The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The God of the Woods is a masterfully written and emotionally rich novel that blends historical fiction, mystery, crime thriller, and women’s fiction into one unforgettable experience. Set primarily in 1975 at a summer camp in the Adirondacks, the story revolves around the sudden disappearance of 17-year-old Barbara Van Laar, the rebellious daughter of a wealthy and troubled family. Her vanishing reopens old wounds—especially the unsolved disappearance of her older brother, Bear, a decade earlier.

Told through multiple perspectives, the novel explores the inner lives of a wide range of characters: Tracy, a lonely teen who idolizes Barbara; Alice, Barbara’s emotionally broken mother who numbs herself with pills and alcohol; Louise, a determined camp counselor struggling to support her younger brother; Judyta, a trailblazing young female detective in a male-dominated world; and several others, including a fugitive hiding in the woods and a grieving gardener with ties to the past.

Each character is vivid, flawed, and beautifully human. The alternating timelines between the 1950s and 1970s give the narrative both depth and suspense, slowly weaving together pieces of a haunting family legacy. Tana French fans or readers of Donna Tartt will appreciate the layered storytelling and psychological insight.

The book excels not only in plot but in atmosphere. The woods surrounding Camp Emerson, the Van Laar estate, and the hidden lives of its inhabitants are painted with precision and care. Author Liz Moore captures the era perfectly while also giving timeless weight to themes like motherhood, trauma, gender expectations, class, and survival.

Despite a few moments where the pacing slows, the payoff is absolutely worth it. The twists are unexpected yet earned, and the final revelations are heartbreaking and powerful.

The God of the Woods is an immersive, thoughtful, and deeply moving novel that showcases the resilience of women navigating a world built to overlook them. Highly recommended for fans of literary mysteries with emotional depth.











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