"The Last Room on the Left" by Leah Konen

 

"The Last Room on the Left" by Leah Konen is a twisted psychological thriller told from three points of view that complement one another. It's marketed as a "feminist take on The Shining," but it bears only a faint resemblance to King’s classic. But more on that later.

The story centers around Kerry, an aspiring author whose life has hit rock bottom due to her struggles with alcoholism. Her drinking has cost her both her husband, Frank, and her best friend, Siobhan. On top of everything, she’s battling writer’s block. In an effort to turn her life around, Kerry accepts a month-long position as a caretaker at a revitalized roadside motel in the Catskills. Since the motel has no Wi-Fi, she hopes to finish her novel without distractions.

She’s assigned to stay in the last room on the left but finds it mysteriously occupied upon arrival, with no trace of the tenant. The plot thickens when she discovers a body and clues suggesting foul play. With a snowstorm cutting off electricity and cell reception, Kerry must rely on her wits - no easy task, given that she’s fallen off the wagon again.

I was excited to dive into this psychological thriller, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While I enjoyed the eerie setting, unsettling atmosphere, and overall sense of dread, the story dragged at certain points, and the writing felt repetitive at times.

Although the book echoes "The Shining" in its isolated setting, unreliable alcoholic caretaker, and tense mood, it is nothing like "The Shining". Kerry is no Jack Torrance, and the plot diverges significantly from King’s novel. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for me, since I’m not overly fond of "The Shining".

None of the characters were particularly likable, though. Kerry is full of excuses to justify her poor choices and a drinking problem, and the other two protagonists aren’t much better. One character constantly seeks male adoration (which undermines the feminist take), while another engages in non-consensual S&M and returns for more, disregarding her safety.

Even the side characters, though well-drawn, didn’t resonate with me. The constant drug and alcohol abuse was hard to relate to, and I struggled to warm up to any of the cast. Additionally, the book could use another round of editing to smooth out some rough patches. For instance, in one scene, Siobhan gives her keys to another character but then uses the same keys herself in the very next scene to access the boiler room.

Overall, The Last Room on the Left had a solid premise, and I appreciated the suspense and spooky atmosphere. The story is readable, fast-paced, and offers a few chilling moments along with twists I didn’t see coming. However, while I enjoyed certain aspects of it, I wasn’t blown away. The idea was interesting, but it fell short in execution. As a result, I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Last Room on the Left" by Leah Konen