This book was not quite what I thought it would be, but I absolutely loved it. It was so suspenseful, and I didn't want to stop reading it! My book club read this book, and it was one of the best book discussions I've ever had. This book is a must read!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

A sprawling, complex, prickly family drama spanning generations. Moore deftly juggles a massive cast of 3 dimensional characters to tell a story that dives into the very heart of family's black heart.

A teenager vanishes from summer camp in 1975, 14 years after her brother did the same.

Phenomenal. This title, this cover, chef's kiss! A character-driven novel executed perfectly. Getting to know and understand each character better advanced the plot in the most subtle, creeping ways. A satisfying ending, the most important part of any mystery novel. I could not put it down. Liz Moore cements her status as a must-read, no questions asked author.

A mystery that draws you in from the very beginning. I had so many theories and none of them turned out to be true. The setting is also a main character and I felt like I was right there at the camp. All of the characters were flawed and interesting, none totally unlikable. A great read.

3.5

I love stories set at camps so this was a decent fit for me. I did find it a little predictable and the pacing a bit off. It really slowed down in the middle.

I completely understand why this was The Book of 2024 -- so many people loved it! Honestly, I struggled with the different timelines/multiple POVs and it took me a long time to finish the book. I can see how people would love this and rank it high on their Best of lists, but it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC digital copy. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

4 out of 5 stars and my respect to the author.

The suspense and dual timelines were so intertwined! Honestly, though, my favorite aspect of the book was the setting. I vacationed the Adirondacks as a kid and the location descriptions brought back fond memories.

Highly recommend. I’ll likely re-read it next summer :)

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Liz Moore's God of the Woods is a mesmerizing journey into a world where nature and mystery intertwine seamlessly. The narrative unfolds within a dense, enigmatic forest, each page steeped in an atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful. Moore’s prose is elegant and evocative, drawing readers into the intricate lives of her characters, each burdened by their pasts and seeking solace or answers in the woods. The plot is layered with suspense, offering twists that are both surprising and thought-provoking. For those who appreciate literary fiction with a touch of the mystical, God of the Woods is an exceptional read.

This was my favorite read of 2024. The perfect balance of plot, setting and character development. It's rare to find a mystery book that does the mystery element well while also going a little deeper. I'm a little late with this review, but I have been recommending this book to everyone I know!

I was sure I had posted this review previously, but after-the-fact, I’ll summarize. Liz Moore is a fantastic talented writer. She builds a community for the reader to observe and consider. One has to follow the details carefully, because the storytelling is densely plotted, but exciting. I loved the book still more in the end than I did while reading, and will catch up with Moore’s backlist of novels.

"The God of the Woods" by Liz Moore is a literary mystery set in the 1970s at a summer camp in the Adirondacks, where 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar disappears, echoing the earlier disappearance of her brother. The novel explores themes of family secrets, power dynamics, and the impact of past traumas.

Moore's writing is atmospheric, effectively capturing the era and setting, and her character development is commendable, providing depth to the individuals involved. The narrative structure, alternating between timelines and perspectives, adds complexity to the story.

However, the pacing is deliberate, which may not appeal to readers seeking a fast-paced thriller. Some plot developments are predictable, and the resolution might feel underwhelming given the buildup.

Overall, "The God of the Woods" is a well-crafted novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven mysteries with a strong sense of place, though it may not fully satisfy those looking for a more dynamic plot.

This book is receiving well deserved praise. I agree that it is a memorable story. While God of the Woods has garnered significant critical acclaim and awards, I found myself preferring Liz Moore's previous work, Long Bright River. Although God of the Woods successfully weaves together elements of literary fiction and mystery with compelling family dynamics, the ending didn't quite deliver the emotional impact I was hoping for.
It's important to note that readers approaching this as a thriller or traditional mystery may be disappointed - this is primarily a work of literary fiction that uses mystery elements to explore deeper themes of family and belonging. Moore's beautiful prose and complex character development shine throughout most of the book, but the resolution feels less satisfying than her previous work. I am recommending to readers who enjoy reading popular literary fiction.

This definitely lived up to the hype! I was a bit behind reading this one but it was just as excellent as I had heard. The length didn’t matter at all because it absolutely flew by. Highly recommended.

Liz Moore does it again! Truly a phenomenal book that I devoured in a weekend. Loved the way she builds the story, the characters, and the setting. I loved the intersections of the characters. Can't recommend this book enough.

This might be my number one book of the year. The characters are well-crafted, the setting is fascinating. It was a little difficult to keep the characters straight at first, but it was a short-lived problem as I got more and more sucked in.

I seem to be a bit of an outlier on this one. I liked it but didn't love it. The book was long and parts were just a bit too slow for me. I was satisfied by the ending though.

Not your typical murder mystery. A story that combines some elements of drama, thriller, mystery and historic fiction. Follow along as two children disappear from the same family in different times and unravel the mystery of what happened to each. Really enjoyed the plot and character development in this one.

A haunting story of legacy and privilege. This story left me guess all the way to the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Publishing for the ARC opportunity.

The God of the Woods is a haunting exploration of family legacy, privilege, and the complex relationship between personal freedom and societal expectations. Moore deftly weaves the intricate themes of class and moral decay, setting the Van Laar family's entitlement and moral blindness against the rugged resilience of the less fortunate. However, her narrative approach occasionally borders on heavy-handed, with moments that seem to echo the author's own critiques rather than allowing the story to reveal them organically.

While Alice Van Laar is richly drawn, allowing readers to feel both sympathy and disgust, the men of the Van Laar family seem overly simplistic, serving more as symbols of wealth and control than as fully realized characters. This imbalance, while purposeful, sometimes detracts from the narrative's psychological depth, leaving parts of the family dynamic underexplored.

Moore's prose is as lush as the Adirondack landscape itself, conjuring vivid images of the secluded forest, dark lakes, and silent cabins. This setting contributes heavily to the novel's eerie atmosphere, immersing the reader in a sense of foreboding that mirrors the unraveling of family secrets. The Adirondack Mountains, both beautiful and menacing, function almost as a character in their own right, embodying the tension between civilization and nature that permeates the story.

The God of the Woods is a thought-provoking and atmospheric read that will appeal to fans of gothic literature and family sagas. Though it stumbles occasionally under the weight of its themes, the novel remains a compelling study of the dark undercurrents running beneath the surface of privilege and respectability. For those willing to embrace its imperfections, Moore’s latest work offers a captivating journey into the heart of American gothic mystery.