The Last Seat

by Jenifer Ruff

The spotlight is dangerous when everyone has something to hide.

When ER nurse Haley James saves a stranger’s life on a routine train ride, her heroic actions go viral. The video draws relentless media attention, with reporters digging into her past and threatening to expose her secrets, including the truth behind her sudden separation from her husband.

Amidst the chaos, a shocking revelation from her mother shatters everything Haley thought she understood about her family, leaving her questioning who else has been lying and why.

With her life unraveling and danger closing in, Haley doesn’t know who she can lean on: the detectives working the case, the ex who may still be hiding something, or the charming lawyer who seems too good to be true.
In this pulse-pounding psychological thriller, trust is a luxury Haley can’t afford, and the most shocking secrets are the ones she has yet to uncover.

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Mary Kubica, and Shari Lapena, THE LAST SEAT by USA TODAY bestselling author Jenifer Ruff is a rollercoaster of suspense that will keep you questioning every relationship and every motive until the final, jaw-dropping twist.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

298 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2026

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Jenifer Ruff writes dark and twisty mystery thrillers, including the award-winning Agent Victoria Heslin Series. Jenifer spends her days writing with the goal of keeping her readers eagerly turning the pages and putting the clues together. She adores peace and quiet, animals, and exercise, especially hiking. If she’s not writing, she’s probably out exploring trails with her dogs. Sign up for her Reader's Newsletter at Jenruff.com and never miss a new release.

Reviews

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fast paced with so many twists and turns. A woman is shot on a train and an ER nurse works to save her. Who did it? Why?

In the beginning, it’s hard to see how it all connects. Then the book explodes and becomes very fast paced. I loved the middle of the book, there was so much happening.

The ending got a little slower and I wished it was a little more action packed through the end, but overall a very quick, good read. Def worth a read!

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Zizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked at the beginning. Had me constantly wondering what was going to happen next? What are they going to do about this? What are we going to do about that? This book is entertaining! I did not expect that ending just to find out who was the cause of it all.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Raymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Jennifer Ruff’s books. She really knows how to write a thriller where you don’t know who to trust.

This book was quick to read with the fast pace and quick chapters.

I love that everyone seemed like a suspect to the multiple things that were happening and it finally came together my jaw kind of dropped at the epilogue.

I liked Haley as a character even in the short time in the book she really grew from who she was in the beginning.

Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 302
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone

[Nicole Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast read - lots of twists/revelations. A woman is killed on a train - but why? Can't say it was especially believable, and I did predict some things, but was entertained throughout.

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenifer Ruff delivers another masterful, twisty thriller about an ER nurse/hero who has a definitely complicated life.

Haley has gone viral because she was filmed saving the life of a woman (Lauren, an investigative journalist) who was seemingly randomly shot by a man on an L train, shortly after Haley gave up her seat to her. New found internet fame is annoying but Haley has a laundry list of other problems: like an estrangement from her stalkerish husband (who is accusing her of something nebulous, maybe illegal); a beloved mother in chemotherapy (who wants to tell Haley a life-changing secret); an awkward attraction to a lawyer who is acting as an intermediary for someone else; a crappy car; a phone that needs a new battery; a mean cat; and a new familial relationship that could be the great change in Haley’s life (if he’s not connected to the shooting of the woman on the train or corporate evildoing). Whew!

As Haley nearly gets overwhelmed with even more odd discoveries, we get totally invested in her (c’mon, Moose the cat — don’t scratch the hand that feeds you!) There’s multiple twists — the first one of them really stings and all my empathy poured into Haley. The surprises continue until the very end; almost all the characters seem good, then bad, then good again with me hoping there isn’t a final bad time. The clever plot made the revelations a genuine page turner that I couldn’t put down. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
The author did not give the main female character green eyes and palm trees were not swaying in the Loop, but, weird question from a native Chicagoan: Why do Haley and Lauren take their coats off on the elevated train in winter?

Thank you to Greyt Companion Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

[Kristina Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read couldn't put it down

[Shanquelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story with twist after twist. Good thriller that was entertaining and exciting.

[Lindsay Mildenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haley is an ER nurse headed to see her mother when a man shoots another woman on the train. Thankfully Haley‘s medical knowledge enables her to save the woman’s life. What starts as a freak incident turns into a complicated twist of family secrets and mistaken identity.

This book literally started with a bang. Fast paced and exciting the first half flew by. Sadly as details became more clear that pace slowed and the story became more predictable. If 3.5 stars was an option, that would have been a better rating. Enjoyable and worth a read.

[cyndireadss · Rating 1 out of 5]

started so good then quickly just went down hill.

[JiaJia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ read this in one sitting, very good!

[Hanna Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good thriller with a unique plot! Loved this one and the characters a lot. I was waiting for Elliot to a bad guy I’m glad he wasn’t

[Deys · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why is this considered a thriller?

[Alicia Herold · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a book to get you out of your reading slump, this is it! Short chapters that grab your attention from the first chapter and has you second guessing every theory you have!

[Sherida L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging story. Keeps you guessing until the last 3 chapters. Worth it

[Tackyj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read and enjoyed several of Jenifer Ruff’s books but this one is my least favorite. Started strong but quickly devolved into a simplistic plot with a definite YA feel. Characters made so many obviously bad decisions and their behavior often seemed childish. Conclusion was predictable without any real surprises.

[Cortney Broad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one based on the reviews. The beginning hooked me, but the author lost me 65% of the way through. I mean, I know it’s fiction… but wow, it really committed to leaving reality behind. And the ending? Truly the cherry on top—if the goal was to make it worse.

[Mridula Siddique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a bit different. Nothing fancy though. Short chapters played a role to get the rating to 4. Was an easy read. Thought it was political but found out I was wrong. It was family....connected and all. Whatever. I won't recommend it as a must read but it was not that bad either.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*
I enjoyed the fast paced twists, but I found it all a bit predictable. I did have different theories at first, but I wasn’t shocked at any point. Definitely a good book to get out of a reading slump though. Side note : I love the cat’s name, Moose. It’s so cute.

[Jill Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️I believe this was my first book of hers and it won’t be my last. I was hooked from the start, chapters were short and made you want to keeping reading and reading until you got to the end. This book was so well written, each sentence flowed so easily. There was never a time I had to go back and reread bc it was confusing or choppy. A few things were frustrating but overall a great into to get work.

[Molly J · Rating 5 out of 5]

So twisty! Fasted paced, loved it!

[Rubí · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read for a rainy day.
AND OMG WHAT THE HELL OF A RIDE. THE BOOK HAD ME GUESSING WHAT WAS GOING ON.
Girl. The book its perfect to grab a cup of coffee, a comfortable blanket and shut down the phone. The ending was...... LIKE... I CAN'T BELIVE IT.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!!

[Venti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have some non formal things to say about this book. It was my first thriller and even *I* am underwhelmed.

1. The book was fast paced with short chapters. I liked it for that. First half of the book was great. I could feel how lonely and paranoid Haley felt all that while. I think Lance impersonation by Carter was unnecessary in the story and was not clarified by the author whatsoever.

2.In the beginning of the story, Elliot does talk about Lance as his COLLEGE FRIEND in his monologue, so why are we as readers expected to think that Lance (Carter) being 30 years old was a shocker? I mean, maybe the plot needed Haley to feel the twist but the readers who payed attention definitely knew already.

3. The second half was baaaad. The ending was underwhelming to the core. I could say I wanted to dnf it at 99% too, it was that bad. Wdym Carol committed 2 crimes and got away with it? And Elliot still thinks Haley did one of that thing and still accepted her. And Lance. What happened to him? His wife died because of her own fault and now he's a sore loser. And 17 years is a damn long time to plot something so shit. Lol.

4. Adam was an ass. His grandfather was an ass. Haley was a doormat for them. Adam's flow as a character and his thought process is still a big mystery. I guess we should just leave him be.

5. I know it's not fair to ask for something silly in a completely different genre but a little romance blooming in Haley and Lance wouldn't have hurt..? For the plot, ofcourse. But it would only have gotten smooth if it would have been done in the first half. When they were meeting alone. And by the way. What the hell was the Haley panicking saying "My Lance, my Lance" over and over? Girl, yours? When? He never reciprocated anything. You gotta be dreaming.

6. And the last chapter where Carol and Elliot were sleeping in the same room and Haley woke up to screaming. Lol I thought they were getting nasty with it 💀 🫠 (I apologize, but why is that woman clutching the sheets to her chest?).


Overall. This book was messy. What could've been a great book, was turned into a badly written soap opera in the second half. Plot twists were not groundbreaking. You cannot compliment this book by saying "I didn't see it coming! The plot twists were unpredictable!". They were not predictable because it did not make sense. The storytelling/recallings of past literally kept going until the last page and I feel stupid to get fooled by the cover. Poorly written and unorganized is it.

[Nicole Mato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, lots of plot twists to keep you wanting to read more! Highly recommend!

[Jane Ruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 🌟


Once again, @author.jenifer.ruff has written a twisty, read-in-one sitting thriller!

The book gets right into the action from the beginning and never lets up!

Compelling characters, perfect pacing, twist after jaw-dropping twist. I thought I had it figured out several times, but I was wrong! Every character has secrets...except for Moose, the cat 😹.

Absolutely fantastic new stand-alone thriller from one of my favorite authors.

***JUST FYI...WE ARE NOT RELATED!!!!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Last Seat
Author: Jenifer Ruff
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: April 3, 2026

I was just in DC and I rode the Metro many times. All I can say is, I'm glad I started this book AFTER my weekend away. I would have totally been freaked out had I been reading it while in DC.

This book is just so full of secrets, twists, and little side stories! It is written from multiple points of view, which I typically enjoy. Something about this book that bothers me is there is nothing at the beginning of each chapter noting whose point of view it is. It honestly drove me a little bonkers.

The author did an excellent job planting little seeds of doubt about multiple characters. For the majority of the book, I had a list of several suspects. Each new piece of evidence that came to light created doubts. Approximately 75% into the book, I was pretty certain I had it figured out.

I will definitely be on the lookout for more of this author's books.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Lucy Brighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenifer Ruff delivers a tightly plotted, twist-filled psychological thriller in The Last Seat. The story follows ER nurse Haley James, whose life spirals after she is filmed saving a shooting victim on a commuter train, thrusting her into unwanted viral fame.

As Haley navigates a series of personal challenges—including family secrets, a troubled marriage, and uncertain new relationships—she becomes entangled in a web of suspicion surrounding the attack. Ruff keeps the tension high with sharp pacing, strong characterisation, and well-executed twists that make it difficult to predict who can be trusted.

Gripping and suspenseful, The Last Seat is a highly engaging read for fans of the genre. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[LorRaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this book bc the cover caught my eye. And the premise sounded good too. Even ended up finishing it in one sitting!

The story keeps you guessing who, without making it overly complex or complicated, which I really enjoyed. Every time I thought I had it figured out, it shifted just enough to pull me back in. I did see the twist coming though around like 60% in. But I didn’t mind bc seeing it play out and coming all together was so satisfying.

This is a perfect book if you’re looking for like a ‘cozy thriller’. I found it to be gripping enough without it feeling too heavy.

[Don Ruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fanatic book! Twists right from the beginning! About half way through the book their were so many twists, i could not begin to figure it out. Had to keep reading to see what was going to happen! I got whiplash towards the end with all the twists! I had to read it in one sitting! Great Job Jenifer! WOW