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Warning Signs
10 hours, 9 minutes
“The tension, the atmosphere, the dread . . . This is a book that sticks in your head long after the last page.” —Lisa Jewell
“Extraordinary.” —Linwood Barclay
The heart-stopping second novel from the author of Nightwatching, in which a father-son ski weekend becomes a desperate fight for survival
Twelve-year-old Zach is cautiously optimistic. His father Bram, whose business is in dire need of cash, has put together a father-son backcountry ski weekend to wine and dine his biggest investors. Schooled in outdoor survival by his mother, Zach is eager to prove himself to the hypercritical Bram. Maybe if Zach shows how useful he is, he can earn his father’s love.
But Zach knows to be on high alert around Bram, and he sees the way the group ignores the increasingly threatening conditions. For the first time in his beloved mountains, he is faced with the unknown, convinced that something watches their cabin from the treeline. Something that leaves behind strange tracks and picks its prey clean.
As the adults recklessly test the limits of the outdoors, Zach worries he might be in even more danger than he realized. Could the men around him prove more violent than the unforgiving weather, and the strange creature lurking in the dark? Zach will have to rely on his wits if he hopes to make it home safely. But he knows all too well that the wilderness can be unpredictable even at the best of times. And at the worst? Deadly.
“The tension, the atmosphere, the dread . . . This is a book that sticks in your head long after the last page.” —Lisa Jewell
“Extraordinary.” —Linwood Barclay
The heart-stopping second novel from the author of Nightwatching, in which a father-son ski weekend becomes a desperate fight for survival
Twelve-year-old Zach is cautiously optimistic. His father Bram, whose business is in dire need of cash, has put together a father-son backcountry ski weekend to wine and dine his biggest investors. Schooled in outdoor survival by his mother, Zach is eager to prove himself to the hypercritical Bram. Maybe if Zach shows how useful he is, he can earn his father’s love.
But Zach knows to be on high alert around Bram, and he sees the way the group ignores the increasingly threatening conditions. For the first time in his beloved mountains, he is faced with the unknown, convinced that something watches their cabin from the treeline. Something that leaves behind strange tracks and picks its prey clean.
As the adults recklessly test the limits of the outdoors, Zach worries he might be in even more danger than he realized. Could the men around him prove more violent than the unforgiving weather, and the strange creature lurking in the dark? Zach will have to rely on his wits if he hopes to make it home safely. But he knows all too well that the wilderness can be unpredictable even at the best of times. And at the worst? Deadly.
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First published February 10, 2026
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About the author
Tracy Sierra
2 books851 followersTracy Sierra was born and raised in the Colorado mountains. She is an attorney who currently lives in New England in an antique colonial-era home. When not writing, she spends time with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
March 6, 2026
This was an interesting one! The plot is slower but the atmosphere and tension are HIGH. Found myself getting emotional quite a bit too. Tracy Sierra is a phenomenal writer. There were a couple things I didn’t care too much for but others I absolutely loved. The setting, the POV/our MC, the social commentary.
Compared to Nightwatching (5 star for me), this is much more of a quiet, slower burn but the payoff is well worth it.
Compared to Nightwatching (5 star for me), this is much more of a quiet, slower burn but the payoff is well worth it.
March 12, 2026
I was one of those readers who devoured Nightwatching late into the night, adrenaline spiking, completely blown away. I actually discovered it thanks to Jimmy Fallon mentioning it on his show (major thanks for that rec, Jimmy!) — and ever since, Tracy Sierra became an author I’ve kept on my radar.
So when I heard she had a new book coming out, I was beyond excited. The premise? A father-son ski trip turned fight for survival — full of icy tension, wilderness dread, and emotional strain. Sounds like the kind of heart-pounding, character-driven thriller I’d love.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite deliver the jolt I was expecting. The setting is stunning — Sierra writes the wintry wilderness with eerie precision, and the idea of isolation in the mountains is deeply unsettling. But even with those chilling ingredients, I couldn’t connect fully with the story. The characters didn’t grip me, and I found myself drifting in and out, waiting for a spark that never really lit. Compared to her debut, this felt flatter — quieter, slower, and less emotionally absorbing.
Still, I want to be clear: this isn’t a bad book. It’s smart. It’s carefully written. It just didn’t hit me the way Nightwatching did — and maybe that’s just the curse of following a breakout debut. I’ll absolutely continue reading Sierra’s work, and I’m hopeful her next book will bring back that gut-punch intensity I loved so much the first time around.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for sharing this thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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So when I heard she had a new book coming out, I was beyond excited. The premise? A father-son ski trip turned fight for survival — full of icy tension, wilderness dread, and emotional strain. Sounds like the kind of heart-pounding, character-driven thriller I’d love.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite deliver the jolt I was expecting. The setting is stunning — Sierra writes the wintry wilderness with eerie precision, and the idea of isolation in the mountains is deeply unsettling. But even with those chilling ingredients, I couldn’t connect fully with the story. The characters didn’t grip me, and I found myself drifting in and out, waiting for a spark that never really lit. Compared to her debut, this felt flatter — quieter, slower, and less emotionally absorbing.
Still, I want to be clear: this isn’t a bad book. It’s smart. It’s carefully written. It just didn’t hit me the way Nightwatching did — and maybe that’s just the curse of following a breakout debut. I’ll absolutely continue reading Sierra’s work, and I’m hopeful her next book will bring back that gut-punch intensity I loved so much the first time around.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for sharing this thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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September 9, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Nightwatching is a superb novel which I read with baited breath and so there’s definitely a strong sense of anticipation with a new novel. However, this doesn’t deliver quite the same impact for me. Twelve year old Zach Fisher’s mother Ginny has taught him to be hyper aware of his surroundings when skiing, especially the possibility of avalanches and to be well prepared. When he accompanies his father Bram on a business related ski trip to the wilds of Colorado with other men, potential investors in Bram’s latest project, he knows he can survive most eventualities. On the way up to the cabin, there is a warning sign – certainly something strange and unsettling and there are other warning signs too, not least in Bram’s uncertain moods and temper. Can Zach navigate his way through the next couple of days?
The start is extremely slow and doesn’t hold my interest much but once the plot avalanche gains momentum it becomes engrossing, now, we’ve got a tense thriller! The dynamics between the awful men who gather on the mountain are done well, but the worst of the worst is Bram. Poor Zach, he’s going to need every ounce of resilience to cope. Bram is a horrible man and a horrible father. I grow deeper in my admiration for young Zach who is terrific, he’s courageous, brave and resourceful as his situation becomes precarious and dangerous, as if he’s hanging onto a precipice for dear life.
What is good throughout the novel is the atmosphere the author creates in the mountains, it’s chilling in every sense of the word. The area is beautifully described and it comes to life before my eyes. I like the way the author fuses a supernatural tone into the narrative and that plays out well.
Be sure to read the authors afterward which gives context to the story as well as realism.
Overall, eventually it becomes a good thriller but I have to hang in there until it gets going.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General UK for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Nightwatching is a superb novel which I read with baited breath and so there’s definitely a strong sense of anticipation with a new novel. However, this doesn’t deliver quite the same impact for me. Twelve year old Zach Fisher’s mother Ginny has taught him to be hyper aware of his surroundings when skiing, especially the possibility of avalanches and to be well prepared. When he accompanies his father Bram on a business related ski trip to the wilds of Colorado with other men, potential investors in Bram’s latest project, he knows he can survive most eventualities. On the way up to the cabin, there is a warning sign – certainly something strange and unsettling and there are other warning signs too, not least in Bram’s uncertain moods and temper. Can Zach navigate his way through the next couple of days?
The start is extremely slow and doesn’t hold my interest much but once the plot avalanche gains momentum it becomes engrossing, now, we’ve got a tense thriller! The dynamics between the awful men who gather on the mountain are done well, but the worst of the worst is Bram. Poor Zach, he’s going to need every ounce of resilience to cope. Bram is a horrible man and a horrible father. I grow deeper in my admiration for young Zach who is terrific, he’s courageous, brave and resourceful as his situation becomes precarious and dangerous, as if he’s hanging onto a precipice for dear life.
What is good throughout the novel is the atmosphere the author creates in the mountains, it’s chilling in every sense of the word. The area is beautifully described and it comes to life before my eyes. I like the way the author fuses a supernatural tone into the narrative and that plays out well.
Be sure to read the authors afterward which gives context to the story as well as realism.
Overall, eventually it becomes a good thriller but I have to hang in there until it gets going.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General UK for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
February 28, 2026
Eerie, claustrophobic, and riddled with a deep sense of dread, Warning Signs took a simple backcountry trip and turned it into a nightmare. Between the ominous atmosphere and the monster creeping around in the wings, the spine-chilling fear permeated every single word of this unputdownable literary thriller. Yup. I would most definitely classify it as a lit fic novel. You see, thanks to a slow-boiling pace, richly layered characters, and a depth to the plot that I wasn’t expecting, I couldn’t write it off as just another horror lite-slash-thriller mashup. That’s not to say, though, that it didn’t have plenty to qualify it as a stunner in those subgenres as well. With white-knuckle tension, nightmare-inducing scenes, and a second half that will have you speed reading, the heart-pounding side to this novel had me completely won over before I even got a third of the way through this edge-of-your-seat read.
Rounding out the thrills and chills, however, was a narrator that wasn’t just memorable, he was genuine and root-for-able as well. Coming across as a nervous, beaten-down twelve-year-old boy, my heart broke in two for him the entire time I was reading. At the same time, he was both brave and resilient in a believable way. Using him in contrast to the rest of the cast added a scathing social commentary that had me thinking long and hard by the end. Exploring masculinity, violence, and greed, the layers it gave to this struggle for survival made me want to give Ms. Sierra a round of applause. That being said, my favorite pieces to this one were easily the vivid remote setting and the sense of impending doom. So if you love slow-burning plots that will unsettle you for sure, grab this book now. After all, it combined the fear of both nature and man into one unforgettable, blood-curdling read. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Twelve-year-old Zach is cautiously optimistic. His father Bram, whose business is in dire need of cash, has put together a father-son backcountry ski weekend to wine and dine his biggest investors. Schooled in outdoor survival by his mother, Zach is eager to prove himself to the hypercritical Bram. Maybe if Zach shows how useful he is, he can earn his father’s love.
But Zach knows to be on high alert around Bram, and he sees the way the group ignores the increasingly threatening conditions. For the first time in his beloved mountains, he is faced with the unknown, convinced that something watches their cabin from the treeline. Something that leaves behind strange tracks and picks its prey clean.
As the adults recklessly test the limits of the outdoors, Zach worries he might be in even more danger than he realized. Could the men around him prove more violent than the unforgiving weather, and the strange creature lurking in the dark? Zach will have to rely on his wits if he hopes to make it home safely. But he knows all too well that the wilderness can be unpredictable even at the best of times. And at the worst? Deadly.
Thank you Tracy Sierra and Pamela Dorman Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 10, 2026
Content warning: death of a parent, emotional abuse, alcoholism, avalanche, domestic abuse, death, violence, mention of: blackmail, murder
Rounding out the thrills and chills, however, was a narrator that wasn’t just memorable, he was genuine and root-for-able as well. Coming across as a nervous, beaten-down twelve-year-old boy, my heart broke in two for him the entire time I was reading. At the same time, he was both brave and resilient in a believable way. Using him in contrast to the rest of the cast added a scathing social commentary that had me thinking long and hard by the end. Exploring masculinity, violence, and greed, the layers it gave to this struggle for survival made me want to give Ms. Sierra a round of applause. That being said, my favorite pieces to this one were easily the vivid remote setting and the sense of impending doom. So if you love slow-burning plots that will unsettle you for sure, grab this book now. After all, it combined the fear of both nature and man into one unforgettable, blood-curdling read. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Twelve-year-old Zach is cautiously optimistic. His father Bram, whose business is in dire need of cash, has put together a father-son backcountry ski weekend to wine and dine his biggest investors. Schooled in outdoor survival by his mother, Zach is eager to prove himself to the hypercritical Bram. Maybe if Zach shows how useful he is, he can earn his father’s love.
But Zach knows to be on high alert around Bram, and he sees the way the group ignores the increasingly threatening conditions. For the first time in his beloved mountains, he is faced with the unknown, convinced that something watches their cabin from the treeline. Something that leaves behind strange tracks and picks its prey clean.
As the adults recklessly test the limits of the outdoors, Zach worries he might be in even more danger than he realized. Could the men around him prove more violent than the unforgiving weather, and the strange creature lurking in the dark? Zach will have to rely on his wits if he hopes to make it home safely. But he knows all too well that the wilderness can be unpredictable even at the best of times. And at the worst? Deadly.
Thank you Tracy Sierra and Pamela Dorman Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 10, 2026
Content warning: death of a parent, emotional abuse, alcoholism, avalanche, domestic abuse, death, violence, mention of: blackmail, murder
December 23, 2025
'We talk about nature being cruel, but it isn't, not really, because nature isn't aware. Animals are driven by instinct. People, though? We make choices. Which means there's nothing as scary as people'.
Zach and his dad have just arrived for a father/ son weekend away at a remote mountain cabin, to meet other potential investors in his father's business. As a group of self absorbed, narcissistic people gather for a weekend of fun, ominous clouds gather as the snow begins to fall. It becomes clear to Zach that he'll need all the survival skills his mother taught him in order to make it in this frigid, unforgiving environment where both humans and nature all seem set upon turning against each other in order to prove who is most powerful.
Well researched, and plenty of action in the second half, this book will keep you turning pages. From the start there is an eerie, ominous tone that will leave readers wondering just what will happen next. I really enjoyed Sierra's last book, Nightwatching, and this one was just as good.
'Now he understood why in scary movies people always did such stupid things. It was impossible to focus when you were listening for the huff of a scenting beast; for the exhale of a man so much stronger than you'.
Zach and his dad have just arrived for a father/ son weekend away at a remote mountain cabin, to meet other potential investors in his father's business. As a group of self absorbed, narcissistic people gather for a weekend of fun, ominous clouds gather as the snow begins to fall. It becomes clear to Zach that he'll need all the survival skills his mother taught him in order to make it in this frigid, unforgiving environment where both humans and nature all seem set upon turning against each other in order to prove who is most powerful.
Well researched, and plenty of action in the second half, this book will keep you turning pages. From the start there is an eerie, ominous tone that will leave readers wondering just what will happen next. I really enjoyed Sierra's last book, Nightwatching, and this one was just as good.
'Now he understood why in scary movies people always did such stupid things. It was impossible to focus when you were listening for the huff of a scenting beast; for the exhale of a man so much stronger than you'.
March 11, 2026
Tracy Sierra impressed me with her debut novel, Nightwatching, when I read it back in 2024. It was disturbing in such a realistic way, and played off one of my own personal fears, which is being in my house as an intruder breaks in to cause harm.
That horrifying scenario is something I think about a lot actually, I write whilst being home alone for the weekend.
Warning Signs is Sierra's Sophmore novel and follows 12-year old Zach as he joins his Dad, somewhat reluctantly, on a father-son ski weekend. Before you jump to conclusions and think, how nice, a Dad who wants to spend time with his son, I'll just let you know, that's not the case here.
Bram, Zach's Dad, has his own strong motives for this trip and it has nothing to do with father-son bonding time. Bram's business is currently in financial distress, and the weekend was planned as a way to woo potential investors.
Bram and Zach are being joined by some rich men, and their sons, in the hopes that Bram will be able to make some deals on the mountain. Because nothing says, let's spend some money like apres ski drinks.
As you would expect in a Winter Thriller, things begin to go wrong with the group pretty quickly. There's tensions among the adults and Zach feels like something scary is watching their cabin from the woods.
As the dangers escalate Zach's unsure who to trust, but he's sure thankful that he was trained in outdoor survival by his Mom. He might need to utilize all of that valuable knowledge in order to make it off this mountain alive.
While this may have started out feeling like a standard Winter Thriller, a ski weekend gone bad, it took a sharp turn in a direction I wasn't expecting. Sierra knows how to get a Reader's pulse racing and I was gripped until the end.
The initial sections of this doesn't have the same intensity as Nightwatching, which got cooking right from the start, but this story definitely gets there as the story progresses. I wouldn't necessarily say it's a slow build, but it does take some time to really get humming.
I wasn't sure either how I would feel about following the perspective of a 12-year old boy in this type of story, but it really worked. I feel like his perspective was the best way to convey the level of danger and I did grow attached to him. I was on the edge of my seat on his behalf.
At times it felt hopeless, and it definitely made me anxious, but in a good way. I flew through the second half and ended up enjoying the heck out of it. I would recommend this to anyone who loves an intense Winter Thriller, or anyone who had fun with Sierra's previous book.
Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with a copy to read and review. There's no denying that Tracy Sierra is such a talented writer. I'm really looking forward to whatever she releases next!
That horrifying scenario is something I think about a lot actually, I write whilst being home alone for the weekend.
Warning Signs is Sierra's Sophmore novel and follows 12-year old Zach as he joins his Dad, somewhat reluctantly, on a father-son ski weekend. Before you jump to conclusions and think, how nice, a Dad who wants to spend time with his son, I'll just let you know, that's not the case here.
Bram, Zach's Dad, has his own strong motives for this trip and it has nothing to do with father-son bonding time. Bram's business is currently in financial distress, and the weekend was planned as a way to woo potential investors.
Bram and Zach are being joined by some rich men, and their sons, in the hopes that Bram will be able to make some deals on the mountain. Because nothing says, let's spend some money like apres ski drinks.
As you would expect in a Winter Thriller, things begin to go wrong with the group pretty quickly. There's tensions among the adults and Zach feels like something scary is watching their cabin from the woods.
As the dangers escalate Zach's unsure who to trust, but he's sure thankful that he was trained in outdoor survival by his Mom. He might need to utilize all of that valuable knowledge in order to make it off this mountain alive.
While this may have started out feeling like a standard Winter Thriller, a ski weekend gone bad, it took a sharp turn in a direction I wasn't expecting. Sierra knows how to get a Reader's pulse racing and I was gripped until the end.
The initial sections of this doesn't have the same intensity as Nightwatching, which got cooking right from the start, but this story definitely gets there as the story progresses. I wouldn't necessarily say it's a slow build, but it does take some time to really get humming.
I wasn't sure either how I would feel about following the perspective of a 12-year old boy in this type of story, but it really worked. I feel like his perspective was the best way to convey the level of danger and I did grow attached to him. I was on the edge of my seat on his behalf.
At times it felt hopeless, and it definitely made me anxious, but in a good way. I flew through the second half and ended up enjoying the heck out of it. I would recommend this to anyone who loves an intense Winter Thriller, or anyone who had fun with Sierra's previous book.
Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with a copy to read and review. There's no denying that Tracy Sierra is such a talented writer. I'm really looking forward to whatever she releases next!
March 1, 2026
If you’re in the mood for something icy, intimate, and deeply unsettling, Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra is a slow-burn thriller that leans heavily into atmosphere and psychology.
What begins as a father–son ski weekend retreat quickly unravels when an avalanche traps the group near their remote cabin. Cut off from the outside world, what was meant to be a bonding getaway spirals into something far darker. The cold isn’t just a backdrop—it permeates everything. The snowbound isolation feels suffocating, and the surrounding woods take on a sinister edge, especially after the group discovers a horribly mutilated body, ravaged in a way that feels almost inhuman. Was one of the skiers responsible… or was something else lurking out there in the trees?
This isn’t an action-driven survival story. In fact, there’s very little traditional action. Instead, the novel thrives on psychological tension and a mounting sense of distrust among the skiers. Suspicion settles over the cabin like another layer of frost, making every single person feel like a potential culprit. I found myself constantly wavering, shifting my suspicions from one character to the next, and I genuinely had no idea who committed the atrocity. That steady undercurrent of uncertainty became the engine of the story—and I loved it!
At the heart of it all is twelve-year-old Zach, whose past trauma leading up to this weekend adds emotional weight to every interaction. I really enjoyed him as a protagonist. His vulnerability, quiet resilience, and the way he processes the unraveling world around him felt authentic and deeply affecting. I couldn’t help but ache for him. The emotional core of the book rests squarely on his shoulders, and it absolutely works.
And then there’s Bram—Zach’s selfish, narcissistic father—who I absolutely loathed as a person but appreciated as a character. He’s self-absorbed, emotionally stunted, and treats his son terribly. Sierra doesn’t soften his flaws, and that unflinching portrayal makes him fascinating to watch, even when you want to reach through the pages and shake him. Their dynamic is messy, painful, and layered in a way that feels uncomfortably real.
As the group experiences one horrific discovery after another, the tension tightens—not through explosive action, but through psychological strain and emotional reckoning. The frigid atmosphere, the ominous presence in the woods, and the gradual peeling back of buried trauma combine to create a chilling, character-driven thriller that lingers long after the final page.
While this one didn’t quite surpass her debut for me, it’s still a worthy follow-up and a haunting read that I’d absolutely recommend.
What begins as a father–son ski weekend retreat quickly unravels when an avalanche traps the group near their remote cabin. Cut off from the outside world, what was meant to be a bonding getaway spirals into something far darker. The cold isn’t just a backdrop—it permeates everything. The snowbound isolation feels suffocating, and the surrounding woods take on a sinister edge, especially after the group discovers a horribly mutilated body, ravaged in a way that feels almost inhuman. Was one of the skiers responsible… or was something else lurking out there in the trees?
This isn’t an action-driven survival story. In fact, there’s very little traditional action. Instead, the novel thrives on psychological tension and a mounting sense of distrust among the skiers. Suspicion settles over the cabin like another layer of frost, making every single person feel like a potential culprit. I found myself constantly wavering, shifting my suspicions from one character to the next, and I genuinely had no idea who committed the atrocity. That steady undercurrent of uncertainty became the engine of the story—and I loved it!
At the heart of it all is twelve-year-old Zach, whose past trauma leading up to this weekend adds emotional weight to every interaction. I really enjoyed him as a protagonist. His vulnerability, quiet resilience, and the way he processes the unraveling world around him felt authentic and deeply affecting. I couldn’t help but ache for him. The emotional core of the book rests squarely on his shoulders, and it absolutely works.
And then there’s Bram—Zach’s selfish, narcissistic father—who I absolutely loathed as a person but appreciated as a character. He’s self-absorbed, emotionally stunted, and treats his son terribly. Sierra doesn’t soften his flaws, and that unflinching portrayal makes him fascinating to watch, even when you want to reach through the pages and shake him. Their dynamic is messy, painful, and layered in a way that feels uncomfortably real.
As the group experiences one horrific discovery after another, the tension tightens—not through explosive action, but through psychological strain and emotional reckoning. The frigid atmosphere, the ominous presence in the woods, and the gradual peeling back of buried trauma combine to create a chilling, character-driven thriller that lingers long after the final page.
While this one didn’t quite surpass her debut for me, it’s still a worthy follow-up and a haunting read that I’d absolutely recommend.
January 28, 2026
Took a bit to get going with the story, but by the 35%, I was racing to the end! Expect more slow burn mystery plus thriller in the second half. Warning Signs is definitely a different vibe than Nightwatching.
March 9, 2026
the setup…
Zach is twelve years old and on a father-son backcountry ski weekend with his father Bram who has organized the trip for his top investors. His business is in trouble and Bram needs their continued financial support. Zach hopes this will be his chance to show his father his survival skills, taught to him by his mother Grace (a former ski rescue volunteer), and maybe get him to love him. But it soon becomes clear that the group is reckless when it comes to safety and Zach must face truths about his narcissistic father in order to stay alive.
the heart of the story…
The narrative is filtered through Zach’s eyes, a young boy who is desperate to earn his father’s love and approval, even though he knows the futility of that hope. Despite his age, he’s quite insightful but it’s hampered by his overwhelming need to see the fantasy of Bram, who’s a despicable human being, versus the reality. I found the parallels to be fascinating as Zach hears the expert training drilled into him by mother Grace versus the perilous decisions made by Bram and the sketchy men in the group.
the narration…
Michael Crouch delivers a strong performance, capturing the voice of young Zach without diminishing him and the underlying constant tension of the story.
the bottom line…
This is more a psychological thriller combined with literary fiction. The writing is exquisite and it takes some time to develop. The setting is strongly atmospheric, providing the perilous backdrop for Zach to see and experience his awful father more clearly and distinctly, fighting against a child’s natural instinct to love a parent who hasn’t earned it. I loved how his mother’s voice was just as strong a presence, helping him save his own life. I’m not crazy about the ending but in retrospect, it fits the story rather perfectly.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Zach is twelve years old and on a father-son backcountry ski weekend with his father Bram who has organized the trip for his top investors. His business is in trouble and Bram needs their continued financial support. Zach hopes this will be his chance to show his father his survival skills, taught to him by his mother Grace (a former ski rescue volunteer), and maybe get him to love him. But it soon becomes clear that the group is reckless when it comes to safety and Zach must face truths about his narcissistic father in order to stay alive.
the heart of the story…
The narrative is filtered through Zach’s eyes, a young boy who is desperate to earn his father’s love and approval, even though he knows the futility of that hope. Despite his age, he’s quite insightful but it’s hampered by his overwhelming need to see the fantasy of Bram, who’s a despicable human being, versus the reality. I found the parallels to be fascinating as Zach hears the expert training drilled into him by mother Grace versus the perilous decisions made by Bram and the sketchy men in the group.
the narration…
Michael Crouch delivers a strong performance, capturing the voice of young Zach without diminishing him and the underlying constant tension of the story.
the bottom line…
This is more a psychological thriller combined with literary fiction. The writing is exquisite and it takes some time to develop. The setting is strongly atmospheric, providing the perilous backdrop for Zach to see and experience his awful father more clearly and distinctly, fighting against a child’s natural instinct to love a parent who hasn’t earned it. I loved how his mother’s voice was just as strong a presence, helping him save his own life. I’m not crazy about the ending but in retrospect, it fits the story rather perfectly.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
February 13, 2026
✦ Rating: 3.75 ⭐️
✦ Mood: ❄️ Suspicious, tense, isolated, small heartbreak
✦ Reading Vibe: 🔥 crackling fireplace + blizzard outside + “why is everyone acting normal???
✦ A Line That Made Me Shiver When I Read It: “I remember - her makeup. Too much mascara. For who? It was like that. Already done. Once I saw that.” - eww 😢
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
☾ Yes/No/Maybe? Yes ☾ Emotional damage level: mild ache
This was literally the perfect book to read this week because it has been non-stop snowing and the vibes were vibing ❄️🤍. I had the fireplace on, was curled up by the window watching the snow pile up, and it honestly felt like I was right there in the backcountry with them.
We meet this group on a father-son business
trip deep in the snowy wilderness, and the conditions are brutal from the start. The story is told through Zach’s POV (he’s 12 and the son of the company owner, Bram), which made everything feel even more intense. You’re immediately suspicious of everyone. Things start happening that don’t add up
For being so young, Zach knew SO much about surviving in winter conditions. I was lowkey learning things myself! 😭 The flashbacks with his mom explaining how he gained all that knowledge added such a layered emotional depth. I really liked how those moments built the story around Bram their family dynamic, and how they even ended up on this trip in the first place.
As everything starts to unravel, you slowly understand each character more… but I’m not going to lie, most of the adults were unlikeable in their own ways. I was mainly stressed about the kids the entire time — Zach, Russ, and maybe even Steve. When things really escalate, watching Zach actually apply what he’s learned to survive was both heartbreaking and impressive. He was so resilient. I genuinely don’t think I would’ve handled half of what he did.
Such a strong winter read. Atmospheric, tense, and emotionally heavy at times.
One thing is for sure though… I will NEVER be voluntarily going into snowy backcountry wilderness like that in my lifetime 😂❄️
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
☾ Yes/No/Maybe? Yes ☾ Emotional damage level: mild ache
This was literally the perfect book to read this week because it has been non-stop snowing and the vibes were vibing ❄️🤍. I had the fireplace on, was curled up by the window watching the snow pile up, and it honestly felt like I was right there in the backcountry with them.
We meet this group on a father-son business
trip deep in the snowy wilderness, and the conditions are brutal from the start. The story is told through Zach’s POV (he’s 12 and the son of the company owner, Bram), which made everything feel even more intense. You’re immediately suspicious of everyone. Things start happening that don’t add up
For being so young, Zach knew SO much about surviving in winter conditions. I was lowkey learning things myself! 😭 The flashbacks with his mom explaining how he gained all that knowledge added such a layered emotional depth. I really liked how those moments built the story around Bram their family dynamic, and how they even ended up on this trip in the first place.
As everything starts to unravel, you slowly understand each character more… but I’m not going to lie, most of the adults were unlikeable in their own ways. I was mainly stressed about the kids the entire time — Zach, Russ, and maybe even Steve. When things really escalate, watching Zach actually apply what he’s learned to survive was both heartbreaking and impressive. He was so resilient. I genuinely don’t think I would’ve handled half of what he did.
Such a strong winter read. Atmospheric, tense, and emotionally heavy at times.
One thing is for sure though… I will NEVER be voluntarily going into snowy backcountry wilderness like that in my lifetime 😂❄️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The heart-stopping second novel from the author of Nightwatching, in which a father-son ski weekend becomes a desperate fight for survival."
Twelve-year-old Zach is the narrator of this tense and atmospheric slow-burn thriller. He has been taught by hia mother how to survive outdoors and sees signs of danger all around him but the adults are not paying attention! Zach feels that something is lurking behind the trees, watching them, and nature seems to be working against them. Can he get the adults to listen to him or are humans more dangerous than nature or wild animals?
As a huge fan of Nightwatching I had to get my hands on this. It is a much different feel than her last novel. This is a little slow as the characters are introduced and we learn Zach's family dynamics and who each of the weekend guests are. At that point, the story takes off and I was riveted by how real this situation of survival is in certain conditions. I really enjoyed the pacing of it and how well Tracy Sierra develops her characters in a propulsive novel. This is the perfect quietly suspenseful winter read!⚠️❄️
The audiobook performance by Michael Crouch brings the story to life as well as getting us acquainted with Zach through his inner dialogue.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Viking Penguin, PRH Audio and Tracy Sierra for the advance reader's copy and advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
Twelve-year-old Zach is the narrator of this tense and atmospheric slow-burn thriller. He has been taught by hia mother how to survive outdoors and sees signs of danger all around him but the adults are not paying attention! Zach feels that something is lurking behind the trees, watching them, and nature seems to be working against them. Can he get the adults to listen to him or are humans more dangerous than nature or wild animals?
As a huge fan of Nightwatching I had to get my hands on this. It is a much different feel than her last novel. This is a little slow as the characters are introduced and we learn Zach's family dynamics and who each of the weekend guests are. At that point, the story takes off and I was riveted by how real this situation of survival is in certain conditions. I really enjoyed the pacing of it and how well Tracy Sierra develops her characters in a propulsive novel. This is the perfect quietly suspenseful winter read!⚠️❄️
The audiobook performance by Michael Crouch brings the story to life as well as getting us acquainted with Zach through his inner dialogue.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Viking Penguin, PRH Audio and Tracy Sierra for the advance reader's copy and advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
October 26, 2025
I received a free copy of, Warning Signs, by Tracy Sierra, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Bram takes his son Zach and others on a father/son ski weekend. 12 year old Zach is much more mature then most of the people, on this weekend excursion. This was a heavy read, I really liked Zach, but not Bram.
March 3, 2026
Held my attention, but won’t be something I remember tomorrow morning.
March 2, 2026
4.5 stars
Absolutely excellent. This is a fantastic survival story told from the perspective of a 12 year old boy who has to fight to survive snowy mountain terrain and dangerously untrustworthy adults, while simultaneously navigating his own insecurities and grief for his recently deceased mother.
I thought Sierra did a fine job of portraying a boy balanced between childhood and adulthood, struggling with the terrible tension created by wanting his emotionally distant and abusive father’s love. She has an excellent understanding of how controlling men systematically break down their family members and keep them submissive and frightened.
The backdrop of survival in the mountainous backcountry of Colorado is brilliantly portrayed. The author’s experience and love for this beautiful yet unforgiving terrain shines through in incredible detail and really brings the story to life.
This was a great reading experience for me, and the tensely wrought and excellently paced tale kept me awake far into the night to see how it would all turn out.
Absolutely excellent. This is a fantastic survival story told from the perspective of a 12 year old boy who has to fight to survive snowy mountain terrain and dangerously untrustworthy adults, while simultaneously navigating his own insecurities and grief for his recently deceased mother.
I thought Sierra did a fine job of portraying a boy balanced between childhood and adulthood, struggling with the terrible tension created by wanting his emotionally distant and abusive father’s love. She has an excellent understanding of how controlling men systematically break down their family members and keep them submissive and frightened.
The backdrop of survival in the mountainous backcountry of Colorado is brilliantly portrayed. The author’s experience and love for this beautiful yet unforgiving terrain shines through in incredible detail and really brings the story to life.
This was a great reading experience for me, and the tensely wrought and excellently paced tale kept me awake far into the night to see how it would all turn out.
July 17, 2025
✨Tracy Sierra’s debut novel was my book of the year last year, and as soon as I saw she had written her next book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. You never know if the magic will continue with the second offering, but in this case, it most definitely did. It’s quite a departure from her debut, and the author really showcases her writing chops with this stunning literary thriller.
✨Here is where I feel I must reiterate this point: it reads as a literary thriller. There IS suspense and tension. There ARE twists and turns – but there is also richly descriptive, atmospheric language with dark nights of the soul. There is depth here – and slow burn – and you must go in knowing this.
✨I was blown away by the immersive plot, the lush prose and the richly drawn characters. The isolated snowy mountain setting was strikingly atmospheric and almost a character unto itself. The action and suspense in these pages had me on the edge of my seat
✨The sense of danger and dread on every page drove the story and kept me immersed deep into the night. I was barely breathing by the end. What an incredibly powerful reading experience.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Survival stories
✨Isolated snowy settings
✨Scathing social commentaries
✨Psychological thrillers
✨Broken family dynamics
✨Horror lite elements
✨Mountain/ski culture
✨Chilly thrillers
My thanks to @pameladormanbooks, @vikingbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.
✨Here is where I feel I must reiterate this point: it reads as a literary thriller. There IS suspense and tension. There ARE twists and turns – but there is also richly descriptive, atmospheric language with dark nights of the soul. There is depth here – and slow burn – and you must go in knowing this.
✨I was blown away by the immersive plot, the lush prose and the richly drawn characters. The isolated snowy mountain setting was strikingly atmospheric and almost a character unto itself. The action and suspense in these pages had me on the edge of my seat
✨The sense of danger and dread on every page drove the story and kept me immersed deep into the night. I was barely breathing by the end. What an incredibly powerful reading experience.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Survival stories
✨Isolated snowy settings
✨Scathing social commentaries
✨Psychological thrillers
✨Broken family dynamics
✨Horror lite elements
✨Mountain/ski culture
✨Chilly thrillers
My thanks to @pameladormanbooks, @vikingbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.
November 20, 2025
3.25 - little too rich people forward for me but loved the survival and snowy vibes
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTreapFPC/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTreapFPC/
March 10, 2026
3.5 stars
Review to come…
Review to come…
March 12, 2026
I enjoyed Warning Signs overall. Zach is an easy character to root for, and the tension really ramps up in the final quarter of the book, which moves at a fast, exciting pace. Sierra does a great job building unease throughout the story. That said, a few plot developments stretched my suspension of disbelief and felt a little too convenient at times, which pulled me out of the story a bit. Even so, it was still a fun psychological thriller and I’m glad I read it.
February 10, 2026
DNF. Sorry, this book just didn’t work for me. I was expecting more survival thriller, but I can’t even get past these annoying af characters.
October 27, 2025
Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra. Thanks to @pameladormanbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Twelve year old Zach is on a father son trip ski trip with his father to wine and dine investors. Zach learned a lot of survival skills from his late mother and is hoping to impress his father and earn his love. He knows to be on high alert around his father but soon finds other warnings around him.
The atmosphere really made this one creepy because of the bleak environment. I haven’t read many thrillers that take place out in the snow with threats of animals and avalanches. There were no female characters in this one, except in the backstory, which was an interesting choice. It worked since a father and son relationship played a major role. Zach didn’t seem like a twelve year old at times, and at times he did. Regardless he was one of the only likable characters so thankfully we are with him during the story. It took about halfway for me to get hooked with this one so stick with it until the action starts.
“We talk about nature being cruel, but it isn’t, not really, because nature isn’t aware. Animals are driven by instinct. People thought? We make choices. Which means there’s nothing as scary as people.”
Warning Signs comes out 2/10.
Twelve year old Zach is on a father son trip ski trip with his father to wine and dine investors. Zach learned a lot of survival skills from his late mother and is hoping to impress his father and earn his love. He knows to be on high alert around his father but soon finds other warnings around him.
The atmosphere really made this one creepy because of the bleak environment. I haven’t read many thrillers that take place out in the snow with threats of animals and avalanches. There were no female characters in this one, except in the backstory, which was an interesting choice. It worked since a father and son relationship played a major role. Zach didn’t seem like a twelve year old at times, and at times he did. Regardless he was one of the only likable characters so thankfully we are with him during the story. It took about halfway for me to get hooked with this one so stick with it until the action starts.
“We talk about nature being cruel, but it isn’t, not really, because nature isn’t aware. Animals are driven by instinct. People thought? We make choices. Which means there’s nothing as scary as people.”
Warning Signs comes out 2/10.
January 23, 2026
So disappointed. I loved Nightwatching by Tracey Sierra so I had high hopes for this book, but I was bored the entire time. I kept hoping it’d get better but it just didn’t.
February 15, 2026
The premise of this book had me intrigued, and overall, I'm happy I got to it. I loved the winter setting and suspense a lot. I just thought there was a little too much description about avalanches and all that. I also felt like it was slow moving. I also was hoping for some good twists but I just didn't get that. I would still pick up this author's other books to see what she comes up with, but this isn't one that will stick with me.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
February 16, 2026
3.5⭐️ Forget the weather conditions, the men on this trip are the real danger. ⚠️ Also, deadbeat dad of the year award goes to Bram. 🥇
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I, like many other readers, was a huge fan of Tracy Sierra’s debut, Nightwatching, it was a tough act to follow. But in my most humble opinion, she nailed it. I had high hopes for Warning Signs but I’d already resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn’t be getting that claustrophobic feeling that wowed me so much when reading Nightwatching.
Boy, was I wrong! I can’t figure out how she managed to make the wide Colorado wilderness seem claustrophobic, but she sure did! And I loved every second of it.
I absolutely loved Zach. He’s a great kid, smart and very knowledgeable about survival, but not in a way that makes you feel like you’re reading about a thirty-year-old bloke instead of a twelve-year-old boy. The more I learnt about him and his past, the more I felt for him, the more I rooted for him. His story, both past and present, hooked me and reeled me in further the more I read.
Warning Signs is such an atmospheric story, and so vividly written. As I said above, I never expected it to feel claustrophobic, but it did. I’m not sure that anyone conveys a looming sense of doom as aptly as this author. Zach’s fears at one point add to that feeling, as for a minute there I wasn’t sure either what posed the biggest danger, a creature, an animal, or a man. I had a bad feeling about one person from the start, but the truth turned out to be quite a bit darker than I’d anticipated.
Warning Signs does have a few action scenes, but most of the story is more quiet, understated. Quite frankly, it doesn’t need bold, high-octane action-packed pages to grab its reader by the throat and keep them captivated. It really got under my skin and I couldn’t stop reading. I would happily recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy a survival element in their stories.
Massive thanks to Viking and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
Boy, was I wrong! I can’t figure out how she managed to make the wide Colorado wilderness seem claustrophobic, but she sure did! And I loved every second of it.
I absolutely loved Zach. He’s a great kid, smart and very knowledgeable about survival, but not in a way that makes you feel like you’re reading about a thirty-year-old bloke instead of a twelve-year-old boy. The more I learnt about him and his past, the more I felt for him, the more I rooted for him. His story, both past and present, hooked me and reeled me in further the more I read.
Warning Signs is such an atmospheric story, and so vividly written. As I said above, I never expected it to feel claustrophobic, but it did. I’m not sure that anyone conveys a looming sense of doom as aptly as this author. Zach’s fears at one point add to that feeling, as for a minute there I wasn’t sure either what posed the biggest danger, a creature, an animal, or a man. I had a bad feeling about one person from the start, but the truth turned out to be quite a bit darker than I’d anticipated.
Warning Signs does have a few action scenes, but most of the story is more quiet, understated. Quite frankly, it doesn’t need bold, high-octane action-packed pages to grab its reader by the throat and keep them captivated. It really got under my skin and I couldn’t stop reading. I would happily recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy a survival element in their stories.
Massive thanks to Viking and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
February 25, 2026
Warning Signs was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. The way I devoured Nightwatching when it was published - I still count that book as one of the best I’ve read in the past decade. Anyway, my hopes were high for Warning Signs. Probably unfairly so.
There’s a lot to enjoy about Tracy Sierra’s sophomore novel, a wilderness thriller about a father-son ski trip in the Colorado backcountry that goes incredibly wrong. The protagonist is twelve-year-old Zach, who has a fraught relationship with his father, Bram. Zach is hoping to impress Bram and Bram’s investor guests with his skiing ability and outdoor survival knowledge, passed to him from his mother. Maybe if he makes himself useful, Bram will finally be proud of him. But a creature stalks the tree line outside their cabin - something that picks the bones of its prey clean - and as the adults test the limits of the wilderness, Zach realizes he only has himself to rely on if he wants to make it out of the mountains safely.
Warning Signs is a tense and atmospheric survival thriller. As a Colorado native, it’s clear that Sierra knows the mountains well - their stoic beauty, their veiled danger - and she utilizes the chilling, isolated setting to full effect, making for an immersive and engrossing read. She takes her time with the pacing, setting up the scenario and the group dynamics, before placing her characters in extreme, dangerous circumstances, and it worked for me.
As the mother of sons who were Zach’s age not all that long ago, I thought Sierra nailed his character. The vulnerability he tries desperately to hide, the vestiges of childhood he is ashamed he can’t leave behind, his eagerness to please - and also the burgeoning confidence, bravery, and capability he displays as he grows into himself. My mom radar was on full blast, and I wanted to give Zach a massive hug and tons of reassurance about his amazingness. The rest of the male characters were all pretty bro-ey, and annoying in a way that was clearly on purpose, which served as an effective juxtaposition with Zach’s gentler personality and allowed Sierra to make some pointed observations about all the different versions of manhood.
As for Bram, I thought he could have been written with more finesse. He needed more layers, some shades of gray, a modicum of goodness that made the reader question his motives. As it was, his character fell flat and almost became a caricature of a bad dad.
Warning Signs isn’t Nightwatching, but it’s still a strong second offering from Tracy Sierra. Gripping and emotionally resonant, it’s a perfect winter read. 3.5 stars rounded up.
There’s a lot to enjoy about Tracy Sierra’s sophomore novel, a wilderness thriller about a father-son ski trip in the Colorado backcountry that goes incredibly wrong. The protagonist is twelve-year-old Zach, who has a fraught relationship with his father, Bram. Zach is hoping to impress Bram and Bram’s investor guests with his skiing ability and outdoor survival knowledge, passed to him from his mother. Maybe if he makes himself useful, Bram will finally be proud of him. But a creature stalks the tree line outside their cabin - something that picks the bones of its prey clean - and as the adults test the limits of the wilderness, Zach realizes he only has himself to rely on if he wants to make it out of the mountains safely.
Warning Signs is a tense and atmospheric survival thriller. As a Colorado native, it’s clear that Sierra knows the mountains well - their stoic beauty, their veiled danger - and she utilizes the chilling, isolated setting to full effect, making for an immersive and engrossing read. She takes her time with the pacing, setting up the scenario and the group dynamics, before placing her characters in extreme, dangerous circumstances, and it worked for me.
As the mother of sons who were Zach’s age not all that long ago, I thought Sierra nailed his character. The vulnerability he tries desperately to hide, the vestiges of childhood he is ashamed he can’t leave behind, his eagerness to please - and also the burgeoning confidence, bravery, and capability he displays as he grows into himself. My mom radar was on full blast, and I wanted to give Zach a massive hug and tons of reassurance about his amazingness. The rest of the male characters were all pretty bro-ey, and annoying in a way that was clearly on purpose, which served as an effective juxtaposition with Zach’s gentler personality and allowed Sierra to make some pointed observations about all the different versions of manhood.
As for Bram, I thought he could have been written with more finesse. He needed more layers, some shades of gray, a modicum of goodness that made the reader question his motives. As it was, his character fell flat and almost became a caricature of a bad dad.
Warning Signs isn’t Nightwatching, but it’s still a strong second offering from Tracy Sierra. Gripping and emotionally resonant, it’s a perfect winter read. 3.5 stars rounded up.
February 23, 2026
"Most of the time, a bully believes what he's saying. Sometimes he believes it so much it convinces you, too. So you wonder if maybe he was just joking, or if you're the one who is actually the bad guy."
I love a whip-smart protagonist and 12-year-old Zach certainly fits the bill! I was enamored with him immediately, admiring his awe of nature and his fierce love for his little sister. He's on a father-son ski trip with his dad, Bram, who is hoping the investors he invited will continue to contribute to his business—which is failing. Bram is not experienced with the outdoors, but Zach—who was taught by his now deceased mom—definitely is. Told entirely from Zach's perspective, the story is a slow-build into a taut and dangerous situation as personality dynamics of the men clash. Zach must rely on the training he received, and his instincts, even when he doesn't fully understand the motivations at play.
Michael Crouch has the perfect youthful tone as narrator for the audiobook, and expertly conveys Zach's wonder, curiosity, and courage. This is a survival tale—not only of winter elements and avalanches—but of a boy navigating the emotional fallout of an abusive, moody and neglectful father, and perhaps something even deadlier. 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 is gripping and atmospheric with a character you'll love to hate and one you can't help but root for. This is my first book by 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙎𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖 and I can't wait to read more. Fans of suspenseful psychological thrillers mixed with life-and-death stakes will not want to miss this book!
____
Thank you Pamela Dorman Books, Viking Books and Penguin Random House Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.
I love a whip-smart protagonist and 12-year-old Zach certainly fits the bill! I was enamored with him immediately, admiring his awe of nature and his fierce love for his little sister. He's on a father-son ski trip with his dad, Bram, who is hoping the investors he invited will continue to contribute to his business—which is failing. Bram is not experienced with the outdoors, but Zach—who was taught by his now deceased mom—definitely is. Told entirely from Zach's perspective, the story is a slow-build into a taut and dangerous situation as personality dynamics of the men clash. Zach must rely on the training he received, and his instincts, even when he doesn't fully understand the motivations at play.
Michael Crouch has the perfect youthful tone as narrator for the audiobook, and expertly conveys Zach's wonder, curiosity, and courage. This is a survival tale—not only of winter elements and avalanches—but of a boy navigating the emotional fallout of an abusive, moody and neglectful father, and perhaps something even deadlier. 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 is gripping and atmospheric with a character you'll love to hate and one you can't help but root for. This is my first book by 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙎𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖 and I can't wait to read more. Fans of suspenseful psychological thrillers mixed with life-and-death stakes will not want to miss this book!
____
Thank you Pamela Dorman Books, Viking Books and Penguin Random House Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.
September 27, 2025
Zach is on a hunting trip with his father and needs all his survival skills to survive.
His father does not think that his twelve year old son is fit for the task but Zach was taught his survival skills by his mother and she was more experienced than anyone he knows.
A story about family dynamics and trust that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
His father does not think that his twelve year old son is fit for the task but Zach was taught his survival skills by his mother and she was more experienced than anyone he knows.
A story about family dynamics and trust that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2025
I was a huge fan of Nightwatching! It’s one of my top books this year so I was thrilled to start Tracy Sierra’s new book. This didn’t quite grab me straight away but I’m glad I hung in there.
Warning signs is more of a slow burn…. At first. And then things pick up and we’re off to the races. When Bram takes his son Zack on a father/son ski weekend, things don’t exactly go according to plan.
I love a tale of good verses evil and that’s what this was. We are rooting for the protagonist and I don’t know if I’ve hated a character more than the antagonist in this one. (Trying not to give anything away here!) This book was so atmospheric taking place in the Colorado snowy mountains where an avalanche threatens the whole group.
This isn’t necessarily a binge worthy book but it still gets 5 stars from me for the excellent writing. It’s much deeper than your typical cat/mouse scenario.
Warning signs is more of a slow burn…. At first. And then things pick up and we’re off to the races. When Bram takes his son Zack on a father/son ski weekend, things don’t exactly go according to plan.
I love a tale of good verses evil and that’s what this was. We are rooting for the protagonist and I don’t know if I’ve hated a character more than the antagonist in this one. (Trying not to give anything away here!) This book was so atmospheric taking place in the Colorado snowy mountains where an avalanche threatens the whole group.
This isn’t necessarily a binge worthy book but it still gets 5 stars from me for the excellent writing. It’s much deeper than your typical cat/mouse scenario.
February 20, 2026
I devoured Nightwatching when it came out, so I was really looking forward to the author’s second book. Unfortunately, this was a mess. The characters were barely developed; waaaayyyy too much detail about backcountry and avalanche safety; a random monster that wasn’t actually a monster thrown in for good measure. No, thank you.
February 11, 2026
Twelve-year-old Zach joins his father Bram, whose business is in dire need of cash, on a father-son backcountry ski weekend to wine and dine his biggest investors. Schooled in outdoor survival by his mother, Zach is eager to prove himself to the hypercritical Bram.
Zach is on high alert around Bram, and he sees the way the group ignores the increasingly threatening conditions. Faced with the unknown, he is convinced that something watches their cabin from the treeline. Something that leaves behind strange tracks and picks its prey clean.
The adults recklessly test the limits of the outdoors and Zach worries he might be in even more danger than he realized. Zach will have to rely on his wits if he hopes to make it home safely.
Warning Signs is an atmospheric, literary thriller. At times there are elements of horror. The snowy setting is described well and adds to the tension. Zach is a great character and we see the story through his eyes.
The story gets off to a very slow start. It takes almost until almost 40% for the pace to pick up and events begin to unfold. The lyrical writing style didn't work for me and I struggled to maintain interest. Many readers will enjoy this more due to the sinister vibe and atmospheric writing.
Thank you to Viking/Penguin for the chance to read!
Zach is on high alert around Bram, and he sees the way the group ignores the increasingly threatening conditions. Faced with the unknown, he is convinced that something watches their cabin from the treeline. Something that leaves behind strange tracks and picks its prey clean.
The adults recklessly test the limits of the outdoors and Zach worries he might be in even more danger than he realized. Zach will have to rely on his wits if he hopes to make it home safely.
Warning Signs is an atmospheric, literary thriller. At times there are elements of horror. The snowy setting is described well and adds to the tension. Zach is a great character and we see the story through his eyes.
The story gets off to a very slow start. It takes almost until almost 40% for the pace to pick up and events begin to unfold. The lyrical writing style didn't work for me and I struggled to maintain interest. Many readers will enjoy this more due to the sinister vibe and atmospheric writing.
Thank you to Viking/Penguin for the chance to read!
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