Rating: Great (4.25 stars)

In short: The Forest of Missing Girls is a dark fable for adults, with depth, raw emotion, and a chilling atmosphere. It’s not an easy, breezy read, it demands your attention, but it absolutely rewards it. The horror lingers, the writing enchants, and the story will stick with me for a long time.

Ooh, forests! I have such a soft spot for stories set in the woods, there's always this eerie, atmospheric vibe, no matter the genre. And this book absolutely delivers on that front. The forest feels alive and breathing, the perfect backdrop for this dark, unsettling horror story.

One of the first things that stood out was how the protagonist isn’t named right away. That might seem like a small detail, but on an e-reader it means you can’t just flip back to the blurb to remind yourself. Still, it ends up working in favor of the story, it creates a sense of distance, a slow burning mystery. Who is this woman? What we do know is that she’s relatable, especially to anyone who's ever had to start over.

This was my first time reading anything by this author, but wow, what a strong, immersive writing style. It’s vivid and descriptive, with subtle nods to Grimm’s fairy tales. The narrative almost feels like a dark fable, a modern myth. It gave me similar vibes to Her Soul to Take, especially in terms of atmosphere, the looming forest, the hidden threats… I loved it.

The sibling dynamics, especially with a big age gap, hit me right in the heart. As the eldest daughter with much younger siblings myself, I recognized so many of the emotions described, the sense of responsibility, distance and connection. The mother daughter relationship, too, is riddled with tension and a quiet sense of something being… not quite right.

The setting feels very current, post-COVID, with familiar references to work, social life, and the general sense of navigating a changed world. At the same time, the book carries a depth that makes it more demanding than a typical thriller. Every detail matters, and that means this isn’t a quick or light read. It asks for focus and rewards it.

By the halfway mark, I was deep in my own theories, always a sign of good storytelling. My mind was racing with possibilities, some of them more correct than others.

Some scenes are genuinely disturbing. I don’t get queasy easily from books, but this one made me feel things, and not always in a good way. Again, I mean that as a compliment: the horror is visceral, lingering, and effective. I even found myself wondering what inspired the author, the coldness, the twisted ‘perfection’, it evoked comparisons to the dehumanizing cruelty of real life medical atrocities. I wouldn’t be surprised if this book gave readers nightmares, it’s that vivid and unsettling. I had a nightmare or two.

The build up to the climax is excellent and kept me glued to the pages. Unfortunately, I do feel like the major plot twist came a little too early, which slightly deflated the tension in the final chapters. That said, the ending is still strong, disturbing, thought provoking and open enough to hint at a possible sequel. Which, honestly, I would read in a heartbeat, no matter how disturbed I was by this one.

The forest itself deserves special mention. Its portrayal as a living entity, almost sacred in the way it echoes Native American spirituality, without it was ever mentioned, is beautifully done. There's something magical about how the author breathes life into it, eerie and beautiful at once. It’s the kind of atmosphere that can only come from an American setting, and it left me in awe.

Ophelia and her boyfriend break up, which inspires her to return home for a few months. From the moment she arrives, though, her mother’s comments about her appearance and life make her feel like she shouldn’t have come. Her sister is there too, and that’s why she decides to stay.

The next thing we know, one of her sister’s friends has gone missing. And that’s very bad news in their town because whenever a girl goes missing by the woods, she’s missing forever.

That‘s pretty much all I can tell you without giving spoilers. However, I’ve read thousands of thrillers and horror novels, and I have to say that this one does something that no other book ever has. It’s shocking and uncomfortable, but it never crossed certain lines (that I kind of wanted to see the author cross). This one will stay with me for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

A really great read. There were a lot of aspects that I was not expecting, which I enjoyed, and the concept was interesting and fresh.

I’m a sucker for a story with creepy woods. If creepy woods exists as its own sub genre, it’s my favorite. This story keeps you entranced and on the edge of your seat. Each time you have a guess a new thing is thrown in and you’re back to wondering what’s going on.

If you love stories that blend haunting atmospheres with gripping mysteries, The Forest of Missing Girls by Nichelle Giraldis is a book you won’t want to miss! This atmospheric novel whisks you away to a small town shrouded in secrets, where every shadow seems to hide a story waiting to be uncovered. The story follows a determined protagonist who delves into the chilling disappearances of girls in the surrounding woods, uncovering tangled truths that threaten to swallow her whole. Giraldis paints a vivid picture of the eerie forest—creepy trees whispering secrets, shadows lurking just beyond sight—and keeps the suspense simmering throughout. The characters are compelling, each with their own scars and motives, making their interactions feel authentic and intense. What I loved most was the way the story kept me guessing—just when I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist popped up! The pacing is tight, full of suspenseful moments that made it hard to put down. The author also weaves in themes of friendship, trust, and confronting fears, which adds depth beyond the mystery. A couple of plot points could have been more fleshed out, but overall, The Forest of Missing Girls delivers a thrilling ride into the unknown. Perfect for fans of atmospheric crime thrillers and dark secrets hiding in the woods. I’m giving it 4 stars for its engaging storytelling, creepy vibe, and the edge-of-your-seat mystery.