The God of the Woods

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What to expect

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF 2024

WINNER OF GOODREADS MYSTERY & THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

'I was totally gripped' DOUGLAS STUART

'Immersive and enthralling' PAULA HAWKINS

___________

Some said it was tragic, what happened to the Van Laars.

Some said the family deserved it. That they never even thanked the searchers who stayed out for five nights in the freezing forest trying to help find their missing son.

Some said there was a reason it took the family so long to call for help. That they knew what happened to the boy.

Now, fifteen years later, the Van Laars' teenage daughter has gone missing in the same wilderness as her brother. Some say the two disappearances aren’t connected.

Some say they are.

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‘Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced … I can't remember the last time I felt so entangled in a novelist's coils’ Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures

'A beguiling novel with a relentless grip. You won't be able to put it down' Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled Ground

'At once an immersive family saga and utterly propulsive mystery. Beautifully written' Emilia Hart, author of Weyward

‘A masterful literary thriller’ Lucy Clarke, author of The Hike

‘Riveting from page one to the last breathless word … This book flew by at lightning speed, but will stick with me for a very long time’ Rebecca Makkai, author of I Have Some Questions For You

‘Dickensian in scope … Very entertaining’ Vogue, Best Picks for Summer 2024

The God of the Woods debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list on 21 July 2024.

READERS ARE SAYING…

'I simply couldn't put it down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An excellent page-turner' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I didn’t see the end coming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I strongly urge everyone to read it and experience the magic for themselves' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'My top read for 2024 so far. Actually, top read full stop' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A fascinating story with lots of ups and downs… I did like the conclusion, very clever!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Loved this book from page one! … A book not to be missed!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I cannot think of when I have read anything so evocative' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A riveting read. If you're looking for intriguing characters, a beautifully crafted, slow and atmospheric mystery that feels incredibly intense, then this is the one for you' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Critics Review

‘Impressive and immersive’ Literary Review

‘Gripping, intricately plotted’ Mail on Sunday

‘An intricate and emotionally engaging exploration of class and family dynamics, and a top-notch literary thriller’ Guardian

‘Very entertaining’ Vogue

‘Transfixing’ Elle

‘A literary thriller that will leave you gasping for air, a haunting and evocative novel that you won’t be able to put down’Glamour

‘A brilliant trap full of secrets and lies’ Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain

‘A brilliant, riveting fox-trap of a novel – an epic mystery, a family saga and a survival guide … I loved this book’ Miranda Cowley Heller, author of The Paper Palace

‘A wonderful double mystery, brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced … I can’t remember the last time I felt so entangled in a novelist’s coils’ Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures

‘A rare gem, an immersive and enthralling literary thriller’ Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train

‘I inhaled this … A perfect engrossing holiday read’ Megan Nolan, author of Ordinary Human Failings

‘A beguiling novel with a relentless grip. You won’t be able to put it down’ Claire Fuller, author of Untamed Ground

‘Like watching a great TV series … great characters, a great plot, momentum, and that magic that makes it almost impossible to stop reading’ Roddy Doyle, author of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

‘A masterful literary thriller … As layer upon layer of mysteries are revealed, this intelligently constructed story draws the reader into a breathtaking denouement’ Lucy Clarke, author of The Hike

User Reviews

Book 4.0
Narration 3.5
5.0
5.0
This was an excellent mystery. I really couldn't put it down.
lialexia 26/12/2024
3.0
2.0
I'm afraid I struggled with the voice of the narrator which manages to be both breathy and gruff at the same time. It reminds me of that 'vocal fry' which is apparently a popular affectation among some young women. It got easier to listen once the story got going but never quite stopped bothering me.

The story is told from multiple points of view and goes back and forth between time periods so there's a lot to keep track of. But it proceeds in a leisurely fashion which allows the listener to get a good sense of the many characters. It gathers pace and becomes gripping towards the end when the young woman investigator comes into her own. In other aspects it's a disturbing study of the abuse of power and privilege along wealth and gender lines.
jackdor 01/09/2024

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