This is a book full of things I want to gush about, deserving of praise I’d love to heap upon it. Yet part of the reason I want to, a big part of the reason, is because the book wasn’t what I expected. It moved in ways I’d have never guessed when I picked it up. Part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because it managed to surprise me like that. So I need to watch what I say, I think, to make sure reading this review doesn’t make it too easy for anyone else to see what’s coming.

But there are things that are safe enough for me to go over, I think. This book leans into the horror trope of a group of friends coming back together to confront something that happened during their childhood. I think I’m becoming something of a sucker for that trope, the mixture of nostalgia and terror and ties that bind, and this book does it well. It also does a wonderful job of keeping a low-grade creepiness running throughout the book, picking its moment to ratchet up the unease in key moments. The pacing of it, the lulls and peaks, is wonderfully done and keeps you dialed in throughout the entire story.

But overall, like I said earlier, I can’t really say too much about it here. It’d be too easy to clue you in on things that I think most readers would prefer to discover themselves. So if this book has caught your eye, if you think you’ll enjoy it…you’re probably right. And you owe it to yourself, I think, to find that out for yourself. Go on, set foot on that staircase…see what awaits you at the top.

*The Staircase in the Woods* is a creepy, suspense-filled ride about four friends who have to face some dark, long-buried trauma when they return to the woods where it all began. With a chilling mystery, supernatural twists, and an ending you won't see coming, it's perfect for anyone who loves a tense, haunting horror story.

The Staircase in the Woods is a book about the power of friendship, plus how much it can hurt when they go astray. The book also looks at how going to war can harm a person’s mind, and then how they subsequently hurt others.

It was a smidge too long, but overall, it was an excellent story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC of “The Staircase in the Woods”. This was my first Chuck Wendig book, and it did not disappoint!! I was so excited that this book took place very close to my own hometown. I loved recognizing the places mentioned throughout this novel (ex: Perkasie). I didn’t really have much idea of how this story would play out. I will say it took a turn that I didn’t expect. I really wasn’t sure how this novel was going to end the entire way through. I usually base a lot of my reviews on the ending. And I have to say I actually didn’t hate it! I thought this book kept my attention the entire way. Definitely had elements of spookiness in there. I would recommend this book to any horror/supernatural lover. Even any bookworm that also moonlights as a gamer.

1998-5 high school friends head into the woods, but only 4 come back out. And in the middle of those woods was a staircase that should not be there, and leads to nowhere-or so it seems.

Embodying an “IT” vibe, Wendig gives us 4 protagonists who have lived their lives trying to ignore the trauma that happened to them so long ago. But as adults, their nightmare is back to haunt them, and they can choose to conquer it, or shrink back in fear. A choice is made, and we (the readers) follow the 4 friends through a house of horrors that may never let the go.

This story has all the tension, baggage, and absolute terror you come to expect from a good horror story. The trauma is the bond for our 4 screwed up characters, and it’s the compulsion to step into the unknown in desperation for answers that drive them forward, and has us cheering them on. But with each chapter, the tension intensifies-crushing us in its vice and refusing to let go. Wendig keeps the pacing steady, and the horror coming, right until the very end of the story.

I enjoyed this journey into the supernatural and terrifying. I highly recommend this to any horror fan.

Unnerving, strange, oppressive, claustrophobic. Chuck Wendig’s Staircase in the Woods was a highly anticipated read for me so I’m grateful to Netgalley for the ARC. Wendig is an all time favorite author for me and someone who rises to the level of classic Stephen King very often. In this new novel he gives us a group of childhood friends who are now all grown up and haunted by something that happened to them as kids. Sound familiar. This is one of my favorite tropes so I’m not complaining at all. They meet years later to try to find answers to that event, but instead are forced to confront a horror beyond imagining and in doing so are also forced to confront the truths of their pasts and their lives. Who they were and who they’ve become. As always Wendig’s writing is fantastic and his characters well crafted. My only gripe would be that it did drag a bit about midway through. Felt like an awesome idea maybe stretched a little too far. Still I enjoyed it.

Phenomenal read! "The Staircase in the Woods" has an extremely intriguing title and it did NOT disappoint! Author, Chuck Wending, is a very descriptive in his work and seamlessly transitions through different timelines. Characters were relatable and you were rooting for each one at varying points in the book. Highly recommend!

This was a creepy, gory, depressing, brain-bender of a tale about friendship and found family. Trying to describe the numerous psychological aspects of this book would involve spoilers, which I don’t do. I’ll just say that’s there’s a lot to unpack here. This story has more layers than a haunted house has rooms.

Here is the blurb

"A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents
Five high school friends are bonded by an oath 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. . . ."

I enjoyed this book on the whole and can see it has potential for a second book? The characters in the book are a sad bunch and at times I found them difficult to warm to and root for! I think Owen was the character I most liked. Overall a good premise which mostly delivered despite my lack of empathy for the characters at times.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I could actually visualize it as it proceeded, because the writing was so specific and the imagery so unique. I love a good horror book, and this one I truly could not tell where it was going. I couldn't put it down and immediately pre-ordered a copy so I can have it to lend out. Amazing!

I was hooked by the title The Staircase. If I was anywhere and just saw a random staircase standing freeform, I would be insanely curious. After reading the book, I might just walk on by. Because the book may begin with stairs but it isnt about them, the stairs. It is not about pathways or journyes. This book is about hope and what happens to it when it is twisted and corrupted and lost. It is a story about the quicksand of negativity and what it means to need a branch but also what can happen if you never reach out for one. I was captured and held from the first page and I was not disappointed.

📚📚 Book Review 📚📚~ The Staircase In The Woods by Chuck Wendig

Genre: Thriller/Horror
Rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: E-Arc
Publishes: April 29, 2025

The phenomenon of random staircases in the woods is intriguing to me, and one of my favorite no sleep tropes. I mean, I know it's also a very real thing but I love the idea of something happening once you reach the end. This is exactly what we get with The Staircase in the Woods. I love the dual timeline, one set in present time and one set in the 90's. Each and every character is unique, and their growth is exceptional as the story progresses. It starts strong and does not stop as it takes you deeper into the mystery of the staircase and what happens when you reach the end of it.

I give this one a 5 stars, and would definitely recommend if you enjoy twisty, fast paced horror/thrillers. Mark your calendars, this one releases on April 29, 2025.

A huge thank you to Random House/Del Rey and Netgalley for providing me with an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

✨Book Review✨ (thank you to netgalley for an early release copy of this book on exchange for my honest review)

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig

5/5 ⭐️ — This one’s an absolute must-read! With a concept as mind-bending as it is unique, Wendig takes us on a wild ride where we’re left questioning: Is life a simulation? Or are they in hell? 🤯

The character growth throughout this book is phenomenal. Every twist kept me hooked, and I couldn’t get enough of the eerie, thought-provoking vibes. My only tiny gripe? The ending felt like it stopped just short of perfect. Are we getting a book two? PLEASE say yes, because I’m ready to dive back in! If not, I’ll be dreaming about this one for a long time.

Mark your calendars—The Staircase in the Woods releases April 29th! You don’t want to miss this one. 💫

4.5 ⭐

 I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. it was creepy and mysterious, certain elements reminded me of one of my favourite books- House of Leaves. 

It was admittedly bleak, gross and upsetting in parts so it was one I couldn't read too quickly but I enjoyed it.

While the book is definitely dark and disturbing, it's also really well-written. Wendig does a great job of building tension and creating a sense of dread. If you're into weird, creepy horror, I highly recommend giving this one a shot.

I really enjoy reading mysteries and this one was a lot of fun to read. I did find the alternating past and present a little confusing at first, but I got used to it eventually. Such a creepy tale with interesting characters. So, noted, don't climb a staircase you find in the middle of the woods!

I absolutely loved this book. The title captured my interest. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. The plot was like many escape rooms put together in one house. The four main characters were best friends as teenagers. They suffered a loss collectively and each ran in their own way from reality. Many years pass only for them to come back together to deal with loss and hopefully find a lost friend. Only each of the characters experience the emptiness, hatred, and horrors in their own escape rooms of their minds. Follow them on their journey into the woods and climb the staircase.

Chuck Wendig's "The Staircase in the Woods" is a masterpiece of horror that grabs your attention from the first page and never lets go. A novel that masterfully blends supernatural elements with a profound psychological exploration of friendship, trauma, and hidden secrets.
Wendig once again demonstrates his extraordinary talent for creating unsettling atmospheres and characters so realistic they feel like people you might encounter in real life. The narrative moves skillfully between past and present, revealing layer after layer of the complex bonds between five friends who share a dark secret.
The central element of the story - a mysterious staircase in the woods - becomes an eerie and metaphorical symbol that transcends a simple horror tale. It's an emotional journey as much as a supernatural thriller, delving into the deepest fears and bonds that persist even after years of separation.
Wendig's prose is sharp, direct, with electrifying dialogue and descriptions that generate growing anxiety. Every page is a sensory experience that keeps you glued to the book, with unexpected plot twists and a constant, delightful sense of unease.
A novel that goes beyond the boundaries of the horror genre, "The Staircase in the Woods" is a work that will stay with you long after turning the last page. An absolute must-read for anyone who loves stories that challenge conventions and explore the darkness of the human soul.

I was blessed to get this in arc copy it was very well written book and I’m glad that I was able to read it. I would suggest to give this to everybody. This is the book that should be on everyone’s shelf.

Chuck Wendig’s Staircase in the Woods offers an intriguing premise: a mysterious staircase in the middle of the forest that seems to defy logic and nature. The novel is strongest when it delves into its eerie atmosphere, with Wendig’s signature descriptive style immersing readers in the unsettling woods and the creeping sense of dread.

However, the story falters in its pacing, with the buildup to the staircase’s secrets feeling overly drawn out. Some plot threads lack resolution, and while the characters are compelling, their development occasionally takes a backseat to the mystery, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete. The ending, though thought-provoking, may feel unsatisfying for readers seeking concrete answers.

Despite its shortcomings, Staircase in the Woods is an engaging exploration of fear, obsession, and the unknown, making it a worthwhile read for fans of slow-burn horror. A solid three-star experience: atmospheric and intriguing, but not without its flaws.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this amazing book!

Wow. I’ve struggled to write this review because no words will compare to it. This was my first Chuck see dog book but it won’t be the last. I couldn’t put this down. It’s so difficult to review without spoilers so I won’t talk to the storyline at all.

I absolutely loved this. The description of the characters meant that you experienced everything as them. I felt Owen’s anxiety, his pain, his reactions. It was uncomfortable, Certain chapters left me feeling anxious myself as I pictured myself in those situations.

Absolutely fantastic.