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A review by bizarrebrunette
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars
CW: SA, using sex as a coping mechanism for trauma.
Naomi Shaw is a survivor. When she was young, she was stabbed 17 times by a serial killer. Her friends were witnesses and Naomi was rescued. Her testimony put a serial killer in prison. Several years later, this serial killer dies, so Naomi visits her small town to reunite with Cassidy and Olivia. As they talk, it's clear that lies bind them and what they say on the stand is not what played out. Is it worth digging up what happened all those years ago? or should things stay as they were?
When I started this book, I wasn't sure if I liked the writing style. There are flashbacks of the three girls in the same chapter as present-day events. I found this confusing to follow. I wish the flashbacks were their separate chapters because I think that would have been easier to follow. On top of that, it felt like as the reader, I didn't know what was going on. For most thrillers I read, it's clear what the story is and the twists come later. In this book, it's clear that the characters are holding onto secrets and sometimes things were mentioned before they were explained which felt frustrating at times. That said, once I was a third of the way through this book, I was hooked. With every chapter, more is revealed and I couldn't stop reading until I figured out what happened.
For the characters, Naomi had to grow on me. There was a moment early on in the book where I cringed on Naomi's behalf When she tried to convince Cody (who's married and a dad) to come into her motel room to sleep with her. GIRL NO. Naomi uses sex in a way that's hard to read at times. Throughout the book, I think Naomi recognizes this and with the way the events unfolded, I could see Naomi changing or seriously committing to the therapy she needs. Cass is the lighthearted one in the group, but can also be mean. The way she treats Naomi is deplorable and Naomi pushes it off as that's how she has always been. I couldn't stand Cass from the get-go. Liv is processing her trauma quietly and she seems to be with her thoughts. These three girls are friends because of that event, without it, I don't believe their friendship would have lasted. Despite this, I was fully invested in them as characters with all of their flaws.
The setting of this book was chilling. The deep, rich forests outside of Washington state. The way the girls played outside in the forest as children and where Naomi was attacked. I'd argue this book is teetering on being a horror book versus a straight-up thriller. Reading this book reminds me of a movie, but I'm hiding that behind spoiler tags Stand by Me. Persephone is the body in this book Kate Alice Marshall does an excellent job at creating this small town with its deep secrets and how this one event in Naomi's life will unearth everything which is what happens through and through.
With the reveals, I predicted some, but not others. Persephone is Jessi Walker, a waitress in the town. She was having an affair with Cass's dad who is the mayor. Jessi confronts Cass's dad and Cody, the man who saved Naomi, shows up to deal with the situation. They argue and Cody pushes Jessi who hits her head on a rock. Jessi in her delirium crawls into the cave where she dies. Cass knows all of this and leads Naomi and Liv to her body where they idolize it in their game. From there, Cass blackmails Cody with this information as she sees Cody at her dad's house panicking about Jessi's fall. Liv (pressured by Cass) stabs Naomi 17 times in a sacrifice. Cass didn't think Liv would do it, but she does. They leave her and Cody sees her and rescues her. In the showdown, Naomi leads Cody to Jessi's corpse and Naomi puts it together that Liv found out about Jessi and Cody shoots her. Cass shows up and explains to Naomi what happened that day and how Cass and Naomi lied about it. Naomi can escape and Cody takes a plea deal for his role in the crimes OH and Ethan is the serial killers' son, that one I did not put together I loved the final reveal because I thought it was so interesting. I had an inkling as to one of the characters and how there was something up about them, so the fact that I was right, I felt validated. This book is one twisty, psychological, and horrific turn and I was along for the ride.
The only grievance I have with this book that I wanted to mention is Naomi. The way sex was described in this book made me uncomfortable. I think it can be realistic that instead of drowning your sorrows or trauma in alcohol, using sex can be a coping mechanism. As a reader, I was uncomfortable reading these portions of the book. I don't think it was wrong to include this, but I felt the book would have proceeded the same without it.
This book was heavy, I feel like I need to watch an animated movie after reading this book. I need a breather from thrillers after reading this one.
CW: SA, using sex as a coping mechanism for trauma.
Naomi Shaw is a survivor. When she was young, she was stabbed 17 times by a serial killer. Her friends were witnesses and Naomi was rescued. Her testimony put a serial killer in prison. Several years later, this serial killer dies, so Naomi visits her small town to reunite with Cassidy and Olivia. As they talk, it's clear that lies bind them and what they say on the stand is not what played out. Is it worth digging up what happened all those years ago? or should things stay as they were?
When I started this book, I wasn't sure if I liked the writing style. There are flashbacks of the three girls in the same chapter as present-day events. I found this confusing to follow. I wish the flashbacks were their separate chapters because I think that would have been easier to follow. On top of that, it felt like as the reader, I didn't know what was going on. For most thrillers I read, it's clear what the story is and the twists come later. In this book, it's clear that the characters are holding onto secrets and sometimes things were mentioned before they were explained which felt frustrating at times. That said, once I was a third of the way through this book, I was hooked. With every chapter, more is revealed and I couldn't stop reading until I figured out what happened.
For the characters, Naomi had to grow on me. There was a moment early on in the book where I cringed on Naomi's behalf
The setting of this book was chilling. The deep, rich forests outside of Washington state. The way the girls played outside in the forest as children and where Naomi was attacked. I'd argue this book is teetering on being a horror book versus a straight-up thriller. Reading this book reminds me of a movie, but I'm hiding that behind spoiler tags
With the reveals, I predicted some, but not others.
The only grievance I have with this book that I wanted to mention is Naomi. The way sex was described in this book made me uncomfortable. I think it can be realistic that instead of drowning your sorrows or trauma in alcohol, using sex can be a coping mechanism. As a reader, I was uncomfortable reading these portions of the book. I don't think it was wrong to include this, but I felt the book would have proceeded the same without it.
This book was heavy, I feel like I need to watch an animated movie after reading this book. I need a breather from thrillers after reading this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol