Mosse described the novel as a "love letter" to Fishbourne, the village in which she was raised.

[1][2] Mosse conducted a taxidermy on a crow named Connie during research for the novel.

[4] On The Omnivore, based on British press, the book received an "omniscore" of 4.5 out of 5.

[5] Stevie Davies praised the prose as "exceptionally lyrical" for its description of "the natural world and the suffering of its mortal creatures".

[6] The Observer's review praised the novel's descriptions of the marshlands of Fishbourne as "outstanding" and "[breathing] life into the setting".