Book Review
The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens
Thriller | Suspense | Psychological
Chevy Stevens has long been a favourite author of mine. When I first stumbled across her books and realized she was a local writer with an abundance of British Columbia settings, I immediately had to pore through her back list. Her books Still Missing and Never Let You Go inspired a deep love of suspense and psychological thrillers, and since then, I’ve happily followed along with her upcoming releases — and The Hitchhikers may be a new favourite!
I have fond memories of summer road trips with my grandparents, and equally strong memories of them telling me in no uncertain terms to, “Never pick up strangers on the side of the road.” This latest release from Chevy Stevens, The Hitchhikers, is every one of those warnings come to life on the page. Married couple, Alice and Tom, are on a road trip across Canada, sharing each other’s company in an attempt to heal after a devastating loss. But when they cross paths with two young hitchhikers with a bloody past, things take a deadly, dangerous turn…
This novel takes readers on a terror-filled road trip through BC in the 1970s — and the thing I loved most about this book is that it was incredibly well set. Descriptive and immersive, the details in this book captured the time period and locations perfectly. As someone familiar with the area, the towns and tourist spots mentioned made the book feel vivid and transportive.
Despite a few repetitive plot elements (our characters stop at one campground and then another, and that, along with the camping details, did feel mildly repetitive), there was solid, increasing tension throughout. The story kept me hooked, exploring trauma, family secrets, and the way single decisions can spiral into ever-increasing darkness.
Because while Stevens crafts high-suspense stories with a punch, she also gives you deeply human characters to connect with emotionally. The book does an incredible job exploring the intricacies of all our characters, providing layered insights and psychological depth that resonates. The perspective from both Alice and Jenny was beautiful, allowing you to truly feel for these characters as they each struggle with both their history and the reality of the circumstances they find themselves in — while still providing an action-packed narrative.
I will note that there’s quite a bit of violence within this book. But if you’re looking for a gut-twisting ride through a nightmare road trip, buckle up and add this one to your fall TBR!
Recommended for:
A moderate-paced thriller with a strong character emphasis
This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Advance copy of the book provided courtesy of the publisher, St Martin’s Press. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the book:
(From the publisher): 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.