A Book A Week

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. We finally began repairing and renovating our home, addressing some storm damage from April and updating a few other things. Just as all this work wrapped up, Hurricane Beryl hit, leaving us to deal with days without power, downed limbs, and some new damage. Thankfully, we are safe, and the damage is minimal this time. Although I've been less active on the blog amidst all this chaos, my reading hasn't slowed down. With that in mind, I'm excited to finally return with a review for one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

Liz Moore's 2020 novel, Long Bright River, was a standout for me. The dark and visceral mystery captivated me with its deeply drawn characters, grounded realism, and compelling plot. It wasn’t an easy or light read, but it stayed with me long after I finished it. After four long years of eagerly waiting for something new from Moore, I was thrilled to receive a copy of her latest novel, The God of the Woods, from her publisher. Like her previous work, this novel centers on a missing person's case, but this time, it unfolds across multiple characters and timelines. Moore's unique, gripping, and thought-provoking writing style shines in this novel, exploring different themes and subjects while seamlessly weaving together another compelling read.

The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon at an Adirondack summer camp when a counselor notices an empty bunk. It's 1975, and Barbara Van Laar, the camper who should be there, is missing. The counselor, Louise, doesn't initially panic. After all, each cabin is dutifully monitored by one of Camp Emerson's counselors. Surely, they'll know where Barbara is. When Louise discovers the hungover counselor, who very obviously didn't spend the night ensuring the safety of her charges, the reality of the situation begins to set in. Barbara isn't just any camper; she's a member of the Van Laar family, one of the region's wealthiest and most prominent families. The Van Laars own the camp and employ many of the local residents who run it. This is a disaster. 

The urgency to find Barbara is heightened by several other alarming factors. News of an escaped killer has broken, and he is suspected to be hiding in the very woods surrounding the camp. Even more concerning, this isn't the first time a Van Laar has vanished in these woods. Decades ago, Barbara's older brother, Bear, disappeared among these trees, sending his parents, Peter and Alice Van Laar, into a tailspin. With Barbara now missing, locals fear history may be repeating itself. Could these two cases be related? Can Barbara be found alive?

In The God of the Woods, Liz Moore delves into the complexities of wealth, expectation, and legacy through a multifaceted missing person's case that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The story's intricate structure takes time to settle into as Moore alternates between various characters' perspectives across two different timelines. The past, set in the 1950s, revolves around Bear's disappearance, while the present, set in the 1970s, centers on Barbara's. This nonlinear narrative gradually reveals each character's motivations, withholding their true intentions until the story's climax. While this approach can initially feel tedious, I was utterly absorbed in the mystery by the halfway point, captivated by Moore's narrative craftsmanship.

The richly portrayed setting further enhances the story's allure. The woods become almost a spiritual realm, providing the perfect backdrop for Moore's intricate narrative. The grandeur and mystery of the forest create a constant, grounding presence amidst the shifting perspectives. This setting, combined with the complex characters and central mystery, makes the story's narrative acrobatics more engaging. The conclusion is both tragically poetic and deeply satisfying, delivering final revelations that feel both shocking and inevitable. The God of the Woods is another standout work from Liz Moore. It offers an unconventional take on the mystery genre that encourages contemplation of its deeper meanings while enthralling readers with its compelling story.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 52)