The Trail was inspired by my agent Emily Glenister wanting to read a speculative thriller set in the Appalachian Mountains. I had to Google exactly where they were, and became enthralled by the Appalachian Trail (the AT) that runs from Georgia in the south, up to Maine in the north, crossing twelve different states along the way. And the more I read about the folklore of the area, the more engrossed I became in the mountainous area covered by dark and creepy forests.
Confession time: I have never been to the Appalachian Mountains. But through reading countless books (including the hugely informative A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson), and listening to first-hand accounts from AT hikers, I was able to immerse myself in a world where everyday people strive to overcome the unforgiving terrain to experience the beauty of nature. I created a fictionalised version on the northern section of the AT in my head and it took over my soul. When I needed to know what my characters were experiencing, I would take myself to Hampshire’s New Forest, near where I live, and write chapters on my phone while sat amongst the trees. And it all helped to create a vivid narrative where nothing is as it seems.
From hauntings to Bigfoot sightings, from witchcraft to the Moth-man, the Appalachian mountain towns are teeming with folklore, and often the stories are told by the friend of a friend of a friend who actually witnessed what happened. For there to be so many tales of the unexpected in an area has to be more than coincidence. And if you don’t believe me, just search “Appalachia” on TikTok. In fact, most of the creepiest (non-alien-related) storylines from The X-Files were inspired by the tales from this area. It was the perfect inspiration for the antagonists of the novel.
I defy anyone to read The Trail and not feel the hairs on the back of their neck standing. And if you do find yourself lost in the wilderness of those bewitching mountains, just remember:
If you see something, no you didn’t.
If you hear something, no you didn’t.
If someone calls your name – don’t look, run!
The Trail by M.A. Hunter is out now and you can get your copy here: https://mybook.to/TheTrailSocial