Stranger Things - 4 One Way or Another

by Caitlin Schneiderhan

In this thrilling Stranger Things novel, Nancy Wheeler and Robin Buckley must expose the corruptive forces sinking their claws into a desperate Hawkins.

Genres: Mystery, Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Audiobook, Young Adult, Mystery Thriller

Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 8, 2026

About the author

Caitlin Schneiderhan is a TV writer and novelist, whose work can be seen on Netflix's hit show Stranger Things. She hatched from a cocoon of Terry Pratchett novels when she was 13 years old, and her love of fun, genre-focused storytelling runs deep. Originally hailing from Silver Spring, Maryland, Caitlin now resides in Los Angeles.

She still has a full shelf of Terry Pratchett paperbacks.

Reviews

[Rei Smoak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't bothered picking up most of the Stranger Things tie ins, either because they're aimed at a younger audience or because they just didn't catch my eye. But a Nancy-centric detective story sounded like exactly what I wanted, and it absolutely was. This is a smartly written, tightly plotted story that serves as both a character study of Nancy Wheeler and a nice way to fill some of the gaps left between seasons 4 and 5. It also ended up making some of the saddest parts of season 5 all the more heartbreaking, which I really appreciated. Can't recommend this one highly enough!

[JoLee Kissinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

NANCY WALK EM DOWN WHEELER i need 20 more

[Caitlin Drohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been in a reading slump and this book was so cute and helped me out of it, I really enjoyed it. When it was announced we would get some info on what happened between season 4 and 5 in this book I knew I had to read it. Very Nancy Drew vibes!

[vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Someone get Nancy out of Hawkins she needs to go to Emerson immediately.
2. Loved getting to see more of Nancy and Robin’s friendship. They’re such a good duo and wish we could see it more in Season 5 💔

[Sarah Freels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in about six hours over the course of a slow work day. I loved Flight of Icarus, so I went in excited knowing that Caitlin was the author. It’s amazing to see that Nancy really is not interested in the love triangle shit, and I’ve learned and realized I do really like her when she’s not forced into a romance subplot. Let her be a girlboss, Duffers.

I also heavily and wholly appreciate her and Robin actually being friends.

[Casey Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book for the Stranger Things fans who want something to hold them over while waiting for volume 2 of season 5 to drop! Of course, you could enjoy it any time though. It does take place between seasons 4 and 5, so there's a little more information on what happened in between, which was fun to get! How is Hawkins dealing with a gate to the Upside Down being open and this insane military occupation that we see in Volume 1? Nancy, graduating from high school and about to head off to college, notices a classmate acting strangely. Already determined to search for leads on Vecna, she thinks he may have found a new target. She and Robin set out to investigate and uncover a much bigger mystery surrounding a sickness spreading through the town. We touch upon graduation, Robin and Vickie's relationship, the love triangle of Nancy, Jonathan and Steve, and ultimately if Nanc can ever distance herself from Hawkins. There are definitely tie-ins to Volume 1 of Season 5! The focus is mostly on Nancy and Robin, but I also appreciated more development on Karen Wheeler. Nancy is a boss, and she likes to solve problems. I appreciate the portrayal of her strong character here. I would be so down for a continuing Nancy Wheeler mystery series! It's definitely a fun one for the Stranger Things fan looking for a little bit more!

Thank you to Random House Worlds for the gifted copy! Available now.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d die for Nancy Wheeler

[Caitlin Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading for any Stranger Things fan, especially as we wait for Season 5 Volume 2. It sets up so much context for what we’ve already seen in Volume 1. I’m obsessed. 5 stars. I want more (but only if Caitlin Schneiderhan writes it).

[Raquel]

I appreciate Caitlin Schneiderhan’s commitment to naming her Stranger Things books at after songs that the characters canonically are into!!

[H. J. Carp · Rating 1 out of 5]

While everyone focuses on the kid characters from Stranger Things, the older teens have some fun adventures as well. When watching the show I loved the chemistry of Nancy, Steve, Jonathan and Robin. So why do they all feel like completely unrecognisable in this book?

The story follows Nancy Wheeler as she investigates a string of deaths in Hawkins after the events of season 4. She enlists the help of Robin and the two figure out that all of the murders are linked to their graduation guest speaker’s company Hearth and Home.

I feel Caitlin Schneiderhan has not really understood the characters she has written about in this book. Nancy is insufferable in this story, making really stupid decisions and being very cagey with Jonathan and Robin. Robin is not as frantic and Jonathan is just a bit of a dick (nothing really new here). The only member of the group she has kind of gotten right is Steve, but he is not really in it at all.

The story is just really boring as well. Nothing of substance happens. I was just wishing for this to end and when it did I never wanted to look at it again. I am so disappointed with this. I really wanted to like it but seriously regret wasting my time with it.

Avoid.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

A solid, enjoyable Stranger Things tie-in. It was genuinely nice to spend more time in Hawkins between seasons, and the in-between timeline is what this book does best. Seeing familiar characters in a smaller, self-contained story felt comforting and very on-brand for the series.

The mystery itself is pretty straightforward and easy to follow — nothing groundbreaking, but it works. It reads more like a cosy, fast mystery than a high-stakes Upside Down epic, which isn’t a bad thing. The pacing is steady, the plot is clear, and it never overstays its welcome.

Overall, not bad at all. A good, cute addition for fans who want a little extra Stranger Things content without needing it to be overly complex or intense

[Robyn Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

great bridge between season 4 and 5.

[Abigail White · Rating 4 out of 5]

nancy wheeler i’m going to get you out of that town

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

the plot was interesting enough but it had to be sandwiched in this weird place of us already knowing what happens in part one of season 5 of stranger things. so it’s a weird balancing act.
i’m not sure that any of this will really play into it that much? also i did not love the writing

[kal · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprisingly like… really good. i honestly consider it to be the most canon book out of all. after all, im not super taken aback considering the author is a show-writer but i digress.

i was satisfied with how this book filled in the gaps between seasons 4 and 5, making nancys college situation and the whole love triangle mess a bit clearer. despite seeing the book as more canon, i dont believe these events *actually* took place between seasons, but it nails nancy and robin’s characterization (at least robin’s new characterization) right on the head. most, if not every, action they take is congruous with the show and im deeply grateful that i didn’t find myself having to suspend my disbelief regarding the choices made for the plot. this is just genuinely something nancy and robin’s characters would do and i love it.

i have a few plotline gripes that i’ll just lay out — nancy was present at not one, but two murder scenes within a… week(?) timeframe and was never considered a suspect. georgia’s involvement in the conspiracy being very obvious for a bit before it was revealed. really every person who ended up being involved in the conspiracy was suspicious from the get-go (except tyler) so it ruined the element of surprise a bit. nancy being right about every single hunch she follows — i get she’s smart but there is no semblance of trial and error (i will say that the show itself does this too sometimes). the RIDICULOUS fight nancy and jonathan get into regarding the chemical infested home that jonathan wants to buy — jonathan getting pissed at his INVESTIGATOR girlfriend (who is barely ever wrong) for warning him because…. i guess he assumes she wants him homeless? ok. then the dramatic ronance fight as a direct result of the jonathan fight — boooooo. THEN the fight where nancy DOGS on her mom for being concerned for her autonomy. i know that was a lot but i swear these things are trivial and i liked the book.

i LOVE ronance and was so so so grateful for the content in this book considering the canonical crumbs i’m getting in the show. robin coming to nancy’s rescue, saving her life because she obsessively listens to a police scanner? love.

also glad that there wasn’t a bunch of airtime devoted to the love triangle that i hate! props to schneiderhan. highly recommend

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read about 7 Stranger Things novels over the years (I think I’ve read every one that’s been released except for the ones about Brenner and Eddie) and this has been my favorite by far. I think it being written by one of the writers of the show helped a ton. I know these books are not canon, but I think this one is as close to canon as it gets. The plot made a lot of sense in the context of season 5. I love the reasonings behind Nancy and Jonathan not going to Emerson and how the Byers ended up staying with the Wheelers.

Karen Wheeler also shined in this book, I loved her scene with Nancy towards the end where she talked about how she actually does like things about her life. I feel like most presume that she’s miserable all of the time (which would be valid lol), but I love that she talked about the positives of her life. It made her feel more rounded as a character to me.

I loved the scenes between Nancy and Robin, of course. They are one of my favorite duos in the show so I knew I’d love them in book form too. I was pleasantly surprised with how vulnerable Robin got with Nancy. It was nice to see how the aftermath of s4 really impacted these characters on a mental level.

Overall, if you’re going to read a Stranger Things novel, I’d say this one is the way to go. None of the ones I’ve read have been bad (except for Starcourt Mall Escape 😬 that one is very skippable) and I have found enjoyment in them, but this one feels the most connected to the show. (Although, I do also recommend Darkness on the Edge of Town, Rebel Robin, and Lucas on the Line if you’re looking for more ST novels besides this one. They have a lot of character-building moments. The Dustin Experiment also isn’t a bad read, some of the science fair stuff drags a little bit is the only thing.)

[Sonya Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Stranger Things: One Way or Another by Caitlin Schneiderhan because I've watched the entire show on Netflix and wanted something to fill the gap while I was waiting for Season 5. I was curious to see whether a book could capture the same depth and grab my attention as much as the series.

I've always liked how the show mixes supernatural chaos with actual teenage struggles, so I went in hoping this book would feel just as exciting, and overall, it mostly lived up to my expectations. I also connected with the characters' age and the way they're constantly balancing growing up with dealing with way bigger problems than most teens experience.

Schneiderhan handles the character relationships especially well. The book focuses a lot on not only fear, but also the pressure of trying to protect the people you care about while trying to figure yourself out at the same time. One thing that stood out to me was how the book highlights the tension between normal teenage life and the nearly impossible life this group is forced into. That balance made the story feel believable, even with the "super-powers" they had. The characterization felt authentic, and there were moments where the internal emotions hit harder than I expected.

There were a few parts where I felt like the plot clues were either too obvious or leaned a little too much on things fans already know from the show. But the pacing was just right, and I appreciated how the book added new layers to characters I already cared about.

This book is a great choice for anyone who already loves Stranger Things and wants a deeper look into the characters' thoughts and relationships. It also works well for readers who enjoy supernatural mysteries with strong emotions. Overall, it's a fun, engaging novel that adds something meaningful to the Stranger Things universe without feeling like a repeat of the show.

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read to hold me over while I wait for the next part of season 5. I was thrilled by the mystery and detective work from Nancy, and I enjoyed getting more detail about Nancy, Robin, Johnathan, Steve, and even Karen. I loved being able to “hear” Nancy’s inner monologue and to feel the pressure she puts on herself to figure everything out. It was relatable as an eldest daughter/older sister myself. Nancy has always been my favorite character in Stranger Things, so once this book came out, I knew I needed to read it.

The plot of the book was interesting and fun. At first I thought I could predict what was happening but then it surprised me in small ways. I like that the events of the book had closure but still left a few things open ended. It makes me even more excited for the next part of season 5!

One particular part that stood out to me is when Nancy interacts with Agent Marquez, she goes on for a couple of paragraphs talking about how he reminds her of Mike. She does this again when she uses the walkie talkie he gives her, and is reminded of him when she looks at her mother’s face once she gets back home. I found it intriguing and thought it might be significant. I was less sure when his character “died” but I guess we will see very soon?

I’m rewatching the whole series again and love the detail and depth it adds to the experience! I recommend this book to anyone that loves Stranger Things, especially Nancy, and to any eldest daughters who feel a personal responsibility to having everthing figured out.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be my favourite of the Stranger things novels. Written by one of the screenwriters on the show, Nancy and Robin are written so well, there was no jarring inconsistencies with the way they behave and speak compared to the show. Love the season 5 setting (I think season 5 might so far be my favourite season), and the mystery itself (unrelated to the Stranger Things story, though fully immersed in the setting and situation of the show of course) is a page turner. It was very satisfying to get under Nancy's skin in a novel, and to have glimpses into the intentions of the writers when it comes to her relationships (romantic, platonic and familial). I have one or two nitpicks about Nancy's decisions towards the end Nancy, you have guns - plural - in your bedroom, why on earth did you go off with Captain Rose without hiding one on your person?! Also, I would have liked for her to have called up Robin for one final investigation together. But, Nancy herself is an awesome character, I relate a lot to her and she would be endlessly interesting to follow as a character, even when the Stranger Things story is over!

So, "A Nancy Wheeler mystery". It would be so fun if there could be more!

[Priya Thosani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this with pretty low expectations, which might be why it worked so well for me.

I’ve skipped most of the Stranger Things tie-ins because they either felt too YA for my taste or just didn’t sound like something I’d care about. But a Nancy-led mystery? That’s my weak spot. And yeah, this one hit the spot. It’s brisk, easy to get into, and it actually feels like Nancy. The book leans into what she does best: noticing what others miss, chasing the truth even when it’s messy, and carrying herself with that quiet, determined edge.

It also scratched that “hold me over until season 5” itch. It doesn’t try to rewrite the universe or be bigger than the show, which I appreciated. It just slots in nicely and gives you a bit more time inside Nancy’s head, which honestly is what I wanted from the start.

My only real gripe is that I wanted more meat on the bones. A few moments felt a little too neat or fast, and I kept hoping for more involvement from other characters. Even a little more of that Hawkins ensemble energy would have made this feel richer.

Still, as far as tie-ins go, this is one of the better ideas executed pretty well. If you like Nancy and you like the investigative side of Stranger Things, this is a fun, solid read.

[Jax · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise in every way! As a huge Stranger Things fan, I did expect to like it, but I actually ended up loving it in all its simplicity. It is written in a way that you can easily recognize the characters, their body language, speaking patterns etc, and you can tell it is written by someone who was also involved in the show. The character dynamics, such as Nancy's relationship to her mother, also feel very true to what we have seen on screen. As a reader, it is almost like getting the opportunity to spend some extra time with old friends, and tagging along with them as they embark on a Nancy Drew type side quest. The book provides some interesting context for season 5 and gives us a chance to see what happened between that and the previous season, without feeling like unnecessary filler. It is also a book that can be enjoyed by someone with no prior knowledge of the Stranger Things universe. Overall a well-written, fun and intriguing book for anyone who is in the mood for solving mysteries with Nancy Wheeler.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen.

I love Nancy, Robin & Steve. So the fact that two of the characters (Nancy & Robin) are the focus of this, with the other (Steve) making cameos? I'm set.

I realized that Caitlin really stands out as a writer of dialogue. I believe she is famous for writing some of Robin's huge monologues, and that comes across here. Also, the bits in this book between Nancy and her mother? Awesome too.

The book also explains how they ended up at the radio station ; more insight over the Robin / Steve / Jonathan thing going on ; why Nancy ain't heading to college ; where the idea of the Byers family staying with the Wheelers came from, and other little bits and pieces about characters.

The mystery was good, too, and I can see what happened actually going down in a town like Hawkins.

The reason I knocked it down 2 stars? I'm just not a fan of her overall writing style. It's very clunky, not fluid, and when I was trying to read her fantasy book she released two years ago that was the same issue I had there.

Sometimes someone is really good for one bit in the process, and when it comes to Stranger Things, in my opinion it's the dialogue. So read this one for the dialogue and the prequel to Season 5 but don't walk away thinking it needs to be adapted.

[Meghan JaMonkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ Thank you to PRH Audio for the ALC🎧 If you want to fill in some of the blanks from the end of Season 4 and start of Season 5, like how graduation went, how Robin and Vickie moved out of the friend zone, and how the love triangle that is Nancy, Steve, and Jonathan moved into interesting territory. How was the city of Hawkins dealing with the chaos of a military occupation with a gate to the Upside Down wide open? Then you’ll want to read Strange Things: One Way or Another. It is a character development story that builds on Nancy, Karen Wheeler, and Robin Buckley. Nancy has become so jaded and cold after everything that has happened in Hawkins, but her itch to uncover a mystery/story is relentless. Louisa Zhu narrates the story, and she manages to nail Robin’s anxious demeanor perfectly. I enjoyed how it builds on the characters and makes our characters face what a post-Vecna world may look like.

[Veronica Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this, I don't think she will end up with Jonathan. She may end up with Steve, depending on what happens in season five or end up by herself. I can also see her dying from underlying respiratory issues due to her exposure to the medical waste.

I definitely feel that the only reason she's still with Jonathan is because of their trauma bond and she wants to look after his family since they have nowhere else to go. In the last chapter, she even says that "they're taking care of each other" in response to Jonathan asking if they're okay. Johnathan is no longer who she turns to first when she needs someone. She is pushing down all of her issues with their relationship, especially with him lying to her about the whole college thing for a long time.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was amazing! Definitely fills the time between seasons. Nancy and Robin are great, they translate well into written format particularly as the main characters. Steve and Johnathan aren't quite as good, but they still seem fairly true, Johnathan more than Steve, but he also gets more time in the book. I do wish they had kept some of the conflict about the boys for Nancy to see on screen in season 5, but eh, it still is lovely to read. I'm a Stancy shipper, so the ending made me a little disheartened but still holding out hope! All in all, excellent read, especially for a Stranger Things fan.

[Lauren Dirnberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little Nancy Drew type beat but the setting is Hawkins and it’s our lovely Nancy Wheeler? Sign me up! I devoured this right after finishing Volume 1 as something to tide me over to Volume 2, but it didn’t last me more than like 24 hours. It is a fun little glimpse of life in Hawkins between Season 4 and 5, definitely tying directly into some things we saw in Vol. 1. I would definitely dabble into more of these if they were available!

[Sarah S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

Overall this book had a really good mystery and a captivating plot. There were times where Nancy really annoyed me, but that's just a me problem. Love love LOVED Robin in this, I'm so glad she was included! This book also answered a couple of questions I had about the 18 month time skip between seasons 4 and 5. This was a pretty satisfying read and it was SO MUCH better than the last stranger things book I read.

[Lisa Rupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading Nancy Drew books to my son and this fits very well with the ones I've read and it's not scary, so I might even read it to him. It's unusual to know the characters from video and then read a new story in a book about those same characters. Duffers, I love that you are going to create some new book readers by offering a new Stranger Things story.

[Andrea Houle · Rating 4 out of 5]

as a huge stranger things fan I was of course drawn to this book. I thought it was really good and stuck to a storyline that followed the show quite well since it was supposed to take place between seasons 4 and 5. It was a quick read mystery and good if you like stranger things and want something easy to read which is what i usually try to stick to in december since its such a busy month

[tenley m · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m very stranger things minded right now so it may be part of why i gave this 4 stars, but also because i love a book about nancy that isn’t all about her love triangle! like yes she is much more than that thank you!