"In the secret dark of such a place, sometimes, something awakens.

Something new.

Something terrible, with eyes open wide and a powerful hunger."

Chuck Wendig is an automatic yes for me. I love his writing style and this book is no exception.

Five friends go on a camping trip when they stumble on a mysterious staircase in the middle of the woods. One of the friends goes up the staircase and never returns.

Twenty years later the friends reconnect when the staircase returns.

This is a great mix of plotting and emotion as all the characters are dealing with pain in their pasts, which they have to face if they have any hope of rescuing their friend and getting out alive.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Worlds for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wendig's best work. It is mysterious, eerie, and evocative; propels you to continue reading, if only because of the anxiety inducing fear that constantly builds with each page. Definitely check it out if you enjoyed his previous releases--or love horror in general!

An absolute delight! I loved not only the pacing of the story, but the telling of it as well. From start to end, I was given an adventure!

Book Review: The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 Stars

I received an ARC of The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig, and I have to say—it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Wendig has this unique ability to create an atmosphere that feels unnervingly real, which is what drew me to the book in the first place. His writing style is sharp, gritty, and pulls you in with this dark sense of curiosity. There’s no denying that he knows how to set up an eerie, suspense-filled scene.

The premise of the book is super intriguing: a mysterious staircase appears in the woods, and as the story unfolds, it’s clear that it’s not just a random anomaly but a manifestation of something far more sinister. I loved the mystery and the potential for a creepy, slow-burn story. Wendig takes you through this strange, supernatural territory, keeping you guessing about what’s real and what’s not, which I really appreciated.

However, where the book lost me was with the pacing and character development. The first half of the book felt a little slow, and I struggled to really connect with the characters. There were moments where I felt like I was being told about their struggles, but not necessarily feeling them. I get that Wendig is all about the atmosphere and the creeping dread, but I just wanted a little more depth to ground the horror. I think I needed a bit more emotional investment in the people who were going through these bizarre and terrifying experiences.

By the time the story picks up in the second half, it definitely had its moments of tension and twists that I wasn’t expecting. But, honestly, I had already checked out a bit by then. The payoff was decent, but it didn’t completely make up for the dragging pace in the beginning.

I also wasn’t completely satisfied with the ending. It felt like Wendig was trying to leave things open-ended and unsettling, which I get, but I still wanted a little more resolution or explanation. Sometimes, ambiguity can be powerful, but here it felt like a cop-out.

Overall, The Staircase in the Woods is a solid read for anyone who’s into weird horror with a supernatural twist. But for me, the lack of strong character development and the slow pacing kept it from being the home run I was hoping for. It’s definitely got potential, but it didn't quite land as well as I wanted it to.

If you're a fan of Wendig's work or enjoy atmospheric horror, it’s worth giving a try—but don’t expect it to be the type of thriller you can’t put down

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Well this was fantastic! Chuck wendig is an auto read author and this book just cements that .

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book

Thank you to the publisher, the author and to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Staircase in the Woods was a JOURNEY! I feel this book should come with a heavy content warning for gore, violence, and self harm. That said, I found myself having to cover the next paragraph because my eyes were desperate to jump ahead!

This book follows a friend group of four as they try to figure out what happened to their friend who disappeared many years ago, up a staircase in the woods. It’s hard to share much without spoiling the plot, but just know that you should NEVER climb a staircase (a window, a door, NADA) in the woods. 👀

Readers who love horror, gore, gamer culture, and dual timeline / multi POV stories will enjoy this book.

I've always been captivated by the eerie tales of mysterious staircases found deep in the woods, passed down through generations across the world. The Staircase in the Woods brings these legends to life in a gripping and immersive way. The story is not only engaging but also an absolute page-turner that kept me hooked from start to finish.

A group of friends happen across a mysterious staircase deep in the woods, one friend walks up the stairs and is never seen again. Then, twenty years later the same group of friends walk up another set of mysterious stairs in search of answers.

I was immediately hooked by the concept of this story, but this get DARKDARK. While the start may be slow, the rest of the book is so tragic and dark I had some trouble finishing.

This is definitely a book in the realm of Stephen Kings writing, and it is not without merit that Chuck Wendig is often compared to him. The sad part of this is that I absolutely hate Stephen king’s writing… That being said, I highly recommend you read this book if you are a fan of Stephen kings writing.

This is my second (and probably last) book from Chuck Wendig I have read, and while the ideas for the book sound amazing, I do not think that we fit together. I’m not even sure why, but his books just do not seem to work for me.

Thanks to Netgalley, Del Rey: Random House Worlds and the author Chuck Wendig for allowing me to read an E-Arc of this novel.

This was my first book by Wendig and I’m absolutely blown away. Immediately his prose and writing style sucked me in and would not let me go. Wendig is a master story teller.

The magical nature of the stairs mixed with the grotesque scenes throughout the story was a refreshing change of pace from other horror authors. For me, I think some of the scenes (some of the rooms) were a bit over the top in terms of horror. The amount of torture, death, filth, abuse…. It was just a lot for one book. And yet I found myself enraptured by Wendig’s masterful writing.

I do hope the publishers will have a trigger warning at the beginning of this book because boy, oh, boy this gets dark. VERY DARK.

I absolutely loved The Staircase in the Woods. Incredible, incredible, incredible.

Trigger Warnings: child death (on page), pedophilia (not on page), murder, suicide (on page), maggots, political/COVID discussions, dead animals, abduction (and these are only the MAJOR ones).

The concept of this book was fantastic, wildly imaginative, and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed this book most of the time, however, the author’s constant insertion of his political beliefs made some sections of the book eye-rollingly frustrating at best and virtually unreadable at worst. Honestly almost a DNF for me after Lore’s tirade about 20% into the book, but I stuck around because I knew there was a lot of potential in this premise, and -DESPITE the soapbox preaching of the author- I was not disappointed. Docking 1.5 stars due to your politics intruding on my recreational reading Chuck.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for sending me a free advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was very creepy, terrifying, and even disgusting at times. It gave me Stephen King "It" vibes, with the supernatural element. It's that classic "teens go into a forest and one doesn't come back", where they come back together years later to try to get answers. While I enjoyed the story, the writing was often repetitive, it seemed unnecessarily disturbing and gross, and the "woke" politics and theories were irrelevant for this story and took value away from the story itself. 3 stars Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This group was an unforgettable adventure! I loved how the author spun a captivating tale that seamlessly blends nostalgia, mystery, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. The story kicks off with a camping trip gone awry when one of the friends walks up a staircase to nowhere and vanishes, leaving the rest of the group haunted by his disappearance. Fast forward twenty years, and the staircase reappears, prompting the now-adult friends to return to the forest in search of answers and their lost companion. The dynamic between the friends is heartwarming and relatable, with each character bringing their own quirks and histories to the table. As they confront the eerie staircase and the secrets it holds, you'll find yourself rooting for them and reminiscing about your own childhood adventures. The author does a fantastic job of weaving together suspense and sentimentality, making this book a page-turner with plenty of twists and turns.

If you love stories about lifelong friendships, eerie mysteries, and a dash of supernatural intrigue, then this a must-read. Grab your flashlight and join the gang as they uncover what lies beyond the staircase in the woods!

I was initially drawn to this book because of a famous creepypasta with a similar name (also mentioned in the authors note) and I was not disappointed by this story!

Wendig masterfully crafts a cast of complex and compelling characters. The narrative shifts seamlessly between their perspectives, offering intimate glimpses into their lives and the trauma that has shaped them. As the story unfolds, we witness their friendships unravel, revealing layers of guilt, forgiveness, and the enduring power of shared secrets. While some of the characters might feel more likable than others, The dynamic between them creates a very interesting story.

The prose is sharp and evocative, reminiscent of Stephen King's masterful storytelling with a contemporary edge. Wendig seamlessly blends chilling atmosphere with a darkly humorous tone, creating a truly unique and unforgettable reading experience.

While the occasional use of "high schooler lingo" might feel a bit heavy-handed at times, it never detracts from the overall impact of the story. "The Staircase in the Woods" is a captivating and deeply unsettling journey into the darkest corners of the human psyche, testing the boundaries of friendship and allowing the characters to explore their own strengths and weaknesses . With its open-ended conclusion, the story lingers long after the final page, leaving readers to ponder its haunting implications.

Highly recommended for fans of Stephen King, dark thrillers, and character-driven narratives.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm a big fan of Chuck Wendig. He combines horror and supernatural elements together in such a unique way that every book of his I read takes me on a new unforgettable journey.

The decent into madness in this story by one of the characters was truly terrifying.

Yet another excellent read by this author!

Wait, that’s the ending?! What happens to Matty? Is the house still inside him? Did Lore actually shoot him? I have so many questions! But in all seriousness, this book had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a gripping, eerie read that also taught me one important lesson—never climb mysterious staircases that appear out of nowhere. If you're in the mood for a chilling house-of-horrors story, I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This story was a bit slower to start but the characters and their relationships kept my attention got better about half way through and I really enjoyed it

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Worlds for the ARC!

This is my first Chuck Wendig, but it will not be my last. I loved the mystery of the staircase in the woods, the characters, the 90's and pop culture references. The writing is so good and so realistic. The character building and their backstories and friendship was so real. The Staircase in the Woods is such a creepy ride and feels like an urban legend being told around a campfire among a group of friends. I loved this one!

There is a certain thrill when reading a work of fiction or watching a TV show or movie and a reference is made to, or a scene is shot in, a real-life place you've visited in real-life. My most recent is watching The Sopranos for the first time and in season 2, Tony is dreaming, and he and the crew are in Asbury Park, NJ. Having visited Asbury Park and seeing the same boardwalk and bars and warehouses as were shown on TV, it gave me a deeper appreciation and love of the show.

Bucks County and more specifically New Hope, PA, as well as, Lambertville, NJ right across the river, are places that are near and dear to my heart. I had/have wonderful family that lives there and as a Texas boy through and through, visiting them was quite the change. I have a special fondness for all things New Hope; be they Chuck Wendig, or Ween, or Jonathan Maberry (who may live in the area, if Wikipedia is to be trusted.) So, when Chuck makes a reference to a "headshop" in New Hope, I am immediately reminded of the few visits I took to a certain "headshop" in New Hope. I love those little "if you know, you know" unexpected easter eggs.

The premise of The Staircase in the Woods, is that there is a staircase in the woods. And apparently an actual occurring thing. Which sounds fucking creepy. Leave it to Wendig to actually make those stairs go somewhere. Where they go is a matter of some debate; hell, purgatory, some other sort of metaphysical, but otherwise shitty place? Yes, maybe.

Our crew of five, known as the Covenant, were friends as kids, until something horrible happens. Matty climbs the staircase in the woods and is literally never seen or heard from again. The remaining four are left to answer questions not only from the authorities but from their own nagging and guilt-ridden consciences. Time passes and the ties that bind the Covenant together are neglected, fray, and sever.

I will say that it didn't strike me until later in the story, that all of these kids have fucked up childhoods, but each kid is focused on their own fucked-up and there are varying degrees of jealousy regarding just how good or bad the other kids have it. Matty is the golden boy; perfect life, perfect parents, and a future as bright as he can make it. Why then, would he be first up the stairs? What did he have to prove? What was he running away from?

As adults, the remaining four Covenant members have tried to forget the past. Some of the four are successful, Lore (Lauren) is a videogame designer and not picky when it comes to sexual partners. Hamish has gotten himself in shape and had a family, but physicality can't mask the self-loathing and destructive behaviors of the past. Owen has done nothing of note and is essentially lost without the guidance of the Covenant. Nick is the only one who has remained obsessed with finding Matty.

Nick manages to get the Covenant back together and by invoking the bonds of the Covenant convince the other three to join him on his quest to discover the truth behind the staircase in the woods and Matty's disappearance. What follows is a genuinely scary and thrilling adventure. Throw in some metaphysical/existential dread and we have quite the recipe, don't we?

Staircases don't need to exist without a house built around them and when does a house become a home? What if a house desires to be a home and craves habitation? Does it matter if the people who live in it are good people or terrible people doing terrible things? If these walls could talk...

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Worlds (Del Rey) for the arc.

This book has such an interesting premise! That staircase in the woods and all its intricacies — what a ride this book was. Another thing to note, the characters are well fleshed out. There was a significant amount of character building, perhaps a bit much. However, there was no doubt that I knew what each character stood for and their motives. I enjoyed the suspense and on-edge aspects a lot. While the build took some time, my interest was piqued for the second half of the staircase in the woods!

I've heard stories about mysterious staircases in the woods that appear and disappear. I've also heard that you're never supposed to climb it all the way to the top because it supposedly transports you to a different dimension. So when I saw the title of this book, I knew this was something that would be an intriguing read. And it absolutely was. When 5 friends go comping in the woods and one of them climbs a staircase and disappears, they others try to move on with life. The group falls apart until they receive an email from one of the members requesting them to visit him. They all meet up and decide to make it a camping trip and of course they found a random staircase in the middle of the woods. This time however, they all climb the stairs and they are all transported to a very weird, very scary place.
This story was intriguing and held my interest most of the way through, though, I did find some parts to drag on a little. It was very creepy, terrifying, and mysterious. This would make a great read around spooky season. Definitely add this one to your TBR.