The book echoes the changing times of the Sixties - the aftermath of the war, British stiff upper lip and teenage freedom. The main theme is, however, abuse and intolerance both mental and physical. Parts of the book are not an easy read. Teenage twins, Maisy and Duncan are sent to live with their dragon of a grandmother when their mother is put in an asylum. Bodies of teenage boys keep being found in the area and eventually Duncan disappears as well. The book is well written and the plot keeps you guessing as to the perpetrator.

Brilliant author, and excellent book having never come across this author before!

Story starts with a set of twins going to live with their difficult and pretty unmaternal grandmother after their mother was put in a mental hospital, and dad took them there kind of abandoning them really.

Duncan one of the twins goes missing and the story starts there, the characters are very well thought out and likeable and the woman in the woods is the best character of them all. Can't say much as it will spoil it for others but this is an amazing story with a fantastic ending.

It's full of twists and turns and had me on the edge of my seat a few times and in the end I was hooked not knowing who was the culprit, I was wrong on many occasions lol

A must read can't wait to read more from Lesley!!!

A mother in an asylum, a cold and distance grandmother, a missing child, a strange woman living alone in the wood – Pearse certainly knows the right ingredients for a historical mystery novel! As if that wasn’t enough, Pearse throws a little emotion into the story as well, while still maintaining the dark themes the blurb promises.

Interestingly, The Woman in the Wood features some very dark themes but I’d still recommend it to readers who tend to avoid novels with sinister themes/content. I say that because Pearse is clearly a skilled writer, she allows you to feel the darkness and allows it to cloud certain parts of the story without throwing you head first into it. I’d say this book is in equally parts, character-driven and plot-driven and this opens the book up to a wider reading audience. The mystery itself is very cleverly constructed and until Pearse was ready to tell, I had no clue what had befallen Duncan.

Not only is this a mystery novel centred around a missing child, Pearse delves into the realm of family ties and friendship. She delivers this theme through some brilliant characters – Maisy and Duncan are likeable children and develop a warm and loving relationship with their grandmother’s housekeeper, in comparison to their cold grandmother and their father who struggles to show affection, this book has a nice contrast of characters. When Duncan goes missing, it’s interesting to see the reaction of the different characters. While the twins may not feel especially close to their family, I didn’t dislike their gran or their dad but don’t worry, Pearse delivers on unlikeable characters too. I also liked that the novel opened with some information about the twin’s mother and how her being in an asylum featured throughout the story as it affected the twin’s actions, without Pearse needing to detail cold and disturbing accounts of their mother in an asylum, as a nearly abstract character, she played vital role in the novel.

Before I conclude this review, I thought I’d say something about the woman in the wood - easily my favourite character! That’s all you’re getting on that!

After reading this book, it is clear Pearse has incredible talent – The Woman in the Wood is a wonderful mystery that is strong enough to engage you fully in the read without needing a lightening pace, it features some strong characters and character development with a firm conclusion to the novel. I highly recommended it!

This is my first book by Lesley Pearse and I quite enjoyed it. I did find that it dragged in a few places but still a good book.

Another excellent read from this author. Found it hard to put down. I really enjoyed it!!

An enjoyable read as ever. I have read every Lesley Pearse book and remain an avid fan.

Another fabulous book by Lesley Pearse that I thoroughly enjoyed, such a gripping read and had me holding my breath a few times!! I would definitely recommend this book and 5 stars from me.

Lesley Pearse has been a favourite writer of mine for years and The Woman in the Wood is another well written family saga that Pearse fans everywhere will enjoy. It is a little different than her normal work and the subject matter could be a bit off putting for some but all in all it is a compelling read with a host of great characters.
5 stars.

Love Lesley Pearse but a bit disappointed in this one. The story just didn't grip me like her other books

Part of the joy of being a book reviewer is when you discover an author whose book captures your imagination so much that you can’t put it down, I read this book in two days. It is an even greater joy when you then discover that this author has written a lot of other books that you have yet to read.

Maisie and Duncan are 15-year-old twins living in London in 1960 with an ill mother and a cold and distant father. Like many twins, they rely on each other and are reasonably content with their life. This all changes one night when they are awakened by their mother screaming as she is taken to an asylum by their father. They are then sent to live with their grandmother, a woman as cold-hearted as her son but Janice, the housekeeper is delighted to have someone to look after.

The twins soon love their new home, they have the freedom to explore the beautiful area of the New Forest where they are now living. They begin to make new friends and even, for Maisie, a new romance. During their explorations, they come across the ‘Woman in the Wood’, Grace Deville, who lives alone deep in the forest. She is considered a witch by the local community but the twins, especially Duncan, are determined to befriend her.

Suddenly one evening, Duncan does not come home for dinner and despite his grandmother’s indifference days go by with no sign of him. Other young boys have been kidnapped in the area and some bodies have been found but the police seem unable to discover any trace of the murderer. Maisie with a twin’s intuition is sure her brother is still alive and knows the person who can help her, the Woman in the Wood.

Together they uncover the identity of the murderer and finally bring him to justice. However, there is so much more to this book than this. It is about relationships and how ingrained characteristics can be overcome. It is about discrimination and how if someone is different, then they must be ostracised. It is about life in the Sixties the way things were so different then. I was growing up then and so much of what the author says resonated with my own childhood. It is also set in an area that I know very well and although it is mainly the New Forest there are references to places like Bournemouth and Ringwood. Maisie is picked up on a trip to the seaside from outside Beales, a department store, that is still in Bournemouth to this day which adds authenticity to the story.

Although the central plot revolves around an evil psychopath and there are some gruesome details throughout the book it is also a story of life at that time. I found the combination compelling to read and, as I said before, could not put this down. Whether the whole book was more real to me because I live very near to the New Forest and have spent many happy hours with my children and my dog walking in the New Forest, especially around Burley which is where the majority of the story is set, I cannot say. However, I have never yet found the Woman in the Wood but there is a witch’s shop in Burley!!

I am so pleased to have discovered this author and will be trying my best to find time to read some of her earlier novels if they are as good as this one I am in for a treat!

Dexter

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

The Woman in the Wood was a great book that I struggled to put down. It hooked me in from the first few pages and I just had to keep reading.
This story focuses on twins Maisy and Duncan who are sent to stay with their grandmother. As it progresses we find out that someone is kidnapping young boys and soon enough Duncan is also kidnapped. Can they find him in time, you'll have to read to find out but I'm sure you'll love this book. Another fab and captivating book by Lesley Pearce.

I would like to begin by saying, that this is my first book by this author, and it really surprised me. It felt like I was reading a literary classics and I really hope it will become one day.

The main characters of this book are twins Maisy and Duncan, and author really puts a lot of effort in introducing them. Generally, all the characters in this book were very well introduced and rounded. Their personalities were shining in this book, and there were so many to choose from. Lesley Pearse kept really pleasant balance between cold and warm characters, giving a taste of both and keeping the diversity going. I really liked the way author chose different ages for the characters, so everyone, from young to old will find someone to relate to. I do love books where characters have a voice, and this book didn’t disappoint me with that, but the transition between different perspectives was sometimes difficult to follow for me, as it just starts from new paragraph. That’s why, for me, this book required some concentration and suitable atmosphere to read it.

The plot of this book starts in 1960 in West London but quite quickly it is transferred to Nightingales mansion in Burley. Well, it was way before I was born and there are so many clues of the 60ies, but during whole book I had the feeling of early nineteenth century. It was because of the elegant and refined writing style used in this book, everything in this book screamed of politeness and rich mannerism, that’s why it felt like reading one of the classic books.

The story of this novel was flowing very smoothly, without any story changing twists or turns. There were some really interesting discoveries along the way, which made the book interesting, but it was not very fast paced for me. L. Pearse was discussing really interesting topics in this book, such as: children growing up with lack of parental love; the strong bond between siblings (in this case twins); how paedophilia and child abuse affects young kids mentally and physically; why people choose to live away from society; and I believe some of them were taken from author’s own colourful life.

As I mentioned before, the writing style of this book is very refined and sophisticated, and for me it is not easy to read such work, but very refreshing at the same time. The chapters of this book are not very short, but it changes between different characters perspectives, so they are not boring. I would like to throw in a disclaimer, there are some nasty things discussed in this book, so if you have an eager sensitive child who would like to read this novel, it could be a little distressing. The ending of this book wasn’t very exciting, but it was well deserved and rounded the story fully, leaving me satisfied with the outcome of this story. So to conclude, I enjoyed reading this rich novel, filled with unexpected writing style, well rounded, interesting characters, and it discusses very wide range of life aspects. Get it, read it, enjoy it!

I loved this book and read it in one afternoon /going through to early morning. Didn't want it to end. Superb storyline, grabs you from beginning to end. Look forward to reading more by this author.

Living in Hampshire and knowing Burley, I was really excited to read about the area in this book! With a little of the true fascinating history of Burley’s famous whitch as well this was even better. That aside though, the storyline itself was fabulous. Twins Maisy and Duncan are sent to live with their Grandmother, who really doesn’t care about them very much. They explore the New Forest together until one day, Duncan disappears. The story unfolds as Maisy grows up, never giving up her search for her twin until one day…

Anymore would be a spoiler so you’ll have to read it yourself but I can promise you with it’s suspense and plot twists you won’t be disappointed. Mystery, Drama, family secrets and psychological undertones this is a great read. Thank you to Penguin for the opportunity to review this ahead of its release! (Photo Credit to Penguin!).

I have devoured this book and read it in 2 days. The lives of duncan and maisie and the traumatic life they ended up having. Finding out the twist in the plot around duncans disappearance and his rescue.
I would thoroughly reccomend reading this book from one of my favourite authors . It will not disappoint!

Maisy and Duncan Mitcham, fifteen years and and about to have their world turned upside down. They always knew their mother was unwell but to be removed from their home and both children sent to live with their elderly grand mother? With everything they know removed, a grand mother as cold as their father who just abandoned them, the twins get to know the people around them. They hear of the woman in the woods, Grace, anti social, withdrawn and down right rude the child are drawn to find out more. An unlikely friendship turns to suspicion when Duncan goes missing, no one seems as bothered as Maisy and Maisy will not settle until she finds out what happened to her brother even if it means bringing danger to herself.

Oh guys I do love Pearse, her books are often gentle with hard hitting topics dottered throughout, The Woman in the Wood is no different. We cover a range of life issues, mental health, family, relationships, abuse, disappearance, crime, the darker side of humanity and the old societal prejudices. A bit of a slow burner in the beginning to get to know the characters, the kids are pretty much the main characters and we see them learn to adapt with being abandoned by their father. When he does interact with them there is no affection and when we meet the grand mother we start to see why. A proud woman with no huge value on affection on children, little respect for their mother and rather set in her ways.

The book takes a dark turn when Duncan goes missing, there has been a spate of boy going missing and a killer is on the loose. Whilst Maisy is forced to move on she can never let go and braves approaching Grace, the woman from the woods for help. Grace is a fantastic character, excluded from society and in herself very guarded, through Maisy we start to see another side to this abrupt "weird" woman. Through their quest to find out what happened to Duncan, we see just how strong and loyal Grace is with a fierce streak, these two woman go on a mission that will change everything!

There are so many aspects of this book we could focus on, one thing I loved was just how strong the female characters were. Maisy, even at fifteen has a great sense of right and wrong and challenges things which for that time period (1960s) would raise an eyebrow let alone modern day. Grace is something else, having being hurt, judged and ostracized from her own people she still has righteousness and metal to make a stand when called upon. Whilst many aspects of this book are dark, and heinous there is so much that is beautiful. Strong women, the importance of relationships, the good of people, loyalty, friendship and things that take ordinary people and make them extraordinary. I could have read this in one sitting but work and life got in the way, 4/5 for me this time. I have many of this author still to read, I bought up quite a few after her last book so will certainly be reading her again. Pearse is one of those authors that has yet to disappoint, her writing just envelopes you and snares you into the story practically from the get go. Thanks to Netgalley for providing an arc of this book, The Woman in the Wood is now available to buy, let me know what you thought of it!

True to form, tackling a quite tricky subject delving back to the 1960's. Superb characters as always with Lesley and I can always tell a 5 star book by the length of time it takes me to read it. Maybe it is the era, and maybe the location as I am of that age and live in the New Forest - that really grabbed me? Highly recommended.

Wow loved this book a great read, couldn't wait to pick it up and can day and struggled to put down each night. Highly recommend

Wow! What a powerful story from Leslie Pearse. Full of emotion from the start, but at a gentle pace.
This story revolves around 15 year old twins Donald & Maisy Mitcham, the most strong & kind characters you could ever hope to meet.
When they are sent to live with their Grandmother, due to family difficulties, they thrive from living in the country. Duncan befriends the “Crazy” woman who chooses to live alone in a shack in the woods.
Unbeknown to him, she would be so instrumental in the aftermath of the tragedy that befalls them.
I read this book in a day, as I refused to put it down.
It was absolutely brilliant.

The Woman in the Wood is Lesley Pearse’ 25th book and what a great achievement. It is also the fifth book of hers that I’ve read; and Lesley is one of the few authors whose books I will always buy regardless. Her stories are family saga/drama based but with an added suspense/crime element and she doesn’t shy away from difficult or disturbing subjects, The Woman in the Wood being no exception. The storyline here is not a particularly pleasant one but despite it being set in the 1960’s it is still just as, if not more so, relevant today.

Twins Maisy and Duncan Mitcham are 15 years old when the story begins and they are suddenly shipped off without any explanation to their grandmother’s house near the New Forest after their father has their mother admitted to an asylum. They are not told anything about their mother, or why she has gone and although they were not close to their mother, there is still a sense of loss and bewilderment that their father and grandmother, both distant and remote people, are ill equipped to deal with. The family take the stiff upper lip attitude to another level and certainly don’t believe in showing emotion or even love. The only bright light in the twin’s lives is Janice, their grandmother’s housekeeper. Without her, they would have floundered even more.

The first half of the book has a much slower pace when various characters are introduced and the reader can form an opinion about them. As mentioned, the kindly Janice together with their tutor Mr Dove are both an important anchor in the lives of the twins, providing care and compassion which is sadly lacking from others. Both Duncan and Maisy were children that you could take an instant liking to. They were polite and interested in people however their trusting manner was to be their downfall.

The second half is where the story really moves up a notch and becomes much more suspenseful. ‘The Woman in the Wood’ refers to Grace Deville, a middle aged reclusive spinster and regarded by locals as the ‘madwoman from the asylum’; she lives in a shack in the forest with her dog Toby, shuns human company and is quite hostile to strangers. Grace’s backstory is not a happy one but are the villagers right to be wary and distrustful of her?

Lesley Pearse has again created a dramatic and suspenseful read with well-drawn and believable characters that you will either love or hate. The setting of the New Forest and the mention of surrounding Hampshire locations add a sense of place and it doesn’t take much imagination to visualise Grace’s secluded forest shack. I have to admit that I spent much of the first part of the book being suspicious of certain characters whilst waiting for something to happen but then when it did, wow, it felt like a punch in the gut. In comparison to some of the author’s previous books that I’ve read, this storyline has a much darker and sinister theme and in my opinion this is very much an adult read.

The Women in the Wood is an excellent addition to the author’s works and a worthy way to celebrate the 25th book. Each of her books are very different and it’s an amazing feat to keep coming up with fresh ideas that provide not only a social commentary of the times but are also a stonking good read. I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it for fans of this genre.

My thanks to the publisher for the Netgalley ARC and to edpr for the invitation to take part in the blog tour.