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Seven All Alone
Ten years ago, seven kids were taken and held captive until their kidnapper took his own life. Now the seven are thrust back together on a trip in the mountains, cut off from civilization and hunted by an unknown assailant who wants them dead. From the author of The Assassin Game and Have You Seen My Sister comes another chilling thriller.
Years ago, a tragedy shook a small community in rural Scotland. A bus driver kidnapped seven elementary school children, drove them into the wildnerness, and held them captive in a cave, before jumping from a cliff's edge. The children were unharmed, and for the most part, young enough to grow up and put their ordeal behind them.
But on the anniversary of their childhood trauma, Maggie, Ant, Ben, Stephanie, Lawrie, Seb, and Cass are on a school survival trip up in the mountains and cut off from the rest of the world when a storm hits. There's no help in sight and the group discovers they are just a stone's throw from the scene of their traumatic kidnapping.
As the group struggles to survive the elements, they realize someone else is on the mountain, someone who knows what really happened all those years ago, someone who wants them dead and is willing to take them out one by one.
Years ago, a tragedy shook a small community in rural Scotland. A bus driver kidnapped seven elementary school children, drove them into the wildnerness, and held them captive in a cave, before jumping from a cliff's edge. The children were unharmed, and for the most part, young enough to grow up and put their ordeal behind them.
But on the anniversary of their childhood trauma, Maggie, Ant, Ben, Stephanie, Lawrie, Seb, and Cass are on a school survival trip up in the mountains and cut off from the rest of the world when a storm hits. There's no help in sight and the group discovers they are just a stone's throw from the scene of their traumatic kidnapping.
As the group struggles to survive the elements, they realize someone else is on the mountain, someone who knows what really happened all those years ago, someone who wants them dead and is willing to take them out one by one.
328 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2025
23 people are currently reading
8041 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
July 17, 2025
I really enjoyed the first chapter and was eager to see where the story would go from there. I'm not going to lie, it had me pretty hooked.. Sadly, while the story was good, I saw everything coming pretty quickly. All of the twists were ones I was expecting, and while it was a good story, it was pretty predictable at the best of times. The writing wasn't bad, but most of the characters weren't very likable, and I found myself not really caring much about what was happening to them, more than being curious if I was right about who was behind it all (I was). Overall, I don't think this is bad, again, just predictable, but I think there are others who will enjoy it.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
December 9, 2025
A school field trip that goes horribly wrong and leaves a group of teens to try to survive the elements - and possibly someone following them!
Maggie doesn't want to be on this field trip. Not only did she not sign up for it, but her dad is running it AND her recent ex-boyfriend is here with his new girlfriend! But it doesn't take long for the trip to go completely off the rails - as one accident leads to the group getting separated and a few injuries. Now they are phoneless, GPS-less, with only the few packs on their back and what they know about survival.
This was a fun set up and I instantly felt drawn in. The narrator did a great job of individualizing each character so it was easier to keep them all straight. I liked how each person in the group kind of had to struggle with their own issues as they were out there longer and the reality sunk in. I liked that we had this previous trauma many of them had to sort and that the kids didn't always handle it well.
The mystery was good, too, although I did guess many twists before they happened - it made sense, in the moment, why those in the story didn't catch what I did. Highly entertaining, read like a movie that was easy to picture in my head. I enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Maggie doesn't want to be on this field trip. Not only did she not sign up for it, but her dad is running it AND her recent ex-boyfriend is here with his new girlfriend! But it doesn't take long for the trip to go completely off the rails - as one accident leads to the group getting separated and a few injuries. Now they are phoneless, GPS-less, with only the few packs on their back and what they know about survival.
This was a fun set up and I instantly felt drawn in. The narrator did a great job of individualizing each character so it was easier to keep them all straight. I liked how each person in the group kind of had to struggle with their own issues as they were out there longer and the reality sunk in. I liked that we had this previous trauma many of them had to sort and that the kids didn't always handle it well.
The mystery was good, too, although I did guess many twists before they happened - it made sense, in the moment, why those in the story didn't catch what I did. Highly entertaining, read like a movie that was easy to picture in my head. I enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 19, 2025
2.5☆ | This book wasn't necessarily bad, but it wasn't that good either. The beginning had me hooked, and I finished the book rather quickly. But I feel that a lot of the book was quite predictable.
I didn't enjoy the writing style a whole ton, and the characters were unbearable more often than not. Though I kept wondering who it would be that did it all in the end, I didn't care all too much about what happened to the characters.
I was able to guess who the killer was but the motive was a bit eh. Could've been better for sure.
And of course, I've never been in a situation like this, so I don't know how I would react. But all of them just seemed 𝘴𝘰 immature. Like all this is happening, people are dying, and you're acting like that? Like, sure, everyone reacts to situations differently, but this just seemed like a bit too much.
This is my first read by Kirsty McKay. Though I don't think it'll be the last. My sister has read 2 of her books (Undead & Unfed) and has hounded me to read those, so at some point I probably will.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an e-arc of this book!
I didn't enjoy the writing style a whole ton, and the characters were unbearable more often than not. Though I kept wondering who it would be that did it all in the end, I didn't care all too much about what happened to the characters.
I was able to guess who the killer was but the motive was a bit eh. Could've been better for sure.
And of course, I've never been in a situation like this, so I don't know how I would react. But all of them just seemed 𝘴𝘰 immature. Like all this is happening, people are dying, and you're acting like that? Like, sure, everyone reacts to situations differently, but this just seemed like a bit too much.
This is my first read by Kirsty McKay. Though I don't think it'll be the last. My sister has read 2 of her books (Undead & Unfed) and has hounded me to read those, so at some point I probably will.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an e-arc of this book!
December 6, 2025
Wow, this was a journey. The book started off so strong—exactly the kind of teen survival setup I’m a sucker for. The tragic event, the attempted healing, the tight-knit friendships forming under pressure… it had all the ingredients for something raw and compelling. I genuinely thought I was in for a new YA favorite.
But as I kept reading, the momentum slipped. The plot became painfully predictable, and not in a “I guessed the twist because I’m clever” way. No—this was “the book practically held up a giant neon sign announcing every major turn.” Even the most casual reader would see each beat coming. Add in some meandering pacing and teen decisions that went beyond believable impulsiveness into “absolutely not, no one would do that,” and I found myself frustrated. The technical writing was solid, but the execution kept missing its mark. At that point, it felt like a clear miss for me.
Update!! Because I really did love the beginning, when the audiobook became available for review I scooped it up—and honestly, I’m glad I did. The audio shifted the whole experience. Elle Newlands delivered a strong performance, with great pacing and character distinction (especially for the teen voices). The narration smoothed out the flow, kept me engaged, and even helped me pick up details I had completely missed the first time around. Suddenly, the predictability didn’t bother me as much because I was simply enjoying the ride.
So while my original read landed flat, the audiobook bumped this from a 3⭐️ miss to a 4⭐️ read I genuinely enjoyed, all thanks to a change in format. Sometimes the medium really does make all the difference.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
But as I kept reading, the momentum slipped. The plot became painfully predictable, and not in a “I guessed the twist because I’m clever” way. No—this was “the book practically held up a giant neon sign announcing every major turn.” Even the most casual reader would see each beat coming. Add in some meandering pacing and teen decisions that went beyond believable impulsiveness into “absolutely not, no one would do that,” and I found myself frustrated. The technical writing was solid, but the execution kept missing its mark. At that point, it felt like a clear miss for me.
Update!! Because I really did love the beginning, when the audiobook became available for review I scooped it up—and honestly, I’m glad I did. The audio shifted the whole experience. Elle Newlands delivered a strong performance, with great pacing and character distinction (especially for the teen voices). The narration smoothed out the flow, kept me engaged, and even helped me pick up details I had completely missed the first time around. Suddenly, the predictability didn’t bother me as much because I was simply enjoying the ride.
So while my original read landed flat, the audiobook bumped this from a 3⭐️ miss to a 4⭐️ read I genuinely enjoyed, all thanks to a change in format. Sometimes the medium really does make all the difference.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
August 23, 2025
Seven All Alone follows Maggie as she goes on a school trip with the six other kids she was kidnapped with by their bus driver when they were six. She’s tried to forget what happened, but the trip into the mountains brings up the horrible memories. Especially when everything goes wrong. Her father and friend are separated from the group, their phones are lost, and their supplies are dwindling. To make matters worse, someone else is on the mountain with them … and they want them dead.
This was a fun mystery/thriller. I really enjoyed the setting. It was super atmospheric and had such spooky, eerie vibes. The premise was really interesting, and I like how everything was tied together. The pacing is quite good and kept me interested, especially as things picked up and the kids were convinced they saw someone. I did see the ending coming, but it was still an enjoyable read.
I wasn’t too fond of any of the characters. Maggie was probably the best in my opinion, mostly because everyone was always turning on her and I felt bad for her. But I did find it hard to connect with any of them overall. That being said, they were an entertaining group to read about with their hysteria and reactions.
Overall, if you love mystery/thrillers with a survival aspect, I’d definitely recommend checking this out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the arc!
This was a fun mystery/thriller. I really enjoyed the setting. It was super atmospheric and had such spooky, eerie vibes. The premise was really interesting, and I like how everything was tied together. The pacing is quite good and kept me interested, especially as things picked up and the kids were convinced they saw someone. I did see the ending coming, but it was still an enjoyable read.
I wasn’t too fond of any of the characters. Maggie was probably the best in my opinion, mostly because everyone was always turning on her and I felt bad for her. But I did find it hard to connect with any of them overall. That being said, they were an entertaining group to read about with their hysteria and reactions.
Overall, if you love mystery/thrillers with a survival aspect, I’d definitely recommend checking this out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the arc!
July 18, 2025
I didn’t love or hate this book. It was well-written and the beginning had me eager to see where it was going. Unfortunately, that’s kind of where it ended for me. Everyone was unlikeable and a lot of the twists were predictable.
I feel like this is a good read for people who don’t really read thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I feel like this is a good read for people who don’t really read thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 3, 2025
ARC from Edelweiss
There were a few areas where your skepticism had to be suspended and that tripped me up a bit. Initial parts were very believable but then it started to become less and less plausible as the story progressed. Still, I enjoyed it and I did not expect the plot twist that happened!
There were a few areas where your skepticism had to be suspended and that tripped me up a bit. Initial parts were very believable but then it started to become less and less plausible as the story progressed. Still, I enjoyed it and I did not expect the plot twist that happened!
December 4, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book!
In elementary school a group of kids got abducted by a bus driver and were kept in a cave.
Years later the same kids -now highschoolers- find themselves in the same area again for a school trip.
When their supervisor gets lost things go downhill quickly. Alone, no phones, and caught in a big storm. And then one after the other gets hurt and at some point they realise it can’t be a coincidence, right?
A very thrilling book that had me hooked the entire time. Full of twists and turns that sometimes were what I expected but often enough caught me by surprise. I loved trying to figure out what was going on along with the MC. This was right up my alley. I was super invested in this creepy little story and would’ve listened to it in one sitting if I were able to.
The characters weren’t necessarily likeable (besides the MC) but they created an interesting and entertaining group dynamic. And also: sometimes teenagers just suck so that was quite realistic lol
Also I enjoyed the narration a whole lot. Can definitely recommend the audiobook!
In elementary school a group of kids got abducted by a bus driver and were kept in a cave.
Years later the same kids -now highschoolers- find themselves in the same area again for a school trip.
When their supervisor gets lost things go downhill quickly. Alone, no phones, and caught in a big storm. And then one after the other gets hurt and at some point they realise it can’t be a coincidence, right?
A very thrilling book that had me hooked the entire time. Full of twists and turns that sometimes were what I expected but often enough caught me by surprise. I loved trying to figure out what was going on along with the MC. This was right up my alley. I was super invested in this creepy little story and would’ve listened to it in one sitting if I were able to.
The characters weren’t necessarily likeable (besides the MC) but they created an interesting and entertaining group dynamic. And also: sometimes teenagers just suck so that was quite realistic lol
Also I enjoyed the narration a whole lot. Can definitely recommend the audiobook!
December 2, 2025
Seven All Alone
By Kirsty McKay
⭐️⭐️⭐️
First I have to say thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to listen to this audio book ARC.
The book took place in the Scottish terrain when a group of students were headed off on a class trip. Now, due to the weather and some natural disaster occurs, it doesn’t take long for their past traumatic experience to come back to haunt them and for someone or something to start picking them off…
I love a good mystery/thriller book especially one that is all about survival. The beginning of the book had me hooked to see what was going to happen and where the story was heading. However, my biggest gripe with the book was that I just had a hard time overall connecting to the characters. If you don’t necessarily need to connect with the characters and just enjoy some dark and twisty turns with a psychological tone this may be an enjoyably book for you!
By Kirsty McKay
⭐️⭐️⭐️
First I have to say thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to listen to this audio book ARC.
The book took place in the Scottish terrain when a group of students were headed off on a class trip. Now, due to the weather and some natural disaster occurs, it doesn’t take long for their past traumatic experience to come back to haunt them and for someone or something to start picking them off…
I love a good mystery/thriller book especially one that is all about survival. The beginning of the book had me hooked to see what was going to happen and where the story was heading. However, my biggest gripe with the book was that I just had a hard time overall connecting to the characters. If you don’t necessarily need to connect with the characters and just enjoy some dark and twisty turns with a psychological tone this may be an enjoyably book for you!
December 22, 2025
This one had such a cool premise - a group of kids kidnapped when they were young, making it out alive, only to find themselves together again as teenagers stranded in the Scottish highlands - but was let down in its execution.
I wanted more flashbacks to when the kids were originally kidnapped, everything was described so vaguely that it kept a distance between me as a reader and the characters. All of the characters were unlikeable, to the point where I was hoping they'd each get knocked off by the threat stalking them in the wilderness. The dialogue was quite clunky and awkward, which added to the unlikability of the characters.
A good murder mystery allows readers/viewers the chance to be able to work out what is happening and solve it. A bad murder mystery makes it so obvious who the threat is it kills any fun or thrill in the narrative. This one was so predictable I picked who was behind the whole thing from the third chapter. And it wasn't even fun seeing the characters work it out, it was super frustrating seeing how dumb they all were to allow the events to play out as they did.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
I wanted more flashbacks to when the kids were originally kidnapped, everything was described so vaguely that it kept a distance between me as a reader and the characters. All of the characters were unlikeable, to the point where I was hoping they'd each get knocked off by the threat stalking them in the wilderness. The dialogue was quite clunky and awkward, which added to the unlikability of the characters.
A good murder mystery allows readers/viewers the chance to be able to work out what is happening and solve it. A bad murder mystery makes it so obvious who the threat is it kills any fun or thrill in the narrative. This one was so predictable I picked who was behind the whole thing from the third chapter. And it wasn't even fun seeing the characters work it out, it was super frustrating seeing how dumb they all were to allow the events to play out as they did.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
December 30, 2025
Seven All Alone has a sharp, attention-grabbing premise and a writing style that’s smooth, fast, and very accessible—especially for readers newer to YA thrillers. Kirsty McKay’s prose keeps the pages turning, and the atmospheric Scottish setting adds a steady undercurrent of tension. Where the book stumbled for me was in character work: most of the cast felt difficult to connect with, which dulled the emotional impact once the danger escalated. Still, the audiobook experience elevated the story—Elle Newlands delivers a strong performance, with clear pacing and distinct voices that help carry the narrative even when the plot feels thin. Overall, an entertaining listen with solid writing and audio execution, even if the story itself didn’t fully land for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the advance listening copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the advance listening copy.
December 5, 2025
Maggie Atkins was 6 years old when the bus driver kidnapped her and her friends.
Now after narrowly escaping with their lives 10 years ago it seems they are back in the same place, literally… they find themselves back on the same mountain with the same group of people and someone is taking them out one by one!
I really liked this book! I did kind of guess part of the twist at the end and because the characters were all high schoolers I didn’t really connect with them too much but the suspense of the story was great!
It reminded me a good bit of Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates which is one of my favorite books so I definitely liked that part of the story!
I gave this book 3.75 stars! It was a decent thriller!!! I would definitely recommend!
Now after narrowly escaping with their lives 10 years ago it seems they are back in the same place, literally… they find themselves back on the same mountain with the same group of people and someone is taking them out one by one!
I really liked this book! I did kind of guess part of the twist at the end and because the characters were all high schoolers I didn’t really connect with them too much but the suspense of the story was great!
It reminded me a good bit of Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates which is one of my favorite books so I definitely liked that part of the story!
I gave this book 3.75 stars! It was a decent thriller!!! I would definitely recommend!
December 6, 2025
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator! The book started off strong and I was hooked from the beginning. However, the more I read, the more predictable it came. It was too easy to guess the outcome and that’s just not for me.
I didn’t really connect with the characters, which could be why this was just an ok read for me. I feel like a little more character development and less predictability would have made this a 4 star read.
Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
I didn’t really connect with the characters, which could be why this was just an ok read for me. I feel like a little more character development and less predictability would have made this a 4 star read.
Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 30, 2025
This was an ARC audiobook. All opinions are mine and mine alone.
Maddie and some classmates were kidnapped when they were six by the bus driver. Years later they feel it’s happening again.
They were all sent on a class trip they didn’t sign up for or want. They are faced with challenges and try to work as a group but everyone is a suspect.
I figured out halfway through what was going on (well part of it). I wasn’t surprised. This was a YA book and I think I’ve just outgrown most of those types of book. I think someone much younger than me would enjoy this. It kept a nice pace and the narrator was really good.
Maddie and some classmates were kidnapped when they were six by the bus driver. Years later they feel it’s happening again.
They were all sent on a class trip they didn’t sign up for or want. They are faced with challenges and try to work as a group but everyone is a suspect.
I figured out halfway through what was going on (well part of it). I wasn’t surprised. This was a YA book and I think I’ve just outgrown most of those types of book. I think someone much younger than me would enjoy this. It kept a nice pace and the narrator was really good.
December 9, 2025
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this audiobook, especially the ending. While the killer(s) wasn’t all that surprising, it was still thrilling leading up to the reveal. I enjoyed the survival aspect of the storyline as well. The ending wrapped up in a nice neat bow. I did really like Maggie’s character as well.
I enjoyed the narrator as well, I enjoyed the accents and it was easy to distinguish the different characters. I listened at 2X.
The reason for the 3.5 stars was due to the beginning was a bit boring, it took a bit to start to get thrilling. I also didn’t enjoy the nativity of the teens. It took them too long to piece things together.
All in all, I enjoyed this audiobook and story!
I enjoyed this audiobook, especially the ending. While the killer(s) wasn’t all that surprising, it was still thrilling leading up to the reveal. I enjoyed the survival aspect of the storyline as well. The ending wrapped up in a nice neat bow. I did really like Maggie’s character as well.
I enjoyed the narrator as well, I enjoyed the accents and it was easy to distinguish the different characters. I listened at 2X.
The reason for the 3.5 stars was due to the beginning was a bit boring, it took a bit to start to get thrilling. I also didn’t enjoy the nativity of the teens. It took them too long to piece things together.
All in all, I enjoyed this audiobook and story!
December 15, 2025
This is a YA mystery similar to Then There Were None. 7 teenagers are on a hiking trip, but there is something off and they start slowly dying one by one. I recommend this to anyone who likes YA mysteries.
November 29, 2025
This was such a thrilling read, I had to know what was going to happen next!
December 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy to review!
This was an alright story. I liked the idea and some of the mystery parts, but most of the characters irritated me.
This was an alright story. I liked the idea and some of the mystery parts, but most of the characters irritated me.
December 17, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and RBmedia for the audible ARC in exchange for my review. Seven All Alone by Kirsty McKay is scheduled for release December 2 2026.
It is written well and dose have the drama. But the characters were unlikeable for me. It was difficult for me to care what happened to them. The overall story was good. But this one was a miss for me.
Elle Newland's audible performance was perfect. Loved the Irish accent.
It is written well and dose have the drama. But the characters were unlikeable for me. It was difficult for me to care what happened to them. The overall story was good. But this one was a miss for me.
Elle Newland's audible performance was perfect. Loved the Irish accent.
July 18, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Kirsty McKay’s “Seven All Alone” is a psychological survival thriller set against the misty, treacherous terrain of the Scottish wilderness and the even more treacherous terrain of teenage relationships. It delivers a high-stakes tale of trauma, paranoia, and the poisonous power of groupthink, all wrapped in a slow-burning mystery with horror edges. But while the premise grips from the opening chapter, its execution was a bit lacking.
Ten years ago, Maggie and her classmates were kidnapped by their bus driver and left to die in a remote mountain cave. Though they survived, the scars run deep. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, the same group of kids that are now teens is back on a class trip through the same area, led by Maggie’s father and including an outsider. When a natural disaster cuts them off from help and supplies, it doesn’t take long for old trauma to resurface and for someone to start picking them off, one by one.
The book opens strong, immediately pulling you in with a moody setting and a dark backstory. McKay uses the Scottish wilderness to chilling effect: landslides, starvation, isolation; it’s as much a character as any of the teens. There’s a lingering sense of dread, compounded by eerie messages and saint-themed deaths that suggest someone is hunting them and reenacting the martyrdoms of the saints they were ironically named after.
Where the book falters for some is in its characterization. While Maggie is a clear focal point and arguably the only sympathetic character, most of the others are intensely unlikeable, from petty and cruel behavior to outright bigotry. The group turns on Maggie constantly, making her a scapegoat for every misfortune. Even her supposed childhood friends, especially Ben, offer little support. You will need to stomach mean-spirited teen dynamics, body shaming, and moments of transphobia and racism, which, while realistic to certain adolescent behaviors, may be off-putting or upsetting for many.
Despite this, McKay does capture something chillingly accurate about trauma: it doesn’t make people kinder. It warps bonds, buries secrets, and breeds mistrust. The characters may be frustrating, but their unraveling is intentional, forming a grim psychological study of a group pushed to the brink.
The plot blends Lord of the Flies-style chaos with a locked-room mystery structure. As the teens begin to suspect that the killer is among them, suspicion spirals into hysteria. While the pacing remains tense, the twist are a bit predictable for seasoned thriller readers. Still, the final reveal, rooted in a warped sense of religious justice and long-buried childhood trauma, is compelling, and the ending offers full closure, with all plot threads tied off cleanly.
That said, the suspension of disbelief becomes increasingly necessary as the deaths pile up. Some of the killings—each mimicking a saint’s martyrdom—are elaborate to the point of implausibility, especially in a remote setting. The idea that someone could orchestrate such specific, symbolic murders under survival conditions strains logic, but adds flair to the horror.
Overall, “Seven All Alone” is an atmospheric, emotionally-charged survival thriller that explores childhood trauma, religious fanaticism, and the cruelty of teenagers. It won’t work for everyone, especially those who need likable characters to feel invested, but for readers who enjoy dark, twisty teen horror with a strong psychological undercurrent and don’t mind a few implausible turns, this is an engaging, high-stakes ride.
Kirsty McKay’s “Seven All Alone” is a psychological survival thriller set against the misty, treacherous terrain of the Scottish wilderness and the even more treacherous terrain of teenage relationships. It delivers a high-stakes tale of trauma, paranoia, and the poisonous power of groupthink, all wrapped in a slow-burning mystery with horror edges. But while the premise grips from the opening chapter, its execution was a bit lacking.
Ten years ago, Maggie and her classmates were kidnapped by their bus driver and left to die in a remote mountain cave. Though they survived, the scars run deep. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, the same group of kids that are now teens is back on a class trip through the same area, led by Maggie’s father and including an outsider. When a natural disaster cuts them off from help and supplies, it doesn’t take long for old trauma to resurface and for someone to start picking them off, one by one.
The book opens strong, immediately pulling you in with a moody setting and a dark backstory. McKay uses the Scottish wilderness to chilling effect: landslides, starvation, isolation; it’s as much a character as any of the teens. There’s a lingering sense of dread, compounded by eerie messages and saint-themed deaths that suggest someone is hunting them and reenacting the martyrdoms of the saints they were ironically named after.
Where the book falters for some is in its characterization. While Maggie is a clear focal point and arguably the only sympathetic character, most of the others are intensely unlikeable, from petty and cruel behavior to outright bigotry. The group turns on Maggie constantly, making her a scapegoat for every misfortune. Even her supposed childhood friends, especially Ben, offer little support. You will need to stomach mean-spirited teen dynamics, body shaming, and moments of transphobia and racism, which, while realistic to certain adolescent behaviors, may be off-putting or upsetting for many.
Despite this, McKay does capture something chillingly accurate about trauma: it doesn’t make people kinder. It warps bonds, buries secrets, and breeds mistrust. The characters may be frustrating, but their unraveling is intentional, forming a grim psychological study of a group pushed to the brink.
The plot blends Lord of the Flies-style chaos with a locked-room mystery structure. As the teens begin to suspect that the killer is among them, suspicion spirals into hysteria. While the pacing remains tense, the twist are a bit predictable for seasoned thriller readers. Still, the final reveal, rooted in a warped sense of religious justice and long-buried childhood trauma, is compelling, and the ending offers full closure, with all plot threads tied off cleanly.
That said, the suspension of disbelief becomes increasingly necessary as the deaths pile up. Some of the killings—each mimicking a saint’s martyrdom—are elaborate to the point of implausibility, especially in a remote setting. The idea that someone could orchestrate such specific, symbolic murders under survival conditions strains logic, but adds flair to the horror.
Overall, “Seven All Alone” is an atmospheric, emotionally-charged survival thriller that explores childhood trauma, religious fanaticism, and the cruelty of teenagers. It won’t work for everyone, especially those who need likable characters to feel invested, but for readers who enjoy dark, twisty teen horror with a strong psychological undercurrent and don’t mind a few implausible turns, this is an engaging, high-stakes ride.
November 30, 2025
⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC. The beginning pulled me in instantly and set a tense and eerie atmosphere that had so much promise.
📝 Short Summary
Seven teens who survived a childhood kidnapping return to the mountains for a school trip, only to find themselves stranded during a storm with someone hunting them exactly ten years after their trauma.
The start of this book is genuinely gripping. It opens with such a sharp, unsettling energy that I felt pulled straight into the danger and the tension. The isolated mountain setting, the shared trauma, and the sense of someone watching them created an atmosphere so strong that I thought this would end up being a new favorite. As the story continued, I realized that the twists were coming in ways I expected, which made the overall experience less surprising for me. The characters felt intentionally messy and closed off because of what they had lived through, and while that made sense for the story, it left me feeling disconnected from their emotions. I wanted to care more deeply about their outcomes, but the predictability and character distance held me back. Still, the pacing remains steady and the survival elements kept the tension alive. The final act delivers a solid sense of danger and closure, and the setting continues to work well throughout. Even with its flaws, it remains readable, intense, and engaging enough for YA thriller fans.
✅ Would I Recommend It
Yes, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy young adult survival thrillers, stories centered around shared trauma resurfacing, and books that take place in isolated and dangerous wilderness settings.
⚠️ Triggers and Content Warnings
This story includes childhood kidnapping and the lingering psychological effects that follow the characters into their teen years. It also contains survival danger, fear based situations in the wilderness, stalking, panic responses connected to past trauma, and scenes involving young characters trying to stay alive in threatening conditions. None of the content is graphic, but the emotional themes may be heavy for sensitive readers.
📚 Genres and Tropes
This book blends a young adult thriller with a survival focused story built around a traumatic shared history. It uses a storm trapped mountain setting, a dangerous return to the site of past harm, and a steady escalation of fear as someone begins targeting the group one by one. It carries the energy of a psychological survival story, with a strong outdoor atmosphere and suspense from not knowing what is watching them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC. The beginning pulled me in instantly and set a tense and eerie atmosphere that had so much promise.
📝 Short Summary
Seven teens who survived a childhood kidnapping return to the mountains for a school trip, only to find themselves stranded during a storm with someone hunting them exactly ten years after their trauma.
The start of this book is genuinely gripping. It opens with such a sharp, unsettling energy that I felt pulled straight into the danger and the tension. The isolated mountain setting, the shared trauma, and the sense of someone watching them created an atmosphere so strong that I thought this would end up being a new favorite. As the story continued, I realized that the twists were coming in ways I expected, which made the overall experience less surprising for me. The characters felt intentionally messy and closed off because of what they had lived through, and while that made sense for the story, it left me feeling disconnected from their emotions. I wanted to care more deeply about their outcomes, but the predictability and character distance held me back. Still, the pacing remains steady and the survival elements kept the tension alive. The final act delivers a solid sense of danger and closure, and the setting continues to work well throughout. Even with its flaws, it remains readable, intense, and engaging enough for YA thriller fans.
✅ Would I Recommend It
Yes, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy young adult survival thrillers, stories centered around shared trauma resurfacing, and books that take place in isolated and dangerous wilderness settings.
⚠️ Triggers and Content Warnings
This story includes childhood kidnapping and the lingering psychological effects that follow the characters into their teen years. It also contains survival danger, fear based situations in the wilderness, stalking, panic responses connected to past trauma, and scenes involving young characters trying to stay alive in threatening conditions. None of the content is graphic, but the emotional themes may be heavy for sensitive readers.
📚 Genres and Tropes
This book blends a young adult thriller with a survival focused story built around a traumatic shared history. It uses a storm trapped mountain setting, a dangerous return to the site of past harm, and a steady escalation of fear as someone begins targeting the group one by one. It carries the energy of a psychological survival story, with a strong outdoor atmosphere and suspense from not knowing what is watching them.
January 1, 2026
Ten years ago, Maggie and six of her primary school classmates were kidnapped by their bus driver. He held them in a cave, with a nefarious plan in mind. She lived to tell the tale and has moved on in her life. Now sixteen, she is back in the same area in the Scotland Highlands, but this time with her dad and others from her high school.
Her father is in charge of the trip, experienced and knowledgeable in the wilderness and keen to take these teens on an adventure. Tension is high as Maggie signed up for the trip with her boyfriend Ben. But Ben is now with Stephanie, also on the trip. Maggie tries to focus on her father and ignore Ben and Steph’s relationship along for the ride.
Twin brothers Lawrence and Seb are part of the group, and their never ending bickering and all out fighting drives Maggie crazy at the best of times. Away from school, they seem even worse. Luckily Maggie’s best friend Ant is there too, making things a little more bearable.
Despite the extensive planning by her father for the trip, things go wrong very quickly and he is separated from the group. Torn between wanting to after her father, and fleeing a vicious incoming storm, Maggie holes up with the others in a hiking hut. Hoping her dad will find them in the hut and the storm passes, is the last normal hope on her trip.
Strange things begin to happen. A huge hunting knife. Stolen supplies. Nature has turned on them too, and the very ground they are standing on defies them. When the strange becomes the deadly, accusations fly, nightmares return, and impossible connections are made between the trip and the abduction ten years before. Is someone hunting them down?
A school trip going wrong is a common premise, but Seven All Alone is so much more. These characters have already had trauma in their lives and when this wilderness adventure turns into a horror show, minds are reeling.
I enjoyed the slow unraveling of their past and the events that brought them together. Main character Maggie has had to deal with more than her peers as she alone was left to deal with her abductor as a child. Now she’s older, strong, capable with her father’s survival skills, and determined to survive again.
Obstacle after obstacle are thrown in her way however, building confusion and intrigue into who or what is responsible for the resulting carnage.
I became hooked into the story early, intrigued as much as the characters, as to what the heck was happening.
Author – Kirsty Mckay
Age – 12+
Her father is in charge of the trip, experienced and knowledgeable in the wilderness and keen to take these teens on an adventure. Tension is high as Maggie signed up for the trip with her boyfriend Ben. But Ben is now with Stephanie, also on the trip. Maggie tries to focus on her father and ignore Ben and Steph’s relationship along for the ride.
Twin brothers Lawrence and Seb are part of the group, and their never ending bickering and all out fighting drives Maggie crazy at the best of times. Away from school, they seem even worse. Luckily Maggie’s best friend Ant is there too, making things a little more bearable.
Despite the extensive planning by her father for the trip, things go wrong very quickly and he is separated from the group. Torn between wanting to after her father, and fleeing a vicious incoming storm, Maggie holes up with the others in a hiking hut. Hoping her dad will find them in the hut and the storm passes, is the last normal hope on her trip.
Strange things begin to happen. A huge hunting knife. Stolen supplies. Nature has turned on them too, and the very ground they are standing on defies them. When the strange becomes the deadly, accusations fly, nightmares return, and impossible connections are made between the trip and the abduction ten years before. Is someone hunting them down?
A school trip going wrong is a common premise, but Seven All Alone is so much more. These characters have already had trauma in their lives and when this wilderness adventure turns into a horror show, minds are reeling.
I enjoyed the slow unraveling of their past and the events that brought them together. Main character Maggie has had to deal with more than her peers as she alone was left to deal with her abductor as a child. Now she’s older, strong, capable with her father’s survival skills, and determined to survive again.
Obstacle after obstacle are thrown in her way however, building confusion and intrigue into who or what is responsible for the resulting carnage.
I became hooked into the story early, intrigued as much as the characters, as to what the heck was happening.
Author – Kirsty Mckay
Age – 12+
August 11, 2025
Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC!
PLOT
A decade earlier, seven kids were taken and held captive by their school bus driver. Now the seven are back together on a trip in the mountains, stranded and stalked by an unknown predator. As this book is largely a wilderness survival thriller, I was obviously most interested in how they managed to survive and escape back to civilization. In that regard, the author delivered, as I found their journey through the relentless storms and unforgiving terrain to be pretty well-executed.
CHARACTERS
Maggie: The main character, and the one who was left behind all those years ago. She annoyed me with the constant comments towards her ex and his new girlfriend; really, that entire plot point bugged me, and it didn't wrap up in an interesting way.
Ben: Her ex. It sounded like they were best friends before, so I'm not sure why he didn't really seem to care about her or her well-being. I don't think they had a bad breakup or anything (maybe I missed the reason?).
Seb: Twin to Lawrence. A total asshole, to the point that I was actively wondering why the others weren't ganging up on him more. I 100% would have kicked him out of the group, what with how antagonistic he was.
Lawrence: Twin to Seb. Also an asshole, but slightly less so.
Cassie: Outsider, wasn't kidnapped as a kid. Steph's friend. Honestly, she was annoying as hell too.
Steph: The only sane person, and the only character I was actively hoping would make it to safety.
Ant: Maggie's best friend. Non-binary, and was pointedly misgendered by about half the group. At one point, of of them refers to them as an 'it.' As a character, I would say they were my favorite (aside from Steph), as they did a good job of relieving tension in the group.
Assailant: I figured out who it was fairly early on, I just got their motive wrong. I thought that maybe The actual motive felt a little meh.
CONCLUSION
Overall, while the survival aspect kept me interested, the weak characters kept me from truly caring about what happened to them. That said, the author did a great job building tension, and I’m hopeful future books will develop the characters more deeply.
December 9, 2025
An action packed YA survival thriller that delivers more as a survival story than as a thriller.
Ten years after Maggie and 6 of her classmates were kidnapped on their way to school in the Scottish Highlands, 6 of the group plus a new friend find themselves on a school camping trip just over the mountain from where the kidnapper held them. Soon the teens are stranded without their chaperone and followed by a sinister presence that seems bent on picking them off one by one.
I had mixed feelings about this book. It starts out very strong, especially where the survival aspects of the story are concerned. As the book moves more into a thriller, it weakens considerably. It looses steam, drags a bit, and the thriller elements are creative and interesting, but not deftly handled.
Where I struggled most though were the depictions of bullying in this book. The bullying is very real, and very pervasive throughout this book. So, it's well written but very hard to take. Transphobic, homophobic, racist (anti-Asian), fat-phobic, and anti-neurodivergent bulling were all present, as was a lot of inter-sibling bullying. As a transgender, queer, Asian, fat, neurodivergent person, this may have hit closer for me than it will for other readers, but it's worth knowing that it's in there.
The beginning reminded me a lot of the adult survival thriller The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda, and the overall premise is similar. The book also reminded me a bit of the YA survival thriller Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp, particularly in writing style, and readers who enjoyed that book's strong non-binary and neurodivergent representation, survival in the woods, and pursuit by an unknow assailant may enjoy this as well, though may also struggle with the bullying aspects.
Also be aware that this book is pretty gritty, and while the deaths and torture are not as drawn out or graphic as they might be in an adult novel, they are not for squeamish readers.
The narrator of the audiobook was excellent. She handles the different voices really well, especially the boys' voices. The character from London's accent is very inconsistent, sounding posh one moment and caricaturedly Cockney the next, but aside from that, the overall strength of the narration adds a lot to the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for advance access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Ten years after Maggie and 6 of her classmates were kidnapped on their way to school in the Scottish Highlands, 6 of the group plus a new friend find themselves on a school camping trip just over the mountain from where the kidnapper held them. Soon the teens are stranded without their chaperone and followed by a sinister presence that seems bent on picking them off one by one.
I had mixed feelings about this book. It starts out very strong, especially where the survival aspects of the story are concerned. As the book moves more into a thriller, it weakens considerably. It looses steam, drags a bit, and the thriller elements are creative and interesting, but not deftly handled.
Where I struggled most though were the depictions of bullying in this book. The bullying is very real, and very pervasive throughout this book. So, it's well written but very hard to take. Transphobic, homophobic, racist (anti-Asian), fat-phobic, and anti-neurodivergent bulling were all present, as was a lot of inter-sibling bullying. As a transgender, queer, Asian, fat, neurodivergent person, this may have hit closer for me than it will for other readers, but it's worth knowing that it's in there.
The beginning reminded me a lot of the adult survival thriller The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda, and the overall premise is similar. The book also reminded me a bit of the YA survival thriller Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp, particularly in writing style, and readers who enjoyed that book's strong non-binary and neurodivergent representation, survival in the woods, and pursuit by an unknow assailant may enjoy this as well, though may also struggle with the bullying aspects.
Also be aware that this book is pretty gritty, and while the deaths and torture are not as drawn out or graphic as they might be in an adult novel, they are not for squeamish readers.
The narrator of the audiobook was excellent. She handles the different voices really well, especially the boys' voices. The character from London's accent is very inconsistent, sounding posh one moment and caricaturedly Cockney the next, but aside from that, the overall strength of the narration adds a lot to the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for advance access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2025
🎧 Title: Seven All Alone-a standalone
✍🏾 Author: Kirsty McKay-new to me author
📅Publication date: 12/2/25 | Read: 12/14/25
🗣️Narrator: Elle Newlands voices all the characters with standouts from Maggie, Ben, and Cass. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
🏃🏾♀️➡️Run Time: 7:45
Genre:
*YA
*Mystery/Suspense
Tropes:
*brutal storm
*frenemies
*betrayal
*family drama
*small town
*forced proximity
👆🏾POV: 1st person single-Maggie
⚠️TW: murder, kidnapping, bullying, religious zealot
🌎 Setting: Scotland-Strother High School
Summary: On a school trip to the Scottish Highlands, seven teens are stranded alone in the mountains with a serial killer hunting them. Ten years ago, the same students (age 6) were kidnapped by their bus driver and held captive in a cave. They all escaped but left Maggie alone with the driver who tried to kill her and fell to his death.
👩🏾 Heroine: Margaret "Maggie" Atkins- Left alone by her friends while they escaped a cave and the bus driver/ kidnapper who tried to kill her. Gets lost again at the same place
🎭 Other Characters:
*Mungo Atkins- Maggie's father, math teacher/group leader on the trip
*Lawrence & Sebastian McTavish
*Ben Young-Maggie's ex BFF/ex bf
*Stephanie Wang-Ben's new gf
*Cass Prentiss-Stephanie's friend
*Ant Zito
My Thoughts: I felt for Maggie being forced to re-live trauma and suffer through a school trip with the same people who abandoned her. I questioned Mungo's decisions -as did Maggie- not trusting him because of his betrayal. Ben should have felt guilty every time he saw Maggie because he was her childhood BFF. I was surprised at who the killer was and the motivation for it all.
Rating: 4/5✨
Spice level: 1/5 kissing only 🔥
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Kirsty McKay, and RB Media| Recorded Books for this ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
✍🏾 Author: Kirsty McKay-new to me author
📅Publication date: 12/2/25 | Read: 12/14/25
🗣️Narrator: Elle Newlands voices all the characters with standouts from Maggie, Ben, and Cass. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
🏃🏾♀️➡️Run Time: 7:45
Genre:
*YA
*Mystery/Suspense
Tropes:
*brutal storm
*frenemies
*betrayal
*family drama
*small town
*forced proximity
👆🏾POV: 1st person single-Maggie
⚠️TW: murder, kidnapping, bullying, religious zealot
🌎 Setting: Scotland-Strother High School
Summary: On a school trip to the Scottish Highlands, seven teens are stranded alone in the mountains with a serial killer hunting them. Ten years ago, the same students (age 6) were kidnapped by their bus driver and held captive in a cave. They all escaped but left Maggie alone with the driver who tried to kill her and fell to his death.
👩🏾 Heroine: Margaret "Maggie" Atkins- Left alone by her friends while they escaped a cave and the bus driver/ kidnapper who tried to kill her. Gets lost again at the same place
🎭 Other Characters:
*Mungo Atkins- Maggie's father, math teacher/group leader on the trip
*Lawrence & Sebastian McTavish
*Ben Young-Maggie's ex BFF/ex bf
*Stephanie Wang-Ben's new gf
*Cass Prentiss-Stephanie's friend
*Ant Zito
My Thoughts: I felt for Maggie being forced to re-live trauma and suffer through a school trip with the same people who abandoned her. I questioned Mungo's decisions -as did Maggie- not trusting him because of his betrayal. Ben should have felt guilty every time he saw Maggie because he was her childhood BFF. I was surprised at who the killer was and the motivation for it all.
Rating: 4/5✨
Spice level: 1/5 kissing only 🔥
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Kirsty McKay, and RB Media| Recorded Books for this ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
December 21, 2025
ORIGINAL POST: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-r...
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
What are the odds that a group of kids is kidnapped and then years later they are thrown into another traumatizing situation? I do not know the statistics, but this is exactly what Kirsty McKay wrote in Seven All Alone, and I was interested to know what was going to happen! From the start, you could feel the tension as this group of kids is thrust into a trip they did not sign up for and did not want to go on.
The story mainly follows Maggie as she is sent on a school survival trip into the same region in which her and a group of kids were kidnapped by a bus driver years earlier and almost killed. I cannot emphasize enough how fast I would have not gone on this trip. No chance! But they go and almost instantly they are seperated by some somewhat crazy natural disasters and then quickly find out that they may not be alone on the mountain. I really liked Maggie, but she almost had an air of naivete to her, which was frustrating at times. She was entirely too trusting for someone kidnapped as a child. Ant was probably one of my favorite characters, because they constantly kept the story interesting, but also just gave off good vibes from the first interaction. All the others gave me mixed vibes and I was suspicious of most of them throughout the story. McKay did a great job of keeping me guessing and at one point I was even questioning if this was supernatural, which would have been very disappointing. Spoiler... it's not.
McKay has a fluid writing style that just keeps the story flowing smoothly and keeps me wanting to know more. I read this faster than any book I had in recent months because I just needed to know what was going on. I have not read another book by McKay before, but I am now a fan and look forward to reading more of her work. This book is perfect for any who loves a detailed, well-written and twisty suspense thriller with lots of action and lots of characters to guess from. Must read!
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
What are the odds that a group of kids is kidnapped and then years later they are thrown into another traumatizing situation? I do not know the statistics, but this is exactly what Kirsty McKay wrote in Seven All Alone, and I was interested to know what was going to happen! From the start, you could feel the tension as this group of kids is thrust into a trip they did not sign up for and did not want to go on.
The story mainly follows Maggie as she is sent on a school survival trip into the same region in which her and a group of kids were kidnapped by a bus driver years earlier and almost killed. I cannot emphasize enough how fast I would have not gone on this trip. No chance! But they go and almost instantly they are seperated by some somewhat crazy natural disasters and then quickly find out that they may not be alone on the mountain. I really liked Maggie, but she almost had an air of naivete to her, which was frustrating at times. She was entirely too trusting for someone kidnapped as a child. Ant was probably one of my favorite characters, because they constantly kept the story interesting, but also just gave off good vibes from the first interaction. All the others gave me mixed vibes and I was suspicious of most of them throughout the story. McKay did a great job of keeping me guessing and at one point I was even questioning if this was supernatural, which would have been very disappointing. Spoiler... it's not.
McKay has a fluid writing style that just keeps the story flowing smoothly and keeps me wanting to know more. I read this faster than any book I had in recent months because I just needed to know what was going on. I have not read another book by McKay before, but I am now a fan and look forward to reading more of her work. This book is perfect for any who loves a detailed, well-written and twisty suspense thriller with lots of action and lots of characters to guess from. Must read!
July 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
SEVEN ALL ALONE by Kirsty McKay (Dec 2)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
10 years ago, Maggie and six of her classmates were kidnapped and held in a cave, which is something she'll never forget. Now, Maggie is back in the mountains with the same people. When a storm ramps up, the group is left with limited supplies and no phones---their chaperone also missing. They don't think it can get any worse, but then the b*dies start piling up.
SEVEN ALL ALONE is a YA thriller that immerses the reader in the Scotland mountains. From the eerie setting to the Scottish slang, this book is gripping but also a tad off-putting (as someone not familiar with some of the words the author used when the characters were talking, I was left confused about what they were referring to). Despite some of its faults---ahem: see above---I looked closer at the mystery begging to be solved.
SEVEN ALL ALONE is quite an interesting survival thriller that left me rooting for Maggie and her not-so-friends even though they weren't likeable as characters.
I was able to read this book rather quick, and I was so desperate to know the whodunit. There were times when I was like "Ooh, it's definitely this person," and there was even a time where I clocked in on someone and was so certain that they did it. So it came as a surprise to me when the actual whodunit was revealed. I didn't see it coming, nor did I ever suspect that character.
I would describe SEVEN ALL ALONE as a locked-room-eque thriller for obvious reasons; stranded in the mountain with a k*ller chasing them. I think that those who enjoy these types of m*rder mysteries will enjoy this book.
SEVEN ALL ALONE by Kirsty McKay (Dec 2)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
10 years ago, Maggie and six of her classmates were kidnapped and held in a cave, which is something she'll never forget. Now, Maggie is back in the mountains with the same people. When a storm ramps up, the group is left with limited supplies and no phones---their chaperone also missing. They don't think it can get any worse, but then the b*dies start piling up.
SEVEN ALL ALONE is a YA thriller that immerses the reader in the Scotland mountains. From the eerie setting to the Scottish slang, this book is gripping but also a tad off-putting (as someone not familiar with some of the words the author used when the characters were talking, I was left confused about what they were referring to). Despite some of its faults---ahem: see above---I looked closer at the mystery begging to be solved.
SEVEN ALL ALONE is quite an interesting survival thriller that left me rooting for Maggie and her not-so-friends even though they weren't likeable as characters.
I was able to read this book rather quick, and I was so desperate to know the whodunit. There were times when I was like "Ooh, it's definitely this person," and there was even a time where I clocked in on someone and was so certain that they did it. So it came as a surprise to me when the actual whodunit was revealed. I didn't see it coming, nor did I ever suspect that character.
I would describe SEVEN ALL ALONE as a locked-room-eque thriller for obvious reasons; stranded in the mountain with a k*ller chasing them. I think that those who enjoy these types of m*rder mysteries will enjoy this book.
November 28, 2025
This story takes place in a classic isolated setting: seven teens stuck together, not knowing who’s out for revenge. It’s not their first brush with danger as when they were younger, they all went through a traumatic event that left scars. Now, with natural disasters piling up, survival becomes the real test. Each challenge forces them to face their fears and show what they’re really made of.
The audiobook itself was decent. The narrator did a solid job shifting tones to match the mood, which kept things lively. The multiple perspectives were a bit confusing though. As for the characters, none of them really stood out, so I didn’t feel attached to anyone. Overall, it was fine: neither terrible nor unforgettable.
Likes:
* The isolated, cut‑off setting
* That whodunit mystery vibe
* The survival‑against‑nature trope
Dislikes:
* Characters felt flat, not engaging
* The story wasn’t mind‑bending or fresh
* Very few “wow” moments
Ratings Breakdown:
❥ Setting: 4⭐️
❥ Character Building: 3⭐️
❥ Writing Style: 2⭐️
❥ Message: 3⭐️
❥ Overall: 3⭐️
Overall, Kristy McKay delivers a survival story mixed with old secrets, lies, and betrayals. It’s about facing demons you didn’t realize were still haunting you. While the motive and twist weren’t shocking (pretty predictable, honestly), the book does explore how friendships and relationships can be built on shaky ground. So, if you’re into survival tales with a mystery edge, this might scratch that itch—but don’t expect jaw‑dropping twists.
Big thanks to NetGalley, RBMedia, and Kristy McKay for the advance audiobook copy! My views are my own.
~JaNnA~
The audiobook itself was decent. The narrator did a solid job shifting tones to match the mood, which kept things lively. The multiple perspectives were a bit confusing though. As for the characters, none of them really stood out, so I didn’t feel attached to anyone. Overall, it was fine: neither terrible nor unforgettable.
Likes:
* The isolated, cut‑off setting
* That whodunit mystery vibe
* The survival‑against‑nature trope
Dislikes:
* Characters felt flat, not engaging
* The story wasn’t mind‑bending or fresh
* Very few “wow” moments
Ratings Breakdown:
❥ Setting: 4⭐️
❥ Character Building: 3⭐️
❥ Writing Style: 2⭐️
❥ Message: 3⭐️
❥ Overall: 3⭐️
Overall, Kristy McKay delivers a survival story mixed with old secrets, lies, and betrayals. It’s about facing demons you didn’t realize were still haunting you. While the motive and twist weren’t shocking (pretty predictable, honestly), the book does explore how friendships and relationships can be built on shaky ground. So, if you’re into survival tales with a mystery edge, this might scratch that itch—but don’t expect jaw‑dropping twists.
Big thanks to NetGalley, RBMedia, and Kristy McKay for the advance audiobook copy! My views are my own.
~JaNnA~
December 23, 2025
The premise of the book was intriguing: a group of high school students must survive a school trip gone horribly wrong. At the center of the action is our FMC, Maggie. Maggie and her classmates were previously kidnapped ten years earlier and now they're back in harm's way on a different trip. Along for the ride is Maggie's father and ex-boyfriend, making things super uncomfortable quickly. The audiobook narration took a few tries for me to get into, as an American, the Scottish accent was hard to grok initially but eventually I got used to it. I did appreciate the narrator's attempts at differentiating the character voices.
The book is a standard thriller/mystery and I was able to figure out whodunit fairly early on. I think the characters were overall pretty unlikeable, even Maggie herself, so that it prevented me from connecting with them. That really was the biggest blocker to a higher rating. The other blocker was the need to suspend disbelief repeatedly: 1) if something super traumatic as a kidnapping on a school trip had happened--and my classmates had left me alone, I don't think I'd ever be going back on another school trip, especially one so close to the prior incident. How did they not know where it was before setting off? 2) some of the murders are so whimsical and specific, it defies logic that the killer would have the time, materials and inclination to carry them out in this remote location.
Overall, the book was alright. I liked it enough to finish it...mostly to confirm if my hunch was correct.
Thanks NetGalley & RBmedia | Recorded Books for the advance listening copy.
The book is a standard thriller/mystery and I was able to figure out whodunit fairly early on. I think the characters were overall pretty unlikeable, even Maggie herself, so that it prevented me from connecting with them. That really was the biggest blocker to a higher rating. The other blocker was the need to suspend disbelief repeatedly: 1) if something super traumatic as a kidnapping on a school trip had happened--and my classmates had left me alone, I don't think I'd ever be going back on another school trip, especially one so close to the prior incident. How did they not know where it was before setting off? 2) some of the murders are so whimsical and specific, it defies logic that the killer would have the time, materials and inclination to carry them out in this remote location.
Overall, the book was alright. I liked it enough to finish it...mostly to confirm if my hunch was correct.
Thanks NetGalley & RBmedia | Recorded Books for the advance listening copy.
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