by Julia Bartz
First published 2023
Alex arrives at Roza Vallo's remote estate believing she has scored the opportunity of a lifetime. The feminist horror writer has invited select authors to compete in an unusual contest: write a complete novel in one month to win a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex desperately needs this chance after her writing career stalled, even though her former best friend Wren will also be competing. The mansion feels wrong from the start. Roza acts unpredictably, switching between warmth and hostility. Wren plays psychological games designed to sabotage Alex's work. Strange incidents plague the retreat as a snowstorm isolates the writers from the outside world. When one participant disappears completely, Alex realizes the competition may cost more than just her pride. She must uncover what Roza really wants from her guests before she becomes the next victim.
Genres: suspense, mystery, horror, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, isolated-setting, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Roza Vallo's Remote Estate
Period: Contemporary
313 pages · Hardcover · Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Content warnings: violence