Debra's Reviews > Dark Roads

The Cold Creek Highway has become the prime hunting ground for a ruthless killer. For decades young woman have gone missing. There are billboards with their faces on them. Look. Remember.

Hailey McBride grew up in Cold Creek. Her late father taught her to respect nature and how to live off the land. After his death she went to live with her aunt and her police officer husband, Vaughn. She loves her aunt and cousin, but Vaughn makes her life miserable. He is controlling, rough, and secretive. Feeling unsafe, vulnerable and uneasy she decides to leave. She hopes people will know she left town, but rumors soon circulate saying she was a victim of the Cold Creek Highway killer.

Beth Chevalier arrived in town one year later after Hailey went missing. Beth's sister, Amber was murdered there the year before. Beth is looking for answers and seeking closure. She sets up camp and even gets a job as a waitress where Amber once worked.

On the surface, Cold Creek appears to be a nice little town. But there are ghosts there. Townspeople warn each other: don't go out alone, don't hitchhike, don't be on the highway alone, tell people where you are going, etc. Sounds like pretty sound advice for everyone but it holds a deeper meaning in Cold Creek.

I was sucked in right away. I immediately felt for Hailey and having to live with a domineering man like Vaughn. I understood how she felt she needed to get away. I rooted for her, worried for her and was relieved when she is chosen by Wolf (dog).

Throughout the book there is a sense of unease. It's there, just below the surface, rippling like the water of the lake. There is an undercurrent of danger. Wait for it, listen to the whispers of the ghosts warning you -that there is a killer out there; be careful...….

I enjoyed how the story unfolded and was surprised at some of the twists and the reveal. This is not a scary book but there are some scary get-your-heart-beating scenes. Reading this was like watching a movie for me. I enjoyed the pace, getting to know the characters, watching as they did their best to live their lives, to survive and to flourish. I had that this-is-not-going-to-end-well feeling at various points of the book.

Stevens has done it again with this tension filled book. Survival is the name of the game in this book. People survive in various ways - survive off the land, survive by keeping your head down, survive by following the rules, survive by numbing yourself from pain, and survive by doing whatever it takes.

I was fully engaged in the story and enjoyed how Stevens broke up quieter/slow scenes with action.
Just when the characters feel like they can stop, take stock and breathe deeply, something happens.
This kept me on my toes. I also enjoyed how she showed grief and how losing someone affects an individual. She also explores friendship and loyalty. Overall, an enjoyable book that kept my interest and did not disappoint!

I look forward to Stevens next book! The Author's note is not to be missed. In in she provides her inspiration for writing this book.

Captivating, tense and hard to put down!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com