Five Survive reached number one in the New York Times Young Adult Hardcover Bestseller list.
17 year old Red Kenny, the protagonist, joins her friends on a journey in a borrowed RV, hoping to find some normalcy and fun after experiencing personal challenges, including the death of her mother.
As they drive through a desolate part of Pennsylvania, a series of unexpected events turns their holiday into a nightmare.
The trouble begins when the group takes a wrong turn and ends up on a desolate road far from their planned route.
First, the RV gets a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, leaving them stranded without a way to call for help due to poor reception.
They think they have just hit a sharp rock and while they attempt to fix it, they discover that the damage appears intentional, as if someone had purposely sabotaged their vehicle.
Suddenly an unfamiliar voice comes through a hidden walkie-talkie, revealing that someone is out there with a sniper rifle, and they are not just stranded by chance.
Oliver and Maddy's mom, Catherine, is an assistant district attorney who is involved in a case against a member of the Philadelphia mafia, Frank Grotti.
Maddy then speaks up, admitting that she already knew that her mom Catherine was responsible for Red's mother's death.
Holly Jackson said that "after the A Good Girl's guide to murder series, I wanted to write the most different kind of crime thriller I could, almost as a palate cleanser.
"[2] Kirkus Reviews stated that Five Survive has "Intervals of intense suspense and a well-crafted puzzle blend to create a thrill ride of a story".
[3] A reviewer on Bookgeeks gave a mixed review, noting that at times "the suspense felt prolonged and unnecessary, particularly at the beginning" but at the same time there were moments in the story that will completely get you off guard: "The author skilfully leads you to think you have it all figured out when, in reality, the truth lies far from your assumptions.