Survive the Night: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses the novel’s misrepresentation of mental health conditions and its depiction of mental health crises, psychological manipulation, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, and mentions of sexual violence.

Charlie sits in a car with a man who she knows to be a killer. The moment is like a film noir, starting at the ending, often featuring a dramatic death—but Charlie knows she’s in reality. She is certain either she or the killer will die before dawn.

Charlie prepares to leave campus with a stranger named Josh, whom she met at the ride board. Since the murder two months ago of Maddy, Charlie’s best friend and roommate, Charlie has been overwhelmed by sadness. Now, unable to handle living in the dorm anymore, she’s ready to leave; however, she promises her boyfriend, Robbie, that she will return to the dorm if Josh seems at all suspicious. The chapter flashes back to Charlie’s first meeting with Josh at the ride board. She agrees to split the cost of gas if he drives her to Youngstown the following night. That following night at nine, she looks at her dorm room one last time, now cleared out.