"The Tenderness of Wolves" is a novel written by Stef Penney. It was first published in 2006. The book is set in the 19th century in the harsh and remote Canadian wilderness of Northern Ontario. It follows the story of Mrs. Ross, a woman living in a small settlement called Dove River. When a French-Canadian trapper named Laurent Jammet is found murdered, Mrs. Ross's teenage son goes missing, and suspicion falls on a young indigenous man named William Parker. In an effort to clear Parker's name and find her son, Mrs. Ross embarks on a perilous journey through the wilderness, uncovering secrets and confronting the challenges of the harsh environment.
"The Tenderness of Wolves" is a historical thriller that explores themes of identity, love, betrayal, and the tensions between different cultures in a remote frontier setting. The novel received critical acclaim for its evocative portrayal of the Canadian wilderness and its compelling characters. It won the Costa Book Award for First Novel in 2006 and garnered praise for its atmospheric storytelling and richly drawn landscapes.