Once There Were Wolves

by Charlotte McConaghy
Once There Were Wolves cover
Good Books rating 4.58
Literary Fiction
Technical
  • ID: 4009
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781473592056
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2022-01-20
  • Reviews: 3

Inti Flynn, a determined biologist, arrives in the Scottish Highlands with fourteen grey wolves and her traumatized sister, Aggie. Her goal is to rewild the landscape, despite local opposition. However, when a farmer is found dead, Inti must navigate a web of suspicion and danger to clear her wolves' names and uncover the real killer. As she grows closer to a local man, she questions his involvement and her own judgment. This gripping novel explores the boundaries of empathy and the lengths one will go to protect what they love, set against the stark beauty of the Scottish wilderness. /n/n Praised for its visceral storytelling and bold themes, Once There Were Wolves is a spellbinding tale of family, nature, and the human capacity for both destruction and redemption. The novel delves into the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, challenging readers to reconsider their own limits of empathy.

Reviews
The Gloss Book Club · Caitlin Winkler · 2025-10-20
powerful 4.50

The novel is praised for its powerful exploration of survival in both the wild and the human world. The reviewer highly recommends it for its emotional depth and engaging narrative.

Caitlin Winkler from The Gloss Book Club finds 'Once There Were Wolves' to be a powerful novel that explores themes of survival in both the wild and the human world. The reviewer is captivated by the book's emotional depth and the way it delves into the complexities of human nature. Winkler highly recommends this book for its engaging narrative and the way it balances the wildness of nature with the intricacies of human relationships, making it a must-read.

Quick quotes

    A powerful novel of survival both in the wild wilderness, and in the wild human world.

    What a gorgeous book.

    I highly recommend reading this.

Ivy Whitaker · Ivy Whitaker · 2023-08-16
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its technical excellence, with a well-paced mystery that keeps readers engaged. However, the reviewer admits to figuring out the mystery early on.

Ivy Whitaker found 'Once There Were Wolves' to be almost technically flawless. The pacing is excellent, and the mystery is intricate and well-woven, making it a gripping read. However, they did figure out the mystery early on, which slightly diminished the impact. The novel's strength lies in its ability to keep readers engaged with its well-crafted plot and atmospheric setting. Whitaker appreciates the author's skill in balancing the various elements of the story, making it a compelling read despite the predictable outcome.

Quick quotes

    Once There Were Wolves was almost technically flawless.

    The pacing was excellent, the mystery was intricate and well-woven.

    I did figure out the mystery early on, but that didn't detract from the overall enjoyment.

Cannonball Read · 2021-08-25
breathtaking 4.75

The book is described as breathtakingly atmospheric, with a strong focus on nature and the landscape. The reviewer found it to be a compelling and immersive read.

The reviewer at Cannonball Read describes 'Once There Were Wolves' as a book they devoured, praising its breathtaking atmosphere and the vivid portrayal of nature and the landscape. The story's focus on wolves and the wild adds a unique layer to the narrative, making it a compelling and immersive read. The reviewer highlights the emotional depth and the way the book explores the relationship between humans and nature, making it a standout novel.

Quick quotes

    This is one of those books that I devoured.

    It was breathtakingly atmospheric.

    Everything having to do with nature, the landscape and the wolves was beautifully executed.

Appears in Lists