I was so enthralled with this story. It was so good. I was never really sure what was right or wrong. A lot of the time I couldn’t tell WHO was right or wrong. There are many twist that will keep you guessing until the very end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kate Alice Marshall did a fantastic job of weaving this story together. I love thrillers but some of them have too much going on, too many moving pieces, or just fall flat. What Lies I’m the Woods tells Naomi’s story perfectly with just the right amount of mystery. After being attacked by a serial killer in the woods as a child Naomi finds herself back in her hometown confronting her past. She is met with more questions than expected when the serial killer who attacked her dies in jail. As she unravels the mystery surrounding her attack and the mystery skeleton in the woods that has been there for years her life is changed forever.

This book was fast paced and made me want to keep reading constantly. There were twists and turns, mysteries inside mysteries, and reveals. As an avid reader I love it when a book can surprise me without being ridiculously twisted and fantastical. I highly recommend any thriller or mystery fans read this!

I could not finish this book. This was so hard to keep up with. Way too many characters I had no idea what was going on. I kept getting confused so I did not want to waist my time with this anymore.

What an incredible read this book was. I didn’t fully expect to love as much as I did. The different twists, Gahh I didn’t see those coming at all. I loved our mc, she was strong, tough, badass and didn’t take crap from anyone. Having gone through all she had, man I just cannot imagine, she is resilient. Solid 5 out of 5!

I have a lot of feelings about this audiobook. First, it was beautifully narrated by the amazing Karissa Vacker, whom I have enjoyed in other books. Great job, superb voice acting.
That aside, the book earns a rough three stars from me, falling short of the five it could have been. We are thrust into the life of Naomi, who, as a child, survived a brutal attack as she and her two best friends played in the woods. They succeeded in putting a serial killer in prison, who died twenty-something years later, and brought these three women back together.
The issue is they all lied, and Naomi, who has spotty memories of the events due to her traumatic injuries and scars, is bothered by the pieces that just don’t quite fit together.
My issue is partly with the writing style, which is likely just my personal preference. We don’t go a sentence (or so it seems) without a simile. I love a good simile, but it gets tiresome in the writing and feels more like she’s being poetic with descriptions and feelings, which pulled me out of the character’s head rather than pulling me deeper. Now, I could not connect with the main character. She’s honestly just an awful person, and frankly, trying to solve a murder and figure out the truth behind something that happened twenty years ago didn’t make her likable.
There were almost no likable characters in this book. Everyone is just a bad person; there is no one to connect with as a reader. I think the author was going for PTSD, but it was inconsistent. She came across as a bad person rather than someone dealing with post-traumatic stress. And man, talk about jumping from one conclusion to another- geez.
This book would have earned more stars if it had been better executed. The bones of this story are great, the idea is solid, and the story itself works. But the way it was done didn’t sit right with me, so I was not too fond of this one and likely won’t return to this author.
This book is available for preorder and will release on January 17, 2023. I received an advanced copy thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley.

4.5 stars rounded up

I was excited to see Kate Alice Marshall writing something for adults and this did not disappoint! What Lies in the Woods is a page-turner and I flew through it, though it's worth noting that this one doesn't have the paranormal elements you might expect from her YA work.

When Naomi was 11, she almost died from knife wounds. But she and her two friends were key to putting away a serial killer. Now, 22 years later, that man has died in prison and Naomi returns to her home town to face the truth of what happened that summer and the guilt she has carried about lying.

This one is very twisty and while some of it I saw coming, other things I didn't. I don't want to say too much about it but if you like Marshall's writing, this is definitely worth picking up. It's a bit darker and contains more mature elements than her YA books, and I really enjoyed my time with it. It's also casually queer as Naomi is bisexual. The audio narration is fantastic and I just wanted to keep listening to the end! I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

Content warnings include death, violence, injury, suicidal ideation, possible suicide, gun violence, attempted sexual assault of a child, references to child abuse, infidelity, depictions of hoarding.

A big thanks to Flatiron Books for my gifted eARC and to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC!

I loved this book! The pacing was quick and there was a lot going on. Just when I thought things were getting predictable, a twist I didn’t see coming would suck me right back in. I liked the MC and found her easy to root for. The subplot with her hoarder dad was interesting and added more depth to the characters. This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time!

This one left my head spinning (in a good way)! Dark, gritty, and suspenseful--the pace was perfect, the characters were well-developed and the plot had lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing--a few I saw coming, but most took me by surprise. The narrator of the audio version did an excellent job keeping my attention and differentiating between the various characters.

Powerful twists and turns that constantly had me questioning who to trust. This was a great listen with great narration - the best narration allows the narrator, although very talented, to fade to the background of the story and this title did so.

I received this book from the publisher through netgalley.com I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Naomi continues to struggle with the brutal attack she survived at 11. Now the man who was convicted of that crime is dead, and Naomi still wonders if she sent the wrong person to prison.

Returning to her home town at the request of her best friend, she finds her dad about to get evicted due to his hoarding, the man who saved her now in politics and her best friend desperate to tell the truth about a body that they found in the woods when they were little.

This book grabbed me from the beginning. There are a lot of twists and turns and some things that I figured out before they were revealed but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. The ending was a bit of a surprise which was welcome.

The narrator was great really keeping the story moving, capturing the desperation Naomi is feeling as different things are revealed.

If you like twisty turny mysteries give this one a go.

“Lies, lies, lies, yeah” ~ Written and performed by The Thompson Twins.

3.5⭐️
Naomi has done her level best to move on from the tragedy that nearly took her life over 20 years ago. She struggles every single day with deep scars…physically and mentally.

She and her two besties, Cassidy and Olivia were only 11 years old and doing what they loved most. Playing together in the woods. As with most curious children, they had no fear. Until the day Naomi was attacked and almost killed.

Now over 20 years later she receives startling information regarding her attacker in prison, bringing Naomi back home to see her friends. Only the past won’t cooperate and stay in the past!

And oh man…secrets are about to be exposed.

Honestly, what led me to this audio was the narrator - Karissa Vacker, my absolute favorite. And yes, she did an amazing job! But I felt the premise is one that has repeatedly been done (in one variation or another). So, I had a majority of the twists already worked out.

Overall, I’m glad I had the chance to listen to this audio and will definitely be looking to see what this author has in store for us next!

A buddy read with Susanne

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio 🎧

What Lies in the Woods was easily a 5 star book for me. This book had me completely hooked from the very beginning. There were so many twists and turns in this one. This book kept me guessing until the very end. I loved it and definitely would recommend adding to your TBR. Sign me up for any book Karissa Vacker narrates. She is amazing.

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall is a suspense thriller about three young girls going into the woods and one girl is viciously attacked. The man who was convicted and put away for murders in the area and the brutal attempted murder wasn't actually the one who committed the murder.

I listened to the audio version of this book. Karissa Vacker continues to surprise me with her narration skills. Karissa can bounce from character smooth as butter. Kudos on a craft to keep the listener engaged.

Now on to the author, Kate Alice Marshall. I've never read or listened to one of her books, and I must say she has a craft of developing a storyline that keeps a reader on their toes. Just when you think you have the story figured out, bam! Something out of left field happens and you are guessing all over again!

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the advanced copy.

4.5 stars

First off, Karissa Vacker is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators. Kudos for another stellar job done!

This is a great first adult release from a primarily YA author! Three girls went into the woods one day and only two of them emerged unscathed. Years later, the man arrested for the attack on the third girl has died of cancer and things start to unravel for the three women. Secrets and lies are coming home to roost with a vengeance!
By the halfway point of this book, I had guessed a twist or two and thought it would be all downhill from there. Was I ever wrong about that! When the twists started to reveal themselves, it was a non-stop onslaught right until the very end. You might guess some things along the way, but I doubt anyone is going to predict them all!!

*Thanks to Macmillan Audiobooks and NetGalley for the advance copy

That day in the woods twenty-two years ago changed there lives. The weight of that secret became too much to keep after the guy they sent to prison all those years ago died. His death was the catalyst for Naomi wanting to unbury the lies.
When Olivia, Cassidy, and Naomi were eleven years old they believed in magic. In the woods they played a game they invented about a Goddess named Perstephanie.
One summer three girls entered the woods while one came stumbling out covered in blood. Naomi became the miracle girl who survived seventeen stab wounds. She suffered a lapse in memory about that day in the woods. After twenty-two years she’s ready to process what happened to her.

This is a slow burn thriller with twists and turns reserved for the tale end of the story. I should be hooked. I want to be hooked. Unfortunately, I wasn’t compelled to learn the truth of what happened in the woods. There were too obstacles standing in the way of the truth. There were too many suspects. Maybe I’m burnt out on reading these slow burn thrillers because my interest petered from the start. The gradual process of uncovering the truth is built around a childhood game played in the woods. This silly game destroyed any credibility for what transpired.

Naomi’s behavior towards guys gave me high school drama vibes. Her sexual preferences overcrowded the storyline by creating unnecessary drama. In my opinion, Naomi didn’t behave as a woman of thirty-three should behave. I felt her past controlled her feelings. She came across as immature especially the relationship with her father. Maybe her growth was stunted by the trauma she experienced when she was eleven. I didn’t value her opinions or comments.

Kate Alice Marshall’s What Lies in the Woods is deemed a thriller novel about friendship, secrets, betrayal, and lies. There’s a lot going on in What Lies in the Woods. Everyone’s a suspect. Everyone’s hiding a secret.

Narrator:
I wish I had the ebook to keep me connected to the story. My attention span tends to drift listening to audiobooks without the assistance of the writers words sitting in front of me.
I listened using the Netgalley app at 1.75x speed.
Karissa Vacker is the solo female performer. She’s the voice of Naomi as well as the other supporting characters. Karissa has excellent voice acting skills. Praise Karissa for a spectacular performance. My rating is solely on the audiobook. The book itself wasn’t as good as the narration. In this case the audiobook enhanced my reading experience.

Pub date: 1/17/23
Genre: thriller
One sentence summary: The lives of Naomi and her friends changed forever when Naomi was attacked at age 11; 22 years later, she's desperate to uncover the truth of what really happened.

Given the dark subject matter, it seems weird to say that I looked forward to listening to this book, but I did! I enjoyed the mystery ride Naomi took as she tried to figure out what happened to her and why the truth was covered up for so long. There were plenty of twists - some easier to guess than others - and it all added up to a solid thriller. I think thriller/true crime fans will like this one a lot. Karissa Vacker's narration was great as always - I felt like she portrayed Naomi's journey and thought process really well.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Naomi is a survivor. A survivor of a brutal attack when she was a preteen girl. A survivor whose testimony sent a serial killer to prison. Now in her twenties, she has become a photographer who captures others joyous life moments but not living many of her own. Naomi is a haunted suvivor but not alone. Her two best friends saw the attack and share the horror of that day when their innocent lives were bonded together by a near death experience. One of the friends, Olivia, however, is starting to crack. As Olivia's mind and heart can no longer hold the horrors of that day, secrets start to come to light that lead Naomi to reveal her secret as well as secrets that will forever change how she sees the worst day of her life. The narration of the audiobook is prettty good and worth the listen. I struggled to really like the characters but the plot was twisty and overall a good mystery. I'd give this book a 3.5 stars but will round up to 4 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary audiobook version for an honest review.

There are monsters living among us. Obvious ones, like serial killers and pedophiles. But our friends and family can hide just as many secrets and lies.

This one kept me invested and guessing where it would twist next.

What Lies in the Woods is Kate Alice Marshall's first adult novel - and hopefully won't be her last!

This book follows Naomi Shaw, who survived a brutal murder attempt when she was only 11 years old by a prolific serial killer. Her testimony put him behind bars. Now, twenty-two years later, she still bears the scars from that time in her life - both the non-literal scars and the literal scars from the 17 (!!) stab wounds. Now an adult, she receives a call that should solve everything - her attempted murderer is dead. But a cryptic phone call from her best friend sends her running home, back to the place it all started, and it turns out, not everything is as it seems.....

I LOVED this book. I thought it was so, so well done. One of my favorite thrillers I've read in a long time - I'm definitely digging into this author's backlist now!

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

New to the world of Kate Alice Marshall, I reached for this ARC in hopes of finding a new author with whom I can connect. Marshall’s eerie story pulled me in from the opening pages and I did not want to let go until all was revealed. An intense thriller that leave the reader wondering if all is as it seems until much is revealed with reorganised memories. Impactful and well worth my time, Kate Alice Marshall is an author worth noting.

Naomi Shaw had a magical childhood, which culminated in the summer of her eleventh year. It was then that she and her two best friends, Cassidy and Olivia, played in the woods, creating a magical game all their own. It was also that summer when Naomi was attacked and almost killed, leading to the capture of a serial killer who had been racking up victims for a significant time. Naomi, a victim in her own right, testified and put the killer away, making her a hero and one who always fought the limelight, even when she did not want it.

It was two decades later that Naomi received a call that the man who had attacked her was dead. Finally she could breathe a sigh of relief, though changing her name had already helped with that. Naomi returns to her hometown to tie off some of the loose ends, particularly with Cassidy and Olivia. However, the suddenly apparent suicide of Olivia with a note apologising for being a ‘part of the lies’ turns the tables on everything from that summer twenty years ago. Might the girls have used their young age and the wave of publicity around the serial killer to point the finger at the wrong man?

As the truth comes crashing down on Naomi, she must relive the past and piece things together in the correct order, no matter how painful it might be. Chilling as it seems, the truth must come out, but Naomi wants to be in charge of its dissemination, as it will surely tarnish her image. However, a man has died in prison who might have been innocent of all crimes, as three girls lapped up the stardom their victimhood brought along with it. Marshall tells an electrifying story and keeps the reader in the centre of things as they come to fruition.

New authors can be a joy to a reader who has experience in specific genre. Well-paced stories that attract attention with ease make for an exciting adventure and leaves readers thirsting for more. Kate Alice Marshall did that for me, introducing her writing in such a way that it is hard to stop once the momentum takes over.

A strong narrative is at the heart of the reading experience, keeping me hooked from the opening page. The premise, a young girl captured and almost killed, had me wanting to know more, even as the narrative was slow to reveal truths. Building with decent characters, all of whom had a story of their own, as well as flashback moments that fill in the blanks, I kept wanting to learn a little more. A plot that never stayed clearly pointed in one direction had me hoping to get to the truth, while perceived reality dominated. Marshall has me wanting to read more of her work, as soon as I can get my hands on it, as this was one thriller that will stay with me for a while.

Kudos, Madam Marshall, for leaving that indelible mark and making me want to get deeper into your writing. I can only hope there is more to come, as this was a reading experience I will be sharing with others.