I enjoyed this book overall. I was somewhat disappointed of how it wrapped up. I enjoy an ending where I can trace the story back to see hints I missed. That wasn’t possible for a few aspects of the ending. I did like the book and I’ll recommend to others.

I just reviewed What Waits in the Woods by Terri Parlato. #WhatWaitsintheWoods #NetGalley

This was a dark, suspenseful thriller. The atmosphere was heavy and at times it was a bit tough to get through. However I was captured by wanting to know the outcome and overall Im glad I finished. Im not great at predicting the endings and this one was no different. I was shocked and surprised and ended up really liking.

This story is about a murder that took place in a small town. How those you grew up with, friends and family, either pull together or fall apart. About how the truth can't and won't stay buried forever. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I enjoyed the premise of this book! I enjoyed the story and I did not guess the plot. It was very well written. It did suck me into the world. It was a good mystery/thriller. I think I needed more from the characters to make this a 5 star read. Overall., it was 4 stars I enjoyed it but I needed something extra for it to be 5 stars.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I liked the premise of this book, a young woman returns to her home town after many years. Just as she returns, the body of one of her childhood best friends is found on her land. What on earth has happened?

i enjoyed the unfurling of the story. There were many suspects along the way and I didn't guess who did it. The sub-plot of family life was well-written.

All in all, this was a decent read but nothing spectacular. I liked it but didn't love it.

What Waits in the Woods by Terri Parlato is told by alternating characters Esmé and Rita, the detective working the case. Day by day, Esmé discovers more about the place she left behind 11 years ago and the friends and family she thought she knew. Soon, shining a light into the darkness to learn what really happened the night Kara, a high school friend, died is the only way she can bring the nightmare to an end.

It took me a bit to get involved in the story. I liked Esmé and felt her backstory was good. I just had a difficult time getting invested in the mystery. I felt the atmosphere of the story was good, and I did like the characters. The story just felt a bit slow for me.

The ending was nicely wrapped up, though. I would check out other books by this author. I did like the book, it just didn't blow me away.

A 3.25 out of 5 stars.

#WhatWaitsintheWoods #NetGalley @KensingtonBooks

In Terri Parlato's gripping thriller, "What Waits in the Woods," readers are taken on a suspenseful journey through a small town plagued by secrets and a young woman's quest for truth. With its expertly crafted plot and atmospheric setting, this novel keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The story revolves around Esmé Foster, a former dancer whose dreams of a career were shattered by a devastating injury. Forced to return to her hometown of Graybridge, she finds herself confronted with a shocking discovery: the murder of her high school friend. As Esmé delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Kara's death, she uncovers disturbing connections that make her question everything she thought she knew about her past.

Parlato skillfully weaves together multiple layers of mystery and intrigue, blending Esmé's personal trauma with the dark secrets of the town. The author's prose is atmospheric and evocative, creating a palpable sense of tension and unease. The story is intricately plotted, and the author's attention to detail ensures that every twist and turn feels both plausible and surprising.

Terri Parlato is an up and coming author we need to watch out for. She masterfully blends the past and present to show us the trauma of Esme's youth and her current state. She is the perfect cross between Riley Sager and Shari Lapena with intense storylines, a strong main character we're rooting for, and a small town full of secrets that seem plausible. Lately I have read a lot of novels that do too much in terms of secrets but this one was simple enough that it kept me on the edge of my seat yet I wasn't rolling my eyes at how stupid and impossible the secrets were. We learn why Esme was targeted that night with her mother and why Kara is killed and what the town was hiding.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the copy of What Waits In The Woods by Terri Parlato. After her ballet career ends, Esme heads back home only to find her childhood best friend has been found dead. The story is told from two POVs - Esme, and the detective Rita. Both POVs are in the first person which I found a little confusing. Other than that, I liked the writing style. I loved how there were different stories going on throughout the book. I also loved the little red herrings that were liberally sprinkled around. I read a lot of thrillers, so I’m always on the lookout for details that might be clues and this book fooled me many times. Esme was an interesting character even though I didn’t really understand or like her. Maybe more explanation of why she stayed away for so long would have made her more sympathetic. The reveals were surprising so if you love being shocked you will love this book but I would have preferred a better build up. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

My Review 🫧

📖 What Waits In The Woods by Terri Parlato

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

From the GET GO this book had me HOOKED. Parlato does such an amazing job of taking a thriller and making it more than just your ordinary thriller. There were so many layers, so many red herrings, and so many side stories I absolutely loved this book.

Book 104 of 2023

Great story. Definitely pay a lot of attention in the beginning, the chapters change from different character perspectives and the changes happen a bit quickly and can get confusing. I was shocked by the ending, it was completely unexpected.

I enjoyed this 4-star mystery set in a small Massachusetts town. It makes you take another look at the things you think you know.
Esmé Foster returns to her childhood home in Graybridge. Her family and friends have changed, but the house has not. There, the backyard leads to a familiar wooded area. The shadows of those trees hide a tragic past and the surprising murder of Esmé’s childhood friend, Kara. In those woods, neighbors wander, as well as strangers up to no good.
Detective Rita Myers takes the lead on solving the case. Though Terri Parlato introduced Rita in a previous novel, I had no trouble enjoying this one without reading the first. Rita studies all those in Kara’s life and everyone she can trace to the woods.
After all the years that Esmé has been away, some of those who she knew best seem like strangers now. The dark motives of those who frequent these woods surprise both Esmé and Rita. The characters make this novel work, yet there’s still room to write them deeper. I didn’t find this a remarkable read, but I did find it a satisfying one.

What a thrilling adventure this was. The twists that happened throughout the entire book to keep you guessing on who the murderer was is fantastic. It kept me guessing up until the very end. I loved the main female character Esme. Her character development throughout the book was great. Overall loved this book and would highly recommend!

Wow, this book was a wild ride. Every time I thought I had it figured out another twist popped up. The book is told in alternating chapters by Esme and Detective Rita Myers. The book begins with Esme returning home after years away to find her high school best friend’s body was just found in her back yard. With an intriguing cast of odd characters that all have something to hide it’s an engaging whodunit. I realize now that it is part of a series featuring the detective but it is fine to read without having read the first book.

Uhhhh, i don’t really know what to think. Not a huge fan. The book itself was fine. Lots of heaviness. That’s fine. Something about the narration didn’t feel right to me, specifically because although the narration flipped between two characters, I felt like I knew so many fine details about them, yet also didn’t know them at all. There were a lot of random plot points that felt purposeful to stray the reader from figuring out who the killer is. I got through the novel, but it wasn’t my favorite.

I enjoyed this book but was not wowed by this book. What Waits in the Woods had potential but somehow fell flat for me. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and being invested in what was at stake and what happened.

Esme has not been home since she graduated high school right after her mom died. The night she is back a body is found behind her dad's house. Her dad is slowly dying of alcoholism, and her brother has been taking care of him all this time. We are told that Esme has come home because her 6 year relationship had run its course. She has no job and no plan. She reconnects with her friends which I was also confused about. It was hinted throughout that the book that her and her friend Jack may develop into more but that never happened.

This is told in 2 different POVs. Esme and the detective who is working the case, Rita. The body that was found is one of Esme's friends from high school. We meet a lot of people from this small town and Esme is forced to remember who she was when she last lived here. Rita is working the case and coming up with nothing. There are a few viable suspects/weirdos thrown in but nothing shakes. Another murder occurs which puts that much more pressure on the case. No one would ever assume the murderer is who they are. I was disappointed in the whys and the revelations at the end of the book. This was hard for me to stay in and push through. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved it! Kept me guessing the whole way. Definitely gonna read more by this author. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This thriller involves a small town with deep roots. When Esme decides to move home unexpectedly after a failed relationship, she was surprised to pull up to her father's home to see it swarmed with police. They have uncovered the body of her high school best friend in their yard backing up against the woods. As she begins to process this information, she learns more about her brother and other friends that she left behind many years ago and didn't maintain contact with. We follow Esme along in her reintroduction to the town, friends and the investigation of her friends murder. Many twists and turns along the way!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I was surprised all the way to the end and had some real heart pounding chapters while reading it. Anyone who wants to have a read that keeps your mind going and blood pumping should pick this book up

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

This book was a slow-burn thriller that took some time to get into but once I did, I really enjoyed it.