Five Total Strangers

A New York Times Bestseller

A "page-turning thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end" (School Library Journal) about a road trip in a snowstorm that turns into bone-chilling disaster, from New York Times bestselling mystery author and "master of tension" (BCCB) Natalie D. Richards.

She thought being stranded was the worst thing that could happen. She was wrong.

Mira needs to get home for the holidays. Badly. But when an incoming blizzard results in a canceled connecting flight, it looks like she might get stuck at the airport indefinitely.

And then Harper, Mira's glamorous seatmate from her initial flight, offers her a ride. Harper and her three friends can drop Mira off on their way home. But as they set off, Mira realizes fellow travelers are all total strangers. And every one of them is hiding something.

Soon, roads go from slippery to terrifying. People's belongings are mysteriously disappearing. Someone in the car is clearly lying, and may even be sabotaging the trip--but why? And can Mira make it home alive, or will this nightmare drive turn fatal?

Perfect for readers who love:

  • YA horror books for teens
  • Mystery books for teens
  • Natasha Preston, Megan Miranda, Karen McManus and Ruth Ware

Praise for Five Total Strangers:

"A twisty thrill ride that will leave you breathless. I stayed up after midnight just to see how it all ended."--April Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Girl, Stolen

"Richards is a master of tension. Suspense fans will get all the ups-and-downs of a well-paced narrative, but they may never want to drive on a snowy road again."--BCCB

"A page-turning thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Just the kind of fun book one needs for a hot summer day or a cold winter's night."--School Library Journal on Five Total Strangers

"High thrill factor."--Booklist

Also by Natalie D. Richards:

Six Months Later

Gone Too Far

My Secret to Tell

One Was Lost

We All Fall Down

What You Hide

BUY THE BOOK

Published Oct 6, 2020

320 pages

Average rating: 5.88

195 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

siemelle900
Nov 28, 2025
4/10 stars
There was a lot of missed potential here.

I like the premise. I didn’t like that the characters fell flat for me. Also, I’m not a fan of each chapter ending in a cliff hanger for the next chapter. Also, pretty anticlimactic.

For what it was, it was just eh.
1mrsbeck
Feb 12, 2025
4/10 stars
Unlikable characters, unrealistic, no real climax, slow burn but did keep you wanting to know who was behind it all.
Anna
Aug 23, 2024
8/10 stars
3.5-4 stars!!!!! That was such a ride!!!!
brunette_rapunzel
Aug 09, 2024
8/10 stars
I liked this book very much but at times, the writing got a little repetitive. I also guessed the bad guy about half way through the book, though I wasn't sure. Not the best thriller I've read, but still a very good book.
nnenna…
Dec 27, 2023
10/10 stars
I’m usually a romance girlie but this book definitely makes me what to get into thriller/ suspense. Book of the year for me honestly

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