I read Ernshaw's YA books and was excited to read her adult offering. The beginning of this book grabbed me right away. The writing is beautiful like all Ernshaw's works, and I love the setup with Travis and the search for Maggie, the woods and imagery. I'd the first 20% or so of this book I couldn't put down, maybe even the first 30%. Unofortunately... I just didn't like the direction the story went. I don't want to give spoilers, but the secret of the community once we learn about it was just not what I wanted. This is completely a personal issue. It's just given Ernshaw's previous books, and the way this one started, I thought the mystery would have a different answer than it did. However, I knocked off the one star for the characters. There are multiple perspectives in this book, and some of the ones that come to dominante I just didn't connect with. Basically, if you loved Ernshaw's books, be prepared that this isn't an adult version of her prior books, but really quite different in tone and genre. I guess I was expecting something like Schwab whose adult and YAs works are different, but still of the same genre/type. It's a good book, but I wished it had been marketed a little clearer, at least for me.

Not a book for stormy nights. People go missing, once they cross into Pastoral, some call it idyllic, some never return from it. Established to be a pure community but at what cost is the question. It grips from the beginning. It’s release is like a slow hiss, menacing to the end.

This was my first Shea Ernshaw book, so I had no clue what to expect going in aside from a “thriller.” What I got was a unique and atmospheric story, full of mystery and even a bit of magical realism. I loved the use of multiple points of view, the changing narrative kept me guessing and then second guessing at the truth. There were a few plot holes that required me to suspend belief a bit, but the writing was strong enough and interesting enough that I didn’t mind in the end. I’ll be curious to read more from Ernshaw.

This is the first book I've read by this author. A History of Wild Places started out really strong for me but then fell flat as the story unfolded.

I requested this book solely based on the cover, jumped in blind, not even bothering to read the synopsis, and I do not regret it one bit. This atmospheric story sent me on a journey down the rabbit hole with writing so impressive that I would probably read the telephone book front to back if Shea Ernshaw wrote it. I was hooked from the very first chapter and didn’t want to put it down. Halfway through the book I found myself confused about where the story was headed, to the point I was almost disappointed, but then… PLOT TWIST… and another… and another! Such a cleverly woven plot that unfolds itself in the most bewitching way. It’s not a scary or gory story, but dark and haunting yet evocative and affective. No doubt A History of Wild Places will end up in my top ten of 2022.

This book was magical and dreamlike. Loved every page, will definitely be using for book club and will be referring to others. The author is talented and looking forward to their next story!

Whenever I read a book that just doesn't hit for me I always wonder if it was the wrong time, was I in the wrong mood?
A History of Wild Places is a book like that. Partially I think it was not what I expected. Going into books blind this can happen. In the end though I'm not sure I would have loved it in a different mood or at a different time. This one just solidly fell into the "meh" category and as such 3 stars. It will have its audience that loves it, it will have it haters but for me just right there in the middle.

I felt the book was just so slow moving, which again is not make or break for me but it didn't work for me here. As I got to the middle of the book I started speeding up the narration (which was well done except for Calla's narrators tendency to whisper even if none of the other were at the time). I liked the choice of using a full cast for the POVs.

The book is atmospheric, there is mystery, it was just all too slow for me and not that hard to parse together the overall idea of what was going on.

This definitely isn't going to be for everyone and, to be honest, it was barely for me. If you're a HUGE plot-focused reader and need things going down all the time then don't pick this up. Just straight up don't even think about reading this because nothing really happens for 89% of the book. It's very repetitive and character-focused and the writing is more lyrical and intentional than most mystery/thriller books tend to be.

Overall, I liked this one! I'm not obsessed with it, but it's not bad by any means. I really didn't see the main twist coming, but when all is revealed I really didn't feel any type of way about it. The main plot points are pretty unrealistic and require some belief suspension, but it was fun imo! I was intrigued enough by the story and wanted to know where our characters ended up so it captivated me enough in that regard. This is honestly a very solid 3 star read for me. It's really right in the middle with how I feel about it. No crazy feelings on either side of the spectrum.

Also, apparently, there is a HUGE editing error that gives away the biggest twist, but I listened to this one and didn't find the error in the audiobook. Just keep that in mind if you are going to pick the physical copy of this up. I've heard the kindle/ebook edition doesn't have this error either so maybe go either ebook or audio for this one as to not disrupt your thrill experience.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my very very very own.</i>

I read this book a while ago because this was my most anticipated Ernshaw book yet. And, I must admit, I was not disappointed. I loved the mystery surrounding the disappearances of Travis and Maggie, and I was intrigued by the entire community living off-grid (honestly, considering with what's happening in our world right now, that's almost exactly where I want to be: somewhere hidden, somewhere far away from civilization, somewhere more..."simplistic"). However, I found the plot to be predictable, and I was disappointed by an innocent error early on in the book that mistook one of the character's names and revealed the true identity of one of the members living in Pastoral. Yet, that still did not take away from my enjoyment of the story.

A History of Wild Places is an atmospheric mystery with some fantastical elements. It requires a little bit of suspension of disbelief, but if you are able to do that and buy into the premise I think you’re in for a pretty good ride. It’s a bit of a slow burn at first, but once the mysteries start to unravel it became much more exciting.

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the gifted e-galley.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

I tried several times to read this and couldn't get into it.

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.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for my free copy in return for my honest review!
Wow, this book was everything you want and more. Shea Earnshaw knows how to wrap her words around you and pull you into the words she create. A History Of Wild Places, will make you double guess everything, and then leave you on the floor in to deal with your feelings. Book was amazzzzing! Just when you think you have this book figured out...you don't, and that's why its great.

Post Script;
If you haven't already bought this book...buy it...and buy it for a friend.

“Death has a way of leaving breadcrumbs, little particles of the past that catch and settle and stain. A single strand of copper-brown hair, the follicle ripped from a skull, snagged by a door hinge or cold, clenched fingers. Drops of blood and broken skin, carelessly left at the bottom of a bathroom sink when they should have been scrubbed away.”

What happened to Maggie St James? Are you intrigued by the idea of a missing author and a long-forgotten reclusive commune buried deep in a dark, cold forest? If you enjoy eerie fairy tales, psychological thrillers, cult psychology and multiple points of view, “A History of Wild Places” is for you. Shea Ernshaw’s lyrical prose immerses readers into a story fraught with secrets and the power of “groupthink”. I loved the unsettling setting, the suspense, the plot twists and Ernshaw’s cadenced, powerful writing. “A History of Wild Places” is an enticing, spine-chilling must-read.

This book was a thrilling, atmospheric, and captivating novel. It had so many interesting genre elements; magic realism, little bit of dystopia, suspense and of course an mystery. What Happened to Maggie St James?
I won't answer that questions :) This book was brilliant with an touch of creepy but in the sense the world was almost fairy-tale-like but set in reality. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, and a beautiful, eerie atmospheric setting.

Shea Enrhsaw's writing will always make my heart pound faster and my soul jump up and down. Out of excitement and awe. She's one of the best contemporary fiction writers out there, one of my favourites and she inspires me to write from the heart.

Her first adult novel is a suspense one, there's some sort of very soft fantasy but the core of the novel is a mystery that spans many years and affects three different people. Each one, is connected with the setting, Pastoral, in a different way but equally intimately.

Shea Ernshaw's stories are deeply humane, their themes are universal and they touch even the most demanding reader. You don't read her books for the cliffhangers or exciting endings. This book had these things both but the reason you truly read Shea's books is to get transferred to another world, a world that is mysterious, whimsical, sometimes creepy but rooted in emotion. She speaks a lot about love and betrayal in her stories and what comes after your heart is broken, I've noticed this one in The Wicked Deep too, a novel that made me cry for days after I finished it.

Shea's writing is so emotional and lyrical that it has a magical ability of its own to take you to places, to urge you to travel across time and space and meet characters and stories that, despite being fantastical or eerie, they make sense because you connect with them. Because you're human and her heroes are always plagued by human conflicts and concerns.

Shea Ernshaw hides so well the mystery she chooses for each of her books--she's giving you clues all the time while she diverts your attention and at the same time, she hypes you for the next page. What a great job she does with her words and worlds!

Even if this book was not as exciting as The Wicked Deep (for me,) it was very quick to read, it had me on the edge of my seat and the voice actors did a fantastic job! I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of this one and for giving me the chance to read such an amazing story by one of my favourite writers.

Shea Ernshaw is a hidden gem among contemporary writers--I suggest you start reading her books and receive high-quality lessons in writing character, mystery and tension.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the author, Shea Ernshaw. I read and loved The Wicked Deep a few years back when it was published so I knew that she was an author I wanted to keep my eye on. The second thing that drew me to this book was the cover. The cover image is so haunting and beautiful, I just had to know what this book was about. The third and final thing that drew me to this book was the synopsis. Missing author and a mysterious commune in the middle of the woods?! Yes please.
When the book began I figured that the story would be following from Travis's point of view for the duration but it didn't take long for me to be proven wrong. We are then introduced to three characters living within Pastoral, the secret community in the woods: Theo, Calla, and Bee. Theo and Calla are married and Bee is Calla's sister. Together they live in a farmhouse near the edge of the commune. Each of them has secrets they are trying to keep from each other but those secrets don't last for long.
I don't want to say too much about the story because I think honestly one of the best parts was being unsure of what was going on and what was going to happen next. It was such a puzzle to try and fit all of the pieces together about what happened to Travis and Maggie. And when those pieces began to be revealed... I was shocked by each and every one of them. The last third of the book is so full of twists and turns. I literally just finished the book a few minutes ago and wanted to start this review while my head was still spinning. So many "Aha" moments! One of the other really cool things about this book is you get little excerpts from the Foxtail book that Maggie St. James was famous for. It was incredibly eerie with how well it fit the surroundings of Pastoral. Shea Ernshaw did a fantastic job writing this book. Her words had a way of drawing me into the story and I felt as though I was in Pastoral, seeing and experiencing everything that the characters were experiencing. Especially with Bee's character. Bee is blind and so you get to experience all of her other senses being heightened, mainly her sense of hearing and smell. I definitely see myself thinking about this book for quite some time.
4.5 Stars

This book was a welcome change of pace for me. It was very atmospheric and I loved the cult-like aspect of it. I would definitely recommend this to my fellow readers.

The beginning started out strong but also seemed to drag on. I found the characters to be really interesting and enjoyed how the story and characters unraveled.
I enjoyed the story however I felt like I had read or watched this story line before. It didn’t feel like a very original story line or plot. I also felt like the characters were more interesting than the plot itself. I would still recommend this to those who enjoy a good mystery.

This was a really interesting novel that kept my interest throughout. It provided several twists and kept you on your toes. Overall, I enjoyed reading it!

📍Read in: Switzerland
1️⃣This book in one word: Creative
📺Read this if you loved Midsommar

MY TAKE: I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It’s a bit out of my comfort zone with elements of magical realism throughout – but it’s also a cult-ish mystery which is right up my alley. The writing beautifully transports you into the world Ernshaw creates. I had no idea what to expect as it all played out and I was intrigued from the very beginning. Instead of trying to solve the mystery, I ended up simply savoring the writing and the story. The short chapters told from the perspectives of different characters made the book move very quickly. I can’t get over how creative and unique this book is. If you’ve read this, I want to chat about the ending! Thank you @netgalley & @atriabooks for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.