The God Of The Woods

Author: Liz Moore
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
490 pages
Publisher: Riverhead Books, 2024

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

My review
The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore is an exceptional, emotionally charged, character-driven story that masterfully weaves elements of crime fiction and police procedural into the narrative. While the plot revolves around two central mysteries, it’s not what I’d categorize as a thriller. If you’re expecting an intense, edge-of-your-seat experience, you might be disappointed. Instead, this is an intricate, character-focused tale where the mysteries are seamlessly integrated into the characters’ stories.

Through Moore’s expertly crafted narrative, I could vividly picture the characters, the secluded and claustrophobic setting, the house named Self-Reliance, the camp, and the dark and mysterious woods. Moore didn’t just set her novel primarily in the 1970s—she effortlessly transported me to that time and place. While there are a few flaws, this novel is expertly written and emotionally resonant. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, and effortless spans different time periods and characters, allowing me to see the world through their eyes.

This is a story of women, each grappling with trauma, loss, and grief in their own way. Moore crafts distinct narratives for these women, highlighting how they survive and protect their loved ones in different ways. T.J., the camp director, is a tough, self-sufficient, and resilient character who runs the camp with unwavering authority, even against the powerful Van Laar family. Louise, a victim of abuse and an overachiever, struggles as she tries to take care of her younger brother while striving for a better life. Judyta (Judy), an idealistic investigator, uses her keen observation and logic to see what others overlook. Alice, meanwhile, is lost in a world of wealth, drowning in her own sorrows, and numbing herself into oblivion. Many of these women are damaged or broken, beaten down, and trapped by their circumstances, which is unsurprising given the hardships they’ve endured. Themes of class, prejudice, and injustice also loom large throughout the story. While the women in the story take center stage, there are also complex male characters who add depth to the narrative.

The God Of The Woods is an emotional, fascinating, intriguing story and one I would gladly read again. It’s a thoroughly engrossing and compelling tale, and despite being nearly 500 pages long, I easily finished it in less than two days. It’s that good!

My recommendation: read it!