This novel follows Hailey who returns to who hometown after being away for a decade. She is almost immediately pulled into a dark web of secrets, deception, and betrayal. Hailey continues to dive deeper into her family's secrets discovering that some things should be left unfound. While the author builds a lot of tension and suspense, I found myself grappling with the development of the plot. The plot lost its footing at times where I felt some of the twists were forced and some predictable. Despite this, the novel is still worth the read for fans of psychological thrillers with the complex characters really keeping readers on edge until the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book through Hailey and Beth’s POV. If you’re a fan of multiple point of views and dark writing, then this book is for you. Definitely recommend checking it out!

The Cold Creek Highway stretches close to five hundred miles through British Columbia’s rugged wilderness to the west coast. For decades, young indigenous women traveling the road have gone missing. Authorities have brought no killer or abductor to justice.

In part 1 of Dark Roads, seventeen-year-old Hailey McBride calls Cold Creek home. Her aunt and controlling police-officer step-uncle assume the responsibility of taking care of her after her father's death. Overwhelmed by grief and forbidden to work, socialize, or date, Hailey runs away, believing she can use the outdoor skills her father taught her to survive the harsh wilderness. She also hopes people will believe she was the killer’s latest victim so she can have a fresh start.

A year later, in part two, Beth Chevalier arrives in Cold Creek to attend the annual memorial service for the highway victims, who include her sister. Beth takes a waitressing job at the local diner, just as Amber did, desperate to understand what happened to her and why.

Author Chevy Stevens writes this creepy coming-of-age thriller with multiple perspectives and an atmospheric, suspenseful tone. It’s dark and unsettling. There are clever twists, but once again, the book has LGBT content and pokes fun at Christians. It was a good book, just not great. Others liked it better, so don’t let my review make your decision.

** Thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

~Dark Roads ensnares you in an intense narrative set against the backdrop of British Columbia’s Cold Creek Highway, a treacherous route with a long history of being stalked by predators.

~The story intricately connects the lives of Hailey McBride, who disappears into the wild to flee a stifling domestic situation, and Beth Chevalier, who comes to Cold Creek in pursuit of the truth behind her sister’s death.

~Stevens masterfully builds suspense and crafts a chilling narrative that explores themes of loss, survival, and the quest for justice. The characters are deeply developed, each adding layers of complexity to the story as it unfolds. The setting itself becomes a character, with the desolate highway offering a backdrop that is both beautiful and menacing.

What an absolutely riveting read. I'm a big fan of Chevy Stevens and wish she got more attention from readers. This book deserves the attention!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This book was underwhelming for me. I tried to give this book a chance. I had a hard time connecting to the characters. I know this book will be enjoyed by other readers. I will not be sharing this review on my pages.

A brilliant thriller that builds each chapter as a layer in the story of women taken by a darkness that has infected the town and outlying mountains. As each disappears, it seems that no one will ever be held responsible. Chevy Stevens has built a darkness that cannot be pushed aside. Those that enter, never return. This story pulls you in and keeps you watching, looking for any clue to who is hunting the women and will they ever be stopped.

In this book, a lonely stretch of highway becomes a death trap for young girls until two teenagers affected by the tragedy are driven to find out what happened. This book was dark but a very satisfying read. Told by the two girls trying to figure out the truth, it shows how we never really know the truth behind other’s faces.

Chevy Stevens' Dark Roads takes readers on a chilling and suspenseful journey through the rugged wilderness of British Columbia, where the Cold Creek Highway serves as a haunting backdrop for a series of unexplained disappearances and unsolved crimes. With a focus on the intertwining lives of Hailey McBride and Beth Chevalier, the novel delves into the complexities of loss, survival, and the relentless pursuit of truth in the face of lurking danger and unanswered questions.

Stevens' skillful storytelling and atmospheric prose create a palpable sense of foreboding, immersing readers in the unforgiving terrain of Cold Creek and the palpable fear that permeates its isolated communities. Through the portrayal of Hailey and Beth's harrowing experiences, the novel offers a poignant exploration of resilience and the enduring power of determination in the face of overwhelming odds and relentless adversaries.

While Dark Roads successfully maintains a gripping pace and a suspenseful plot, a moderate deduction from a perfect rating is attributed to certain elements that could have been further developed to provide a more comprehensive exploration of the characters' emotional depth and the intricacies of their shared journey. Additionally, some aspects of the narrative could have been further streamlined to ensure a more seamless progression of key plot points and revelations.

In conclusion, Dark Roads stands as a gripping and atmospheric thriller that captivates readers with its evocative portrayal of loss, survival, and the pursuit of justice amidst the perilous backdrop of the Cold Creek Highway. Chevy Stevens' adept storytelling and the intricate weaving of interconnected narratives create a compelling reading experience that lingers long after the final page. With its blend of suspense and emotional resonance, Dark Roads serves as a testament to the author's ability to craft a chilling tale of perseverance and the enduring quest for truth in the face of darkness and danger.

Chevy stevens writes a thriller that haunts and keeps me up reading and thinking about her books for weeks. Her descriptive imagery for scenery adds dimension to novels.

My first novel by Chevy Stevens but definitely not my last. Wow!!

I loved the creepy atmosphere vibes that this story gives off, it is hard to find a book that is able to do that, but this one nailed it!


Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my copy of Dark Roads.

Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens

When I started this book, I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride but something happened as I kept reading, the ride fell flat and I jumped off.

This is a story based on an area called “Highway of Tears” where indigenous women have gone missing or murdered for decades. Based on that alone, this could be a good read for one who enjoys stories based on real life scenarios.

If I had to say why I didn't enjoy this book as much as I could have, it would be the slow pacing, being disjointed and I was lost at times. Also when one of the main characters, 17 year old Hailey fakes her death, it was a bridge too far for me. At the same time she is trying to figure out what happened to one of her friends by the name of Amber who is missing and that kept my interest even with the problems.

With that said, I would read other books by this author.

Rating 3

Linda C

This is my first Chevy Stephen’s book and I enjoyed her writing. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath and binge reading to get answers.

The first part of the book flowed very well, the middle part was a little slow but the end was very engaging and intense filled with twists and turns.

Chevy Steven's is an underrated literary genius! I cannot believe I haven't read her entire library! This book was amazing!

I struggle to rate books like this because I found it very affecting, but not enjoyable. It was very disturbing and really got under my skin, which I have to be in a very specific mood for otherwise it doesn't make for an enjoyable reading experience. The violence was often too graphic and I had to put the book down. I also found it very slow moving with a lot of back story, which isn't my preference. It wasn't until the last third of the book where I felt the action picked up. Once it picked up, it really did, but it was too little too late for me. It says something about the writing that I found it so disturbing, but it's one I'd only recommend to a very specific reader who prefers dark, slow burn thrillers.

My co-worker really likes this author so that is why I wanted to read this book. I liked it, but it's not my usual type of book. I may read the author's other books, but I would have to space them out. If you like mystery books, you would like this book.

QUICK TAKE: I realized upon starting this that if I’m going to read a mystery/thriller, I prefer it to fall into the police procedural category. Stevens did a phenomenal job building tension, and I definitely felt the “creep/ugh” factor of the villain(s), but the amateur sleuthing made it somewhat unbelievable. Also, the book talks a lot about the higher rate of violence against and/or unsolved murders of First Nations women, and therefore, I expected that to be more of a focus. Overall, it was an enjoyable, fast-paced read, and the audiobook was produced well. Read this if you enjoy remote locations, wilderness/survival, stray dogs that become family, and girls teaming up to stop a killer.

I have been a fan of Chevy Stevens since her debut. I look forward to her new books with the excitement of a kid approaching their birthday - Dark Roads was another winner!

I’ve read a few of her earlier books and really liked them. This one for me wasn’t good. I didn’t like anyone and the writing was meh.