This was a fun, chilling middle grade book. I think most kids who enjoy the more scary tales, will definitely have a hard putting this one down! Very well written, with great characters, and an unique and scary storyline! I cannot wait for my son to read it and let me know what he thinks of the chill to the bone story, although it does have some parts that may be a bit triggering for some kids. Overall, I think it was a captivating, well written, age appropriate book, which both kids, teachers, and even parents will enjoy! Highly recommend!

Will buzz around platforms and use low Amazon reviewer number on release!

What Lives in the Woods kept me up reading long past my bedtime! Like any good suspenseful mystery will do, it kept me turning the pages to figure out what was happening in the 100 year old Michigan mansion called Woodmoor Manor. The spooky scenes were just right for middle grade readers-- enough to make your heart race and check over your shoulder more than once while reading, while still allowing you to fall asleep without needing to leave the lights on. (Leaving the TV on to the familiar tune of reruns, however, was definitely needed. Haha.)

The main character Ginny, a middle schooler who aspires to be a mystery writer, would rather be home in Chicago with her best friend attending the writing workshop they were supposed to spend their summer loving, than dragged to this mansion that needs renovating and has barely any cell service. This becomes even more true when strange things start happening around the mansion. With her vivid imagination, her habit of overthinking/asking lots and lots of questions, and her extensive knowledge of Agatha Christie, Ginny is well suited to investigate these spooky happenings no matter how scared she may be. This book features an endearing budding friendship (maybe more) with Will, a boy whose family spends summers in town, an authentic brother-sister relationship between Ginny and Leo, and an emphasis on helping your family when they need it most. Like with The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street and Scritch Scratch, Lindsay Currie delivers spooky at its finest, while also filling her stories with masterfully crafted heart, demonstrating an understanding of what it means to be a tween/teen, and keeping relationships and connectedness between souls at the core.