Brooding, intense, and hypnotic…
In Quast’s latest installment in the Serenity Acres series, rebuilding a life after war reveals something far more dangerous beneath the surface. After nearly a decade on the run, Zosia and her husband find refuge as caretakers of a quiet village inn. The town appears perfect, but cracks begin to show. Artemis’ odd behavior and growing rumors invite scrutiny, forcing Zosia to reckon with a dangerous truth. As suspicion builds, she devises a desperate plan, one that may either save their future or destroy it.
Quast delivers a slow-burning psychological drama steeped in atmosphere and tension. Her characters are sharply drawn, especially Zosia, whose grief and resilience anchor the narrative, and Artemis, whose unsettling behavior creates a steady undercurrent of dread. The marriage at the story’s center is rendered with unsettling precision, capturing the nuances of manipulation, denial, and emotional fracture. The novel’s pacing may challenge readers expecting a conventional thriller, but its strength lies in its psychological depth and thematic consistency. Themes of control, surveillance, and moral compromise are woven seamlessly into both character and plot.
A haunting and unsettling prequel that favors atmosphere over spectacle.
Pub date April 15, 2026
ISBN 978-1069383860
Print length 232 pages
Price $7.99 (USD) Kindle edition
