Okay, so never climb random staircases sitting in the woods. Got it. I mean, I don't think I have the requisite amount of bravery needed to do such a thing anyway (I would have hauled myself in the opposite direction so quickly that there would have been a smoke trail) and I probably never would have agreed to camp out in the woods to begin with (eww, bugs), but it's still good to have a list of this stuff, I think.

But, yeah, this one was creepy. It's hard to say much without spoiling things, but it leans pretty heavily on the classic “a group of friends return home to right a supernatural wrong that occurred when they were teenagers” trope. That's not a bad thing – it's one of my favorite tropes in all of literature, probably due to me having read Stephen King's It at far too young and influenceable of an age – but expect the usual flashbacks and adults with major unresolved trauma and such. And it is kind of It-ish in parts: the initial summoning home by the one person who stayed behind, the single female friend who is the object of a secret crush, the fat kid turned not fat adult, and a teenage gangbang. Ha ha, just kidding on that last one … that's all King (thank goodness).

Once the adult group of friends – and I don't think I'm spoiling anything to say this because the book blurb hints at it really, really strongly – ascend the staircase in the woods for the second time, things get supremely wonky. Everything that comes afterward is (initially) confusing and disturbing and kind of sad, but it's also completely enthralling. It's a horror story, for sure, but it's also a story of friendship and guilt and grief and letting go of the past, and it's almost unputdownable (figuratively, anyway - I had to put it down a lot since my husband being home from work for two weeks totally disrupted my reading schedule).

My one minor complaint? The writing is a little repetitive at times. It's mostly unavoidable due to the nature of the book, I think, but there's definitely a lot of rehashing the same subjects and doing the same things over and over. It isn't a huge distraction from the story and it's kind of necessary to the plot, but it's something to be aware of, I suppose.

So, yeah. Overall, The Staircase in the Woods a creepy and entertaining read that takes an old horror trope in new directions. If you're a fan of creepy staircase horror (which may or may not be a subgenre that I just made up), definitely considering giving this one a read. 4.35 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Ray for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. It's expected publication date is April 29, 2025.

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

Wendig has done a wonderful job of creating yet another thriller story! This stand-alone novel takes us on a guilt-trip for a group of friends that lasts for years. As adults, they are tricked into climbing a random staircase found int he woods that takes to a place none would have suspected, for a goal that int heir hearts, they believe they want.

What is it about random staircases showing up in weird places, yet not in cities, etc? I did not take the time to 'Google' it, but either way, Wendig has taken an unexpected element and made it a focal point of a story. The novel is a nice read, and though not quite a horror story, does bring in elements that could make it considered as such. Overall, was a good read for the day, and look forward to future stories from this author.

I don’t read a ton of horror, but I absolutely loved this book and will be thinking about it for months to come. The premise is familiar & deeply unsettling: finding a staircase in the middle of the woods. I’ve read reddit no sleep stories about such a thing that stuck with me for years, so once I saw the title of this I knew I had to read it. Add in old friends coming back together after a traumatic event (which is one of my favorite tropes) & you have one of the best books I’ve read all year.

The characters are all SO well written. You pick up on so many details about them, their psyche, their trauma, how they feel about each other as well as the world around them. By the end of the book I cared about each of them despite various faults, I understood where all of them came from. There were even little bits of them, phrases here & there, that made them all feel so real to me, like they were no different than me or my friends.

The storyline went far beyond what I would have imagined given the initial plot summary. It was scary, it was gory, it crawled into my mind & didn’t leave until I finally finished.

I can’t recommend this book enough. This was my first ARC & I didn’t go into it expecting a ton, I hadn’t heard of the author (since I don’t read much horror) & thought maybe because of the premise being familiar that the writing would feel juvenile, but I was beyond wrong. It was fantastic. 10/10!!

My only gripes are; I don’t like the use of the word unalived. It is timely, but the word itself is just ugh. I don’t want it coming into everyone’s vocabulary. I also would’ve liked a few more chapters but I do feel like things tied up nicely & understand the impact the end being where it was had on the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this early!!!

This book gives new meaning to the term haunted house. It’s deliciously creepy. I had no idea what to expect most of the time and the story kept me guessing until the end. I didn’t really like Lore’s character, she seemed a little too “woke” for me, but that would probably be the only negative of the book. I couldn’t figure out if the end was a cliffhanger and we should expect a sequel, or just use our imagination as to what happens next.

I wanted so badly to love this one. And I’m giving it 3.5 stars, rounded down, but I also feel like my feelings overall will change so much as time goes by.

I’ve always been semi obsessed with the creepypasta of staircases in the woods. As far as urban legends go it’s pretty damn spooky. But where do you go once the stairs are climbed? I’m not sure it needed to be explained in 300+ pages.

I liked the idea of a shifting haunted house, like Cube. But the characters were mostly grating and the pop culture references made me want to cry. Also, things were described that didn’t need to be. You telling me it’s a sunburst mirror from the 70s is explanation enough for me to imagine it without an extra paragraph of detail.

It felt like Wendig was writing this for Gen Z, but with a writing style more for boomers. I never felt truly creeped out, although there was plenty of disturbing imagery. But at the same time, I had fun. I think.

"We're all really f*cked up and just trying to get through life, and it's better when we do it together instead of alone."

This was a great spooky season read - I started out ambivalent, thinking it was another book full of unlikeable characters, albeit ones trying to solve the mystery of their friend who disappeared years ago when they were all on a camping trip. The Staircase in the Woods ends up as a treatise on the bonds of friendship, the ache of generational trauma, and how a house can be a home both for good and for bad. Nick calls his old friend group, Laur, Owen, and Hamish, together under dire pretenses to coerce them to search for Matty, who disappeared up a staircase in the woods several years ago on a group camping trip. The friends find ANOTHER staircase in the woods and use it as their opportunity to fix their guilt and save Matty if it's not too late.

The staircase leads to a seemingly neverending house of horrors, and each friend is forced to reckon with their pasts while trying to drum up the strength to move forward through fear and trauma. There is definitely some gore, which is not usually my thing, but it wasn't constant and the storyline really started to deepen and grow on my about 50% in. There are some DEEP themes here, but ultimately the bonds of friendship are tested over and over again as the friends attempt to make their way back to the real world.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of this book.

I’ve had Chuck Wendig books on my TBR for ages. I will now be going through the back catalogue for sure!

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a story of a friendship group broken by a loss surrounded by mystery. They get back together years after the event and a trippy and scary mystery unfolds.

I loved this one - was instantly hooked with the mystery and intrigue and I love a bit of horror. It wasn’t too gory but the psychological warfare that unfurls really has me curling my toes. Would definitely recommend when this comes out next year

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

I loved the book of accidents and I loved this even more! It kept me guessing and honestly, really creeped me out. There were nights where I couldn't read this before bed because I knew I'd be on edge (and also not sleep until I finished it!)

Chuck Wendig is an amazing author, his characters always have such distinct personalities and his stories are so haunting and keep you guessing right until the last page. Will definitely be recommending!

This book completely captivated me from the very first page! As a child of the nineties, I found so much of myself in these characters—each one is a vivid reflection of the joys and challenges of growing up in that era. The journey they undertake delves into some truly dark places, and I felt every ounce of their emotional reckoning. It’s a gripping exploration of personal struggles that resonates deeply.

If you’re a fan of the nostalgic adventures in Stranger Things, the gaming escapades of Ready Player One, or the imaginative adventures of Every Heart a Doorway, then this book is an absolute must-read! The ending left me craving more in the best possible way. I found myself reflecting on it long after I turned the last page.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.
I went into this completely blind. Having read from this author before, I knew this was gonna be trippy, weird puzzle like reading experience. Unlikable characters that grow on you, as you learn of their emotional journey and trauma of growing up. Idk how I felt about mentions of video games, but once I finished the book I realized what the author did here. This truly was a video game in a book. Overall I was fully invested in the story and as always, authors writing style, effortless!
My review is posted on bookstagram @readbyjr and Goodreads @JR

Wow… where do I begin… Well I’m going to keep it spoiler free for others to enjoy this book like I did. BUT just as I finish the first page this book had me hooked. As the story starts to move we find out high schoolers are going to camp in the woods. What could go wrong? Am I right? Well this ain’t your old cliché kids go camping in the woods story. Dark, terrifying and haunting tale from Mr Wendig and look forward to more from him! I loved this book.

Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity to read this book early. I definitely will be adding a physical copy for my collection when it drops!

So, this one went places I never would have expected! Chuck Wendig never fails to surprise me. Pretty solid 4 stars in my book.

Lore, Owen, Matty, Nick, and Hamish are a crew of high school friends bound by what they call The Covenant. Each have their own background of family trauma whether the rest of the group know about it or not. This trauma is what shaped their response when Matty vanishes from the top of a mysterious staircase in the woods. Twenty years post staircase mishap, they are each living their own separate lives without Matty until Nick calls upon The Covenant to get them all back together for a weekend away. Unbeknownst to them, he has some tricks up his sleeve.

I know, I know. This is pretty much just the blurb on the back of the book, right? But man there is no way I can say anything else without ruining it.

I can tell you about the vibes. Think escape rooms, video games, purgatory, and even his previous Book of Accidents. This one is a bit different than his others, so don’t go in thinking you’ll run into an apple orchard cult or an all-knowing AI. If you want to go on an adventure like none other, pick this one up. It’s kinda crazy.

There’s also a theme to this one- The heart is where the home is. And no, I didn’t say it backwards.

Downsides. Technical stuff that I had no clue about. But it doesn’t ruin the story. Some repetition, but there’s a point to it. Politics. If you can’t stand certain things, or read to escape from what’s happening in the world, this might not be it for you.

A great thank you goes out to Chuck Wendig, Del Rey, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was solid. Believable, nuanced, and broken characters, strong world building, great writing, and a fresh idea that I haven't encountered before. A 5-star read for me.

This book tackles many heavy topics of grief, guilt, childhood traumas, abandonment, abuse, and more. Combine all that with a setting that is specifically designed to mentally destroy you, and you have a book filled with a palpable tension. I have seen some other reviewers make comparisons to Stephen King - most notably the book 'IT' - which I can understand. The nostalgia vibes are here, along with some similarities surrounding the group of kids coming back together as adults to face something evil from their past. But this book definitely charts its own course and deserves to be judged on its own merits.

There are some pacing issues and parts of the story started to get repetitive when I was anxiously waiting to see how things were going to play out, but I also found myself eager to dive back into the book every time I had to set it down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Random House/Del Rey for the advanced copy of this book to read and review.

1) Short chapters. LOVE short chapters!
2) The characters are relatable right off the bat.
3) The authors style of writing is kinda unique in its own way.
4) Page TURNER.
5) One of a kind and made you feel like you were in the book with the characters fighting there way through hell.

Chuck Wendig really knows how to write those shiver-inducing novels. This one started off fairly innocuous, and quickly grew into something extremely creepy and spooky. Well done. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Not my favorite Chuck Wendig book ever, but I did enjoy it. It's a story of friendship and growing up, and growing apart, and coming back together. Plus, a spooky staircase and an evil house. All good stuff. I wish there were a few less Minecraft references, and a little more to the climax, but it was really the journey getting there that made it an enjoyable experience. If you're a fan of Chuck, you'll surely enjoy this story as well.

The Staircase in the Woods by C. Wendig, published by Random House World, is a dark read.
Confusing, complex, I was nearly giving up when I got into the story.
An ok read.
Blurb: Five high school friends are bonded to protect one another no matter what.
Then, on a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something extraordinary: a mysterious staircase to nowhere.
One friend walks up—and never comes back down. Then the staircase disappears.
Twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared. Now the group returns to find the lost boy—and what lies beyond the staircase in the woods.

Oh so we just ending books like that?! There is was swiping on my kindle like nope, that can't be it.
A great spooky season read. Very unsettling. I have questions but the supernatural can't be explained. I just...I didn't want to put it down because I had to know what the heck was going on. And when I knew, I was still puzzled. I kind of wish we had some chapters from before with Matty's POV. But this was super creepy and just, why! See this is why I just mind my business and don't touch things that look out of place when I'm out hiking. You're not going to see me disappear like this. Nope no thanks.
The chapters were short so even when I felt like I was blowing through, jokes on me I had 50 chapters still. Well written, well thought out.

4.5 🌟 As a die hard horror fan I was completely enthralled by The Staircase in the Woods.

We follow four friends Owen, Lore, Nick and Hamish years after a camping trip that ended in disaster. In 1998 five of them went into the woods for a night of booze and debauchery but only four returned. Golden boy Matty vanished without a trace that night and the four friends have been dealing with that loss in their separate ways since.

Then Nick invokes an old pact they made (the Covenant) which brings them all back together in a sinister unexpected way.

I have to leave it there to avoid spoilers but trust that it because a wild rollercoaster thrill from here. Some genuinely scary scenes juxtaposed with real heart at its core.

The character development was excellently drip fed throughout making for truly heart wrenching moments. The tension and atmosphere palpable. The conclusion so satisfying.

Also the Interlude chapter is perfection 🤩

I will only say that the first 30% of the book could be slightly better paced to really hook the reader before all hell breaks loose as I felt some of it was a bit tedious before it kicked off. Also, I found some of the similes and metaphors a bit overwritten but they didn’t spoil my enjoyment too much.

Overall a very solid 4.5 stars. Would definitely recommend this to any horror fan and I imagine it would also be better on a re-read too. Look forward to reading more from Chuck Wendig in the future!

Remember: home is where the heat is 😉

Thanks to NetGalley for arc of this book

4.5 stars

I keep seeing other reviewer use the word unsettling, and I 100% have to agree with that. Wendig always comes through with a completely engrossing story, that leaves you both satisfied and wanting more of that’s possible. I have already placed my preorder on this one as I feel I may have missed some thing and it is certainly worthy of more read throughs regardless.