The God of the Woods

by Liz Moore
The God of the Woods cover
Good Books rating 4.2
Technical:
  • ID: 189
  • Added: 2025-09-04
  • Updated: 2025-09-05
  • ISBN: 9780008663810
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2024-07-04
  • Reviews: 4

Set in August 1975, The God of the Woods opens with the disappearance of Barbara Van Laar, a camper and daughter of the wealthy family owning the summer camp and surrounding lands. This shocking event triggers a frantic search and unearths the haunting legacy of another Van Laar child who vanished years earlier. Liz Moore masterfully weaves a complex narrative that explores the tensions between the affluent Van Laar family and the working-class community that serves them, revealing deep emotional and social divides. Through multiple perspectives and timelines, the novel unfolds as an epic mystery and family saga, rich with themes of love, inheritance, identity, and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious work to date, blending a gripping thriller with a poignant examination of how secrets and history shape the lives of individuals and communities alike. The God of the Woods is acclaimed for its immersive storytelling and emotional depth, earning accolades as a top mystery and thriller of 2024.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-09-05
intriguing 4.30

A quiet yet gripping mystery that unfolds a layered story about family secrets and social divides, praised for its ambitious scope and emotional depth.

The review characterizes the novel as a quiet but compelling mystery centered on the disappearance of a young girl in an Adirondack summer camp, which triggers a complex drama involving the influential Van Laar family and the local community. The story is praised for its multi-threaded narrative that delves into generational secrets and the intersection of different social worlds, making it Liz Moore's most ambitious work to date. The emotional depth and the intricate plotting make this novel stand out in the genre.

Quick quotes

    "Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp..."

    "Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances."

    "It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet."

Netgalley UK · 2025-09-05
satisfying 4.20

The God of the Woods is a satisfying literary mystery with nuanced, flawed characters and a well-paced unfolding of secrets.

Reviewers on Netgalley emphasize the novel's multi-POV narrative and non-linear structure, which skillfully paces the reveals, keeping readers engaged. The story's complexity is balanced by strong character development, particularly of the flawed and nuanced figures inhabiting the overlapping worlds of privilege and working class. The book is recommended for those who appreciate a layered mystery with emotional and psychological depth, making it a rewarding reading experience.

Quick quotes

    It is told from multiple POVs and non linear, Moore paces the reveals very nicely.

    I would recommend The God of the Woods if you are looking for a satisfying literary mystery.

    The characters are flawed and nuanced, the plot is instantly engaging.

SparkNotes · 2025-09-05
intriguing 4.30

The story is a gripping, atmospheric mystery that unravels secrets of a powerful family through a tense investigation, highlighting issues of class and gender.

This summary emphasizes the novel's tension and atmosphere, focusing on the intersecting worlds of the privileged Van Laar family and the working-class community around them. The reviewer notes the strong female perspectives, including the determined investigator Judyta and the troubled camper Barbara, whose survival and autonomy challenge expectations. The novel explores complex social dynamics, abuses of power, and the resilience of its characters, culminating in a powerful and thought-provoking resolution.

Quick quotes

    Judyta continues her work on Barbara’s case, pushing back against sexist remarks from her male colleagues.

    She finds evidence suggesting that the family covered up Bear’s death, falsely blaming Carl Stoddard.

    Barbara is alive, self-sufficient, and determined to remain hidden.

SuperSummary · 2025-09-05
intriguing 4.00

The narrative is intricately crafted with rich character backstories and social tensions, effectively building suspense through multiple perspectives and timelines.

The reviewer emphasizes the novel's complex narrative structure, which includes a non-linear timeline and multiple points of view that deepen the mystery surrounding Barbara’s disappearance. They note the vivid portrayal of class divides and interpersonal conflicts within the camp and the surrounding community, which adds layers of social commentary to the thriller genre. The detailed character interactions and unfolding secrets maintain a strong momentum throughout the story.

Quick quotes

    Louise and her counselor-in-training, Annabel, snuck out of the cabin the previous night, Louise fears she will be held responsible for Barbara’s disappearance.

    The relations between the Hewitts and Van Laars date back generations, but a rift has grown between them.

    A fight broke out between Towson and John Paul, but John Paul was no match for the scrappy Towson.

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