Into the Mouth of the Wolf

Part thriller, part queer romance, Into the Mouth of the Wolf is the stunning, long-awaited new YA novel from the award-winning author of Amelia Westlake.

Dear Iris,

If all goes well I will be in touch by this evening. If you hear nothing, contact Glassy Bay International Travellers’ Hostel and ask after me. Use our real names.

Your Mama xxx

Iris lives on the run with her mother, Rohan. They’re travelling to escape the earthquakes, though of course that’s impossible. And they’re being followed. One day, Rohan insists Iris repeat the phrase in bocca al lupo: into the mouth of the wolf. The next day, Rohan's vanished, leaving no clues about where she’s gone besides a contact in an unknown town. Entirely alone and fearing the worst, Iris reaches out to a stranger for help.

When Lena gets Iris's message, she's busy panic-studying for year 12 and helping run her family’s hostel. She’s intrigued by Iris, and can’t deny there’s a spark between them – but she’s also worried. A dead body has just washed up at the beach in Glassy Bay. And Lena’s old best friend – who's just returned after an unexplained absence – seems to know something about it.

Missing people. Mysterious deaths. A growing attraction between two girls caught up in the search for the truth. Somehow, they’re all connected. But in order to find out how – and in order to even meet each other – Iris and Lena will have to go into the mouth of the wolf …

​​​​​​​With shades of We Were Liars and Station Eleven, this extraordinary new YA novel explores love and grief in an uncertain climate from one of Australia's most talented writers.

Author: Erin Gough

Paperback Published 1 May 2024 384 pages

‘It is truly, completely unlike any other Aussie YA I've ever read. Into the Mouth of the Wolf is strange and thrilling, just-around-the-corner-real and deeply affecting too. My mind was bent, my heart was walloped. This extraordinary novel runs on a rocket fuel of greed and sacrifice, calamities and quiet moments, love and hope. I loved it so much!’  – Leanne Hall, award-winning author of The Gaps.

‘Into the Mouth of the Wolf is a gripping and immersive thrill ride examining the very best and worst of human nature – our impact on our environment and each other. This wild, action-packed murder-mystery will have you flipping pages desperate for answers, and it will regularly reward you with countless tasty aha! and what-the?! moments. Complex, imaginative, clever and compelling, this epic cli-fi tale underpinned by love and longing, hope and blind faith, will have you caught in its ravenous jaws until the very last page. Thoroughly enjoyed my ride!’ – Allayne Webster, author ofSelfie