The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked by Super Fans
In the past few years, we have devoured all the Riley Sager Books. His psychological thrillers are spine-tingling. He is the best-selling author of six thriller novels and each is more twisty than the last.
As fans of Riley Sager’s books, we decided to rank them from great to really great! We have enjoyed EVERY single book on this list. None of the books relate to each other so, you can read them in whatever order you choose.
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Riley Sager Books in Order
Who is Riley Sager?
Riley Sager is the best-selling author of 7 books. He is a native of Pennsylvania who now lives in Princeton, New Jersey, and his real name is Todd Ritter! Todd writes under the nom de plume of Riley Sager. We are guessing that Todd picked the name Riley, a very gender-neutral name, for people who have preferences for the gender of the authors they read.
He had been previously published under his real name but was relatively unknown. He, along with his publicist, agreed that a new name would give him a fresh start. We agree that Riley Sager’s books offer a fresh voice from a thriller perspective.
Riley Sager Books in Order
- Final Girls: A Novel (2017)
- The Last Time I Lied: A Novel (2018)
- Lock Every Door: A Novel (2019)
- Home Before Dark: A Novel (2020)
- Survive the Night: A Novel (2021)
- The House Across the Lake: A Novel (2022)
- The Only One Left: A Novel (2023)
What is Riley Sager’s New Book?
The Only One Left: A Novel by Riley Sager
Is there a chance that a new Riley Sager would not appear on a list of new-release books? I don’t think so. If you have been following us for a while you know we love Riley Sager enough to create The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked by Super Fans!
In this new mystery thriller book, Kit McDeere has taken a position as a home health aid for Lenora Hope who was accused of murdering her whole family years before. With no evidence, Lenora was never convicted and has lived in her home without leaving all this time. Lenora can only move her one finger and communicates with a typewriter.
Kit feels like there may be more to the story than anyone knows and wants to leave the crumbling mansion, but she has nowhere else to go. This is a perfect thriller book for fall.
Let’s Rank Some Riley Sager Books
So now, Kirsten and I decided to turn our love for Riley Sager’s books into a blog post in time for the thriller season. We thought we should rank these books because we have them all! Surely it would be impossible to decide on rankings we could both agree on. These are the Riley Sager books in order of favorite to least favorite although we do agree you cannot go wrong reading any of these Riley Sager Books.
Our Favorite Riley Sager Books with Reviews
#1
The Only One Left: A Novel by Riley Sager
Is there a chance that a new Riley Sager would not appear on a list of new-release books? I don’t think so. If you have been following us for a while you know we love Riley Sager enough to create The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked by Super Fans!
In this new mystery thriller book, Kit McDeere has taken a position as a home health aid for Lenora Hope who was accused of murdering her whole family years before. With no evidence, Lenora was never convicted and has lived in her home without leaving all this time. Lenora can only move her one finger and communicates with a typewriter.
Kit feels like there may be more to the story than anyone knows and wants to leave the crumbling mansion, but she has nowhere else to go. This is a perfect thriller book for fall.
#2
Final Girls by Riley Sager
This thriller was Riley Sager’s first book. It also happens to be one of my favorite books of his. It was the winner of the International Thrillers Writer Award for Best Hardcover Novel in 2018 and for good reason.
Quincy is a member of a club to which only three girls belong. Final girls are the only survivors of mass killings. Ten years after Quincy’s horrible nightmare in a cabin in the wood, she is being forced to relive the memories that she has completely blocked out since that night.
This book had completely unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the last chapter. Did you read the Riley Sager Books in order of publication?
#3
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
Emma is returning to her summer camp as a counselor after avoiding it since the tragedy of her bunkmates, Vivian, Natalie, and Allison’s disappearance. Trying to piece together what happened that fateful summer, she realizes she might be in danger.
Why I Loved it: I was so freaked out that I finished this thriller in 2 days, maybe because I visited my own overnight camp while reading it. I just needed to know how it ended! Other people have told me they were shocked at the twists and turns too.
Find this book in Books set at Camp / Best Riley Sager Books / Lake Novels / Popular Thrillers
#4
Plot
Riley Sager is back with a heart-pounding read about a girl who took a ride from a stranger to get home. She’s leaving college after finding out her best friend was murdered by an unknown serial killer.
But as the night progresses, she begins to think that the stranger giving her a ride is actually the serial killer. Can she survive the night? This is one of the creepier Riley Sager Books.
Why Jackie loves it
The creep factor in this book is off the charts. I was not sure what was going to happen and I loved the feeling.
Find this book in: Halloween Thriller Books / Serial Killer Books / Riley Sager Books
#5
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Riley Sager is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. I absolutely loved this last book, The Last Time I Lied, so I was eager to pick this one up. The story is told via a dual timeline about 4 days apart.
Jules is hired to apartment-sit at a ridiculously wealthy building in NYC. But there are strange rules to protect the residents of The Bartholomew – no visitors, no disturbing the neighbors, and no spending nights away from the apartment. There are also some concerning urban legends surrounding the lush residence. Let’s just say I was glad I was not alone while I was reading this creepy tale. If you love Riley Sager books, this one is a must read.
#6
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
Casey Fletcher is an actress fleeing bad press after the death of her beloved husband. She retreats to the family’s lake house, despite the fact that this is where he husband drowned.
Casey spends her days drinking and spying on the house across the lake. When she saves former supermodel, Katherine Royce from drowning, the two strike up a friendship, it becomes clear that Katherine and her husband are having some serious issues- after all, you find out a lot of things when watching the neighbors all day through binoculars.
Some points in the story moved slowly for me and at one point, the story nearly lost me. But, I am so glad that I kept reading. There were definitely surprises that I did not see coming. If you like a creepy thriller, this pick from Riley Sager books is for you.
#7
Home Before Dark
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2020
Genre: Thriller
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Best Books of 2020
Age Range: 18+
Plot
It is so strange that I have read four paranormal fiction this month! Maggie Holt spent three weeks in a house that became the subject of a best-selling novel written by her father.
During the three weeks in the house, the family was haunted by ghosts before they were eventually forced to flee. Twenty-five years later, Maggie is shocked to learn that her father still owned the house when he died and the house is now hers.
As Maggie returns to the house to find out what really happened, she might be in for more than she bargained for. Even though this is last on our list of Riley Sager books, it was a fun read that I would highly recommend.
Why Jackie likes it
This is a fun book that is not only about books but also has a touch of paranormal as well. If ghosts are not your thing but you love thrillers, I would recommend this one as a perfect “in-between” book. Riely Sager is very readable and his books are never a disappointment.
Find this book in: The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked / Fall Books / Halloween Thriller Books / Books About Books
Ultimate List of Thrillers
Love Thrillers? This list is curated and carefully divided by sub-genre. These will definitely keep you on your toes.
What are the Riley Sager Books in Order?
Final Girls: A Novel (2017)
The Last Time I Lied: A Novel (2018)
Lock Every Door: A Novel (2019)
Home Before Dark: A Novel (2020)
Survive the Night: A Novel (2021)
The House Across the Lake: A Novel (2022)
The Only One Left: A Novel (2023)
What is Riley Sager’s Newest Book?
Riley Sager’s newest book is called The Only One Left: A Novel (2023). It was published in June 2023. You can find a complete review of this and all Riley Sager books in our post The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked by Super Fans.
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