The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig feels like a whirlwind ride of human misery, personal demons, and the corruption of our safe places.

Following the disappearance of their childhood friend is truly bizarre when he climbs a mysterious staircase in the woods. The four remaining friends have drifted apart, that is until one of them brings them all back together because he has found another staircase.

I enjoyed this book, although found that the pace dipped in the middle, something I also found with The Book of Accidents. Interestingly I cannot help but feel the two stories are linked. A particular name comes up, mentioned in an off-hand sort of way that has left me speculating wildly.

Sadly wound up DNF’ing it quite early - totally a me-thing, but once the characters started getting political, I was out. I love a good story and would like to indulge as an escape from everything else that’s going on in the world.

Absolutely amazing. The character’s personalities were portrayed so well and you could truly see their growth and development from adolescence to adulthood. Each character had their own inner demons that, although extreme, could be relatable on some level which definitely helps the reader find connections and get deeper into the story as we become invested in the character’s stories.

The author did a great job on the variety of rooms. I was blown away by how creative each room was and enjoyed when the characters hopped from one room to the next because you couldn’t guess what would come next.

Again, absolutely loved this book - definitely one of the best books of 2024 for me!

The cover is what caught my eye for this. I think it’s equally pretty and eerie. The premise felt like a classic horror setup that seemed fun. However, this wasn’t for me and I DNFed it. When I’m reading contemporary set novels, I’d rather they not reference current events/people/politics. That’s a me thing though. I see positive initial feedback on review sites, so it seems to work for some people but unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me.

I don’t generally rate books that I DNF when they’re just not to my taste rather than a DNF for a specific reason. However, I can’t submit this feedback without it so I’ve gone with a 2.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

Home: a refuge for many but a prison for others. When your home is full of fear and hatred rather than love and warmth, can it seep into the structure and create a place of evil? How well do we know our closest friends? Do we know who they become and what they endure once they are behind closed doors? When four friends come together to try and piece together what happened to their friend Matty years ago, they will have to face their own and each others' fears in order to survive. Friendships are tested and dark secrets unearthed in this gripping story that had me eager to keep turning the page to reach the final chapter. Atmospheric and descriptive - I loved the suspense and tension that the author created throughout this well paced supernatural horror. This thought-provoking novel will have you wondering what really happens behind the closed curtains and locked doors of the homes you pass every day.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a terrifingly spooky read. It's a haunted house novel giving serious House of Leaves vibes (shifting rooms, staircases that make no sense). I simultaneously blew through it and couldn't wait for it to be done - seriously considered DNF because of the depth of the goriness. What kept me going was the incredibly original plot. Don't read this one at night if you're prone to nightmares.

This was the third time I picked a book by this author, and... You know how people say "the third time's a charm"? Well, it wasn't for me. I just can't deal with Chuck Wendig's writing. I always love how his plots sound and I always enjoy the first few chapters, but then it fails to hold my attention.
Also, his books are way too long, for my taste. Mystery or horror books, in my opinion, should not be that long. I personally get bored with all the building up for something bigger to happen in the end. I usually quit the story before it gets to that. And with this book was no exception.
I would still recommend this one to readers who have read and enjoyed Wendig's works before, or even to new readers who don't mind long and slow-burn horror novels.

This is the "Haunted House" book you didn't realize you needed.
First and foremost, I would like to thank NetGalley and Del Ray for providing me with an ARC to review.

There are a few ⚠ TW to be aware of before you start.
-Self Harm
-Mental Health
-Mentions (non-descriptive) of child abuse/SA
-Violence
-Gore
-Murder
-Drub Abuse

OK, now that that's out of the way, I will try to keep this as short and simple as possible.
3.5 ⭐ Rounding up for GoodReads

The heart of the story is about friendship and bonds and personal growth. Almost, a coming-of-age deal.
While the meaty bits all around are filled with tragedy, grief, regret, pain, and violence. And this is all wrapped in a layer of mystery.
Making you question your morals and loyalty the whole time. How far would you go for a friend? What lengths would you go to to right a past wrong? When is enough enough?

✅Pros:
Short chapters. Much appreciated with longer books
This novel was SPOOKY. Like, seriously. Gave you all the good creepy feels. 😱
I absolutely loved the Friendship-House parallels. Very thought-provoking. 🤔
And Chapter 74! 😮The birthing of the house. Sorry, I can't say more. No spoilers. But, wow.
This book is PERFECT for film adaptation. I mean, Perfect! I will petition for it and raise funds for it. This needs to happen!

Don't know if this is a Pro or Con, but it almost felt too long, while at the same time not long enough. If that makes sense.

❎Cons:
My Biggest one is the repetitive use of the phrase "Yeah, yeah. Ok" And every variation. Past the point of annoying and right to aggravating.😡
I haven't decided if the ending should be on the Cons list... I can't come to terms with my feelings on it. I have questions.

👍I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good Fantasy Fiction.

Oh, and I forgot to tell you... There's a twist 😲

Five friends find a staircase in the woods. One friend goes up and never comes back down.

Wendig's latest novel is a dark and disturbing exploration of buried secrets, repressed trauma, and found family. After the mysterious disappearance of their friend (and the staircase), the remaining four friends part ways as each of them moves on in their own way. Years later, they are called back together by Nick, who never gave up looking for Mattie, their lost friend. There is a new staircase in the woods, and the four friends know that the answer to what happened to Mattie waits for them on the other end. After ascending the staircase, they are thrust into a nightmare world where they are forced to confront their deepest fears and insecurities as an invisible and insidious entity threatens to drive them mad.

An eerie and hauntingly atmospheric novel, fans of weird fiction will devour this unique spin on the haunted house trope. Although the pacing lagged in the middle due to some repetitiveness, the mystery of the staircase and what happened to Mattie made this an un-put-downable read. Wendig deftly weaves together the disparate narratives of his characters, creating unique (if mostly unlikeable) personalities that lend some realism to a wildly imaginative world. There is also plenty of gore, gross-out moments, and downright disturbing content to delight any horror fan.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chuck Wendig, and Random House Worlds for providing me with an ARC of The Staircase in the Woods.

2.5/5 rounded down

To be true to myself: I was initially captivated by this novel, especially the distinct characters and memorable scenes like the intense car discussion and the friends' reunion in the forest. However, once the staircase appeared, the narrative started to feel disjointed, and I struggled to stay engaged. The alternating chapters between present events and flashbacks were occasionally confusing, and I often relied on distinguishing between Lauren and Lore just to situate myself in the timeline. While the writing is solid, the frequent geek and gaming culture references sometimes felt more like the author's internal monologue than authentic character voices.

In summary, I would eagerly read another book featuring these characters in a more grounded setting that dives deeper into their connections. However, I didn't resonate with the horror and fantasy elements present in this story.

This book is so dang good!! The 5 main characters anchor us in the story in both the past and present. Their personalities and relationships with one another are distinct and complex. You fall in love with them and are invested in their health as the plot thickens and stakes get more and more dire. What happened when they were kids and how does that impact their current situation? You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out what is happening and how they might get free. If there is a second installation, I’ll be first in line! I will absolutely be looking for more from this author in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited for this book, the premise sounds absolutely amazing and I’ve heard nothing but great things about this authors books. It started out so good, I was very intrigued and then out of nowhere one of the characters goes on a political rampage. To see modern day politics in a fiction book completely brought me out of the story. And it’s not as if I disagree with anything that was said but it was just so out of left field and so jarring that I completely forgot what I was reading and started thinking about the real world which I’m currently not a fan of.

terrifying and thrilling book. the opening begins somewhat slow, but it gets much more tense the longer it gets. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig is an eerie and atmospheric story that masterfully blends mystery with a touch of the supernatural. Wendig’s writing pulls you in immediately, creating a sense of unease that lingers throughout the book. The characters are deeply human, grappling with their own fears and secrets as they confront the inexplicable. The pacing is perfect, with twists and revelations that keep you on edge without feeling rushed. Wendig’s vivid descriptions bring the creepy setting to life, making the woods feel like a character in its own right. If you love spine-chilling tales that combine suspense with emotional depth, this one is a must-read.

I throughly enjoyed this book. It was perhaps a bit overlong but I loved how unique the story was.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher

This was so reminiscent of a creepypasta story of the same name, I'm wondering if it was directly influenced ( in a good way.) Loved it !

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest reviews. I am a huge fan of Chuck Wendig since reading The Wanderers and was more solidified as a fan when he wrote The Book of Accidents (LOVE) and Black River Orchard (READ IT). The Staircase in the Woods is no exception and I have been waiting for this book since his first mention of it. Within the first few chapters, I knew it was a five star read. I could not set it down. I found this book to be emotionally visceral. The horror and suspense was so palpable. The complicated connections within the group of friends felt so raw and real. He created incredible emotional depth within each character and in the relationships between them. I have to say that this is a talent he has as an author that I don’t see often enough. He took a haunted house and turned it into something I’ve never read before; something twisted, evil, and alive. His writing just takes you there! I gagged, cringed, and teared up. And the ENDING! The ending was definitely satisfying and left you emotionally raw, but feeling hopeful and determined. And I see you, Eddie Naberius. IYKYK. I love it when characters from other books show up! I will be recommending this to anyone that so much as mentions they can read. Obviously, I pre-ordered this book the very second it became available and was so grateful to get the opportunity to read it before it comes out. I cannot wait to add my collection! Trust your girl here, read this one!

Absolutely loved the premise and the complex friendships. The pace was a bit off and I felt it dragged in the middle. The book really takes off once they climb the stairs but would have liked a little more background on these friends when they were younger to give better understanding of them as adults.

This is a gripping, dark fantasy thriller with well-developed characters and a chilling atmosphere. I’m rounding my 4.5 stars up to 5, and I can’t wait for Wendig’s next book! Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Del Rey for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I was drawn to the premise of this book, as I love a good mysterious horror. Creepy staircase in the woods? Seemed like it checked my boxes. But it took me far too long to get into this book.
The book started slow, and is very character driven and not as much focused on the plot, which was a bit of a turn-off for me. I like a good character-driven novel, but in this case I did not enjoy reading about any of the characters because to me they felt very juvenile and they were all extremely unlikable. I felt bored until about 30% of the way into the novel, when things finally started to happen.
From there I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed the concept of the house and the creepiness factor of it all, it left me feeling disturbed and unsettled. But it seemed like every time I started to gain interest, there would be a character flashback or something that would slow my momentum down. Also, the writing felt a bit juvenile to me, it felt more YA than adult.
Personally, I don't think this book was for me, although I have seen some people really enjoy it, so if you enjoy a character-driven novel with broken characters with a sub-plot of sci-fi horror then you may enjoy this one.