I know there are books that fall into the southern horror subgenre but after listening to The Girl in the Creek I am convinced that there must be a Pacific Northwest horror subgenre as well.
Sure THE GIRL IN THE CREEK takes place near Mount Hood in Oregon, but the way Wendy Wagner writes makes it so you smell the damp vegetation and taste the soil. The fungal growth permeates the words and seeps into your consciousness.
The story, Erin’s brother has been missing for years and she hears about a town that has multiple disappearances so goes to check things out, what she finds is a strangeness that defies explanation.
Wonderful characters and an intriguing plot keep you guessing and glued to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for allowing me a chance to listen to the audiobook The Girl in the Creek!

For fans of T. Kingfisher and Jeff Vandermeer? Say less. I’m a sucker for all things sentient fungi/plant-life. This book 100% delivers.

If you’re a horror fan, The Girl in the Creek is not to be missed. Plenty of creepy atmosphere and tons of gore.

There’s a lot of characters and plot lines in this story, but I think if you don’t let yourself get bogged down and enjoy the story, it all comes together in the end.

If you liked Mexican Gothic, What Moves the Dead, They Bloom at Night, or Annihilation, I highly recommend.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook.
This was a good book.
It got weird a couple of times but all in all, it was a good story with a satisfying ending.
The narration was good. Maybe a little more emotion was needed in some situations.

Ok wow this book was really interesting! In some ways this reminded me of Stranger Things, which I love! This is very gross and creepy, the body horror was crazy! About an hour left of the audio is when things started to come together and make sense about what the "Strangeness" was and how it got there. I really loved the ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this ARC.
-🎧

4.25 stars ✨

This is my favorite mushroom/fungus horror I’ve read so far! The body horror is very unnerving and creepy! I will not be touching a mushroom any time soon!!

I really loved having the POV of The Strangeness woven into the story. Any time we get a non-human POV, it adds an extra level of intrigue and sometimes weirdness, which I am so here for!

No spoilers, but the origin of the fungal entity was exactly what I would want it to be! Something slightly outlandish but just possible enough! There are a lot of mysteries in the story, and they come together to be solved in a pretty satisfying way.

I have to admit that there were perhaps too many characters to keep track of, for me at least. We didn’t get much background on most of the side characters, so I had a bit of a hard time keeping them straight at times. I don’t think it really took away from the story, but I did go “wait which one are they again?” a few times.

I listened to the audiobook format for this and it was truly well done. I didn’t notice any production issues, and the narrator did a really great job of bringing the story to life. Jennifer Pickens was a great fit for Erin’s story!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

The cover is what drew me in to reading Girl in the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner. This book was strange, horrifying and interesting with spore horror. Everything is connected in this story. Initially I didn’t connect with the story but that soon changed as the mysteries stacked up and the introduction of the Strangeness. The ending is very haunting. The narrator, Jennifer Pickens, brings the story to life. When the action gets going, I had to slow the narration down to regular speed as the words are flying fast, kinda stream of consciousness style. Read if you like body horror, connection, and odd tales. ALC was provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. I received an audiobook listening copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This one is difficult for me to review. I really loved the eco-horror vibes it gave, but the human characters really took away from it at times. There were times when they were so underdeveloped I felt like I was reading a high school writing project.

I was really excited for this book, but I felt a bit let down. It started of strong and pulled me in right away. However, as the book went on, the characters fell a bit flat and had similar personalities that it was hard to keep them straight or get to know them. The premise of this book was so intriguing, but the execution was hit and miss. There were some high points but I was mostly bored because I couldn't connect with the characters and it felt a bit rushed. I listened to the audio for most of this and it just felt flat. I loved the small creepy Oregon town setting, the podcast angle, and the inclusion of eco-horror and mycelium. I did enjoy the writing enough that I will definitely try more of Wendy Wagner's work in the future, and I would recommend this to lovers of eco-horror.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Very unexpected story with an ending that I found very personally satisfying!!

Girl in the Creek follows Erin, a girl whose brother went missing a number of years ago, heading to the same town that her brother disappeared in on a "work trip" hoping to uncover at least part of the mystery surrounding not only her brother's disappearance, but also the disappearances of many young women in the area. The town is small and mostly friendly, but a sinister underbelly seems to be growing just below their feet.

I was prepared for a little fantasy/sci-fi in this book to explain the weird goings-on of this town but Wendy Wagner really went for it and made a REALLY interesting conflict with some really fun descriptions of the visuals. I adored having chapters told from the perspective of the Strangeness and I have so many questions about the Strangeness after finishing this book but I am in no way unsatisfied. The author here did a really good job of giving you all the information you need without over explaining herself and leaving just enough open that finishing the book has my mind running with imagination rather than frustration.

The characters in the book were easy to understand without being overly complex. This story knows exactly what it wants to be and is and doesn't spend a lot of time on superfluous character building. I feel as though we get enough information about our characters that when things start to get serious, it's not hard to be invested in what happens to them. Very tight storytelling on that front!! I do happen to agree with some other reviews that the language describing the area and forestry can drag just a little, especially in the beginning where things take a second to get started, however this same language feels so necessary and beautiful by the end of the book that I can't say that is a true detriment here. Maybe be aware that the first few chapters are a little flowery in the prose but you'll savor those words in the climax. The author keeps pace with herself in this manner in a way that is very admirable and a show of great craft.

I loved the ending so much that any misgivings I may have been wondering about through the middle of the novel were completely blown out of the water by the gut punch of a climax and ending. If you've started this ride, I highly suggest you finish it and decide if the view along the way was worth it after you arrive at the destination. I was expecting a run-of-the-mill environmental saving ending and while there is some light messaging about global warming and such, the ending is so much more contained into the universe that Wendy Wagner created than I had expected which made it so satisfying and delightful that I must give her her flowers.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers who want something in the realm of horror or crime thriller but are getting tired of the mundane. This is an easy read without a lot of personal investment. It starts out like a lazy morning drive through some damp and rainy weather and ends with a joyride that leaves you windswept and dazed!

This was such a great read ❤️😊!!!! This cover caught my eye 👀 it is just so haunting and yet beautiful at the same time, I was SUPER excited to read this book.

I do accept that there has been or seems to be a drastic increase in botanical or environmental horror books coming out, specifically the ones focused on fungi.....but I have yet to read one that I did not enjoy. They have all been amazing.....so guess this is my thing 😅 now, creepy plant horror books LOL. But seriously that entire premise is just terrifying, creepy fungus that can infect humans 😱😱😱😱 Did you know that when a fungus takes over an insect is referred to as 'zombification'???? Gross 🤢

Anyway I really enjoyed this story it had a LOT going on but that meant the pacing was quick and the plot was exciting. I tried to explain to my husband what was happening in the book and I realized 🤔 A LOT happens, so that may throw some people off. I however really enjoyed it all.

My only criticism is that the cast of characters was WAY too large. I comprehend that, a lot of things happened and obviously lots of death (surprise, surprise, it's horror that's expected 😅) but it was difficult to keep all the names straight. Maybe some titles instead of names who have been easier 🤔 like 'cop', 'innkeeper', 'shop owner'......I mean it was just SOOOOOOO many people to try to keep track of.

Regardless this was an amazing read, I really enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend that others check it out ESPECIALLY if you also are totally into the evil fungus 🍄‍🟫 books like me 😍

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book. This review was written voluntarily.

I listened to the audiobook and it was very enjoyable. The narrator's calm and low toned voice gave this great juxtaposition to all the crazy horrific things going on in the book.....kinda made it MORE creepy. ❤️

The cover of this book is what grabbed my attention but the story within was eerie and intriguing. There is quite a bit of body horror and grotesque imagery but it really just lends to the creepy atmospheric horror the author is trying to create.

Erin travels from Portland to the Clackamas Forest. She has convinced the magazine she works for to let her do an article on the "hidden gem" of Faraday which could potentially be a tourist spot in the future. However, her real motivation is to try and get more information about her missing brother who was last seen in Faraday and has not been seen since.

Erin is also accompanied by some of her friends, and a few locals they link up with to try and solve the mystery of people vanishing in the area. Things start to go sideways as we, the readers, get perspectives from an alien like creature which seems to be infecting and infesting the forest as a whole, spreading and growing. When the body of a missing girl is found by Erin and a friend, then goes missing from the morgue, We really start to understand the zombie-like things happening in the background of the events.

It starts a bit slow, but once it picks up, it really takes off and you may have an idea about what is going on, but the plot is pretty intricate. I thought the narrator was a bit calm for the events happening. I do wonder if the character of Erin would have been a bit more animated. I didn't know a fungi could be so invasive but it certainly creeps in around the edges and settles deep in the bones.

This was such an interesting read/listen. I really enjoyed the story! I love a creepy botanical mystery! The main character felt a little dry to start but really grew on me as the story progressed. The narrator was great and in the creepiest moments the whispers and inflection added a lot to the experience.
I highly recommend a read/listen, especially if your a fan of What Moves the Dead and/or Don't Let the Forest In!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From the opening pages, Girl in the Creek immediately pulled me into its eerie, atmospheric world. Wendy N. Wagner crafts a haunting tale that beautifully blends psychological horror with a creeping ecological dread. The imagery is rich and unsettling mushrooms, moss, water, rot all of it builds a suffocating tension that lingers long after you’ve finished the last page.

The protagonist’s descent into paranoia and uncertainty is paced just right, making you question what’s real and what’s imagined. The creek itself feels like a living, breathing entity gorgeous and grotesque. I especially appreciated how the story explores trauma and transformation without ever losing its horror roots.

Some plot threads could have been developed a bit more fully, which is why it’s not a full five stars for me, but overall this was a deeply original and satisfying read. Wagner has a gift for weaving dread into the natural world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I’ll be thinking about this one every time I pass by water or see a patch of mushrooms.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the book #GirlInTheCreek by #WendyNWagner. Erin’s brother Bryan went missing five years ago on a hiking trip in Mt Hood and hasn’t been seen since. Erin has set off to find out what happened to him. He isn’t the only hiker to go missing and what Erin finds another woman dead in the creek. Can she unravel these mysteries and what is behind them before falling victim too? I really enjoyed this audiobook and recommend it.

I consumed every minute of this book, and only wish there was more! This book is the perfect mix of and horror, thriller, and some sci-fi. It gave off similar vibes as something written by Jeff Vandermeer, with somewhat easier and more relatable prose. The mushroom/body horror was exquisite and had me cringing in public while listening to the audiobook. I truly loved this book and can’t wait to ready more by Wendy N. Wagner.

I want to thank Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Wendy N. Wagner for this free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I think I might be burned out on the whole “sporror” trend. Girl in the Creek didn’t offer much to keep me engaged, and despite its fast pace, it felt like not much was actually happening.

The biggest issue for me was the characters. There were too many introduced all at once, and most of them felt underdeveloped and hard to keep track of. I kept mixing them up, and because the story moved so quickly, none of them had time to become fully realized. As a result, I didn’t feel much when they started getting picked off.

The tone also leaned more YA than adult, which surprised me. The dialogue and interactions felt a bit too juvenile, which made it harder to take the horror elements seriously or stay emotionally invested.

I will say the audiobook helped. The narration was solid and gave just enough energy and atmosphere to make a pretty mid horror novel feel a little less mid. It definitely made it easier to push through the story and finish it faster than I might have otherwise.

Overall, this one didn’t stand out. It felt like it was following the current horror formula without bringing anything new or memorable to the table.

If you like your horror a little weird, a little wild, and dripping in mushrooms, this one’s for you. This book had me at Pacific Northwest forest full of spores and secrets. I’ve been on an eco-horror kick, and this hit all the right notes: creepy atmosphere, smart commentary, and just enough body horror to make you squirm. The forest in this book feels alive — like it’s watching, waiting, and swallowing people whole. Very “what if nature had had enough of us” vibes.

We follow Erin, a writer who goes back to her brother’s last-known location, and of course, the forest is not done with her family. The mystery kicks off fast and goes from “maybe a serial killer?” to “maybe we’re all doomed?” pretty quick — but in a good way. The tone stays eerie and grounded even when things get full-on fungal nightmare. And yes, it gave me shades of Jeff VanderMeer and Nick Cutter (those juicy squelchy moments were not for the faint of heart).

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator nailed it — her voice fit the mood perfectly, and I felt pulled into the foggy woods with every chapter. I only wish it had gotten a little spookier at times, but honestly, the real horror here is what we’re doing to the planet. The story doesn’t let you forget it. Short, sharp, and full of tension, this is a great intro to eco-horror or “sporror.” If you like stories where the land fights back — and wins — give this a listen.

3.5 / 5 stars

Strange things are happening in Faraday, Oregon.

Five years ago, Erin’s brother disappeared near Mt. Hood, and now young women of color are going missing from the nearby community. Convinced these disappearances are more than just coincidence, travel writer Erin heads to the Pacific Northwest to investigate her brother’s cold case – and maybe find answers for the other missing too.

But the deeper Erin and her companions venture into the mossy forests and derelict buildings around Faraday, the clearer it becomes that something unnatural is taking root in the woods. Something that wants to grow. And when Erin discovers the titular girl in the creek, she finds herself caught in a creeping nightmare that might connect everything – if it doesn’t consume her first.

I was so ready to love this book. The comparisons to Jeff VanderMeer and T. Kingfisher were the perfect hooks for me, and the cover alone promised a fungalcore summerween treat. The good news? Girl in the Creek absolutely delivers on the weirdness and mushrooms I was hoping for.

The Pacific Northwest setting is a perfect backdrop for this kind of story – all lush, eerie forests and crumbling structures, made even more unnerving by the Strangeness creeping through them. There’s a tension in how the beauty of the place is slowly overtaken by decay, and the fungal horror here is genuinely effective. One scene near the end, where the infection’s true horrors are revealed, had me squirming in the best way (a solid 9/10 on my scary scale).

Jennifer Pickens’ narration is a great match for the material. Her tremulous alto captures the characters’ fear without tipping into melodrama, and she does an excellent job differentiating voices – her old woman voice is particularly fantastic.

My biggest struggle with the book was the sheer number of characters. Every time a new character appeared, it felt like they brought a plus one, and I found myself getting confused about who was who during critical scenes. I can’t help but wonder if the story might have been stronger with a tighter cast or by centering the locals in the narrative instead of bringing in Erin’s full entourage. Some of the themes around the missing women of color got a bit lost for me, though the book’s exploration of belonging versus exclusion landed more cleanly.

Still, if you’re craving a weird, atmospheric fungalcore read this summer, Girl in the Creek is worth adding to your TBR. Just keep a list of characters handy – and maybe leave a light on while you read.

3.5 ⭐️ The Girl in the Creek is the perfect entry point for readers like me who are just beginning to explore the horror genre. Blending sci-fi and horror elements in a gripping, action-packed, and fast-paced narrative, it feels like a grown-up version of books such as Don’t Let the Forest In and House of Hollow. It’s impulsively readable, keeping you on your toes with every twist. The story makes incredible use of mushroom imagery and biological facts—if you enjoyed the documentary Fantastic Fungi, this will be right up your alley. It’s gross in the best way possible, often making me say “ew” out loud, yet I couldn’t stop reading. The way it presents the perspective of the “strangeness” is uniquely fascinating, offering a fresh take on horror by delving into the thoughts of the antagonist in a way that adds remarkable depth to the story.

I was instantly drawn in by this cover and when I realized this was set in the Clackamas Forrest I knew I had to read it. It was intensely bizarre and I am not sure I will have the words to describe it. I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the narrator quite a bit. Erin Harper arrives in Faraday to write a travel article but she is also secretly working with some friends who have a podcast to investigate the strange disappearances in the town which include Erin’s own brother (Even if his was ruled a suicide). There is something strange hiding in the woods, something beyond anything Erin could imagine. I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up because if there was a place where evil fungus was working to take over the world it would be around Estacada which seemed to be where this was set.