This is a very dark and creepy thriller - the stuff of dark fairy tales of missing children lost in the dark woods.

Elissa is a thirteen year old chess prodigy, drugged and abducted from a car park outside a chess tournament. When she comes round she finds herself manacled to the rough floor in a dark cellar of a tumbledown cottage. Her kidnapper, a foul smelling brute of a man she calls the ghoul, brings her food and water only if she does what she's told. She's also visited by a boy called Elijah who says he's twelve, has lived there all his life and knows of other children who have been kept in the cellar. He is lonely and wants Elissa to be his friend so won't help her escape. He tells her they are like Hansel and Gretel in the Gingerbread Cottage, surrounded by woods where trees are memorials to the dead.

Told from three perspectives, that of Elissa, Elijah and DS Mairead McCullagh who is in charge of the investigation, at first sight this appears to be a classic child abduction case but takes a very disturbing and twisted turn half way through. It's very atmospheric, with Elijah's brother toting a gun and roaming the woods killing wildlife, a 'magic' woman who lives in a caravan and the ghoulish man himself who Elijah calls Papa. An original debut novel and excellent addition to this genre.

Confusing beyond belief, horror piled on horror and - throughout- there’s a blurring of the line between dream/nightmare and reality. While the content is deeply unpleasant, the end result is a story that is very hard to put down.
A huge thank you to NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this prior to publication in exchange for my thoughts.
This won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s a book that I’m sure will be talked about.
The majority of the story takes place in somewhere called The Memory Wood. Elijah, one of our main characters, has been there a long time and Elissa, a somber yet highly resourceful thirteen year old chess fan, has just arrived. The pair seek solace in each other’s company, though we’re never entirely sure who to trust.
Alongside the experience of Elissa realising she has been abducted and incarcerated, we follow the detective put in charge of the investigation. We learn - eventually - exactly who Elijah is and how he fits into the story.
What is uncovered is beyond your worst imaginings. We’re shown the very worst of people, but we also uncover some good. Unsettling, but strangely compelling.

Geez if you’ve not read this one do yourself a favour and go buy it....

Seriously what a book and a half, it was creepy and dark and pretty disturbing to be honest but totally intriguing and I could not put it down! Read it in one sitting and don’t move until I’d finished, I cannot wait for another from the author.

Loved Elissa, Mairead and Elijah and thought they were brilliant characters and I felt for all of them in different ways.

Honestly gob smacking read, go buy it now!

Memory wood is a thrilling atmospheric novel that you can not help be be intrigued and disturbed by, I love novels like this that pull you in and stay with you long after you have finished, but as always with books like this it’s hard to write a review without giving to much away but this is definitely a book to read in 2020.

Very dark and creepy, loved it! This book follows Elissa who at a chess tournament is kidnapped. Written from her perspective and that of Elijah, a boy who she thinks can save her, and the lead detective on the case. Fast-paced and well written.

You are in for such a treat if you haven't read this book yet. This is so much more than an abduction story but I don't want to say too much and give the story away.
From the precocious and plucky Elissa to the determined and stoical police officer Mairead and the conflicted Elijah, the characters are all wonderfully brought to life. As a reader, we understand each character through their narrative voice but also seen through the eyes of other characters in the book, and this creates a wonderful multi-layered emotional response towards them.
The use of different narrators, the discordant home life of Elijah and the terror experienced by Elissa's mother creates a wonderful sense of tension and unease. Coupled with some subtle jumps in time and the darkness that Elissa is held captive in, it's all just enough to unsettle the reader and to give an immensely satisfying "aha" moment when things click into place.
My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I am on tenterhooks for the next book from this author.

This is the debut from Sam Lloyd and all I can start with Is WOW. Every so often a book comes along that shocks you to your very boots. This is that book.

A story told from 3 viewpoints.

The story is a tale of the abduction of 13-year-old Elissa. A chess obsessed, extremely clever teenager, who finds herself abducted and then imprisoned below ‘The Memory Wood’.

Then there is Elijah, a 12-year-old boy who lives in a cottage in the memory Wood, with his parents who work the land for the owner.

When Elijah finds Elissa, she thinks she is going to be saved, but Elijah is no usual 12-year-old, and instead sees a chance at having a friend, someone to be his.

And finally the detective working the case, Mairead. A troubled detective with a tragic and upsetting story of her own.

Dark, Sad and disturbing, this story will truly encompass you and take you deep within.

Survival, selfishness, manipulation, there is so much to this book.

The plot twists will rock you, the whole thing is a jaw dropping, beautifully written, stunningly macabre tale. The ending is incredible.

Just when you think you’ve read them all, that everything has been done. Something this good comes along.

I don’t expect to read anything better In 2020, I don’t think I could.

I can keep on with superlatives all night, all I can say is that in my year of blogging this is very possibly the best book I’ve read. Its most certainly in the top 3. And unbelievably this is a debut, Stunned. I can’t wait for what else Sam Lloyd has to come.

The Highest of Recommendations

5 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This book was quite enjoyable but unfortunately I found it quite confusing and hard to follow at parts. I liked the whole idea behind it but it didn’t grab my attention as well as I had hoped

Very sad. That's probably how you'll feel on finishing this novel. And what a waste of lives. That I felt so much, especially for the character of Elijah is a tribute to the author. The prose was easy-to-read although for some reason it took me a while to get into the story and then I was hooked. Elissa is an admirable role model and I know others have questioned her seemingly grown-up outlook but some children are just like that; she's a chess genius after all. And Elijah, well, who on earth would know how he thinks, to be honest.
Full of curious turns and partial truths, the prose unfurls it's terrible tale at a measured pace, offering crumbs of ideas and keeping you guessing and daring to hope but knowing in your heart that it can't end like a fairytale.
A very absorbing novel, but again, so very sad in so many ways.

This book is satisfyingly original. I was riveted by the plot and the main characters really drew me in. There are a few unexpected plot twists and the ending is heartbreakingly sad. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for slowing me to read this for free in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the whole premise of this book. It involves a child abduction with a number of twists.

It’s quite dark and atmospheric which I also really loved. The quality of writing is fab as is the characterisation. I wasn’t expecting to like one of the main characters and I genuinely didn’t expect the twists which evolved throughout this story. These were done so well, it elevated this story and I ploughed through this so fast!

As I was reading, I felt the language/choice of words was perhaps a bit too advanced for what is meant to be a 13 year old girl and a 12 year old boy. That did detract somewhat and made it slightly less freaky or convincing to me. I wouldn’t say this one will leave me scared to go to sleep tonight.

Still, a solid 4 stars from me and I look forward to seeing what this author writes next!

This book surpassed all my expectations. The Memory Wood is told in three perspectives, Elijah - who lives in the strange Memory Wood, Elissa - a girl who is abducted from her chess tournament, and Mairead - the officer working the case.

You could tell from the get go that Elijah was extremely troubled, brought up in a world apart from most of his peers, in a strange cult like community. I kinda guessed what happened to him and why he was like he was (however, I wasn’t expecting the twist). He was an unreliable narrator and I found it hard to trust his POV and what he was saying. However, it was interesting to try and figure out who he was and his intentions.

When Elissa arrives in the Memory Wood, Elijah immediately strikes up a relationship with her. She’s mature for her age, intelligent, and determined to survive. It’s clever how she used her chess talent to keep herself sane whilst in captivity.

Mairead, who is the investigating officer, is also troubled, but didn’t let her personal life interfere with her work. She was dedicated to the job, determined to find and save Elissa no matter the costs. Her subplot was heartbreaking but added so much to her character and she morphed into this very real person.

The writing was incredible - lyrical, yet dark and intense at the same time. The Memory Wood is an addictive read, grasping my attention and not letting go until the very end. The mystery was so interesting and I couldn’t wait to find out all the answers. One of the best endings I’ve ever read in a book, completely unexpected, but utterly brilliant. I cannot wait to read what this author writes next.

I cannot wrap my head around how spectacular this book was. My mind is still reeling from all the twists and turns made throughout the book, especially in the last third. You may think this is just a regular abduction story but it is so much more and I guarantee you will not put it down until the last word.
The story follows abducted 13 year old Elissa Mirzoyan and her intense struggle to do anything she can to stay alive and get home to her mother. The book is split into three perspectives; Elissa, Elijah, a boy who finds Elissa in the cellar and promises to take care of her and Mairead the detective who throws everything into finding Elissa at the cost of her personal problems. I was filled with so many emotions while reading this. I felt terrified and anxious for Elissa but also amazed at the girl’s strength and determination to survive through the whole horrid ordeal and she is so smart beyond her age! Elijah confused me for most of the novel as I had no idea how/why he was involved and his mental state was worrying me for Elissa’s safety. I was unable to put the book down near the end as there were so many twists I had to get to the bottom of it! The reality becomes a lot more horrific than first imagined as the truth unfolds and questions are answered in this stunning tale.
It’s being called ‘A must read of the year’ and without a shadow of a doubt this book will be one of the best books of the year (and ever read) and it’s only my first book of 2020!
*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I originally saw this been spoken about over on Facebook.

The blurb really intrigued me.

When I begun the book I was sucked into what appeared to be a web of lies and deceit.

By the end I was left with my mouth wide open.

Shock.

Feeling like I had what I can only describe as a book hangover.

A very cleverly written novel, with details gradually dripped out. Keeping you turning the pages to find out where each crumb of evidence might lead.

The twist that was revealed about two thirds in, completely unexpected, providing yet another element to an already deliciously mysterious novel.

There was only one part throughout that didn't make sense to me, well maybe not make sense, more that I couldn't work out how it fit in with the rest of the story. I felt it was an unnecessary addition. I won't say what it was as I don't want to tarnish anyone else's opinions.

The Memory Wood is haunting and in some places terrifying.

A real 'edge of your seat' book.

Well, what can I say, I have not read such a brilliant thriller for a while! The main character of this book, a thirteen year old girl called Elissa Mirzoyan is kidnapped during a chess tournament. Her abductor takes her to the cell under the Memory Wood, where she is instructed to obey. But there is a hope – a twelve year old Elijah. Elijah is weird, he will not notify the police, but he visits her, so like in a chess game, there is still a chance to outsmart her opponent. Elissa needs to fight to keep her wits about her, because she doesn’t know the rules and she doesn’t know who she is playing against.
“The Memory Wood” is a chilling and deliciously creepy story told from the perspective of Elissa, Elijah and a detective who is searching for a missing girl, Mairead MacCullagh. Elissa’s voice is defiant and desperate at the same time, she is a survivor, an excellent chess player, a great and capabole mind, and she is trying to work out who kidnapped her and how to survive. Mairead is trying to concentrate on a difficult investigation while dealing with personal issues - she is miscarrying, trying desperately to will the baby in her alive, and at the same time keep all her attention on the case. Elijah’s childish voice is uncertain – he is stumbling about, drifting in and out of the Memory Wood, desperate to keep Elissa, who he calls Greten, in the Gingerbread House.
I rarely read thrillers and even less often the ones involving children. However, Sam Lloyd must have put some magic spell on me, as I was gripped from the start. The pacing of the book is phenomenal, the sinister and uneasy atmosphere that the author creates really drags you in. But there is also the feeling that something is not right, that the author plays cat and mouse with a reader – there are memories to uncover, clues scattered like crumbs that might guide you towards the truth. But “The Memory Wood” is nothing but predictable – and I was not prepared for all the twists and turns. I am usually pretty good at guessing, but this book simply bested me.

A young girl Elissa is abducted whilst attending a Chess competition , there are no witnesses except for 1 man in the hotel where the competition is being held . He is too far away for any accurate details but mentions a white van being used to snatch the girl . Elissa is being held in an underground room in a ruined cottage on a country estate and is discovered by a man called Elijah who believes he is 12 years old . He says he wants to help her but does nothing to help her escape .Elijah calls the surrounding area the memory wood and it later becomes obvious why .There have been other people held in this room Elissa manages to get Elijah to send a letter out in which she has hidden a coded message .A well thought out story through to the end with a number of surprises .

The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd is a unique thriller regarding the disappearance of a Elissa a budding Chess Champion from a car park at a local Chess tournament. Although she is not the first child abducted by her abductor, she is the most cleverish. She makes a friend of twelve-year-old Elijah, who promised to help her escape. But not all as it seems with Elijah and Elissa doesn’t know if she can trust him or not. And, a female police officer who when she finds out that she is another victim to the You tube Killer, there is a race against time to find her.
Thank you, Random House, and NetGalley for a copy of The Memory Wood. Quoted a must-read novel of 2020. I found this book to have a unique story line so different to other books in this subject I read. For me personally though I found the start slow and the middle of this story cleverly written especially the way Elissa made references to her memory on moves on a chess board. But I thought the ending was a bit stretched out too much and I didn’t think it was going to end. 3 stars from me.

The Memory Wood follows Elissa, a girl who's been kidnapped, while she's chained in a celler she meets Elijah, a boy who wants to be her friend. Elissa is smart and tries everything she can to get help and escape, but will it be enough?
This fast paced, thriller is an excellent read, it's creepy, realistic and all together a great read. I love Ellissa, she's a fab character and so brave in the circumstances. I don't want to give away spoilers, but I think the character of Elijah is amazingly written.
5*

I think I’m still in shock from having read The Memory Wood!!
This is the kind of book that sucks you in from the start and in my humble opinion deserves to be described as utterly gripping (many thrillers and I read a lot of them do not truly deserve such a title).
I read this book in one day, finding it highly addictive despite the subject matter. The Memory Wood is not for the faint hearted as I imagine some would find it too upsetting to read;it is intensely dark, evil, menacing,scary and every page is imbued with the fear that for Elissa is now suddenly with her every moment. For she has been abducted from a normal life as a thirteen year old chess geek, snatched outside a hotel in Bournemouth where a chess competition is taking place. Immediately my heart was with this young girl, desperate for her horrific ordeal to be over. Reading this was like watching a scary movie peeping through your hands, since the writing is so compelling yet the subject matter almost too disturbing for words. I don’t like woods anyway and the setting for this novel is perfect,creepy and chilling. Elissa’s character shows amazing resourcefulness, resilience and clear sightedness when dealing with her time in captivity and from the moment of her capture I found myself willing there to be a happy outcome. Without divulging the plot, Elissa befriends Elijah, a frequent visitor to her makeshift home in the memory wood but can he be her saviour??
Adopting the names of Hansel and Gretel, what follows for these two is definitely no fairy tale and will have your heart racing with every turn of the page.
Unfortunately there is no light and shade to this novel, it is very dark with little respite even when the narrative briefly switches to the police investigation. Mairead, the senior investigating officer is dealing with her own personal tragedies whilst determined to find Elissa’s abductor and most of the narrative is focused on Elissa.
Presumably influenced by a few true life crimes that have come to the media’s attention over the years, this will shock you to the core, especially in the second half of the book. I was on tenterhooks as I rapidly turned the pages although I’m still undecided what I feel about the ending but understand why the author has chosen a certain path for Elissa and Elijah.
I think this novel will receive a great deal of hype as a ‘must read’ of 2020 and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to fellow readers. Just be prepared for some graphic and gruesome writing and maybe don’t read late at night! I had to sleep with the light on after I’d turned the last page. In terms of grabbing my attention this undoubtedly deserves ten stars but I’m giving a well deserved four since the ending didn’t feel quite right for me.
My thanks as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book so much - the story was different and although there was a police involvement I felt it was written more from the points of view of the victim & the perpetrator. Gripping story that I read in a couple of days. Highly recommended.