Riley Sager is the pseudonym of Todd Ritter – an American author known for his contributions to the thriller genre. Gaining significant attention with his debut novel “Final Girls”, Sager quickly established a reputation for crafting suspenseful narratives with unexpected twists.
Subsequent to “Final Girls”, Sager wrote other successful novels such as “Last Time I Lied” and “Home Before Dark”, demonstrating his consistency in the contemporary thriller category.
His novels incorporate elements of horror, mystery, and drama, defining a distinctive narrative style. Beyond the main storylines, Sager’s works address themes of trauma, memory, and the intricacies of human relationships.
Riley Sager Books in Order
Kat Campbell Series
- Death Notice (2010)
- Vicious Circle (2011)
- Bad Moon (2011)
- Devil’s Night (2013)
Standalone Novels
- Things Half in Shadow (2014)
- Final Girls (2017)
- The Last Time I Lied (2018)
- Lock Every Door (2019)
- Home Before Dark (2020)
- Survive the Night (2021)
- The House Across the Lake (2022)
- The Only One Left (2023)
Similar Authors
- “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins – A gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
- “Blindsighted” by Karin Slaughter: This debut novel introduces Sara Linton, a pediatrician and coroner in a small Georgia town, who becomes involved in a terrifying series of murders that brings her face to face with a diabolical killer. The book combines elements of a medical thriller and a police procedural.
- “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides – A suspenseful and atmospheric novel about a woman’s shocking act of violence and the therapist determined to uncover the truth. See also: Books Similar to The Silent Patient.
See also: Private Series by James Patterson in Chronological Order.
Most Recommended Books
- Home Before Dark (4.08 Goodreads score)
- The Last Time I Lied (4.05 Goodreads score)
- Lock Every Door (3.91 Goodreads score)
- Final Girls (3.84 Goodreads score)
- The House Across the Lake (3.58 Goodreads score)
Awards
Riley Sager, writing under his real name Todd Ritter, received the 2018 ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel for Final Girls. In 2019, Lock Every Door was nominated for the Goodreads Awards for Best Mystery and Thriller. In 2020, Lock Every Door was also nominated for the RUSA Awards – Adrenaline Award, and Home Before Dark was nominated for the Goodreads Awards for Best Mystery and Thriller.
Upcoming Releases
“The Only One Left” is the latest book by Riley Sager, published on July 4, 2023.
Book Summaries
Death Notice
"Death Notice" is a thriller set in the quiet town of Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania. When the body of George Winnick is discovered in a gruesome state, with his lips sewn shut and embalming fluid in his veins, it becomes clear that a killer is on the loose. The chilling part is that the local newspaper received a death notice for Winnick before his murder. Police chief Kat Campbell is determined to protect her community and stop the twisted killer before more lives are taken. Will she succeed in her efforts?
Vicious Circle
"Vicious Circle" is set in the small town of Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania. The town used to be peaceful until a serial killer brought unwanted attention and put the life of its police chief, Kat Campbell, in danger. After nine months of peace, a local farmer discovers a crop circle, putting the town back in the spotlight. Chief Campbell investigates and finds herself dealing with young farmers in over their heads, conflicting neighbors, and a web of jealousy, lies, and betrayal. As she gets closer to the truth, Chief Campbell must once again fight for her life.
Bad Moon
Bad Moon tells the story of ten-year-old Charlie Olmstead who mysteriously disappeared on the same night Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Years later, Charlie's brother Eric returns to their hometown to fulfill their mother's dying wish of finding Charlie. Eric teams up with Kat Campbell, the police chief's daughter and his former sweetheart, to uncover the truth behind Charlie's disappearance. As they dig deeper, they discover that Charlie's mother believed he was kidnapped and that there may be other missing boys across Pennsylvania.
Devil’s Night
Perry Hollow Police Chief Kat Campbell finds herself facing two unexpected events: entering a burning building and coming face-to-face with Henry Goll, a man she was trapped with in a previous fire. When the town's museum, which holds all of its historical artifacts, is set on fire, Kat is determined to find the culprit. As she investigates, she discovers the museum curator has been brutally murdered. With the help of Henry, Kat embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the killer's identity and the reasons behind these horrifying crimes.
Things Half in Shadow
"Things Half in Shadow" is a historical mystery set in 1869 Philadelphia. The story follows Edward Clark, a successful crime reporter, who is assigned to expose the city's mediums. However, when he investigates the talented young medium Lucy Collins, he discovers her blackmailing abilities. Reluctantly, Edward agrees to collaborate with Lucy to expose her rivals. But when a prominent medium is murdered during a séance they attend, Edward and Lucy find themselves caught in a web of past murders, present danger, and unexplainable supernatural occurrences. They must clear their names and navigate the treacherous world of 19th-century Philadelphia to uncover the truth.
Final Girls
"Final Girls" is a thriller about Quincy Carpenter, a college student who survived a horrifying massacre at Pine Cottage. Quincy is now part of an exclusive group known as "The Final Girls," along with Lisa and Sam, who have also survived their own traumatic experiences. Quincy has managed to move on with her life, with the help of medication and a supportive fiancé. However, when one of the Final Girls is found dead and another shows up at Quincy's doorstep, her past comes rushing back. As Quincy tries to uncover the truth about what really happened that night, she must navigate through a web of lies and danger. Will she be able to survive once again, or will she become another victim?
The Last Time I Lied
"The Last Time I Lied" is a thriller that follows Emma, who, fifteen years ago, witnessed her friends sneak out of their cabin at Camp Nightingale and never return. Now a successful artist in New York, Emma is asked to return to the camp as a painting instructor. Despite her guilt and anxiety, she agrees and finds herself haunted by the past. As she uncovers mysterious clues about the camp's history, Emma realizes that finding the truth may put her life in danger.
Lock Every Door
"Lock Every Door" is a story about Jules Larson, who is offered a luxurious apartment to live in for free. However, there's a catch - she must follow strict rules and may not live long enough to enjoy her new home. As Jules settles into her new job as an apartment sitter in the prestigious Bartholomew building, she befriends another sitter named Ingrid. Ingrid warns Jules that something sinister is happening in the building, but Jules dismisses it as a ghost story. However, when Ingrid goes missing, Jules realizes that she is not the first temporary resident to disappear. With a dark history lurking beneath the glamorous exterior of the Bartholomew, Jules must uncover the truth before it's too late.
Home Before Dark
Home Before Dark is a thriller about Maggie Holt, who inherits her family's old Victorian estate called Baneberry Hall. Her father wrote a famous memoir about their terrifying experiences in the house, but Maggie doesn't believe in ghosts. However, when she returns to Baneberry Hall, she starts to question her skepticism as strange things start happening. As she delves deeper into the mysteries of the house, Maggie realizes that her father's book may have been more than just a story. Now, she must uncover the truth before it's too late.
Survive the Night
"Survive the Night" follows Charlie Jordan as she embarks on a cross-country journey with a stranger named Josh Baxter. However, Charlie soon realizes that Josh may be a serial killer. As they travel together, Charlie begins to uncover inconsistencies in Josh's story and fears for her own safety. With a game of cat and mouse unfolding, Charlie must find a way to escape and survive the night before becoming Josh's next victim.
The House Across the Lake
"The House Across the Lake"follows recently widowed actress Casey Fletcher as she seeks solace in her family's lake house. Enjoying the tranquility, Casey becomes intrigued by the seemingly flawless couple living across the lake, reminding her of her own past happiness. However, as the story unfolds, Casey finds herself caught in a web of deception and danger. With a detective at her side and a mysterious captive in her home, Casey embarks on a journey to uncover shocking secrets that will forever alter her life.
The Only One Left
"The Only One Left" is a thriller about Lenora Hope, the sole survivor of a brutal family massacre. Lenora, who has been unable to speak or move due to her injuries, finally gets the chance to share her side of the story when her caregiver Kit provides her with a typewriter. With determination, Lenora starts typing, eager to reveal the truth behind the tragic night that changed her life forever.
