The Bobcat

In Katherine Forbes Riley’s enchanting debut novel, The Bobcat, Laurelie, a young art student grappling with the aftermath of a sexual assault, relocates to a serene college in rural Vermont to escape her isolation and fears. She immerses herself in her art and finds solace in the woods and the child she babysits. A chance encounter with an injured pregnant bobcat and a reclusive hiker leads Laurelie on a path of recovery and self-discovery, but when the child goes missing, the fragile peace she has created is put at risk. Through lush prose, Riley crafts a compelling narrative that intertwines themes of art, connection, and the complexities of human relationships.