This is my second book from her after Scritch Scratch and I LOVED it. Lindsay Currie never disappoints. She knows how to write a good creepy atmosphere. Both of the books I've read by her so far, flows really well and unfolds well too. Well thought stories, both of this one and Scritch Scratch. Also, Currie's books seems to always drawn me in right from the very first page.
I mean I read it in one sitting and I just couldn't stop reading.

The story sets in summer. However, with the gloomy and stormy atmosphere, it makes this book a perfect read for autumn too. It is creepy, spooky, and haunting. Everything that I would ever want in a spooky book is all in here. There are scenes that made the silence and quietness I am in, in my own home became way too silence and it made me feel a bit queasy.
If you love a good small town mystery, a haunted old manor kind of story with lots creepy things too discover. You will love this book!

One thing that is special to me is that our main character, Ginny is a huge Agatha Christie fan and the first book she read was And Then There Were None (same Ginny, same!).

Anyway, just pick this one up. Really. You'll love it!

Fans of spooky middle-grade reads will enjoy this from the author of Scritch Scratch! While the chills in Scritch Scratch might linger a bit longer, this tale offers a unique blend of mystery and horror. Our protagonist, an Agatha Christie enthusiast, takes center stage as the story unravels a captivating puzzle with a touch of the supernatural. Author Currie masterfully weaves these elements together, creating a thrilling adventure for young readers.

Note: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. I think the kids that I work with would also enjoy it. I will be buying a copy to leave in the class for the students to read. Ginny going to Michigan was a light read that had me wanting to read the next page. I had also read the authors previous work and was not disappointed.

Another spooky, fun story by Lindsay Currie! Middle school kids are going to get some serious goosebumps reading this one. Make a fun Halloween read!

This was a fun, middle-grade, mystery novel. I love that Ginny likens herself to Agatha Christie and I almost feel like she needed to be saying WWAD? whenever a new clue was presented. I love that Ginny and Leo transition from being selfish and wanting to leave the manor to realizing the impacts that would have on their family.

My favorite line was the Mr. Roboto line, I had to stop and read it to the husband so that he could laugh with me.

Overall, a fun mystery and I highly recommend.

An excellent little ghost story from the author of SCRITCH SCRATCH, another middle grade horror title that I loved. I think the spooks in SCRITCH SCRATCH are more effective, but this one was definitely still a good horror title for the younger set! It's more of a mystery than horror--as evidenced by the protagonist's fixation on Agatha Christie--but Currie does a good job of weaving the mystery and horror elements together.

Lindsay Currie is a master of middle grade mysteries. I was excited to read What Lives in the Woods after thoroughly enjoying her previous titles.

This mystery set in an old mansion is perfect for the middle grade audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Another brilliant, spine-chilling ghost story by Lindsay Currie! I loved Scritch Scratch and have been meaning to read this for a while and it’s just great. Full of suspense, a haunted mansion and great characters. I loved Ginny and her fascination with Agatha Christie and how she went about solving the mystery she found herself wrapped up in. Lindsay’s style simply has you sitting on the edge of your seat with goosebumps. A great choice for lovers of ghost stories as we come into the autumn season.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher and Lindsay for the chance to read this in exchange for a review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I am not entirely sure what made me request this one as I don't usually read middle grade fiction anymore but I really liked this one...When Ginny Anderson finds out her summer vacation is going to be spent in Michigan instead of at home with her friends, she is not happy at all. And when she finds out that they aren't staying in a hotel like most families would but rather in a mansion believed to be haunted, she is even less happy. There are many rumors going around about what exactly happens at that house and none of them are very good and they are all scary to think of...when unexplained things start happening, of course in HER room mostly, she has to channel Agatha Christie and start trying to figure things out...she gets the help of a cute boy for much of it. This was a cute and not entirely cliche book and I found myself really getting into it at times.

"I tell myself once this is all over, I'm going to stick to writing mystery novels rather than living them because this is awful."

If I want a quality mystery/horror book for middle grade readers, I know I can count on Lindsay Currie to deliver. Having read The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street, I kind of knew what I was getting myself into with this book. I know I don't like horror type books and yet I continue to read them for the sake of being able to offer quality book recommendations to my students. I especially have a hard time with this genre because it's not one I read too often and it's so hard to know what type of books to recommend to 8th grade students. Some of them are just not ready for horror in young adult or even adult literature!

In What Lives in the Woods we meet Ginny, her annoying older brother, and her parents as they go to a new town for the summer. Ginny's father has just taken on the job of restoring the Woodmoor Manor. Most people in town avoid the manor at any cost because as rumor has it, the mansion is haunted. Ginny doesn't necessarily believe this going in to her trip as she is more focused on getting back home to join the writing camp she so desperately wanted to attend with her best friend. As Ginny and her family get settled, they start to notice strange things happening around the mansion. Lots of lightbulbs break, the mannequin in Ginny's room is probably moving, and there are sounds in the walls. At one point, a tree branch even comes through a window in the house managing to only damage the one part of the room where her mother's baking supplies were at when they were brought into the house. As more and more creepy things happen, Ginny works to uncover the mystery of the house and why the woods behind the house are said to be full of creatures as well.

For readers who love scary stories, this is one they are bound to eat up! I can't do horror in young adult or adult lit because it gives me nightmares, but I have found that the horror books in middle grade literature are just about as scary as those books written for older readers! As with other horror books I've read recently (Katherine Arden for example), I found I was binge listening to this story just so it could be over and I wouldn't be so on edge as I wound down for bed. While this is not high quality literature for middle grade readers, this is high quality thriller/horror for this age group. Readers are sure to be on the edge of their seats as they read this book and will continue reading so they can uncover the secrets of Woodmoor Manor. If I need a book with spooky vibes, I will definitely be checking out other books written by Curie.

TW: Chronic illness, death

**Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Kids, and Sourcebooks Young Readers for the advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Overall

Ever since reading and loving Scritch Scratch last year, I’ve been determined to just read everything Lindsay Currie releases. It’s a pretty safe bet, honestly. This book, though, instantly captured my attention because, one, who the heck doesn’t love haunted house stories?! Especially haunted houses sitting on the edge of what might be haunted woods with plenty of local legends about them? Count me in! Do I need to spend the night there to get a copy? Because I’m still in!

What Lives in the Woods is a spooky middle grade book featuring an aspiring mystery writer, a haunted house, and all sorts of spine-tingling occurrences. It’s the perfect fall read!

Currie lives up to her previous books in this standalone novel, creating a wonderfully spooky atmosphere that wasn’t necessarily scary (so perfect for a middle grade audience) but definitely inspired goosebumps. The mystery instantly hooked me, and I wanted to find out more. Plus, I really connected with Ginny, who wants to be a mystery writer (and definitely doesn’t want to live in an old, creepy house, which is weird, but okay, fine). After finishing this, I’m already super eager to pick up The Girl in White, which is Currie’s next book and comes out on September 6! I obviously can’t get enough of this author’s spooky books.

My Thoughts

- Welcome to Woodmore Manor, a sprawling 26-room, century-old structure that is currently under restoration. Oh, and it happens to be haunted by . . . something. Locals can’t decide what, but they all agree that it’s bad news. Doesn’t that sound exactly like where you want to spend your summer vacation?! Okay, not gonna lie, I would definitely love to spend my summer vacation there . . . or any vacation, really. Ginny Anderson, though, obviously has much more survival instinct than I do, and isn’t keen on having to give up her summer plans to stay in some creepy murder house. Which . . . okay, that’s maybe kind of fair.

Woodmore Manor, on the surface, sounds absolutely amazing. If you’re into old houses or any sort of restoration projects, there’s a lot of promise there at Woodmore to catch your interest. Despite being abandoned for a very long time, it’s not necessarily in a state of disrepair. It’s more of a case of staggering under its local legends, which aren’t exactly positive. Not that many local legends are. Not everyone in town thinks Woodmore Manor deserves a makeover and a second chance at life.

- Ginny is an entirely relatable protagonist: a reader, an Agatha Christie fanatic, and an aspiring mystery writer in her own right. Only, she’s discovering that writing a mystery is a lot more fun than living a mystery. Bookish readers, in particular, will relate to Ginny’s affection for reading, even if mystery isn’t their preferred genre. There’s definitely a sort of familiarity for bookworms with any character who loves books. Especially ones that read them to study the craft in order to be writers themselves.

Agatha Christie is Ginny’s favorite author, which one might assume is perfect, given the fact that Ginny is about to find herself smack dab in the middle of her own mystery. Surely she can do what Hercule Poirot does, right?! Unfortunately, Ginny learns that real-life mysteries aren’t quite as exciting (or as easy to solve) as fictional mysteries.

I enjoyed the way Ginny used her love for Agatha Christie mysteries to convince herself to continue with her own mystery. There are times she has to ask herself what would Hercule do? The answer isn’t always what she wants it to be, but it helps her work through next steps for solving the mystery. Sometimes, it even gives her the bravery she needs to do the hard things. Because mysteries look so easy on paper, but they take a lot of bravery, dedication, and some help in real life. (I realize Ginny’s mystery is still a fictional mystery, but the point is that I enjoyed the realism of Ginny’s struggle!)

- One of my favorite things about Currie’s writing is the way she writes siblings! Ginny and Leo are no exception to that. They don’t always get along, and sure, they endlessly tease each other and get on each other’s nerves. But when it really matters, they’ve got each other’s backs. Ginny and Leo’s interactions always crack me up. Sometimes they’re as childish as one might expect of their age, trying to get the other in trouble or teasing the other for getting in trouble. That’s just how siblings work. I have enough of them that I should know. The way they give each other a hard time cracks me up and reminds me of my siblings.

The best part about their dynamic, though, is that as different as they are, they still care very much about each other. And if something is messing with one of them, the other is going to step up and help out. Because that’s how siblings roll. The mystery is very much Ginny’s, and it’s her to solve, but that doesn’t mean Leo’s going to let her tackle it all by herself. The way the siblings come together to help each other is heartwarming and everything I want to see in middle grade fiction.

- Currie is a master at establishing a creepy atmosphere that gives readers goosebumps and has them jumping at the shadows in the night. I want to be clear that this book is still middle grade scary and perfectly appropriate for readers that age. But doesn’t that, in some ways, make it even scarier? I don’t mean in the way that middle graders themselves are terrifying (and I assure you, I have one, and they are). Adults are used to the real horrors of the world, so when faced with the unknown, it’s all the more terrifying!

I am utterly addicted to the atmosphere that Currie cultivates in her books. It isn’t always scary (I mean, it has to be day at some point, right? And everyone knows spooky stuff doesn’t happen during the day . . . mostly). When it is, though, I love the feeling that something is lurking on the next page, waiting to get the reader! If you’ve ever watched Are You Afraid of the Dark obsessively, the way my daughter and I have, you’ll recognize this sort of feel. Currie manages to create that creeping dread beautifully without having a ton of overtly scary things happen.

Sticking Points

- The resolution felt sort of sudden, rushed, and easy. After all the tension that’s built throughout the novel, the big reveal sort of took the wind out of my sails a little bit. Resolutions in middle grade books are hard, especially when it comes to horror or mystery, because it still has to be within the wheelhouse of what’s acceptable for the age category. I get that. I loved the resolution for Scritch Scratch, though!

Here, the resolution felt a bit easy and unearned, especially after what all the characters have been through. I wanted something a little more that tied everything together a bit tighter and not necessarily have been so neat and tidy of a conclusion. That’s obviously a very personal preference, though, and what didn’t work as well for me might very well be what someone else wants from their ending!

Thank you #Netgalley for a chance to read What Lives in the Woods. Perfect for my fifth graders--I got s copy for my classroom that is already loved! Another great one from Lindsay Currie!

Lindsay Currie is a go-to author for me. She always writes fun, spooky mysteries and this one didn’t disappoint. Woodmoor Manor is so creepy and atmospheric.

The relationship between Ginny and her brother Leo is adorable. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Ginny and Will! I’ve always been a huge mystery reader and I thoroughly enjoyed Ginny’s love for mysteries, red-herrings, and Agatha Christie. I did feel like the title and blurb were kind of misleading, although I loved the book, it’s not the story I’d been enticed by before reading.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading Lindsay Currie’s next one!

Oh this book wasn't kidding. Even as an almost 30 year old this book kept me reading and guessing what the characters would stumble upon. Lindsay Currie had made me into a lover of spooky, suspenseful books. The plot was intriguing, character reactions were what I'd expect from a group of kids. It was really enjoyable.
Full review on YouTube

Another spooky entry from Lindsay Currie. I like that her books are just-right for the middle grade set.

What lives in the woods is an ode to the traditional haunted house trope and adds new elements to it. Ginny is a great protagonist and has amazing depth. She is unique and solid in who she wants to be. By adding her love of Agatha Christie, brings a classic mystery novelist to the present and introduces her to a new generation. The writing will give readers creepy crawlies and make them look over their shoulders at night.

3.5 Stars rounding up for this spooky middle-grade ghost story. Great character development and I enjoyed the setting. Old house, eerie vibes. Scary creatures that live in the woods. I do recommend this for middle school reading. I have a nice little escape with a protagonist that is really relatable. She is spunky and a hero. Kids will love her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to read for review.

My Goodreads account says I read this last June but forgot to review it. I do remember that I liked it quite a bit - as I liked Lindsay Currie's other book. I also have it listed as one to definitely buy for my school library because horror is the hottest genre in my school.

Ginny and Leo Anderson's Dad is a renowned expert in the renovation of historical buildings and he has been hired to revive a long abandoned mansion in Saugatuck, Michigan, Woodmoor Manor, in order to return its 26 rooms to their original splendor. The whole family will be joining him on the month long visit as he analyzes the requirements of the job, and they will actually live in the isolated mansion. Ginny really does not want to spend a month of her summer vacation in a creepy building that is not only rumored to be haunted, but is surrounded by a dark forest, with menacing shadows. There are odd occurrences, ghostly messages, mysterious appearances and disappearnces, and my favorite prop, the typewriter. Good dynamic between Ginny, Leo, and their new friends in town as they investigate, and ultimately solve, the ghostly mystery of Woodmoor Manor. This is an excellent choice for fans of ghost stories, which i enjoyed and recommend.

What Lives in the Woods filled me with thrill and genuine enjoyment that transported me back to the first time reading a Nancy Drew book as a child. At one point in life everyone has been afraid of what goes bump in the night. The atmospheric and realistic writing done by Currie reminded me what it felt like to hold your breath and pray the shadows in the corner of the room don't move. While this is a book that at first pitches itself as more of a mystery in the vein of a young girl who idolizes Agatha Christie, it does take a hard turn to the paranormal but it worked well and then conclusion to Ginny's ghost mystery was well written and satisfying.

The characters in What Lives in the Woods are charming and entertaining for readers of every age. The plot holds real weight and consequences and I was left guessing about the mystery until the very end. I would easily recommend this to my younger cousins just as I would my older friends in their twenties and beyond. I do think like most of Currie's novels this will end up as a standalone, but I would love to see more of Ginny, Leo and Will in the future. The smallest note I do have is the title of this novel makes you feel like something is lurking in the woods when actually nothing much happens in them at all.

One of the reading goals I made for myself this year is to read more in the middle grade genre and I am so happy I picked up this book and discovered Lindsay Currie as an author. I can't wait to go back and read her previous works as well as continue to follow whatever she creates next.