Another win for me from Chuck Wendig and I am so excited about it. I have already recommended this book to those in my life that I know will enjoy it and feel the same about the story. I was immediately drawn in and it never once let me down with the pacing. I am a sucker for wilderness thriller/horrors because nature is a unknown environment and adds such an element to the story of 5 entering the woods and only 4 coming out.

It was a perfect blend of creepy, intriguing, and engaging and I will be adding this to my shelf to come back to again and again. I do not want to say much about the premise of the book, but if you like traumatic and supernatural horrors I fully recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A group of high school friends go into the woods to party before the end of the school year but not all of them return. After finding a staircase in the woods that seems to lead to nowhere, they ignore it until one of the group decides to go up them on a dare and disappears.
Now grown the friends have all lead separate lives, leaving the past and their missing friend behind until they receive a letter letting them know that one of them is sick and dying and insisting, they come to visit him. But they soon find they have been lured there in the hopes of finding their missing friend. Another staircase has appeared and this time they all go up.
I loved that this book is set local to Philadelphia/Harrisburg area. The descriptions of what is at the top of the staircase is intriguing and the whole premise of this book is excellent. I just wish it had been a bit shorter. It seemed the author was very engrossed in his world and wanted to give you more and more of it when less would have been better. The ending was also very open ended and as I’ve said before ambiguous endings are not my favorite. It felt a bit like walking into an ice cream store and walking out with only the cone. I wanted to know more. Less in the middle more toward the end if that makes any sense. Overall, it’s a great story but it had its struggles. I have a few others from this author, and I’m interested to see if I feel the same way about the other books.

Five kids from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, circa 1998: charismatic Matty, cynical Nick, carefree Hamish, cool-ahead-of-her-time Lore-née-Lauren, and nervous nail-biter Owen are each burdened with terrible families, they create a pact, the Covenant: “It’s how they’re there for each other.” When they discover the staircase during a camping trip their impulsive leader Matty disappears while climbing it. The group breaks up. Decades later, Nick is dying of pancreatic cancer. When he invokes their pact, the surviving members reassemble at a similar staircase in the woods to make sense of it all. Climbing another staircase into a space marked with signs saying “This place hates you,” among other things, our not-so-merry group suddenly finds themselves trapped in a haunted house. Will they be able to leave or? Is Marty there?

The author writes interesting things about friendship and childhood trauma. The narrative moves fluidly between the past and present, building tension. The setting is pure atmospheric horror. The forest holds its breath around the staircase. The air thickens. Time dilates. I felt the characters’ mounting anxiety. The conclusion of the novel is confrontational than closure. It is a staircase you’ll be thinking about long after you put the book down. This is a very good horror novel. I was intrigued by the eerie, the unexplained, and the profoundly human aspects of this novel.

This one was eerie. Like really haunting. The writing was superb. The first time I picked up this last year, I couldn’t continue after 30% but that would be totally me. The start was very nice and intriguing and the concept of the staircase and then what happens after that was entirely mindblowing. The atmosphere gave creeps and I so banked upon the group to come out unscathed. Don’t want to give spoilers but every room gave me creeps and I waited with bated breath as to what might be coming. The climax was equally entertaining and unpredictable. It was not as horrific as the other bits I found in the book but it was thrilling nonetheless. The only thing which was to my disliking was that book is too long but once the overall play starts, you are unable to put down this book.

I really enjoyed The Staircase in the Woods—Chuck Wendig’s writing style is exactly what I love: sharp, engaging, and a bit wild in all the right ways. The story kept me hooked, and his writing made the experience fun and memorable. Definitely a solid 4-star read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy.

A collection of cool ideas that ultimately felt undercooked—The Staircase in the Woods was constantly on the verge of something grand and emotionally resonant, but by the end, all the simmering tension and buildup fizzled into a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion.

A narrative about the loss of innocence, friendship, and the darker sides of growing up/growing apart, the book had several elements I enjoyed: the fantastical world the characters stumble into ('structurally' reminiscent of The Cell with Jennifer Lopez), the association to game design, and strong character setups. But none of it coalesced into a cohesive experience. The friend group lacked empathetic dynamic and emotional depth, and the reveals around their personal traumas felt surface-level and tropey (he’s the vain one, she’s the neglected one, etc.). Even the staircase—featured prominently in its title, and a key reason I picked up the book (thanks to all those Reddit posts about eerie staircases in the woods)—ended up feeling irrelevant, a replaceable prop rather than a meaningful symbol.

In the afterword, Chuck Wendig talks about the value of getting lost—that only by veering off the beaten path can we find ourselves. Unfortunately, The Staircase in the Woods has yet found its own direction, with flashes of brilliance—some haunting visuals, some tender emotional beats—scattered across long stretches of monotony and erratic explanation. It reminded me a bit of The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher, so if you’re drawn to fantasy-quest-style horror, this might still be worth checking out. Just manage your expectations.

The characters in this book were difficult to care about in any fashion. The twist of one of the characters lying to the remaining friends to get them back to a staircase 20 years later was a good touch. The "rooms" all being connected to tragedy in other homes was an interesting concept. I found that to be the most enjoyable part of this novel.

I was really curious to read this one, since I had heard a lot about the author. I found the plot to be pretty interesting and compelling, but the characters were all unlikable, and that's one of the things that I hate in books: when I can't root for anyone in the group...

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig. I really enjoyed this one. Wendig’s writing is unapologetically bold and full of personality, which made the whole reading experience feel fresh and unpredictable. The story is part horror, part mystery, with an eerie vibe that kept me turning pages late into the night. Some scenes were genuinely creepy and atmospheric, though at times the quick jumps between tones felt a bit jarring. I also would have liked a bit more background on a few characters but overall I was hooked. If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced thriller with unique voice and plenty of chills this one’s for you.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of The Staircase in the Woods. What a spooky, eerie concept. This book is a character-driven, harrowing quest about four friends on a mission to save the fifth member of their group (The Covenant). It dives deep into friendship, adulthood, and trauma. There were places that felt a little bogged-down, but as a whole I would recommend it to any horror/suspense reader. I also really enjoyed the numerous video-game references. TW: horror, gore, violence, child abuse, self-harm, suicide.

I think I need to admit that Wendig isn't really for me. His ideas sound so interesting but he just doesn't deliver.

There are some genuinely creepy moments in the book, but all of his characters are always so unlikable, and he writes all of them exactly the same way. Some of them felt like they were taken straight out of Black River Orchard with how they acted. And he pretty much always writes gay women as super into kink/fetishes with an obnoxious political attitude (and I'm very liberal and agree with their side of things, but come on. We do not need pages of snarky commentary in dialogue by one of the characters.)

Since Wendig writes with rather immature descriptions and commentary, it fit well when following the characters as young teens, but not as much as when we were listening to them as adults. There was really no maturity or difference between the two time jumps and how the characters acted/spoke to each other, and it just wasn't fun to read. I like some depth to my characters, or at least character growth, and the focus on sex and drugs and juvenile descriptions just isn't my thing at this point.

1.5 stars rounding up.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC.

2 Stars

Thank you, Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Book of Accident by Wendig is one of my favorite books. I know it was more literary horror than in-your-face scary, but I still adore that book, even over a year later. So, I requested this without reading the synopsis because I trusted the author to write a great horror book. However, this one fell flat. 

I did like Wendig’s writing style and format as usual. The idea of the story was gripping as well, but the setup and execution were disappointing. I was thinking this would be more along the lines of a scary portal fantasy like the Wayward Children series instead of a haunted house. This story’s plot points also felt like a mash-up from other books that we have seen before. 

I think I have realized I do not like following a group of unlikable characters that are all a part of a friend group that they clearly should not be a part of anymore. Another thing that doesn't work for me is I do not like flashbacks or chapters about characters in the past and this device is used throughout this story.  

I wouldn't describe this as a mystery or thriller. It had intense vibes like stranger things if it was heavier/sadder whereas the story deals with psychological and cerebral scares from toxic friendship and adulthood.


Trigger warnings: Childhood trauma, pain, child abuse, molestation

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouseWorlds for the book #TheStaircaseInTheWoods by #ChuckWendig. I loved this book about five friends, Marty, Owen, Nick, Laur and Hamish, that have named them selves The Covenant. One night, while camping, a staircase appears in the middle of the woods. One of the five decide to climb it and disappears, never to be seen again. Now, twenty years later, they come together again and try to find out what happened to their friend. As they cling the stairs this time, the remaining four go on a search for answers. Will they be able to find their friend and their way out?

Book Review: The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
This was my first book by Chuck Wendig, and overall, I found it to be an entertaining and intriguing read with a unique premise. From the very first page, it reminded me of Stephen King’s It—a close-knit group of five kids (four boys and one girl), united by loyalty and friendship, navigating something dark and mysterious. It also evoked the spirit of Stand By Me, with its sense of camaraderie and childhood adventure.

That’s where the similarities to Stephen King end, though. Where King excels in deep character development and immersive backstory, The Staircase in the Woods felt shallower by comparison. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, possibly because we weren’t given enough depth to really understand or feel for them.

There were moments where I felt like I was missing something—as if the book was a metaphor for something deeper, something just under the surface that I couldn’t quite grasp. That said, it was a solid, fast-paced read and entertaining for what it was. While it didn’t leave a lasting emotional impact, it kept me engaged and curious all the way to the end.

I would definitely give Chuck Wendig another try—especially if future books dive a bit deeper into character and meaning.

3.5 stars!

I won’t sugarcoat it: this book took me a solid three months to finish. The written word felt a bit overwhelming and, dare I say, a tad dry for my taste. But hey, I was invited to the party, and I’ve seen a whirlwind of mixed reviews. Plus, I’m not one to DNF an ARC. So, I decided to give the audiobook a whirl, and what a game-changer that was! The narrators truly brought the story to life, infusing it with their unique personalities. I enjoyed the audiobook experience more!

A group of high school friends on a camping trip finds a mysterious staircase in the woods. When one friend climbs it and vanishes, the staircase disappears too. Twenty years later, it reappears, and the friends reunite to search for their lost friend and uncover the secrets beyond the staircase.

At first, I struggled to keep the characters straight—who was who in this ensemble cast? But once I got my bearings, it became much easier to follow along. I mean, can you believe these folks lost a friend and then just moved on? What on earth? Who does that? I found myself wanting to dive deeper into this strange narrative. It’s not your typical horror read, but there’s plenty of supernatural intrigue to keep you on your toes.

The pacing was a bit slow at times, but once I got into the groove, the story unfolded interestingly. It’s a tale of small-town friendships and nostalgia, where it feels like these characters have moved on without actually growing up—stuck in the mindset of when their friend went missing. It’s hard to believe they call themselves friends!

If you enjoy the creepy, the strange, and perhaps a touch of low-key horror, this book will definitely pique your interest. Just a heads-up: it’s not for everyone. The writing style is unique, and the mindset is a bit unconventional, so you’ll need to keep an open mind or already be a fan of this kind of storytelling. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you, Random House Worlds | Del Rey, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I can't say I'd recommend this. It's like pieces of better works thrown together, namely Stephen King's IT; Alison Rumfitt's Tell Me I'm Worthless; and Channel Zero season three (Butcher's Block), which is based on the same creepypasta's this book draws inspiration from.

I was mostly bored by the repetitive nature of what the group finds once they climb the stairs. It was too much, and with 100 or so fewer pages of trauma, darkness, self-flagellation, and myriad forms of abuse, this could have been more interesting and fun. As it stands, it's an overly familiar assortment of tropes and stories taking up too many pages with too few strong ideas.

This was a solid horror/mystery, but I wasn't as connected with the story or characters as I wanted to be. I really enjoyed the writing style, though, and would be interested in reading more from this author!

There's a strong It vibe here when four friends revisit the scene of a horrific incident from their pasts in order to rescue another pal. There are tons of creepy moments, and an overall feeling of unease. This was my first Wendig, but it certainly won't be my last.

A really great book that is truly about adult friendship and how hard it is to maintain childhood friendships into adulthood and also how childhood trauma informs so much about who we become as adults. Also, by the way, this is horror so it's scary and gory as hell and I loved it.

I've been meaning to report that Chuck Wendig is an auto-buy author for me. The Staircase in the Woods is my 4th Wendig and, like the previous 3, I loved it.
His characters are always so well written. So real and relatable, from their thought processes to their dialogue to their emotions. Staircase is no exception.
Staircase felt like a nod to King's It, minus the clown, and way easier to digest. I inhaled it. We've got a group of childhood friends coming together as adults and reliving a past trauma they experienced together, attempting to right a wrong, and re-forging old bonds all while experiencing some scary shit.
I loved it. I also love the little easter eggs that connect previous books/characters. Read carefully, or you might miss them.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Worlds | Del Rey for the eARC!