2025 did not shape up to be the year I thought it would. It’s kind of hard not to focus on the downers: cancer diagnosis. Being released from the contract with my agent. So, because I need something to look forward to, this is my official announcement that I’ll be posting my new novel, Pending, to my blog here, one chapter a day, starting January 1.
I originally had this idea a couple decades ago: what if you picked up a bestselling novel and realized it was actually written about you? Then, because I’m me, and because I’ve had twenty-odd years to think about it, it morphed a bit.
Nell’s just getting her feet back under her after the terror of five years ago. She’s been in hiding since the serial killer the police dubbed “The Fairy Godfather” came into her life and started taking people out of it. She’s adopted a new identity and moved far away from home, working as a barista and flying under the radar. That is, until her boss hands her an advance copy of a highly-anticipated novel and she starts recognizing the plot.
Since You Went Away is advertised as a romantic literary experience, but Nell realizes what it really is: a serial killer’s confession not only to murder, but to his obsession. The hype around the book means everyone’s talking about it and unwittingly trying to find her, the killer’s own choice of final girl. She needs to uncover the real name behind the author’s pseudonym and learn the identity of the man who murdered her friends before he can come for her, too.
Honestly the most fun part for me is how the cover hasn’t changed since I first thought of the idea, even if so many other parts have. I sent my friend Amara the description and they designed the cover, icons, and headers for me. Don’t they look awesome? And yes, there will totally be a knitting pattern inspired by the cover. Stay tuned!
Pending will be posted here, one chapter a day, from January 1 through February 10, 2026. It’ll be free. Options will be coming to purchase the entire thing, definitely as an eBook and hopefully as a hard copy, because I know some of you will ask about that. For now, let it be known that I’ve decided to make 2026 something I can look forward to, in a way that’s entirely under my own control.
I hope you all have a happy holiday season and I look forward to seeing what the new year brings!
Rebecca Frost 