Last to Leave
Teresa Richards, 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.
Read more about Teresa.
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Kirkus Reviews
Seventeen-year-old streamer Fallon May has a complicated home life.
She might be just an “average white girl from middle-of-nowhere USA,” but her mother is in rehab, and she’s currently sleeping on her brother’s couch. With her college fund going to her mom’s stint in Hope House, Fallon is counting on money from her gaming channel to pay for her future. The opportunity of a lifetime arises when she’s selected, along with other up-and-coming streamers and influencers, to participate in SleuthIt, a live-action Clue-like mystery game with a million-dollar prize at stake. In a mansion littered with clues and red herrings, the eight racially diverse young participants—Fallon, A’Nyah, Connor, Dante, Flip, Hudson, Macie, and Ravi—are assigned alter egos and backstories to fit the 1920s-themed murder mystery. They must solve the mystery while entertaining the viewers or risk getting sent home. Fallon thinks there’s more going on beneath the surface: Why do the contestants seem to have previous drama with each other, and why do the clues seem to change? Although the premise of a mystery reality show is engaging, the execution is convoluted, making the characterization the real star. Fallon’s journey from being distrustful, angry, and lonely to developing real self-awareness—plus the sweet romance that develops between her and a fellow contestant—will keep the pages turning and readers rooting for her happiness and success.
A mystery that stands out due to its strong character growth.
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-637-3
Ages: 12 and up
Page count: 336
6 x 9
Publication date: June 2, 2026



