The Naturalist - Andrew Mayne - A Short Summary & Review

 The Naturalist - Andrew Mayne - A Short Summary & Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

An animalistic serial murder mystery set in the mountains of Montana.

A short summary:

Set against the stark, unforgiving wilderness of Montana, The Naturalist follows a hunt for a killer whose methods blur the line between predator and prey. What initially appears to be a series of animal attacks soon reveals something far more disturbing: a human intelligence hiding behind nature’s brutality.

As the investigation unfolds, the mountains become more than a backdrop; they are an accomplice. Isolation, terrain, and primal fear work in the killer’s favor, forcing investigators to confront how easily violence can masquerade as instinct. The novel steadily dismantles the idea that nature is the greatest threat lurking in the woods.

My favorite quote from the book:

"Bears and lightning do as they please and can strike in the same spot 

as much as they choose, despite what experts tell us."

- Andrew Mayne, The Naturalist

Questions to ponder while reading:

Do you go camping often?

Have you ever noticed unusual patterns?

My review of the book:

This is an excellent “monster in the wilderness” thriller, and the monster isn’t always the one with claws.

Andrew Mayne builds tension through atmosphere as much as plot. The setting is cold, remote, and oppressive, amplifying every moment of danger. The story taps into a primal fear: being hunted in a place where civilization offers no protection.

The novel repeatedly raises an unsettling question: Who is more terrifying, man or animal? and refuses to give an easy answer. The pacing is brisk, the premise chilling, and the suspense relentless.

I started reading and didn’t stop until morning.
Exactly the kind of book that makes the dark woods feel closer than they should.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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