A well-written thriller that lacks substance

In the year 1989, ten-year-old Lucy disappears from the town of Longview, Texas. The police and citizens of Longview immediately launch a huge search for her, but as the days go by, and she still isn’t found, her family begin to fear the worst, particularly in light of the several unresolved child kidnappings that have been occurring in the surrounding area over the past few years. However, Leah, Lucy’s fourteen-year-old sister, isn’t ready to give up and when she starts having strange dreams about Lucy that contain clues to her whereabouts, she is adamant that her sister is still alive. She starts to look for Lucy alone but her investigation leads her to the danger of the Big Woods and may uncover something far more sinister going on in Longview than the residents could have ever imagined.

Big Woods is an engaging and rapid-paced novel with some good twists and turns scattered throughout. The story is well-written and extremely atmospheric, and the author manages to create an unsettling feel from the very beginning that builds the tension as the mystery of Lucy’s disappearance gradually unfolds. She also manages to create a very 80s-feel to the book, which I was able to recognise and pick up on despite never having lived in the 80s myself! The story is written from two alternating points of view – Leah and Sylvia, a reclusive widow – and the way that they intertwine and build up to the climax of the story are extremely well done. It is also easy to differentiate between the two separate voices of the characters that the author has created, and as you read you feel that you get to know the two women very well, as they explore their fears and past traumatic experiences.

Unfortunately, once I had finished reading I found this story to be quite unmemorable as thrillers go, with a climax that felt a little anticlimactic compared to what the build-up had me expecting. Aside from Leah and Sylvia, none of the background characters really resonated or seemed that well developed to me, and I never really felt that worried for Lucy as I didn’t have a good idea of her character. Similarly, certain aspects of the plot felt a little wishy-washy and poorly explained – for example, the dreams that Leah has been used as a convenient plot device but no reason for them occurring is ever given, which makes some aspects of the story seem lazy. I felt that this could have been the first draft of a novel and may have been really good with a bit of tightening up but unfortunately it never quite reached that level for me.

In conclusion, this was a good debut novel and the author is clearly talented and imaginative, but I feel a little more substance and direction to the story and characters would vastly improve the book.

Daenerys

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

Debut thriller by May Cobb . This story was told by an elderly woman and a young teenager . Takes place in the 80's during the cult activity . Small town secrets , kidnapping and the whisper of cults ! Well written plot with realistic characters ! Kept me guessing till the end ! Thanks to Netgalley and Midnight Ink for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review ! #Netgalley
#MidnightInk #BigWoods

May Cobb's debut novel was a fantastic look on not only growing up in the 80's, but also the inseparable bonds of sisterhood. Big Woods stood out for me amongst recent mystery-thriller novels, and had everything I love in a book: small town secrets, cult-y overtones, some great blast-from-the-past references, and a little sisterly magic.

Told by two incredibly fresh voices, a elderly woman and a young teenager, Cobb skillfully connects the reader to both of the differing personalities. I loved getting into the minds of two characters who were not of my relatable age or setting, but still felt like I could get to know them. As readers, we get to watch Leah grow through some of the classic weird teenage friendships, but also some dark adversaries. I felt Leah's emotions and pain throughout the novel, thanks to vivid details and very relatable human emotion. And we get to know Sylvia's past through twists and turns that made my jaw drop at times. I loved getting into the mind of an older woman, I felt this was a very new and fresh voice for me and loved her story. Cobb also gives life to the setting itself, a small town completely consumed in Satanic Panic and the mysteries of the missing children. Although I would say some of the metaphors and similes didn't completely land for me, I liked how I could practically hear the metal music and smell the pine trees from Cobb's vivid descriptions throughout the book.

Without revealing too much, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has fascinations with small town mysteries paired with a little bit of cult secrets and finally some sisterhood magic. It encompasses so much depth to the characters, the town, and the writing. This novel stands out from a lot of the other thrillers on my bookshelf and doesn't follow any sort of overdone formula, so it kept me guessing until the very last chapter and I couldn't put it down. Great debut May!

Thank you Midnight Ink and NetGalley!

Children are missing, later found dead. Everyone is sad and empathetic. When it happens to your daughter, reality sets in. Some people say it may be Satanists kidnapping the children. No one really knows.
Well written, great storyline, characters mesh well. Very good reading. Recommend
5 Stars

I've found your beach read for you. Loved this book. Quick, engaging read.

The main characters are all different ages which I really liked. I've noticed lately as a Granny, I sometimes find myself noting I would have liked a book better at a younger age. This covers all ages. I found the two main characters well drawn. The others not so much but nor was it needed. Great storyline throughout.

My only criticism would be the missing child seemed to not greatly affect the mother. I would have either not had her laughing and picnicing so soon after the child is missing (5 weeks) or move the storyline out a year. The father and mother should have been equally devastated.  That said, I will definitely look for more books from this author. 

Thanks #NetGalley for this advanced copy.
#BigWood#MayCobb

I did not hate this novel. Really. Despite my low rating, I did enjoy several scenes and felt some moments — especially around the three quarters mark — worked well. But on the whole, <i>Big Woods</i> — this author’s debut novel — falls flat.

Set in 1989, this is the story of a kidnapping and the cult fear that broke out in the ‘80s. Told in alternating points of view by two characters, this is just . . . another <i>Gone Girl</i>, but not nearly as twisty or fun or original. When will this trend die?

The characters are *huge* nothings — I just finished and am having trouble remembering their names — and I had a world of trouble telling them apart. Still, I wanted to know what happened next and how it would all turn out, hence my not giving this one star. I did find myself caring at certain moments, but those occasions were far too rare.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC, which was given in exchange for an honest review.

In 1989 in Longview, a small town, 10 year old Lucy goes missing while walking to the bus stop. Her sister, 14 year old Leah is determined to find her no matter the cost. Leah keeps having dreams about Big Woods, a place in town where there have been rumors of Satanic rituals and worship. I very much enjoyed the way this book was written. It alternates between Leah‘s point of view and the view point of a woman in her 70s named Sylvia. Chapter after chapter it is slowly revealed what Sylvia has to do with the story and what her connection is to Leah and Lucy. I identified with this book because I was 14 years old in 1989. I remember the whole Satanic Panic fear and rumors of devil worshipers in my community. It was a really big deal back in the 80s. This book started out a little slow but still good. Toward the last third of the book I could not put it down. I read as fast as I could to come to the thrilling conclusion. I look forward to reading more of May Cobb’s books. I was given an ARC of this book by Nat Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher.

This was a fun read for the author's first book. Filled with mystery and suspense. This is a book I would recommend to all.

Big Woods is my first book by May Cobb and I definitely would look at future books from the author as I did enjoy her writing style. The book is set in 1989 in a small town called Longview and tells the story of Lucy a girl who is abducted. But there is a lot more than meets the eye to this abduction, for the Big Woods has taken children before. Could Lucy be another one of the missing?

The story Big Woods is told from Leah (Lucy's sister) and Sylvia a lady in her seventies who knows more that she should. I liked Leah enough and could relate to her as I was at similar age in 1989. Much of the pop culture mentioned were things that were of the time and correct (From what I could remember). Especially the music, clothing and even being 14 years old. But Sylvia was my favourite character. I loved the chapters in her voice. How she talked to you in a kind, well mannered way and felt like a friend. I related more to Sylvia than Leah which is strange considered the age gap between us too.

Big Woods is a bit of a slow burner. I felt this way to just over half way through when suddenly a lot more things were given to us and I felt like I wasn't totally in the dark anymore. I do feel the author could have told us some things earlier on. Maybe even given us some history on Big Woods rather than what had happened there and who the people thought were responsible. I don't want to give any spoilers, but in the 80's even the late ones the 'blame' in this book was relevant to the time period. There was a lot of this happening in the US I remember from when I was younger, not so much in the UK but it fascinated me as a teen - still does if I'm honest. I do feel May has done her homework and with a book set a few decades ago this has to be the case for it to be believable.

The climax towards the end is good, I loved how we had Sylvia's chapter before Leah's it gave it that shock factor which had me excited - I needed to know more. The ending was good, but I felt the police washed over things a little. Or maybe its because we were already told the ending by the other characters? Either way I felt this could have been done different, but what I read was still good. I finished Big Woods feelings satisfied that the ends were all tied up, but also a little deflated as I often get that when I've invested myself in a book and it ends. But still, the ending felt right and I'm glad May wrote the book this way.

To conclude Big Woods was read over 2 sittings and I did not want to put it down. I loved the story, the pace and the mystery. This is a good thriller and I can see many enjoying it. If you are looking for a gore factor this isn't for you. However if you like a good mystery thriller that will draw you in and not let you go till the end, then give Big Woods a try. 4 stars.

This book was an interesting read with good information on the characters and side by side stories of the 2 main people in the story. The build up was very good but the ending was disappointing and In my opinion it was too rushed however it was a good read and kept my interest throughout.

I literally devoured this book - I sat non stop indulging, actually a better word is -binging, force feeding every word - until the end. Five hours later, I'm left full but eerily catatonic from what I read. I kissed both of my daughters - thankful that it was a story from a book.

I can't remember the last time I have sat, entranced, under a deep spell with a read. Big Woods, draws you in at line one with, "Who will save the children?" Any parent out there can validate the chill and wrenching you get in the depths of your belly when you just read that one line.

Big Woods is a dark, sick, twisted tale (not for the weak) it filled my soul with a feeling that can not be put into words. Let's just say this - it left me in much need of a stiff drink. Cheers!

So what's it about? Here is a brief synopsis:

10 year old Lucy goes missing while walking down her road to her bus stop. Lucy is officially missing; devastated, her parents and 14 year old sister begin the tiresome search to find little, Lucy. What unfolds as the story progresses is a dark tale that leaves even a self proclaimed professional reader like myself feeling haunted. 500 stars for this one! It was a raw tale that leaves you breathless! ❤️

Big Woods is a very creepy, interesting thriller. I didn’t really know what to expect. It was very well written, with an original plot line, and kept me interested through the entire book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This was a interesting thriller where people aren't as they seem. I highly recommend this book.

It’s 1989 and a ten-year old girl has disappeared from Longview, Texas. Lucy is not the first child to disappear, others have gone missing and then been found dead in Big Woods. While authorities have little hope of finding Lucy alive, her teenage sister, Leah, refuses to give up hope/ Using a strange computer message she got from Lucy, Leah begins her own investigation. Her clues lead her to Sylvia, a widow who may have the key to finding Lucy, if she can muster the courage to tell the truth. This was a nostalgic look back at the 1980’s, a time before cell phones, DNA and instant access to information. Cobb also plays up many of the darker sides of the decade, including the public’s fascination with satanic cults