Last to Leave the Room

Caitlin Starling, known for The Death of Jane Lawrence, presents Last to Leave the Room, a work of speculative horror set in the sinking city of San Siro. Dr. Tamsin Rivers leads a research team investigating subsidence while her own basement deteriorates at an accelerated pace. Tamsin becomes fixated on a room at the bottom of the stairs where she discovers a new door. Beyond it lies a doppelganger who is sweet and biddable, contrasting sharply with Tamsin’s calculating nature. This double passes every test yet slowly erodes Tamsin’s memory and sense of time. The narrative focuses on psychological unraveling as the protagonist loses track of reality. The story draws on gothic traditions of domestic dread and supernatural intrusion. It suits readers who enjoy slow-burn atmospheric terror and character-driven horror. Those seeking fast-paced action or traditional jump scares may find the pacing too deliberate. The book examines identity, obsession, and the fragility of the self against an encroaching unknown. Starling uses a linear structure to build tension through Tamsin’s isolation. The setting of San Siro provides a backdrop of physical decay that mirrors mental collapse. The novel avoids explicit gore in favor of psychological unease. It is best for fans of literary horror who appreciate detailed internal monologues and ambiguous endings.