Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra

 

Zach and his father, Bram, are taking part in a father-son weekend in the snowy Colorado mountains. Bram is keen to impress the business associates he's invited along and has little regard for the dangers that are constantly lurking in such hostile territory. Zach, however, is well aware of how unpredictable everything can be.

I loved Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra, so didn't hesitate at the chance to read her latest novel, Warning Signs. Dare I say that this is even better than Nightwatching? From the ominous opening, through to the nail-biting conclusion, you are on the edge of your seat as the pace never lets up.

The story opens with Zach, his younger sister, Bonnie, and his mother, Grace, skiing to a mountain retreat. Grace has lots of experience in the mountains, she used to be a member of the Mountain Rescue team and is keen to pass her knowledge on to her children. Grace refuses to take shortcuts; she's respectful of the power and danger the landscape possesses and is determined that her children will be the same.

We then move quickly to a year later, this time around Zach is with his father. The contrast between mother and father is extreme. Bram is only interested in money and power; not only is he an expert at manipulating people, but he's also a bully and wouldn't hesitate to take shortcuts if he felt it would benefit him. This immediately leads you to wonder why Zach is alongside him on the trip, and where Grace is.

As the pair traverse the countryside, you get a sense of the danger hidden within the breath-takingly beautiful scenery. There's also an eerie feeling, like the scene setting of a horror movie, with lots of little hints about what could follow. The landscape itself is a character within its own right; stunning and enticing, with a fickle nature, ready to turn on you at any moment. 

Zach is a brilliant character, one of those you want to protect. He's empathetic, intelligent and intuitive, unfortunately, he's also terrified of Bram. We slowly learn his backstory and want to leap to his defense whenever he has to interact with his father. It takes a while for him to find his voice, and when he does, you feel like cheering.

This really is an adrenaline-fuelled read, as we witness the true nature of many of the characters and the story metamorphoses into something entirely different from what I was expecting. My heart was racing as Zach frantically raced towards safety and was thwarted at every turn. The conclusion is one of those where you hold your breath, hoping for the best but fully anticipating the worst.

Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra will be published on 12th February 2026 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Viking for a review copy.

Author Details

Sierra was born and raised in the Colorado mountains. She lives in New England and is the author of two novels, Nightwatching and Warning Signs. When not writing, she spends time with her husband and two children.