I expected this to be more of a thriller (or maybe even something supernatural) based on the title, cover, and description. But it was actually a very moving portrait of familial bonds, particularly that of father and daughter. Things took a while to get going, but it was never slow or dull or meandering. The ending was especially nice.

3.5 stars

They had the best of luck. They had the worst of luck.

This is how I will think of this novel for a long time.

Cooper and Finch, who are father and daughter, are living in the middle of nowhere in an effort to disappear, and throughout the novel, readers learn not only what their lives are like in the present but also all about the circumstances that have led them to this point. Early on, Cooper begins talking about traumatic circumstances he encountered in the service and the lasting impacts he continues to experience. Readers who are particularly sensitive to the realities of war and related aftermath should know coming in that this is a prominent theme. Cooper also eludes to an accident and a set of unfortunate resulting circumstances. It doesn't take much to determine that Cooper is in the middle of nowhere because he feels he has no other reasonable choice.

What is most compelling about this novel is the challenging relationship between Cooper and the reader. This fellow is a true antihero; he is deeply troubled, and there is a whole lot of noise brewing beneath the titular "silent" façade. Constantly, I found myself wavering between rooting for him and wanting to smack him, and while this was moderately frustrating at times, it also kept me really engaged.

I enjoyed this novel overall, largely because of the spare style, but I did struggle with two areas: the constant repetition of memories and the past and the outrageous good fortune that these characters face at times. While memories should come in bursts, and I understand the value of revealing difficult truths to the readers in small doses, the format was distracting. Additionally, I laughed inappropriately at a couple of the convenient realities that emerged. For me, the resolution felt a little too easy and - even in a novel where readers must suspend disbelief - kind of tough to stomach.

Readers who can handle a dash of magic and a heap of emotions in exchange for these results will be happier with this novel than I was, but this is still a solid read on my end, and I'll look for more from this author.

With Autumn right around the corner, what better way to get in the Fall spirit than a good thriller except These Silent Woods is really not. I went into this book mostly blind other than knowing there was some living off the grid involved. After finishing the book I believe it's been marketed wrong. The first half of the book is much, much slower than I was expecting. I normally don't mind a good amount of character development but this book was just too slow and I didn't get the suspense at all. We spend a lot of time initially trying to puzzle out what is going on with Kenny/Cooper and his past through memories and reflections. His daily life in the wilds is a slog but Finch is adorable and heart-warming. The father daughter relationship in this book was wholesome and nice. However even with lovely Finch, I completely lost interest a few times. Is it really a thriller? No. A decent mystery yes but even that is an afterthought to Coop and Finch's daily life. It would've made a much better contemporary romance had the author gone that way but even the hint of romance that there is, is pushed back to the epilogue. I wanted more of a redemptive ending. Scotland just being forgotten was not satisfying at all.

If you're looking for fast paced action thriller with twists and turns skip this book. However if you're a fan of contemporary fiction maybe give this one a shot but unfortunately I can't recommend it. These Silent Woods is out October 26th. Thank you so much St. Martin's Press for my egalley review copy.

I am part of the minority that didn't enjoy this book. But I love seeing that so many others loved this book- it makes me appreciate the aspects of this book that I didn't enjoy.

My personal issue with this book was pacing. The story follows Cooper and Finch, a father and daughter that are living in the woods because of some horrible thing that happened in his past that forces Cooper into hiding with his child. I think it's pretty obvious what happened near the beginning of the story (I don't think that ever was supposed to be part of the mystery/suspense), but knowing that, there really isn't much to anticipate with the rest of the story. While there is a "reveal" at the end, I didn't feel too involved with the characters, so it didn't give me the emotional impact that I think it was intending.

"These Silent Woods" is marketed as a suspense novel, but I think of it more as literary fiction. I recommend this book for people who want beautiful descriptions of nature- this book definitely delivers that.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this ebook. Publication date is October 26, 2021. A lot of this book takes place as Fall turns into Winter- a great publication date for an atmospheric read :).

This is a 5 star book, which is rare for me. I was drawn to it because of it taking place in Appalachia, where I've lived all my life. This story immediately drew me in, wondering what had happened to cause this father and daughter to live in the woods on their own. Their story is unraveled at just the right pace. I don't want to spoil it by saying too much, but this story is very emotional and brought me to tears. Definitely, definitely read this!

4.5 stars. What a delightful gem this novel is! The story of Cooper and his eight-year-old daughter Finch, living an isolated life in a remote cabin in the woods of Appalachia, is a powerful and emotional one. The powerful relationship between father and daughter — and the lengths to which a father will go to protect and care for her — is at the core of this novel. (In some respects, it reminded me of the relationship between Atticus Finch and his daughter Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird.) And, although this novel is filled with plenty of suspense, it is also tightly plotted with well-developed characters (especially Cooper, an army veteran who suffers from what must be PTSD, and Finch, a precocious, witty and lovable young girl).

Cooper and Finch have no contact with the outside world, except for an annual visit from Jake, Cooper’s army buddy who brings them supplies, an unexpected (and usually unwelcome) visits from their neighbor Scotland. The reader learns, though flashbacks, what caused Cooper to take his daughter while an infant from society and to escape into basic isolation and why he is so determined to keep them from the outside world. The ending is not only unexpected but also a heartbreaking and emotional one.

All in all, this is definitely a beautifully written read to savor, one in which themes of selflessness, solitude, grace and redemption take center stage. I enjoyed it immensely.

“These Silent Woods” was an emotional roller coaster. For the majority of the book, there wasn’t a lot of substance and parts became repetitive. However, by the end I was in tears by the overwhelming sadness and emotion portrayed!

Such a beautiful book. Not too thriller-y like i thought it would be but it was quite a good read overall. I liked the setting and descriptions of the mountain area quite a bit. The dynamic between father and daughter was really special to read and touched my heart. I recommend this book!

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and the lengths that Cooper goes to protect Finch. That said, I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in the characters as other reviewers. That said, the themes about redemption were notable.

All About Finch

Cooper and Finch live in the woods in a cabin. They never leave the woods. Their only contact is with Cooper's friend Jake who brings them supplies once a year and their neighbor Scotland. If anyone comes around they hide in the basement. Some secret from their past means they must stay hidden. All cooper will tell Finch is I did what I had to do
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This is a story of love and mystery. Of a young soldier returning from Afghanistan with PTSD. His girlfriend and the baby they have together. The same baby he brought to the cabin and has been raising for eight years. It is about the love of a father for his child and what he did to keep her.
The story of an event witnessed by his daughter in the forest, a second chance for him in romance and in love. The gift from a neighbor and the love of Jake's sister Marie.

The story appears to go one way and it turns in a different direction. It is a good read and the characters are perfect, I loved them all. I especially liked the ending, very well done with an unexpected twist at the end.

I enjoyed reading the story and I would recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own .
Thanks to Kimi Cunningham Grant, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley,

This novel just didn't do anything for me. Nothing impactful or intriguing happened, especially for a psychological thriller. I feel like this story has been told time and time again. About an irresponsible man with a terrible past -living in total isolation with his daughter. I also wasn't impressed with the writing style. Felt too simple and under-whelming. It did have a slight spooky factor, but not enough tension to make this book memorable.

I’m sorry to say I DNF’d this one. I just couldn’t get behind the storyline of a father completely isolating his daughter from everything and everyone while saying he was doing it all for her. He was a selfish jackass who didn’t deserve to have a child.

After reading the synopsis of this book I had to request it. I just finished this book and this was definitely an intense soul crushing book.

I've always been interested in people who get lost in the woods and have to survive as well as people who live off the grid in the woods and live off the I find it fascinating and this story was definitely fascinating. And I really enjoyed the cabin in the woods atmospheric effects.

I absolutely love Finch and I loved Cooper but while I was reading I really wanted to know what Cooper done in his past life

I loved this intense, heartfelt, sad beautiful story. I truly recommend this story

I highly recommend it to everyone

My thoughts and opinions of this review are of my own and only my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exhange for an honest review.
"These Silent Woods" by Kimi Cunningham Grant was such a surprise.
It was a beautifully written novel about grief, loyalty & sacrifice.
This book will definitely punch you in the gut & make you cry but the ending will be a truly happy one.
I highly recommend it.

This was a great, atmospheric, mysterious read, and is very emotional. Cooper is ex-Army, and he and his daughter Finch have been living in the woods since Finch was a baby. She's now 8 years old. They are living off the grid, for reasons we do not know until the end. One of Cooper's Army friends, Jake, brings out supplies for them once a year. There is also a so-called neighbor, Scotland, that also visits them there, and Cooper doesn't really know what this guy is all about and if he's a friend or not. Will he expose them? We know that Cooper suffers from PTSD and is a loving father trying to keep his daughter safe from the outside world.

This book is such a beautiful, character driven novel, with a great, descriptive setting in the Appalachian woods. I loved reading this story, and was so curious about what Cooper was hiding from. This book will definitely punch you in the gut and make you shed some tears, but also ends the way you would hope! Highly recommend!!


Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own!

Beautiful story. The extremes a person will go to for someone they love is real. This story was so well written. As I was reading, I closed my eyes a few times to picture this story, and I had such a clear picture of what was happening.
I loved Cooper and Finch. They both had strong personalities that were easy to understand. I will be recommending others to pick up this book.

This book was gritty and full of suspense! I really felt like I was there in the woods with these characters. Something dark and ominous is hinted at frequently as the main character faces challenges keeping his daughter safe. I was anxiously turning the pages in anticipation of some kind of big reveal. While this book is creepy in some parts, I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a thriller. There is an overall theme of survival and with that, a powerful message of the strength of a father-daughter bond, and what lengths a parent might go to in order to protect their child no matter what cost.

I could say so much more about this book but I feel like you just need to go in blind. However I must say that the ending was just perfection. I really loved this book and hope everyone picks up a copy!

Thank you to #netgalley and @minotaurbooks for my advanced e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress and @minotaur_books for this advance copy.
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Easily one of my favorite books this year. This is the timely story of a father and Afghanistan veteran living with his daughter in near isolation deep in the woods. Secrets of the past give a sense of underlying tension, while current day events create an urgency that threaten to bring those secrets to light. I stayed up late into the night, absolutely sobbing through the last twenty percent of the story. The ending completely blew me away and the author’s note was the icing on the cake. This book is for readers who love an atmospheric story of suspense, redemption and God’s grace.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A man with a past he is running from lives in desolate cold cabin while raising his young daughter. A tragedy occurs nearby and their lives are uprooted. The conclusion is heartwarming and unexpected.

I didn't know what to expect with These Silent Woods, but I wasn't expecting it to pull at my heartstrings the way it did. It completely broke my heart and put it back together again.

The story follows father and daughter, Cooper and Finch, and their lives hidden away in the Appalachian mountains. They are hiding from their past and only their neighbor knows about it. Initially, the story only gives short insights into what happened, and then around the middle of the book, the full story comes out.

These Silent Woods is truly about survival and a father's love. It's a beautifully written book and will leave you in tears.

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.