Today we’re diving into God of the Woods by Liz Moore — a new-to-me author whose latest novel absolutely swept the internet. It even won the Goodreads 2024 Readers’ Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller. When I saw that, I thought: Okay… let’s give it a try.
I’m so glad I did. Despite being just over 450 pages, it’s the kind of slow-burn literary thriller that keeps you completely hooked — rich backstory, layered characters, and that perfect back-and-forth structure that pulls you through chapters without realizing you’re still reading.
Overview of the Book (Spoiler-Free)
Here’s the official description via The New York Times:
Set in the dense Adirondack forests, God of the Woods begins in 1975 with the disappearance of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar from her family’s summer camp — echoing the unsolved disappearance of her brother Bear over a decade earlier. Spanning the 1950s through 1970s and told through multiple perspectives, the novel explores privilege, family secrets, and unresolved trauma as the mysteries of the Van Laar family slowly unravel.
As of April 2025, the book sits at 4.15 stars on Goodreads with over 450,000 reviews — and honestly, I agree with the hype.
What Worked for Me
1. The structure + clarity
This book does multi-timeline storytelling so well.
Each chapter opens with a clear timestamps and the POV characters name. It sounds small, but it made the reading experience seamless. No guesswork, no flipping back to remember where we are. Just simple, thoughtful clarity.
2. The immersive time period
The book moves through the 1950s to mid-1970s, and Moore absolutely transports you. One of the main characters is a tall redheaded girl in 1975 around the age my own mom would’ve been at that time, and I kept imagining my mom at summer camp in that era. Silly, but fun. Her world-building is atmospheric in the best way.
3. Characters + motivations
Even the unlikeable characters make sense. You don’t always approve, but you always understand — and that’s the mark of a strong writer. One standout for me was Judyta. She was, in my opinion, the perfect character to unravel Barbara’s disappearance. And her final decision? Absolute chef’s kiss. A subtle, earned moment of feminism — and you know me, I don’t say that lightly.
4. The setting + atmosphere
The lake, the woods, the family lodge — the descriptions were so vivid I felt like I could smell pine and feel the summer humidity. The natural world is almost its own character in the story.
5. A genuinely satisfying ending
With so many threads, secrets, and timelines, it could’ve become chaotic — but everything ties up in a deeply satisfying way. No cheap twists. No loose ends (well… just one, which I’ll get to). As a reader, it felt kind. I love when a mystery respects your time and investment.
A Quick Note Before Spoilers
If you haven’t read the book and want to stay completely spoiler-free, go ahead and stop here and come back later. If you’re ready… continue on.
⚠️ SPOILER SECTION
Okay — let’s talk about Bear, the older brother who disappeared in the 1960s.
The truth of what happened to him is devastating, simple, and so human. Bear drowned accidentally, pulled under when his mother — completely intoxicated and emotionally unraveling — took him boating during a storm on the lake.
The family covers it up, blaming a local man to protect their reputation. It’s horrible, but also exactly the kind of grim simplicity that often sits behind decades of complicated lies. I actually love when an author does this: reveals that the real tragedy is much smaller and more human than the story we spin around it.
Where things get fuzzy — and this is my one complaint — is the whole thread about Alice’s husband (Peter) cheating with her sister.
It’s revealed late, tied to Alice’s emotional spiral, and yet we never revisit:
- who knew
- whether anyone confronted anyone
- whether the secret stayed buried
- or how it shaped later events
It felt like a major reveal that never got fully explored, and I was left wanting clarity. Otherwise? The mysteries tie up beautifully.
Final Thoughts + Rating
Overall, this was a rich, atmospheric, extremely satisfying literary mystery with:
- layered family dynamics
- intergenerational secrets
- vivid setting
- excellent pacing
- and a payoff that feels earned
I rated it 4 out of 5 stars — not because it wasn’t excellent, but because it didn’t emotionally wreck me the way a true five-star read does. Still a very solid, memorable four.
If you’re looking for a slow-burn, character-driven mystery with depth, this is one I absolutely recommend.
Happy reading — and let me know what you thought if you pick it up! 📚✨