A Place Both Wonderful and Strange: The Extraordinary Untold History of Twin Peaks

by Scott Meslow

For the first time, the definitive history of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks—the landmark cult series that changed the course of television—is told through fascinatingly detailed reporting and exclusive interviews with the show's cast and creators.

From its start, when studio executives drafted a plan to recoup costs after what they predicted would be the series' inevitable failure, to the 1992 prequel movie that elicited boos at Cannes, to its unexpected and acclaimed return some twenty-five years later, Twin Peaks garnered millions of devoted fans who refused to let it die. 
 
In A Place Both Wonderful and Strange, entertainment reporter Scott Meslow takes readers behind the curtain of Lynch’s and Frost’s dedication to finishing what they started, with both the prequel film and Showtime’s Twin The Return, offering dozens of original and revelatory interviews that cast a whole new light on the extraordinary show. Twin Peaks fans will discover how hard the mercurial Lynch and affable Frost fought impatient ABC execs (ultimately losing) to keep Laura Palmer’s murder unsolved, as well as the omerta-like secrecy around the filming of the show. For a series that left as many questions unanswered as answered, Meslow’s deep reporting will give readers a new perspective, detailing scenes left on the cutting–room floor and how Season Two’s finale stunned and infuriated studio execs in what Mark Frost calls “a defiant middle finger to what they [studio executives] thought the show should be.” 

The influence of Twin Peaks is inescapable. It’s hard to imagine prestige television like True Detective, Severance, and so many other shows in this genre could exist without Lynch and Frost’s visionary brilliance. With David Lynch's passing in 2025, there will never be another return to the quirky, mysterious, and unforgettable town of Twin Peaks, but A Place Both Wonderful and Strange serves as testament to the impact it had on the world.
 

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

Scott Meslow is a writer, editor, and critic with over 10 years of experience on the entertainment and culture beat. He writes for publications including GQ, Vulture, The Atlantic, and The Week. His portfolio includes profiles, Q&As, reported features, film and TV reviews, podcasts, and pretty much anything else you might need somebody to write.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published February 22, 2026.

5 stars

An overall look at all the Twin Peaks programs m, the original series, the movie, “Fire Walk With Me,” and the miniseries “Twin Peaks: The Return” as well as supplemental information from some of the authorized books, all of which make up the canon. I’m a longtime fan so I’m loved this review of everything, a reminder of what I had for gotten and some explanation of things that I never understood.

If you’ve never heard of Twin Peaks….well, you are likely not reading this review. But if you’ve never heard are Ford Prefect and this is how you’ve chosen to get your information…bad choice, and, it began as a TV where FBI agent Dale Cooper was investigating the murder of high school beauty queen Laura Palmer in the incredibly weird town of Twin Peaks, Washington. Because the show was coming from David Lynch and Mark Frost and because ABC was the last place network, ABC was willing to roll the dice and see what happened. The wild show only lasted two years but built up an enormous cult following leading to the prequel feature film and, twenty-five years later (and JUST as predicted in the original series yougottaloveit) an eighteen episode return to TV with the original creators and many of the same stars.

The book discusses the development of all the projects, casting, how future projects came about, the progression of stories, everything’s fan could want. Naturally it’s chock full of spoilers, don’t read it if you haven’t experienced the wonders of this television experiment for yourself. I really enjoyed it and can see myself rereading it,

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Were you drawn to this title? This cover? If so, you likely already love _Twin Peaks_, and so it will give you great pleasure to reminisce, learn details you've not yet encountered, and spend a little time with all of your favorite creeps, characters, Lynchian icons, and folks who've haunted your dreams and nightmares (Bob) for the past...gird your loins...35 years. I don't know where the time has gone, but I do know that those of us who started laying the groundwork for generations of Reddit sleuths in our obsession with the central iconic question - "Who killed Laura Palmer?" - were all impacted by the experience and that there's not been anything like it since.

For fans of the show and for fans of Lynch (I can't imagine that there can be much separation between these since they seem inextricably tied), this book is a gift. It is full of explanation not just of plot points for a notoriously esoteric show but also of all of the details surrounding casting and plotting, prequels and sequels, specific actors' and crew members' insights, and so much more. Like all of Lynch's work, _Twin Peaks_ and its offshoots are full of iconic images, unforgettable music, and the most bizarre twists and explanations, and this book took me right back into the heart of so many of the things I love about the original experience. I also learned so much new material, including but not limited to some unforgettable content about Sheryl Lee's relationship to Laura Palmer.

While I'm a die-hard fan of Lynch and of the show in all of its iterations, acolyte status is not required to understand and appreciate this book. Super fans can go deeper and those who always wondered what the fuss was about can get all the tea (maybe...all the coffee and donuts is more apt here) that they've been missing.

I can't find enough ways to celebrate Lynch and his work, and this book gave me another great opportunity to do that and to, you know, give myself a present.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Running Press Adult for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

**Also, thanks to Hachette Audio for the alc, which is excellent (and still these opinions are my own).

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running Press provided an early galley for review.

I was a fan of this strange, haunting and unforgettable show from the week it debuted on network TV in April of 1990. Its moody and character-based storytelling left a major impression on me as a viewer, reader and writer.

Therefore, I was very eager to check out this new, behind-the-scenes look at the franchise with insights from those who were involved in bringing it to life. I felt that tingling chill as I read it, the same one that comes from watching the shows and film. Twin Peaks is just one of those things that does not let go once it has taken root. It will always be there for me.

I picked up a lot of new details from Meslow as he took me down the winding paths of decades past. One feature I especially appreciated was the character profiles that accompanied each of the chapters, shining spotlights on some of the pivotal players is this twisting tale.

I very much recommend it for fans.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Running Press for an advance copy of this book that looks at the creation, history, and legacy of a show that gave rise to many catch phrases, points of reference, started a few careers, nearly a ended a few careers, and even after all this time still stirs people to question and wonder about what they have seen, and who did what to whom.

I have a strong memory of seeing ads for a new show that seemed interesting on of all things ABC, which I don't think I really watched much. Or maybe I did, how else did I see the ads in those pre-streaming Internet watching days. I'm not sure how familiar I was with David Lynch. Dune was a favorite of mine, a few others. I don't think I saw Elephant Man. Maybe Blue Velvet. However I was a pretentious teen, so probably was aware. I watched it in the family room, on the big cathode television with my parents and I assume my brother, though I don't remember. Here's where my memories turn. I remember lots of noise, boisterous noise, people saying I love this part, this is awesome, et cetera. So another viewing, maybe with friends has pushed its way into to my first viewing, tainting the memory. Or not, I don't know. Does this change my long interest in the show, not really. I wish I could remember it clearly. Almost as much as I wish I understood every second of every episode, the movie, and the Return. Memory like understanding is fallible. Thankfully I have this book, to help me remember, to learn more about my favorite show, and to maybe understand. Or not. A Place Both Wonderful and Strange: The Extraordinary Untold History of Twin Peaks by journalist , fan and writer Scott Meslow is an in-depth study of this influential show, a show not without its oddness and problems, but one that changed the ideas of what television could do, creating a legacy of questions and puzzles, and a cool new term "Lynchian".

Television in the late eighties and nineties, was not something considered prestige entertainment as many have said. TV was where one got started, or returned when the career was over. For every good show, there were hundreds that came and went, without a Neilsen point to even show they existed. Into this untapped wasteland came a director who had hit both his highs and lows, from The Elephant Man, to Dune, the director David Lynch. Lynch and television writer Mark Frost began working on a series of ideas, from weird to conventional. One of the ideas became a mystery, a mystery that might never be solved. And idea that gained a supporter at ABC, who needed something to show they were still around. Twin Peaks hit like a bomb, with a stylish look, story, and a mystery that won a huge following. A mystery that ultimately killed the show. Or at least had a part in it. The book follows all these moments, from sketches in a diner about the town of Twin Peaks, to casting, writing, and the many problems that arose. Meslow covers all the different forms the show took, different endings for Europe, the movie, and the scenes that were cut. Reruns that offered prologues and explanation, and the Return, which will probably be the last word on the series.

I loved this book. Meslow is an excellent writer and researcher, gathering tons of stories, tales of casting, problems on set, and whispers in the boardrooms. Meslow is a fan, but does not let that overwhelm his writing, not being excessively nerdy, nor beholden to the work. Meslow is quick to share obvious problems, creators who were distracted, how the show meandered a little too much. However it is the stories told by the cast, that really gives the book its heart. Stories of actors working to the end of their lives, of happy accidents that made the show what it was. And Meslow adds his own interpretation of what the show means, which I found interesting.

A great book for fans of the show, and David Lynch. Also a great book on creativity. The little accidents that made the show. Never settleing for what could be, always being open to new things. Even if it involves a pig. A book I did not want to see end. One that I will be thinking about for quite a while. I look forward to whatever Scott Meslow writes next.

[Nichole Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.]

Some time last year, I read a book about the making of one of my favorite movies, one that came out in the late seventies. I was so excited to read that book and so disappointed that not only did it not give me any of the behind-the-scenes stories that I wanted but it also lacked any of the nostalgic feelings I wanted to experience.

This is decidedly NOT the case with Meslow’s look at the cultural phenomenon of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.

This book is a love letter to Twin Peaks. Every page of Laura Palmer’s secret diary, every recorded message to Diane, every message from the Log. All of it is sacrosanct and treated with the veneration of someone who understands the devotion of legions of wannabe denizens of the wonderfully strange world of Twin Peaks.

This is the history of the making of the series and connected film. It walks the reader through the process of creating it all, allowing a lovingly voyeuristic look behind the red curtain. Even troubles and issues felt and faced by those involved are treated with gentle respect and empathy. Additional anecdotes about characters and their respective actors further welcomes avid fans into the part of the world not seen on screen.

Did it leave me wanting more? Of course. But not in an unfinished way. It made me want to watch the entire series all over again with new insights and perspective.

And that is exactly what a love letter to something treasured should do. It should make you want to experience the magic all over again.

[Mrs. Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this is about Twin Peaks, a place both wonderful and strange. I recommend it for any fan of the show. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance readers’ copy.