What do you think?
Rate this book
Dive Bar at the End of the Road
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26Final Destination meets The Cabin at the End of the World in this supernatural horror from New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, in which a series of car accidents traps a group of strangers at a dive bar.
A forested road at night, slick from the pounding rain and eerily illuminated by flashes of lightning. Just before midnight, a car swerves to avoid something—or someone—mysteriously standing in the road, only to slam into a fallen tree instead. In the pitch black, four more cars follow in a pileup no one can seem avoid.
Stumbling out of the wreckage, soaked from the rain and nursing various injuries, five strangers find themselves in a backwoods dive bar, waiting for daybreak and hoping for cell service. But as tensions rise and the storm rages on outside, the occupants of the dive bar start to notice that not everything is as it seems. Time is moving differently, and they quickly learn that going outside—whether to assist another accident victim or to hike for help—is a very bad idea.
There’s something in the woods, something that isn't natural. Could the figure in the road have been a warning? Or something more sinister? None of this is normal, and they'll need to work together to figure out what’s happening if they have any hope of surviving through the night.
A forested road at night, slick from the pounding rain and eerily illuminated by flashes of lightning. Just before midnight, a car swerves to avoid something—or someone—mysteriously standing in the road, only to slam into a fallen tree instead. In the pitch black, four more cars follow in a pileup no one can seem avoid.
Stumbling out of the wreckage, soaked from the rain and nursing various injuries, five strangers find themselves in a backwoods dive bar, waiting for daybreak and hoping for cell service. But as tensions rise and the storm rages on outside, the occupants of the dive bar start to notice that not everything is as it seems. Time is moving differently, and they quickly learn that going outside—whether to assist another accident victim or to hike for help—is a very bad idea.
There’s something in the woods, something that isn't natural. Could the figure in the road have been a warning? Or something more sinister? None of this is normal, and they'll need to work together to figure out what’s happening if they have any hope of surviving through the night.
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 26, 2026
2 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
297 books33.6k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 1, 2026
The Dive Bar at the End of the Road is a sci-fi and paranormal horror novel about a group of strangers who find themselves at a dive bar after several car accidents. A storm traps them inside, cutting off cell service and any hope of help. As the night goes on, they start to sense that something dangerous is lurking in the forest, and the people in the bar are hiding secrets. Will they figure out what’s really happening before time runs out?
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read all her books from the past two years and plan to start her Rip Through Time series soon. The Dive Bar at the End of the Road is my top pick so far. As someone just getting into the horror genre, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The atmosphere is truly creepy, and I felt my heart race as the group tried to survive whatever was in the forest. The conclusion left the interpretation open to many possibilities, and I still think about the ending days later. This book was an easy 5 stars for me.
The Dive Bar at the End of the Road is out October 6th.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review The Dive Bar at the End of the Road. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read all her books from the past two years and plan to start her Rip Through Time series soon. The Dive Bar at the End of the Road is my top pick so far. As someone just getting into the horror genre, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The atmosphere is truly creepy, and I felt my heart race as the group tried to survive whatever was in the forest. The conclusion left the interpretation open to many possibilities, and I still think about the ending days later. This book was an easy 5 stars for me.
The Dive Bar at the End of the Road is out October 6th.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review The Dive Bar at the End of the Road. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Dive Bar at the End of the Road is incredible. My heart is still pumping like crazy. Immediate movie, please!
I am a die‑hard Kelley Armstrong fan. I’ve made no secret of this. I’ve consumed nearly her entire catalogue, across all genres, because I earnestly enjoy her style of writing, her characters and her plots. I am not a blind superfan, I truly respect her art. I want that to be very clear so that when I say this is one of my favourite novels of hers, you know I’m not playing.
This is Armstrong at her absolute best. This is Crank‑style momentum, adrenaline‑junkie speed horror. This is The Watchers by A.M. Shine meets Sandman S1E5 psychological warfare meets The Cabin at the End of the World. Please, more of this!!
This is ice‑cold dread sluicing through your veins - heart racing, eyes flying across the page, nearly tripping over the words. This is reading at break‑neck speed because you need to know what happens next, because the tension never gives you a moment to breathe.
Also, can we talk about the darkly hilarious title? It's a perfect amusing double entendre to set the exact tone for the chaos inside.
I haven’t had this much fun since The Watchers, and it is so deliciously weird and unnerving. Armstrong holds the tension on the head of a pin, and there is nowhere to go but stew in it. I was genuinely glued to my book until it was over, and it ended in the only way it could end. Aka perfectly.
This was a wild ride, folks. I read a lot of books, but this one deserves “seventy‑hundred” stars. I also need compensation in the form of time because I am absolutely not looking forward to my stack of homework I've put off.
Please go read this book. It is outstanding. Publishing date: October 6, 2026 - just in time for Halloween!
“Because this is how we live our lives from the moment we are old enough to understand that we will die someday. We live knowing we will die, and maybe we all hope for a loophole. Or, at least, we hope to wring as much time from this life as we can.”
Shoutout to St. Martin’s Press for trusting me to reliably fangirl over excellent home‑grown stock. You made my year with this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Kelley Armstrong for the ARC. These crazed but honest opinions are all my own.
I am a die‑hard Kelley Armstrong fan. I’ve made no secret of this. I’ve consumed nearly her entire catalogue, across all genres, because I earnestly enjoy her style of writing, her characters and her plots. I am not a blind superfan, I truly respect her art. I want that to be very clear so that when I say this is one of my favourite novels of hers, you know I’m not playing.
This is Armstrong at her absolute best. This is Crank‑style momentum, adrenaline‑junkie speed horror. This is The Watchers by A.M. Shine meets Sandman S1E5 psychological warfare meets The Cabin at the End of the World. Please, more of this!!
This is ice‑cold dread sluicing through your veins - heart racing, eyes flying across the page, nearly tripping over the words. This is reading at break‑neck speed because you need to know what happens next, because the tension never gives you a moment to breathe.
Also, can we talk about the darkly hilarious title? It's a perfect amusing double entendre to set the exact tone for the chaos inside.
I haven’t had this much fun since The Watchers, and it is so deliciously weird and unnerving. Armstrong holds the tension on the head of a pin, and there is nowhere to go but stew in it. I was genuinely glued to my book until it was over, and it ended in the only way it could end. Aka perfectly.
This was a wild ride, folks. I read a lot of books, but this one deserves “seventy‑hundred” stars. I also need compensation in the form of time because I am absolutely not looking forward to my stack of homework I've put off.
Please go read this book. It is outstanding. Publishing date: October 6, 2026 - just in time for Halloween!
“Because this is how we live our lives from the moment we are old enough to understand that we will die someday. We live knowing we will die, and maybe we all hope for a loophole. Or, at least, we hope to wring as much time from this life as we can.”
Shoutout to St. Martin’s Press for trusting me to reliably fangirl over excellent home‑grown stock. You made my year with this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Kelley Armstrong for the ARC. These crazed but honest opinions are all my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Armstrong delivers a thrilling and grotesque sci-fi horror in Dive Bar at the End of the Road which sees a cast of characters become stranded at the titular dive bar after a chain reaction of car crashes on a nearby deserted road.
The first chapter is intriguing and ominous when Ellie (the only character with a first person point of view), lost in the dark and rainy night, starts the chain reaction of car accidents. It immediately pulled me in with its spookiness and pretty soon I found myself halfway through the story without even realizing it. The chapters alternate between Ellie’s first person POV and the third person POVS of a variety of other characters (5 more POVs by my count).
While I was excited to read another lakeside horror by Armstrong, this is more a sci-fi horror than a gothic or ghost story. It’s interesting and features some grotesque monsters and violent ends though at times the horror reads a little campy. And if you’re in this for a romance, the story has only the faintest hints of a whiff of a romantic arc; after all, the characters spend 98% of their time trying to survive.
This was a solid 4 out of 5 stars for me: it’s a fun, fast paced horror and despite the number of character viewpoints, I enjoyed seeing all the different perspectives on what was going on.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
The first chapter is intriguing and ominous when Ellie (the only character with a first person point of view), lost in the dark and rainy night, starts the chain reaction of car accidents. It immediately pulled me in with its spookiness and pretty soon I found myself halfway through the story without even realizing it. The chapters alternate between Ellie’s first person POV and the third person POVS of a variety of other characters (5 more POVs by my count).
While I was excited to read another lakeside horror by Armstrong, this is more a sci-fi horror than a gothic or ghost story. It’s interesting and features some grotesque monsters and violent ends though at times the horror reads a little campy. And if you’re in this for a romance, the story has only the faintest hints of a whiff of a romantic arc; after all, the characters spend 98% of their time trying to survive.
This was a solid 4 out of 5 stars for me: it’s a fun, fast paced horror and despite the number of character viewpoints, I enjoyed seeing all the different perspectives on what was going on.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's mystery/thriller books. Although I wasn't wild about the only other horror novel I've read by her—HEMLOCK ISLAND—I still decided to give DIVE BAR AT THE END OF THE ROAD a chance. I mean, it's a new book by Kelley Armstrong! What can I say?
DIVE BAR AT THE END OF THE ROAD has a simple, but intriguing premise. I was drawn into the story instantly, immediately enthralled by its atmospheric setting, creepy vibe, and the mystery of why random drivers were being lured into a dangerous forest. The main characters are likeable, especially Ellie and Henry, who are both compassionate and kind. I cared about them, another reason I kept reading the book. Even though the novel gets gory and scary, I couldn't look away. Armstrong's writing is THAT compelling! I zipped through the book because I HAD to know what was going to happen next. Although not everyone in the tale gets a happy ending, I was satisfied with how everything turned out. Horror isn't a genre I read much these days, but I enjoyed DIVE BAR AT THE END OF THE ROAD, even though it's more graphic than what I usually read.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
DIVE BAR AT THE END OF THE ROAD has a simple, but intriguing premise. I was drawn into the story instantly, immediately enthralled by its atmospheric setting, creepy vibe, and the mystery of why random drivers were being lured into a dangerous forest. The main characters are likeable, especially Ellie and Henry, who are both compassionate and kind. I cared about them, another reason I kept reading the book. Even though the novel gets gory and scary, I couldn't look away. Armstrong's writing is THAT compelling! I zipped through the book because I HAD to know what was going to happen next. Although not everyone in the tale gets a happy ending, I was satisfied with how everything turned out. Horror isn't a genre I read much these days, but I enjoyed DIVE BAR AT THE END OF THE ROAD, even though it's more graphic than what I usually read.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
* Thank you Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review *
Dive Bar at the End of the Road is a pretty self explanatory title. Five strangers, one dark and rainy road, a tree blocking their path, with a creepy little dive bar the only refuge from the storm. Only this dive bar and everyone inside it is not what it seems. Something lurks outside - and something even scarier lurks inside with them.
This was not my favorite Armstrong novel, but I'll tell you this: on a scale of great to AMAZING, it was still a great book and I had a lot of fun. Armstrong has written a lot of amazing books recently (I LOVED Hemlock Island, I'll Be Waiting and The Haunting of Paynes Hollow, not to mention my beloved Rockton/Haven's Rock) and this was another fun addition. I definitely recommend it for fans of locked-room horrors, and anyone who just likes a good thriller.
As usual, my love for Armstrong remains. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Dive Bar at the End of the Road is a pretty self explanatory title. Five strangers, one dark and rainy road, a tree blocking their path, with a creepy little dive bar the only refuge from the storm. Only this dive bar and everyone inside it is not what it seems. Something lurks outside - and something even scarier lurks inside with them.
This was not my favorite Armstrong novel, but I'll tell you this: on a scale of great to AMAZING, it was still a great book and I had a lot of fun. Armstrong has written a lot of amazing books recently (I LOVED Hemlock Island, I'll Be Waiting and The Haunting of Paynes Hollow, not to mention my beloved Rockton/Haven's Rock) and this was another fun addition. I definitely recommend it for fans of locked-room horrors, and anyone who just likes a good thriller.
As usual, my love for Armstrong remains. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This may be my favorite of Armstrong's horror books. It is so creepy!
The atmosphere inDive Bar at the end of the Road immediately draws you in. Even in the first few pages you get that something-is-watching-from-the-shadows vibe.
And Armstrong does not disappoint. I really liked that she takes the time to helps you connect with the characters, but manages to keep the plot moving rather quickly. I also really appreciate her style. Some of the scenes/actions/things seem so much more brutal because of the almost casual way they are presented.
I don't know how to talk about the book without giving thigs aways, so let's just say, if you like your horror with a big dose of supernatural, this one is for you!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC.
The atmosphere inDive Bar at the end of the Road immediately draws you in. Even in the first few pages you get that something-is-watching-from-the-shadows vibe.
And Armstrong does not disappoint. I really liked that she takes the time to helps you connect with the characters, but manages to keep the plot moving rather quickly. I also really appreciate her style. Some of the scenes/actions/things seem so much more brutal because of the almost casual way they are presented.
I don't know how to talk about the book without giving thigs aways, so let's just say, if you like your horror with a big dose of supernatural, this one is for you!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kelley Armstrong is a must read author for me, though I must admit that these sort of sci-fi, paranormal thrillers are not my favourite. This has nothing to do with Armstrong as a writer, and entirely to do with taste.
The book has an intriguing premise, and despite not being into this genre of book, was unique enough that I remained curious about what exactly was actually happening. The characters are interesting and I did like that their backstories were woven in that built up the thriller vibes, but gave you that subtle need to know. I would definitely recommend it for fans of fast paced reads, and anyone who likes supernatural or horror elements.
For me, 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this ARC.
The book has an intriguing premise, and despite not being into this genre of book, was unique enough that I remained curious about what exactly was actually happening. The characters are interesting and I did like that their backstories were woven in that built up the thriller vibes, but gave you that subtle need to know. I would definitely recommend it for fans of fast paced reads, and anyone who likes supernatural or horror elements.
For me, 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great horror book. A must read. Kelly Armstrong delivered again!
Five strangers taking refugee in a bar during a storm. Nothing and no one is as they appear.
Fast paced story that you can’t put down. Lots of violence with a touch (small touch) if romance.
You won’t regret reading this book. The writing is well done. Author can certainly write a story !!
Five strangers taking refugee in a bar during a storm. Nothing and no one is as they appear.
Fast paced story that you can’t put down. Lots of violence with a touch (small touch) if romance.
You won’t regret reading this book. The writing is well done. Author can certainly write a story !!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews