The Woods

This digital advanced reading copy was gifted to me by the publisher

The Woods is an atmospheric read with mystery, lots of family dysfunction and a creepy vibe as a family moves to a house with a murderous past that sits next to deep, dark woods that hold secrets of its own.

I'm a newbie/tentative horror reader and I liked the sinister woods backdrop, the mystery aspect and the dysfunctional family drama. This was a quiet page turner that builds tension and made me want to figure out what was going on in them there woods! The family drama plays a big part of the story, and I enjoyed the podcast elements which give readers insight into past experiences in the house. 

I have but one thing that gave me pause. Menopause, that is. As a 50-something woman, I appreciate the inclusion of a middle-aged female character, but I thought there were too mentions of Alice's perimenopause as reasons for her decisions/reactions. 

Canadian author Jessica Hamilton builds a sinister and unsettling vibe that will make readers second guess question walking into dark woods alone. I would classify this as 'horror lite', making it the perfect book for readers who want to dip their toes into the horror pool.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Jessica Hamilton

Genre: Suspense, Horror, Canadian

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada

First Published: August 25, 2026

Read: Aug 18-25, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: We Used to Live Here meets The Amityville Horror in this haunting novel about Alice, a frustrated wife and grieving mother whose life is turned upside down when she moves her family into a secluded house sheltered by ancient woods.

After the devastating death of her teenage daughter Lucy, Alice and her family need a fresh start. Their home in the city is full of painful reminders of what they’ve lost, and Alice is worried about the mental health of her other two children, Quinn and Polly, and the state of her marriage. So when she accidentally discovers a gorgeous, renovated bungalow nestled in the shadow of lovely old woods with a FOR SALE sign at the curb, Alice immediately emails the estate agent for a viewing. She can’t believe the list price—until the agent discloses the history of the house.

Years earlier, a woman named Justine Gordon murdered her family there, claiming they were imposters and that her real family had been taken by the woods. Undeterred by the sad story, Alice makes an executive decision as the chief breadwinner. Though neither of her kids are happy to leave their friends behind, her mother Beverley thinks the granny flat in the backyard is cramped, and her husband Geoff, a failed novelist, can’t put down the bourbon long enough to help the family unpack, Alice prevails. As her family reluctantly settles in, the cracks in their relationships become more pronounced. And when inexplicable things start happening, including sightings of strange figures in the yard, and Geoff vanishing into the woods one night and returning hours later wearing different clothes and remembering nothing, Alice must confront the possibility that her refuge may be her undoing. Is her menopausal mind playing tricks on her, or is there something ancient and malevolent in the woods?