Strangers In The Car
- Judith D Collins
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
By: C.M. Ewan
Narrator: Olivia Mace
ISBN: 9781538766286
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 11/04/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
“As wild and terrifying a ride as any thriller reader could want,” a heart-pounding thriller from the acclaimed author of The House Hunt and Safe House (Ian Rankin, New York Times bestselling author).
Abi and Ben are driving home down foggy country roads, arguing about having had to cut short their weekend away when they take a wrong turn. Abi is behind the wheel, but her eyes leave the road for a moment as she says something to Ben – just as he gasps. A man is in the road, waving a torch. Abi swerves to avoid him.
Ben tells her they should stop and go back, but Abi refuses. It’s dark, the roads are isolated and they don’t know this stranger. But, as Abi continues on, they see a broken-down car. Every instinct is still telling Abi to drive by, but then she notices the woman holding a car seat with a baby in it.
Abi can't bring herself to leave a mother and baby stranded in the middle of the night. But offering them a ride might take them down a dangerous road, a road from which they may never return.
My Review
Acclaimed author C.M. Ewan unveils his latest chilling and suspenseful thriller, STRANGERS IN THE CAR —this gripping tale begins when a couple decides to assist a stranded family on a deserted, fog-drenched road during the night.
Everyday situations. Deadly consequences.
Originally published in the UK under the title ONE WRONG TURN, this captivating narrative follows Abi and Ben as they attempt to find their way home late one evening.
A simple misdirection leads them into a labyrinth of fear and mistrust, as their journey transforms into a harrowing experience. The increasingly unsettling behavior of the stranded family heightens the tension, plunging Abi and Ben into a desperate fight for survival in this electrifying thriller.
About the Journey...
The Car:
Abi and Ben are driving home late on a foggy country road, cutting their weekend trip to Cornwall short due to a pressing issue at Ben's law firm. As Abi navigates the winding road, a heated argument distracts her, leading to a wrong turn. They soon encounter a broken-down vehicle.
The Stranger:
While traveling down the desolate road, they narrowly avoid colliding with a man waving a flashlight in the middle of the street. Although Abi swerves to miss him, she hesitates to stop, feeling an unsettling sense of caution.
The Stranded Family:
A short while later, they come across the broken-down car. Despite her instincts urging her to drive on, Abi pulls over upon spotting a woman cradling a baby. The stranded individuals introduce themselves as Paul, his wife Samantha, and their infant daughter, Lila.
A Lift:
Ben kindly offers the family a ride to Bristol, yet Abi immediately feels a wave of unease about this decision. As the journey progresses, the family's behavior grows increasingly peculiar, and the baby remains disturbingly silent.
Suspicion:
With each passing moment, Abi's apprehension about the family intensifies, particularly concerning the quiet baby. Doubts creep in: Can they truly trust them? She feels a pressing need to get them out of the car.
Danger:
The tension escalates as the passengers’ true, sinister intentions begin to emerge, revealing that the family may not be as defenseless as they initially seemed. What are they truly after in this fight for survival?
Sharing my reflections on this captivating read...
STRANGERS IN THE CAR envelops readers in an atmosphere brimming with tension and unease. The claustrophobic setting heightens the intensity, while the narrative skillfully employs flashbacks to unravel the stranger's actions and motivations, delivering unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.
As Abi and Ben navigate their fear stemming from a seemingly simple decision to offer help, the couple’s sinister motives soon reveal themselves, shattering the initial appearance of vulnerability. Increasingly suspicious, Abi and Ben find themselves trapped in a suffocating situation, where they must confront their growing mistrust and fear.
The story artfully revisits moments from earlier in the day, gradually uncovering the strangers' perilous intentions. Furthermore, it delves into Abi's haunting past, which amplifies the psychological tension throughout the narrative.
As the truth unfolds, what began as a tense ride escalates into a perilous struggle for survival, culminating in a chilling finale.
This is my first experience with this author, and I eagerly anticipate exploring more of his work!
Recs...
STRANGERS IN THE CAR is a must-read for both devoted fans of the author and those who appreciate gripping novels like Taylor Adams' No Exit and B.A. Paris' The Breakdown. It’s perfect for enthusiasts of Freida McFadden, Ashley Winstead, Riley Sager, Ruth Ware, and Lisa Jewell—those who revel in uncovering dark secrets hidden within seemingly ordinary lives, high-stakes plots, and intricately woven narratives filled with twists.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 04, 2025
About the Author
C.M. Ewan is the critically acclaimed and bestselling author of many mystery and thriller novels, including The Interview and A Window Breaks. As Chris Ewan, he wrote the thriller Safe House, a major bestseller in the UK that was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award and authored the popular The Good Thief's Guide to ... series of mystery novels. He lives in Somerset, England, with his wife and two children. WEBSITE
