15 Aug Book Review – What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall

’ve been on a horror kick lately, probably thanks to all those late-night marathons of creepy movies that have been haunting my dreams. You know how it goes—you watch one, then suddenly you’re down a rabbit hole of ghosts, ghouls, and psychological mind-benders. So when I stumbled upon What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall, it felt like the universe was nudging me to pick it up. I was expecting something that would keep me on edge, maybe even make me double-check my locks at night. Plus, there’s something about stories where the past refuses to stay buried that I find irresistible. It’s like when you accidentally find an old yearbook and start flipping through the pages, only to realize some memories are best left in the dusty corners of your mind.

Curled up in my favorite chair with a hot cup of tea, I was ready to get lost in the woods with these characters. But as the story unfolded, I found myself torn between wanting to know how it all ends and feeling like something was missing. It wasn’t quite the horror-thriller I’d hoped for, but it had just enough to keep me turning the pages.

What’s it about?

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall is the kind of book that messes with your head, starting with a childhood trauma and dragging you through a dark, tangled forest of secrets and lies. The story kicks off with three best friends—Naomi, Cassidy, and Olivia—who, as kids, stumbled into something sinister in the woods. They end up testifying against a man, sending him to prison for life, believing that they’ve put a monster away. Fast forward twenty-two years, and Naomi’s past comes back to haunt her when new evidence surfaces, hinting that maybe, just maybe, they got it all wrong. The trio reunites, and what unfolds is a series of shocking twists and turns that force them to question not only what they saw that day but who they’ve become because of it. This book has all the ingredients of a good psychological thriller—murder, unreliable memories, and the kind of suspense that makes you turn the pages faster than you intended.

What This Chick Thinks

So, I picked up What Lies in the Woods because I’ve been on this horror-thriller kick lately. Something about stories where the past comes creeping out of the shadows always gets me. But this one? Well, I have mixed feelings. It’s like when you’re watching a movie, and you’re halfway through the popcorn, but you’re still waiting for that ‘wow’ moment that makes it all worth it.

First off, I’ve got to hand it to Marshall—she knows how to set a scene. The small-town vibe, the creepy woods, the childhood trauma that everyone’s trying to bury—it all feels very True Detective meets Big Little Lies, which is totally up my alley. The atmosphere kept me hooked, and I was genuinely curious to see how it would all play out. But here’s the thing: the characters didn’t quite land for me. Naomi, as the main character, should’ve been someone I could root for or at least understand, but she felt more like a plot device than a real person. Her motivations were sometimes murky, and while I get that she’s supposed to be unreliable, it came off more like confusion than complexity.

The pacing also threw me off a bit. There were moments when the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and then there were stretches where I found myself checking how many pages were left—never a good sign. Some of the twists, while surprising, felt more like they were there to shock rather than actually make sense. It’s not that I need every little detail to tie up perfectly, but some of the revelations felt like they came out of nowhere just for the sake of it.

That said, I still found myself needing to know how it ended. There’s something about the story that compels you to keep going, even when you’re not entirely sold on the journey. It’s a bit like walking through a haunted house—you might not be enjoying every jump scare, but you’re committed to seeing it through to the exit.

Final thoughts

In the end, What Lies in the Woods is a solid read if you’re in the mood for something twisty and dark, but it didn’t quite blow me away. It’s like one of those Netflix shows you binge because you’re curious, but you’re not necessarily going to recommend it to everyone you know. I’d give it a 6 out of 10—good enough to finish, but not something I’ll be raving about.

Try it if you like:

• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: If you’re into unreliable narrators and stories where you’re never quite sure who’s telling the truth, this one will hit the spot.
• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn: For another dive into small-town secrets and complicated female characters, though with a bit more grit and edge.
• The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward: If you like your thrillers with a side of psychological horror and a narrative that keeps you guessing.