The Trail That Lied

One thousand miles. A team of devoted dogs. A trail built on lies. Seventeen-year-old Mara Calder has spent her life training huskies at her family's small kennel in Alaska. She understands every movement of an ear, every change in a pawfall and every warning hidden in a dog's eyes. People are far more difficult. When Mara gives up a certain victory to rescue an injured young musher, footage of her bravery spreads around the world. Suddenly, she is offered the opportunity she has always dreamed about: professional support, first-class equipment and a chance to compete in Alaska's most legendary long-distance sled-dog race. But dreams have a cost. Preparing for the race demands everything Mara has. She must endure exhaustion, punishing training runs, family conflict, public criticism and the constant fear that she is not strong enough. At her side is Aster, her intelligent silver-grey lead husky, a dog carrying fears of her own. As race day approaches, Mara begins to realise that her powerful sponsor is not interested in helping her become a champion. He wants to control her image, her future and even her dogs. Then equipment begins to fail. Supplies disappear. Private moments are leaked to the public. Strange markers appear on the trail. Someone is turning Mara's greatest dream into a carefully planned trap. Once the race begins, she must guide her team through mountain passes, frozen rivers, violent storms and the deadly white silence of the Alaskan wilderness. With every mile, Mara is forced to choose between chasing victory and protecting those who trust her. When the official trail itself can no longer be believed, she must decide whether to follow the marker in front of her—or trust the dog refusing to take another step. The Trail That Lied is a suspenseful and emotionally powerful adventure about a girl, her huskies and the courage to do what is right even when it may cost everything. Perfect for readers who enjoy: Dog and animal adventures Strong female protagonists Wilderness survival stories Mystery, suspense and hidden sabotage Inspiring stories about courage and resilience Alaska, snow, huskies and sled-dog racing Family, friendship and coming-of-age fiction This is an independent work of fiction and is not presented as an official publication of, or endorsement by, any real-world race organisation.