Not my cup of tea. Strong start, meandering middle that felt like it would never end (though probably the point, thematically speaking), and an ending that I personally did not find satisfying.

This novel was creepy and atmospheric, and I loved all of it. This book was five stars, amazing! I saw a lot of reviews hoping for a sequel for Matty, and I am here for it!

This book is going to haunt my nightmares. No seriously, I know this book is going to follow me into my subconscious, and I hate it. When I requested this ARC I thought I would be getting myself a lite little horror, possibly coming of age tale; I was in fact, WRONG. So wrong, this is the horror read of the year. I STRONGLY recommend that you research trigger warnings before picking up this nightmare fuel.
This is the story of a group of friends who swear to always stick together, but when they find a mysterious staircase in the woods, they break their vow and one never returns; shattering their bonds and friendship. Decades later, after a desperate plea, they all come back together to find the one they left behind. Up the staircase they all go, finding themselves trapped in a true house of horrors.
Wendig has not pulled any punches in this novel. It is a story of friendship, yes; but also a story of pain, trauma, betrayal, trauma and the horrors that happen behind the closed doors of a home. This novel at times made me sick to my stomach, want to scream, cry and turn back on all my lights. (Really, I am a true crime addict and scenes of this book made me want to vomit). If you love venturing into the depths of human depravity, look no further, this is the book for you.

Loved the overall idea of "The Staircase in the Woods." Creep and terrifying, while also taking a closer look at human bonds and relationships. Would love to see a sequel following Matty!

First book of the year! 🎉

I spent much of today in bed reading The Staircase in the Woods. I live in a small Wisconsin town that has a path running around the entire lake. Most of the homes on the lake are lavish mansions and you cut through their yards if you decide to go for a stroll on the path. You'll also find wooded patches and empty plots. However, there are two staircases on the path, amid trees, leading to nowhere. They've always been odd and fascinating even though the rational brain can puzzle why they're out there at all. For that reason, I was immediately interested in Wendig's latest.

I was drawn in by the writing. This is a haunted house story but it's also one about the trials and tribulations of friendship and how life can wring you out and suck you dry if you let it. I thoroughly enjoyed my read. Wendig is so very talented.

The ending did, however, leave me wanting more.

I enjoyed this story. It is sometimes hard to keep track of multiple people’s stories and keep them all straight but the author did a great job of not confusing the reader.
I loved the concept of the house and rooms in the house.
I also loved the incorporation of video games without going overboard.
I hope that there will be a sequel to this that follows Matty’s story line.

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig

Into the depths of the adolescent psyche we roam. A group of outcasts, plus Matty the outlier, dubbed the moniker “The Covenant,” one that invokes a pact among friends to have each other’s back. One does not trudge through life alone; if you fight one, you must fight them all. They choose to take a well-needed break from normal society and party among the beautiful landscapes of the backwoods. In search of relief, they discover a set of stairs seemingly leading nowhere. In its investigation, a member of the group goes missing and is assumed deceased by them and the local community. Facing ostrization from the locals for a crime not yet proven, they attempt to move on with their lives. Chuck Wendig timewarps readers decades forward, through a blackhole of interpersonal strife and drudgery. The emotional baggage long thought to be stored away from the individual thought patterns has beckoned all of the participants to make amends. In a startling turn of events, they find another set of stairs, yet this time they all decide to see where they lead. This choice unleashes a terrifying chain of events in an effort to solve Matty's disappearance. There is something lurking in the dark, but the question is: who or what?

Thought-provoking elements immediately grabbed my attention. The hardships of each character shape their personalities like playdough, lending to irrational decision-making. Pitting them against one another is ever-provoking. This is a horror story at its core, but with a feel of each member coming of age. An illusionary bleakness follows the group incessantly, leaving me feeling empathetic. One that challenges their maturity and questions themselves. There was character depth evolving at every glance, inviting my undivided attention. Which leads us into my complaint about this book. I felt as if it lingered too long. Various times testing my patience to get on with the action already without any need for explanation. There is no denying Wendig’s talent as a writer. I could not shake the feeling of wanting to move forward and yet being confined to staying put. I could liken it to standing in an airport queue looking forward to arriving in a tropical destination. There was a certain amount of irritation in waiting to get to the point, despite the anticipation.

For fans of horror, this was a good read. Proving that Chuck Wendig is capable of creating a tumultuous environment, I look forward to reading another one of his offerings to compare. Although I did not think it was a bullseye, it was definitely not a total letdown. I am giving this 3.5 stars and rounding up to 4 stars.

Many thanks to Random House Worlds/Del Ray for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

oh my god..... i love this i am obsessed
this is so much more than a horror story, it's also a story about friendship, guilt, grief and it was as much sad as it was horrifying to read

I LOVED Staircase in the Woods. I think it has a lot of tropes that appeal to me and to a lot of Horror fans I see on social. Super fast paced and impactful, the characters I found to be pretty relatable. I did get “It” vibes from the beginning, but it quickly became a classic in its own right.

I’m a huge fan of Chuck Wendig and love the endings of his I’ve read. They’re not neat and tidy but definitely leave you wanting more.

Did this book have an editor?

I mean... look, the lore and conspiracy theories around the staircases in the woods are not for everyone. I'm generally a skeptic, so I've never really bought into that. But I thought Wendig would add some plotting around that story. Which we kind of get, but not really.

The pacing here did not make sense. Big jumps in time somehow don't result in corresponding decreases in phone battery? The inclusion of a character who uses she/they pronouns felt icky and performative because they were thereafter only referred to as she - so why mention the pronouns then?

In lieu of a plot centered on these staircases, we get at lot of body horror content and a character-driven story. I don't mind a character-driven story, but that's not what we were promised here. And I adore a well-used flashback, but we didn't need one every single time there was finally something happening in the plot.

This was a great big no from me.


A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Chuck Wendig for this early read ARC. Pub Date: April 29, 2025.

Chuck Wendig delivers a haunting, unforgettable story that explores the bonds of friendship, the weight of trauma, and the fight to hold onto hope in the face of unimaginable horror. I went in expecting something good—because Wendig always delivers—but this blew me away.

The story follows a group of misfit kids in the late 1990s, whose tight-knit bond is reminiscent of the Loser's Club in Stephen King’s IT. One summer night, they stumble upon a staircase in the middle of the woods. It seems to lead nowhere, but when one of them climbs it and vanishes, the group is left devastated and broken. Thirty years later, they reunite, still haunted by the past, and decide to face the staircase once more. This time, they step into a horrifying alternate world filled with unimaginable dangers and are forced to confront their deepest fears, darkest secrets, and unresolved traumas.

What sets this book apart is how deeply Wendig delves into the human condition. It’s not just about surviving a nightmare—it’s about confronting the wounds we carry, the choices we make, and the ties that bind us together. The character of Lore felt so real, I could have sworn parts of her story were pulled from my own life. Wendig’s ability to write characters that resonate on such a personal level is masterful.

The world-building is vivid and terrifying, a surreal maze that’s equal parts grotesque and fascinating. It reminded me of the 1997 film The Cube, but with more emotional depth. The pacing is relentless, the tension is palpable, and the stakes are sky-high.

This is horror at its best—not just monsters and nightmares, but a raw, visceral exploration of humanity’s darkness and resilience. If you love character-driven horror with a surreal twist, this is a must-read. Wendig has crafted a story that’s as emotionally impactful as it is terrifying.

This book is the 1997 movie Cube meets the power of friendship. Read this when you're in a particular headspace.

TW: suicide , murder, self harm, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, just about everything you can think of.

In “The Staircase in the Woods," Chuck Wendig weaves a haunting narrative that blends horror, mystery, and deep emotional resonance, leaving a lasting impression long after turning the final page.

With his signature masterful prose, Wendig crafts a tightly spun tale filled with characters who feel like old friends. As you navigate through spine-tingling suspense and heart-wrenching drama, your pulse quickens and your stomach churns, creating an experience that is anything but ordinary. Prepare yourself for a journey into the depths of fear and humanity that only the bold should undertake.

At the story's core lies “The Covenant,” a group of five friends whose lives spiral into chaos after a terrifying incident in which one vanishes into the abyss of a mysterious staircase deep in the woods. Fast forward twenty years and the scars of that fateful day still shape their realities, pushing them toward self-destructive paths and creating rifts that appear impossible to mend. When the staircase re-emerges, old wounds are reopened, prompting the friends to confront their past and venture into the unknown to rescue their missing friend — a daunting challenge filled with horrors beyond their imagination.

Wendig skillfully alternates between past and present, illuminating the evolution and deterioration of their once unbreakable bonds. He richly develops each character's history and inner struggles, allowing for an intricate exploration of their pasts. This depth transforms the narrative from a simple quest into a harrowing examination of survival, guilt, and the desperate search for closure. The heavy themes resonate deeply, ensuring that the emotional weight hits as hard as the unsettling moments of terror.

The story unfolds gradually, acting as a slow burn that kindles suspense and builds toward a nail-biting climax. The horror is grotesque and psychological, with the staircase as the enigmatic centrepiece. Wendig artfully reflects the characters' primal fears and regrets, intertwining elements of body horror and surreal menace that may linger long after you’ve closed the book. For anyone who's ever wrestled with anxiety, feared the unknown lurking in the shadows, or grappled with their inner critic, the terrors in this tale will feel all too relatable.

Yet, amid the chills and spine-tingling encounters, themes of friendship, loyalty, and redemption elevate this novel to extraordinary heights. “The Staircase in the Woods” is as much about the ties that bind us as it is about the spectral horrors that haunt us. These relatable themes make the terrifying moments even more gut-wrenching. We've all felt the pangs of drifting apart from friends, the awkwardness of reuniting with someone who has changed, or the burden of grudges carried for too long. Wendig encourages us to ponder meaningful questions: How far would you go for someone you love? What happens when grief, guilt, and fear collide? How well do we know those closest to us?

More than just an eerie staircase, this story delves into the ghosts of our pasts, the fraying threads of friendship, and the lengths we’ll go to right our wrongs. It serves as a chilling reminder that the scariest journeys often lead us within ourselves and that confronting our past can be the greatest challenge for all. For those who crave supernatural horror infused with heart and depth, Chuck Wendig delivers an unforgettable experience that strikes at the core of what it means to be human.

I highly recommend adding this to your TBR list! You won’t be disappointed! The expected release date for “The Staircase in the Woods” by Chuck Wendig is April 29, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Worlds, and Del Rey for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’ve been excited for this book all year, and it did not disappoint. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC—I couldn’t wait to dive in. This story follows five high school friends bound by a promise to always look out for each other. Their bond is tested when they stumble on a mysterious staircase in the woods that leads, quite literally, to nowhere. When one friend climbs up and never returns, the staircase vanishes—only to reappear twenty years later, drawing them back to solve the chilling mystery of what really happened that night.

The sense of dread grows with every page, and the eerie setting of that impossible staircase is enough to keep you up at night. If you’re a fan of the author’s The Book of Accidents, you’ll find the same mesmerizing blend of horror, heart, and unforgettable atmosphere here. It’s a gripping tale of friendship, the things we fear, and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love. Definitely one of my top reads of the year.

This was an interesting concept. Very atmospheric and just stairs in the woods stories are always a fun concept to play around with. The characters didn't hit for me though. I had no attachment to them personally even if I was intrigued by the friend dynamic. Odd how that can work like that. The cover is great though and with the right narrator this has potential as a creepy read / listen for fans of thrillers.

Is home where the heart is or is the heart where the home is? Five friends find a staircase in the woods, one of them climbs it only to disappear. Years later, the rest of the friends begin a journey to find him but also themselves. A heartbreaking but heartfelt look at the human condition.

This novel pits 4 former friends back together as they rediscover an old terror that they hope to overcome.

This book was well constructed I wished that Marty, Nick, and Hamish were explored more we found the trauma they faced but not much else.

This book was a little harder to get into than I thought it would be. I couldn't really relate to the characters because each of their personalities seemed to be an extreme of their biggest personality trait. It also felt forced and fake.

I almost stopped reading at the beginning because of the rants about politics and gender/sexual identification. It felt so weird and forced and like someone's dad wrote it to prove they could be "hip with the times," and it just missed the mark and felt bizarre.

I liked the concept of the story, but the overall execution just wasn't for me.

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig kept me hooked all the way to the end. A really fantastic story.

Chuck Wendig’s The Staircase in the Woods is a captivating, atmospheric blend of horror, nostalgia, and mystery that reeled me in, held tight, and refused to let go.

The heart of the story begins in the late 1990s, when five teenage friends stumble upon a mysterious staircase in the woods—one that leads to nowhere. When one of the friends climbs the staircase and vanishes, the four that remain are fractured and haunted by the past. Decades later, they reunite as adults to confront a new staircase and the secrets it holds.

Wendig excels at creating a world that feels both eerily surreal and deeply personal. The book starts with a slow, deliberate unraveling of each character’s life, building the kind of emotional stakes that make every strange and terrifying moment hit harder. And once the group steps into the unknown, the tension ratchets up to an almost unbearable level.

What’s exists beyond the staircase? What does it want? Every page is laced with dread and anticipation as the friends navigate a labyrinth that seems to know them all too well.

The atmosphere that Wendig created drew me in. He's crafted a fascinating and horrifying environment filled with a sense of unease that lingered with me long after I turned the last page.

Additionally, each of the characters in this story feels fully realized, and their relationships are the beating heart of the story.

There is a palpable sense of mystery throughout the book. Every revelation is layered with meaning, pulling you deeper into a narrative that’s as emotional as it is chilling

If you love books that mix psychological horror with unrelenting suspense, The Staircase in the Woods will have you hooked. This story explores friendship, memory, and the things we can’t outrun—set against a brilliantly executed backdrop of creeping terror.

Chuck Wendig has written a tale that’s as unsettling as it is captivating. With its blend of nostalgia, mystery, and sheer horror, The Staircase in the Woods kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This is one of those rare stories that had me staying up well past my bedtime while telling myself, “just one more chapter”. I can’t wait to see what Wendig writes next.

4.5/5 stars