Kate Alice Marshall

A Novel

What Lies in the Woods

Really enjoyed this plenty of twists and a really good ending. 

Samantha King

brie

the fmc in this book could give horror movie villains a run for their money due to her sheer ability to NOT die no matter how many times she is put in a situation where death is more than likely. 

i like my thrillers not unnecessarily long and straight to the point. this was neither. a majority of the dialogue was so juvenile especially in the timeline where they’re depicted as adults. there were also so many characters i could not keep track of due to their sheer blandness. the mystery aspect was super OTT to the point where suspension of disbelief was just impossible. and regardless of this, it was still very predictable but there were some moments that truly had me entertained. 

this book truly had me conflicted because on one hand, i wanted to give it 1 star, on the other, 4 stars just because of some parts i enjoyed. but in the end i settled for mediocre.

Malia

sometimes i need a reminder that girls can be super unhinged and this book reminds me just That

Very interesting read! There were slow parts but overall very good book 

Alicia Sahr

This book had me going “OH ok NOW i know the ending” over and over again for hours, it got a little bit TOO twisty and turny towards the end to where i was skimming it trying to get to the final result.  I love the plot but it could have been a bit more engagingly written especially the dialogues.  It was a page turner that I couldn’t put down but not exactly memorable now that it’s over.  

Liz collins 

Teba nabeel

** spoiler alert **
           I kept telling myself i got the plot that’s it, said that 7 times probably 💀.
The story is really good! And the writing was amazing as well, the story itself was emotional and touching, let alone the mystery parts that only made it more enjoyable and interesting.
A story about friendship and the pain within it, about trust and fear, i just couldn’t trust anyone it was exhausting! Kept pointing fingers literally until the last couple of pages! That’s how good the plot was!
Did not expect to like it as much but i found myself loving the characters and even tearing up a bit.
Highly recommend.

Grace M

What starts off slowly, grows to be a dark twisty tale that is difficult to put down. Small town quirks, patchwork memories and more conspiracies than I could count. As a fan of the thriller genre, I have to give points to any book that can surprise me and this one did.

I read this in almost one day and stayed up until 12:30 am to finish it. I hardly ever do that anymore. This book hooked me from the beginning and kept me guessing the whole time. 

Gisela Ayala 

Alexis Donahue

Took me awhile to get through this book-- not sure if it was slow of if life was busy. I enjoyed the idea and plot twists of an unreliable (confused/tampered) narrator and finding out how that unfortunate day unfolded through the story. <spoiler> Ethan had the potential to be an unlikable character (as the serial killer's son)... but ended up being the most clever/ likable one IMO. </spoiler>.

shellybn

A clever title is always a good sign for a book, and this one is no exception. "What Lies in the Woods" can refer to either a body or the untruths told in the woods. I did not like the protagonist very much, but still enjoyed the way the mystery was unraveled. Some of the characters actions did not make sense until the mystery started to unravel, but then they did. I enjoyed this book and think others will, too.

Yvette

It took me 2 months to read this book. TWO MONTHS. One star per month. I also used a BOTM credit on this. I’m not upset at all. 🥲 

First 70% of the book is slow, with a few minor “oh dang” moments. Why did it drag for so long??? The last 30% I read during a flight (I needed to finish it and move it to a different shelf) and was surprised how it picked up. A few of the twists were predictable but I will admit once they start coming, they don’t stop and it was a bit hard to keep track. My head was spinning trying to connect too many dots at the end. I did however enjoyed a few of the twists. I don’t know… this just didn’t do it for me.

Cheri Fuller

4.5 Stars

What a fantastically twisted journey! This mystery is told from the POV of a damaged woman who clings to the only stable relationships she's ever had - the two childhood friends who were involved in the final attack of a serial killer. Or were they?

I enjoyed the pacing, the relationships, and the way the truth unfolded. I did figure out a couple things sort of early on but the big questions stayed unanswered until close to the end. A big win in my book. Another big win was the narrator. I listened to another NetGalley audiobook toward the end of last year that she narrated and have confirmed, she's going to be a favorite. 

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to live in Naomi's world for a little while. I'm sad to see it end.

A good quick read. The way it's written was nice and fast paced. I found myself flying through it trying to figure out who did what. There's a few twists and turns and you think you've got it all figured out and then boom more twists and turns. Overall a fun read. 

marissa 

chloe ✩‧₊˚✧｡*ﾟ

"I'm tired of lying" 

I love how it finished off. 

I guessed at least 2 of the plot twists (go me) but I was very very happy with how it all played out! The twists were unique and I haven't read anything like it. I loved learning the truth along with Naomi. 

 "For all the wild girls who search for magic in the woods."

Elements I loved:
- the forest setting ! The way Kate wrote made everything seem so magical until the last 15% when I was a little scared
- I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator 
- The betrayal 💔
- easy to follow 
- Olivia✨ and how Naomi had a cheeky little girl crush 
- the twists. I guessed it but I was very very happy how it went ! haven't read anything like it 

dislikes:
- it wasn't scary to the point i was scared to go to sleep ? what a bunch of babies its more like a mystery to figure out
- I still have a few questions 
- Naomi was kinda annoying... but she did feel genuine at the same time ? 
- lame excuses (iykyk)

Definitely grabbed my attention from the very beginning. It was a bit predictable (at least the part about Cass) but I did question myself who knows how many times trying to make connections before the book told me them. It was mind boggingly good, I did feel like something was missing which is why I give it 4 stars but overall it was a great read!

Lizeth Garcia

Jerilynn Hallett 

3.5 rounding up to a 4

So...basically everyone in this book has a crooked moral compass....

Slow moving with a great ending. Glad I pushed l through! 

Kathleen Powers

Three best friends are in the woods when one of them is attacked…and they send a serial killer to prison. But, did they get the right man?

This book had great twists and turns. I really liked this.

Cheri McElroy

Three best friends are in the woods when one of them is attacked…and they send a serial killer to prison. But, did they get the right man?

This book had great twists and turns. I really liked this.

Was torn between needing to know how it would all tie up and never ever wanting it to end

What Lies in the Woods A Novel

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