Chevy Steven’s never disappoints!! I loved this book and did NOT see the ending coming at all! I really enjoyed the different character perspectives and the multiple issues addressed in the plot.

I have read, loved, and recommended all of Chevy Steven'ss books. That said, this one didn't do it for me. :( While parts were interesting, it just seemed that the story was long-winded where nothing was really happening. When we find out the truth, who did what and why, it was anticlimatic. I don't know if it was supposed to be some big twist ending, but it just fell flat for me.

Firstly I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review Dark Roads. I really enjoy a darker thriller and this book was just that. It starts with a bang, hooking and pulling me in with the story of Hailey who is trying to disappear and live her life off the grid to get away from an abusive relative. I could definitely relate to some of the story, and the writing was superb. I will admit to finding myself wishing the pace would pick up a bit in the middle, but was not disappointed once I came to the the last few chapters. It definitely had a twist that I never saw coming. Another great read from this author.

"The Dark Roads" opens with a chilling prologue that immediately hooks me in. I really enjoyed part one that illustrates how Hailey escapes her sadistic uncle by living and thriving in the woods.

Unfortunately, the story loses a bit of momentum when Beth's perspective is introduced. There is so much angst on her and Jimmy's end that it reads like juvenile fiction.

The ending is solid. I was totally blown away by the identity of the killer. Everything ties up well in the end.

This is decent suspense but I have read better.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC of Dark Roads.

I’ve been waiting and waiting for something new from Chevy as I’ve read and loved everything she has written. I was so delighted to be offered this ARC before publication this summer.

Disappointed, I was not. The book begins with a teen named Hailey going off the grid with a stray dog she named Wolf to exit out of a bad living situation with her aunt and uncle. I hung on every word about how to survive in the woods in the snow and in the heat. How to have two places to hide, and all the necessary tools to survive.

Then another woman, Beth, comes to town to participate in the memorial that included her sister who had been murdered there in the town of Cold Creek. Other women had been killed there and nobody knew who had been the killer.

Various other characters take on minor rolls until the end – Jonny who helps Hailey out when she needs it, the police, the people who work at the diner, etc.

Stevens is a master at the thriller game. She knows how to plot, how to throw the reader off, and how to make the guilty the least suspected of all. I urge you to read this, pre order so you’ll have it in your hands before anyone else.

Absolutely friggin amazing! I couldn’t put this book down and devoured it two days after I got it. Two only because of the big Texas snowstorm that took out my power. This is another show stopping book. Prepare to clear your calendar to read it straight through. Wow!

I have read 5 of Chevy Stevens books, with 4 getting 5 stars. Definitely one of my favorite authors; I will jump through hoops to sink myself into her riveting mysteries. I swear that my teeth were clenching as I couldn't catch my breath waiting for the conclusion. It was brilliantly plotted with each small chapter leading me hanging on to utter,"oh just one more" before I found myself finishing it at 1 a.m.
Much is made of the Cold Creek highway known as a menacing place where girls went missing or were murdered. Hailey is invested in its ominous reputation as her sister was murdered a year ago. When her father dies, she ends up living with her aunt and intimidating eerie Uncle Vaughn. THAT turns out to be disaster as she runs away to the woods to escape from him. Her father had taught her much about the land and survival skills so she was well equipped for the future. However,when different characters with myriad issues are introduced the reader is left with a pulse pounding sinister ride with an ending that will knock your socks off.

If I had one criticism, I would have left the epilogue because I think it detracted from the ending.

Particularly poignant is the kernel of the book is based on Indigenous women in British Columbia who have been missing, raped and murdered. Having read an appreciable non fiction about this topic, it made my heart ache.

I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley for my honest review!

LOVED IT!!!
An awesome story! It's a on the edge of your seat, turn the page faster, hair raising thriller!!! Just when you think you have the story figured out and you think you know who the killer is.... BAM.!!!!! The story takes a different direction and you're mind blown.. absolutely speechless because NO WAY did you see THAT ONE coming!!! You won't be able to stop reading this book!!! Its definitely one to share and discuss with your friends!!!
AWESOME job to the author!!!

Absolutely stunning. This book was chilling to read, especially as a survivor - the author did such a great job capturing the experience of living with an abuser. I also loved how much agency the story afforded victims; it felt important and fresh. I was a bit surprised by who the villain was in the end - and I don't know if it was in a good way. When a twist comes, yes, it should be surprising, but I also like to feel as if I SHOULD have seen it coming all along, if only I were paying closer attention. With this one, it felt like it came out of left field and was chosen to be shocking, rather than shocking-but-inevitable.

This book had me guessing until the reveal. I didn't see it coming. Really tough to decide who to trust in town. I would be a victim. I was surprised to hear it was based on a real highway.
I liked the different viewpoints in which the story is told. It was interesting to see how family members are affected. Beth was so determined. Hailey was relentless. I recommend this one.
Thank you, Netgalley for this opportunity to read this.

Girls have gone missing along the Cold Creek Highway for decades. The girls in Cold Creek have grown up knowing it's not safe to hitchhike on the highway. The story follows the sister of one of the murdered girls. Beth is trying to uncover the truth about her sister's murder. Dark Roads has an atmospheric and sinister vibe. I thought there were some pacing issues bit overall I would recommend this story to readers who enjoy a good thriller.

Every novel publish Chevy Stevens novel is golden, and Dark Roads is no exception. Dark Roads' characters are fleshed out and made you feel, whether you loved or hated them, which is a hallmark of a Chevy Stevens novel. Dark Roads isn't just a thriller, but a tribute to those murdered or missing.

Chevy Stevens can definitely weave a dark, creepy story. It made me scared to turn off the light after I was done reading. After reading this book you will never drive down a dark country road again without feeling like someone is out there watching you! I loved that Hailey was such a strong, young female character who stood up to people she knew were wrong. Cold Creek was a small town where young girls were mysteriously disappearing. This made the whole town paranoid. People wondered if they were abducted off the dark isolated highway by a trucker or maybe even someone that lived in town. Vaughn, the town police sergeant, was acting strangely and seemed to be following Hailey and her friends but said he was only trying to keep everyone safe. As another girl disappears and a body turns up the whole town is looking for answers. Who is taking these girls and why? No one knew who to trust and how to keep their loved ones safe. The ending was definitely a surprise that I didn't see coming. I would love to read more about these characters.

I was lucky enough to snag an advanced copy of this book. Chevy Stevens is one of my most favorite authors and she’s never disappointed me. That streak continues. This book was excellent. No spoilers from me, I promise! Cold Creek is a small town with a dark secret and a dangerous highway where girls have been disappearing for years. The twists never stop and while you think you have the bad guy pegged from the beginning, there is more than one. Hailey and Beth are well thought out, great characters but I’m sure I’m not the only one who will name Wolf as her favorite character in the book.

This action packed thriller had me speed reading! Lots of twists and turns and a lot of sadness. My heart acted for these women throughout the entire book. So lost without any parental guidance.

Wow, what a story. I will say that I wasn’t so sure about this book in the beginning but things quickly picked up. I was so anxious to know how this story ended and I was not disappointed. Thank you Net Galley for providing me a copy of this book.

Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens is set in Canada and based on a true story. I have read all her books and this one didn’t disappoint. This book grabbed me from the first sentence and I had to keep reading to find out what happens. Thanks #St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC.

Based on a true story of women being killed on a road. A family tragedy and a young girl goes to live with her aunt and uncle. The uncle is a corrupt cop. A quick read. And one that I didn’t guess who the killer was.

Chevy Stevens is one of those authors that really knows how to write an excellent, fast paced.thrilling read. This one was no exception! Absolutely a must read for fans of Chevy Stevens’s work. This book is one that will hook you from page one and keep your attention until the very last page! Lots of twisty turns, thrills, chills, and shocks! Mind blowing fun. Clear your schedule prior to starting, and do not start before bed, as it’s one you will not want to stop once you start! Highly, highly recommend!

When St. Martin’s....[a publishing company that treats their readers with respect ... never pushy... yet ‘kindly’ suggests and reminds early-arc-readers of a book that we might like]....sent me an email about Chevy Steven’s new novel....
I said to myself, “Okay, why not?”.

My childhood close friend, absolutely loved “Still Missing”. I was a holdout...but read it ‘hoping’ to love it because she did. I didn’t love it....yet we’re still close friends 50 years later.
So....knowing this was an early - gifted read ( thanks again, St. Martin’s)...I mostly wanted to read it ‘for’ my friend, Lisi....(maybe I could give her a copy)....and maybe — just maybe - a second go around with Chevy Stevens might be great. My expectations were low — to neutral.
Well, surprise, surprise...this WAS GREAT.

So, it was quite amazing at my surprise at just how ‘much’ I enjoyed this book.
I went in blind; I didn’t even read the blurb....I simply knew the ‘name’ *Chevy Stevens*— her popularity - and my dislike of “Still Missing”- and my book-chatter-desire to chat with my friend, Lisi, later about it.

So....my first quick thoughts: I haven’t read other reviews yet but for those who absolutely loved “Still Missing”....”Dark Roads”....is NOT THAT BOOK...not one iota.
Readers may enjoy both books...but they ARE VERY DIFFERENT.
Or? Some of us that appreciate literary writing, scenes in nature, might like it more. ( as I did).
Those readers looking for a gripping - blood & guts scary as hell - frightening story might be disappointed.
“Dark Roads” was plus for me. I prefer this type of book, this type of story, this type of writing… That was not only ‘thriller’ driven.

I didn’t always think of this book as a psychological thriller— ( it is)... but there were other aspects I appreciated and enjoyed, equally as much.
I was thoroughly impressed with some gorgeous literary writing > really gorgeous sentences ....atmospheric....with wonderful scenes describing feelings of why the most beautiful things in nature are often the most dangerous at times.

I especially enjoyed the intimacy of Hailey McBride’s voice, her resilience, resourcefulness, awareness, and presence to the new life she found her life in.
I ached her her, rooted for her. I also trusted her intelligence, intuition, and her courageous capabilities.
Her inner voice allowed for deeper closeness and empathy.
“Why were you driving so fast on that logging road, Dad? You knew it was dangerous. We had plans. You and me against the world. That’s what you said.
Losing Mom to cancer was supposed to be the worst thing I ever had to go through, but now you’re gone too, and I don’t know how I’m going to make it. Why didn’t you get the will changed? How could you leave me with him?”—[uncle Vaughn]

Some readers might enjoy the suspenseful crime mystery most —trying to put the missing pieces together ....I wanted to know too....(but I didn’t even try to guess the conclusion)....I was enjoying the characters —their multi-personality traits—the dialogue, and the woods themselves.

When Hailey’s Dad hunted, he always thanked the land, using a First Nations prayer.
Hailey made one up of her own.
Clutching the elk necklace that her Dad gave her, she held it up to the sky she said,
“Thank you for the river. Thank you for this great mountain. Thank you for this bounty”.

“There wasn’t much of anything that Dad didn’t think could be fixed by spending time in the woods”

We meet Hailey’s felicitous furry feather companion name *Wolf*, a tail-wagger bowwow bitzer.
Hailey and Wolf were out in those woods. Hailey screamed .....
“Wolf!”....”No!” “Come”!
“Wolf danced back. The cougar swatted at him again. Hissing. My finger fumbled on the trigger. I focused, Wolf was in my shot. I raised the rifle to the sky and let off a round”.
“The cougar backed off a few feet—Wolf was still barking and baiting it. I let off another shot. The cougar took a hard left and leapt through the woods toward the river. Wolf followed”.
“They we’re gone, crashing through the thick ferns and bushes, the tangle of underbrush. Branches closed after them. I raced toward where I last seen Wolf, scrambling over rocks and through shrubs and that tour at my hair, my clothes, my skin. Panting, I broke out of the words and found myself standing high above the river. I scanned the trees, trying to hear Wolf over the rushing falls. Where was he? Then I saw a flash of black and spotted him in the distance”.
“He was chasing the cougar across an old fir tree hanging over the water”.
Hailey ran after Wolf
Wolf got hurt, but was going to be okay.
As for Hailey..... and other young women we meet in this novel, missing and or murdered....we really are not sure until the end.

Part II begins with the voice of a a new character, Beth Chevalier.

The author tells us ( we feel her ruthless compassion)....that this entire story (a relocated location), was inspired by from the national crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in British Columbia.
“The Highway of Tears” refers to a 724 km length of Yellowhead highway. Many cases today remain unsolved.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Publising, ....and Kudos to Chevy Stevens > whose book is a rich mixture of adventure, tragedy, and sagacious humanity.