The God of the Woods - Liz Moore

Hey book lovers! In this episode, I dive into Liz Moore's sprawling mystery The God of the Woods, which has been making waves on bestseller lists and earned a killer endorsement from Stephen King himself (and you know how I feel about King!).

What's it about?

The story kicks off in summer 1975 at Camp Self-Reliance in the Adirondack Mountains when 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar vanishes from her bunk. But here's the creepy part - her older brother Bear also disappeared from the exact same camp fourteen years earlier. The Van Laars own the camp and basically employ half the region, so these disappearances send shockwaves through the entire community.

What I loved

• The atmospheric Adirondack setting is perfectly creepy and immersive
• Strong Stephen King vibes with that small-town-with-dark-secrets feel
• The book's exploration of different generations of women fighting against oppression
• Some genuinely compelling characters, especially Alice Van Laar and Louise
• The 1970s period details that create a vivid sense of time and place

What could've been better

• The multiple POVs and timelines can get confusing and dilute the central narrative
• The connection between the two disappearances isn't as tight as it could be
• Judyta, the female state trooper who could've been an amazing protagonist, enters the story too late
• Some revelations feel contrived rather than earned

Perfect for readers who:

• Love slow-burn mysteries with rich character development
• Enjoy stories about women navigating systems of power
• Are fans of Stephen King's atmospheric small-town tales
• Don't mind jumping between multiple perspectives and timelines
• Appreciate stories that explore class dynamics and family secrets

This episode's drink: The Adirondack Old Fashioned

A classic 70s upper-class cocktail with a wilderness twist! Rye whiskey, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, a splash of maple syrup, and a pine or rosemary garnish to bring that forest vibe. For non-drinkers, try the Camp Counselor's Tonic with tonic water, maple syrup, non-alcoholic bitters, apple cider, and the same woodsy garnish.

Up next:

Stay tuned for my thoughts on The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon in our next episode!

Want more?

Find Bestsellers & Brews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Have you read The God of the Woods? Let me know what you thought in the comments!