A cli-fi horror novel set in an eerie Pacific Northwest national forest. . .
Third Place Books welcomes author Wendy N. Wagner for a celebration of her new novel, Girl in the Creek — an eco-horror thriller set in the foothills of Mt. Hood, where a woman's search for her missing brother puts her in the crosshairs of forces from both this world and beyond. She will be joined in conversation by Isabel Cañas, author of The Hacienda and Vampires of El Norte.
This event is free and open to the public. For important updates, RSVP is highly recommended in advance. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!
About Girl in the Creek. . .
Girl in the Creek is a pulse-pounding story about the horrors growing all around us, perfect for fans of Jeff VanderMeer and T. Kingfisher.
Buried secrets only spread.
Erin's brother Bryan has been missing for five years.
It was as if he simply walked into the forests of the Pacific Northwest and vanished. Determined to uncover the truth, Erin heads to the foothills of Mt. Hood where Bryan was last seen alive. He isn’t the first hiker to go missing in this area, and their cases go unsolved.
When she discovers the corpse of a local woman in a creek, Erin unknowingly puts herself in the crosshairs of very powerful forces—from this world and beyond—hell-bent on keeping their secrets buried..
Praise for Girl in the Creek. . .
“There's no one out there writing quite like Wendy N. Wagner. Her fiction is always the perfect combination of horror and heart. With glittering prose, an unforgettable protagonist, and too many spores to count, Girl in the Creek will haunt you and break your heart in equal measure. A fantastic achievement.”
—Gwendolyn Kiste, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Haunting of Velkwood
“Wagner combines the body horror of classic King, the tension of Crichton techno-thrillers, and the nostalgic fun of creature features into a love song to the beautifully terrifying grandeur of the Pacific Northwest. Both a critique of the modern true crime landscape and a deep contemplation of humanity’s environmental devastation.”
—Maria Dong, author of Liar, Dreamer, Thief
"A tightly written master class in horror."
—Library Journal, starred review
"A compelling story… Fans of Jeff VanderMeer will not be disappointed by this cli-fi horror tale from Wagner."
—Booklist
Wendy N. Wagner is a hiker, trail runner, and nature lover. She’s the author of the critically acclaimed works The Deer Kings, The Secret Skin, and the Locus bestselling An Oath of Dogs. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Theodore Sturgeon and Shirley Jackson awards, and her short stories, poetry, and essays have appeared in more than seventy venues. She serves as the editor-in-chief of Nightmare Magazine (for which she was nominated for the Locus award), and is part of the Hugo award-winning editorial team behind Lightspeed Magazine. She lives in Oregon with her very understanding family, a giant cat, and a Muppet disguised as a dog.
Isabel Cañas is a Mexican-American speculative fiction writer. After having lived in Mexico, Scotland, Egypt, Turkey, and New York City, among other places, she has settled in the Pacific Northwest. She holds a doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and writes fiction inspired by her research and her heritage. Her next novel, The Possession of Alba Díaz, will be out in August 2025 and is available for preorder now.
Want a signed edition of the featured book, but can't make it to the event? Order through our website or over the phone, and write your request for a signature or personalization in the comments field at checkout. Please call the hosting store if you're placing your order within 24 hours of the event.
For media or access inquiries, please email
ZXZlbnRzIHwgdGhpcmRwbGFjZWJvb2tzICEgY29t or call our Lake Forest Park store at (206) 366-3311.
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