Introduction

Chevy Stevens, the beloved New York Times bestselling author of Still Missing and Those Girls, returns with her most breathtaking thriller yet.

With its relentless pace and unforgettable twists, The Hitchhikers delivers what bestselling author Karin Slaughter calls “a frightening and viscerally chilling road-trip-gone-wrong story.”

Desperation is a dark road…

It’s the summer of 1976. Alice and Tom set out on the remote Canadian highways in their new RV, hoping to heal after a devastating tragedy.

They’ve planned the trip perfectly, every detail accounted for. Then they meet two young hitchhikers and offer them a ride. But Simon and Jenny aren’t what they seem. They’ve left a trail of blood, destruction, and madness behind them.

Now Alice and Tom are prisoners in a deadly game with nowhere to turn. As the tension builds, the lines blur, and the question becomes:

In whose heart does evil truly lie? What secrets are Jenny and Simon hiding? And who will live another day?

A chilling, twist-laden ride to the final page, The Hitchhikers is that rare novel that will break your heart as it holds you in suspense.

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Discussion Questions

From the publisher--added by Pauline:

1. How do Alice and Tom’s desire for a child shape their interactions with Jenny and Simon throughout
the novel? Do you think their longing influenced their decisions to trust the young couple initially?

2. Jenny and Simon commit horrific acts, yet their backstories reveal significant trauma. Did their pasts
make you feel sympathy for them, or did their actions overshadow any potential for redemption in your
eyes?

3. Alice initially sees Jenny and Simon as innocent hitchhikers. How does the slow unraveling of their
true identities affect her character development, and what does this say about the theme of trust in the
novel?

4. Jenny’s decision to ask Alice and Tom to adopt her baby is a pivotal moment. What do you think drove
her to make this choice, and how does it reflect her hopes for her child’s future versus her own past?

5. Alice reflects on her role as a wife and potential mother, shaped by societal expectations of the 1970s.
How do these expectations contrast with Jenny’s experiences, and what commentary might Stevens be
making about women’s roles during this era?

6. The novel features intense moments of violence and survival, particularly in the latter chapters.
How do Alice and Jenny’s responses to these situations reveal their inner strengths or vulnerabilities?

7. The road trip across Canada, from rugged campgrounds to small towns, plays a significant role in the story. How does the changing landscape mirror the emotional journey of the characters?

8. Jenny’s letter to Alice and Tom expresses deep remorse. Do you believe she takes full accountability for her actions, or does she deflect some blame onto her circumstances? How does this affect your perception of her character?

9. The novel ends with Jenny in prison and Alice and Tom moving forward with their lives. Do you think the resolution offers a sense of justice, forgiveness, or something in between? Why or why not?

10. In the epilogue, Jenny observes her daughter, Katie, from afar, choosing not to reveal her identity. What does this decision say about Jenny’s growth, and how does it tie into the novel’s exploration of family and legacy?

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