Coyote Howls at Moon

Otis Till, a British-born winemaker on Washington's Red Mountain, is haunted by the loss of his wife and sons. His only solace is his vineyard, animals, and the land he's tamed with obsessive care. But as harvest approaches, Otis discovers his senses of taste and smell are failing—an existential threat for a winemaker. Alone in the moonlit vineyard, he howls with the coyotes, a primal act of grief and connection, signaling his isolation and the deep ache for meaning and belonging. The arrival of his meddling Aunt Morgan, determined to push him back into life, sets the stage for Otis's reluctant journey toward healing and unexpected new love.

Dreams and New Beginnings

Margot Pierce, once a Broadway star, is rebuilding her life after a humiliating public divorce from a philandering politician. She's moved to Red Mountain with her sensitive, musically gifted son Jasper, determined to open an inn and animal sanctuary. Margot's dreams are threatened by construction delays, financial strain, and her own emotional wounds. Her relationship with Jasper is her anchor, but she's haunted by anger and self-doubt, channeling her pain into darkly comic revenge fantasies and the hope that, even late in life, unthinkably good things can still happen.

Secrets Beneath the Surface

Emilia Forester, daughter of rock star Jake and ex-supermodel Carmen, is suffocating under the weight of her parents' fame and expectations. She feels like a fraud, unable to claim her own identity or happiness. Her creative writing teacher, Joe Massey, becomes a confidant and, in a moment of vulnerability, a forbidden lover. Their secret relationship is a dangerous escape from her gilded cage, but it's also a catalyst for Emilia's journey toward self-acceptance and the painful realization that she must define herself on her own terms.

Broken and Healing Hearts

Brooks Baker, a tattooed, self-made winemaker with a troubled past, is Red Mountain's rising star. He's drawn to Abby, the sharp, beautiful assistant to Carmen Forester, but both are wary—Brooks of rejection and Abby of exposing her wild side. Their flirtation is a dance of vulnerability and bravado, complicated by Brooks's foster care scars and Abby's hidden depths. As they inch toward intimacy, their connection is tested by secrets, self-doubt, and the tangled web of relationships on the mountain.

The Vineyard's Silent Suffering

As Otis's senses fade, he faces the terrifying prospect of losing his life's work and identity. Aunt Morgan's arrival brings both comic relief and tough love, pushing Otis to confront his grief and isolation. A chance meeting with Joan, a serene life coach and yoga teacher, offers Otis a glimmer of hope and the possibility of new love. But the vineyard's future—and Otis's—hangs in the balance, as he must decide whether to fight for life or surrender to despair.

The Unique Boy's World

Luca, Jake and Carmen's young son, is a precocious, otherworldly child whose imaginary friends and "missions" to save the world provide both comic relief and poignant insight. His adventures—like attempting to contact the Moon People—highlight the innocence and creativity that the adults around him have lost. Luca's perspective offers a counterpoint to the adult dramas, reminding everyone of the importance of wonder, kindness, and seeing the world anew.

Dinner, Music, and Rivalries

A dinner party at the Foresters' brings together the mountain's key players: winemakers, musicians, dreamers, and misfits. The gathering is a microcosm of Red Mountain's community—full of warmth, rivalry, and the ever-present threat of secrets coming to light. Margot's culinary talents shine, Jasper's musical gifts are recognized by Jake, and the seeds of new collaborations and conflicts are sown. The party is both a celebration and a crucible, where relationships are tested and alliances formed.

Margot's Reinvention

Margot's journey toward self-love and empowerment is fraught with setbacks—emotional eating, contractor betrayals, and the lingering shadow of her ex-husband. Inspired by self-help books, yoga, and the support of new friends like Joan, Margot begins to reclaim her confidence and sense of purpose. Her transformation is messy and nonlinear, but it's marked by moments of joy, resilience, and the realization that she is worthy of love and happiness, regardless of her past.

The Weight of Betrayal

Betrayal ripples through Red Mountain: Margot's ex-husband's affair, Carmen's secret relationship with Abby, and the exposure of Emilia's forbidden romance with her teacher. These revelations shatter illusions and force characters to confront the messy realities of love, trust, and forgiveness. The community is rocked by scandal, but also drawn closer by the shared experience of pain and the collective effort to heal and move forward.

Lost Senses, Lost Purpose

Otis's inability to taste or smell wine is both a personal and professional crisis. With the help of Brooks and Joan, he learns to adapt, relying on others' palates and embracing new approaches to winemaking. Joan's holistic healing methods and unwavering belief in Otis spark a gradual recovery—not just of his senses, but of his will to live and love. Otis's journey is a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the possibility of renewal at any age.

Fathers and Found Family

Brooks's life is upended when his biological father, Charles, appears, followed by the discovery of a troubled brother, Shay. The reunion is fraught with old wounds, mistrust, and the challenge of forging new bonds. Through candid conversations, shared work, and the support of Abby and Otis, Brooks begins to reconcile his past and embrace the messy, imperfect reality of family. The theme of chosen family—those we find and those who find us—runs deep, offering hope and healing.

Margot 2.0 Emerges

Margot's commitment to self-improvement pays off as she takes control of her business, fires her unreliable contractor, and assembles a team she can trust. Her confidence grows, and she becomes a beacon for other women on Red Mountain, launching cooking classes and building a supportive community. Margot's transformation is both internal and external, as she learns to balance ambition, self-care, and the messy realities of single motherhood and new love.

The Music Maker's Gift

Jasper's musical genius is recognized by Jake, leading to a collaboration that revitalizes both their spirits. Together, they create an album and plan a benefit concert to support Margot's animal sanctuary. Music becomes a bridge between generations, a source of healing, and a testament to the power of art to unite and inspire. Jasper's journey from bullied outsider to celebrated artist mirrors the broader theme of finding one's voice and place in the world.

The Coyote Gets Caught

Overwhelmed by loss, illness, and the fear of death, Otis spirals into self-destructive behavior. Aunt Morgan's tough love and Joan's gentle guidance force him to confront his mortality and the need for change. Through vulnerability, honesty, and the support of his chosen family, Otis begins to heal, rediscovering purpose and the courage to love again. His journey is a reminder that even the strongest need help, and that healing is a communal act.

Filling in the Missing Years

Brooks's reunion with his brother Shay is fraught with tension, resentment, and the scars of abandonment and prison. Through honest conversation, shared work, and the support of their father and friends, the brothers begin to rebuild trust and forge a new relationship. Their story is one of second chances, the possibility of redemption, and the importance of facing the past to build a better future.

The Challenges of Transformation

Margot's journey toward self-acceptance and leadership is mirrored by Emilia's struggle to define herself outside her parents' shadow. Both women face setbacks, self-doubt, and the temptation to retreat into old patterns. Through friendship, mentorship, and the support of their community, they learn to embrace vulnerability, take risks, and claim their own narratives. Their stories highlight the messy, nonlinear nature of transformation and the power of female solidarity.

Who Else Knows?

The exposure of hidden relationships—Emilia's with her teacher, Carmen's with Abby, Margot's with Jake—forces the community to confront the consequences of secrecy and betrayal. Friendships are tested, families are shaken, and the characters must decide whether to forgive, move on, or let go. The process is painful but ultimately cathartic, as the truth brings both chaos and the possibility of genuine connection.

The Now Girl and the Forever Girl

As Otis faces the possibility of losing Joan to a senseless act of violence, the community rallies around him, holding vigil and sharing words of love and gratitude. The novel ends with a circle of friends and family, united in hope and the belief that, even in the face of loss, love endures. The story closes on a note of resilience, the promise of new beginnings, and the enduring power of community to heal, transform, and carry us forward.

Characters

Otis Till

Otis is the emotional heart of Red Mountain—a British transplant, widower, and legendary winemaker whose obsessive care for his land masks deep grief and loneliness. His loss of taste and smell threatens not just his career but his identity, forcing him to confront mortality and the limits of self-reliance. Through the intervention of Aunt Morgan and the love of Joan, Otis learns to accept help, embrace vulnerability, and rediscover purpose. His journey is one of healing, humility, and the courage to love again, even in the face of death.

Margot Pierce

Margot is a former Broadway star and recent divorcee, determined to create a new life for herself and her son on Red Mountain. Her journey is marked by self-doubt, emotional eating, and the lingering wounds of betrayal, but also by fierce love, humor, and an unyielding commitment to her dreams. Margot's transformation—from victim to empowered leader—is fueled by friendship, self-help, and the support of her community. She becomes a catalyst for change, inspiring others to pursue their own reinvention.

Brooks Baker

Brooks is a self-made winemaker with a troubled past in foster care and homelessness. His journey is defined by the search for family, love, and a place to call home. Brooks's relationship with Abby is both a source of healing and pain, as old wounds and fears of abandonment resurface. The arrival of his biological father and brother forces Brooks to confront his past and the possibility of forgiveness. His arc is one of vulnerability, resilience, and the hard-won realization that belonging is built, not found.

Jasper Simpson

Jasper is Margot's son, a musical prodigy whose maturity and kindness set him apart from his peers. Bullied at school and burdened by his parents' divorce, Jasper finds solace in music and his close relationship with his mother. His collaboration with Jake Forester and growing friendship (and eventual romance) with Emilia mark his coming-of-age, as he learns to claim his gifts and his place in the world.

Emilia Forester

Emilia is the daughter of celebrities, struggling to define herself outside her parents' shadow. Her journey is marked by insecurity, rebellion, and a desperate search for authenticity. Her forbidden relationship with her teacher is both a symptom and a catalyst, forcing her to confront the dangers of seeking validation in others. Through friendship, creativity, and the support of women like Margot and Joan, Emilia begins to accept herself and envision a future on her own terms.

Joan Tobey

Joan is a life coach, yoga teacher, and shamanic presence on Red Mountain. Her calm, wisdom, and belief in the power of the present moment make her a transformative force for Otis, Margot, and others. Joan's relationship with Otis is a late-in-life love story, marked by mutual healing, adventure, and the courage to embrace joy despite the threat of loss. Her near-fatal shooting is a crucible for the community, uniting them in hope and the belief in miracles.

Abby Sinclaire

Abby is Carmen's assistant, a woman of hidden depths, humor, and a wild streak. Her relationship with Brooks is passionate but fraught, complicated by her affair with Carmen and the fallout that ensues. Abby's journey is one of self-acceptance, honesty, and the struggle to reconcile desire with loyalty. Her role as a surrogate family member to the Foresters and her own quest for love and belonging mirror the novel's central themes.

Jake Forester

Jake is a rock star turned winemaker, husband to Carmen, and father to Emilia and Luca. His passion for music and wine is matched by his devotion to his family, but he is not immune to temptation and the complexities of love. Jake's mentorship of Jasper and his efforts to hold his family together in the face of scandal reveal both his strengths and vulnerabilities.

Carmen Forester

Carmen is a former supermodel, fiercely protective of her image and family. Her affair with Abby and struggles with aging, addiction, and motherhood make her both a source of pain and a figure of sympathy. Carmen's journey is one of reckoning, as she confronts the consequences of her choices and the need for forgiveness—from others and herself.

Shay Wildridge

Shay is Brooks's younger brother, recently out of prison and adrift. His arrival on Red Mountain is a test for the family, as old wounds and resentments surface. Through work, honesty, and the support of Brooks and Charles, Shay begins to find purpose and the possibility of a new life. His story is one of second chances and the enduring hope for reconciliation.

Plot Devices

Interwoven Narratives and Multiple Perspectives

The novel employs a multi-perspective structure, weaving together the lives of Otis, Margot, Brooks, Emilia, and others. This approach allows for a rich exploration of community, the interplay of personal and collective struggles, and the ways in which individual choices ripple through the lives of others. The shifting viewpoints create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing readers into the emotional core of each character.

Symbolism of Wine, Music, and Nature

The vineyard, the act of winemaking, and the music created by Jasper and Jake serve as central metaphors for growth, healing, and the blending of past and present. The cycles of the land mirror the characters' journeys, while music becomes a language of connection and self-expression. Nature—especially the coyotes and the mountain itself—symbolizes both wildness and belonging, the tension between isolation and community.

Secrets, Revelations, and Forgiveness

The novel is propelled by secrets—affairs, betrayals, hidden pasts—that, when revealed, force characters to confront pain, make difficult choices, and ultimately seek forgiveness. The process of confession and reconciliation is messy and nonlinear, reflecting the complexities of real relationships. Forgiveness emerges as both a personal and communal act, essential for healing and moving forward.

Healing Through Community and Ritual

The characters' journeys toward healing are facilitated by communal rituals—dinner parties, music, yoga, cooking classes, and even silent vows. These gatherings provide spaces for vulnerability, support, and the forging of new identities. The novel suggests that true transformation is not achieved in isolation, but through the messy, loving, and sometimes painful embrace of community.

Foreshadowing and Cyclical Structure

The novel's opening image of Otis howling at the moon foreshadows the cycles of loss and renewal that define the story. The return of lost family members, the repetition of mistakes, and the eventual coming together of the community at moments of crisis all reinforce the idea that life is a series of beginnings and endings, each offering the chance for growth and redemption.

Analysis

Red Mountain is a sweeping, character-driven novel about the messy, beautiful, and often painful process of starting over. Through the intertwined lives of winemakers, dreamers, and misfits, Boo Walker explores themes of loss, forgiveness, and the search for belonging. The mountain itself becomes a crucible for transformation—a place where the past is both a burden and a source of strength, and where community is forged through shared struggle and celebration. The novel's central lesson is that healing is possible, but only through vulnerability, honesty, and the willingness to embrace imperfection—in ourselves and others. Whether through the alchemy of wine, the power of music, or the simple act of holding hands in the darkness, Red Mountain reminds us that even in the face of heartbreak and uncertainty, love endures, and new beginnings are always within reach.

Last updated: June 10, 2025