I could see why others might like this book but it was not for me. Very long and drawn out. I love the concept of the story but the characters were difficult for me to get into.

This was my first read by this author, and I really enjoyed it! This one was really creepy, and I enjoyed it! I am a scaredy cat and found myself thinking, I'm glad I'm not a character in this book because it would have been a really short story. But the premise and storyline was great, and I enjoyed this one!

After several chapters I ended up DNFing this title. I did not like the characters at all. Sometimes characters are intentionally unlikeable and it’s ok, but I just could not.

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, suicidal ideation, cutting, drug use, overdose, child abuse, child sexual abuse, cancer, parent death, child death, racism, homophobia, neglect, trauma and violence in general.

Dear Mr. Wendig, WTAF did I just read?!
This book was a whirlwind of creeping terror with characters I both loved and hated. Owen is seemingly a loser with no self esteem or direction in life, dealing with body focused repetitive behaviors. Lore is an Autistic, ADHD, non-binary video game designer who seems cold and blunt, living in her own world. Hamish is a former pot smoking hippie who is now a God fearing, conservative, workout junkie. And Nick?

When they get an email from their old friend Nick, saying he has pancreatic cancer and they need to come see him, they begrudgingly embark on the trip. Begrudgingly because they all have something to hide. The night the first staircase appeared brought tragedy that they all tried to run away from.

A constant sense of dread follows you through this book. It is told in third person narrative which switches between several characters’ perspectives, but in a way that is easy to keep up with. I appreciated the diverse representation among the characters, even if some of the Autism traits were stereotypical, so Chuck gets an A for effort here. The characters all feel like real people, with real problems, that the general population often overlook or ignore, or ostracize as “weird.” To see so much of myself in several characters was a breath of fresh air, even if they were being tormented by unspeakable horrors. Also, growing up in the NJ/PA area made this book deeply personal to me, as the characters (and the author) are from Bucks County, PA.

Overall, this book is a must-read and I will definitely check out more of Chuck’s work. This was my first book of his, and I think I’ll go back and read Black Apple Orchard (because I’m pretty sure there were some Easter eggs in Staircase for the hardcore Wendig fans).

Heartfelt thanks to Del Rey Publishing and NetGalley for this early review copy.

I found the beginning of this to be very creepy and tense, but unfortunately, for me it was the best part of the story. I thought the book was overly long to develop characters that still felt one dimensional. And I feel like the whole, "Adults reuniting after they experienced trauma as kids" topic has been too overdone in so many books and do therefore didn't make for a very original story imo.

This is of course my opinion but I think this book felt like a practice in listing a haunted house that had all the worst things you could think of and that was mostly it.

I know the point is power in love and relationships but I found the characters didn't have much personality outside of their trauma.

I didn't hate it for sure but I'd say if the idea of an eerie never ending maze is the element you like House of Leaves does that better and if the relationships of adults with trauma coming back together after years apart in an unsettling setting is what you enjoyed Mister Magic does THAT better.

Anyway just fine but if you love a series of nightmare haunted house rooms being described at you on a loop you'll love it.

Well that was a wild ride! Horror is not my go to choice of read but this book had me intrigued from the get go.
A group of friends find a random staircase in the woods and the friend who decides to climb the stairs goes missing. The friends reunite years later to try and find the it missing friend and after climbing the staircase themselves enter a house of horrors type maze. Weird things follow.
I got a bit lost and still don’t completely understand what I just read but it wasn’t bad and if this is a theme you like then go for it!

OMG. The horror! The Staircase in the Woods took me on a journey I didn't expect. I felt part of each character as their fears were revealed, as their sanity lay in question. For anyone who loves horror, this book is for you. Read it now!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. I loved the cover of this book and it made me interested in reading it. Just by the cover, I knew it would be a thriller I would highly enjoy and it was just that. I rated this book a 4.5 stars.

Ooo this book will stick with me for a while I ate it up, had me wondering if I was gonna have nightmares when I finally went to sleep. Whatever you do read this book.

While this book has moments of horror, I would consider it more as leaning much more towards phycological thriller with a whole lot of unresolved childhood trauma. You should also be aware of the many graphic descriptions and possible trigger warnings throughout. Detail is not spared when describing the rooms.

The house at the top of the stairs was the best part of the book, but the pacing was all over the place with jumps from present to flash backs and long chapters of personal histories thrown randomly throughout. It was like the author didn't want to get too involved in the house itself, which is a shame because it was the most interesting part.

And although I do appreciate a Hitchcock style ending, the whole book built up to a certain moment, then ended with no resolution.

Chuck Wendig’s THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS continues his streak of really good novels. While not as meaty as a few of his previous novels, STAIRCASE is as complex. The titular STAIRCASE is present and used as a cool device to get the characters (and the reader) into the novel and then again toward the climax. Make no mistakes, though, this is a haunted house story. And a damn intense one.

A mark of a good writer is that they can take familiar stories and sub-genres and make them their own. With this is mind, Wendig once again proves that he’s a master storyteller of the modern horror story. He takes the ideas that are ingrained in the genre and shifts them like a Rubik’s Cube into his own thing, and it works.

At points scary, heartbreaking, inspiring, and, yes, funny, THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS once again cements Wendig’s place as a new master of the horror genre, and of terrific storytelling.

In “The Staircase in the Woods,” Chuck Wendig blends horror, mystery, and the complexities of friendship. This tale is about five high school friends who encounter a mysterious staircase leading to nowhere. When one friend climbs it and is never to be seen again, the group’s bond changes forever. Two decades later, the reappearance of the staircase challenges the remaining friends to confront their past and the darkness that has haunted them.

Themes of nostalgia, loss, and the enduring impact of childhood experiences are making the horror elements all the more resonant. It’s a vibe that reminds me of Stephen King books, unfortunately also the use of many words when not especially necessary.

This book really stands out in the genre though. It’s a compelling read that delves into the darkness lurking within and around us, leaving a lasting impression long after finishing it. I would say pick it up and try it yourself. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you so much author and publisher for the ARC.

Chuck Wendig turns the haunted house trope on its head and portrays the reality of what happens to High School friendships when we become adults. It's also an emotional roller coaster as the four characters deal with their secrets and wounds and traumas—I felt they were all me and, at the same time, someone I met or used to be friends with. Plus, there's enough grossness and anxiety-inducing scares to make me read some parts with one eye closed.

Chuck's books are not for the faint of heart. This book is MEGA weird!!!! Gory, creepy, all the things! I really liked it!

A fresh take on a well-worn r/nosleep story. I enjoyed the weaving of multiple points of view and timelines to build tension and mystery. The eerie setting, almost a character in itself, adds a unique layer to the narrative, though a deeper exploration of the setting itself would have made this better. While the story delivers an engaging and unsettling journey, the conclusion falls short.

SO terrifying, literally grabbed me immediately! Not that I would ever decide to climb a random staircase in the woods, more power to these four. I loved the atmospheric creepy vibes, totally kept me hooked all the way through.

If you are a fan of creepy stories, Stephen King in general and thrillers, add this one to your TBR ASAP!

thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own

A group of friends discover a staircase in the woods that appeared out of nowhere. Would you climb it? This was a creepy tale, reministant of a Steven King novel. If you love twisty scary supernatural stories you will also love this one!

Chuck Wendig once again works his magic with horror. A group of friends in the woods? Maybe you've heard that plotline before but add a staircase and blend in unique twists as only Wendig can and you'll be immediately drawn in and memorized.

Once again Chuck Wendig masterfully blends truly relatable characters with incredible story telling. This book is not for the feint of heart. You really need to be in the mindset for it, especially when you relate so closely with a lot of the characters. But how raw and visceral the characters, their lives, and the lives of the different home are. It hurt, but it also healed in some ways.