Bearskin

Rice Moore is a man on the run, hiding from a violent past in the Turk Mountain Preserve, a remote wilderness area in the Appalachian Mountains where he's taken a job as a caretaker. His solitary work monitoring the land and its wildlife offers him a chance at redemption and peace, until he discovers that the preserve is being used as a hunting ground for poachers targeting bears for their valuable gallbladders. As Rice begins to investigate and resist the illegal operation, he finds himself caught between the dangerous criminals exploiting the land and the deadly secrets he's trying to escape. McLaughlin's debut novel is a gripping literary thriller that combines vivid nature writing with escalating suspense. The novel explores themes of environmental destruction, justice, and the possibility of atonement, all while immersing readers in the beauty and brutality of the wilderness. Rice is a complex protagonist—skilled, damaged, and morally compromised—whose deep knowledge of the natural world becomes both his refuge and his weapon. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers with richly drawn settings, as well as those interested in environmental issues and stories about flawed individuals seeking redemption through action.