When They Find Me

by Carter Wilson

Some secrets don't fade. They hunt.

Expanse, Colorado. Population 313. A town so remote it barely exists on a map—the perfect hiding place for Annie Wolfe and her daughter, Coral. Their cabin is nearly off the grid, and Annie has done everything to keep them safe. Everything. But she knows the people hunting her don't forget. And they don't forgive.

Riven knows about survival. She and her family have lived off the land for years, moving like shadows through the wilderness. Now her father has led them to this forgotten town, tracking the man he swears destroyed their lives. The plan is simple: strike fast, take revenge, and disappear.

But when Riven knocks on Annie's door, their worlds collide. What follows is darker, stranger, and more dangerous than either woman ever imagined—because the hunt isn't just for vengeance. It's for the truth. And in Expanse, Colorado, the truth can kill.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Adult

432 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 10, 2026

About the author

Carter Wilson is the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of eleven standalone psychological thrillers. His stories focus on ordinary people pushed into situations where survival and morality collide, and every decision has consequences. His 2025 novel Tell Me What You Did was a national monthly pick by Barnes & Noble, and his work has been optioned for film and television.

He is the host of the podcast Making It Up, where he has candid, unscripted conversations with fellow authors about what it actually takes to build a writing life. He is also the founder of Unbound Writer, an international community dedicated to helping writers become better writers and build meaningful writing careers through coaching, immersive retreats in the United States and France, and live workshops.

A sought-after speaker and moderator, Carter is known for conversations that feel honest, engaging, and a little unpredictable. He lives in Erie, Colorado and travels frequently to teach, interview, and speak.

Visit him at www.carterwilson.com and www.unboundwriter.com.

Reviews

[Debra]

WOWZA! This book was intense! It had so many HOLY CRAP moments and I could not stop turning the pages. WHEW! Talk about suspense, twists, and a jaw dropping reveal!!!!!! In case you didn't guess it, I thought this book was fantastic! I loved the tension and dread that seeped from the pages! I had my fingers crossed, and my heartbeat was elevated for most of this book. This is how you do it!

Expanse, Colorado. Population 313

You know small towns are where everyone knows your name, but they might not know your secrets. Expanse is where Annie Wolfe is hiding with her daughter, Coral. Annie has taken all the precautions that she can think of. You see, Annie is being hunted....

Riven and her family have lived off the grid for a long time. Her father and brother have come to Expanse, Colorado with her. They are on a mission of vengeance and revenge to find someone who has destroyed their lives. When Riven knocks on Annie's door, Annie knows it is not the Avon lady calling.....

Holy Moly! As I mentioned, this book was off the hook! I loved the fast-paced action, getting into the characters' heads, the mounting suspense, the dread, the intensifying danger, and spine-tingling chilling moments. Just when I thought Carter Wilson was done knocking my socks off, he threw in one reveal which had me picking my jaw up off the floor!

All the stars and then some. When They Find Me is wonderfully written, well thought out, fast paced, and a thrill ride of a book! Whew! This is the third book that I have read by Carter Wilson, and all have been awesome. Which reminds me that I need to read more of his books.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nina (ninjasbooks)]

What a thrilling and unique read. Having read lots of psychological thrillers, I often feel that I can see the twist coming or if not, it’s so OTT that I didn’t like it. Here though, I was honestly surprised in the very best way. The plot is also tight, filled with suspense from early on. The characters were interesting and complex and I loved how accurately their state of mind was described.

But the very best thing about when they find me is no doubt the twist. It really, really made an impression and it also made perfect sense.

If you’re a thrillaholic like me, I’ll hope this will be just your beverage of choice.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc

[Dorie - Cats&Books :)]

Carter Wilson is a new author for me and I was really blown away with how much I enjoyed this novel!! This is the way you write a suspenseful, character driven psychological thriller, WOW.

Annie and her daughter Coral have been hiding away in a small town, Expanse, Colorado for quite a few years. It is a town where it seems like everyone has a secret - the cabins aren’t close to one another and the town is barely on the map. Annie experienced a traumatic event in Miami and wanted to run as far away as possible - there might be someone coming for them!!

Riven is a young woman who has been raised by her survivalist and sociopathic father, Coyote. They are on their way to a small cabin in Expanse to find and kill the man that he thinks destroyed their family. They have an address and in spite of a snowstorm they find their way to the cabin where they think the man has been hiding.

When Riven knocks on Annie’s door in the middle of a snowstorm - their lives collide and what follows is an intense - edge of your seat thrill ride.

There are dual timelines that explain why Annie is in hiding and that just adds to the tension. The raging snowstorm sets the stage for the standoff between Annie and Coyote and his “pack”.

To say any more of the plot would ruin the experience. This novel is fast paced and full of action, I had a very hard time putting it down and I think you will too.

This novel left me thinking about how our minds are incredible in their ability to manipulate our thinking towards good, evil, safety, revenge, etc. Annie, Riven and Coyote are great examples of how our experiences ultimately shape how we think and react.

This was a fantastic buddy read with Mary Beth and DeAnn.. Be sure to read their great reviews

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

[Kaceey]

You can run, but you can’t hide!
Annie and her daughter Coral are on the run, now holed up in a remote Colorado mountain town where everyone lives a guarded life. The town’s people like their seclusion and respect each other’s privacy.
So you can imagine Annie’s reaction when someone comes knocking on her door. Annie realizes her past may have just caught up to her. Now it’s a matter of survival.

Told from two perspectives with flashbacks to the past to explain how we arrived at this moment.

The book is a fast read, with short chapters, each ending with a mini cliffhanger that makes your heart beat faster as you start the next….🫣

I always enjoy this author’s books, and this one was no exception. Can’t wait for his next!

✍️Carter Wilson
📄 336 pages
🗓️Anticipated release date: November 10 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker)]

‼️BANGER ALERT‼️BANGER ALERT‼️BANGER ALERT‼️

If you have this guy whether e-ARC or physical…. READ THIS ASAP! Why? Because it is a BANGER! Trust me! This was one of my most anticipated of the year.

Annie and her daughter Coral have been living in a remote mountain town in Expanse, Colorado. They came here to run from the past. No one really knows the true story and they blend in well.

One day, a family of three intruders barge into her home seeking vengeance on a man that does not live there. However, they’re not going away. There’s one among them that doesn’t belong, Riven.

You know how there’s folk horror? This is like a folk thriller. The family of three are deranged. They are also very deadly. But so is Annie.

The twist in this will BLOW YOUR MF MIND! 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
There is absolutely no way anyone could possibly guess it. It immediately turned this story into a banger and DELIVERS!

When They Find Me is a story about survival and grief, and the things we’ll do to protect the ones we love. It turned me into an emotional mess with a heavy book hangover to boot.

One of mine and @bibliopeeks ‘s favorite buddy reads this year. This is a killer story not to be missed! Pre-order now!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted copy.

[Matt]

Expanse, CO: a tiny, remote town with a population of just 313, where people with a secret past go to hide out and live unnoticed by the rest of the world.

This was a fairly quick read, with short chapters that encourage you to read another, then another, etc.
The second half is full of nail-biting tension, as you try to figure out who’s going to still be alive by the end of the book.
Then, as you get close to the end, a MAJOR surprise is revealed.
It’s told in multiple POV and time lines, which to me makes a book more interesting.
With the exception of the big revelation that I mentioned, I did find the ending to be predictable, but that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

All of the characters had interesting (sad, but interesting) backgrounds.
Pretty much everyone in this book is dealing with their own emotional trauma, and not in healthy ways.
I don’t have children, nor am I am woman, but I definitely got a sense of maternal instinct and what a mother will do when she believes that her child is in danger; a trait that exists in both humans and animals.

I highly recommend this to anyone who’s a fan of psychological thrillers!
Parts of this book reminded me a lot of another thriller that I’ve read, but if I put the title in my review I think that it would be a spoiler for those who are familiar with that book.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing with this eARC to review.

[Linda]

My mind just did a backflip.

When They Find Me has plenty of chill from a Colorado snowstorm to the icy brutal storyline itself. This is my first book by Carter Wilson and it's left me with frostbite of the brain.

Annie Wolfe has been living like a nomad with her twelve year old daughter Cora. They can never lay their past to rest. That past involved the sunny beaches of Miami. The heat of the situation put them on the run after the death of Annie's husband, Gabriel. You can never look forward to the future while constantly checking your rear-view mirror.

That was four years ago. Annie finally found refuge in Expanse, Colorado with a population of 313. Everyone there seems to be camped in their own secrets. Annie is home schooling Cora and just wants to be left alone. But her solitary life will finally have a day of reckoning. A stranger's presence on her doorstep during a snowstorm will cast a destructive shadow across everything now. That encounter will simply blow up life as Annie has come to know these past few years. And there's no going back. Ever.

Carter Wilson creates one stressful read in high altitude. The minute that that door opens there will be relentless action and clenching of the jaws. You'll find yourselves wanting to shake Annie for bad, bad decisions and slow, slow reactions at times. Wilson presses the pressure button non-stop throughout this one and, at times, it's almost too much. Flip the "off" switch, Wilson. And yet, as readers, we can't look away or put this one down. An adult beverage may be warranted in order to take the edge off. Be sure to check this one out. Bring your blankey.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to the talented Carter Wilson for the opportunity.

[Dutchie]

This puts the suspense in suspenseful.

Annie and her daughter are living off the grid in Expanse, CO, population 500. This is a town where everyone goes when they don’t want to be found, Annie included.

Riven, along with her brother and father, is on the hunt for revenge and finds herself also in Expanse.

Shown between past and present timelines, we begin to understand the dangers in the past might never fully disappear by running away and hiding.

How these two families cross paths will have you holding your breath with each page turn. There is certainly not a lack of action or suspense all the way through to the satisfying conclusion.

This raises the age-old question. If Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then this definitely needs to be classified as a Christmas book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jill]

WHEN THEY FIND ME
By Carter Wilson

A Town of Secrets, and Secrets Attract Trouble.

This is my first read by Carter Wilson, and it definitely won’t be my last. When They Find Me is a psychological thriller set in a cabin in the remote mountain town of Expanse, Colorado, unfolding over a few hours during a blizzard.

Annie Wolfe has built a quiet, isolated life with her twelve-year-old daughter, Coral, while keeping secrets from her past buried. But when Riven and her survivalist family arrive seeking revenge, Annie’s carefully guarded life begins to unravel. As the two families become caught in a dangerous confrontation, long-buried secrets start coming to light.

This starts out with such a tense feel, and the tension steadily builds to an explosive ending. The feeling of revenge that propels the characters throughout this novel is nail-biting. Annie is fierce and unyielding—protective, guarded, and resilient—and will do anything to protect Coral. I was rooting for Annie and Coral throughout their ordeal with this survivalist family, who bring distrust, danger, and their own motives with them.

A perfect psychological read during the cold and snowy winter months.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for the eARC.
Publishing November 10, 2026

[BiblioPeeks (Katt)]

WHAT?! I couldn’t put this down to save my life. It was a seriously solid four star read, until BOOM suddenly it catapulted to a five star stunner! More thoughts soon. I’m processing.




👭🏻This was another knockout buddy read with @nikkileethrillseeker and it’s KattNik approved mmkay?!

[ahmeeka]

[arc review] when they find me is a fast paced psychological thriller that follows annie as intruders stage a home invasion during a snow storm—except the intruders have the wrong house, and annie is not their desired target. it’s also a dual pov that follows our second main character, riven.

this was very quick to read! the chapters were short as it jumped from annie to riven, which added suspense and meant I was able to fly through it very easily.

I had a feeling about the big reveal about 60% of the way through, but I enjoyed the book nonetheless. I would recommend it to anyone who’s wanting a good psychological thriller that will have them on the edge of their seat!

my only wish was that the conclusion/epilogue served both characters, as we spent about an even split of time learning about annie and riven.

thank you poisoned pen press for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread)]

Carter Wilson is one brilliant thriller writer. I always know that I am in for a roller coaster of emotions and twists. Don’t expect to pick this book up and read just a few chapters. It is a book that needs to be binged and that is exactly what I did. With its frenetic pace, short chapters from multiple points of views and timelines, it is just impossible to put done.

A remote cabin in Colorado in a snowstorm, just before Christmas. Annie and her daughter Coral are preparing to have some relaxing time together when their world is turned on its head. A knock at the door, a woman with a gun looking for someone Annie has never heard of. But she can’t get rid of her that easily, in fact, it isn’t long before the brother and father are in her house and she is tied to a chair.

This book is intense!! i am sure that forgot to breathe at certain points of the story, especially when the doh Harley looked to be danger. It is much more than a page turning thriller, Annie is a broken woman and the more we learn the more I felt for her.

And that ending!! Did not see that coming at all. Genius!

Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this book earlier. Will be recommending this to everyone. Publishes on November 10th

[Lynn Peterson]

First time reader of Carter Wilson's books and let me tell you . . . you feel like you are literally in the middle of a snowstorm while reading this book. I loved how detailed he is about the weather and the snow storm totally sets the scene for this thriller. Mother and daughter are hiding deep within a tiny community in Colorado when the wrong person knocks on the wrong door and chaos ensues. I loved the really short fast-paced chapters with different POV's that kept me reading it til it was done. Excellent book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Carter Wilson and Poisoned Pen Press for this atmospheric thriller. This one publishes on November 10, 2026 - right in time for a winter storm.

[Madame Strange]

“When They Find Me” - We all have an animal inside us, mine is a lazy house cat.

★★★★★

First of all Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I leave this review voluntarily.

I literally had to pace myself because I could not stop reading and this novel does not let you catch a break from feeling on edge. It sucked me in from the get go, held me hostage like being trapped in a snowstorm (wink wink) and I had no choice but to stay in and read. “When They Find Me” is tense, intense and chilling in the best way, Carter Wilson truly knows how to write a twisty thriller that feel impossible to put down.

[Sheila]

I received a free copy of, When They Find Me, by Carter Wilson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Annie Wolfe and her daughter are living off the grid, or very close to it anyway. People hold grudges and want justice on their own terms. This was an intriguing read, a little too dark at times though.

[DeAnn]

5 Small Town Colorado Stars

Here’s another Colorado author winner! My first from this author, but definitely won’t be the last.

There’s a small town in western Colorado called Expanse with just 331 residents. This is the kind of place you go to escape from the world. Annie moved here from Florida with her daughter Coral. Of course, those aren’t their real names, and they are very much trying to escape the past.

It’s just about Christmas, a tough time for many. A family rolls into town in an old RV, and we meet Riven, Boone, and their father, Coyote. They are hunting someone. Has Annie’s past caught up to her?

The point of view alternates between Annie and Riven. We learn about Annie’s past and just what she’s running from. And the tragic childhood that Riven has endured. Is there anything redeeming about Riven, or is she completely taken in by her father’s ideology?

As Annie’s family collides with Coyote’s, I worried about Annie and Coral. Annie is no shrinking violet, but she has met her match in evil. As Riven and crew barge into Annie’s house, a heavy snowstorm moves in. This one was riveting, and I read it quickly because I had to know the resolution.

A terrific read with several shocking twists. Can’t wait to read more from Carter Wilson!

This made a great buddy read with Mary Beth and Dorie.

My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 11.10.2026.

[Nicole | Living for the Thrills |]

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book. This is the fifth book by Carter Wilson that I have read and I am truly a fan of his writing. He is an automatic read and buy for me at this point.
The story starts out with Annie and Coral living in a very small town in Colorado after escaping a very scary and tragic event that left one member of their family dead. We soon meet Coyote, Boone, and Riven who are just passing through on a mission to make a person who wronged their family pay with their life. When Coyote and his family end up at the wrong house, Annie tries to tell them the person they are looking for isn’t there, but they won’t listen. How is Annie going to convince them to leave when they might not be in their right minds?
The twists and turns were anxiety inducing in the best way. I could not put this book down and had to know what was going to happen next, even if it meant I had to forgo my responsibilities for a while. It was so worth it!

[Sara]

Wow. This was my first time reading Carter Wilson, and consider me absolutely hooked from page one.

Everything happens so fast, it genuinely felt like getting a mini literary hangover at the end of every single chapter. I couldn't put it down. And THAT PLOT TWIST? I'm still reeling. The ending completely wrecked me and honestly, I desperately need to discuss what happened to Riven.

Saving my full thoughts for my NetGalley review, but if you love fast paced, jaw dropping thrillers, put this on your radar immediately.

not my final review

[Larry H]

When more than one Bookstagram friend tells you that this book is “a banger,” you know I had to request an ARC! And they were not wrong—this was fantastic! Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Expanse, Colorado is a tiny town of 313 people. It’s the perfect place for people who are hiding from someone or just want to live off the grid. This is where Annie and her daughter Coral have settled, and Annie has done everything she can to ensure that no one knows where they are.

A few years ago, Annie had to kill someone. She’s been looking over her shoulder ever since. She expects that someone will come looking for her one day and try to get revenge, so she’s determined to keep her and Coral safe.

One day, trouble comes calling in the form of an angry old man who calls himself Coyote, and his two adult children, Boone and Riven. They’ve come to Expanse to find the man Coyote insists destroyed his life and tried to break up his family. Riven is ready to kill this man and finally prove her worth to her father.

Annie isn’t expecting Coyote, Boone, and Riven to show up at her door, and she’s definitely not the person they’re expecting to find. But they get locked in a battle of wills, and both Annie and Coyote will do all they can to protect their children. When truths are uncovered, no one will be left the same.

Carter Wilson is an exceptionally talented thriller writer. This was definitely a book which kept me guessing. There was so much tension, so much simmering anger and violence just under the surface. I wanted to applaud when it was done.

The book will publish 11/10.

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.

[Chloe]

Thank you Netgalley & the publishing company for this E-Arc.

★★★★☆

┈┈・୨ ✦ ୧・┈┈

I was intrigued from the moment I read the synopsis. Why are Annie & Coral hiding, what happened to Riven and her family?

I didn’t expect this book to cover just a few hours, but it worked so well! The first 42% of this book I read spread over multiple days, but the remaining 58% I devoured while traveling. I could not put this book down! I needed to know what was going to happen next, the suspense was killing me.

I feel very proud by saying I guessed the big plot twist, but not until the 70% mark. It was very well done!

My rating system is based on multiple aspects of the book:
Characters - 7
Atmosphere - 9
Writing style - 7
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 7

Explanation of the numbers:
0-3 really bad
4-6 mediocre
7–9 really good
10 outstanding

It’s CAWPILE but with a minor change so it accommodates to my reading!

[Courtney]

Last year I came across Tell Me What You Did by chance. It was one of my faves of 2025. When They Find Me was just as engrossing! I really wish I had been able to read it in one sitting, because I feel like it would have hit me harder. But this book was pretty wild. You are constantly turning the page. I did think the twist was a bit too obvious, but I know others felt differently.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

[Cathy]

4.7 ⭐️ Annie and her daughter, Coral, are hiding in a remote town with new identities and an escape plan if needed. One day someone shows up during a snowstorm and they must do everything they can to stay safe while trapped inside. I was hooked by this book immediately. I felt stuck inside with all the characters as tension built over the hours of the day. The flashbacks were timed perfectly throughout to learn more about everyone’s past.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the ARC.

[Kelly Veit]

A knock on the door completely changes Annie’s life not once, but twice. After a traumatic event, Annie and her daughter, Coral go on the run and settle in a secluded cabin in Expanse, Colorado, population 313. There is a huge blizzard that has them snowed in with nowhere to hide when trouble comes to find them. Only this isn’t the trouble that Annie was expecting. Is it much worse?

What takes place in the hours after the knock comes is dizzying! What follows will have you on the edge of your seat flipping pages until you reach the conclusion. And the final twist? I was totally floored, my jaw dropped and I had to put my Kindle down just to take it in for a minute!! Told in alternating timelines and POVs, Wilson masterfully weaves the story together with fine precision. You will definitely want to carve out a good few hours, at least, because you won’t want to put this one down!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own

[Kimberly]

Carter (do you have a middle name? If you do I’d insert it here) Wilson. I have no words. What a damn book. My mouth is on the floor. Obsessed. This was non-stop, kept me on the edge of my seat, and left me floored.

Annie and her daughter Coral are on the run and hiding out in Expance, CO. Population 313. It’s Christmas, there’s a snow storm, and there’s an unwelcome visitor. Annie will do whatever it takes to protect her daughter (and dog too!).

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

[Alanna Rumsey]

I received an e-ARC of this one and let me tell you what…I am SHOOK! From the very first chapter I was sucked in. This was a wild roller coaster and I was holding on for dear life (I wasn’t the only one). Carter Wilson has created a cozy winter thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Grab your favorite blankie and snuggle up…you won’t be able to put this one down! 10/10

[Tiffany Haineault]

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy

I really liked this book. It’s fast-paced none stop action. It’s a book that people can read easily in one sitting. Even though it’s fast, there is still character development and heartfelt moments. You feel for Annie and Riven. Two characters in opposing sides. One is trying to survive the home invasion, the other who is trying to survive her father.

So much happens throughout this book. It feels like a straightforward action movie. I could see everything that was taking place easily in my mind. I could feel the terror Annie was feeling. I could understand where Riven was coming from. It’s just so well described and pretty good character development for such a short story.

I would highly recommend this book. Especially with the ending. It truly got me in my feels. I was shocked, sad and I cried. Lover it.

[Lu thrillskillsandchills]

4.5⭐️

Annie has spent years hiding with her daughter Coral in the tiny mountain town of Expanse, Colorado, population 313, convinced the past would eventually catch up with her. When a violent home invasion shatters the life she’s carefully built, everything she’s spent years trying to keep buried starts clawing its way back to the surface.

This was such an addictive thriller. Carter Wilson’s use of multiple POVs, short paragraphs and fast pacing made it incredibly easy to fly through, while the gradual reveals around Annie’s past kept me completely invested. The isolated setting worked so well too. Expanse felt cold, claustrophobic and cut off from the world in exactly the way this story needed.

One of the standout elements for me were the graphics scattered throughout the book. They genuinely elevated the reading experience and brought parts of the investigation and unfolding events to life visually in such an immersive way.

Tense, atmospheric and packed with momentum, this was another really strong thriller from Carter Wilson.

[Lauren.booksalways]

What a fun, fast-paced, claustrophobic psychological thriller! Carter Wilson knows how to create wild characters and an intense, atmospheric setting that keeps the tension high from beginning to end.

This was an absolute page-turner that had me on the edge of my seat. Despite all the suspense and intensity, there was also an intimate emotional core. I really connected with our main female character, became fully invested in her journey, and even got a little misty-eyed by the end.

I would have loved to give this five stars, but I unfortunately guessed the major twist before the reveal, and I felt some of the dialogue became a bit repetitive at times.

Overall, I highly recommend adding this one to your November TBR for release day!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jenns_books]

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Annie Wolfe & her daughter Coral have a fresh start in Colorado. Annie is hiding from her past & is always looking over her shoulder for the people who haven’t forgotten what she did.

A few days before Christmas, a family of 3 looking for revenge against a man who wronged them, mistakenly shows up at Annie & Coral’s house. Trapped together during a blizzard, the family now sets their sights on Annie. All are fighting for survival & everyone has a secret.

This was my first Carter Wilson book & I loved it. I love the writing style: short suspenseful chapters that played out like a movie or series. The character development was great… told in past & present timelines. The past timeline was just enough to give you some backstory & helped to understand where the characters were coming from. The plot grabbed me right away & highly recommend adding to your TBR. Definitely want to read more from the author.

Perfect for fans of:
Survival
Twisty & suspenseful
Atmospheric, locked room setting
Flawed characters

Feels: 🤯😳😱😲

Thank you Poison Pen Press for the eARC.
Out November 10 2026

[Sydney Adams]

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review*

It’s going to be nearly impossible to summarize how much I enjoyed this book. I absolutely devoured it and finished it in a day…seriously, couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from the first page and the short chapters with cliffhangers had me turning pages without even realizing that I had kept going. All other life responsibilities ceased to exist with this book.

There were genuine moments of suspense and the twist? Jaw on the floor, mind blown, loudly yelling “what?!” I had to go back to make sure I had read it correctly.

This was more than a story about suspense. It featured characters with depth and flaws who are just trying to navigate the messiness of life.

This was my first Carter Wilson book but it will absolutely not be my last.