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Survive the Night: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Riley Sager

Survive the Night

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

324

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

1990s

Theme
Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Riley Sager's psychological thriller Survive the Night, film enthusiast and college student Charlie Jordan suspects during a 1991 car ride with stranger Josh Baxter to her Ohio hometown that he may be the Campus Killer who murdered her friend Maddy, leading her to question her reality amid her grief and movie-themed hallucinations. This novel includes depictions of mental health crises, psychological manipulation, and mentions of sexual violence.

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

3.8

155,993 ratings

54%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Riley Sager's Survive the Night offers a tense, atmospheric thriller that keeps readers on edge with its unpredictable plot twists. While some praise its fast-paced and suspenseful narrative, others find the characters underdeveloped and the story implausible. The novel's gripping premise may entertain, but its execution can feel uneven.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Survive the Night?

Readers who enjoy fast-paced, twisty thrillers with a psychological edge, akin to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, will be captivated by Riley Sager's Survive the Night. Ideal for those who appreciate a blend of suspense, plot twists, and rich character development.

3.8

155,993 ratings

54%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Character List

Charlie Jordan

A 20-year-old student at Olyphant University with a passion for films and a complicated relationship with reality, who navigates life while dealing with intense feelings of grief and guilt.

A bounty hunter and one of the major characters who forms a complex bond with Charlie during a transformative journey, characterized by his charm and moral questioning.

Charlie’s boyfriend and a swim coach who appears kind and supportive but harbors a dark and arrogant side, leading to significant tension in the story.

A waitress and Maddy's grandmother who is deeply affected by her granddaughter's murder, driving her to take drastic actions in pursuit of justice.

Charlie’s outgoing and vivacious best friend, whose murder profoundly impacts the characters and sets off a series of pivotal events in the narrative.

Book Details
Pages

324

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

1990s

Theme
Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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