This is a great book and I almost did not continue because it was slow in the beginning. After the first half of the book did the book come together for me. Then the oh wow moments started to happen and could not wait to finish the rest. It takes a while, very slow burn, but stick with it. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and well done to Liz Moore.

Genre: Mystery Thriller
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5

I get the hype! This book was impossible to put down—I sacrificed two nights of sleep (with work the next morning!) just to power through it. A 500+ page thriller can be intimidating, but The God of the Woods? This was the epitome of an unputdownable read.

Set in 1975, the story unfolds at a summer camp where friendships form, secrets lurk, and Barbara Van Laar mysteriously disappears—eerily similar to her brother, Bear Van Laar, who vanished 15 years earlier. As the narrative moves through multiple timelines, the mystery surrounding their disappearances unravels in layers, each revelation more gripping than the last.

The book is divided into seven sections, making it easier to navigate despite the shifting perspectives. And though there are multiple POVs, I never once felt lost—the storytelling was seamless. The final twist? Completely blindsided me! Yet, in hindsight, it all made perfect sense.

This novel masterfully blends historical fiction, family drama, and a slow-burn mystery while weaving in themes of patriarchy and class divide. The way the author interconnects the different narratives is nothing short of impressive.

I’d highly recommend reading this in physical format—with so many perspectives, the audiobook might get a little tricky to follow (at least for me!).

Read if you love:
📖 Summer camp nostalgia with a dark edge
⏳ Multiple timelines that keep you hooked
💰 Old-money family drama and secrets

Would I read this again? Absolutely. Would I lose sleep over it again? Without a doubt.

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not let me down. Atmospheric writing and a gripping story. I absolutely love Liz Moore.

I inhaled this, absolutely loved it! It evoked this sweet level of nostalgia for a part of the US I've never ever visited, and made the Adirondaks absolutely come to life. It was fast and compulsive reading, and I was completely invested in this community of characters. Recommend if you're looking for a read to completely fall into!

An excellent literary mystery! A bit of historical fiction, a bit of mystery, a bit of coming of age. Not cheesy at all, with an ending I didn't see coming (and not in an over-the-top TWIST way, but in a satisfactory now-that's-something-new way.) Would recommend to a wide range of suspense readers!

The God of the Woods tells the story of the missing Barbara and her older brother Bear (also missing, but 13 years prior) and the summer camp that is on the van Laar property. Messed up rich people in northern NY, multiple time lines at once and a large cast of characters (several with the same name) can get a bit confusing at times but overall the story is well written and I enjoyed it to the very end.

The story begins at a summer camp in the Adirondacks where a girl disappears. I have to admit I didn't finish this book. I read 52% of it and found the story very slow. I know I am in the minority, based on the other reviews. I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, with all of the characters introduced, and the plot seemed to just linger. I am told the story picks up, but it just wasn't for me.

The perfect book club pick! Has mystery to drive the story forward, good characters, and inspires discussions of privilege, class, and capitalism.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore!

The God of the Woods opens on a summer camp where a camper has gone missing - the daughter of the family who owns the property the camp is on. As the search unfolds, we learn of the disappearance of another young child who went missing from the property years prior - the campers older brother. Extraordinary bad luck? Or something more sinister? The God of the Woods shifts perspectives and timelines and keeps one step ahead of the reader at all times. This isn't just a mystery, but an exploration of class and the social ties that bind us all.

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!