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The Hiding Season
In this page-turning, atmospheric thriller, a broken woman’s new beginning is upended when she becomes the only witness to a deadly crime . . . making her the next target.
After a painful divorce, Maya Landry is in desperate need of a fresh start, which she finds deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Maya’s relieved when she’s hired as a summer keeper of billionaire-owned ski lodges left empty after snow season ends, and her new life of peace and isolation is going exactly as hoped . . . until she stumbles across a dead body on the living room floor of one of the lodges. There's no cell service on the resort, and by the time she’s able to find signal and call the police, the body is gone. In fact, there is no evidence that there ever was a body there at all.
The police think Maya is unstable, and she’s not convinced they are wrong. But then a stranger walks up to her later that night and tells her that someone knows she was up on the mountain that day—someone willing to kill to keep their secrets. She's not sure whether to believe him, until the killers come for her in the dead of night. Maya narrowly escapes, only to find that same mysterious man waiting to rush her away. But can she trust him? Can she trust anyone?
Only one thing is the people who committed the murder are coming for her. Maya is the only person alive who might reveal what happened up on the mountain. And they want her gone.
After a painful divorce, Maya Landry is in desperate need of a fresh start, which she finds deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Maya’s relieved when she’s hired as a summer keeper of billionaire-owned ski lodges left empty after snow season ends, and her new life of peace and isolation is going exactly as hoped . . . until she stumbles across a dead body on the living room floor of one of the lodges. There's no cell service on the resort, and by the time she’s able to find signal and call the police, the body is gone. In fact, there is no evidence that there ever was a body there at all.
The police think Maya is unstable, and she’s not convinced they are wrong. But then a stranger walks up to her later that night and tells her that someone knows she was up on the mountain that day—someone willing to kill to keep their secrets. She's not sure whether to believe him, until the killers come for her in the dead of night. Maya narrowly escapes, only to find that same mysterious man waiting to rush her away. But can she trust him? Can she trust anyone?
Only one thing is the people who committed the murder are coming for her. Maya is the only person alive who might reveal what happened up on the mountain. And they want her gone.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published March 17, 2026
About the author
Ava Glass
4 books721 followersAVA GLASS is a former crime reporter and civil servant. Her time working for the government introduced her to the world of spies, and she's been fascinated by them ever since. She lives in the south of England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
April 7, 2026
This twisty romantic suspense was EXCELLENT on audio narrated by Sophie Amoss and has one divorced forty year old woman living on the run in hiding after getting framed for murder. Full of intrigue, lies, secrets and plot twists I didn't see coming with an epic end that had me cheering for the female main character. Highly recommended if you like a good thriller!
August 27, 2025
Part thriller, part suspense, part romance, part explosive government reveal. That’s what sums it up as a book and unfortunately it is as fragmented as this.
Maya was a fairly interesting character to start, recovering from a divorce by working alone up in a ski resort. She witnesses a murder and from there this book drops all pretence of knowing where it was going. Car chases, witsec, unadvised romance and an ending that leaves you wondering what happened.
I think this is a quick read for those who don’t need a genre. Like a choose your own adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Maya was a fairly interesting character to start, recovering from a divorce by working alone up in a ski resort. She witnesses a murder and from there this book drops all pretence of knowing where it was going. Car chases, witsec, unadvised romance and an ending that leaves you wondering what happened.
I think this is a quick read for those who don’t need a genre. Like a choose your own adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2026
Release date: 03-26-26
Narrated by Sophie Amoss
Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
THE HIDING SHADOWS follows Maya Landry, 38, a heartbroken woman in the midst of a divorce, who flees to the Rocky Mountains and takes a job as a summer caretaker on an exclusive private ski resort where the wealthiest people own mountain lodges they rarely visit. Alone on the mountain all day, she hopes she can heal and start over. But she's not alone. Someone else is up there hiding in the shadows. Someone with a motive to kill.
I did not have high hopes for this one because of low ratings. To my surprise this story kept me hooked from start to finish. It was so easy to root for Maya who's on the run for the things she witnessed. I enjoyed that author didn't jump around between different characters but focused on Maya. This way I could unravel the mystery together with her. I was on the edge of the seat all the time because I didn't really know what was going on, who to trust and how to stay safe.
I really enjoyed the combination of a strong but also vulnerable female protagonist, atmospheric setting, different locations and high-stakes suspense. Another strong point of this story was the way author reminded us how vulnerable women can be when their marriage ends and the only way is to let go of the failure, start over but it won't be easy, especially when there are killers after you!
If you want to read a thriller about what happens when we are overpowered. And how to know whether it’s time to run. Or to fight back. Then this story is for you! I listened to the audiobook and I think that the narrator did wonderful job in bringing the story to life. Well done!
Narrated by Sophie Amoss
Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
THE HIDING SHADOWS follows Maya Landry, 38, a heartbroken woman in the midst of a divorce, who flees to the Rocky Mountains and takes a job as a summer caretaker on an exclusive private ski resort where the wealthiest people own mountain lodges they rarely visit. Alone on the mountain all day, she hopes she can heal and start over. But she's not alone. Someone else is up there hiding in the shadows. Someone with a motive to kill.
I did not have high hopes for this one because of low ratings. To my surprise this story kept me hooked from start to finish. It was so easy to root for Maya who's on the run for the things she witnessed. I enjoyed that author didn't jump around between different characters but focused on Maya. This way I could unravel the mystery together with her. I was on the edge of the seat all the time because I didn't really know what was going on, who to trust and how to stay safe.
I really enjoyed the combination of a strong but also vulnerable female protagonist, atmospheric setting, different locations and high-stakes suspense. Another strong point of this story was the way author reminded us how vulnerable women can be when their marriage ends and the only way is to let go of the failure, start over but it won't be easy, especially when there are killers after you!
If you want to read a thriller about what happens when we are overpowered. And how to know whether it’s time to run. Or to fight back. Then this story is for you! I listened to the audiobook and I think that the narrator did wonderful job in bringing the story to life. Well done!
There are moments in your life that change everything. One step left, and the bus doesn’t hit you. One step right, and it’s game over. I stepped right the day I took the job in Montana.
November 25, 2025
Thank you Ballantine and Ava Glass for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Only 33% through and this book was not what I thought it was going to be. I was expecting a cozy mysterious thriller with a woman in Montana.
I feel like there’s so many different tropes and loose ends that I’m trying to keep straight and I’m hoping get resolved at the end of this book.
The character isn’t well developed. There’s no character that’s actually developed and there’s no real depth to the story.
Now it’s a love story??? I’m getting whiplash from all the different tropes.
Okay, finished the book and I have thoughts. It seemed the book lacked depth and a gripping story line. It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be based off of the description. The characters were not well developed. Overall, I would not recommend this book.
Only 33% through and this book was not what I thought it was going to be. I was expecting a cozy mysterious thriller with a woman in Montana.
I feel like there’s so many different tropes and loose ends that I’m trying to keep straight and I’m hoping get resolved at the end of this book.
The character isn’t well developed. There’s no character that’s actually developed and there’s no real depth to the story.
Now it’s a love story??? I’m getting whiplash from all the different tropes.
Okay, finished the book and I have thoughts. It seemed the book lacked depth and a gripping story line. It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be based off of the description. The characters were not well developed. Overall, I would not recommend this book.
Read
January 31, 2026I received this Arc digital copy through Net galley to read and review. (Thank you for this).
I have read other books by the author and enjoyed those. This one was a little more of an action/suspense book, which I don’t typically read.
This book reads like an action movie and it had me invested. Normally I find these movies and books silly but I was sucked into this storyline.
A woman is starting over after her marriage falls apart. She takes a job in a luxury gated community taking care of vacation homes. One day she goes to do her routine cleaning and stumbles upon a dead body. When she goes to report it….the body is gone. This starts a tidal wave of action packed events.
This book is full of suspense and corruption at every turn. She also sprinkles in a little romance/ love interests as well which I enjoyed.
This is written with a really good pacing and you find yourself not sure who to trust up until the last page.
I liked it and will continue to read her books. Solid 4 star book in my opinion.
I have read other books by the author and enjoyed those. This one was a little more of an action/suspense book, which I don’t typically read.
This book reads like an action movie and it had me invested. Normally I find these movies and books silly but I was sucked into this storyline.
A woman is starting over after her marriage falls apart. She takes a job in a luxury gated community taking care of vacation homes. One day she goes to do her routine cleaning and stumbles upon a dead body. When she goes to report it….the body is gone. This starts a tidal wave of action packed events.
This book is full of suspense and corruption at every turn. She also sprinkles in a little romance/ love interests as well which I enjoyed.
This is written with a really good pacing and you find yourself not sure who to trust up until the last page.
I liked it and will continue to read her books. Solid 4 star book in my opinion.
August 3, 2026
Not quite as exciting as her Alias Emma series, but still a fun suspense novel.
July 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
March 25, 2026
This will have you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, hoping everything will be ok!
Read
March 11, 2026The Hiding Season got off to a really strong start for me. Heartbroken and dumped shortly before her fortieth birthday, Maya finds a fresh start as a caretaker for a gated community of lavish vacation homes in the Montana mountains. I loved this part of the book!
On one of her check-ins, Maya finds a dead body on the living room floor. Shaken, she heads down the mountain to find cell service and summon the police. But when she takes the officers to show them the body ... it's gone.
I really wish the book had stayed in this lane (and location). But sadly for me, the story veered into breathlessly narrated romantic suspense territory, as a mysterious (and attractive) man in a bar tells Maya she's in terrible danger and has to trust him, change her identity, and leave town.
What follows is a confusing and ever more improbable series of events that takes the story to Denver, then Houston, then Austin. Maya is chased and hunted down, nearly killed, and forced to trust people she doesn't know. How is she able to completely disappear? Does she have no friends or family at all? Why does she say driving license if she is American and her new identity is American (I discovered that the author is British).
The synopsis led me to believe this was a mountain/outdoor thriller and I wanted that book!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
On one of her check-ins, Maya finds a dead body on the living room floor. Shaken, she heads down the mountain to find cell service and summon the police. But when she takes the officers to show them the body ... it's gone.
I really wish the book had stayed in this lane (and location). But sadly for me, the story veered into breathlessly narrated romantic suspense territory, as a mysterious (and attractive) man in a bar tells Maya she's in terrible danger and has to trust him, change her identity, and leave town.
What follows is a confusing and ever more improbable series of events that takes the story to Denver, then Houston, then Austin. Maya is chased and hunted down, nearly killed, and forced to trust people she doesn't know. How is she able to completely disappear? Does she have no friends or family at all? Why does she say driving license if she is American and her new identity is American (I discovered that the author is British).
The synopsis led me to believe this was a mountain/outdoor thriller and I wanted that book!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
March 17, 2026
In THE HIDING SEASON, Ava Glass, writing under the pen name A.C. Glass, weaves a gripping tale of survival set against the breathtaking backdrop of the remote Montana wilderness.
The novel immerses readers in a world filled with tension and danger, as its characters navigate the unpredictable forces of nature and the high-stakes challenges that threaten their very existence. With vivid descriptions and a heart-pounding plot, Glass skillfully draws readers into a harrowing game of survival that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Highlights...
Main Characters...
Maya Landry:
The protagonist is a 38-year-old freelance writer. Reeling from a sudden, painful divorce, she flees her life in Michigan to take a seasonal job as a caretaker for luxury ski lodges in the Rocky Mountains. Her life is upended when she becomes the sole witness to a murder.
Riley Maguire:
The mysterious stranger who approaches Maya at a local bar. He warns her that the killers are aware of what she saw and becomes her unlikely ally, aiding her escape and helping her stay alive as they go on the run.
Gina:
The woman who hires Maya to look after the billionaire-owned properties in Montana.
Supporting Figures
The killers, law enforcementm government agents, the elite, and powerful figures, including lawyers and politicians, who are connected to the crime Maya witnessed.
My thoughts...
Maya begins the story as a woman "hiding" from her failed marriage. The plot forces her to shed her grief and rediscover her strength and agency to survive.
The tone and atmosphere are tense, gripping, atmospheric, and chilling. The remote, silent Montana mountains create a constant sense of dread and eerie isolation with a gritty survival vibe. An ordinary person pushed to their limits.
An intense game of cat and mouse, the pacing is fast, a page turner with a twisty cat and mouse plot moving from the mountains of Montana to the heart of Texas.
Dark, unpredictable, and dangerous.
The author does a great job with the gaslighting and psychological elements as Maya questions her sanity. The story involves powerful, "well-protected" figures and corruption, raising the stakes beyond a simple murder mystery. Both physical (the mountain) and emotional (post-divorce), isolation is a central descriptor for the protagonist's journey.
Glass explores several layers of vulnerability and corruption and the psychological horror of knowing the truth while being told you are "unstable."
A major theme is the power gap between ordinary citizens and the ultra-wealthy. The killers are protected by lawyers, politicians, and high-level agents, making the pursuit of justice feel like an impossible David vs. Goliath battle.
The primary insight of THE HIDING SEASON is that true resilience often emerges in the very moments when we feel our most exposed and vulnerable. It is within these delicate and raw spaces that we discover our strengths, revealing an unexpected capacity to endure and adapt.
The novel is a twisty standalone psychological thriller, departing from Glass's usual Emma Makepeace spy series to focus on an ordinary person forced into an extraordinary survival situation.
Recs...
If you enjoyed the wilderness survival, isolation, and high-stakes pursuit in The Hiding Season, here are several similar thrillers that lean into those themes:
~Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta
~Descent by Tim Johnston
~No Exit by Taylor Adams
Special thanks to Bantam and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Mar 17, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
March Newsletter
The novel immerses readers in a world filled with tension and danger, as its characters navigate the unpredictable forces of nature and the high-stakes challenges that threaten their very existence. With vivid descriptions and a heart-pounding plot, Glass skillfully draws readers into a harrowing game of survival that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Highlights...
A Fresh Start:
Following a difficult divorce, Maya Landry seeks a quiet new beginning. She takes a job as a summer caretaker for a cluster of billionaire-owned ski lodges in the Rocky Mountains.
The Discovery:
While checking the empty lodges, Maya discovers a dead body on the living room floor. Due to the lack of cell service on the mountain, she must leave the area to call for help.
The Disappearance:
When Maya returns with the police roughly 30 minutes later, the body is gone. With no physical evidence remaining, the police dismiss her account and question her mental stability.
The Warning:
Later that night, a mysterious stranger approaches Maya at a local bar. He warns her that the killers know she saw the body and are coming for her to protect their secrets.
The Escape:
Assassins attack Maya in the middle of the night. She narrowly escapes and is forced to go on the run, assisted by the same mysterious man who warned her.
A Web of Secrets:
As she flees, Maya is caught in a dangerous plot involving a spy, an FBI agent, and powerful figures protected by lawyers and politicians.
Main Characters...
Maya Landry:
The protagonist is a 38-year-old freelance writer. Reeling from a sudden, painful divorce, she flees her life in Michigan to take a seasonal job as a caretaker for luxury ski lodges in the Rocky Mountains. Her life is upended when she becomes the sole witness to a murder.
Riley Maguire:
The mysterious stranger who approaches Maya at a local bar. He warns her that the killers are aware of what she saw and becomes her unlikely ally, aiding her escape and helping her stay alive as they go on the run.
Gina:
The woman who hires Maya to look after the billionaire-owned properties in Montana.
Supporting Figures
The killers, law enforcementm government agents, the elite, and powerful figures, including lawyers and politicians, who are connected to the crime Maya witnessed.
My thoughts...
Maya begins the story as a woman "hiding" from her failed marriage. The plot forces her to shed her grief and rediscover her strength and agency to survive.
The tone and atmosphere are tense, gripping, atmospheric, and chilling. The remote, silent Montana mountains create a constant sense of dread and eerie isolation with a gritty survival vibe. An ordinary person pushed to their limits.
An intense game of cat and mouse, the pacing is fast, a page turner with a twisty cat and mouse plot moving from the mountains of Montana to the heart of Texas.
Dark, unpredictable, and dangerous.
The author does a great job with the gaslighting and psychological elements as Maya questions her sanity. The story involves powerful, "well-protected" figures and corruption, raising the stakes beyond a simple murder mystery. Both physical (the mountain) and emotional (post-divorce), isolation is a central descriptor for the protagonist's journey.
Glass explores several layers of vulnerability and corruption and the psychological horror of knowing the truth while being told you are "unstable."
A major theme is the power gap between ordinary citizens and the ultra-wealthy. The killers are protected by lawyers, politicians, and high-level agents, making the pursuit of justice feel like an impossible David vs. Goliath battle.
The primary insight of THE HIDING SEASON is that true resilience often emerges in the very moments when we feel our most exposed and vulnerable. It is within these delicate and raw spaces that we discover our strengths, revealing an unexpected capacity to endure and adapt.
The novel is a twisty standalone psychological thriller, departing from Glass's usual Emma Makepeace spy series to focus on an ordinary person forced into an extraordinary survival situation.
Recs...
If you enjoyed the wilderness survival, isolation, and high-stakes pursuit in The Hiding Season, here are several similar thrillers that lean into those themes:
~Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta
~Descent by Tim Johnston
~No Exit by Taylor Adams
Special thanks to Bantam and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Mar 17, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
March Newsletter
July 5, 2026
This got off to a great start - immediately captivating, however it becomes something you read because you want to know how it ends. The characters are fairly flat, and not an awful lot happens. There is some need to see Maya / Lara's life settle and for her to be happy and plot does keep you guessing until the end. It just doesn't quite have enough punch.
December 19, 2025
Desperate for a new start, Maya takes a job as a caretaker at a posh private resort community in the snowy hills of Montana. The job appears to be the perfect match until she discovers a dead body in one of the lodges. She flees down the mountain to call the police, but when they return, the body is gone. And soon Maya will have to flee for her life. The Hiding Season, while not perfect, is an entertaining romp, but you’ll have to put the implausibilities aside or this one will drive you crazy, which is what this reader did, and I wound up enjoying this wild story - unbelievable plot, shady characters and head-shaking moments be damned! If you’re looking for a realistic damsel-in-distress novel, skip it. If you want to escape for a few hours, dig in!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2025
Rating: 3.75⭐️
Hmm I’m not sure how I feel about this one. It wasn’t bad it just didn’t really hook me in. The twists were predictable and it felt a little repetitive. But it’s a quick read thriller a little bit of romance.
Hmm I’m not sure how I feel about this one. It wasn’t bad it just didn’t really hook me in. The twists were predictable and it felt a little repetitive. But it’s a quick read thriller a little bit of romance.
May 16, 2026
Solid thriller about a woman who is at the wrong place at the wrong time, in the way of the wrong people. I am a sucker for process-filled on the run stories.
A nitpicky local note- part of the invented backstory is that Lara has a “degree in an English from Kansas University.” Its nickname is KU, but it’s the University of Kansas. Nobody calls it Kansas University.
Possibly the most relatable line:
“All hospitals are designed, I sincerely believe, by deranged architects wreaking revenge on the world for some past slight none of us can remember. The hallways tangle and twist into alternate universes that contain nothing except more hallways.”
A nitpicky local note- part of the invented backstory is that Lara has a “degree in an English from Kansas University.” Its nickname is KU, but it’s the University of Kansas. Nobody calls it Kansas University.
Possibly the most relatable line:
“All hospitals are designed, I sincerely believe, by deranged architects wreaking revenge on the world for some past slight none of us can remember. The hallways tangle and twist into alternate universes that contain nothing except more hallways.”
March 9, 2026
Let me start this review by saying I’ve really enjoyed all the previous Ava Glass books immensely.
I had high hopes for this new book, The Hiding Season. While it still feels like an Ava Glass book, it tonally has shifted a bit. While still being a thriller, it also felt like a romance book. Glass is known for writing strong female characters and this felt like a departure from that style.
Maya Landry’s character felt like a damsel in distress. Some of the other characters like Riley felt kind of thrown in to make the plot more interesting.
I didn’t hate the book. It just felt like a different book than what I’m used to with Ava Glass.
By the end of this book, we got more of the female characters that I’m used to with Glass. Maybe this was a way to build this character up but it felt jarring and unexpected.
Again, might sound like I’m knocking this book but nope, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just felt different than what I’m used to.
I had high hopes for this new book, The Hiding Season. While it still feels like an Ava Glass book, it tonally has shifted a bit. While still being a thriller, it also felt like a romance book. Glass is known for writing strong female characters and this felt like a departure from that style.
Maya Landry’s character felt like a damsel in distress. Some of the other characters like Riley felt kind of thrown in to make the plot more interesting.
I didn’t hate the book. It just felt like a different book than what I’m used to with Ava Glass.
By the end of this book, we got more of the female characters that I’m used to with Glass. Maybe this was a way to build this character up but it felt jarring and unexpected.
Again, might sound like I’m knocking this book but nope, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just felt different than what I’m used to.
July 7, 2026
this sucked balls.
spend the first quarter of the book intensely wrapped up in the protagonist’s mind. pages and pages and pages of her thoughts and feelings with hardly much movement.
also—the characterization sucked. for me. i didn’t care about any of them. recently betrayed in her marriage trope. stumbles into trouble and desires a man she shouldn’t. big whoop.
the reveal? i felt nothing😭
the resolution? the final act? the climax?
booty🚬😒
bro, im so f’ing happy that im done with this damn book.
got catfished by the cover and sh*t😭
our protagonist was so damn stupid.
k. bye
spend the first quarter of the book intensely wrapped up in the protagonist’s mind. pages and pages and pages of her thoughts and feelings with hardly much movement.
also—the characterization sucked. for me. i didn’t care about any of them. recently betrayed in her marriage trope. stumbles into trouble and desires a man she shouldn’t. big whoop.
the reveal? i felt nothing😭
the resolution? the final act? the climax?
booty🚬😒
bro, im so f’ing happy that im done with this damn book.
got catfished by the cover and sh*t😭
our protagonist was so damn stupid.
k. bye
July 5, 2026
Maya’s life u I s sickly unraveling. She lands what looks to be the perfect job, but looks can be deceiving. A gruesome discovery sends her on the run.
This book is all over the place. It starts out as a thriller and moves between genres quickly. The pacing is quick and the story rarely drags. It did feel a little unrealistic at times, but still a pretty good read.
This book is all over the place. It starts out as a thriller and moves between genres quickly. The pacing is quick and the story rarely drags. It did feel a little unrealistic at times, but still a pretty good read.
April 8, 2026
Wow took me 8 days to get thru that… it started out great.. dragged alittle then towards the end I wanted to really know and it was good then the last 20 pages were terriable!! Anyone else read this? Thoughts?! It could have been so much better!! Very repetitive
May 30, 2026
Take this ride…A divorced woman,Maya, gets into her car and drives-leaves town and ends up in Montana , needs a job, a crime has been committed, murder, now charged with the murder, on the run, help?, leaving her “new” family, secrets, lies and government corruption…WHEW. Enjoy
June 30, 2026
Maya/Lara is on the run. She witnessed something she never should have and is now hiding for her life. She doesn’t know who to trust and is in so deep. I enjoyed this story and it kept me invested
July 28, 2026
I loved the pace of this book and already can see it as a show or movie. I think the details and twists were great, not too little and not too much. Couldnt stop reading/listening.
July 18, 2026
Even though I saw all the twists and turns coming I still really enjoyed this! Maya was so like able and a fighter to keep trying to push forward.
May 25, 2026
I didn’t care for this book much. I felt that Maya/Lara was very annoying and kind of dumb at times. I also didn’t think the story was that interesting either.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2025
Title: The Hiding Season
Author: Ava Glass
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hired as a caretaker in the offseason for an exclusive living community in Montana, Maya is trying to start over her life after her husband cheated on her with his much younger assistant. One day she enters one of the homes and something felt off: the warm air, the scent of sweat, and then the discovery of a dead body. When she leaves to get a cell signal and contact the police, the body disappears. Then a stranger at a bar tells her that she’s next after what she witnessed that day, but she had to leave now because the big boss had his minions coming after her and she was no longer safe. What really happened that day in the house and who is behind it?
Takeaways:
1. This is not an Emma Makepeace book. Glass is very clear to let readers know that on her social media. I was excited to get this ARC as a fan of her EM series because her writing is electric and fast paced. Her writing style carries over to this book and keeps you hanging on.
2. Loved the tidbits of clues dropped throughout the book. Great supporting cast of characters. Everything comes together in the end.
3. Riley’s character is flawed but trying to make up for his shortcomings by playing the hero. How far does it take him?
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on March 17, 2026.
#arc #netgalley #bookstagram @avaglassbooks @ballantinebooks #thehidingseason
Author: Ava Glass
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hired as a caretaker in the offseason for an exclusive living community in Montana, Maya is trying to start over her life after her husband cheated on her with his much younger assistant. One day she enters one of the homes and something felt off: the warm air, the scent of sweat, and then the discovery of a dead body. When she leaves to get a cell signal and contact the police, the body disappears. Then a stranger at a bar tells her that she’s next after what she witnessed that day, but she had to leave now because the big boss had his minions coming after her and she was no longer safe. What really happened that day in the house and who is behind it?
Takeaways:
1. This is not an Emma Makepeace book. Glass is very clear to let readers know that on her social media. I was excited to get this ARC as a fan of her EM series because her writing is electric and fast paced. Her writing style carries over to this book and keeps you hanging on.
2. Loved the tidbits of clues dropped throughout the book. Great supporting cast of characters. Everything comes together in the end.
3. Riley’s character is flawed but trying to make up for his shortcomings by playing the hero. How far does it take him?
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on March 17, 2026.
#arc #netgalley #bookstagram @avaglassbooks @ballantinebooks #thehidingseason
April 10, 2026
Ava Glass has become, for me, an author of exciting books that I waste no time picking up and devouring. As with her previous three novels, The Hiding Season is a thrill ride from beginning to end. Maya is one of those characters I think we all love to read about: a woman ditching her old life and starting anew, in a new state and city, trying to forget her unhappy past. Who doesn't dream sometimes about escaping and starting fresh? Well, be careful what you wish for! In her new life, Maya makes an innocent mistake that puts her in harm's way. Murder, suspense, danger, and a few tense road trips where constantly looking over her shoulder becomes unbearable -- if you like those elements, you'll love this book.
April 24, 2026
The Hiding Season by Ava Glass is a standalone thriller that blends survival suspense with elements of conspiracy and romance. At its core, the novel hinges on a compelling premise: what happens when an ordinary person becomes the sole witness to a high-profile murder—and is forced to run for her life. It’s an idea that immediately grabs attention, and for me, it remained the most fascinating aspect of the book, even when other elements didn’t fully land.
The story follows Maya Landry, a woman recovering from a painful divorce who relocates to the remote mountains of Montana for a fresh start. She takes a job as a caretaker for isolated luxury lodges, hoping for peace and anonymity. That hope is shattered when she discovers a dead body in one of the homes—only for the body to disappear before authorities can verify her claim. From that moment, Maya is thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, as it becomes clear she has witnessed something powerful people are willing to kill to keep hidden.
The plot unfolds as a survival thriller, with Maya forced to go on the run while questioning who she can trust. A mysterious stranger, Riley Maguire, enters the picture as both a potential ally and a source of suspicion. Together, they navigate a widening conspiracy involving influential figures, shadowy motives, and escalating danger. The narrative leans heavily on tension and uncertainty, often limiting the reader’s knowledge to Maya’s perspective, which adds a psychological edge to the story.
Conceptually, the idea of witnessing a high-profile murder—and becoming the target because of it—is undeniably gripping. It sets up immediate stakes and taps into a primal fear of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The isolated mountain setting further enhances this, at least initially, creating a sense of vulnerability and claustrophobia. However, while the premise is strong, I found the execution uneven.
One of my main struggles was with the characters. Maya, as the protagonist, has an interesting starting point—a woman rebuilding her life—but she often feels underdeveloped or inconsistent. At times she comes across as resourceful and determined, while at others she slips into a more passive, “damsel in distress” role that undermines her agency. Supporting characters, including Riley, don’t always feel fully realized either, sometimes seeming more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. This made it harder to become emotionally invested in their journey.
Pacing is another area where the novel falters. While marketed as a fast-paced thriller, the story takes a while to fully engage, with a slower buildup that delays the central action. Even once the stakes are established, the momentum can feel inconsistent, with some sections dragging or repeating similar beats. Several readers have noted that the tension doesn’t always sustain itself, which was also my experience.
The romance subplot, meanwhile, didn’t quite work for me. The dynamic between Maya and Riley feels rushed and somewhat forced, especially given the life-or-death circumstances they’re in. Instead of adding emotional depth, it occasionally veers into territory that feels a bit cringeworthy and out of sync with the darker tone of the story.
That said, the novel isn’t without its strengths. The central idea remains engaging, and there are moments of genuine suspense, particularly when the danger feels immediate and unpredictable. The theme of trust—who to believe, and how far to rely on others—runs effectively throughout the narrative.
Overall, The Hiding Season is a mixed experience. The premise of witnessing a high-profile murder is undeniably compelling and sets the stage for a gripping thriller. However, uneven pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a somewhat awkward romance keep it from fully realizing its potential. It’s an entertaining read in parts, but one that ultimately left me wanting more depth and consistency.
The story follows Maya Landry, a woman recovering from a painful divorce who relocates to the remote mountains of Montana for a fresh start. She takes a job as a caretaker for isolated luxury lodges, hoping for peace and anonymity. That hope is shattered when she discovers a dead body in one of the homes—only for the body to disappear before authorities can verify her claim. From that moment, Maya is thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, as it becomes clear she has witnessed something powerful people are willing to kill to keep hidden.
The plot unfolds as a survival thriller, with Maya forced to go on the run while questioning who she can trust. A mysterious stranger, Riley Maguire, enters the picture as both a potential ally and a source of suspicion. Together, they navigate a widening conspiracy involving influential figures, shadowy motives, and escalating danger. The narrative leans heavily on tension and uncertainty, often limiting the reader’s knowledge to Maya’s perspective, which adds a psychological edge to the story.
Conceptually, the idea of witnessing a high-profile murder—and becoming the target because of it—is undeniably gripping. It sets up immediate stakes and taps into a primal fear of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The isolated mountain setting further enhances this, at least initially, creating a sense of vulnerability and claustrophobia. However, while the premise is strong, I found the execution uneven.
One of my main struggles was with the characters. Maya, as the protagonist, has an interesting starting point—a woman rebuilding her life—but she often feels underdeveloped or inconsistent. At times she comes across as resourceful and determined, while at others she slips into a more passive, “damsel in distress” role that undermines her agency. Supporting characters, including Riley, don’t always feel fully realized either, sometimes seeming more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. This made it harder to become emotionally invested in their journey.
Pacing is another area where the novel falters. While marketed as a fast-paced thriller, the story takes a while to fully engage, with a slower buildup that delays the central action. Even once the stakes are established, the momentum can feel inconsistent, with some sections dragging or repeating similar beats. Several readers have noted that the tension doesn’t always sustain itself, which was also my experience.
The romance subplot, meanwhile, didn’t quite work for me. The dynamic between Maya and Riley feels rushed and somewhat forced, especially given the life-or-death circumstances they’re in. Instead of adding emotional depth, it occasionally veers into territory that feels a bit cringeworthy and out of sync with the darker tone of the story.
That said, the novel isn’t without its strengths. The central idea remains engaging, and there are moments of genuine suspense, particularly when the danger feels immediate and unpredictable. The theme of trust—who to believe, and how far to rely on others—runs effectively throughout the narrative.
Overall, The Hiding Season is a mixed experience. The premise of witnessing a high-profile murder is undeniably compelling and sets the stage for a gripping thriller. However, uneven pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a somewhat awkward romance keep it from fully realizing its potential. It’s an entertaining read in parts, but one that ultimately left me wanting more depth and consistency.
January 11, 2026
I do not mind admitting that this book did not go where I was expecting at all. And totally not in a bad way. Having read the blurb I had a completely different story in my head but that was no matter. What I found in the pages of The Hiding Place is a fast paced, high tension thriller that was full of brilliant characters and more high stakes moments that I could ask for. This is the story of Maya. Ditched by her husband for his much younger assistant, and striking out on her own for the first time in over a decade, she seeks solace in Montana, a place she new from her college days. Desperate for work she takes a job as a kind of general caretaker for a very exclusive resort in the mountains, a decision she soon lives to regret.
Barely.
And so Maya becomes a woman on the run, aided by a man she doesn't know and has no reason to trust. Riley Maguire is a mystery to Ava but he seems intent on keeping her alive, and so begins the second new start of Maya's life, and the start of all the tension, action and intrigue for us readers. Whilst it is a relatively innocuous start to the story, even if personally I would have been very suspicious of the behaviour of Gina, the woman who hires Maya to look after the properties, that simple paces doesn't last for long. You can feel the isolation of the Montana setting, and that just adds to the edginess of the story as Maya sets about her daily duties in the lead up to that fateful day.
This is kind of a cat and mouse story. It is less about any overt violence directed against Maya, but the sense of threat is no less because of it. The implications of what she witnessed and how easy it is for the forces conspiring against her to find her when they need to allows the tension and sense of jeopardy to build, even if she manages to stay just a tiny step ahead of danger for most of the book. Just when you think things are settled, that Maya is on as even a keel as she could expect, something happens to remove the safety net and plunge her right back into the thick of it. The pacing in the book is pitched perfectly to drive the story, as well as allowing us to get to know Maya and to become invested in her story and those of the people around her.
I like the chemistry that the author has built up in the book between Riley and Maya. In spite of all the warnings signs, and there many, not just from other characters, but in actions taken, the development of their relationship, driven by the heat of two people out of their depth, really does just work. There is a kind of inevitability about that element of the story, but it makes the aloofness of Reily all the more acute, and brings the actions of certain characters into question in just the right way to add an element of apprehension to everything witnessed.
This is a tale or organised crime, corruption and misguided loyalties, with Maya, a truly innocent party, caught up in the middle. I was invested in her story, really wanting to see things work out alright in the end. I like the way in which AC Glass has framed the story, the narrative choices she made which become very clear by the end of the book. It works perfectly, and some of the choices made by certain characters make absolute sense the more we learn. Maya may come across as a weaker character, but it pays not to underestimate anyone in this book. It made me smile and, at a shade under 300 pages, I raced through this book in just a few hours.
A really enjoyable, addictive thriller with great characters I really grew to care about, and that more than delivered.
Barely.
And so Maya becomes a woman on the run, aided by a man she doesn't know and has no reason to trust. Riley Maguire is a mystery to Ava but he seems intent on keeping her alive, and so begins the second new start of Maya's life, and the start of all the tension, action and intrigue for us readers. Whilst it is a relatively innocuous start to the story, even if personally I would have been very suspicious of the behaviour of Gina, the woman who hires Maya to look after the properties, that simple paces doesn't last for long. You can feel the isolation of the Montana setting, and that just adds to the edginess of the story as Maya sets about her daily duties in the lead up to that fateful day.
This is kind of a cat and mouse story. It is less about any overt violence directed against Maya, but the sense of threat is no less because of it. The implications of what she witnessed and how easy it is for the forces conspiring against her to find her when they need to allows the tension and sense of jeopardy to build, even if she manages to stay just a tiny step ahead of danger for most of the book. Just when you think things are settled, that Maya is on as even a keel as she could expect, something happens to remove the safety net and plunge her right back into the thick of it. The pacing in the book is pitched perfectly to drive the story, as well as allowing us to get to know Maya and to become invested in her story and those of the people around her.
I like the chemistry that the author has built up in the book between Riley and Maya. In spite of all the warnings signs, and there many, not just from other characters, but in actions taken, the development of their relationship, driven by the heat of two people out of their depth, really does just work. There is a kind of inevitability about that element of the story, but it makes the aloofness of Reily all the more acute, and brings the actions of certain characters into question in just the right way to add an element of apprehension to everything witnessed.
This is a tale or organised crime, corruption and misguided loyalties, with Maya, a truly innocent party, caught up in the middle. I was invested in her story, really wanting to see things work out alright in the end. I like the way in which AC Glass has framed the story, the narrative choices she made which become very clear by the end of the book. It works perfectly, and some of the choices made by certain characters make absolute sense the more we learn. Maya may come across as a weaker character, but it pays not to underestimate anyone in this book. It made me smile and, at a shade under 300 pages, I raced through this book in just a few hours.
A really enjoyable, addictive thriller with great characters I really grew to care about, and that more than delivered.
April 21, 2026
-Very well plotted and written story of a woman who finds herself in a dangerous situation but is forced to go on the run. Filled with twists to the story, it keeps your attention throughout.
-We’re introduced to Maya Landry, who has just undergone a very painful divorce. She’s in her upper 30’s and had been married for a while. Her husband managed to find an efficient secretary, and Maya was happy for him and befriended the girl, but one day, her husband, Brandon, surprised her by saying he wanted a divorce. He was going to marry his young secretary. To add to the hurt, Brandon had never wanted children but he revealed that his secretary was pregnant and he was going to be with her.
-Maya never had a good relationship with her own family, and felt her only option was a complete break. She left her home in Lansing, MI, and decided to go far away, and ended up in Montana. She had brought a basic and small wardrobe, and was hunting for a place to stay and a job. She was an aspiring writer, but had only written small things for the local paper and nothing major was ever published so she was open to anything. Though she reached out to a number of establishments, no one was hiring her, but she saw a notice in the paper that gave her hope. “Well paid post overseeing exclusive development near Bozeman. Flexible working hour. Must…be able to handle isolation.” She interviewed, and was heavily questioned, and was almost rejected, but the interviewer, Gina, ended up hiring her.
-The job was for her to go into a gated area in a mountainous and isolated location, with very high end homes owned by very wealthy individuals. As this was off season, the homes were empty, and her job was to go into each home at least every two weeks, and make sure all was okay and the homes were clean for when the owners came back.
-Months passed, and she had a good routine. Because of the large number of homes, she had to go through 3-4 homes a day. Though she always followed a certain pattern, she decided to change and went to a home that she felt was her least liked in order to get it over with, but she was shocked to find a dead body of a man who had been strangled.
-She called the police, but when they came up to the house, the interior looked like nothing was disturbed. No body and no sign anyone was there. The police thought that she fabricated her report. She felt embarrassed to report this to Gina, but she soon found that she was a target because of what she saw.
-What followed is her near escape from being killed herself, while being assisted by several people who said they were government agents. She now had to set herself up in another city, but those looking to kill her wouldn’t rest until they completed the job and her situation went from bad to worse.
-She now had to question whether those who seem to be helping her were to be trusted, and her life becomes one where she must be on the move in order to survive.
-This is an extremely well done novel, as the author manages to lull you with Maya having a normal life, only to be presented with a life-threatening danger in the next moment. Events happen that make her question the actions of the people that are helping her while she knows that her only other option is to be faced with certain death.
-We’re introduced to Maya Landry, who has just undergone a very painful divorce. She’s in her upper 30’s and had been married for a while. Her husband managed to find an efficient secretary, and Maya was happy for him and befriended the girl, but one day, her husband, Brandon, surprised her by saying he wanted a divorce. He was going to marry his young secretary. To add to the hurt, Brandon had never wanted children but he revealed that his secretary was pregnant and he was going to be with her.
-Maya never had a good relationship with her own family, and felt her only option was a complete break. She left her home in Lansing, MI, and decided to go far away, and ended up in Montana. She had brought a basic and small wardrobe, and was hunting for a place to stay and a job. She was an aspiring writer, but had only written small things for the local paper and nothing major was ever published so she was open to anything. Though she reached out to a number of establishments, no one was hiring her, but she saw a notice in the paper that gave her hope. “Well paid post overseeing exclusive development near Bozeman. Flexible working hour. Must…be able to handle isolation.” She interviewed, and was heavily questioned, and was almost rejected, but the interviewer, Gina, ended up hiring her.
-The job was for her to go into a gated area in a mountainous and isolated location, with very high end homes owned by very wealthy individuals. As this was off season, the homes were empty, and her job was to go into each home at least every two weeks, and make sure all was okay and the homes were clean for when the owners came back.
-Months passed, and she had a good routine. Because of the large number of homes, she had to go through 3-4 homes a day. Though she always followed a certain pattern, she decided to change and went to a home that she felt was her least liked in order to get it over with, but she was shocked to find a dead body of a man who had been strangled.
-She called the police, but when they came up to the house, the interior looked like nothing was disturbed. No body and no sign anyone was there. The police thought that she fabricated her report. She felt embarrassed to report this to Gina, but she soon found that she was a target because of what she saw.
-What followed is her near escape from being killed herself, while being assisted by several people who said they were government agents. She now had to set herself up in another city, but those looking to kill her wouldn’t rest until they completed the job and her situation went from bad to worse.
-She now had to question whether those who seem to be helping her were to be trusted, and her life becomes one where she must be on the move in order to survive.
-This is an extremely well done novel, as the author manages to lull you with Maya having a normal life, only to be presented with a life-threatening danger in the next moment. Events happen that make her question the actions of the people that are helping her while she knows that her only other option is to be faced with certain death.
Want to Read
March 2, 2026📚The Hiding Season
✍🏻Ava Glass
Blurb:
In this page-turning, atmospheric thriller, a broken woman’s new beginning is upended when she becomes the only witness to a deadly crime . . . making her the next target.
After a painful divorce, Maya Landry is in desperate need of a fresh start, which she finds deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Maya’s relieved when she’s hired as a summer keeper of billionaire-owned ski lodges left empty after snow season ends, and her new life of peace and isolation is going exactly as hoped . . . until she stumbles across a dead body on the living room floor of one of the lodges. There's no cell service on the resort, and by the time she’s able to find signal and call the police, the body is gone. In fact, there is no evidence that there ever was a body there at all.
The police think Maya is unstable, and she’s not convinced they are wrong. But then a stranger walks up to her later that night and tells her that someone knows she was up on the mountain that day—someone willing to kill to keep their secrets. She's not sure whether to believe him, until the killers come for her in the dead of night. Maya narrowly escapes, only to find that same mysterious man waiting to rush her away. But can she trust him? Can she trust anyone?
Only one thing is the people who committed the murder are coming for her. Maya is the only person alive who might reveal what happened up on the mountain. And they want her gone.
My Thoughts:
This is a fast-paced thriller.
Maya was happy. She was 38 with no kids or pets and she loved her husband. That’s what she thought until there was an unexpected shock: he asked for a divorce. In a panic, she decided to leave the city without telling anyone.
She was living in Lansing, Michigan – a city with its main function centering on the state capitol. Yet, there was not a mention of its importance even though she was a freelance writer of articles. However, I could really sense the mountains in Montana. That’s where she went to next.
Maya was comfortable in Bozeman where she attended college. She found a job taking care of luxurious properties in a gated community for owners who were away. The imagery was clear with beautiful views as she traveled up a mountain road to higher altitudes. She enjoyed it until one day when she witnessed a dead body in one of the lodges.This starts a tidal wave of action packed events .A quick read thriller a little bit of romance.
Thanks NetGalley, Bantam and Author Ava Glass for the complimentary copy of "The Hiding Season" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#Netgalley
#BantamBooks
#AvaGlass
#TheHidingSeason
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Ava Glass
Blurb:
In this page-turning, atmospheric thriller, a broken woman’s new beginning is upended when she becomes the only witness to a deadly crime . . . making her the next target.
After a painful divorce, Maya Landry is in desperate need of a fresh start, which she finds deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Maya’s relieved when she’s hired as a summer keeper of billionaire-owned ski lodges left empty after snow season ends, and her new life of peace and isolation is going exactly as hoped . . . until she stumbles across a dead body on the living room floor of one of the lodges. There's no cell service on the resort, and by the time she’s able to find signal and call the police, the body is gone. In fact, there is no evidence that there ever was a body there at all.
The police think Maya is unstable, and she’s not convinced they are wrong. But then a stranger walks up to her later that night and tells her that someone knows she was up on the mountain that day—someone willing to kill to keep their secrets. She's not sure whether to believe him, until the killers come for her in the dead of night. Maya narrowly escapes, only to find that same mysterious man waiting to rush her away. But can she trust him? Can she trust anyone?
Only one thing is the people who committed the murder are coming for her. Maya is the only person alive who might reveal what happened up on the mountain. And they want her gone.
My Thoughts:
This is a fast-paced thriller.
Maya was happy. She was 38 with no kids or pets and she loved her husband. That’s what she thought until there was an unexpected shock: he asked for a divorce. In a panic, she decided to leave the city without telling anyone.
She was living in Lansing, Michigan – a city with its main function centering on the state capitol. Yet, there was not a mention of its importance even though she was a freelance writer of articles. However, I could really sense the mountains in Montana. That’s where she went to next.
Maya was comfortable in Bozeman where she attended college. She found a job taking care of luxurious properties in a gated community for owners who were away. The imagery was clear with beautiful views as she traveled up a mountain road to higher altitudes. She enjoyed it until one day when she witnessed a dead body in one of the lodges.This starts a tidal wave of action packed events .A quick read thriller a little bit of romance.
Thanks NetGalley, Bantam and Author Ava Glass for the complimentary copy of "The Hiding Season" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#Netgalley
#BantamBooks
#AvaGlass
#TheHidingSeason
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 15, 2026
All the books of Ava Glass’s British spy series “Alias Emma” (set in international locales) were absolute 5 star reads for me, so a book in the heart of the Rockies was a definite change. Emma Makepeace was always in control, but “The Hiding Season’s” Maya is a loose end.
Thirty-eight years old and recently betrayed by a cheating husband back in Michigan, Maya has fled to her college town of Bozeman. She’s a freelance journalist without much success, describing herself as a poet and
listicle writer (short, pithy lists of facts about random things). Needing a job, she interviews with Gina of Big Sky Land Management, which oversees a hidden, secretive, high end property with 45 multi-million dollar estates, out of cell range, mostly empty when the ski season is over, but very secure, and collectively called “The Gateway.” Maya’s job would be to visit each home every two weeks, dusting, airing out, and watering plants for absent owners. It’s the perfect isolated job for her, until she finds a man who has ugly-died in her least favorite house. The guard at the gate is absent, so she flees downhill to get cell service and call 911. However, the responding policemen find White Pine Lodge empty. Someone had quickly moved the dead-floor guy. Later, as the handsome-conscientious guy in the bar (who was supposed to assassinate her) warns her, the skillful perpetrators also realize that Maya is a loose end.
And just like that, Maya (much like Emma Makepeace) is on the run. “The Hiding Season” delivers as a high tension thriller with a likable main character, trying very hard to trust the guy next to her in a getaway vehicle to an unknown future. The twisty action takes Maya to Denver, Austin, and Chicago, with an array of characters who have suspicious relationships with the truth. Again, author Glass delivers a spectacular story that I read in one sitting. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO But there is a vivid description of the dead man’s eyes that epitomized empty: icy blue and wide open.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s still winter in May in the Rockies (true: I’ll never forget the three inches of snow on June 17).
Thank you to Ballantine/Bantam Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Thirty-eight years old and recently betrayed by a cheating husband back in Michigan, Maya has fled to her college town of Bozeman. She’s a freelance journalist without much success, describing herself as a poet and
listicle writer (short, pithy lists of facts about random things). Needing a job, she interviews with Gina of Big Sky Land Management, which oversees a hidden, secretive, high end property with 45 multi-million dollar estates, out of cell range, mostly empty when the ski season is over, but very secure, and collectively called “The Gateway.” Maya’s job would be to visit each home every two weeks, dusting, airing out, and watering plants for absent owners. It’s the perfect isolated job for her, until she finds a man who has ugly-died in her least favorite house. The guard at the gate is absent, so she flees downhill to get cell service and call 911. However, the responding policemen find White Pine Lodge empty. Someone had quickly moved the dead-floor guy. Later, as the handsome-conscientious guy in the bar (who was supposed to assassinate her) warns her, the skillful perpetrators also realize that Maya is a loose end.
And just like that, Maya (much like Emma Makepeace) is on the run. “The Hiding Season” delivers as a high tension thriller with a likable main character, trying very hard to trust the guy next to her in a getaway vehicle to an unknown future. The twisty action takes Maya to Denver, Austin, and Chicago, with an array of characters who have suspicious relationships with the truth. Again, author Glass delivers a spectacular story that I read in one sitting. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO But there is a vivid description of the dead man’s eyes that epitomized empty: icy blue and wide open.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s still winter in May in the Rockies (true: I’ll never forget the three inches of snow on June 17).
Thank you to Ballantine/Bantam Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
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