Gray After Dark

Gray After Dark (2024) is a psychological thriller by Noelle W. Ihli. It follows Miley, a biathlete whose Olympic aspirations are derailed by a tragic accident. As part of her rehabilitation process, Miley takes a job at a remote resort in the Frank Church Wilderness. However, she is kidnapped by survivalists who consider themselves the last true mountain men. The novel traces Miley’s desperate fight for survival in the unforgiving wilderness and her attempts to outwit her brutal captors.

Noelle W. Ihli has gained recognition for novels that foreground strong and resourceful female characters, such as the 2022 thriller Ask for Andrea. Her survival thrillers, including the bestseller Run on Red, often feature women in perilous, life-or-death situations. Ihli’s novels explore human resilience and the desire to survive against overwhelming odds.

This guide refers to the 2024 Dynamite Books e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide reference gun violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, animal torture, forced confinement, and pregnancy loss.

Plot Summary

Miley Petrowski is a biathlete preparing for the Olympics. She takes a seasonal job at the Hidden Springs Resort in Ohio so she can train in the vast Frank Church Wilderness that borders the resort.