Mired

Florida, 1842

A young family risks everything for the promise of free land in a sweltering, swamp-choked frontier. Phillip Townsend arrives in Micanopy with nothing but his wife, his brother, and a dream only to find the soil unforgiving, the weather unbearable, and something lurking deep within the shadows of the swamp.

As weeks turn into months, the relentless heat and hardships add pressure to the young farmer's marriage under the weight of broken promises and silent resentments. All the while, the ever-present threat of an unnatural creature looms in the darkness.

As isolation tightens its grip and the line between survival and surrender blurs, Phillip must confront a truth more terrifying than hunger or hardship: not every predator is what it seems.

"Mired is the story of Phillip Townsend, a native of South Carolina who, with his wife and brother, sets out to build a homestead in Micanopy, Florida after the Seminole Wars. The book deftly weaves together historical fiction, love story, and psychological thriller through its portrayal of a steadfast and good-hearted man. What remains to be seen is whether Phillip is a brave man. This monster thriller's historical and geographic details immerse you in Phillip's joys and challenges while its unsettling foreshadowing propels you toward its eye-opening climax."

-J. English

"Mired is a dark tale rich with Florida history that digs into the psychological toll of being immersed in another's disorder. The visceral experience, and the story-within-stories dynamic are captured with clinical precision."

-N. Wright