What do you think?
Rate this book
EMP The Quiet Hideaway: An EMP Post Apocalypse Prepper Survival Thriller
No one believed her.
When an EMP cripples the nation, Meghan is one of the few prepared to survive.
When the EMP hits, Captain Meghan Prescott loses everything except the skills her grandfather taught her. With the city descending into chaos, she sets out alone toward a distant prepper homestead, where her daughter might still be safe. In a world of EMP survival and post-apocalyptic ruin, a mother’s love is the hope that keeps her alive.
When an EMP cripples the nation, Meghan is one of the few prepared to survive.
When the EMP hits, Captain Meghan Prescott loses everything except the skills her grandfather taught her. With the city descending into chaos, she sets out alone toward a distant prepper homestead, where her daughter might still be safe. In a world of EMP survival and post-apocalyptic ruin, a mother’s love is the hope that keeps her alive.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 9, 2026
"ONE SINGLE EMP, ONE SINGLE BLAST, HAD SET AMERICA BACK TO THE STONE AGE."
6/08/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EMP The Quiet Hideaway: An EMP Post Apocalypse Pepper Survival Thriller by William Stone is a very intense action packed novel that will hold your interest throughout to see if Meghan can locate her kidnapped daughter, Georgie, who was taken by her ex-husband Scott in the aftermath of an EMP attack on the U.S. The story takes place in Seattle and the greater area of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
This was the first book that I have had the chance to read by William Stone and based on my first experience with his works, I plan to read more. I did have a few problems with this book though. Hwy 520 from Seattle to Kirkland, Washington does not cross a river it crosses Lake Washington. Once you cross the 520 bridge you enter Kirkland, Bellevue, and Redmond, Washington, which in no means is a wilderness area filled with hunting cabins and hunting lodges, you come upon major highways, large housing and commercial areas, definitely not a wilderness area with limited population. I know this is a piece of fiction and being so, it opens up the leeway in which the author can take in his or her writing. That being said though, the author should do a little research into the area his or her story is taking place in, especially when a major event takes place there.
Even with that being the case, I really enjoyed reading this book as noted above, I look forward to reading additional books written by William Stone, and highly recommend 'The Quiet Hideaway' for anyone who enjoys a good action-packed thriller.
Quotes:
" When people lost faith in authority and felt abandoned by the system, violence followed as surely as thunder and lightning."
"The first lesson is not to get upset about something that hasn't happened yet, or assume how bad things really are."
"It's a good lesson. In life, when you're panicked, when you're crashing, when everything is falling apart around you...stop. Take a deep breath. And guide the situation. Don't fight it. Use your head, think slowly, make a plan, and then react. If you spend all your time fighting your circumstances, you'll only run out of energy."
"Material possessions weren't needed if you could find beauty in nature."
"Negative thoughts waste power and energy."
"Fear keeps you sharp, keeps you alive.”
6/08/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EMP The Quiet Hideaway: An EMP Post Apocalypse Pepper Survival Thriller by William Stone is a very intense action packed novel that will hold your interest throughout to see if Meghan can locate her kidnapped daughter, Georgie, who was taken by her ex-husband Scott in the aftermath of an EMP attack on the U.S. The story takes place in Seattle and the greater area of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
This was the first book that I have had the chance to read by William Stone and based on my first experience with his works, I plan to read more. I did have a few problems with this book though. Hwy 520 from Seattle to Kirkland, Washington does not cross a river it crosses Lake Washington. Once you cross the 520 bridge you enter Kirkland, Bellevue, and Redmond, Washington, which in no means is a wilderness area filled with hunting cabins and hunting lodges, you come upon major highways, large housing and commercial areas, definitely not a wilderness area with limited population. I know this is a piece of fiction and being so, it opens up the leeway in which the author can take in his or her writing. That being said though, the author should do a little research into the area his or her story is taking place in, especially when a major event takes place there.
Even with that being the case, I really enjoyed reading this book as noted above, I look forward to reading additional books written by William Stone, and highly recommend 'The Quiet Hideaway' for anyone who enjoys a good action-packed thriller.
Quotes:
" When people lost faith in authority and felt abandoned by the system, violence followed as surely as thunder and lightning."
"The first lesson is not to get upset about something that hasn't happened yet, or assume how bad things really are."
"It's a good lesson. In life, when you're panicked, when you're crashing, when everything is falling apart around you...stop. Take a deep breath. And guide the situation. Don't fight it. Use your head, think slowly, make a plan, and then react. If you spend all your time fighting your circumstances, you'll only run out of energy."
"Material possessions weren't needed if you could find beauty in nature."
"Negative thoughts waste power and energy."
"Fear keeps you sharp, keeps you alive.”
September 5, 2025
Flying
This is a different book from many survival books I have read. Mr. Stone has given us a family that learned to survive. A fight against evil and even themselves. A book I hated to put down before getting to the end.
This is a different book from many survival books I have read. Mr. Stone has given us a family that learned to survive. A fight against evil and even themselves. A book I hated to put down before getting to the end.
February 13, 2026
realistic treatment of the collapse of modern society
I enjoyed it. It covers the dangers and challenges of society losing all electronics, lawlessness, confusion, figuring out how to survive.
I enjoyed it. It covers the dangers and challenges of society losing all electronics, lawlessness, confusion, figuring out how to survive.
July 20, 2025
Good Book!
At last—an all in one standalone—not part of a series. I’m not a huge fan of the flashback device, but I can forgive it when it serves a purpose. Well written and likeable characters. Not too many unlikely events. Recommend.
At last—an all in one standalone—not part of a series. I’m not a huge fan of the flashback device, but I can forgive it when it serves a purpose. Well written and likeable characters. Not too many unlikely events. Recommend.
August 27, 2025
Prepping for Survival
Just enough characters with reasonable skills to move the story along. Sometimes authors have 4 storylines with so many characters that the reader can’t possibly keep track of all the names. Fortunately, that was not the case in this EMP tale. Adversity met preparation and the good guys won.
Just enough characters with reasonable skills to move the story along. Sometimes authors have 4 storylines with so many characters that the reader can’t possibly keep track of all the names. Fortunately, that was not the case in this EMP tale. Adversity met preparation and the good guys won.
August 4, 2025
Awesome - touched my heart and soul!
I laughed. I cried. And it gave me hope for all of us! As the world hits some really bad times I want to carry some of the lessons this book has so neatly tucked into its words. I can’t fly but I can sure ride a horse, a 4 wheeler a bike or walk quite a distance. And I’m a 75 yr old great granny. And if I holler duck you better duck. Thank you for a book I really enjoyed. God bless. Granny Lee aka the Ole Boot. I’m gonna start another book of yours!
I laughed. I cried. And it gave me hope for all of us! As the world hits some really bad times I want to carry some of the lessons this book has so neatly tucked into its words. I can’t fly but I can sure ride a horse, a 4 wheeler a bike or walk quite a distance. And I’m a 75 yr old great granny. And if I holler duck you better duck. Thank you for a book I really enjoyed. God bless. Granny Lee aka the Ole Boot. I’m gonna start another book of yours!
October 10, 2025
Interesting and compelling
This book kept me interested. It's a good story with believable characters. Survival planning details are there. Loose ends are tied up. The end is riveting. And the very end is sentimental and satisfying. If I had one issue it's that the societal breakdown is so fast I'm not sure I could believe that part.
This book kept me interested. It's a good story with believable characters. Survival planning details are there. Loose ends are tied up. The end is riveting. And the very end is sentimental and satisfying. If I had one issue it's that the societal breakdown is so fast I'm not sure I could believe that part.
May 21, 2026
This story is basically about two set of individuals, the protagonists, Meghan and Ron (an elderly ex-prepper) and the antagonists, Scott (Meghan’s ex-husband) and Carter.
After an EMP is dropped on America and the world, chaos is in short order. Meghan, freshly divorced from Scott is in the middle of a custody battle for Georgie, their daughter. As civilization begins to unravel, Scott, with help from Carter, a guy he meets off hand in a bar, kidnap Georgie and take off to the north of Seattle toward a cabin that Scott owns deep in the woods. Meanwhile, when Meghan discovers her daughter missing, she knows who the culprit is right away and takes off to find and rescue Georgie. Along the way, an older survivalist named Ron helps her escape the collapsing city and together they set off to pursue Scott.
The author does a very good job of storytelling. The prose runs smooth and without excessive repetition. The dialog is off at times, but it is inconsequential. The jumps made from one POV to another are easy to follow. Practically every chapter contains lots of action and Stone unveils it with pulse-pounding suspense. The story is solid, with a good ending, proving that a little transparency is not necessarily a bad thing.
After an EMP is dropped on America and the world, chaos is in short order. Meghan, freshly divorced from Scott is in the middle of a custody battle for Georgie, their daughter. As civilization begins to unravel, Scott, with help from Carter, a guy he meets off hand in a bar, kidnap Georgie and take off to the north of Seattle toward a cabin that Scott owns deep in the woods. Meanwhile, when Meghan discovers her daughter missing, she knows who the culprit is right away and takes off to find and rescue Georgie. Along the way, an older survivalist named Ron helps her escape the collapsing city and together they set off to pursue Scott.
The author does a very good job of storytelling. The prose runs smooth and without excessive repetition. The dialog is off at times, but it is inconsequential. The jumps made from one POV to another are easy to follow. Practically every chapter contains lots of action and Stone unveils it with pulse-pounding suspense. The story is solid, with a good ending, proving that a little transparency is not necessarily a bad thing.
February 22, 2026
A slight technical correction regarding mechanical fuel pumps
I'm enjoying the story, but some of the mechanical concepts of older cars need a little help. For example, on p 232, the story talks about pumping the gas pedal to prime the mechanical fuel pump. That's not how it works. Pumping the gas pedal sends fuel down the throat of the carburetor and into the intake manifold. This assumes there's any gas left in the carburetor's float bowl after years of sitting. Doubtful. The job of the mechanical fuel pump is to pump gas to the carburetor after the engine starts so it can keep running. The most likely way to start a vehicle that's been sitting a long time would be to pour a small amount of gas straight down the carburetor, then try to start it.
I'm enjoying the story, but some of the mechanical concepts of older cars need a little help. For example, on p 232, the story talks about pumping the gas pedal to prime the mechanical fuel pump. That's not how it works. Pumping the gas pedal sends fuel down the throat of the carburetor and into the intake manifold. This assumes there's any gas left in the carburetor's float bowl after years of sitting. Doubtful. The job of the mechanical fuel pump is to pump gas to the carburetor after the engine starts so it can keep running. The most likely way to start a vehicle that's been sitting a long time would be to pour a small amount of gas straight down the carburetor, then try to start it.
March 28, 2026
I enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that a main female was quite capable of being a survivor in an unusual way. She had been trained to think outside the box and was able to think rationally. The teaming up with another survivalist was a nice addition to the story. His back story was not what I had guessed it to be. It was an interesting twist with the ex husband and who he teamed up with. Not surprising though considering the type of character he was. The twists and turns had me turning to pages to see what happened next. I liked the story so much I went and bought William Stone’s trilogy Silent Refuge. I’m looking forward to more adventures!
June 20, 2026
LG
Meghan Prescott is a pilot based out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport. As a child, she spent summers at her grandfather's farm, where he had spent 40 years preparing and building. He taught her everything he knew about survival from an early age. After an EMP strikes, Meghan's ex-husband kidnaps their daughter Georgie and flees the city. Meghan draws on all her grandfather taught her to track down and rescue her daughter. This gripping story delivers relentless action and excitement from start to finish. Ruthless men exploit their strength and aggression to prey on the vulnerable, while Meghan fights constantly for survival. An excellent read.
Meghan Prescott is a pilot based out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport. As a child, she spent summers at her grandfather's farm, where he had spent 40 years preparing and building. He taught her everything he knew about survival from an early age. After an EMP strikes, Meghan's ex-husband kidnaps their daughter Georgie and flees the city. Meghan draws on all her grandfather taught her to track down and rescue her daughter. This gripping story delivers relentless action and excitement from start to finish. Ruthless men exploit their strength and aggression to prey on the vulnerable, while Meghan fights constantly for survival. An excellent read.
September 18, 2025
Halfway decent story, but any book using the term assault rifle over and over gets two stars, at most. Also referred to as ar15s multiple times. Confusing, but clearly the author made no effort to learn about the weapons about which he was writing. Even mentioned firing an ar15 on full auto. Ok. Also, details are sketchy. Random bombs/IEDs going off in the city, cause that’s what happens after an EMP. Zero explanation of what was happening, or who was attacking. Just random bombs to make the story more interesting.
February 13, 2026
Wow!!! I absolutely loved this book, I was constantly gripped an full on anxiety the whole way through. It’s so descriptive and I was full of emotions!
If an EMP happened I don’t have doubts the world would go to chaos like this. Humanity is selfish and disgusting underneath and the thought of people like this coming to the forefront with no authority to worry about is horrifying.
I absolutely loved Ron and Megan. Scott is an absolutely vile piece of sh*t
I can’t wait to read more of William Stone’s books!! This was amazing. Apocalypse stories aren’t usually my go-to but this was fab!!
If an EMP happened I don’t have doubts the world would go to chaos like this. Humanity is selfish and disgusting underneath and the thought of people like this coming to the forefront with no authority to worry about is horrifying.
I absolutely loved Ron and Megan. Scott is an absolutely vile piece of sh*t
I can’t wait to read more of William Stone’s books!! This was amazing. Apocalypse stories aren’t usually my go-to but this was fab!!
February 24, 2026
Wanted to like this book
I read up to near page 200 of the 413. Seems that every other to every third chapter had to go back 18 years or 12 years or some such thing. This Wm Stone is just not my cup of tea. I do NOT care for shows or movies that can't go from A to Z and this book is filled with so many regressions that I'm sorry I purchased the thing. I'm now forwarned about Mr. Stone and won't be buying any further of his works.
I read up to near page 200 of the 413. Seems that every other to every third chapter had to go back 18 years or 12 years or some such thing. This Wm Stone is just not my cup of tea. I do NOT care for shows or movies that can't go from A to Z and this book is filled with so many regressions that I'm sorry I purchased the thing. I'm now forwarned about Mr. Stone and won't be buying any further of his works.
April 7, 2026
Sorry, dull.
I have read quite a lot of these sort of books and this, by the time I gave up at 38%, following a formula well trodden and adding nothing new with characters I haven't felt in the slightest bit engaged with.
In addition, why is it that in all of these books American society breaks down in minutes, surely even Americans pause and the premise of this book doesn't even discuss the possibility that an EMP hits just one place.
Just don't need to spend any more time.
I have read quite a lot of these sort of books and this, by the time I gave up at 38%, following a formula well trodden and adding nothing new with characters I haven't felt in the slightest bit engaged with.
In addition, why is it that in all of these books American society breaks down in minutes, surely even Americans pause and the premise of this book doesn't even discuss the possibility that an EMP hits just one place.
Just don't need to spend any more time.
August 22, 2025
Disjointed. Too much POV switching
Fine as these types of books go. Too much that’s unlikely, which is also a fault of these kinds of books. But, reason for score was the changing POV. More annoying than a soap opera. Authors use the method thinking it builds suspense. Nah. It just builds annoyance. I found myself skipping passages to get back to the main story.
Fine as these types of books go. Too much that’s unlikely, which is also a fault of these kinds of books. But, reason for score was the changing POV. More annoying than a soap opera. Authors use the method thinking it builds suspense. Nah. It just builds annoyance. I found myself skipping passages to get back to the main story.
August 23, 2025
Mission Impossible
The best word to describe this book is "fantastical". Always the right skill set for every crisis.
Repeatively descriptive. Sequential chapters repeated previous descriptions. The sequencing of days was incorrect. The first journey had many obstacles but the final much longer journey was a non-event.
The best word to describe this book is "fantastical". Always the right skill set for every crisis.
Repeatively descriptive. Sequential chapters repeated previous descriptions. The sequencing of days was incorrect. The first journey had many obstacles but the final much longer journey was a non-event.
August 23, 2025
Different. Gripping.
Normally, the characters in an EMP story are family members who are trying to get home to family.
Beset by survivors who want to steal their supplies.
This is similar, but with a few very interesting twists.
Well written, good character development, and hard to put down . I highly recommend!
Normally, the characters in an EMP story are family members who are trying to get home to family.
Beset by survivors who want to steal their supplies.
This is similar, but with a few very interesting twists.
Well written, good character development, and hard to put down . I highly recommend!
February 11, 2026
WOW, JUST WOW! EMP The Quiet Hideaway by William Stone
This is the first book I have read by William Stone, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I appreciated the going back in years and then to present with the characters. It gave so much insight into them. I cried at the end and didn’t want it to come to a conclusion. The characters were personable, and the bad guys you just loathed.
This is the first book I have read by William Stone, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I appreciated the going back in years and then to present with the characters. It gave so much insight into them. I cried at the end and didn’t want it to come to a conclusion. The characters were personable, and the bad guys you just loathed.
June 7, 2026
Highly Recommended!!!
This is not the every day ordinary apocalyptic story. It us really so much more. The author created "real" characters that you can love and hate. The descriptions of place are very good. And the ending is such a sweet, sweet surprise!! I highly recommend this book to anyone.... A wonderful read.
This is not the every day ordinary apocalyptic story. It us really so much more. The author created "real" characters that you can love and hate. The descriptions of place are very good. And the ending is such a sweet, sweet surprise!! I highly recommend this book to anyone.... A wonderful read.
June 8, 2026
Another EmP story with the same outcome
A woman pilot survived a near plane crash only to realise more problems are in her way to return to her daughter. She finds a older gentleman who quickly becomes her true lifeline if she is to find her daughter. Well done but like so many EMP tales before no surprises await you.
A woman pilot survived a near plane crash only to realise more problems are in her way to return to her daughter. She finds a older gentleman who quickly becomes her true lifeline if she is to find her daughter. Well done but like so many EMP tales before no surprises await you.
July 18, 2025
I couldn't put this book down. Literally read it through my day and into the night.
This book kept me on edge. It was just enough to make you think "what would you do if the grid went down and your family wasn't with you. Could you manage with a clear head?
This book kept me on edge. It was just enough to make you think "what would you do if the grid went down and your family wasn't with you. Could you manage with a clear head?
July 19, 2025
Can't put down
Like it because good read and realistic. No grammar errors. Well thought out. You knew if lived that they would be a couple. Was hoping g father cause distraction that added Ron and her getting her child. But was day early.
Like it because good read and realistic. No grammar errors. Well thought out. You knew if lived that they would be a couple. Was hoping g father cause distraction that added Ron and her getting her child. But was day early.
July 24, 2025
Thrilling survival EMP catastrophe
Family love triumphs over murder, child abduction by an alcoholic noncustodial parent. With her daughter Georgie kidnapped, & in the keeping of truly evil men, Meghan must follow & find her daughter.
Family love triumphs over murder, child abduction by an alcoholic noncustodial parent. With her daughter Georgie kidnapped, & in the keeping of truly evil men, Meghan must follow & find her daughter.
August 4, 2025
This is one of the best books I've ever read!
This one has it all. Hope, love, trauma, heroes, villains. An unrelenting saga that will keep you reading until the very end. Kudos to the author.
This one has it all. Hope, love, trauma, heroes, villains. An unrelenting saga that will keep you reading until the very end. Kudos to the author.
August 11, 2025
Great story with a satisfying ending
This is a great stand alone story, which is a refreshing change from the plethora of "first book in a series" titles so common today. Enjoyable read with a good ending.
This is a great stand alone story, which is a refreshing change from the plethora of "first book in a series" titles so common today. Enjoyable read with a good ending.
September 28, 2025
Better than most
The EMP novel is usually an odyssey that spans 4 volumes or more. Stone has provided it all in one satisfying episode. The action is tight and the backstory was believable. Let’s hope that EMPs are the stuff of fiction. Most of us wouldn’t last a month.
The EMP novel is usually an odyssey that spans 4 volumes or more. Stone has provided it all in one satisfying episode. The action is tight and the backstory was believable. Let’s hope that EMPs are the stuff of fiction. Most of us wouldn’t last a month.
November 22, 2025
Hard to get into.
Spent time to try and get into this story, but the constant jumping around is something I have never liked in storytelling. Stick with one character at a time for a while and then pick the one you think is the main.
Spent time to try and get into this story, but the constant jumping around is something I have never liked in storytelling. Stick with one character at a time for a while and then pick the one you think is the main.
February 28, 2026
EMP-Prepper
This is one of the best books I have read recently. I loved the development of the characters the story kept. The story was believable and kept me engaged. Overall it was a great read.
This is one of the best books I have read recently. I loved the development of the characters the story kept. The story was believable and kept me engaged. Overall it was a great read.
April 16, 2026
This could happen
We don't always think about what will happen in the future we're just ready for now and maybe a month or two out but that's it but what would you do if this really happened the Sun throws off energy all the time think about it maybe you should come up with a plan
We don't always think about what will happen in the future we're just ready for now and maybe a month or two out but that's it but what would you do if this really happened the Sun throws off energy all the time think about it maybe you should come up with a plan
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews