writing, I will keep buying.
July 6, 2025
LAST ONE ALIVE [2013] By Kristopher Rufty
My Review 3.0 Stars
This nominated novella was a second-place favorite among those members who voted for the Group Read selection this month (Splatterpunk Horror Book Club). I was pleased about it and had already purchased the book because my albeit limited exposure to Rufty’s work had been very favorable.
This work is a 35,000-word novella which may suggest some ennui on my part since I finished the other Group Read selection in the same time frame. My notes in the Discussion Thread suggest that I was both a little puzzled and trying to like the story. I had read approximately the first third of the novella and it was suggested to be a slasher story with one girl (Megan) escaping from the campsite where her best friend Allison was murdered and Allison’s boyfriend horribly mutilated. I subsequently read more of the story and at the 51% mark I really had no idea what the plot was about. There was the behemoth with the machete, the ghost of Megan’s friend Allison, a forest ranger in a jeep jumping into the fray to help Megan. There were entreaties to return to base from an authority figure on the radio suggesting a military conspiracy. And did I mention that the hulking giant of a creature brandishing a machete was a revenant? (can be killed but does not stay dead, i.e. supernatural). Then there was a trio of hillbillies to accost Megan, but they were not really hillbillies. Finally, there was the tale of the witch who…...well you will find out if you read it. The h---- of it is, I really wanted to like this novella. It is literally all over the place, tossing in one trope after another, until all it does is serve to confuse. I won’t even mention the conclusion. Megan was not more than a cardboard figure and not a feasible main character (good thing, that!). In the end, everything was upended.
There is a disclaimer coming now. I am an outlier here. 52% of Amazon’s 102 ratings were 4-5 Stars. Goodreads is showing a 3.99 rating. This is especially upside down because I actually did like the short stories, I have read by Rufty and have two full novels of his I intend to read, “The Devoured and the Dead” was nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. Another curiosity on my part is the references (more than one) to this story reading exactly like Laymon. Say what? I have read maybe half a dozen Laymon novels, and this novella “Last One Alive” does not remind me of Laymon at all. So, take my opinion for just what it is as always, and know if you like this novella, you are in the majority.
TOO MANY COOKS…
My Review 3.0 Stars
This nominated novella was a second-place favorite among those members who voted for the Group Read selection this month (Splatterpunk Horror Book Club). I was pleased about it and had already purchased the book because my albeit limited exposure to Rufty’s work had been very favorable.
This work is a 35,000-word novella which may suggest some ennui on my part since I finished the other Group Read selection in the same time frame. My notes in the Discussion Thread suggest that I was both a little puzzled and trying to like the story. I had read approximately the first third of the novella and it was suggested to be a slasher story with one girl (Megan) escaping from the campsite where her best friend Allison was murdered and Allison’s boyfriend horribly mutilated. I subsequently read more of the story and at the 51% mark I really had no idea what the plot was about. There was the behemoth with the machete, the ghost of Megan’s friend Allison, a forest ranger in a jeep jumping into the fray to help Megan. There were entreaties to return to base from an authority figure on the radio suggesting a military conspiracy. And did I mention that the hulking giant of a creature brandishing a machete was a revenant? (can be killed but does not stay dead, i.e. supernatural). Then there was a trio of hillbillies to accost Megan, but they were not really hillbillies. Finally, there was the tale of the witch who…...well you will find out if you read it. The h---- of it is, I really wanted to like this novella. It is literally all over the place, tossing in one trope after another, until all it does is serve to confuse. I won’t even mention the conclusion. Megan was not more than a cardboard figure and not a feasible main character (good thing, that!). In the end, everything was upended.
There is a disclaimer coming now. I am an outlier here. 52% of Amazon’s 102 ratings were 4-5 Stars. Goodreads is showing a 3.99 rating. This is especially upside down because I actually did like the short stories, I have read by Rufty and have two full novels of his I intend to read, “The Devoured and the Dead” was nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. Another curiosity on my part is the references (more than one) to this story reading exactly like Laymon. Say what? I have read maybe half a dozen Laymon novels, and this novella “Last One Alive” does not remind me of Laymon at all. So, take my opinion for just what it is as always, and know if you like this novella, you are in the majority.
TOO MANY COOKS…
October 2, 2021
Last One Alive is my first book I have read from Rufty and I enjoyed it immensely. The reader is thrown straight into the thick of it, following Megan as she finds her friend Allison’s fiancé chopped to bits, then as she tries to escape all of the horrors found deep in the woods. This is a slasher that feels like it pokes fun at the unkillable movie giants, like Freddy and Jason, where our woodland psychopath never stays dead for long. Thrown into the mix is a group of weed farming hillbillies that cause our final girl a bit of pleasure and pain, and a ranger who decides to go off on her own to save Megan. Last One Alive is a quick read that you’ll find yourself absorbed in from the first page.
February 12, 2024
ANOTHER GREAT READ BY KRISTOPHER RUFTY!!
Yet another heart-stopping story from Kristopher Rufty! I couldn't put it down, and finished the book at 05:15 this morning. Oh WOW, does this man know how to keep you anxious and on the edge of your seat.......!!!
Now I'm definitely going to sleep, and later today I will start on the next one!
I heartily recommend the works of Kristopher Rufty.
Yet another heart-stopping story from Kristopher Rufty! I couldn't put it down, and finished the book at 05:15 this morning. Oh WOW, does this man know how to keep you anxious and on the edge of your seat.......!!!
Now I'm definitely going to sleep, and later today I will start on the next one!
I heartily recommend the works of Kristopher Rufty.
September 18, 2024
Kristopher Rufty is becoming one of my favorite horror authors! His books are a fun scary time.
Last One Alive was both creepy and different. The main final girl was easy to root for and the plot was fast paced. Bonus points for Rufty throwing in some humor during uncomfortable moments.
I will admit- the ending was a little weird and left me wanting more, but overall a very solid horror novel.
Last One Alive was both creepy and different. The main final girl was easy to root for and the plot was fast paced. Bonus points for Rufty throwing in some humor during uncomfortable moments.
I will admit- the ending was a little weird and left me wanting more, but overall a very solid horror novel.
December 9, 2021
Camping gone wrong
I've had this book for quite some time this book was really good. This book has it all murder, an unstoppable killer, and the wilderness. This book was good from beginning to end but the ending ??? Goodness one of the best I read was completely unexpected. Definitely a good read.
I've had this book for quite some time this book was really good. This book has it all murder, an unstoppable killer, and the wilderness. This book was good from beginning to end but the ending ??? Goodness one of the best I read was completely unexpected. Definitely a good read.
March 23, 2022
Very entertaining and thrilling backwoods slasher. Just wish we would've gotten more backstory on the villian and these mysterious woods that are described as the "Bermuda Triangle of The Mountains".
May 12, 2024
Fun slasher. Has some TCM and F13 in its DNA. Great for fans of Laymon and Triana.
June 30, 2025
A great read that was super fast-paced from start to finish. Not the most original plot, but it was still a really fun story.
November 25, 2025
I love a good Rufty book
Short and gory 🩸
Short and gory 🩸
February 25, 2023
"If she couldn't find the determination to fight for her survival, then she was already gone."
It was supposed to be a relaxing weekend with her friends. Instead, Megan is being chased through the mountain woodland by a psychopath. No matter what she does, he continues to pursue her deep in the woods. When she crosses paths with a trio of sadistic hillbillies, she thinks her chances at survival are dwindling.
This is a fun horror that reels you right in from the get-go. There is blood, gore, crazy killers, woods that seem to go on and on, and cheesy humour. Everything you'd want in a slasher! Megan is down on her luck and, just when she thinks she can be saved, it only gets worse and worse. There is also a wild twist to the story that makes it more interesting, but I won't go into details with the book being short.
An homage to horror icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, this psychopath is ruthless and does not stop until he gets what he wants. And the hillbillies are a whole other story 😂
It was supposed to be a relaxing weekend with her friends. Instead, Megan is being chased through the mountain woodland by a psychopath. No matter what she does, he continues to pursue her deep in the woods. When she crosses paths with a trio of sadistic hillbillies, she thinks her chances at survival are dwindling.
This is a fun horror that reels you right in from the get-go. There is blood, gore, crazy killers, woods that seem to go on and on, and cheesy humour. Everything you'd want in a slasher! Megan is down on her luck and, just when she thinks she can be saved, it only gets worse and worse. There is also a wild twist to the story that makes it more interesting, but I won't go into details with the book being short.
An homage to horror icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, this psychopath is ruthless and does not stop until he gets what he wants. And the hillbillies are a whole other story 😂
January 3, 2018
Last one Alive is quite a short novel. The story precedes two even shorter stories which are just full on weird. Well one of them is anyway. Like super weird, but more about that later.
The main story focuses on a group of three (2 girls, one boy) who go camping. This then leads to the appearance of a hulking nutcase hell-bent on destruction. The novel then plays out like a mix between Wrong Turn and Friday 13th. If you're not okay with that mashup this book will not win you over. The plot is a little non-existent and the victim tends to go from one bad situation to the next. Just when you think it can't get worse, it gets worse, then worse a bit more.
I was left disappointed by the end and even found myself reading the 1st of the short stories thinking it was just another chapter in the book; introduction of a new character perhaps? No this was the start of Loveseat which you just have to read. It's simply weirdly amazing.
The 2nd short story was poor though.
The main story focuses on a group of three (2 girls, one boy) who go camping. This then leads to the appearance of a hulking nutcase hell-bent on destruction. The novel then plays out like a mix between Wrong Turn and Friday 13th. If you're not okay with that mashup this book will not win you over. The plot is a little non-existent and the victim tends to go from one bad situation to the next. Just when you think it can't get worse, it gets worse, then worse a bit more.
I was left disappointed by the end and even found myself reading the 1st of the short stories thinking it was just another chapter in the book; introduction of a new character perhaps? No this was the start of Loveseat which you just have to read. It's simply weirdly amazing.
The 2nd short story was poor though.
May 7, 2013
My first blog review has to be to this author. He is amazing.
This book captivated me from the beginning to end. I struggle a little with reviews of books I enjoyed because I could rant and rave about it, thus giving away everything.
All I'll say is : If you're a fan of the late Richard Laymon you will love Kristopher Rufty. He's Laymon without a conscience. This book is gory, so be warned, but it isn't all gore-galore without a storyline. We get to know the characters and learn to care for them. It all starts with a camping trip in the boonies. Throw in your homicidal maniacs and hillbilly fruitloops and voila! You have Last One Alive.
For all horror fans, this author's books are a must. He has found one faithful new fan in me.
This book captivated me from the beginning to end. I struggle a little with reviews of books I enjoyed because I could rant and rave about it, thus giving away everything.
All I'll say is : If you're a fan of the late Richard Laymon you will love Kristopher Rufty. He's Laymon without a conscience. This book is gory, so be warned, but it isn't all gore-galore without a storyline. We get to know the characters and learn to care for them. It all starts with a camping trip in the boonies. Throw in your homicidal maniacs and hillbilly fruitloops and voila! You have Last One Alive.
For all horror fans, this author's books are a must. He has found one faithful new fan in me.
September 10, 2014
The Last One Alive is an excellent horror novel full of shocking twists that make no sense until the end. The problem was the ending sucked and left me feeling ripped off. It's almost as if someone stole the ending and just left a big gaping hole.
It did remind me a lot of the classic slasher films of the 80's but we aren't presented with a great deal of gore. There are a few graphic scenes but the terror here is more psychological.
Had the ending been better crafted the story would have felt complete but as it is there's a big reveal and then nothing. We're presented with a few stories but what I wanted was a better ending To Last One Alive.
It did remind me a lot of the classic slasher films of the 80's but we aren't presented with a great deal of gore. There are a few graphic scenes but the terror here is more psychological.
Had the ending been better crafted the story would have felt complete but as it is there's a big reveal and then nothing. We're presented with a few stories but what I wanted was a better ending To Last One Alive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews