The God of the Woods

Bookseller recommendation

“The God of the Woods has easily become one of my favorite reads this year, a thrilling camp drama set in the Adirondack’s in the ‘70s takes us on a twisting, face-paced, and addictive journey through a summer camp in which Barbara goes missing fourteen years after her brother at the same camp their family owns. I had so many theories and in some minor instances I was somewhat correct, but did not expect the blow I would take when all is revealed. This novel was so easy to follow despite the different points of view and timeline shifts. It was so beautifully written, I felt almost as if I were right there at camp with them trying to help unravel the mystery that is not only the disappearance of both children, but the mystery that is the land, camp, and family. Brava, Liz Moore!”

— Keeley • Ink Drinkers Anonymous

Bookseller recommendation

“The God of the Woods is a beautifully narrated story full of summer camp nostalgia, family secrets, and sharp social commentary. I would recommend this for anyone who loves an atmospheric mystery told from multiple perspectives. Easily one of my favorite audiobooks of the year! ”

— Kate • Cream & Amber

Bookseller recommendation

“With the intrigue of a deep woods 'whodunnit?' and character drama that evokes Kiley Reid or Rebecca Makkai novels, The God of the Woods had me stunned by its brilliant characterization and jaw dropping twists. Spanning decades and following a host of characters and their backstories, this book begins with the disappearance of a teen from an Adirondack summer camp in 1975, and shifts to her brother’s disappearance and the investigation that took place 14 years earlier.”

— Olivia • Author's Note

Bookseller recommendation

“A well written mystery that brings a bit of nostalgia too. A 13 year old girl goes missing from camp, she is the daughter of the family that owns the camp. And this isn’t the first Van Laar child to go missing, years ago her older brother vanished and was never found. Panic ensues and everyone is searching for the girl. Mystery and secrets are revealed of the town, its people and the Van Laar family.”

— Kandice • The Book Loft St. Jacobs

Bookseller recommendation

“Compelling and powerful, The God of the Woods focuses on a complex family with a mystery that will leave you riveted until the end. Emotional and unputdownable! ”

— Baylee • Daisy Chain Book Co.

Bookseller recommendation

“Moore’s writing is vivid and deliberate. Anyone who was a camp kid will relate to Tracy, a 12-year-old who had “grown a year in two months” or Louise, her young counselor. I love how characters echo each other, the foreshadowing, and the narrators who would be peripheral characters in a traditional police procedural”

— Whitney • Bookworm of Edwards

Bookseller recommendation

“When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn't just any thirteen-year-old: she's the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region's residents. And this isn't the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara's older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. 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.”

— JMartin • Plot Twist Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Moore’s writing is vivid and deliberate. I love how characters echo each other, the foreshadowing, and the narrators who might be peripheral characters in a traditional police procedural.”

— Whitney • Bookworm of Edwards

Bookseller recommendation

“This slow burn family suspense was a worthwhile listen. It will draw you into the disappearance of not one but two children from the same family, a wealthy one in the Adirondacks, who also house a summer camp on their property. It will take you back to another time, the 1960s and 70s, and the feel of an old school family dynasty that will go to any length to protect its reputation. This book will surprise you at who is allied and what is really going on. I recommend this on audio!”

— Lisa • The Bookshelf on Church

Bookseller recommendation

“Although it took a bit of time to feel invested in this novel, I enjoyed snacking on the breadcrumbs that lead to a satisfying ending of an intricate story. I’ll admit, I had to restart more than once to avoid confusion; the vast array of characters and time jumps made it a bit difficult to follow while listening to the audio version. After the third start, I was wholly invested and was pleasantly surprised that the ending was legitimate, realistic, and still surprised me.”

— Ashley • Whale’s Tale Books & Gifts

Bookseller recommendation

“A thirteen-year-old girl goes missing in the same woods that her own brother disappeared from fourteen years ago. The setting of this book, a summer camp in 1975, is positively lush with detail. Readers follow not one but TWO mysterious disappearances in this book, a journey studded with red hearings, subtle clues, and intriguing plot twists. The audiobook narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, does an outstanding job setting the scene and voicing a wide cast of characters. A thrilling mystery that will have you questioning what happened up until the last chapter! ”

— Amy • Copperfield's Books

Bookseller recommendation

“It’s the mid 1970’s. It’s summer camp. But this is no nostalgic, comedy or cheap slasher novel. An unnamable, ever present danger hovers and lurks in the woods of the Adirondack mountains, seemingly encircling Camp Emerson, and lingering on every page of this totally enveloping novel. Moore paints a highly convincing ecosystem surrounding Camp Emerson, paying special attention to the class based hierarchies and antagonisms that simmer all around. The novel also portrays an ugly, decadent upper class, and is interested in the strict confines of gender roles which all really add depth to the novel. Moore absolutely sticks the landing in the end.”

— Matthew • The Common Good