The Ghosts of Childhood Haunt Us All
There’s something about the woods that calls to us as children—the shadowy paths, the whisper of leaves, the sense that anything might be hiding just beyond the next tree. For many, those childhood adventures fade into fond memories. But for some, the darkness lingers.
In her adult thriller debut “What Lies in the Woods,” Kate Alice Marshall taps into that eerie nostalgia and twists it into a haunting tale of long-buried secrets and the lasting scars of childhood trauma. Like the best mysteries, it starts with a death – but the true heart of the story lies decades in the past, in the summer when three young girls played at magic and stumbled across something all too real.
A Gripping Mystery Unravels
Twenty-two years ago, Naomi Shaw and her two best friends Cassidy and Olivia spent their days lost in an elaborate game of magic and ritual deep in the forests surrounding their small town. They called it the Goddess Game, and for one glorious summer it felt real. But their innocent adventures came to a brutal end when Naomi was viciously attacked, stabbed seventeen times and left for dead.
Miraculously, she survived—and her testimony, along with that of Cassidy and Olivia, put away a serial killer. The three girls were hailed as heroes. But they’ve been hiding a secret for all these years, one that could destroy everything they’ve built.
Now, Olivia wants to tell the truth about what really happened that summer. And Naomi finds herself drawn back to her hometown, determined to uncover the reality behind her fractured memories—no matter how dangerous that truth might be.
A Masterful Slow Burn
Marshall proves herself a master of pacing, slowly ratcheting up the tension as Naomi peels back layers of secrets and lies. The story unfolds through Naomi’s eyes in the present day, interspersed with vivid flashbacks to that fateful summer. The author deftly balances multiple timelines and an expansive cast of characters, expertly doling out revelations that constantly force the reader to reevaluate what they think they know.
The mystery at the heart of the novel is genuinely gripping. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Marshall drops another bombshell that sends your theories spinning. She keeps you guessing right up until the devastating finale. But what elevates this above a standard thriller is the emotional depth Marshall brings to her characters and their tangled relationships.
The Shadows of the Past
Naomi is a fascinatingly flawed protagonist, clearly shaped by the trauma of her past but refusing to be defined by it. Her voice feels painfully real as she struggles to reconcile her childhood memories with the harsh realities she uncovers. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring the lasting impact of violence and betrayal, painting a nuanced portrait of survival and resilience.
The relationship between Naomi, Cassidy and Olivia forms the beating heart of the story. Marshall captures the intensity of childhood friendship—that sense that you’ve found your soulmates, the ones who truly understand you. But she also shows how those bonds can become toxic, warped by time and tragedy. The push and pull between the three women feels achingly authentic.
More Than Just a Mystery
While the central mystery drives the plot, “What Lies in the Woods” is much more than a simple whodunit. Marshall uses the framework of a thriller to explore deeper themes of memory, trauma, and the sometimes destructive power of friendship. She delves into the malleability of memory, how we reshape our pasts to protect ourselves, and the danger of building our identities on lies—even well-intentioned ones.
There’s a bittersweet nostalgia threaded throughout as Marshall captures the magic of childhood imagination and the pain of losing that innocence. She perfectly evokes that liminal space between childhood and adolescence, when the world still feels full of possibility but darker realities are starting to intrude.
A Touch of the Supernatural
One of the most intriguing elements is how Marshall plays with the line between reality and fantasy. The “Goddess Game” the girls played feels almost real at times, imbued with a sense of dark magic that lingers even in the present-day chapters. Are there truly supernatural forces at work in these woods, or is it all in Naomi’s traumatized mind? Marshall leaves it tantalizingly ambiguous.
This blend of psychological suspense and almost mythic undertones gives the novel a unique flavor. It feels at times like a dark fairy tale for adults—complete with a witch in the woods, ritual sacrifice, and a reckoning for past sins. Marshall’s evocative prose brings the forest setting to vivid life, making it feel like a character in its own right.
Unflinching and Atmospheric
Marshall doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to depicting violence and its aftermath. There are moments of genuine horror, all the more disturbing for how grounded they feel in reality. But she never veers into gratuitous territory. The violence serves the story and the characters, driving home the stakes and the lasting impact of trauma.
The author’s background in YA horror shines through in her ability to create a palpably creepy atmosphere. There’s a constant sense of unease permeating the novel, a feeling that something is lurking just out of sight. Marshall excels at building tension through small details and an encroaching sense of dread.
A Satisfying Conclusion
Without giving away any spoilers, the finale of “What Lies in the Woods” is both shocking and deeply satisfying. Marshall brings all the threads together in a way that feels earned, delivering twists that recontextualize everything that came before. It’s the kind of ending that will have you immediately wanting to flip back to the beginning and reread with your new knowledge.
The emotional payoff is just as impactful as the plot resolution. Marshall doesn’t offer easy answers or neat happy endings. Instead, she leaves us with a messy, complicated reality that feels true to life. There’s catharsis, but also lingering pain and the sense that some wounds never fully heal.
A Strong Adult Debut
Fans of Marshall’s YA work (like the acclaimed “I Am Still Alive” and “Rules for Vanishing”) will find much to love in her foray into adult fiction. She brings the same keen insight into the teenage psyche to her depiction of Naomi, Cassidy and Olivia as girls. But “What Lies in the Woods” allows her to explore darker, more mature themes with a depth and complexity that marks this as a true adult thriller.
Marshall’s prose is sharp and evocative, with moments of real beauty amidst the darkness. She has a knack for vivid sensory details that bring scenes to life. Her dialogue rings true, each character having a distinct voice. And she knows how to end a chapter on a knife’s edge, compelling you to keep turning pages late into the night.
A Few Minor Quibbles
If there’s a weakness, it’s that some of the secondary characters feel a bit thinly sketched compared to our core trio. The sheer number of players can be overwhelming at times, especially in the early chapters as Marshall establishes her large cast. A few plot threads are left somewhat dangling, though this feels intentional—a reflection of how messy real life can be.
These are minor complaints in what is overall an incredibly strong and assured adult debut. Marshall proves she can hold her own against established names in the thriller genre.
The Verdict
“What Lies in the Woods” is a masterclass in slow-burn suspense and psychological horror. Kate Alice Marshall has crafted a multilayered mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. But it’s the rich characterization and exploration of deeper themes that elevate this above your standard thriller fare.
This is a story that will linger with you long after you turn the final page. It taps into universal experiences—the intensity of childhood friendship, the pain of growing up, the way our pasts shape us—while delivering plenty of gasp-worthy twists. Marshall’s evocative prose brings the eerie forest setting to life, creating an atmosphere thick with dread and dark magic.
For fans of Gillian Flynn, Tana French, or Riley Sager, “What Lies in the Woods” is a must-read. It announces Kate Alice Marshall as a major new voice in adult psychological thrillers. Clear your schedule before you start this one – you won’t want to put it down until you’ve uncovered all its secrets.
Comparable Titles
If you enjoyed “What Lies in the Woods,” you might also like:
- “The Likeness” by Tana French
- “Dark Places” by Gillian Flynn
- “The Chalk Man” by C.J. Tudor
- “The Hunting Party” by Lucy Foley
- “Home Before Dark” by Riley Sager
