A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw

The New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep weaves a richly atmospheric adult debut following three residents of a secluded, seemingly peaceful commune as they investigate the disappearances of two outsiders.

Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend.

Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it…he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James.

Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.

Hauntingly beautiful, hypnotic, and bewitching, A History of Wild Places is a story about fairy tales, our fear of the dark, and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind.

[aanointed]

Loved this! One of my top favorite thrillers. I really hope this gets adapted into a film or mini series.

[reneechaplin]

This is absolutely one of my all time favorite books ever! This story is amazing, & I am so hoping that it is made into a movie or series. It would be so riveting. I am a member of the Mormon church, commonly known as LDS (Latter Day Saints), & the fictional Pastoral community of this book reminds me of a mixture between the more radical Fundamentalist Mormons who are NOT associated with mainstream Mormons like myself, & the Amish community. I am definitely not making this comparison in a negative light, because I highly regard the Amish community & as for the Fundamentalist Mormons, I can say that they keep their ways to themselves, much like those living in Pastoral. I wish there really was such a community because I would definitely want to check it out. Living such a lifestyle has its merits, as well as a downside, like most things in life, but still intrigues me. I would highly recommend this book as a great read!👍👍

[CBHoldenwrites]

I'm about halfway through this book and I am enjoying it. I love book trailers. So happy to of found this.