Everyone a Stranger

by Kevin O'Brien

In this brilliant, twisting historical suspense thriller set during World War II, a young war widow is unwittingly drawn into a sinister web of intrigue and murder.

Washington D.C., 1943: Virginia Abrams believed the war had taken all it could from her when her husband was killed in the Philippines. One year later, she’s in a dark, unexpected quandary—pregnant and on the run to avoid a ruthless political family that wants to erase all connections between her and the man who assaulted her.

Changing her name, Virginia moves to Seattle to start over. Against her better instincts, she’s pulled into the lives of her new neighbors in an apartment complex—especially Tim, a young boy whose mother dies suddenly in a fall. Virginia fears that her whereabouts have been discovered and she was the intended target . . .

But there are secrets between the residents too—stormy affairs, mysterious visitors, whispers and rumors. Tim is convinced there are saboteurs among them, hiding in plain sight. Virginia wants to discount his teenage imagination and her own rising paranoia, yet there’s something menacing here . . .

Torn between wanting to help the boy and safeguarding her anonymity, Virginia tentatively begins piecing the puzzle together with the help of some of her neighbors. But now others are dying in an escalating series of “accidents.” No one is entirely who they seem to be. No one can be trusted. And though she doesn’t know it yet, her own life is hanging by the thinnest thread . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

417 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not your typical book set during the Second World War. It takes place in America for one and centers around a woman and a child. It starts with Virginia, a recent war widow who goes on a date with a handsome rich man who pushes himself on her causing her to become pregnant. This causes a sequence of events that cause her to run across the country to a place where no one knows her. She is terrified when one of her new neighbors if found dead near her apartment. One of her neighbors is a 15 year old boy named Timmy who is certain there is something nefarious happening at the apartment complex. The two of them stumble their way into amateur sleuthing. This book was exciting even if the bad guys were a bit obvious, it was still a fun ride. I listened to the audiobook and I liked the narration a lot.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book!!! *** NOT YET RELEASED! ***

We begin with Virginia, who is a recent WWII widow. She’s mourning her husband’s death, and distracting herself with work, friends, etc. Time goes on, and one day she finally decides to go on a date… but not just with anyone. No. This is the handsome son of a government man. Unfortunately, she ends up being abused and discarded by him. 😢
And a few months later discovers she’s pregnant with his baby.

It literally goes off the rails here as EVERYONE suggests she should have an abortion… (mind you it’s the 1940’s)…

And if you can believe it, it only gets worse from here… to the point where her church, and the boys family all vilify her…AND, want her dead. 😵

She has NO family to speak of, and so, she picks up and RUNS! 🏃‍♀️
Across the country! Hoping and praying all the while that they will not find her…

On the train she meets a lovely older couple who recommend an apartment in Seattle. She decides to head there, and begins to look for work. And, she changes her name… and her backstory.

The apartment and its people have their own secrets, but on Day #1 she meets a lovely young woman and her son, Tim. They hit it off right away… but things never go as planned for Ginny… and soon she is living in fear again!

But her new boss and his friend/chauffeur are the bees knees! (Well, the boss is a bit of a curmudgeon…but Henry is a sweetheart!) And so… life goes on… But she’s always skating on thin ice!

I’ll stop here, but… there is SO MUCH MORE GOING ON IN THIS ONE, THAT YOUR HEAD WILL SPIN!!! The twists and turns are continuous… and, crazy!

***** This one is a definite: DO NOT MISS!!!! *****

#EveryoneAStranger by @KevinOBrien and narrated beautifully by @JeannieSheneman.

5+ STARS FOR ME!!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✨✨✨✨✨💫💫💫💫⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Please keep your eyes 👀 open for this one!!!
*** IT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!!! Please look for it on Tuesday, 9/30/25! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #TantorAudio, #TantorPublishing for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone a Stranger by Kevin O'Brien is a great WWII-era historical fiction that is full of mystery, secrets, and thrilling suspense that kept me coming back for more.

I enjoyed Mr O’Brien’s previous book, The Enemy at Home, so I was excited to read this one as well. It did not disappoint.

A WWII era thriller that takes place in the US, it is full of twists, turns, secrets, mystery and kept me on the edge of my seat. Who can Virginia trust? Where can she hide? How is this all going to end?

Like me, you should go along for the ride to find out.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/30/25.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This histfic thriller is a must read for anyone who loves complex addictive tales. It's the second such book I've read by the author and I hope the series continues. Brava!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/4 stars
I loved O'Brien's previous historical fiction thriller and was excited to read his latest. The premise of a young war widow who flees to Seattle for a new start sounds interesting. I loved the idea of Virginia/Ginny going to work for a mystery writer. However, I didn't ount on how violent and disturbing some of the content would be. There were too many subplots and too much violence for me to fully enjoy the story.

On the positive side, I admired Ginny's courage and enjoyed her friendship with her boss and his partner. I've rounded my 3.75 rating of the book to 4 stars because of the obvious research into the WWII era that was done and because I liked Ginny.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from Kensington Books and NetGalley for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everyone is a suspect, until the epilogue"

That is a quote from Everyone is a Stranger and that sums it up perfectly.

Everyone is a Stranger is and addictive gripping read from start to finish with a calvacade of lies, secrets and twists you wont see coming.

It is WWII in the United States and the war is closer then most Americans think.

Virigina is on the run, changed her name and is settled in an aparment complex when a murder occurs there on her first night.

The bodies begin to pile up and you cant trust anybody.

Espionage, secrets and lies that will have you holding your breath and hoping Ginny and Tim come out unscathed.

Kevin O'Brien masterfully takes the reader down a path of suspense that keeps those pages turning.

I will warn you that once you start reading there is no stopping. ( should have walked my dog first).

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/Kensington for the absolute privilge of reading and reviewing Everyone a Stranger.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin O'Brien has become one of my new favorite historical suspense writers .His blend of the two genres is flawless. His characters and all their foibles are very raw and real and reflective of the time period (WWII era) that is represented. I was touched by the characters' hardships, yet perseverance. For fans of Fiona Davis and Ariel Lawhon.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Kensington and Kevin O’Brien for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As WWII rages overseas Virginia is left a widow. Her situation goes from bad to worse when she is the victim of date rape and left pregnant by her attacker. Since he comes from a powerful family in Washington there is no support only danger. She runs to Seattle changing her name so she can begin again and raise her baby in peace. Her apartment complex feels like a refuge but that changes when a murder occurs. With one eye looking over her shoulder she very much wants to help but it will put her in danger once again. Spies, amateur detectives, hitmen, secrets, complex wartime relationships and one tough woman on the run - there is more action going on in these pages than in most full mystery series.
Fans of Ken Follett, Graham Moore and Kate Quinn will find much to enjoy here.

[Judy Sescil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome suspense thriller taking place during WWII with Virginia Abrams a young war widow pregnant by a rape by the Senator's son. Great story and characters!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book! I was instantly, INSTANTLY hooked. I did not even know what the true mystery was going to be, but just the storytelling was outstanding from the beginning and I could have read it even if no mystery was involved, because it was thrilling and dark and fast paced. This is my first book by this author but it won't be my last because the writing is fantastic. I never knew what was coming, but the way everything was presenting and how the story progressed was flawless. I am still in shock and awe by the ending!

Thanks to the publisher for this ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Donna Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts off with a strong first chapter and continues to intrigue with unexpected secrets to the very last page.

[Tina Panik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A read that grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. What a tale the author wove, and he sure didn't disappoint.
From one coast to the other, danger is lurking for Virginia and those that know her. I loved the twists and turns here, and there are stories within the main story.
The characters are great here, and some whom I liked became questionable, whom to trust? Others that were questionable, became life savers.
This is intrigue at its best, and I'll be looking for more by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and Kensington Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Carole Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

She fled cross country to save her own life...

...only to land in even more danger.

Virginia is a young war widow living in Washington DC in 1943 who finds herself in a precarious spot. Long estranged from her parents who had disapproved of her husband, she first suffered a miscarriage and then lost her husband in the war in less than a year. A few months later she encounters a man she knew briefly when she was at college, handsome and from a prominent family, and accepts his invitation to dinner. The date ends horribly when he forces himself on her, and if that isn't bad enough she finds herself pregnant as a result of that assault. The man is the son of a wealthy and powerful senator and she didn't dare report what had happened to the authorities, sure that the Senator would be believed over her, but when her assailant died in a car accident (after acknowledging paternity) she did reach out to his family for help. When someone tries to kill her, looking to silence her to protect the senator and his family's image, she quickly gathers her things and flees She sets up a new life in Seattle, living in a small apartment complex under her maiden name and going by Ginny, finding a job as a typist for a reclusive mystery author. People connected with her are dying back east, and she fears that she will be discovered here by those who want her dead. The death of one of her new neighbors spooks her, but the police rule it an accident. The dead woman's young son is convinced she was murdered, and he also suspects that there are Nazi spies using a nearby apartment as a base...both claims are ignored, assumed to be the result of a lonely boy's overactive imagination. But things about his mother's death don't add up for Ginny and before long she realizes that she may be in even more danger here than she was in DC. No one is whom they seem to be, and trusting the wrong person might be the last mistake she ever makes.
Everyone A Stranger is a historical mystery/thriller that features a resourceful young woman dealing with multiple threats who refuses to remain a victim and risks her own safety to help a boy who has lost his mother. There are plenty of people to suspect, a married man who has a history of straying as well as another who seems to be a nice guy trapped in a bad marriage, the employer who guesses Ginny's secrets but has more than a few of his own, and with blackout shades and Victory Gardens and fears of spies targeting the West Coast there is plenty of wartime tension woven into the mystery of what is going on at Ginny's apartment, all while the hovering threat of Ginny's past remains a factor. More than a few have found a Hitchcockian bent to the story, given the menacing atmosphere and continual plot twists and turns. All in all, a satisfying novel of suspense that grabs the readers attention from the opening scene in a confessional to the very last page, one certain to appeal to readers of Kate Quinn, Cara Black and Pam Jenoff. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to this terrific (4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5) read in exchange for my honest review.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Tantor Media and Netgalley for providing a copy of this captivating 5 star audiobook!

🎧 Kevin O’Brien’s Everyone a Stranger is a haunting thriller that blends noir suspense with emotional depth, and Jeannie Sheneman’s narration brings its shadows and secrets vividly to life. Set in 1943, the story follows Virginia Abrams—a woman fleeing trauma, hiding her identity, and trying to rebuild her life in a Seattle apartment complex where danger lurks behind every door.

Virginia’s journey begins in Washington D.C., where she’s pregnant and on the run from a powerful political family determined to erase all traces of a violent scandal. She escapes to Seattle, hoping anonymity will protect her. However, when her neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances and a teenage boy suspects saboteurs in their midst, Virginia is drawn into a web of paranoia, espionage, and escalating “accidents.”

O’Brien’s prose evokes the tension of wartime America—rationed, watchful, and morally murky. The apartment complex becomes a microcosm of suspicion, grief, and resilience. The plot zigzags with Hitchcockian flair, echoing Rear Window.

🎙️ Jeannie Sheneman’s performance is a standout. She captures Virginia’s vulnerability and grit with subtle vocal shifts, lending authenticity to a character who’s constantly navigating fear and hope. Sheneman’s pacing matches the novel’s slow-burn suspense, and her ability to distinguish characters—especially the precocious Tim and the menacing neighbors—adds clarity and emotional texture.
Her narration enhances the psychological tension, especially in scenes where Virginia questions her own instincts. Sheneman doesn’t overplay the drama; instead, she lets the dread simmer, making the audiobook an immersive experience.

Everyone a Stranger explores themes of identity, trauma, and the cost of survival. Virginia’s struggle to protect herself and her unborn child while confronting the ghosts of war and violence is timeless. O’Brien doesn’t shy away from difficult topics—rape, grief, and moral compromise—but he handles them with sensitivity, embodying Virginia's character with agency and complexity.

This audiobook is a gripping, emotionally resonant thriller that rewards patient listeners with a rich payoff. Kevin O’Brien’s storytelling is taut and evocative, and Jeannie Sheneman’s narration elevates it into a cinematic experience. For fans of historical suspense with psychological depth, Everyone a Stranger is a must-listen.

Note: I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook - it transports you to another realm. Everyone a Stranger is a refreshing mystery / thriller which ticks all the boxes, and is a must-read (or listen). I somehow missed this masterful author's books until now, so I have the pleasure of catching up with Kevin O’Brien’s previous books as I watch for more from this talented author!

[Keiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone a Stranger by Kevin O'Brien offers a different kind of World War II story—one that looks inward, focusing less on the battlefield and more on the people at home whose lives unfolded against the backdrop of the war. The story follows Virginia, whose world becomes entangled with suspicion, secrets, and unexpected danger when new neighbors move in during the height of WWII. Rather than emphasizing the war itself, O’Brien zeroes in on personal experience and community dynamics, creating a story that feels more intimate than epic.

This was my first time reading anything by Kevin O’Brien, and I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable his writing is. He gives readers enough to picture the scene and understand the characters without over-explaining every detail. His characters come across as intelligent and relatable, and there’s an easy rhythm to the prose that makes the book enjoyable to read. That said, there are some inconsistencies in the writing. Small things like “4-F” appearing as both “4-F” and “Four-F,” and even a moment on page 174 where two consecutive paragraphs end with the same phrase, “…or something.” They’re minor but noticeable enough to take you out of the story briefly.

The timeline of events also stretched believability at times. There’s a point where a cross-country flight from Chicago to Seattle seems to happen in only seven hours, which feels implausible for 1943 travel, especially mid-war. It’s one of those narrative conveniences that helps keep the plot moving but breaks a bit of the historical realism. And while the book is set during WWII, aside from the potential spy neighbors, it didn’t always feel rooted in the 1940s. The era serves more as a backdrop than a fully realized setting.

The ending wraps things up neatly, though perhaps a bit too quickly. I did appreciate the epilogue for providing closure, but it might have been more effective if that time had been spent building a more deliberate conclusion instead.

Overall, Everyone a Stranger is a solid read with an engaging premise and strong characters. It’s not a perfect historical novel, but it’s enjoyable, well-paced, and offers a refreshing angle on wartime fiction. I’d happily read more from O’Brien in the future.

Thank you to Kensington Books for the copy of this book.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚Everyone a Stranger
✍🏻Kevin O'Brien
Blurb:
In this brilliant, twisting historical suspense thriller set during World War II, a young war widow is unwittingly drawn into a sinister web of intrigue and murder.

Washington D.C., 1943: Virginia Abrams believed the war had taken all it could from her when her husband was killed in the Philippines. One year later, she’s in a dark, unexpected quandary—pregnant and on the run to avoid a ruthless political family that wants to erase all connections between her and the man who assaulted her.

Changing her name, Virginia moves to Seattle to start over. Against her better instincts, she’s pulled into the lives of her new neighbors in an apartment complex—especially Tim, a young boy whose mother dies suddenly in a fall. Virginia fears that her whereabouts have been discovered and she was the intended target . . .

But there are secrets between the residents too—stormy affairs, mysterious visitors, whispers and rumors. Tim is convinced there are saboteurs among them, hiding in plain sight. Virginia wants to discount his teenage imagination and her own rising paranoia, yet there’s something menacing here . . .

Torn between wanting to help the boy and safeguarding her anonymity, Virginia tentatively begins piecing the puzzle together with the help of some of her neighbors. But now others are dying in an escalating series of “accidents.” No one is entirely who they seem to be. No one can be trusted. And though she doesn’t know it yet, her own life is hanging by the thinnest thread . . .
My Thoughts
The dark gritty tone along with the 40s backdrop kinda gave me noir vibes initially, but Virginia/Ginny as a protag was like a breath of fresh air amidst all that. She was so resilient and good. I was rooting for her to survive and I loved when she found support and friendship in Mr Dawson and Henry.

That being said, I think I'd have enjoyed this more if it were shorter. The suspense and unraveling was done well, but the pacing dragged so much in the first half. It only picked up after the 75% mark. I also didn't like the ending, everything tied up too conveniently with a bow. It didn't match with the gritty atmosphere that had been set up initially.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Rape, Antisemitism, Murder and Racism

[Linda McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everyone's a suspect until the epilogue."

The taut tension in Everyone A Stranger, by prolific suspenseful author Kevin O'Brien, will have you biting every nail as you rush to the epilogue of this intense non stop WWll historical fiction thriller.

Be forewarned the first chapters are quite harrowing as our heroine, Ginny, miscarries, becomes a young widow, her husband a causality of WWll, and is assaulted and impregnated by her attacker. He's the son of a wealthy senator whose henchman will stop at nothing to make sure that the baby is never born.

Pregnant, broke, and alone, Ginny flees Washington DC and heads to Seattle hoping to disappear in a large city. But remaining a stranger is impossible when strangers become neighbors and neighbors become friends...but some friends should remain strangers.

When there's an "accidental" death right by her apartment Ginny can't help but be paranoid that it's related to the senator. But 15 year old Tim, believes his Mom was the victim of German spies. A teenager's imagination or an observant former boy scout who pays attention?!

Around of applause for voice actress @jeannie_sheneman_narrator who impeccably enhances the writer's ability to leave you heart pounding as Ginny and her found family race to stop bombs, murders and spies.

It's not all tension as we meet Ginny's curmudgeon boss and his live in "chauffeur" Henry. After all, how else would you explain a white and black man living together in the 1940s. I need a book on their earlier adventures.

Everyone A Stranger grabs you from page one and holds you tight until the end. It's intricate, fast paced and a thrill ride that leaves you needing these once strangers to be okay; because this author makes you care about these new friends.

I received free copies of this book/audiobook from Kensington Publishing and also Tantor Audio via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[SHIRLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping page turner is a well plotted mystery with believable, fully developed characters.
The story starts in Washington DC when a war widow who is dealing with the her husband's death, is assaulted by the son of a wealthy, prominent Senator and becomes pregnant. He acknowledges the pregnancy, but when he dies in an accident, she contacts his parents for help.
Instead, they send a man to drive her to get an abortion, which she refuses, and who then pursues her after she cuts his face.
She escapes the DC area and ends up in Seattle where she settles into a quiet life in a small apartment community. She finds a job which she can do mostly from home with weekly meetings with her employer who lives in a mansion with a famous mystery writer. Ginny develops a routine and things seem to be going well, although on her first night in the apartment, a woman is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. The woman's son, believes it was a murder, although the police have ruled it an accident.
This book brings in so many elements to enhance the plot - espionage, secrets and lies, twists and surprises; no one is who they seem to be, and as the author states several times in the book "Everyone's a suspect until the Epilogue."
This is the second book by this author that I've had the benefit of reading, both set in Seattle during WW II, and I've loved them both. His female characters are strong, level headed women who are resourceful. The discussion questions in the back of the book would be the basis of a grat book club discussion.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishers. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Sharon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of this historical suspense novel by Kevin O'Brien. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In Washington DC in 1943, Virginia Abrams was still dealing with the death of her husband at Guadalcanal, when she is raped by a powerful man in DC. She discovers she's pregnant, and fearing for her life she settles in Seattle under a new identify. She meets her neighbors and the next day one of them dies suddenly in a fall at the apartment complex, leaving her young son devastated and wanting answers. There are lots of secrets between the other residents too, and Tim is convinced that some of them have ill intents. No one can be trusted.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm anxious to read more, because once I started this one, I had to put life aside and finish it. I loved that there was a strong woman character and although it takes place in war times, it takes place on US soil. Virginia is a great character - she's so anxious to keep her true identify a secret, but can't help caring for the residents around her. So many good supporting characters as well - I got emotionally involved with everyone. It was sharp, tense, and atmospheric. Add this to your TBR right away!

[Tim Obrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a big fan of Kevin's (no relation except I am sure from the old country) since a good friend introduced me to his work years ago. Went to his book signing here last week, and bought a copy of his latest thriller.

Once again, he hit another home run (go Mariners), as once I started I had to blast through it non-stop until the end.

His character development is world class, as the opening setup and descriptions does what any really book should do - makes you imagine, and setup in your mind what you think the folks should be, what they look like, etc.

Post reading, I am so intrigued about what the apartment building looks like (main point of reference for the majority of the book) that I am taking a field trip to the Hacienda here in Seattle. At the book signing, Kevin mentioned that it was based on this complex, so have to get my own visual.

The storyline and pacing is excellent, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who would rather power thorugh a great story on the page, rather than hitting "like" buttons on your phone.

Tired at work today since I finished it at 2am, but well worth it!

Nice job Kevin, well done!

[Renee Leeann · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

Everyone a Stranger by Kevin O’Brien completely pulled me in from the first chapter. It’s a perfect mix of historical fiction and mystery, with just the right amount of thriller vibes. Even though it’s set during WWII, the whole story takes place in America, which gives it a fresh angle I really enjoyed.

The main character—a young, pregnant war widow—immediately won me over. She’s trying to outrun her past and start over somewhere new, and I found myself rooting for her the whole way. But just when she thinks she’s finally found a safe place to land, she realizes she might be surrounded by people hiding some very dangerous secrets… possibly even a Nazi spy ring. The tension builds so naturally that before you know it, you’re flying through chapters.

The setting, the suspense, the emotional moments—it all works. O’Brien does a great job creating a small-town atmosphere where everyone seems friendly, but you can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.

Overall, it’s engaging, fast-paced, and full of twists. If you like WWII-era stories with strong characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Nancy Harte · Rating 4 out of 5]

WWII era historical fiction taking place in America complete with food and steel rations, rubber tire shortages, nightly mandatory blackouts and pro Nazi Americans hiding in plain sight. The story features a strong female main character and ultimately a 16 yr old boy who do some amateur sleuthing on their own since the police don’t seem to have all the facts. The story starts on the east coast with the main character Virginia a war widow. She finally starts dating and becomes the victim of date rape by the son of a very prominent state senator who will do anything to protect his son’s name. Needless to say, bodies start piling up and Virginia moves to the west coast to hide from the hit man. Once in her new surroundings, an “accident” takes place and she hesitates to get too involved for fear of her location being found out. Story is full of subplots, mystery, secrets, and suspense.

[Amber Boos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin O'Brien has been showing a different side for the last two books. This is his second historical thriller, and I like it! I have been a fan for many years but am used to his modern-day psycho-killer books. I wasn't sure about his previous historical thriller, The Enemy at Home, also set in 1943, like this one, and ended up loving it so I figured I'd give this one a go. I'm not disappointed! Virginia's husband has been killed at Guadalcanal. A year later, she has been assaulted, is pregnant, her attacker's family is after her and she flees Washington DC to Seattle to start a new life. Her new neighborhood is full of secrets, and she may not be as anonymous as she thought. People start dying. Who can she trust? I couldn't put this one down and highly recommend it!

Thank you to Kevin O'Brien, #NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone A Stranger By Kevin O'Brien

Set in 1943 during WWII, young war widow Virginia flees Washington DC to Seattle to start a new life. As she (tries to) start over and make friends, she will face challenges .

Danger lurks as some are hiding secrets and will stop at nothing to keep them. As she learns more, her life and those around her will be in peril.

The story moves at a steady pace, with attention to detail, well developed characters, and engaging dialog.

Suspese, secrets and thrills had me engrossed from the first page. Very hard to put down as I was drawn into this compelling story.

Overall I found Everyone A Stranger very enjoyable . I highly recommend to those who enjoy a fantastic historical fiction.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read many of Kevin O’Brien books and have liked all of them, but I think this is one of my favorites. It takes place during WWII In America, with Virginia, Ginny, being the main character. Virginia has moved from Washington DC to Spokane, Washington. She is pregnant, and fearing for her life and her baby’s life, she has set up a new identity. But how long can she stay hidden in her new life, which she loves?
This book has been expertly written and filled with facts from that time frame in the US. This book kept me very engaged as I sped through the pages.
If you’re interested in books from that era I highly recommend this book.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing novel of a woman on the run (through no fault of her own). She makes her new home in the Seattle area but trouble seems to follow her to her apartment complex where there’s a precocious boy with a wild imagination, and to her new job where her gruff employer sees right through her cover story. It’s about WWII heroes, spies, and those who kept the home fires burning. The author created believable characters and situations, holding my attention with suspenseful writing and narration. 4.5 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @TantorAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #EveryoneaStranger for review purposes. Publication date: 30 September 2025.

[Belva W · Rating 3 out of 5]

During the first few chapters I was totally immersed in the cat and mouse premise. But somehow the plot diverts away from the original taking an odd abrupt turn that left me disappointed and scratching my head. The mystery turns into the case of the nosey and meddling neighbors, becoming so convoluted that it just totally lost me. Sorry but this was a big miss for me even though the narrator was talented. My thanks to Tantor Audio for providing the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the jump and had me interested the entire book. It was a long one and it probably could have been shortened a little as at the end I was starting to lose interest and that's when things were getting crazy but I think it was just too long for my attention span. Besides the too long part I devoured this book and could not stop listening and needed answers and loved all the characters. Historical Fiction with some murder mystery was a perfect combo. Thanks Netgalley for the Arc. I am not sure if I would have read this if it wasn't for that and I am so glad I did!

[Alicia Kozak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this author for several years. This is his second historical mystery, and though I didn't know why he decided to make the switch from contemporary settings (maybe because historical seems popular at the moment?) they're always good stories. His style is consistent, similar themes and tropes throughout but still interesting books. I enjoy history and WW2 is one of my favorite time periods to read about. The details really convey the era, which is necessary, but sometimes it got a little excessive, distracting from the story and interrupting the suspense.