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  • The God of the Woods

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Liz Moore
  • Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
  • Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (59 ratings)

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The God of the Woods

Written by: Liz Moore
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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Publisher's Summary

"Riveting from page one to the last breathless word."—Rebecca Makkai, New York Times bestselling author of I Have Some Questions For You

“Brilliant, riveting .. an epic mystery, a family saga and a survival guide...I loved this book.”—Miranda Cowley Heller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Paper Palace

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 listeners into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF that contains a map from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Liz Moore (P)2024 Penguin Audio
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What the critics say

"An immersive reading experience that will draw audiences. Its explorations of class, crime, and family dynamics, in addition to Moore’s incredible storytelling, will appeal to readers of Lisa Jewell, Tana French, and Lucy Foley."Library Journal, STARRED review

"Rich in background detail and secondary mysteries. . .this ever-expansive, intricate, emotionally engaging novel never seems overplotted. Every piece falls skillfully into place and every character, major and minor, leaves an imprint."Kirkus, STARRED review

Gripping and revelatory...The beautiful and dangerous wilderness setting enhances the suspense as the narrative builds to a dramatic final act...This astonishes.”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

Editorial Review

“When lost, sit down and yell”
I’ve been a huge fan of Liz Moore since her memorable novel Long Bright River wowed me in 2020. It also kept me up all night, speed-listening until I finished the last chapter. When I heard Moore was releasing a new novel, not only did I know that The God of the Woods would be an auto-download, I was also prepared for another sleepless night. And sleep I did not. This haunting and heartbreaking story centers on a 13-year-old camper who goes missing 14 years after her older brother vanished in the same Adirondack woods. Alternating between present day and flashback, Saskia Maarleveld’s narration is captivating, echoing the story’s eerie atmospheric tension and rich complex characters. Her ability to convey deep emotions and suspense enriches this thrilling journey through one family’s troubled legacy that builds to a dramatic final act. I would gladly forgo another night of sleep to go back and listen to this one from the beginning again. — Margaret H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The God of the Woods

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  • Overall
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So good!

Loved the story and you can't go wrong with Saskia narrating - 10/10 I look forward to reading more books by this author

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great narration

one of the best narrators I have ever listened to. made it such an enjoyable listen

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Deep, complex and engaging story

I loved this book. The characters were exceptionally well realized with sensitive individual insights. I highly recommend this book. I became obsessed with it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

meh

I hate leaving a bad review but I was unimpressed by this
I did not like the ending
I'm sorry !

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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More twists than I could count.

Very intriguing story! I didn't predict almost any of the ending. All of the characters were engaging, even the ones that you really don't like. And a pretty satisfying ending!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Don’t understand the hype

Honestly don’t understand why this title is so popular. I really tried to like it, was intrigued by the first couple chapters and then it lost me. Very difficult to follow, about 20 different characters that you need to keep track of in order to understand what’s happening. Flip flops between past and present constantly leaving the reader confused. Long stretches of it were just boring and it never really paid off in the end. Narration was really good too but still did not make me invested in the story. If this title had a bad narrator I don’t think many people would be able to finish it. Definitely not a thriller.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Narrator

This narrator is fantastic! Would love to listen to her in additional audiobooks, the performance was outstanding. This story keeps you on your toes

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating characters, great setting

My favourite author (hopes were high) did not disappoint. The narrator is my new favourite. Beautifully written and narrated, I didn’t want it to end.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Slow burn but worth it

Slow burn but half way through you’ll be hooked. Great character developments. Can be difficult to keep track with the flashbacks but they all make sense in the end.

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LiStEn To It Or ReAd It! Do WhAtEvEr It TaKeS tO gEt ThIs NoVeL iN yOu!


The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. Released July 2024.
Liz Moore's The God of the Woods is fictional but one character is on a real serial killer named Robert Garrow, who haunted the Adirondacks in the 1970s.

This a masterfully written novel that expertly navigates a dual-timeline structure. This character-driven story is rich with layers, offering readers deep emotional engagement and insight into each character's life and struggles. While some reviewers may have found the dual timelines challenging, I believe this stems from not fully immersing themselves in getting to, or wantinggg to know each character. For me, the dual timelines added a significant depth to the story, providing necessary context and enhancing the overall narrative. I love character rich books and multiple timelines though, some do not.

From the start, Moore's writing captivated me. She employs both direct and indirect characterization with such intimacy and emotion that you can't help but feel connected to the characters. The way she brings out the characters' emotions and situations allows you to step into their shoes, experiencing their world as they do.

The novel is rich with protagonists, including a dual protagonist dynamic, which is further supported by a strong cast of secondary characters—some caregivers, informers, and pundits, who range from benevolent to malevolent. Like the evil ultra rich who will do everything and anything to help themselves as they care more about their image and what people will think of them… I can’t say any more on that. Oh! And let's not forget the antagonists! Every character plays a vital role, making this a densely populated yet easy-to-follow story.

For me personally, one of the standout features of Moore's writing is her use of dramatic irony. There were moments where I felt a strong urge to jump into the book and guide a character, but Moore masterfully kept me hooked, eagerly waiting for them to discover the truth on their own. Keep in mind, I did not even know the truth! I thought I did but I didn’t! So not very predictable, thank goodness! The twists and turns… loved it!

This was my first experience with Liz Moore's work, and I am now eager to explore more of her books.

I’ve become an avid audiobook listener, and some books would have been so much better had there been a better narrator. Having said that, I must give a special mention to the narrator of The God of the Woods. Her performance was exceptional, bringing the characters and the story to life in a way that only a skilled narrator can. I've listened to her before, and her voice is consistently pleasant and engaging, enhancing my overall experience.

Listening to audiobooks has become a crucial part of my life, allowing me to enjoy great stories while managing a busy household, caring for my children, husband, animals, gardens, property, and ailing mother. Audiobooks are my savior, enabling me to multitask without the guilt of not sitting down with a physical book.
The God of the Woods is a book that I highly recommend, whether you're reading or listening. Liz Moore has crafted a novel that is both complex and accessible, with characters that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

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