Library News and Views: 'The Wild Inside' offers a roller-coaster ride

By Francine Brady

Havre-Hill County Library

Christine Carbo, a new Montana author residing in Whitefish, has written a wonderful suspense novel “The Wild Inside.”

Carbo’s story takes place in the east and west Glacier areas of Glacier Park. She gives such a detailed description of the park and surroundings that readers feel  as if they were there.

Think of walking in the woods alone. The sun is shining. Birds are flying about and the bees have a muted buzz. All goes well, and it is a wonderful day until that wary feeling creeps over your whole body.

Behind you a sound like a huff. It is too late to even turn. It’s a bear.

In the fall of 1987, 14-year-old Ted Systead and his father were camping in Glacier National Park when the unthinkable happened: A grizzly bear mauled and killed Ted’s father.

Twenty years later, Ted works as a special agent for the Department of the Interior and is called back to Montana to investigate a bear mauling.

This time, however, the victim was found duct taped to a tree and his only form of identification are two fingers and his teeth.

With secrets of their own, residents are suspicious of outsiders and do not freely give out information to any authorities. Ted’s search for the truth takes him deeper into the wilderness than he ever imagined and forces him to relive the death of his father.

As the case progresses with no clear answers, Ted’s job is on the line unless he can find a murderer and possibly save the life of the grizzly who has tasted human flesh.

Christine Carbo’s love of nature, her knowledge of the wild and beautiful locale of Montana, her references to the crossovers of the different government agencies and the barbarities and kindnesses of humans gives this story one heck of a roller-coaster ride that will keep your interest to the shocking conclusion.

Christine Carbo’s “The Wild Inside” is available to be checked out at the Havre-Hill County Library.

Library hours are:

Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Closed Sunday