This was a great read from beginning to end - it had me relistening and (even a hardcopy) of rereading thinking - how did I not see that coming. Thank you Net Galley for the advance read! #TheStranger #NetGalley#KierstenModglin

Two unfamiliar individuals find themselves stranded amidst a fierce snowstorm at a remote motel, accompanied by the unsettling revelation of two missing children and the lurking presence of a potential killer. Indeed, the concept of stranger danger comes vividly to life in this narrative.

This book proves to be an enjoyable read, characterized by its brisk pace, clever dialogue, and finely crafted characters. Particularly notable is the evocative atmosphere depicted, where the biting chill of snow practically leaps off the pages, sending shivers down the spine. Despite initial expectations of predictability, the story takes unexpected twists and turns, defying anticipated outcomes with skillful execution.

The theme of trust emerges as a central motif, serving as a cautionary reminder of the dangers posed by misplaced faith in seemingly benevolent gestures. Readers are urged to exercise caution in their interactions, as demonstrated through the unfolding events within the narrative.

For those seeking a gripping thriller that offers both warmth and suspense, this book is a worthy addition to the reading list.

I love this author so I knew I would love this book. I really enjoyed the audiobook narration! To me, it was a great fit for the story. This was a very fast read for me and I loved the premise of two strangers stranded together in a snow storm who are forced to rely on each other in a way. Thank you #netgalley!

I loved this! Kiersten’s books that I have read have mostly been on the shorter side, and I love that for these. There isn’t that normal in the middle lag that I tend to find in a lot of thrillers I read.

Walker and Tibby meet one night in suspecting circumstances, and when things go awry they need to depend on each other. But can they trust one another?

I found myself going back and forth at who I thought the possible suspect was and even though I did end of guessing it, it didn’t ruin the story for me. I loved how the author makes you think you know it all, only for a twist to push you another way.

Tibby and Walker are strangers traveling in a storm together. Walker is traveling home. Tibby is a nomad running away from danger. A stranger who’s taken over Walker’s life.
…
On the road with a roadblock ahead these strangers have to put aside their fears. There’s bigger worries ahead of them. Yet all Walker is concerned about is getting closer to Tibby.
…
Kiersten Modglin writes about two strangers driving in a storm. She’s running from danger and he’s unwillingly driving into danger. It’s a story about murder on an isolated road during a storm where cell service is limited. Snow storms make the perfect setting for murder. I was ready and prepared to be scared. I was expecting something dark and chilling.
…
Narrators: Saskia Maarleveld, Traci Odom, and John Pirhalla. The voice of the killer is distorted (maybe for a reason) it’s distracting. The voice of Walker’s character is nothing how I imagined. I wasn’t impressed by the tone of voice for this male character. The way the murderer was speaking was disarming. I didn’t get that chilling sense of danger. Instead I was weirded out by his voice. I do appreciate the opportunity to listen to the audiobook it saves me the trouble of reading myself.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Netgalley and the author for the opportunity listen to this audiobook for an honest review. Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I just felt like there was something missing and didn't keep my attention. I did, however, enjoy the audio recording! That was well done. (review posted on Goodreads)

Never trust a stranger…But, late at night and trapped in the middle of nowhere during a terrible snowstorm, Tibby and Walker have no choice.With roads shutting down and cell towers out, running into each other and deciding to travel together could either be their saving grace or worst mistake.

This was SOOOO good! kept me on my toes!
Thank you NetGalley & the Publisher for this ARC.

The Stranger was a fast read filled with twists that just didn’t hit much of a mark with me. I won’t deny I didn’t expect the twist till it was almost right in my face but even when the big reveal happened it didn’t shock me.

I liked the idea behind two strangers meet and they both struggle with trusting each other but it doesn’t really happen in this book. Tibby is way more untrusting of Walker all the while the man seems obsessed with her. I found their dynamic super weird, especially on his end. He just gave off creepy vibes. I do like however the author gave me whiplash about who the before narrator could be. Just when I thought I knew exactly who it was, something would happen that would leave me scratching my head.

Though it didn’t wow me I’d still recommend this book and author as they tend to write fast thrillers that do entertain.

Love a quick, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Finished this one sitting. I felt an underlying sense of anxiety and dread right from the start...just knowing bad things were ahead. The mark of a good thriller, I guess!

This was my first Kiersten Modglin book, though I've had many of her titles on my TBR for a while now. If you're looking for a short, fast-paced thriller - this is it!

3.8 rounded up to 4.

Fast paced and thrilling – this story will keep you hooked the whole time trying to figure out who is responsible for the murders and who is safe. I love Kiersten Modglin’s books because they’re just the right length to keep you guessing with twists that you don’t see coming. The characters are relatable but just unlikeable enough that you don’t know who you can trust. Add in the snowstorm and you’re in for a fascinating ride!

Loads of people love KMod’s books, and I’ve tried two of them, but I have come to realize that her books are just not for me. I can appreciate a thriller with some romance-y elements (Louisa Scarr’s Butler & West series comes to mind), but the insta-love or whatever was happening here sure didn’t make much sense and didn’t feel very well developed. It really didn’t help that the male narrator for Walker was… not my favorite. I think Walker was supposed to be a hunk (?), but I thought he sounded like a grown up Steve Urkel reading the weather. Yikes.

I did like the way the narrator of the “before” sections had a gender-neutral voice, which kept things open as to who the maniac was - I was kept guessing until the end, which was fun.

KMod fans will absolutely want to check this one out, even though it wasn’t really for me.

4 stars

This is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to. I LOVE unreliable narrators. There's multiple POVs from Walker and Tibby and then the Killer. The Killer's voice is modulated so you can't tell who it is. Is it Walker? Is it Tibby? Is it an unknown third person? All the pieces fit and an argument could be made for the Killer being any of those options.

The way the story unfolds is a little fantastical at times, but it all comes together in the end. It wasn't 5 stars only because of the fact that there were too many coincidences to make all the pieces fit, but that ending.......SO SATISFYING.

It's a quick listen (4ish hours), but it feels like it's longer only because it's a fully fleshed out story. There's no extra fluff, it's not needed. Everything in this story has a purpose and a reason and even without the extra fluff to make it longer, it isn't missing anything and doesn't feel rushed.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. This was not my first Kiersten Modglin book and I can't wait to get my hands on more..

This is a great quick thriller that has several twists and turns. You will not be able to put it down and it will make you question everyone you meet. I loved how the setting was weather based it really allowed for a mixture of unpredictability. Also, the plot made sense and was not too unrealistic. The ending was definitely my favorite option and I highly recommend the book. I did find the voices great, though the hidden voice was a bit odd it made sense. I also liked how the multiple POV's was done from different voices.

This riveting thriller kept me on the edge of my seat with its multitude of unexpected plot twists. Just when you believe you've figured out the culprit, another surprising turn emerges. The various narrators added depth to the tale, making it one of my top picks among Kiersten Modglin's works to date.

Kiersten Modglin never disappoints!

This was another fast-paced thriller complete with enough red herrings and tension to make it perfectly binge worthy!

Tibby and Walker have never met. But they have no choice but to trust each other when a snowstorm has them stranded with no cell reception and nowhere to go.

I love that this story has multiple POVS - we hear from Tibby, Walker and the voice of the guilty. You think you know who the guilty party is. Then you change your mind. Only to change it back again before you think it might be someone else.

I found that it ended quite abruptly and I felt it could have been fleshed out more. I also had a few questions about some of the characters that I would have liked answers to. But all in all, this was exactly what you want in a thriller. And at just over 200 pages, you will finish it in just one sitting!

In true KMod fashion, this book was short, face paced, and had me trying to guess which way the story will go throughout the story. I was immediately sucked in from the beginning of the story but found myself annoyed with the characters actions. Overall, I liked the story and would recommend to others.

First and foremost, I have to say that the characters in the story were incredibly complex and well-developed. I was completely engrossed in getting to know Tibby and Walker's characters and their backstories. However, the villain's story was downright creepy and sent shivers down my spine every time the protagonist's monologue came in. Despite this, the way the characters were developed throughout the novel was excellent.

Secondly, the author did a fantastic job of keeping me guessing about the identity of the perpetrator. I was on edge the entire time, and the reveal of the villain's identity was incredibly satisfying. The plot was well-crafted, with the perfect pace and number of characters.

As I read through the novel, I couldn't help but notice that several aspects of the story seemed to resemble Hitchcock's film scenarios. While this was both a good and bad thing, it did make me feel a bit uncertain about how I felt about the book as a whole. There were moments when I found myself getting bored with the plot and questioning if it was worth continuing, but then the story would take an unexpected turn, and I would find myself completely engrossed once again.

However, while the book did have some similarities to other stories I've read before, the final plot twists were truly satisfying and made up for any feelings of deja vu. Overall, I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy suspenseful and thrilling stories.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, and I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with a free and advanced copy.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I got into this book right away since it was shorter and an attention getter. It was full of twist and turns. Not my favorite book by the author, but still a good read/listen!

While I had already read "The Stranger" by Kiersten Modglin, I really wanted to listen to it as well. It did not disappoint!!! Short but thrilling read.

I devoured this in a day!! Like the biggest butteriest hottest bowl of popcorn ever. Short, fast, and thrilling! The perfect suspenseful thriller to get you out of a reading slump. Kirsten knows how to shock you with a twist and keep you guessing all the way. I really enjoyed it!