Sample
  • The God of the Woods

  • A Novel
  • By: Liz Moore
  • Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
  • Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,082 ratings)

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The God of the Woods

By: Liz Moore
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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Mic Check with Saskia Maarleveld

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Publisher's summary

"Riveting from page one to the last breathless word."—Rebecca Makkai, New York Times bestselling author of I Have Some Questions For You

“Brilliant, riveting .. an epic mystery, a family saga and a survival guide...I loved this book.”—Miranda Cowley Heller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Paper Palace

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 listeners into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF that contains a map from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Liz Moore (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"An immersive reading experience that will draw audiences. Its explorations of class, crime, and family dynamics, in addition to Moore’s incredible storytelling, will appeal to readers of Lisa Jewell, Tana French, and Lucy Foley."Library Journal, STARRED review

"Rich in background detail and secondary mysteries. . .this ever-expansive, intricate, emotionally engaging novel never seems overplotted. Every piece falls skillfully into place and every character, major and minor, leaves an imprint."Kirkus, STARRED review

Gripping and revelatory...The beautiful and dangerous wilderness setting enhances the suspense as the narrative builds to a dramatic final act...This astonishes.”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

Editorial Review

“When lost, sit down and yell”
I’ve been a huge fan of Liz Moore since her memorable novel Long Bright River wowed me in 2020. It also kept me up all night, speed-listening until I finished the last chapter. When I heard Moore was releasing a new novel, not only did I know that The God of the Woods would be an auto-download, I was also prepared for another sleepless night. And sleep I did not. This haunting and heartbreaking story centers on a 13-year-old camper who goes missing 14 years after her older brother vanished in the same Adirondack woods. Alternating between present day and flashback, Saskia Maarleveld’s narration is captivating, echoing the story’s eerie atmospheric tension and rich complex characters. Her ability to convey deep emotions and suspense enriches this thrilling journey through one family’s troubled legacy that builds to a dramatic final act. I would gladly forgo another night of sleep to go back and listen to this one from the beginning again. — Margaret H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The God of the Woods

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story telling

The story, pacing, etc of this book has made me (and others) think of Donna Tartts - the Secret History. Another book about those who have and haven’t with secrets and intertwined families and relationships and…. Secrets. A great listen for a long drive and for those who have read it… can’t put it down. (I only gave it a 4 because I’m not feeling like Raving about it. But I will recommend it as good, tight story telling….. although I am leaving a review - which is rare… so… maybe a 4.5 :)…)

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Story

This was a great book. I listen to my books everyday when I walk and when driving in the car. The story was great and the audio reader did a great job too. I would think I had the "who did it" figured out several times and boy was I surprised. Loved it.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Only stopped listening to sleep!

This story had me from the beginning and it was difficult for me to go about my everyday life because I didn’t want to stop listening! I listened until I fell asleep and would pick back up the second I opened my eyes in the morning. There are a lot of characters to track, but that’s what made it such an intricate and deep storyline. Gripping story that left me satisfied at the end.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Story! Great mystery!

Liz Moore is one of my favorite authors. This is another novel where you grow to really care about the characters but also get sucked into a great mystery! I loved this one, and I loved the narrator!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting!

So deftly woven, this story of dysfunction and families who favor reputation over authenticity and truth, but within are heroes who carry the exciting story with courage and hope. Which characters are they?

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

So boring

Maybe it’s just me but gosh this book was boring. Even the ending. I wish I didn’t waste my credit.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

plot twist

This is a good read/ listen with interesting characters., and it would make an entertaining movie.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a Great Listen!

Well researched and well written, good narration, interesting characters, surprise ending. I enjoyed this book a great deal and I will definitely read or listen to other books by this author.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The “good” old days

It took me a couple of chapters to acclimate to the narrator. She used a low, loud whispering voice. And, men all kind of sounded the same, but overall, I thought it was well done. I graduated from high school in 1974, so the setting took me back. Women had no identities, other than those assigned to them. Stereotypes were viewed as fact. Lack of technology like cell phones and DNA analysis. It all contributed to the way the mystery unfolded. And, boy, did it unfold. I listened every chance I had, and I never saw the ending coming.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent plot

This novel has plot twists, rich history, and deep character development, and keeps you wanting more.

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