Rufous and Calliope

The mysteries of nature collide with the fragile threads of memory in this atmospheric novel that navigates deep into the rugged wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.

Rufous Flanagan, a modern-day cartographer, embarks on a solo trek through an ancient mountain pass in search of the summer hideaway he once shared with his siblings as child runaways. With every step, the vast, untamed wilderness presents both physical and emotional challenges, forcing Rufous to confront not only the treacherous terrain but also the unravelling of his own mind.

His memories--sometimes vivid, sometimes slipping away--become a map guiding him through towering forests, dry creek beds and smoke-filled skies. In this landscape, not everything is as it seems: echoes of the past lead Rufous on a journey that blurs the line between dream and reality. As the elements close in, this novel offers a suspenseful tale of survival, memory and family bonds.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre
Published: 06/02/2026
ISBN: 9781771624572
Pages: 256

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 04/06/2026