The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

The open road beckons.
A chance for them to reconnect.
Then they make a fatal mistake.

It’s the summer of 1976 and Alice and Tom set out on the remote Canadian highways in their new RV, hoping to heal their broken hearts after a devastating tragedy.

They’ve planned the trip perfectly, taken care of every detail. Then they meet two young hitchhikers down on their luck and offer them a ride. But Simon and Jenny aren’t what they seem. They’ve left a trail of blood, destruction, and madness behind them.

Now Alice and Tom are trapped, prisoners in a deadly game, with nowhere to turn. As the tension builds, the lines blur, and the question becomes, In whose heart does evil truly lie? What secrets are Jenny and Simon hiding? And who will live another day?

A chilling, twist-laden ride to the final page, THE HITCHHIKERS is that rare novel that will break your heart as well as hold you in suspense. The author of the classic thrillers STILL MISSING and THOSE GIRLS has delivered her next breathtaking novel.

Kindle Edition, 379 pages

Expected publication October 7, 2025 

by St. Martin's Press

3/5 stars

Chevy Stevens has long been an auto-read author for me, and one I’ve managed to stay current with over the years. She’s one of those writers I can always count on for an intriguing premise and The Hitchhikers certainly started out with one that had me curious from the get-go.

A chance meeting changed everything for Alice and Tom, especially when they discover who Simon and Jenny really are. Taking place in the 1970's was a refreshing change and getting the different points of view rounded things out nicely. That being said, while the setup was strong I found parts of the story a bit repetitive and the pacing slow at times. Once the last quarter hit, the tension really picked up and I ended up binging the final 25%, and the ending definitely took me by surprise (well, aside from a few unanswered questions that lingered).

What I did enjoy was the strong Canadian setting. Having traveled to some of those same location myself, it wasn’t hard for me to visualize it and that made the backdrop feel even more vivid and authentic. Despite some of my struggles with the flow, there’s no denying Stevens knows how to capture a sense of place.

With all the glowing reviews out there please take this one with a grain of salt. For me, The Hitchhikers landed at 3 stars,  Chevy Stevens remains an author I’ll continue to follow and I look forward to seeing where her next book takes me.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens

The acclaimed and beloved author of Still Missing is back with her most breathtaking thriller yet.

The Cold Creek Highway stretches close to five hundred miles through British Columbia’s rugged wilderness to the west coast. Isolated and vast, it has become a prime hunting ground for predators. For decades, young women traveling the road have gone missing. Motorists and hitchhikers, those passing through or living in one of the small towns scattered along the region, have fallen prey time and again. And no killer or abductor who has stalked the highway has ever been brought to justice.

Hailey McBride calls Cold Creek home. Her father taught her to respect nature, how to live and survive off the land, and to never travel the highway alone. Now he’s gone, leaving her a teenage orphan in the care of her aunt whose police officer husband uses his badge as a means to bully and control Hailey. Overwhelmed by grief and forbidden to work, socialize, or date, Hailey vanishes into the mountainous terrain, hoping everyone will believe she’s left town. Rumors spread that she was taken by the highway killer—who’s claimed another victim over the summer.

One year later, Beth Chevalier arrives in Cold Creek, where her sister Amber lived—and where she was murdered. Estranged from her parents and seeking closure, Beth takes a waitressing job at the local diner, just as Amber did, desperate to understand what happened to her and why. But Beth’s search for answers puts a target on her back—and threatens to reveal the truth behind Hailey’s disappearance… 

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Expected publication: August 3rd 2021

 by St. Martin's Press

4/5 stars

Chevy Stevens had me at Still Missing and I've read every one of her books since.  A Canadian author that always sets her books in Canada, BC actually - one of my favorite places to visit.  Dark Roads is no different with its setting in a fictional town and the disappearance of women. 

I can't exactly say this was a fast paced story, and really a good suspense/thriller doesn't have to be. Just as long as the story keeps me captivated and on my toes I am good.  Dark Roads has a small town setting, Cold Creek where the highway is spotted with memorials to those women that have met with tragic ends.  

I liked both Hailey and Beth, in a sense alone searching for answers.  While this book does have a YA feel it does tackle some serious subject matter.  The mystery was intriguing, except for some time in the middle where it seems to lag a bit, but I found myself reading faster to see the outcome.  I love when there is a dog in books like these, Wolf was a welcome addition and I just loved him.

Dark Roads is a dark, sometimes depressing story, it uncovers the evil in society but for those willing to overcome there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The author notes is where Chevy Stevens talks about the Highway of Tears, since the 1970's women have gone missing or where murdered along that 500 km stretch and many still remain unsolved.  While this book does not revolve around those cases it does bring this situation to light as a reminder for those women.  Thank you for doing that.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

 It's not an isolated case but its also not unfamiliar to those that know the history. Many women have disappeared without a trace in BC and while this book is not based on those cases but the author notes

Review: Always Watching by Chevy Stevens

She helps people put their demons to rest.

But she has a few of her own…

In the lockdown ward of a psychiatric hospital, Dr. Nadine Lavoie is in her element. She has the tools to help people, and she has the desire—healing broken families is what she lives for. But Nadine doesn’t want to look too closely at her own past because there are whole chunks of her life that are black holes. It takes all her willpower to tamp down her recurrent claustrophobia, and her daughter, Lisa, is a runaway who has been on the streets for seven years.

When a distraught woman, Heather Simeon, is brought into the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit after a suicide attempt, Nadine gently coaxes her story out of her—and learns of some troubling parallels with her own life. Digging deeper, Nadine is forced to confront her traumatic childhood and the damage that began when she and her brother were brought by their mother to a remote commune on Vancouver Island. What happened to Nadine? Why was their family destroyed? And why does the name Aaron Quinn, the group’s leader, bring complex feelings of terror to Nadine even today?

And then, the unthinkable happens, and Nadine realizes that danger is closer to home than she ever imagined. She has no choice but to face what terrifies her the most…and fight back.

Sometimes you can leave the past, but you can never escape.

Told with the trademark powerful storytelling that has had critics praising her work as “Gripping” (Kirkus), “Jaw-dropping” (Publishers Weekly) and “Crackling with suspense” (People magazine), ALWAYS WATCHING shows why Chevy Stevens is one of the most mesmerizing new talents of our day.

Kindle Edition, 497 pages

Published June 18th, 2013

by St. Martin's Press

****

Ever since reading Still MIssing Chevy Stevens has been a go-to author for me.  While some of her other books have been hit and miss I really appreciate her settings and am always in my happy place in British Columbia.  With Always Watching she again took me to Victoria and the bush.  I've been there and did a little exploring off the main drag myself so I was right at home reading this one.

This is actually Steven's third book and while I have read the previous two I don't really recall Nadine Lavoie's character.  What I love about this author is her pacing, the story flowed nicely but then towards the end picks up speed and by that point you just have read and hope someone else picks up the reigns at dinnertime.  

The storyline was interesting as it dealt with a number of different mental issues (I won't mention them) as well as an eye-opener into the workings of a cult.  With the psychological hold and their methods of drawing those most vulnerable at times were hard to fathom. 

All in all, Always Watching was a gripping story that I polished off in a couple days over the holidays and have now officially read all of Chevy Stevens books.  Hopefully, the wait for a new one isn't too long.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press (via Netgalley) for a Kindle copy of this book (and my apologies for the tardiness in this review)..

Review: Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband, Andrew, was sent to jail and Lindsey started over with a new life.

Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with her own business and a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When Andrew is finally released from prison, Lindsey believes she has cut all ties and left the past behind her. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her, tracking her every move. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But has he really changed? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought?

With Never Let You Go, Chevy Stevens delivers a chilling, twisting thriller that crackles with suspense as it explores the darkest heart of love and obsession.

Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Expected publication: March 14th 2017 

by St. Martin's Press

***

Chevy Stevens had me with Still Missing continued on with That Night and finally after reading the highly emotional Those Girls I wasn't sure I could handle another one.  Each book is uniquely themed and filled with 'gotta keep reading' suspense.   To be honest I didn't really read the blurb when I requested an ARC for the simple reason, it's Chevy Stevens so I should be in for a treat.

Starting Never Let You Go I had the feeling of deja vu here and my thoughts kept going back to an old Julia Roberts movie.  Once I figured out the direction this book was going I hoped for something different, a twist of some sort, something to get my mind off of that movie.  In that area the author did not disappoint, I was intrigued enough and while I found parts predictable the twists and turns kept me interesting.

I did struggle with the characters, mostly the daughter, her behavior while knowing her mothers fears and possible danger didn't sit well with me.  I liked the ending, it was one I didn't see coming.

The location of all Chevy Stevens books are favorites of mine.  I love British Columbia, having been there a number of times made it so easy for me to visualize the landscape even though the author did a great job with that (as usual).

All in all and good story that will appeal to those interested in a good mystery/suspense story.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy.

 click on cover to take you to my review

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

Chevy Stevens is back with her most powerful, emotional thriller yet— a story of survival…and revenge.

Life has never been easy for the three Campbell sisters. Jess, Courtney, and Dani live on a remote ranch in Western Canada where they work hard and try to stay out of the way of their father’s fists. One night, a fight gets out of hand and the sisters are forced to go on the run, only to get caught in an even worse nightmare when their truck breaks down in a small town. Events spiral out of control and a chance encounter with the wrong people leaves them in a horrific and desperate situation. They are left with no choice but to change their names and create new lives.

Eighteen years later, they are still trying to forget what happened that summer when one of the sisters goes missing and they are pulled back into their past.

This time there’s nowhere left to run.

As much of a thriller as it is a deep exploration of the bonds among sisters, THOSE GIRLS is an unforgettable portrait of desperation, loyalty, and evil. 

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published July 7th 2015 by St. Martin's Press 

arc - netgalley

****

In my opinion there are 3 types of books.  Those that you savor, enjoy the reading because the story is so awesome, as it evolves you enjoy the journey, not rushing to finish.  There are those that you start and it takes forever to finish, you can't relate to the characters and force yourself to finish - because deep down you really do want to find find out what happens.  Then there are those books that you snatch minutes here and there whenever you get a chance.  The author has made you care about the characters and the plot is so suspenseful that you polish this baby off in a matter of a day or two. Such is the case with Those Girls.

Lately I have come to enjoy books where the plot is unknown to me, where I have no idea where the author will take me.  These books are usually by a favorite author where it is just a given that I will be reading their next book, again such is the case with Chevy Stevens.  Her debut Still Missing was excellent and one I highly recommend.  She is a Canadian author with her books taking place in Western Canada and what I loved about this book is that I have been to many of the places, so it wasn't hard to visualize settings.

Those Girls is the story about 3 young girls handed a raw deal in life and it only gets worse.  Here is where I struggle with my words, it will be hard to do this review justice for fear of spoilers.  I don't like to do scene by scene reviews with too many details, it just gives too much information and can spoil it for some.  Suffice to say Chevy Stevens created 3 young girls forced to grow up before their time, she made me care about them.  This is a story about the bond between sisters, being there for each other, knowing who you can count on and about survival.

The plot was suspenseful, fast paced and emotionally charged.  There were a couple scenes at the beginning of the book, though not explicit in detail but enough to get a vivid picture as to what was taking place.  I was invested in these girls and my desire to see the outcome kept me reading.  The ending was a little predictable but it was still another good book by Chevy Stevens.

2014 Year in Review Part 2 - Audio Books

It is no secret that I love audio books, usually averaging one a week.  So in random order here are my favorites of 2014. Out of these 10 books 8 are new to me authors (love that).

Clicking on the cover will take you to Goodreads, the title will take you to my review.

Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads by S. R. Malley

My first venture into the world of short stories, really enjoyed this one.

a Jane Austen daydream by Scott D. Southard

Another genre that I don't normally read but think I might be a convert now.

Hello From the Gillespies by Monica McInerney

Oh, My. Goodness!  I loved this one!!!

That Night by Chevy Stevens

If you are looking for a fast paced, compelling murder mystery look no further this one fits the bill quite nicely.

Secrets of the Lighthouse by Santa Montefiore

The authors writing reminds me of Kate Morton, who is a favorite of mine.

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandell

 "My daddy says that when you do somethin' to distract you from your worstest fears, it's like whistlin' past the graveyard.  You know, making a racket to keep the scardeness and the ghosts away.  He says that's how we by sometimes.  But it's not weak, like hidin'...it's strong.  It means you're able to go on."

 Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf

What an emotionally ride!

"You have to look for the little mercies, the small kindnesses and good that come from the terrible."

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

“Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life.

A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith

Sometimes you just need a nice big juicy book and this one fit the bill perfectly.  Loved it!

 The Queen's Lady by Barbara Kyle

So begins The Thornleigh Series, read by the author herself and did a stellar job. 

That Night by Chevy Stevens

As a teenager, Toni Murphy had a life full of typical adolescent complications: a boyfriend she adored, a younger sister she couldn’t relate to, a strained relationship with her parents, and classmates who seemed hell-bent on making her life miserable. Things weren’t easy, but Toni could never have predicted how horrific they would become until her younger sister was brutally murdered one summer night. 

Toni and her boyfriend, Ryan, were convicted of the murder and sent to prison. Now thirty-four, Toni, is out on parole and back in her hometown, struggling to adjust to a new life on the outside. 

Prison changed her, hardened her, and she’s doing everything in her power to avoid violating her parole and going back. This means having absolutely no contact with Ryan, avoiding fellow parolees looking to pick fights, and steering clear of trouble in all its forms. But nothing is making that easy—not Ryan, who is convinced he can figure out the truth; not her mother, who doubts Toni's innocence; and certainly not the group of women who made Toni's life hell in high school and may have darker secrets than anyone realizes. No matter how hard she tries, ignoring her old life to start a new one is impossible. Before Toni can truly move on, she must risk everything to find out what really happened that night.

But in That Night by Chevy Stevens, the truth might be the most terrifying thing of all.

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published June 17th 2014 by St. Martin's Press 

(my copy provided by publisher via netgalley) 
*****

 Chevy Stevens is a favorite of mine, I loved her first book Still Missing and was excited to find a Canadian author.  As much as I love my historical fiction every once in a while a good suspenceful, murder mystery is in order.  This one fit the bill perfectly.

Right from the beginning as Toni is being released from prison I was hooked, it only took a couple days to finish That Night.

The story continues going back and forth in time from current to the past as Toni's teen years are played out,  which gave this reader a good comparison of the younger Toni to the one fresh out of prison for a crime she didn't commit (or did she?).  At times this book had that 'Mean Girl' feel to it, that's real life and what made this book so real and believable.  It wasn't hard to connect with Toni and where she was coming from, seeing her home life and situation at school it is a wonder she was even sane.

This book was an emotional read for me, frustrating at times but in a good way, I could see the writing on the wall in certain situations and other times I was surprised.  Anger at times, sad also and of course anixous which keep me reading and reading till I was finished.  A number of times I thought I'd figured things out, but alas I'd be proven incorrect.

If you are looking for a fast paced, compelling murder mystery look no further.

Waiting on Wednesday: That Night by Chevy Stevens

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
 
   This week I am waiting for:  That Night by Chevy Stevens

I loved her debut, Still Missing, so looking forward to this one.

A stunning breakout novel from the "New York Times "bestselling author of "Still Missing "in which a woman is convicted of her sister s murder

Toni Murphy was eighteen when she and her boyfriend, Ryan, were wrongly convicted of the murder of her younger sister. Now she is thirty-four and back in her hometown, working every day to forge and adjust to a new life on the outside. She s doing everything in her power to avoid violating her parole and going back to prison. But nothing is making that easy not Ryan, who is convinced he can figure out the truth; not her mother, who clearly doubts Toni s innocence; and certainly not the group of women who made Toni s life miserable in high school and who may have darker secrets than anyone realizes. Before Toni can truly move on, she must risk everything to find out the truth and clear her name.

Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: June 17th 2014 by St. Martin's Press 

What are you waiting for?

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

I went to the library the other day to check out Laura Lippman, I had read some reviews on One Person's Journey, and was intrigued. Before leaving the library I just had to make a quick stop at the new release section. I had heard about Still Missing, and added it to my pile. I knew it was a 7 day loan, and thinking why am I doing this I can't possibly read this in 7 days (I mean I was and still am in the middle of a couple other books - yes that is correct, a couple other books).

I started it Monday night and just finished this morning. It was a wet dreary morning, the perfect time to sit and read. Plus I just couldn't put this baby down.

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

Still Missing is that rare debut find--a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

This novel grabbed me from the get go, it flowed, it was an attention grabber right away, I loved the characters. I loved the chapters, each of which were her therapy sessions. It was a believable story. The ending was amazing and I enjoyed it right to the last page.

Chevy Steven has her second novel coming out next year entitled Never Knowing, which I will be on the lookout for.