The God of the Woods
One summer morning in 1975, 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar goes missing from summer camp. Barbara is the daughter of the family that owns the camp, and 14 years prior, her brother had also gone missing. He was never found. As the story jumps between past and present, we learn the complicated history of the Van Laars, as well as the locals with ties to the wealthy family.
These past few years, I've found literary mysteries to be a satisfying alternative to the more trendy "thrillers with a twist" that get a lot of hype. The God of the Woods is another excellent addition to the sub-genre, with well-drawn characters, a slow unfolding of multiple mysteries, and an intriguing puzzle that comes together nicely. Recommended for readers who don't need fast-paced thrills with their mysteries.
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Publisher’s Description
When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide
Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.
As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.