Silver coins in their pockets and sprinklings of dirt in their shoes...the old traditions date back hundreds of years and are supposed to keep the children safe from the Hickory Man who lurks in the woods, but they aren't working. The lost child posters in town are layered thickly, new pictures covering the ones that are decades old. Cheyenne's mother sprinkles salt across doorways and sweeps herbs into the wooden floors, convinced that it's her duty to keep her neighbors safe. It's why Cheyenne moved away and why she's returned. Her mother is getting worse and more children have been found dead in the woods. This is some seriously creepy folk horror and I absolutely loved it, even though there are a few sounds I may never hear again without thinking about the Hickory Man.

In Katherine Greene's debut novel, the woods come alive in this spooky, haunting novel. It is a perfect read for the Fall and Halloween seasons. Shadows play tricks on the stunted town of Blue Cliff, VA were outsider Cheyenne Ashby must return home to look after her mentally unstable mother. In a town know for its history of missing children, losing them "seemingly to the woods", no town person can move forward without some connecting to the missing children. When more children go missing Cheyenne and another member of the community, Natalie, must work together to determine the cause of the hysteria.

The Wood are Waiting is an enjoyable novel with many spooky elements. At times a bit of editing could have been further done to tighten the story a little bit, but overall I think Katherine Greene did a wonderful job of keeping her audience's attention from start to finish.

This one took a hot minute to get into, but I am glad I stuck it out. I love the creepy and unsuspecting vibe right from the jump. I was a bit nervous since lately the books with the subplot of going back to your mysterious home town to help figure something out have been let downs, but not this one! It did remind me of a movie I once saw with a similar plot, will update this when I finally remember the name. All around this book was a ride and a half and I enjoyed every up and down it provided. Loved the setting of the Appalachian's. Always such a creepy story setting.

At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get into this one and almost put it down. I am glad I didn’t. I really enjoyed it.

Book Review:
Title: The Woods Are Waiting
Author: Katherine Green
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars

Oooooo.....creepy. Something is in the woods, and children are going missing. I really liked the setting of this book, The Appalachians, because I live just above them, and there are many haunted stories about this area.

Five years ago, in the small town of Blue Cliff, Virginia, three children went missing, and later, their bodies were from in the woods. Long held superstitions of the locals believed that their was some sort of mytical beast in the woods that hunted children. These are not the only children that have gone missing and later found dead. This town has a long history of these occurrences. Jasper Clinton was eventually charged and convicted of these murders but was it really him? The truth ends up being extremely disturbing and eerie. Although the book could be slow at points, I still stayed engaged to find out the truth!

Published: July 11th, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley, and @crookedlanebooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Woods are Waiting" by Katherine Greene is a charming and heartwarming novel that weaves together elements of nature, adventure, and self-discovery. Greene's writing transports readers into the enchanting world of the woods, creating an experience that is both magical and thought-provoking.

The story follows the journey of the main character, as she ventures into the deep, mysterious woods to find herself and confront her past. Greene's vivid descriptions of the forest and its inhabitants breathe life into the setting, making it feel like a character in its own right. Her skillful storytelling creates a sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting readers to explore the woods alongside the protagonist.

What truly sets "The Woods are Waiting" apart is its emphasis on self-discovery and personal growth. The character's journey is relatable and filled with moments of introspection, making it easy for readers to connect with her struggles and triumphs. Greene's writing delves into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and the healing power of nature.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, allowing the plot to unfold gradually while maintaining a sense of anticipation. As the protagonist delves deeper into the woods, readers are drawn into a world of mystery and adventure, creating a sense of excitement and suspense that keeps you turning the pages.

Katherine Greene's "The Woods are Waiting" is a delightful and introspective read that encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of nature and the transformative power of self-discovery. It's a novel that offers a refreshing escape into a world of wonder and growth, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy stories that combine the natural world with personal journeys.

Loved the cover of this one! At the beginning, I wasn't sure if this was a thriller or a ghost story but I thoroughly enjoyed finding out! Highly recommend if you enjoy Southern suspense, crime, and small town thrillers with a supernatural twist.

I recieved an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

This novels premise sounds super interesting and then as I began it, I had figured it out quite quickly. Think along the lines of The Village or even Hot Fuzz....but not as comical. Some of the creep factor was really good, however, it seemed a lot of side stories too rather than staying wih the main story. Then, it was a 'mic drop' chapter where, let's tell you everything and now we know!

This is the kind of novel that creeps me out about small towns! When I see something like Gilmore Girls, one thinks, oh living in a small town would be so great.....then I think of situations like this novel and it's a big NOPE for me! Not bad, entertaining, but predictable.

THE WOODS ARE WAITING
Katherine Greene

THE WOODS ARE WAITING did not work for me.

Cheyenne Ashby grew up in the woods in a small town in Virginia. She left home a long time ago without any intention of returning. When she was younger, three children went missing in the woods. Jasper Clinton was convicted of those crimes long ago.

But sadly, another child goes missing. Reluctantly she returns home to her desperate town with thoughts of finding a killer in mind.

The story of THE WOODS ARE WAITING felt very unoriginal and basic. It was trope-heavy and none of the tropes really worked well. While I was reading it didn’t feel like I was solving a mystery, it felt more like I was discovering the inevitable. There was no intrigue.

This is my first Katherine Greene and I found nothing with the pages of THE WOODS ARE WAITING to pick up another title by the same author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy!

THE WOODS ARE WAITING…⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was definitely a perfect book for spooky season! Lots of creepy twists and turns while trying to find the true murderer for all the kids disappearing in Blue Cliff. I didn’t guess the murderer I always try to see if I get it right 😂 but I usually don’t. That’s okay because I love the oh my gosh moment when I find out who it really is 😳

This debut novel was one creepy read! Very dark, atmospheric. Don't go into the woods! Stay away from the window! And, move away from small towns! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.

Aren’t all woods brimming with secrets?

The Woods are Waiting unfolds with unsettling darkness as it delves into crimes against children, exposing the darkest facets of human nature. It’s unsettling, and I questioned why I was immersing myself in it. Yet, it’s precisely this exploration of the darker aspects of our psyche that kept me walking and listening, along with the incorporation of superstitions and customs surrounding the legend of the Hickory Man, who lurks in the woods waiting for children. While a whodunit, the author interweaves doubt through the story, hinting at something sinister and menacing lurking amidst the trees.

The constant sense of danger and the ever-present fear of the unknown propel the story forward, making this a spine-tingling read. The woods conceal far more than meets the eye, and the final reveal is satisfying. I was happily surprised despite feeling like I should have seen it coming.

BUT

The pace is slow to start, and the narratives started to feel repetitive the more I got into the story, as we were hearing similar things from both POVs. I switched to the audiobook because I prefer to listen to stories when this happens. I find my busy mind wandering too much when I listen, so when the pace is slow and repetitive, I find I don’t miss much and can still keep up with the story.

I enjoyed this book. The story was interesting enough that I wanted to know what happened. Did I care for any of the characters? Not really. But they fit into the story just fine.

Overall, a good book! Three point five stars!

This had everything I love in a thriller:

• atmospheric
• creepy vibes
• claustrophobic setting
• small mountain town
• old secrets
• dark woods

Ok I thought this was so good! It's a slow burn, thriller that still keeps you interested though our the story unfolding. The woods are dark and creepy and harbor secrets that need to be know...

An atmospheric, slow burn, small town thriller just in time for “spooky season.”. Cheyenne grew up in the deep woods with her mother, Constance. She left after Constance is a superstitious lady who, after yet another child goes missing, goes into a tailspin and Cheyenne needs to go home to help her.

The story is told in two POVs: Cheyenne, the FMC, and her old friend Natalie. Natalie has never left town and seems surprised when Cheyenne comes back. The problem with the dual POVs is that they are similar narratives and that doesn’t help with the slow pacing. It took more than half of the book to get any sort of action going.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. The Woods are Waiting is out now.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

This extremely slow burn thriller takes place in a small rural town in the Appalachian Mountains called Blue Cliff. This is the town that seemingly "eats up their children" due to the instances of groups of small children that have been found dead in the infamous Ashby Woods near town. Now, another child has been reported missing, and Cheyanne Ashby, who took off out of town after the last murders, returns in an effort to help keep her eccentric mother in check and ends up solving the mystery with her friends.

I found this book to be incredibly slow. I enjoyed it when I was reading it, but unfortunately very little happened until the last 20% of the book when the reader finds out every single plot point spelled out for them. It felt very young adult, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was very predictable from the beginning and wasn't all that thrilling or spooky as I was wanting it to be. I certainly left wanting more. I felt the story could have been told in such a different manner than made it hard to put down, but it just felt like it fell very flat for me. No matter, I am glad I read it, especially as we quickly approach fall.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

This book was entirely too slow for me. It tried to be a spooky tale about possible "monsters" in the woods but is it really someone in town who's responsible for kids going missing over the years? It took so long for anything to happen that I found myself wandering aimlessly hoping for some action to keep me interested. By the time the truth was revealed, unfortunately I was beyond caring.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Greene, and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC!

This is the perfect book to read during the fall/spooky months and I wish I had done so rather than reading it during the summer. It had the perfect setting, a small town and the woods in Appalachia where something (or someone) is killing children. I loved the lore and stories that are rooted in such a creepy setting.
This was fast paced, as any thriller should be in my opinion, and I didn't find it to be super predictable. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend reading!

3.5-4 stars

The Woods Are Waiting is a well-written, atmospheric story that will have you questioning whether any of the superstitions and legends you grew up learning about had a hint of truth to them.

Cheyenne Ashby grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where she was brought up to learn unusual customs and superstitions linked to an evil entity lurking in the woods. This was deep rooted in her mother Constance’s beliefs, and when the bodies of three children were found in the woods, they all believed the rumors of a mythical beast were true. But a man named Jasper Clinton was convicted for their murders and the town breathed a little easier.

Cheyenne was able to get away from the town that held such terrible memories for her, but she returns five years later when another child goes missing and her mother is struggling with her superstitious beliefs me again. Cheyenne her childhood friend Natalie are determined to uncover what is really happening in their small town and who — or what — has been responsible after all these years.

I thought this was a really interesting debut novel. It kept my attention for the majority of the story, and I especially enjoyed the lore behind it all. The pacing could have been a bit quicker, as I found some parts to drag on and be anticlimactic; the slow burn was a smidge too slow for me. But overall I thought it was a decent book, and the plot had good bones. I’d definitely be willing to read more from this author.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing a copy of this book to review.*