Exit 202
J. B. Arnold
4.5 (4 ratings)
Exit 202
A flat tire. No spare. No cell service.
When Micah's family vacation takes a wrong turn on a desolate California mountain road, hours pass without a single car. Just as hope fades, salvation arrives—a grizzled mountain man who tows them to his remote repair shop.
But something isn't right.
Trapped in the wilderness with a man whose motives grow more sinister by the hour, Micah must confront the dark history he's spent years burying. As lies and deception close in from all sides, he faces an impossible choice: become the protector his family needs, or let his past consume him.
In these mountains, not everyone makes it back to the highway.
A psychological thriller that will make you think twice before taking that shortcut.
Get This Book
Available in: Hardcover, Paperback
See all editions (3)Reader Reviews
4.5
4 ratings
Amber W.
Mar 15, 2026
Exit 202 is a fantastically atmospheric thrill ride that will leave you with full-body chills, internally screaming no! as the tension tightens its grip. With every page, the air grows heavier with anticipation. This is classic horror at its finest—steeped in nostalgia yet sharp enough to feel entirely fresh. Arnold’s vivid descriptions and masterful pacing create the perfect ominous, foreboding, and deeply unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.
Matt D.
Feb 8, 2026
On the way home from a family vacation, Micah's car breaks down with Lynn, his wife, and their two sons. Micah manages to flag down a good samaritan who offers to take the car back to his repair shop to get them back on the road.
What ensues is utter chaos as Micah and Lynn fight to keep their family together.
What ensues is utter chaos as Micah and Lynn fight to keep their family together.
Carly B.
Feb 8, 2026
You know a book is good when the characters evoke strong emotions, and Exit 202 did just that. I really wanted to strangle Micah. Seriously.
In a last-ditch effort to save his marriage, Micah takes his family to Disneyland. But their trip home takes a terrifying turn when a flat tire leaves them stranded—without a spare. After waiting for hours, Micah sets off to find help and stumbles across a mountain man willing to assist. Sounds like a lucky break, right? Not exactly.
What starts as an inconvenience quickly turns into something far more sinister. As delay after delay piles up, and the family’s situation grows more dire, it becomes clear they’re not just fighting to get home… they’re fighting to survive.
Micah, for all his flaws (and trust me, so many flaws), becomes more complex as we learn about his past. Just when I’d start to feel sympathy for him, he’d lash out again and remind me why I was so mad in the first place. This book kept me on edge with every chapter, balancing slow-burn dread with pulse-pounding action. And the twists? More intense than a roller coaster drop.
If you love psychological thrillers that slowly tighten their grip before completely knocking the wind out of you, Exit 202 is a must-read.
Brad Bennett does it again! He brings the tension to life with his performance, making the unease feel all too real. His voice work adds an extra layer of suspense, pulling you deeper into the nightmare.
Five stars. Highly recommend. Just be prepared for some serious frustration with Micah.
In a last-ditch effort to save his marriage, Micah takes his family to Disneyland. But their trip home takes a terrifying turn when a flat tire leaves them stranded—without a spare. After waiting for hours, Micah sets off to find help and stumbles across a mountain man willing to assist. Sounds like a lucky break, right? Not exactly.
What starts as an inconvenience quickly turns into something far more sinister. As delay after delay piles up, and the family’s situation grows more dire, it becomes clear they’re not just fighting to get home… they’re fighting to survive.
Micah, for all his flaws (and trust me, so many flaws), becomes more complex as we learn about his past. Just when I’d start to feel sympathy for him, he’d lash out again and remind me why I was so mad in the first place. This book kept me on edge with every chapter, balancing slow-burn dread with pulse-pounding action. And the twists? More intense than a roller coaster drop.
If you love psychological thrillers that slowly tighten their grip before completely knocking the wind out of you, Exit 202 is a must-read.
Brad Bennett does it again! He brings the tension to life with his performance, making the unease feel all too real. His voice work adds an extra layer of suspense, pulling you deeper into the nightmare.
Five stars. Highly recommend. Just be prepared for some serious frustration with Micah.
Mandy S.
Feb 8, 2026
A Gripping and Unpredictable Thriller
From the very beginning, the tension is intense, laying the groundwork for a captivating story that keeps you hooked until the last page.
The story begins with Micah and his family on a seemingly ordinary drive home from a much-needed vacation. However, the unthinkable happens—a flat tire with no spare in sight. Hours tick by, eroding their hopes of rescue, until a mysterious and rugged mountain man appears to tow them to his shop deep in the California mountains.
The author masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and deception. The mountain man’s intentions are murky, and the family's situation quickly escalates from an inconvenient delay to a fight for survival. As Micah grapples with the present danger, he must also confront his own dark past, adding layers of depth and complexity to his character.
The family dynamics are brilliantly portrayed, making you genuinely care about their fate. Micah’s journey from a man haunted by his past to one determined to protect his family at all costs is both compelling and inspiring.
This novel is a must-read for fans of suspense and psychological thrillers. It will make you reconsider your next pit stop on a long road trip!
From the very beginning, the tension is intense, laying the groundwork for a captivating story that keeps you hooked until the last page.
The story begins with Micah and his family on a seemingly ordinary drive home from a much-needed vacation. However, the unthinkable happens—a flat tire with no spare in sight. Hours tick by, eroding their hopes of rescue, until a mysterious and rugged mountain man appears to tow them to his shop deep in the California mountains.
The author masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and deception. The mountain man’s intentions are murky, and the family's situation quickly escalates from an inconvenient delay to a fight for survival. As Micah grapples with the present danger, he must also confront his own dark past, adding layers of depth and complexity to his character.
The family dynamics are brilliantly portrayed, making you genuinely care about their fate. Micah’s journey from a man haunted by his past to one determined to protect his family at all costs is both compelling and inspiring.
This novel is a must-read for fans of suspense and psychological thrillers. It will make you reconsider your next pit stop on a long road trip!