In Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy, biologist Inti Flynn rewilds wolves in the Scottish Highlands despite resistance from local residents who fear for their safety and livestock. Inti brings her sister Aggie, who has severe PTSD due to a violent assault. Inti's project faces turmoil as she navigates complex relationships, local hostility, and a mysterious death that she must conceal to protect the wolves. The novel includes themes of violence and trauma.

Charlotte McConaghy's Once There Were Wolves has been praised for its evocative prose and deep environmental themes. Critics commend its blend of mystery and emotional depth. However, some note a slow-paced narrative and occasionally heavy-handed messaging. Overall, it’s a poignant exploration of rewilding and human-animal connections, though it may not appeal to readers preferring faster plots.

Readers who enjoy nature-infused literary fiction with psychological depth, akin to Delia Owens' Where the Crawdads Sing and Maja Lunde's The History of Bees, will find Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy captivating. The novel appeals to those intrigued by environmental themes, human-animal connections, and emotional resilience.

Mysterious / Emotional / Dark / Suspenseful / Contemplative

- Once There Were Wolves was written by Australian author Charlotte McConaghy, who is also known for her debut novel Migrations, which received critical acclaim for its blend of environmental themes and poignant storytelling.
- The novel's themes are deeply intertwined with Charlotte McConaghy's passion for wildlife and conservation, as she aims to draw attention to the importance of ecological restoration and the complex relationship between humans and nature.
- Charlotte McConaghy wrote Once There Were Wolves partly inspired by real-life wolf reintroduction projects, such as the successful reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park in the United States in the 1990s.

**Inti Flynn**  
A biologist in her early thirties who studies wolves and is the protagonist of the story, known for her mirror-touch synesthesia and her devotion to conservation.

**Aggie Flynn**  
Inti's twin sister, a former language teacher, who shares a close bond with Inti and struggles with PTSD, affecting her daily life.

**Alexander Flynn**  
The father of Inti and Aggie, a Canadian naturalist living in the woods outside Vancouver, who taught his daughters about survival and conservation.

**Inti’s Mother**  
A detective in Sydney who is cautious about her daughter's empathetic nature and contributes essential information for a critical mystery in the narrative.

**Duncan MacTavish**  
The police chief in the Scottish Highlands, who is skeptical of Inti's wolf project but becomes romantically involved with her.

**Stuart Burns**  
The aggressive husband of Lainey Burns and owner of Burns Farm, whose volatile nature impacts the community and the plot.

**Red McRae**  
An outspoken local farmer opposed to the wolf project, who undergoes a change of heart and becomes pivotal in Inti's experience in the Highlands.

**Number Six, “Ash”**  
A female wolf and leader of the Abernathy Pack, whose survival journey closely intertwines with Inti's own personal battles.

**Number Ten**  
A bold and aggressive female wolf from the Glenshee Pack, introduced into the narrative as a potential threat due to her fearlessness around humans.

Charlotte McConaghy

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Chapters 1-5

Once There Were Wolves Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-11

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Chapters 12-15

Once There Were Wolves Chapters 12-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-20

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Chapters 21-25

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Chapter 26-Epilogue

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Once There Were Wolves Character Analysis

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Once There Were Wolves

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