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.

I loved Liz Moore's last book, Long Bright River, so was excited to see a new one from her finally come out! Overall I loved The God of the Woods—it was a little slow to start, but after the first few chapters it picked up and was paced really well for the rest of the book, with mini cliffhangers at the end of each chapter as it changed POVs. The multi POVs were a mixed bag for me; I enjoyed getting some insight into what each of the characters were thinking, and as mentioned before made for a good cliffhanger device each time it switched, but it could be a little hard to follow at times, and overall I wouldn't have missed a couple of the people's POVs being cut.

I'd still highly recommend the book, and look forward to seeing what's next from Liz Moore!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

4.5/5

I really enjoyed Liz Moore's last book and was excited for this one. In August 1975, Barbara goes missing from her Adirondack camp. In 1961, her brother vanished and has never been found. This doorstop of a novel explores these two missing siblings, as well as their family history. I appreciated the multiple narrators, particularly the young female investigator. As someone who reads a lot of mysteries and literary fiction, the balance was sometimes off for me here. I love Moore's writing and characters. I didn't need so much camp time (I'm not a camp person!) The last 100ish pages are a tour de force, but I think AT LEAST 100 pages could have been cut without losing much. It's always fun to see one of the cities I've lived in in a book, and here it's Albany. Overall, I liked it but wished I'd loved it as much as Long Bright River. Already eagerly awaiting Moore's next.

Thank you netgalley for the arc!
Due to this being apart of our monthly campaign, I wanted to look into this, plus, a mystery surrounding a summer camp is the kind of mystery that's up my alley. This did not disappoint! It was very hard to put down, I thought although there were some slow bits it was enrapturing. The writing style is wonderful, the different viewpoints around each character from chapter to chapter was great, and I just really liked it. If my words not enough, one of my coworkers still talks about it months after reading and it's one of her go to handsells. I'm going to give it a four stars because it's not something I personally think about often and didn't leave a huge impact for me, but I can see firsthand how much it's left its impact. Absolutely worth a read and I recommend it to this day for anyone looking for a great literary mystery!

I've been categorizing this books as "literary mystery" in the countless times I've recommended it since reading it. "The God of the Woods" has the perfect mix of character development, literary themes, and a compelling plot. The story has stayed with me well after reading it. This is a great title for book clubs.

When a prominent family’s preteen daughter goes missing from the Adirondack summer camp, two worlds and time era’s collide. The Van Laars have now had their two children disappear, sixteen years apart. In both disappearances the entire community has come out to search the wooded where they live. As terrifying as it is to lose a child from the camp, it’s so much worse when the missing girl belongs to the wealthy camp owners. Liz weaves such an amazing story, going back and forth between the decades seamlessly. You’ll regret not picking up this book!

The God of the Woods is the quintessential summer read--a historical thriller set at camp. It was so heavily promoted that it caught my interest. I think it's pretty much exactly what it promises to be and little more. The twists of the plot are solid. The characters are as well-developed as they needed to be. I think it's a cabin read and I don't think we'll be recommending this one in years to come. That said, it's an enjoyable read and I can picture many people pulling it off the shelf for a little escapism.

Enjoyable mystery, but I think all of the summer hype around this book gave it much higher expectations so it fell a little short. A lot of characters to follow and flipping timelines, but the ending was surprising with twists along the way. Really enjoyed the summer camp setting. Well performed on audio!

3.5*
Missing children stories are tragic. In Moore’s novel, one family experiences two separate instances of missing children – one in 1961 and again in 1975. The first was Bear Van Laar who disappeared at age 8 and was never found. The second was his sister Barbara who was a young teen when she vanished. The mother of the two never recovered after her son disappeared and it affected her relationship with her daughter. Now questions arise with the second missing child as investigators renew their examination of the facts of both crimes and try to figure out if there is a connection.

Secrets are uncovered and suspects are considered. The abductions occurred in the woods surrounding a summer camp. The camp is on the extensive property of the Van Laar estate and the family compound is also on the grounds. The family, the staff and others are all under scrutiny. Since the first crime was never solved, old suspicions are re-examined and many people in and around the family are probed for motive and opportunity.

Following the first missing person case, the Van Laar family and their staff are forever affected by suspicions and the failure to solve the case. The family becomes more dysfunctional and it affects their other child. Their wealth and privilege don’t make up for the mess they’ve made of things. In general, the Van Laars are despicable and this makes them even more suspect.

The mystery keeps readers guessing and the list of potential suspects provides multiple avenues to ponder. Women, besides Barbara and her mother, figure prominently in the story. There’s T.J. the camp director, Louise the counselor, Judyta the female state trooper and Tracy the friend of Barbara’s from camp. Each has their own story of powerlessness and yet they have a voice. Moore sets a complex scene with nuanced characters. The ending may not be totally satisfying, but the buildup is engaging. Though not perfect, the book is worth investigating.

This mystery will keep you guessing. The characters are well developed and fascinating. The plot moved a bit slow for my taste. But still an overall enjoyable read!

It's August 1975, and summer camp is in session. Panic ensues one morning when a counselor notices an empty bunk. Thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar is missing, the daughter of the camp's owner. Her closest friend in the cabin doesn't know where she went, just that she'd been sneaking out at night. Barbara isn't the only Van Laar to have vanished. Over a decade earlier, her brother disappeared, never to be found. As the search begins for Barbara, the authorities can't help but make connections to her brother. Who are the Van Laars, really? And who else in town might have reason to abduct another child?

Thanks to the engrossing summer camp setting and stellar literary mystery, The God of the Woods is the perfect summer read. I love that the book is plot-driven and character-driven. Each character is complex, and I enjoyed learning their stories as the novel progressed. If you appreciate the dark atmosphere of Tana French and the propulsive storytelling of Donna Tartt, you'll love The God of the Woods. Plus, that cover is all kinds of dreamy.

"The God of the Woods" delivers a captivating conundrum that stretches the mind with its intricately woven dual timelines. The narrative follows the unsettling disappearances of two children from the esteemed Van Laar family—one in 1961 and another in 1975—against the enchanting yet deceptive backdrop of the Adirondack wilderness.

Beneath the serene beauty of the forest lies a sinister undercurrent, hinting at the darkness lurking in the shadows. The story brims with a rich tapestry of characters, each presenting their own narratives and motives, creating an intricate web of possibilities and suspects that keeps readers on their toes.

As the plot unfolds, the layers of mystery deepen, inviting you to piece together the puzzle alongside the protagonists. With its engaging structure and atmospheric setting, this novel is a gripping exploration of secrets and the unsettling truths hidden within even the most picturesque landscapes.

This is a wonderful book, and I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC which I received in exchange for my honest review.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a fascinating mystery that will keep you up all night. This novel is so well paced and plotted that the reader becomes totally immersed in the story. I'm an avid reader of the mystery/thriller genre yet the storyline kept my guessing right up to the last few pages. Well done! This novel is going directly onto my reread shelf.

Thank you to Liz Moore, NetGalley, and the publisher Penguin Group Riverhead Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this e-galley.

I heard about this one on Anne Bogel's summer reading guide. God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a haunting and beautifully written novel that weaves together elements of mystery, nature, and personal transformation. The story follows the protagonist as they venture into the depths of a mysterious forest, confronting both external and internal challenges. Moore's evocative prose brings the wilderness to life, making the forest feel like a character in its own right. The novel's themes of self-discovery and the tension between the natural and human worlds resonate deeply. Fans of atmospheric, thought-provoking fiction will find this book both captivating and memorable.