A FOREST. A BOOK. A MISSING GIRL.
Charles Hayden has been fascinated by a strange Victorian fairy tale, In the Night Wood, since he was a child. When his wife, Erin – a descendant of the author – inherits her ancestor’s house, the couple decide to make it their home. Still mourning the recent death of their daughter, they leave America behind, seeking a new beginning in the English countryside.
But Hollow House, filled with secrets and surrounded by an ancient oak forest, is a place where the past seems very much alive. Isolated among the trees, Charles and Erin begin to feel themselves haunted – by echoes of the stories in the house’s library, by sightings of their daughter, and by something else, as old and dark as the forest around them.
A compelling and atmospheric gothic thriller, In the Night Wood reveals the chilling power of myth and memory.
Source | Format | Pages | Publisher | Genre | Publication Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Netgalley | eARC | 259 | HarperCollins | General Fiction | February 7th, 2019 |
Not going to lie- I totally requested this book based on 2 things: the cover #hearteyes and the title. I am so easy to engage sometimes! haha… General fiction doesn’t often find its way to my reading list, so naturally- slightly afraid at how this was going to turn out. But, In the Night Wood turned out to be one of those books that takes the description “atmospheric” to another level!
Charles and wife Erin are in deep mourning after the death of their young daughter. So, when Erin inherits the Hollow House in England, Charles sees this as an opportunity to start over and start something new. Erin’s forefathers include a writer of a book that many say they would not let their children read and that book as well as the author has been a fascination (of sorts) in Charles’ life. It is so, that Charles approaches the chance at a fresh start with optimism, whilst Erin follows in a daze of medication.
New start it is, yes, but not what one would have expected. Not only is Hollow House and the whole estate shrouded in mystery, the truth of what happened to the couple’s daughter and why remains hanging over the married couple through guilt and blame. With a slight air of supernatural, everything seems to be linked- grief, depression, visions of a horned figure and horrible dreams… Following the good pace upon expertly placed words, I found myself at a shocking yet satisfying ending.
There’s no denying that the writing style is a perfect fit for delivering a story such as In the Night Wood. It made me question sanity, reality and truth. The writing truly, wonderfully pulled me in and delivered an enjoyable, even though a gloomy, story full of characters who are all wrapped in mystery.
In the Night Wood on Goodreads : Amazon : Book Depository
Loved your review of In the Night Wood.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Reblogged this on A View to A Book and commented:
For those who love a true “Once Upon a Time” tale.
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I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Liz! I have to be honest, I would have totally requested this book for the same reasons hahaha
But I think ultimately it wouldn’t be a story I would like… Sounds too gloomy for my taste. I would absolutely love it on my shelf though!
Brilliant review, as always 🙂
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Thank you!
The story is quite gloomy indeed… and the beautiful cover is so fitting!
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I love a novel that makes you question everything! I’m quite new to gothic novels but so far I have only had two great experiences, I’ll have to put this on my list too! Great review!
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Woohoo, fabulous- I think you’ll quite enjoy this one too. It’s not a racey thriller but it’s still reads nice and flowy and has some mysteries to unravel!
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Wonderful review! I really like the sound of a gothic thriller & atmosphere.
I totally understand your #hearteyes. That cover is gorgeous! Kinda reminds me of some of the folk dresses from my native country.
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Thank you!
Oooh… I am sure I have asked but I can’t recall- where are you from again? And, does your country have different types of folk dresses for different regions, as well? 🙂
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I’m from Hungary originally 🙂 Yes, there are – the style is kind of the same but it’s different patterns per region. 🙂
Is it similar in Estonia?
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Hungary! Awesome! One of my workmates is Hungarian and he’s the coolest, smartest person I know!
But yes, we also have different patterns per region… It’s very cool I think 🙂 I need to google and check out the Hungarian ones 🙂
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❤ 🙂
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Yay, Liz is back!
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🙂 I think I am away more at this stage than blogging, but I’ll try keep it going anyway 🙂 Hope you’ve been well!
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Great review! I love the cover and the title as well!
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Thank you! 🙂
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I loved this book! I’m all about the atmospheric tales these days. I read the synopsis because of the cover, too. 😊
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 👍✨
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Before I started reading the book, I checked if any of my GR friends had read it and I was very pleased to see you had and that you loved it! 🙂
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That cover is wow 😍 And I absolutely love atmospheric reads- so this definitely has my attention!! And I’m glad to hear the writing style fit perfectly and the ending worked so well- definitely sounds worth a read. Fantastic review!
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‘grief, depression, visions of a horned figure and horrible dreams…’ Count. Me. In.
Great review! This looks like my kind of read. I needed a new audiobook for my long walks to work, and so this’ll do nicely. 🙂
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I don’t blame you for requesting this one! That cover and title is totally up my alley as well (that’s why I requested The Hazel Wood last year haha), and the premise sounds intriguingly creepy and psychological. 🙂 Oh, and I can totally imagine the ending being shocking based on the mystery aspect of it. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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