Liz Moore’s “The God of the Woods”
We are already deep into summer mode in our house – my teens are staying up late, sleeping in later, splashing in the pool, playing hours of Fortnite, and eating us out of house and home – all while I do a lot of driving them around and some soaking up the sun with a good book in my hand. This week I have a twisty, suspenseful summer thriller/mystery that I know you will love.
Liz Moore’s “The God of the Woods” isn’t just a book you read; it’s one well-crafted, atmospheric mystery that you can sink right into. The story pulls you in immediately, taking us back to August of 1975 at a summer camp tucked away in the Adirondacks. Sounds like a classic summer setup – until right off the bat, a counselor finds an empty bunk. The missing camper is 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar – and she's not just any camper. She's the daughter of the family who owns this camp, and they pretty much employ everyone in the surrounding area. The stakes are instantly high, and you feel that tension right away.
Here's where it gets even more intriguing: this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother vanished 14 years prior, and he was never found. This detail is crucial because it immediately suggests a long-standing, deep-seated mystery within this powerful family. It makes you wonder, “Is this a coincidence, or is there something much darker at play here, a pattern?”
As the desperate search for Barbara begins, Moore masterfully weaves together multiple threads. We’re not just following the investigation; we’re invited into the intricate world of the Van Laar family secrets and how they’ve affected the blue-collar community that relies on them. It’s a really smart way to build out the world and make the characters feel incredibly real and layered. You get a sense of the pressures, the loyalties, and the unspoken understandings that exist within this tight-knit, yet often fractured, environment.
What makes “The God of the Woods” so compelling, even beyond the “what happened?” question, is how it explores themes of inheritance — not just wealth, but the legacy of actions and decisions. It delves into the idea of second chances and how the past, no matter how buried, inevitably resurfaces. This isn’t just a straightforward thriller; it’s a story about human nature, family dynamics, and the hidden currents that run beneath seemingly peaceful surfaces. It’s a truly immersive experience that keeps you guessing while also making you think about the lasting impact of choices.
I hope you enjoy this perfect summertime read this week! Don't forget to pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more of my recommendations and musings about all things bookish!
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