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The Second Stranger: A Novel Hardcover – November 7, 2023

by Martin Griffin (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 721 ratings
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An electric, locked-room suspense thriller set in the remote Scottish Highlands, where icy temperatures and a terrible blizzard prevent any ideas of escape—from a brilliant new voice in crime fiction.

One bitterly cold February night at the remote MacKinnon Hotel, Remie Yorke begins her last shift at the front desk as the snow begins to fall. She has booked a one-way flight for the next day—and she's never coming back to Scotland. Or so she thinks.

As the storm quickly invades the surrounding Highlands, the roads become impassable and the phone lines fall dead. When the icy temperatures plummet further, an injured man stumbles into the hotel lobby from the blizzard. Police Constable Don Gaines has been in a car accident on the mountain road, and Remie welcomes him to safety. Gaines tells her that the other survivor of the accident is a dangerous prisoner who is now at-large; and Gaines is sure he is heading their way.

Then a second injured visitor arrives—also introducing himself as Constable Don Gaines. Both claim to want to protect Remie and the hotel's remaining guests. Both are convincing. Remie doesn't know who to trust.

But she must endure a deadly night before dawn breaks, and if she doesn't succumb to the cold, one of these men will surely kill her first. And she has no idea why they have chosen to come to the MacKinnon Hotel . . .
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pegasus Crime
  4. Publication date
    November 7, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1639364870
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1639364879
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Praise from Publishers Weekly

Praise from Allie Reynolds

Praise from Lisa Gardner

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Good premises can come easy; sustaining them across a novel's length is the trick. Martin Griffin does precisely this, and then some, in The Second Stranger, a Misery-evoking debut thriller set in the blizzard-blasted Scottish Highlands.” -- Shelf Awareness

Praise for The Second Stranger:

"A nasty February storm has cut off phone service at the remote MacKinnon Hotel in the Scottish Highlands, where Remie Yorke is working at the front desk. Suddenly, an injured man comes through the door, identifying himself as Police Constable Don Gaines and saying that he’s been in a car accident—and that the dangerously manipulative inmate he was transporting from the local prison has escaped. The policeman is securing the premises when another injured man arrives, the title character in Martin Griffin’s The Second Stranger. In a dismaying turn of events, this new visitor also claims that he is P.C. Gaines — and that the first man is the escaped prisoner, Troy Foley. Remie’s own memories, about a criminal brother who was killed in prison, contribute to a sense that she, too, is keeping secrets from the reader. Are any of them telling the truth, and will any of them get out alive?” -- Sarah Lyall, The New York Times Book Review

“Clever and bold. The Second Stranger starts with a shiver of dangerous uncertainty before exploding into full on murder and mayhem. Anything you think you know, you don't.” -- Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“If there is a finer crime debut this year, it will be a surprise, for this story set in a remote hotel in the remote Scottish Highlands during a blizzard is stunning. There are shades of the great 1948 American film Key Largo as the serpentine story unfolds, and this is not only every bit as gripping, it also boasts a heroine whose resilience warms the blood.” ― The Daily Mail

“An incredibly fun concept: two strangers both claiming to be the same person. This original and enticing premise kept me glued to the pages, trying to guess which of the men was who they said they were, and what would happen when the two finally met. I loved the setting of a remote hotel in the Scottish highlands during a winter storm with the phone-lines down, the road blocked, and the threat of an avalanche imminent. The surprises kept coming and I could not predict the ending. Fresh, gripping, and addictive! An absolute gem of a crime novel." -- Allie Reynolds, author of Shiver

“Break out the superlatives! The Second Stranger absolutely blew me away. This superb thriller is the book everyone's going to be talking about, a brilliant, tense, twisty, atmospheric, and utterly compelling debut from a major new voice in crime fiction. Just read it.” -- Karen Dionne, author of The Wicked Sister

"An impressive debut thriller shot through with a menace that makes its Highlands hotel setting feel like a house of cards. The tension winds ever tighter as the storm strengthens its grip and the cracks start to show—in the illusion of warmth and safety, the mask of the murderer, and the frozen landscape itself.” -- Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls

About the Author

Martin Griffin is a dynamic new voice in crime fiction. Before turning his hand to writing, he was a deputy headmaster and a doomed singer. Martin lives in Manchester, England.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pegasus Crime (November 7, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639364870
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639364879
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 721 ratings

About the author

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Martin Griffin

Martin Griffin

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Martin Griffin is an exciting new voice in the crime genre. Before turning his hand to writing, he was a deputy headteacher and a doomed singer who was once asked to support The Fall on tour, a gig he had to decline having only composed two good songs. He lives in Manchester with his wife and daughter.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
721 global ratings
Captivating novel! However, book received with 4 defective pages.
3 Stars
Captivating novel! However, book received with 4 defective pages.
Great captivating novel. However, the book itself had 4 defective pages. 2 of those pages had triangular portions shredded from them so that I had to hold 2 pages together to read the story. 2 pages looked like they had been pasted together to complete the text. Too many defects for the price paid.
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Top reviews from the United States

ChefEmily
5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Ezra?
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
"The Second Stranger" by Martin Griffin unfolds as a riveting page-turner, offering readers a gripping narrative that expertly balances suspense and atmospheric storytelling. Remie, the night manager of an isolated Scottish hotel, finds herself on the precipice of a life-altering journey to Chile, following a dream inspired by her deceased brother. However, her departure is marred by unforeseen challenges, setting the stage for a thrilling tale.

The impending snowstorm serves as a formidable obstacle, setting the tone for the novel's tension-filled atmosphere. Griffin skillfully introduces a compelling twist when a police officer, claiming to have been injured during a nearby prisoner transport, seeks Remie's assistance. The intricate plot thickens as Don Gaines, the officer, enlists the help of Jai, one of the remaining guests. Yet, the disappearance of the other guest and the sudden appearance of a second man posing as Don Gaines add layers of mystery and intrigue.

While the narrative maintains a gripping pace with numerous twists, it's acknowledged that towards the end, the story may take an unexpected turn that some readers might find challenging. Nevertheless, the overall experience is a testament to Griffin's storytelling prowess, keeping readers on the edge of their seats without revealing too much.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to evoke a vivid sense of atmosphere, particularly through the portrayal of the snow-laden setting. As winter storm Ezra sets in, the suspenseful plot ensures that readers are kept guessing, with Griffin skillfully avoiding spoilers to maintain the element of surprise.

As Remie grapples with the unfolding events, readers will undoubtedly find themselves emotionally invested, cheering for her resilience even in the face of daunting challenges. The acknowledgment of the book as a good read emphasizes its entertainment value, and it's clear that Griffin's narrative has the power to captivate and engage readers.
3 people found this helpful
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JG
4.0 out of 5 stars Clever Plot!
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
Her last night on staff at a remote Scottish lodge, during a crippling snow storm, a young woman is drawn into a deadly mystery. A man claiming to be a police officer comes in from the storm and announces that a dangerous criminal is on the run. He quickly takes command. Later, another stranger begs entry, claiming to be the same police officer.
Our heroine must use her wits and instincts to survive the night.
It’s a clever page turner, with unexpected twists.
I anticipate a film.
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An
3.0 out of 5 stars Captivating novel! However, book received with 4 defective pages.
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great captivating novel. However, the book itself had 4 defective pages. 2 of those pages had triangular portions shredded from them so that I had to hold 2 pages together to read the story. 2 pages looked like they had been pasted together to complete the text. Too many defects for the price paid.
Customer image
An
3.0 out of 5 stars Captivating novel! However, book received with 4 defective pages.
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Great captivating novel. However, the book itself had 4 defective pages. 2 of those pages had triangular portions shredded from them so that I had to hold 2 pages together to read the story. 2 pages looked like they had been pasted together to complete the text. Too many defects for the price paid.
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David J. Triggle
5.0 out of 5 stars First class debut mystery novel
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
A great Agatha Christie mystery. Read it one session. Riveting mystery
2 people found this helpful
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Bob B
4.0 out of 5 stars Ingenious Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
A chase thriller set in rural Scotland.

As a fierce winter storm buffets the MacKinnon Hotel, Remie Yorke starts her (night) shift as the front-desk attendant. At the height of the storm, an injured policeman, Don Gaines, knocks on the hotel door; he says he was transporting a dangerous prisoner when there was an accident and the felon escaped. Remie settles the policeman and goes back to her post. A while later, another man comes to the front door comes to the front door. He also claims to be policeman Don Gaines.

An ingenious thriller where Remie must decide which man is the real policeman and then get away from the murderous escapee.
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Clym
3.0 out of 5 stars A well-written book with unsympathetic characters
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
I enjoyed the vivid snowy imagery and the suspense of the first half of the book. The heroine of the book was a bit silly though, pining after her reprobate dead brother who was the cause of one dangerous situation after another for his sister. She seemed immature and incapable of making good choices. It was really annoying how she kept risking her life for her missing passport. Also, there was too much foul language and not enough local color for a book supposedly set in Scotland. Speech patterns were especially problematic; the characters spoke in a generically American way. I don’t regret reading it but I was expecting more based on the glowing reviews. I did, however, appreciate the literate, well-constructed paragraphs, the use of past tense and the intriguing hotel setting.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Believable people - baby, it’s cold outside!
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
The author spins a fine tale.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
This book is a winner. It has a great plot and is well told. The author gets bogged down sometimes describing the Scottish Highlands scenery but overall I enjoyed the book.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Shadowrider
5.0 out of 5 stars Interessanter Plot, spannend bis zum Schluß
Reviewed in Germany on July 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Und gleichzeitig eine berührende realitätsnahe Geschichte einer Frau und ihres kriminellen Bruders.

Fazit: Ein ungewöhnlicher Thriller mit einem angemessenen positiven Ende und no gore.
Volle Kaufempfehlung.
One person found this helpful
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Alison
5.0 out of 5 stars Really Good Debut Novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
A remote Hotel in the Scottish Highlands during a heavy snowfall - the scene was set for two strangers appearing in the inclement weather and claiming to be the same man. This book went along at a good pace, with plenty of suspicion and twists, without being far-fetched. I enjoyed reading this from start to finish and was glad that the ending lived up to the rest of the book. Looking forward to seeing what the author produces next.
3 people found this helpful
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Lynne
4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
It's winter in the remote Scottish Highlands and Remie Yorke has one final night shift at the Mackinnon Hotel before she leaves for good. However, she hadn't bargained on Storm Ezra hitting quite so hard. Phone lines are down, the temperature has plummeted to sub-zero and heavy snow has cut the hotel off. There's absolutely no way of leaving.

An injured man approaches on foot. He says his name is PC Don Gaines and he's been in a bad accident on a nearby road. Remie lets him inside. A short time later a second injured man arrives, also claiming to be PC Don Gaines. Remie reluctantly allows him inside too. What follows is a race against time. Remie must decide who is telling the truth and which stranger poses a threat to her life. . . and why?

When I saw the beautiful book cover and read the synopsis, I knew this would be a brilliant story. I love wintery settings — the feeling of isolation and being cut off from the outside world. This book delivered in droves. The premise of two strangers claiming to be the same man and the dilemma that ensued was terrific. It was an excellent page-turner with plenty of twists and turns that held my interest throughout. A really enjoyable read.
3 people found this helpful
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Emma
5.0 out of 5 stars Twists n turns
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book was. Amazing. Twists and turns x
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Orna G
4.0 out of 5 stars A bit hit and miss.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great premise for a story. Lots of action and excellent descriptions of the perils of snowy mountains. All the same, I found it a bit hit and miss in that there were several parts of the book that wandered off track and failed to keep my attention. On a few occasions I almost gave up. All the same I persevered and was glad I did, as the story was gripping.
One person found this helpful
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