Ginny Anderson is looking forward to a mystery writing class with her best friend Erica the summer between 7th and 8th grades. What she receives instead was a month-long “vacation” in Woodmoor Manner, her father’s latest work project. So Ginny, her parents, and her brother, Leo pack up to head to Michigan. Upon arrival, Ginny discovers that not only does she have to give up her writing class, but she will also be staying in a dark, musty, hot, creepy 27 room mansion that does not seem happy with the family’s being there. Ginny, with the help of Leo and new friend, Will, hatches a plan to return home in time for the class.

Author, Lindsay Curry, does it again with this middle grades mystery/horror novel, What Lives In The Woods. She artfully weaves together setting, mood, and just enough doubt about the reliability of the narrator (Ginny) to keep readers turning pages and wanting to read beneath the covers with flashlights--unless they scare easily, like this reviewer. I would recommend this novel for 5th-8th graders. The possibility of “young love” between Ginny and Will coupled with the honest portrayal of many sibling relationships between Ginny and older brother Leo offer human drama which adds layers to the ghost/creepy aspects of the novel.

I really could not wait to get to the “scary” part of the novel. And “BAM!” When I thought that, I received the payoff in the next couple of pages. It was high intensity from then on. This the second of Curry’s novels that I’ve read, and I can honestly say--I am a fan!

This is a voluntary review in exchange for a free E-ARC. Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley.

Young aspiring writer Ginny Anderson and her family are moving into the mysterious Woodmoor Manor to spend the summer. Having recently found out about Agatha Christie, her curiosity towards the mystery surrounding the spooky manor was piqued even more. There, she discover moving mannequins, heard whispers in the dark and saw weird shadows among other things, suspecting that she’s the only one noticing these. She also befriended a boy in town named Will to help her investigate and try to solve these mysteries.

This was a very fun book to read. The characters are well-developed and all are very likable too. I particularly loved the dynamics between Ginny and her older brother Leo. As for the mystery part of the book, I thought it was well-paced within the story. I loved that there’s really this creepy atmosphere about the place and even its people. There was no gore in the book since it’s intended for the middle grade but the author is still very, very effective in setting the mood here.

If there’s one criticism I have for the book, it’s probably its ending. It just felt anticlimactic for me. I mean, it was happy and all but I would’ve pushed a bit, and expanded it a bit more. Overall, as a middle-grade novel, it’s absolutely a fantastic read – there’s mystery, great characters, fun and adventures and just a feel good ending. It’s easily one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read so far this year.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Kids for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun book. Ginny Anderson thought her summer was going to be fun. She thought she was going to writing camp but instead she gets to spend a month in Michigan at a spooky old mansion. Being from west Michigan made this story even more fun. I’ve been to the places described in the book. I really enjoyed how the author used inspiration for Woodmoor Manor and based off of the real Felt Mansion. Being a local I can say all the creepy stories really do circulate about the woods and mansion. I loved the accurate descriptions. I felt like I was actually in Saugatuck. The story was creepy without being gory or too disturbing for middle grade. I even found myself a little creeped out by the shadows in my room. My one tiny critique is I wish the ending had been more dramatic. I felt like it happened very fast and was just boom done. For all of the creepy things happening it felt almost too neat and tidy. Overall it was a good book and I would definitely recommend it. Even as an adult I enjoyed it.

Ginny isn't thrilled that she has to give up her summer writing camp with her best friend to spend a month in Woodmoor Manor, but since her father's job is to help renovate it, she doesn't have a choice. Her older brother Leo is a little more on board, but will miss playing basketball. The manor is a museum that needs lots of work, although there were previous renovations to bring the utilities up to code, and Ginny's room has a creepy, featureless mannequin in it. Right away, she hears the creepy whispering of her name... although that ends up being Leo playing around with the communication tubes. Every time something occurs, her father blames the old house and its vagaries even though there are local legends about creatures called hitchhikers that inhabit the woods that surrounds the house. Ginny tries to channel her fears into writing a mystery book like her favorite author, Agatha Christie, but is still terrified of the Shadow People who seems to be after her. She has an ally in Will, a local boy who works in the book store in town. He and his brother, Chris, had a terrifying experience there in the ballroom, and the two caution Ginny to be careful. But when mannequins move, typewriters write by themselves, and creatures with bloody red glowing eyes seem to be everywhere, is there any way for Ginny to be safe?
Strengths: As with all of the best mysteries, I can't say a whole lot lest I give away some of the delicious twists and turns. The creep factor on this one is just right for middle grade-- lots of creepy threats, but not a lot of blood and gore. The historical mystery behind the mystery is solid, and Ginny has the help of Leo and Will to solve it. As creeptastically good as this one is, though, what I liked best were the relationships. Leo is a fantastic big brother who alternates between trying to scare Ginny and supporting her. Will is a good friend, but there's also a bit of a crush, and they share a love of reading. The parents are both around and supportive, and the mother's attempts at baking on a catering scale are interesting to see. Currie's Scritch Scratch is solidly set in Chicago, but this summer trip to Saugatauk, Michigan also gives good descriptions of place.
Weaknesses: In my 25 years in a middle school library, I have never had an Agatha Christie fan, even though I love her work myself. (Although, really, Dorothy Sayers is a bit better!) This is not to say there aren't middle school fans of Christie's work, and maybe this will encourage readers to rescue Murder on the Orient Express from the middle of the Matt Christoper books.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and am very glad that I live in a neighborhood with more fields than woods near me! I'm just going to stay out of the woods for a little while...

Another winner from the queen of middle grade scary books, Lindsay Currie. She provides just enough chill and shivers to make you question reading it at night but not to the point that I am going to bed with all the lights on! (or that is just me)
Seriously, read this book. Even if you are a grown-up, read it. It is a spooky story with heart.

I also think it would make for an awesome read aloud for fourth grade and up.
So good.
Highly recommend!

Another great one from Linday Currie. I love how she weaves history and thrills together. My only complaint is that this one wrapped up a little too neatly too quickly.

This is by far my favorite of Lindsay’s books yet! A creepy, haunted mansion, local legends, and a summer getaway… all components for a super fun summer read. I definitely will be purchasing a copy when it comes out in Sept.! My only criticism is that I felt like the title and cover were disconnected from the story since the “creatures” really didn’t play a role in the mystery at all, and everything scary was happening inside the house rather than in the woods. Other than that, I would have given it 5 stars. I truly did enjoy it!

I really, really enjoyed What Lives in the Woods. There has been a surge in horror/thriller children's fiction recently and this is up there with the best of them. Mystery + history + horror - what's not to like?

I loved the setting for this story; Lindsay Currie paints such a vivid picture that you feel like you're in this quaint little town with the characters. Talking about characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the friendship between two of the them- very sweet, not overdone, and definitely relatable for the intended age group who will be reading this book.

I have to say that some of the scary parts of this book were just that: very scary! I was both surprised and pleased with how creeped out they made me, a 34 year old! The author committed and the result is deliciously ominous.

This book twists and turns and takes you off on an unexpected journey from what you may have predicted. What Lives in the Woods is sure to be a hit!

This was my first book to read by this author and I can't wait to read more! The characters are amazing and the story flows so well. Really cannot recommend this one enough!!

Couldn’t read this one fast enough! Fans of Scritch, Scratch will love Currie’s latest.

Ginny Anderson has her summer all planned out. She and her best friend are going to attend a writing workshop and then she’ll be well on her way to being the next Agatha Christie. Her plans are changed drastically when her dad announces that they will be leaving Chicago to spend the next month at Woodmoor Manor so that he can renovate it. Ginny can’t imagine anything she wants to do less, especially once she starts hearing the legends — and ghost stories — surrounding the property. Can Ginny convince her parents they need to leave before it’s too late?

In the last five years I’ve seen a significant increase in students look for scary books. I’ll definitely add this one to my go-to recommendations.

What Lives in the Woods is a book full of mystery, spooks, chills, atmosphere, great story telling, and lovable characters. I really enjoyed my time reading this book, and fell in love with the characters and mystery. There really was not one character I disliked, and thought all of them had good development. I did enjoy the mystery aspect of this book, however I will say the ending was a tiny bit disappointing with the reveal because it did not seem as grand as it was going to be but I do get that this is middle grade. Although the ending wasn’t everything I was hoping for, I did like the all together happy emotions it elicited. One of the things I really loved about this book is the atmosphere was so ominous and creepy but also weirdly cozy. I do hope that there will be a sequel because if not, I feel that a certain aspect of this book should have been left out completely because the whole time I was wondering when the other legend would come into play. All in all, I think this is a fun and creepy read that all ages will enjoy!

What Lives in the Woods is a fast-paced, atmospheric middle-grade horror novel that is sure to leave you with goosebumps after reading. The book sucks you in right away, keeping you hooked with scenes of mystery and suspense. Once I started, I found It hard to put this book down. The main character, Ginny, is an avid lover of all things Agatha Christie. So, who better to solve the mystery of the spooky woods the Ginny.

This book was amazing! The perfect level of creepy for the recommended age group.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Being stuck in a spooky mansion for one month cant be too bad right? Ginny Anderson just wants to spend her summer working on her mystery writing workshop and hanging out with her best friend, too bad her parents suddenly spring a research family trip that they are all going on and now have to move into a mansion for one month for her dad’s research. The mansion they are moving into is called Woodmoor Manor and it supposedly haunted. Strange things start happening around Ginny in the mansion and soon she is convinced that she is being haunted. Now its up to her and her new bookworm friend Will to investigate the strange things happening around Woodmoor Manor before something bad happens to Ginny... This was a fun spooky little read! I really liked the whole atmosphere created from the story and I do adore a good ol spooky house story!

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A fun, creepy, ghost story about overcoming your fears in order to help your family.
Ginny thought she was going to a writing camp with her best friend. Instead, she and her family are staying in a creepy old house her father is going to restore. There, she finds strange things happening. At first her parents don't believe her. Once her brother realizes she is telling the truth, he helps. Ginny also meets a local boy who had a bad experience at the house and he offers to help as well.
There is just enough suspense and creepiness to keep readers engaged and wanting to find out what happens.

My fifth graders are going to be creeped out by this one!

Ginny Anderson and her family are moving into a house for the summer that has a bit of a reputation. When Ginny starts to experience unexplainable events, she uses the skills she's learned from reading Agatha Christie novels to try and figure out what's happening. From moving mannequins to shadow people, Ginny sees everything as a clue. But can she solve the mystery before the house's ghosts go too far?

Who doesn't love a good scare? I especially enjoy it when it is set in my home state of Michigan in a very popular tourist destination! What Lives in the Woods was a wonderfully frightening story about ghosts, haunted houses, letting go and setting the past free. I love the details Currie includes in her books. She is well researched and clearly very good at writing scary stories for younger readers. There is just enough scare to keep the reader engaged and not wanting to put the book down.
Interwoven in the story was friendship, family, supporting one another. Excellent story!

I think this makes it official: Lindsay Currie is the Queen of MG Horror.

WHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS has all the makings of a classic thriller, as Agatha Christie-obsessed tween Ginny is forced to join her parents in renovating a probably-haunted mansion in a small town for the summer. Now, instead of attending her dream writing workshop, she's left to unravel a real-life mystery ... because if there ARE real ghosts at Woodmoor Manor, they seem to be targeting Ginny.

The balance of chills/mystery/summer vibes was done so, so well. This is the ultimate campfire novel, written in Currie's effortless prose, oozing atmosphere and unfolding at the perfect pace. It's also genuinely creepy! My heart was in my throat many times, especially when I made the mistake of reading at night, but I adored every second. Ginny is a clever, loveable protagonist; Currie does a particularly fantastic job of writing sibling relationships, as well as developing crushes. Overall, just SUCH a strong novel that accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. 5/5.

Another great ghost story. Having to spend the whole summer away from friends is a bummer - but having to also live in a haunted old house being fixed up by your dad - is just too much. Is she being haunted or is it her imagination. Ginny longs to write her own mysteries like her beloved Agatha Christie, but she has to skip the writer's camp to go live in an old mansion. Spooky things start to happen and she thinks if she can prove them to her parents, they'll let her go back to Chicago for the summer. Best laid plans and ghosts are never a good mix.

This was a bit of a departure from Lindsay Currie's previous books because it went beyond a little creepy to downright scary. I had a hard time reading it at night, but I really enjoyed it. There was some of Currie's usual family and friendship growth and change, but it felt like a lot of this was the main character solving a mystery and overcoming her fears.