Wendig has yet again nailed an original fever dream story onto pages! This story is bound to stick with you in the back of your mind just to creep its way forward the next time you're in the woods! The characters are relatable to a piece of us or those within our friend group, at least for myself personally. Do we ever REALLY know what goes on behind closed doors? Even those doors of our closest friends and the places we love spending time at? Some are masters at hiding it and we'll never know.
Lastly, I enjoyed the sense of nostalgia as these characters are of my generation and reminded me of my high school social group.

"This is the hell of bad houses. Where broken, hate-poisoned places go after they die."

Chuck Wendig's new novel is about a group of five high school friends who are bonded by an oath to protect one another no matter what. On a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something a mysterious staircase to nowhere. One of the friends walks up to the staircase and never comes down only for it to then disappear. Twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared. Now the group return in hopes to find the lost friend and the truth behind where this staircase leads.

The premise alone felt eerie. As you journey further into this story it delves further than just the dynamics of this friend group. Several issues of childhood trauma and challenges are addressed under the veil of the horror that has been following on from the beginning.

Within the creepy scenes and events that take place is insight into how each of these friends in this group are learning things about themselves they hadn't fathomed before.

I enjoyed reading this novel. It was a dark mysterious horror story that I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

Five friends, bonded by shared experiences, enter the woods. Only four of them come back out.

A time to relax, a time to party and get away from their lives for a bit. During the course of their adventure, they come across a mysterious staircase seemingly leading to nowhere. One of the friends climbs it and disappears, and so does the staircase. Now, 20 years later, they are called together again at the reappearance of the staircase and a burning question - what happened to their friend?

Wow. The way this book had me in a chokehold the entire afternoon I read it, I literally could not put it down. The characters were all flawed, somewhat unlikable, but deeply human in their lives and experiences. The setting came alive in a way I felt I was there right along with the friend group, which (not to give too much away, read the book 😉) had me on the edge of my seat the entire ride. This one is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you like a good thriller/horror pick, then it’s for you.

Recommended if you like: multiple timelines, thrillers, horror

I am not usually a horror reader, but Chuck Wendig blends sci-fi and horror beautifully. I love that his books , while having blood, guts and gore tend to focus on a more phycological type of horror. It is the things in our own mind that scare us the most. I really enjoyed that ending, it gave closure but still left an opening for your own interpretation of what was going to happen.

"Home is where the hurt is. Where the horror lives."

In Chuck Wendig's latest novel, five close-knit friends are navigating high school. They decide to go on a camping trip and find a staircase in the middle of the forest that leads to nowhere ... One of them walks up and never returns. Then, the staircase disappears. What happened to him? Well, some twenty years later, the staircase is back. The remaining four return to try to find their lost friend and, in turn, what is beyond that staircase in the woods.

This book is in parts dark, painful, eerie and gripping. Reminiscent of online creepypasta or paranormal discussions you can find on Reddit, this story takes an unflinching, raw look at the unspeakable things that happen behind closed doors, the types of things that change and haunt us. Perhaps form our own personal hell's. This book hurt my feelings, and I enjoyed every second. Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC. If you enjoy all things creepy and unhinged, pick this up when it publishes April 29, 2025!

There was a lot going on in this one.

A group of friends come together years after they lost their friend, Matty, to a staircase in the woods while camping.

They come together years after to another staircase in the woods, and it brings out some horror and deep seated trauma in the group.

It’s like the Cube a bit, but with much more feeling.

The end is creepy creepy creepy!

Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig is a gripping blend of mystery, nostalgia, and supernatural suspense. When childhood friends reunite years after a chilling encounter with a strange staircase, secrets unravel. Wendig’s vivid storytelling keeps the tension high while exploring friendship, trauma, and the unknown. With its eerie atmosphere and emotional depth, this novel is both thrilling and unforgettable.
Looking forward to owning another Wendig book!

I have very mixed feelings about The Staircase in the Woods. The premise of a labyrinth house is one of my absolute favorites. Also, friendships that are found family, another favorite. This very much gave Stephen King "It" vibes. 3 guys, 1 girl. The girl "isn't like other girls". Lore was the only female presenting and queer character. And she was insufferable. I align with her anger and rage on all the topics she was vocal about but she was portrayed in a bad way. (obviously my opinion, is it internalized misogyny? Maybe but that's for me and my therapist) Around the middle things go redundant. Then there was the "haha he's the bad guy! Ope, he's fine now! Wait! Got ya again!" and the last page. I said out loud to my empty room "you have got to be f***ing kidding me!" I like an ambiguous ending. This one wasn't it. Overall this is very readable, it's fairly quick and I think it will appeal to Stephen King and Joe Hill readers especially.

"The Stair in the Woods" is my first book by the author Chuck Wendig, and I was eager to begin reading. I enjoy a good horror book, and this one captured my from the outset. A group of high schoolers ventures into the woods and discovers a staircase; when one ascends and never returns, their lives are irrevocably altered. Twenty years later, they have an opportunity to set things right when they are summoned to honor their "covenant" to always stick together as the staircase reappears. The story is told through different timelines which help explain how the past has affected the present, the narrative both eerie and engaging.

I was captivated from the beginning, but as the story progressed, it seemed lose some momentum, or perhaps it was just me. I dislike it when authors use a book to push their political agenda. Personally, I prefer a fun horror story that provides an escape from daily life; the last thing I want in the middle of a supernatural thriller to be confronted with contemporary propaganda. This read like a YA book with a somewhat slow pace, which I do not mind, but the ending felt abrupt and unresolved.

I did appreciate Wendig's writing style and his character development, so I may explore more of his books. I give this one a 3.5⭐.

I really enjoyed this story and was I was on the edge of my seat I absolutely loved this and told my mom all about this book is definitely one she is gonna enjoy!! It is going to be a birthday gift for a few people this year who love a great thriller!!! Wow

Wendig's vivid prose weaves a dark and foreboding atmosphere, drawing the reader into the eerie world of Deer Valley, Pennsylvania. The story follows a group of teenagers as they navigate the treacherous landscape of adolescence, only to stumble upon a mysterious staircase in the woods that seems to lead to nowhere – or perhaps somewhere sinister.

Wendig does it again. Dark, brooding, and mind bending this book puts the "d" is disturbing. I felt like I was tripping on acid. Loved it.

Just for starters Goodreads won't let me rate this with half stars, but my official rating is 4.5.

Five friends when they were teenagers find a staircase in the woods in the middle of the forest that seemingly is leading to nowhere, no foundation, no building, silent, just here.

One friend (we all have that ONE friend) decides to go up the staircase and just disappears into thin air.
Years later, the friends are dealing with their own individual trauma when one of the friends decides to go back into the woods and find the staircase and makes a covenant where he invites all the other three friends back to go up the staircase to try and find the friend that went missing.

I love Chuck Wendig and his incredible writing. This book is a weird psychological horror, a niche horror that is creepy and unsettling. Theres a lot of traumas occurring from each character, bonding and past traumas that make you really look into oneself.

This book is not going to be for everyone. It's not my favorite book of his albeit a little slow and wordy at times but still a great one.

After reading this book, I started seeing and reading about how in real life people have claimed to have come across actual staircases in the woods. Some believed they were portals to other dimensions or places we're not supposed to go. Some were remnants from buildings or homes that were no longer present. People say the forest IS quieter, the air heavier and an eerie stillness is surrounding them. Claims have been made by people who have climbed them to have started to have strange dreams, missing blocks of time or would hear strange voices.

Would you climb a random staircase in the woods? Are YOU that friend?

My answer is no, I would not, I am the friend that told you you're an idiot and to get down.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy, this is no way has swayed my rating or review.

This book definitely hooked me from the beginning and didn’t let go. I like how the past and present alternated effortlessly and didn’t take me out of the story. I did like the horror element especially in the present day timeline. Thank you NetGalley, Chuck Wendig and Del Rey for this digital arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to rate and review this book.

The Staircase in the Woods is both a split perspective and a split timeline novel, centered on a group of friends and their experience with the unknown. Years ago, a friend disappears during a after climbing a mysterious staircase in the middle of the woods. Decades later, the broken friend group reunites (under some coercion) to find out what happened to him. Without spoiling it too much, what ensues is a surreal, video-game like exploration of a place nobody should have ever set foot in.

I absolutely could not put this down. If you are a fan of the folklore and creepypastas that undoubtedly inspired the focal point of this story, you'll love this one. My only real complaint is that I would have liked to see a bit more from some of the other perspective characters - there was definitely not an even split. Chuck Wendig is now officially on my must-purchase list for any new releases.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read. Chuck Wendig does it again!
Mr. Wendig killed it and I highly recommend this novel.

I've been thinking a lot since finishing this about how I felt about it, which for a horror story is probably a good thing. I don't think it is entirely what I was expecting, as the bulk of the story is taken up by what they find when they walk up the staircase, which isn't hinted at on the back copy for obvious reasons. I found it to be pretty gore heavy and disturbing, which is probably what a lot of people are looking for in horror, but isn't my cup of tea, as I prefer something more psychological, more don't show the monster. However I did think the character development was well done for the most part, and the conclusion had a little more substance than what I was expecting.

In 1998, 5 friends came across a staircase in the woods. One friend went up, the stair case disappeared, and they never saw him again. 20 years later the remaining friends stumble upon another staircase. This time they are determined to find their friend. This was so creepy, there are scenes that will definitely stick with me for a while. I loved how flawed the characters were and each person had their own baggage but they accepted each other and loved each other despite their flaws. This was more than just a horror story about some creepy stairs, its about finding a family and accepting the darkest parts of ourselves. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/ Del Rey for providing me with a digital arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Growing up and living in New England, I've seen many old stone home foundations, chimneys, and staircases in the woods but I will NEVER look at one the same again. I am shooketh. This book was fantastic.

So clever, witty, funny (at times), loaded with metaphor (I don't think I've ever highlighted as many sections on my Kindle before - very quotable but I will refrain since the book is not officially released yet), exploration of household/childhood trauma (TW: sexual abuse, verbal/mental abuse, drug abuse), the evolution of lifelong friendships, bursting with horror, and video game logic (my personal favorite and unexpected aspect). The book also contained a lot of introspection of the characters, but it was balanced nicely with the pacing and description of the events surrounding them so it still held my interest and didn't feel like constant droning or a lack of dialogue between characters.

I loved the exploration of friendship as the main theme throughout the book. Most of the story came from the perspective of Lore and Owen, but sections alternated between past and present events including POVs from Lore, Owen, Hamish, Nick and Matty. The book focused much less on Matty than I anticipated, but the ending BLEW MY MIND. I would love a sequel focused on Matty's perspective.

HIGHLY recommend this book if you like horror and puzzles and problem solving!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Del Ray for the eARC! <3

#thestaircaseinthewoods #netgalley

Book number 14! If you’re an avid hiker or avid junkie of the strange and unusual, you’ve probably heard of the “staircase in the woods” phenomenon. While there is normally a perfectly reasonable explanation for encountering a random staircase that leads to nothing in the woods, urban legends have, of course, created alternative explanations. If you encounter a staircase in the woods, there is one rule you should follow at all costs; never, ever climb the stairs. However, that is exactly what happens when our five teenage misfits stumble upon a staircase in the woods while out for a weekend camping trip in 1998. Lore, Matty, Owen, Nick, and Hamish are all rising seniors in high school and all have an axe to grind with the world… and each other. No matter what though, when one of them invokes The Covenant, they all snap together like a circle of protection. Whoever calls The Covenant gets what they need, no questions asked. That is, until that one fateful night in 1998 when Matty invokes The Covenant for the first time in their friendship and the other four say no. To prove a point. Matty jokingly climbs the stairs they stumbled upon earlier, but once he reaches the top…Matty disappears right in front of his friends’ eyes. 25 years later, now complete strangers to each other, Nick invokes The Covenant. They failed Matty. It’s time they right a wrong they should’ve righted long ago. It’s time to find out what happened to Matty…even if it kills them all. The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig is a brutal look at friendship, the trauma of home, and the meaning of loyalty. Our homes see all of us; the good, the bad, the devastating, and the ugly. It sees the joy, yes. However, it also sees the screaming, the violence, and death. Sometimes home isn’t just where the heart is. Sometimes home is where hell is. What does that have to do with a staircase in the woods? I guess you’ll have to read and find out! But be prepared, this book has pretty much every trigger warning in existence. Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about Wendig’s character work. Lore, Owen, Matty, Nick, and Hamish were each unique. They had their own traumas, own personalities, and own way of responding to situations. I think creating these characters that were so dissimilar, yet could work together when it counted was genius. Lore was confident, brash, independent, and narcissistic. But underneath that exterior, was a traumatized child that grew up without a present parent. Lore had to take care of themselves from an early age. They didn’t have a choice. Lore could only ever count on themselves, so they built that “I don’t need anyone” shell and it colored every life decision they made. Owen, on the other hand, was the biggest ball of anxiety I’ve ever seen on the written page. Owen was the opposite of Lore in many ways. He had no confidence, he didn’t believe in himself for a single second, he was shy, nervous to the point of self-harm, and willing to let life pass him by without meaning. Owen grew up with a verbally abusive father and a mother that allowed it. He grew up being told he wasn’t wanted, should never have existed in the first place. And that broke him. Each of the other characters had a home life and personality that was different from the others, that directly resulted in their individual personalities and decisions. Wendig did absolutely genius character work in this book. Every character felt like a completely real human being. The story work was also great. Our character’s traumas interweaved with what they experienced in the search for Matty. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but this was one of the most visceral and horrifying books I’ve ever read. The descriptions were nightmarish. The worst part wasn’t that the horrors were some nameless, faceless monster. The worst part was that the horrors were a very real part of the human experience; the trauma, sickness, violence, blood, and death that some people experience in the place that should be their safest location; their homes. If you’re going to read this book, be prepared to enter the labyrinth of horror that is the staircase in the woods. Be warned though, if you’re looking to fully escape reality, this book is set in modern day with mention of COVID and current politics included. Special thanks to NetGalley and Del Ray Publishing for allowing me to read an early copy. This book launches April 29, 2025. 4/5 stars