Some stories get under your skin… and stay there.

Brandy and Zane are out of options. With Halloween approaching and no place to call home, they take over the house of Brandy’s agoraphobic client — a woman too fearful to leave and too isolated to resist. It’s only temporary, they tell themselves. Just long enough to save up and start fresh — for themselves and their children.

To pass the time, the woman begins reading them pages from a novel she’s been writing — unsettling, violent, and impossible to forget. Brandy tries not to think too hard about it.

But some stories linger longer than expected.

**Second Edition Published July 2025**
This newly updated edition of The Hostage includes refined sentence structure, corrected character details, and stylistic improvements for a smoother read. The heart of the story remains unchanged. For immersive reading, expect a few subtle differences from the audiobook, which was recorded from the first edition.