Wolf Season: A Novel

by Wesley King

In the remote Montana wilderness, a prodigal son’s search for his missing father reunites him with the love of his life in a town marked by eerily unexplained murders, masterfully crafted by award-winning author Wesley King.

In the stark, remote beauty of rural Montana, Everett returns to his hometown after his father, the local sheriff, mysteriously disappears while investigating the murder of a teenage girl. Driven by duty and a deep-seated longing for Bernadine Armel, the girl’s older cousin and the woman he has loved since childhood, Everett plunges into untangling the twisted cases.

The Armel family is shrouded in mystery, the men long since killed in a horrific ‘accident,’ with rumors of more disappearing on their land. And as Everett delves deeper into the family’s past, he uncovers a sinister pattern of murders and hints of supernatural phenomena he can’t explain.

Torn between his quest for justice and his love for Bernadine, who may be implicated in the crimes, Everett faces moral dilemmas and danger at every turn. Wolf Season is a gripping debut that blends supernatural horror with detective fiction, exploring the search for truth in a world where nothing is as it seems.

Genres: Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 20, 2026

About the author

The author of fourteen novels so far, Canadian author Wesley King has received over twenty literary awards and seen his books published worldwide, optioned for film and television, and translated into numerous languages. King is best known for his collaboration with Kobe Bryant on the #1 New York Times Bestselling Wizenard Series, as well as the Edgar Award-winning OCDaniel, which was also a Bank Street Best Book of the Year and Silver Birch winner. His adult debut, Wolf Season, will be released in 2026.

Reviews

[Cheryl Hanzidiakou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Well that was excellent! Wolf Season is a suspenseful mystery thriller with a moody atmospheric feel that I really liked. The story grabbed me right from the get go and had my full attention to the end. And speaking of the ending….unexpected in the best way. Add this one to your TBR for sure!

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler books😊

[Off Service Book Recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prodigal son returns to a home steeped in death mystery. His father is missing. A teenage girl is murdered. And above all, the deep-seated yearning he has for the girl's older cousin and his long-lost childhood sweetheart, Bernadine Arnel, still burns as brightly as the day he left. Driven by duty, once and future sheriff Everett turns his attention to picking apart the blood-soaked strings of these twisted cases. For though his father's disappearance and the young girl's death are fresh, their fates are tied into the history of the land - to the reclusive, all-female Arnel family, whose men died in a tragic 'accident'; to the preferential investigative abilities of a small town police force; to the strange man who has lived in the hills longer than anyone can remember; and to the sinister, supernatural forest and the victims its claimed over the years. When it seems Bernadine and her family may be implicated in the crimes, Everett becomes torn between his quest for justice and his only love, and with each passing moral dilemma the forest and those who'd let dead men tell no tales become more restless...

I don't always love detective novels and I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one but I was so pleasantly surprised by how much this one grabbed my attention and didn't let go! I also didn't read the synopsis before picking it up (if there's ever evidence that covers sell, this was it), so the inclusion of supernatural elements into what otherwise started off as a very Yellowstone-coded story was FANTASTIC, and blended so well with the stark, guilt-laden, predatory overtures of the story. I absolutely devoured this novel and couldn't put it down - and while I had some guesses as to major plot points towards, the end, it was the kind of story where you just had to keep frantically paging through, because you could be right, you could be wrong, there's hints, there's red flags - exactly what I want in a thriller, and 12/10 was thrilled with this book. I haven't heard of this author but it appears he's written a number of children/YA books, and I hope he continues to write books for adult audiences because this was a treat!

[Kate Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I won a copy from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.**

This book was an intriguing mix of components, like a good soup on a cold day. A gripping mystery mixed with family drama create the broth. Flawed, but engaging, characters combined with true love, jealousy, past traumas, and deeply rooted hearts desires provide the textures and flavors that keep you coming back for more. The vivid descriptions of the scenery round out this concoction in a way that hits every note in just right.

I would highly recommend anyone who enjoys a good mystery, with a sprinkling of paranormal magic, read this book! It is such a great example of what can happen when two genres combine to tell a good story.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
This was a Goodreads Giveaway winner, and thank you very much.
I choose books that will take me on a different ride. Variety is the spice of life.
This helps me to expand and broaden my reading experiences!
Otherwise, I would probably not have picked this book up at the library.
I would add "thriller" to the "mystery" genre!
There was no waiting for the climax at the end of the book. It climaxed at the end of each chapter!
Wolf season captivated my attention at the beginning. I was totally and fully engaged - no leafing through the boring parts (there weren't any).
Good wishes your way Mr. King as you make yourself known as a brilliant writer.

[Bre3924 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this through a Goodreads giveaway. This was my first book by this author, Wesley King, and he did not disappoint. There were a lot of characters, but the way he introduced them and included them in the storyline, it made it easy to keep track of who is who. Suspense was throughout the entire book and I was drawn in to the storyline immediately. The ending was not what I expected. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written, murder-suspense novel.

[Kelsie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf Season was an engaging and fast-paced read that kept me hooked. I finished the book in about 3 sittings. The story moves quickly without feeling rushed and the two leads, Everett and Bernadine, were compelling and easy to root for. The ending offered some exciting twists that tie everything together in a satisfying and memorable way.
Overall, this is a gripping story with strong pacing and a woodsy setting that enhances the tension and stakes throughout.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this ARC on the goodreads giveaways, and I absolutely loved this book. It kept me guessing til the end. It was the perfect mixture of mystery, thriller, supernatural, horror, and a sprinkle of a young love carried to adulthood. 5 stars! I can't wait until Wesley King continues writing his adult fiction novels so I can read more. This was the first Wesley King novel I read, but I definitely won't be the last.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book at a time when I was also re-watching Yellowstone and the similarities my mind created add an extra element of fun to the story. Families loving the land, living off the land, fighting for the land. Families torn apart, families fighting to stay together, families going through the motions of what is expected. Also, Montana.

The mystery of what happened to Orsie and then the Sheriff is well built and expertly unraveled.

[Trista Cremeans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery drove me crazy in a way that I was desperate for answers. Like Everett I was trying to track the clues and find answers all along the way. The characters are believable, and the small town feels real. I especially loved the uncanny nature of some of the residents, which reminded me so much of Appalachian stories, despite this taking place in Montana.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've won many Goodreads books over the years, and this is another that I may have never read if not for this generous giveaway. Thank you for the journey of this story. Every chapter had me solving the mystery only to keep me reading for the real answer.

[Trudy Krogulski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a murder mystery which is my preferred genre. The author did a great job of developing the characters; such that even though I did not figure out who the killer was before being revealed, I could still find it believable.

[Nena Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery. The writing was very descriptive so that you could picture everything in the scene. The characters were realatable. It has twists and turns. This book grabs a hold of you and doesn't let you go. I highly recommend

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed this book. It’s a thriller that keeps you on your toes throughout. I would suggest this book.

[Nicole Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I was not able to put it down and I wanted to keep reading it to find out what all happened. I would recommend this book to my friends and family.

[Michele Knopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Held my interest. Would like to read more from this Author

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this is a well written Murder suspense novel. I look forward to reading more from Wesley King.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner. Could not put it down. Surprised, different, well written. Very enjoyable. If you like suspense this a book for you. Must read.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting that's for sure! The imagery was spot on...I could see the setting like I was smack in the middle of it!