The Couple in Cabin 14

by Nancy Savage

What happens when a getaway becomes the holiday from hell?

Dean and Amber are on vacation in a secluded lakeside resort, hoping to fix the cracks in their marriage. Their only companions are the couple next door, Sophie, a beautiful redhead, and the mysterious Marc, who appears to be hiding something.

Before long Amber begins to suspect the couple aren’t who they say they are. Obsessed with uncovering the truth, she digs into the couple’s past.

As she struggles to rekindle her marriage while investigating the couple next door, Amber soon realises that she can’t trust anyone.

Just who is the enigmatic couple next door? And are some secrets better off staying buried?


This is the twisty debut from brand new thriller author Nancy Savage it's the perfect read for fans of authors like Freida McFadden, Lisa Jewell and Lianne Moriarty.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller

1 pages, Audio CD

First published August 13, 2024

About the author

Nancy Savage is the author of chilling psychological thrillers The Couple in Cabin 14 (2024) and The Motel (2025). She lives in a house overlooking the hills with her long-time partner, their six kids, and two cats.

www.nancysavagebooks.com

Reviews

[Zizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was nothing “special” but it was good.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those entertaining and fast paced reads that was enjoyable enough, as long as you don’t mind a far fetched plot, which I don’t. Amber gets a sense right off that the couple staying next door to them is hiding something and I found myself siding with her husband when he just wanted her to leave them alone, so it was a little hard for me to connect with her at the start. She is a determined woman though and once she really started digging into Marc and Sophie things got interesting and I found myself more engaged and connected to her. Things spiral and again, go a bit off the rails but I had fun with the direction the author took and thought for pure entertainment purposes this was a twisty and enjoyable read.

[Shoni · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ this was a slow read for me. Fav character by far was the cabin.

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, a good mystery has several characteristics: it creates a strong desire to see what happens, and it has surprises that you don't see coming. This novel had both. I stayed up late because I just had to finish it. An easy and good read.

[CeeCee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amber and Dean are setting off for a week in a luxury cabin set in an idyllic rural setting. Their marriage is teetering on a cliff edge due to the increasing demands on them by Dean's mother, who has unfortunately been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
On arrival at the cabin, they meet their neighbours for the week Sophie and Marc. The eponymous couple in cabin 14.
Amber immediately takes a grudge against Sophie, whom she feels is flirting with Dean. Marc, on the other hand, is monosyllabic and unfriendly.
So now the scene is set. Amber becomes increasingly suspicious of the couple's behaviour to the point of ludicrousy. Instead of enjoying a romantic week with her long-suffering husband, Amber embarks on a one woman crusade to expose Sophie and Marc's supposed deceptions.
She was an extremely annoying character who was like a dog with a bone. And the denouement was so utterly unbelievable it was laughable.
I read the book easily in one sitting and say thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.

[Candy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so sick of these weak women. She seriously got mad her husband asked if she could use the bathroom? How is that embarrassing? She sounds and acts like a lunatic through the whole book. The plot line is ridiculous. If I was her husband, I would have left.

[Devi (TheBookAccountant) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, not just wow kinda okay. Just okay.
First of all, I don’t get why the FMC who was on a nice cabin vacay with her husband to work on her marriage was so distracted by her cabin
Neighbours !! Like the whole time, she was just so nosey about a couple of strangers and the twists were predictable. I only managed to finish this cause I read it via audiobook at work.

[Randy Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm gonna say this was my favorite read of 2024. It's everything you expect and want from a book with this title. I never hit a dull spot, and there were just enough twists to keep me surprised all the way to the end. Highly recommend this excellent debut novel from Nancy Savage!

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast reading and an entertaining one, as long as you don’t mind a little far fletched, at times not believable plot, which I don’t mind. The plot was engaging, so much so that I read the entire book in one seating trying to figure out who really were the couple in Cabin 14, because truly you know since the beginning that they are not who they say they are.
The end is very surprising,
All in all a very enjoyable read.

[Robin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stunning debut novel by Nancy Savage is absolutely brilliant. It really is a masterclass in suspense - audacious and compelling - devious and enthralling - and kept me guessing right to the very end.
The plot is endlessly surprising, one of those rare books where the characters have hidden emotions and dark secrets and nothing is ever quite what it seems. And I really didn't see the dastardly clever final twist coming at all.
As a curtain raiser to a literary career this is an absolute triumph. I can't wait to read whatever Nancy writes next.

[Kia (kiastillreadsandwrites) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything about this book sounded like something I would enjoy, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. It was a quick read (thankfully), but every single character is insanely unlikable, yet somehow still boring enough that I didn’t care when bad things happened to them. The “twists” were predictable and frankly, it felt like it was just trying too hard to be shocking. I know there are and will be more people who enjoy this book, but I’m not one of them.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I for one couldn't figure out why Amber was so set on finding out about the neighbors next door. I thought she was supposed to be working on her own marriage, but I guess she thought that could wait. I don't think she was expecting what was going on next door or the ending. All in all, a good story. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I wasn’t the right age group to read this. I’m in my 50’s and if I had been Amber this would have been a short story. When they first arrived at the cabin and the neighbor invited them to dinner I would have shut her down by saying something like “Thanks but no thanks. My husband and I are here to reconnect with just the two of us, so we won’t be socializing with other couples.” End of story.
SPOILER AHEAD: None of the characters were very likable to me. Amber was way too nosy for her own good. The husband was a wimp. I also had a problem with her breaking into the neighbor’s cabin to steal the camera for “evidence.” I don’t know if anyone under the age of 50 who even owns a camera anymore. Everyone takes pictures with their phones. Just a lot of unbelievable stuff in it for me, but I listened to the audio book while driving and it was a fun ride. Kind of reminded me of a Lifetime movie. 😁

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable, fast-paced read filled with lots of suspense. The story itself was great, however, there were a few things that irked me. None of the characters were particularly likeable. There's Marc who is antisocial to the point of being rude, Sophie flirting with married men and making Amber feel bad about herself, Amber who seems more focused on the couple next door than fixing her own marriage, and Dean who seemed to jump down Amber's throat every chance he got. Amber with a bug up her butt about their neighbours genuinely annoyed me so much, because other than Marc not wanting to talk to them, there really wasn't anything amiss until she started being nosey. Despite all of that, I did actually like this book, and there were a couple twists I didn't see coming which is always great.

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Nancy for reaching out and for giving me an ARC copy of this book. I am happy to share my review of this debut novel, published by Bloodhound Books. It’s available today, so remember to pick up your copy. (The book is available on Amazon)
*The Couple in Cabin 14,* is a tense, atmospheric thriller that delivers on its promise of a holiday gone terribly wrong. The book takes us on a chilling journey through the unravelling of both a marriage and a mystery, as Dean and Amber attempt to mend their fractured relationship in a secluded lakeside resort. But what begins as a hopeful getaway quickly turns into a gripping tale of paranoia, secrets, and distrust.
The premise of the novel is immediately intriguing—two couples, isolated in a remote location, with one harbouring dark secrets. Savage builds suspense from the very first chapter, introducing Sophie and Marc, the mysterious couple next door, who are just too perfect to be true. Amber’s suspicions about them grow slowly but steadily, and as she delves deeper into their past, the tension escalates to a point where you can't help but turn the pages faster.
Amber is a relatable protagonist, struggling to repair her marriage while being consumed by her need to uncover the truth about Sophie and Marc. Her obsession with the couple next door is both her strength and her downfall, leading her—and the reader—down a path filled with twists and turns. Savage does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing, and just when you think you have it all figured out, she throws in a curveball that leaves you questioning everything.
The setting of the lakeside resort adds to the novel's claustrophobic feel. The isolation amplifies the sense of dread, making the reader feel as trapped as the characters themselves. The atmosphere is almost a character in its own right, with the dark, foreboding lake and the quiet, eerie woods playing into the overall sense of unease.
If there's one critique, it’s that the novel occasionally leans on familiar tropes seen in other thrillers—such as the isolated setting and the mysterious neighbours. However, Savage’s fresh voice and the depth of her characters more than makeup for it. The psychological tension between the characters is obvious, and the exploration of trust and betrayal in relationships adds an emotional layer to the suspense.
*The Couple in Cabin 14* is a solid debut that showcases Nancy Savage's potential as a thriller writer. It's a book that will keep you up late into the night, frantically turning pages to uncover the truth. Fans of psychological thrillers will find much to enjoy in this tense, well-crafted story. Just be prepared—you might never look at your neighbours the same way again.
https://featzreviews.com/the-couple-i...

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok, nothing super special. I kind of knew what would happen, but didn't exactly guess the main twist.

The pacing felt weird in that certain parts before the twist felt drawn out in an attempt to build suspense, while the end & wrap up felt really rushed.

I didn't like any of the MCs. The FMC was annoying & it felt like she got overly irritated about too many things. Her POV kept telling us how suspicious the neighbors were being, but I never really saw it.

While I didn't hate this, it's not one that will stick with me.

[Laura O’Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember the last time I read a novel in one sitting but The Couple in Cabin 14 had me hooked. So much so that I’m writing this review at 3am having just finished the book!

The story was punchy and mysterious with some truly jaw-dropping and chilling moments. Nancy Savage has mastered the cliffhanger and my many promises of “one more chapter” had absolutely no chance.

A brilliant debut novel and I can’t wait to read what Nancy writes next!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Amber was just like a web sleuth crime junkie throughout the book. I liked the pace, moving along nicely. Amber and Dean just needed a refresh so a week at a nice cabin would be great until they meet Sophie. The neighborhood is super quiet and the lake is right behind the cabins. Peace didn’t exactly come though

It’s a great ride

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine but nothing WOW. Amber does WAY too much in this book. The reveal was fine, but the build up was lackluster, making the reveal and its surrounding drama lackluster. An okay read, but many better thrillers are out there.

[Jessica Woodring · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️…quick read, but a resolution that was far-fetched.

[Sara Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 3.5⭐️

Note to self: don’t stick your nose in other people’s business.

[Renee Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with 1 or 2 interesting twists near the end.

[Natalie Larkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up. I liked this shorter book! I kept guessing why someone would be in this situation and hide their identity, but the build up changed my mind a couple times. Introducing a character so close to the end was nice and I would definitely recommend this if you want an easy read between bigger books.

[Alyssa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I read it all within one day and probably would’ve been one sitting if I hadn’t had to work. To me there were realistic characters with realistic problems. Were some of the characters over the top with things, yes. But I think that was just the authors way of expressing those emotions. I think having it explained the way it was really made it easy for me to visualize what was happening. Which is normally really hard for me to do. But with this story it was easy. And the TWISTS. Oh my gosh I did NOT see that coming. I had my guesses but I was thoroughly shocked and any books that TRULY surprises me gets and automatic 5 stars from me cause normally I guess it. Great book I’d highly recommend!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t believe I finished this. Narrating was horrible- the plot was not even interesting. I finished it to add to my yearly book challenge. Those voices of the narrator, oh MY

[MorganT353 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on audio 🎧

[Raech M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounding to 3 for GR.

[Lori Jean Zuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vacation away from the city, Amber and Dean are looking forward to a quiet week in a luxury cabin. Sophie, from Cabin 14 welcomes them and hopes she and her husband, Marcus can become friends with them and spend time together. Amber feels like there’s something off about the couple. She embarks on a mission to figure out what is so strange about these people. They are hiding something and Amber will stop at nothing to find out what is going on.

Ms. Savage has done a wonderful job with this fast-paced original novel. Her characters are very well developed and the scenery is stunning! I definitely recommend this book!

[Alison Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns. Just the right amount of characters to keep it interesting and those that you liked and those you didn’t. At some point in the story I disliked every one of the characters! A great unexpected end to the novel and not what I thought was going to happen!