The Wilding

‘A sharp thriller [. . .] with strong characterisation, a deep sense of place and real wit’ The Irish Times

‘Melds the urban and rural to take folk horror somewhere unexpected, spooky and, paradoxically, new’ SFX

‘Blends folk horror with modern terror . . . The Wilding is a great novel’ JamReads.com

‘Natural horror at its finest, this haunting tale of a camping trip gone wrong grips you, shocks you and leaves a lasting impression’ crossstitchandstories

‘Ian McDonald has never written a bad novel’ Cory Doctorow


Strange things have been happening at Lough Carrow.

Local villagers have told dark rumours about the vast peat bog ever since the huge project to rewild it began.

Strange tracks have been seen leading into and out of the site. Livestock has been mutilated in the area. And on their trek to a camp site in the heart of the bog some of Lisa’s group – five teenagers and three teachers she’s guiding on a wilderness experience – spot wolves, wolverines, and something that looks older and scarier than either . . . even though Ireland’s lost wild animals are yet to be introduced to the park . . .

They have planned one cosy campout in this strange wilderness, where time and space themselves seems to be shifting, but as darkness falls it’s clear they have a very different night ahead.

The camp is attacked.

The campers are trapped.

And something out there has only just begun to hunt . . .