The God of the Woods

by Liz Moore
The God of the Woods cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
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  • ID: 189
  • Added: 2025-09-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780593418925
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Published: 2025-10-28
  • Formats: 72
  • Reviews: 4

In August 1975, the disappearance of Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of a powerful family, sends shockwaves through her summer camp and the surrounding community. As the search for her intensifies, the investigation reveals a history of secrets and disappearances tied to the Van Laar family, drawing in the blue-collar workers who rely on the family's employment. Liz Moore crafts a multi-layered thriller that blends the kinetic energy of a miniseries with the depth of a literary novel, exploring themes of privilege, class, and the enduring impact of the past. /n/nThe novel has been widely acclaimed, with comparisons to Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History' and praise for its richly detailed world and expert pacing. It delves into the complexities of human behavior and the consequences of hidden truths, making it Moore's most ambitious work yet.

Reviews
What is Quinn Reading · 2025-10-09
brilliant 4.50

The novel beautifully captures the nostalgia of the 1960s and 1970s, weaving a brilliant mystery that evokes a deep yearning for nature and simpler times. The story's layers and emotional depth make it a standout read.

This reviewer found 'The God of the Woods' to be a beautifully crafted novel that skillfully blends mystery with a strong sense of nostalgia. The setting in the 1960s and 1970s brings a vivid atmosphere that transports readers to a time of cabins, campfires, and canoe trips across cold, clear lakes. The emotional depth and intricate storytelling make it a compelling read that lingers in the mind long after the last page. They particularly appreciated the way the author layers the narrative with secrets and yearning, creating a rich and immersive experience.

Quick quotes

    A beautiful, brilliant mystery novel layered in nostalgic yearning for cabins and campfires and canoe trips across a cold, clear lake in the 1960s and 70s.

    The novel's emotional depth and intricate storytelling make it a compelling read that lingers in the mind long after the last page.

    The author's skillful blending of mystery with a strong sense of nostalgia creates a rich and immersive experience.

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.

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