{"id":9239300047085,"title":"Last to Leave","handle":"last-to-leave","description":"\u003ch6\u003eComing June 2, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/teresa-richards\"\u003eTeresa Richards\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhodunit . . . and who has the most fans?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen seventeen-year-old up-and-coming video game streamer and content creator, Fallon, earns a coveted spot in the new 1920s-themed 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"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.\u003cbr\u003e\n—Lauren Thoman, author of \u003ci\u003eYou Shouldn't Be Here\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\"Utterly original and so fun to read! I couldn't resist the fun premise, and Richards delivers with a ton of wit and depth.\" \u003cbr\u003e\n—Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of \u003ci\u003eDial A For Aunties\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/imposter\"\u003eImposter\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/above-all-else\"\u003eAbove All Else\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-spread.jpg?v=1764096654\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1771336510\"\u003eDownload the Discussion Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeresa Richards, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeresa 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 \u003ci\u003eEmerald Bound\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFlippin' Skaters\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eLast to Leave\u003c\/i\u003e is her hardcover debut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/teresa-richards\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Teresa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeventeen-year-old streamer Fallon May has a complicated home life. \u003cbr\u003e\nShe 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. \u003cbr\u003e\nA mystery that stands out due to its strong character growth. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFallon is a rising video gamer and content creator who applies to a murder-mystery-themed reality competition hoping to grow her audience and win a million-dollar prize. When she’s selected, Fallon discovers the game is a fully immersive, live-streamed experience set in the 1920s, centered on the murder of Ms. Cherry. SleuthIt unfolds inside a sprawling mansion, where Fallon and seven other content creators compete by uncovering clues, forging alliances, and staying in character throughout the game, all while letting fans in on their every move. As the competition intensifies, Fallon begins to realize that there’s far more at stake than solving a fictional crime. Caught among rival players, a demanding audience, and her drive to win, she unexpectedly discovers deeper truths about herself along the way. Richards has crafted a classic whodunit that immerses readers in a game of Clue reimagined through the eyes of modern content creators. This innovative blend of live-streaming culture with a fictional murder mystery set in the 1920s creates a fresh and compelling narrative. While the novel may particularly resonate with a younger YA audience, older mystery fans will find themselves eagerly solving the game alongside the characters. Beyond the competition ¬itself, the story reveals ¬unexpected emotional depth, exploring Fallon’s personal struggles and the lingering ghosts of her past. ¬Fallon is presumed white, while the supporting competitors of the game represent a range of diverse backgrounds. \nVERDICT Highly entertaining and immersive, this murder-mystery will captivate genre fans as well as readers drawn to influencer culture and gaming. Recommended. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-637-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 12 and up\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 336\u003cbr\u003e6 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: June 2, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2026-01-12T09:42:23-05:00","created_at":"2026-01-06T15:04:48-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Young Adult","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Novel","Browse by Language_English"],"price":1899,"price_min":1899,"price_max":1899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":49221453021421,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"46373","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":45648934404333,"product_id":9239300047085,"position":1,"created_at":"2025-11-25T13:51:05-05:00","updated_at":"2025-11-25T13:51:06-05:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":900,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666","variant_ids":[49221453021421]},"available":true,"name":"Last to Leave - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1899,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623546373","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":37280981188845,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666"],"featured_image":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":37280981188845,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666"},"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003eComing June 2, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/teresa-richards\"\u003eTeresa Richards\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhodunit . . . and who has the most fans?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen seventeen-year-old up-and-coming video game streamer and content creator, Fallon, earns a coveted spot in the new 1920s-themed 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"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.\u003cbr\u003e\n—Lauren Thoman, author of \u003ci\u003eYou Shouldn't Be Here\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\"Utterly original and so fun to read! I couldn't resist the fun premise, and Richards delivers with a ton of wit and depth.\" \u003cbr\u003e\n—Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of \u003ci\u003eDial A For Aunties\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/imposter\"\u003eImposter\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/above-all-else\"\u003eAbove All Else\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-spread.jpg?v=1764096654\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-cover.jpg?v=1764096666\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/last-to-leave-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1771336510\"\u003eDownload the Discussion Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeresa Richards, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeresa 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 \u003ci\u003eEmerald Bound\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFlippin' Skaters\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eLast to Leave\u003c\/i\u003e is her hardcover debut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/teresa-richards\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Teresa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeventeen-year-old streamer Fallon May has a complicated home life. \u003cbr\u003e\nShe 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. \u003cbr\u003e\nA mystery that stands out due to its strong character growth. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFallon is a rising video gamer and content creator who applies to a murder-mystery-themed reality competition hoping to grow her audience and win a million-dollar prize. When she’s selected, Fallon discovers the game is a fully immersive, live-streamed experience set in the 1920s, centered on the murder of Ms. Cherry. SleuthIt unfolds inside a sprawling mansion, where Fallon and seven other content creators compete by uncovering clues, forging alliances, and staying in character throughout the game, all while letting fans in on their every move. As the competition intensifies, Fallon begins to realize that there’s far more at stake than solving a fictional crime. Caught among rival players, a demanding audience, and her drive to win, she unexpectedly discovers deeper truths about herself along the way. Richards has crafted a classic whodunit that immerses readers in a game of Clue reimagined through the eyes of modern content creators. This innovative blend of live-streaming culture with a fictional murder mystery set in the 1920s creates a fresh and compelling narrative. While the novel may particularly resonate with a younger YA audience, older mystery fans will find themselves eagerly solving the game alongside the characters. Beyond the competition ¬itself, the story reveals ¬unexpected emotional depth, exploring Fallon’s personal struggles and the lingering ghosts of her past. ¬Fallon is presumed white, while the supporting competitors of the game represent a range of diverse backgrounds. \nVERDICT Highly entertaining and immersive, this murder-mystery will captivate genre fans as well as readers drawn to influencer culture and gaming. Recommended. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-637-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 12 and up\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 336\u003cbr\u003e6 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: June 2, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}
Coming June 2, 2026. Pre-order today!

By: Teresa Richards

Whodunit . . . and 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 1920s-themed 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.

"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

"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
Maximum quantity available reached.

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.

  • Coming soon!

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.

School Library Journal

Fallon is a rising video gamer and content creator who applies to a murder-mystery-themed reality competition hoping to grow her audience and win a million-dollar prize. When she’s selected, Fallon discovers the game is a fully immersive, live-streamed experience set in the 1920s, centered on the murder of Ms. Cherry. SleuthIt unfolds inside a sprawling mansion, where Fallon and seven other content creators compete by uncovering clues, forging alliances, and staying in character throughout the game, all while letting fans in on their every move. As the competition intensifies, Fallon begins to realize that there’s far more at stake than solving a fictional crime. Caught among rival players, a demanding audience, and her drive to win, she unexpectedly discovers deeper truths about herself along the way. Richards has crafted a classic whodunit that immerses readers in a game of Clue reimagined through the eyes of modern content creators. This innovative blend of live-streaming culture with a fictional murder mystery set in the 1920s creates a fresh and compelling narrative. While the novel may particularly resonate with a younger YA audience, older mystery fans will find themselves eagerly solving the game alongside the characters. Beyond the competition ¬itself, the story reveals ¬unexpected emotional depth, exploring Fallon’s personal struggles and the lingering ghosts of her past. ¬Fallon is presumed white, while the supporting competitors of the game represent a range of diverse backgrounds. VERDICT Highly entertaining and immersive, this murder-mystery will captivate genre fans as well as readers drawn to influencer culture and gaming. Recommended.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-637-3

Ages: 12 and up
Page count: 336
6 x 9

Publication date: June 2, 2026