The God of the Woods — A Novel book cover by Liz Moore

The God of the Woods

Adult • Mystery • Thriller & Suspense • Psychological Thrillers • Thriller
A Novel
Teenager disappears from summer camp Family has history of mysterious vanishings Search reveals hidden family secrets Tension between wealthy and working-class Set in the Adirondack Mountains in 1975

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.

Choose a book format
Paperback prices by retailer

Pick a format, then compare retailer prices. The main button points to the preferred option for the selected format.

Edition information

Book details

Publisher
Riverhead Books
Publication date
2024
Print length
576 pages
Language
English
ISBN
978-0593418925

Mystery + Thriller & Suspense + Psychological Thrillers

Reader guide

What to Know Before Reading The God of the Woods

In Liz Moore's gripping novel, 'The God of the Woods', the mysterious disappearance of thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar from her Adirondack summer camp sends shockwaves through her family and the local community. As secrets unravel, the story delves into the complex dynamics of a family haunted by loss and a community shaped by its ties to the Van Laar legacy.

Join the Reader List

Join bks.social’s reader list for book recommendations, reader updates, featured titles, and occasional community news. No noise. Just the important things.

About the author

Liz Moore

Liz Moore

Liz Moore is the author of five novels: The Words of Every Song, Heft, The Unseen World, the New York Times-bestselling Long Bright River, and The God of the Woods. A winner of the 2014 Rome Prize in Literature, she lives in Philadelphia and teaches in the MFA program in Creative Writing at Temple University.
A favorite quote

““Secrets are like shadows; they grow in the dark.””

Join the book lovers community

Continue the conversation in the Book Hub for The God of the Woods

Visit bks.social’s Book Hub for reader discussions, reviews, posts, quotes, questions, reading activity, related books, and G-NRIS story intelligence.