What do you think?
Rate this book
Last to Leave
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26A trendy, fast-paced mystery for fans of the Knives Out movies as well as Netflix's The Residence.
Video game streamer Fallon joins a 1920s-themed murder mystery game, and the only thing more important than figuring out whodunit is who has the most fans.
When seventeen-year-old up-and-coming video game streamer and content creator, Fallon, earns a coveted spot in the new murder-mystery reality game, SleuthIt, her objective seems pretty straightforward: play the game, solve the mystery, and win the million-dollar prize. The fact that she’ll do it all on livestream with seven other young content creators only makes things better—after all, increased exposure is influencer gold, and winning will catapult her gaming channel to the next level.
But unbeknownst to each other, the contestants are interconnected, and when one of them turns out to be Fallon’s online gaming partner, Dante, she starts to doubt the objective of the game. The intrigue runs much deeper than Fallon ever thought—the eight contestants chosen for the show are not the only players in the game, and the interlopers have hidden agendas and competing interests.
As secrets come out and the lines between ally and adversary blur, Fallon will have to figure out what game she’s really playing, who might be playing her, and what she’s willing to sacrifice in pursuit of fame and fortune. Because, in the end, no one can have it all.
Video game streamer Fallon joins a 1920s-themed murder mystery game, and the only thing more important than figuring out whodunit is who has the most fans.
When seventeen-year-old up-and-coming video game streamer and content creator, Fallon, earns a coveted spot in the new murder-mystery reality game, SleuthIt, her objective seems pretty straightforward: play the game, solve the mystery, and win the million-dollar prize. The fact that she’ll do it all on livestream with seven other young content creators only makes things better—after all, increased exposure is influencer gold, and winning will catapult her gaming channel to the next level.
But unbeknownst to each other, the contestants are interconnected, and when one of them turns out to be Fallon’s online gaming partner, Dante, she starts to doubt the objective of the game. The intrigue runs much deeper than Fallon ever thought—the eight contestants chosen for the show are not the only players in the game, and the interlopers have hidden agendas and competing interests.
As secrets come out and the lines between ally and adversary blur, Fallon will have to figure out what game she’s really playing, who might be playing her, and what she’s willing to sacrifice in pursuit of fame and fortune. Because, in the end, no one can have it all.
- GenresMysteryYoung Adult
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
101 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Richards
10 books57 followersTeresa Richards is an award-winning and Amazon-best-selling author of young-adult fiction, and is a member of SCBWI and the Storymakers Guild. She’s a California girl in Kentucky and loves hiking, playing the piano, and impromptu dance parties. Teresa and her husband have five kids and an anxious dog. When she’s not busy writing or momming, she’s probably singing random song lyrics on repeat or hiding in the house with a treat she’s not planning to share.
You can connect with Teresa on Instagram @authorteresarichards, Facebook @AuthorTeresaRichards, or visit her website: authorteresarichards.com.
You can connect with Teresa on Instagram @authorteresarichards, Facebook @AuthorTeresaRichards, or visit her website: authorteresarichards.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just finished reading an advance copy (from the author) of "Last to Leave". This was a FUN read! Lots of twists and turns in the plot and characters that I really liked and a couple I truly enjoyed rooting for. Also, a few bad guys that were fun to hope the worst for. Ha, ha. I was engaged in the story from cover to cover. The ending was not what I expected, but is one that I was very satisfied with. Kudos to Teresa for an engaging and fun tale!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an absolutely delightful read!! I always love a book I can’t put down; this one hooked me on the very first page and never let go. If you’re looking for a binge-worthy YA mystery story, this is for you.
I’ve never read a book quite like this one before. I loved the twist on the classic murder mystery premise, using influencer streamers and a game show as the backdrop, which I think will really appeal to today’s YA readers.
I loved the characters. I loved the setting. I loved that there was enough going on that I couldn’t predict the ending. I loved that I was never bored (and my ADHD brain gets bored a LOT). I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly recommend!!
I’ve never read a book quite like this one before. I loved the twist on the classic murder mystery premise, using influencer streamers and a game show as the backdrop, which I think will really appeal to today’s YA readers.
I loved the characters. I loved the setting. I loved that there was enough going on that I couldn’t predict the ending. I loved that I was never bored (and my ADHD brain gets bored a LOT). I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly recommend!!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Clue is probably one of my favorite board games of all time, so when Teresa Richards wrote a book that felt like Cluemeets Big Brother, with a hint of a Mr. Beast–style challenge, I was all in. Given that this novel focuses on wannabe influencers, I really wanted Richards to fully commit to the 1920s murder-mystery concept. Instead, we get selfie-taking contestants running around a mansion, trying to stick to the game mainly to entertain their followers. Richards sets up a cool dual storyline between the influencers and the 1920s murder plot, but because of the influencers’ poor acting, the historical storyline often feels more like a gimmick than a real narrative. No one can stay in character long enough, even though Fallon discovers they each have personal connections to their roles. The murder plot ends up feeling more like a plot device than an actual story and often falls flat when it finally gets attention.
Still, the concept works at times because the real storyline centers on the influencers competing for a chance to win one million dollars — money Fallon desperately needs. With her motto #GirlsCanGame, Fallon hopes to represent women in the gaming community while showing off her strategic skills, earning money, and building an international following. Fallon is a strong character and honestly the only POV I consistently wanted to read. Unlike the beauty influencer, whom Richards writes as vague and often cruel, Fallon has personality and good intentions, even when she makes mistakes. Richards allows her to be flawed while giving her meaningful growth tied to both the competition and what she learns through the mystery.
Dante is a true standout throughout the story, and personally, I would have cut him far more slack than Fallon did. A fellow gamer and Fallon’s online best friend, Dante is also competing — something he hides from her at first. Gaming is not what he is publicly known for, as his prank channel previously crossed paths with Fallon in less-than-positive ways. Richards handles their friendship well, building a slow-burn will-they-won’t-they dynamic that adds tension, especially when the murder mystery itself struggles to hold attention.
Richards’ writing is solid, but the novel ultimately feels overcrowded with ideas. Between friendships and rivalries, layered competitions, and the Clue-style mystery, there is a lot happening at once. I honestly wish readers had more opportunity to solve the mystery alongside Fallon, but constant twists prevent real guessing before the story lands on a fairly obvious final reveal.
Still, the concept works at times because the real storyline centers on the influencers competing for a chance to win one million dollars — money Fallon desperately needs. With her motto #GirlsCanGame, Fallon hopes to represent women in the gaming community while showing off her strategic skills, earning money, and building an international following. Fallon is a strong character and honestly the only POV I consistently wanted to read. Unlike the beauty influencer, whom Richards writes as vague and often cruel, Fallon has personality and good intentions, even when she makes mistakes. Richards allows her to be flawed while giving her meaningful growth tied to both the competition and what she learns through the mystery.
Dante is a true standout throughout the story, and personally, I would have cut him far more slack than Fallon did. A fellow gamer and Fallon’s online best friend, Dante is also competing — something he hides from her at first. Gaming is not what he is publicly known for, as his prank channel previously crossed paths with Fallon in less-than-positive ways. Richards handles their friendship well, building a slow-burn will-they-won’t-they dynamic that adds tension, especially when the murder mystery itself struggles to hold attention.
Richards’ writing is solid, but the novel ultimately feels overcrowded with ideas. Between friendships and rivalries, layered competitions, and the Clue-style mystery, there is a lot happening at once. I honestly wish readers had more opportunity to solve the mystery alongside Fallon, but constant twists prevent real guessing before the story lands on a fairly obvious final reveal.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A fun book with a mystery reality game that is a lot like the board game Clue. Eight teen streamers/influencers are invited to a mansion to play the game, SleuthIt, and while each one is trying to solve the mystery, their online fans are helping to vote (think Survivor, since someone is voted off each day). Fallon is our main character and she is a gaming streamer --the plays video games and has a pretty good following. She is joined in the mansion by a fashion influencer and others who post about beauty, daredevil Acts, and pranks. The mystery gives each person an alternate persona and the setting is the 1920s, so there are some slang terms that Fallon and the others are confused by once the hostess, Ms. Honey, starts talking.
Lots of twists and turns. I liked the reality show aspect of this one. But wasn't really happy with the ending. It wasn't all that satisfying.
Lots of twists and turns. I liked the reality show aspect of this one. But wasn't really happy with the ending. It wasn't all that satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Stayed up late reading this one because I HAD TO KNOW THE ENDING! What a great story concept—the thrills and suspense of “Clue” but set in our modern world with all the drama and twists of reality tv and influencers. The flaws of the main character, Fallon, make her real and relatable, and her fierce determination has you cheering for her all the way to the end. Definitely my new favorite Teresa Richards book!!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Review to come closer to publication date.
Review to come closer to publication date.
August 25, 2025
I'm the author of this book, and I can't wait for you all to meet Fallon and experience this Clue-inspired story within a story. It's got mystery, romance, and some reality-show level drama. I had so much fun crafting this YA novel that straddles the contemporary and mystery genres. It's a classic Whodunit set in the age of content creators, where the only thing more important than whodunit is who has the most fans.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews