God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Goodreads Choice Award

Winner for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2024)

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

Angela's Review

This was a topnotch mystery. It was well written and I was captivated from the beginning until the very end. I was surprised by what happened to Bear Van Laar, and I fell for many of the book's red herrings. There is a quote in the book where the captain investigating the crime comments: “I’m just saying — when you hear hoofbeats, don’t look for a zebra.” The idea is that the obvious answer is often the right one. In this book, Moore gives us so many examples that draw our attention away from what is really happening. I don't want to say more than that because I don't want to give the ending away.

Moore balanced multiple timelines and did it well. I was never confused, and I was able to follow both timelines without difficulty. I thought the characters with perspectives were chosen well, and they helped to build the suspense. All of the chapters seemed necessary.

I loved the setting that immersed me in the wild, untamed beauty of nature; the characters secrets kept me guessing; and the themes of privilege, power, and the scars of the past added depth.

 For me, this one was a must-read ! This book will stay with you long after you turn the final page.  Don't miss this unforgettable journey into the woods! I gave this one 5 stars.