The Last Room on the Left

Leah Konen’s friend hinted by text that she would like to read a feminist version of The Shining. From that text, this novel was born. Protagonist Kerry’s backstory matches that of Jack Nicholson’s character to the extent that her alcoholism is damaging her relationships and career. The setting is similar. She takes a caretaker position in the Catskills, arrives during a nor’easter and is trapped at the motel with closed roads and no landline or cell service. Beyond that, the novel is all Konen. No supernatural kids in hallways or imaginary hotties in the bathtub. Just a dead body, creepy neighbors, and clearly compromised law enforcement with no escape path. What sets this novel apart is that Konen isn’t intent on just terrifying the reader. She plots for pacing and does a fine job keeping up the suspense, but she doesn’t sacrifice elements that make for a discussable read. One of them is addiction and the damage substance abuse wreaks on the person and those close to her. Konen is a fine writer, which is especially clear when she describes Kerry’s internal struggle when faced with stress and lots of handy wine bottles, the feeling she experiences when taking that first drink, and Kerry’s awareness that confusing moments could be memory gaps from drinking too much. This puts a human face on the problem and creates some empathy for Kerry. Despite that, Konen doesn’t spare Kerry when laying out the harm she does to others who care for her. Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley for providing this eARC.