Last to Leave

A 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.

"Utterly original and so fun to read! I couldn't resist the fun premise, and Richards delivers with a ton of wit and depth."
--Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Dial A For Aunties

"Last to Leave is a delightfully smart and entertaining caper with an engaging ensemble cast that jumps off the page. It's also a love letter to online gaming, family, and friendship that wears its heart on its sleeve while holding its clues behind its back. I loved this modern twist on a classic game of Clue, which kept me guessing, gasping, and frantically turning pages all the way until the final reveal."
--Lauren Thoman, author of You Shouldn't Be Here

Author: Teresa Richards
Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.45lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.40w x 1.60d
ISBN: 9781623546373
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 04/01/2026 pg. 79
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2026

About the Author
Teresa Richards writes 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 or hiding in the house with a treat she's not planning to share. She's the author of Emerald Bound and Flippin' Skaters, and Last to Leave is her hardcover debut.