It just reminds us of the cost of everything we've lost: THE HITCHHIKERS.

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I've been eagerly anticipating a new Chevy Stevens novel, and THE HITCHHIKERS absolutely delivered.

Fair warning: this is a dark and violent story—very much in the vein of a Karin Slaughter stand-alone. There’s blood, brutality, and death, so if that’s not your thing, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re up for it, what you’ll find is a masterfully crafted thriller with deeply layered characters and relentless suspense.

The story kicks off with Tom and Alice, a couple traveling through Canada in their new RV, who decide to give a ride to two hitchhikers: a visibly pregnant young woman named Ocean and her boyfriend, Blue. What begins as an act of kindness quickly spirals into a nightmare. Blue and Ocean aren’t who they claim to be—they’re actually Simon and Jenny, fleeing the aftermath of a gruesome crime. Soon, Tom and Alice are taken hostage, forced into a horrifying journey where Alice becomes the unwilling driver of their getaway RV.

Despite the graphic violence, this is ultimately a character-driven novel. Stevens does a remarkable job exploring the emotional complexities of her cast. Alice’s struggles with infertility add a painful layer to her interactions with the pregnant Jenny, while Jenny and Simon’s traumatic pasts slowly come to light. The dynamics between the four become increasingly intricate, especially as Jenny begins to question Simon’s escalating violence—and what it means for her future as a mother.

Though I found a few elements of the ending slightly predictable, it didn’t take away from the overall impact. THE HITCHHIKERS is a taut, emotionally resonant thriller that hooks you from the first page and doesn’t let go. It’s a gripping blend of psychological depth and high-stakes terror that will leave you breathless—and thinking, “What would I do in their shoes?” 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE HITCHHIKERS on 10/07/2025!


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