The Reading Lounge: 15 Books Set in the Woods
'Don't go in the woods' certainly applies to some of these fiction/nonfiction books
If you’re reading this but haven’t yet subscribed, consider taking a moment to subscribe so you’ll never miss a newsletter. I’m planning some new content in the coming weeks!
THE WOODS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOK SETTINGS
During the day a wooded trail is my happy place for walking, but you will not find me there after dark! I do, however, love to read books set in the woods or forests and the creepier the better. I’m not sure what it is about this setting in books that entices me so much, but I suspect it has to do with the fact that there’s so much that can go wrong in the woods. In the woods, people get lost and sometimes are never found. If someone (ie murderer- yes I read a lot of thrillers with this premise) is on the run they can easily hide amongst the trees, and often the animals in some wooded areas are not the kind that are more afraid of us than we are of them- both of these scenarios always increases the suspense factor. There’s a reason we hear the phrase “don’t go in the woods” in so many horror movies!
I thought it would be fun to put together a list (with star ratings) of some of my favorite books set in the woods. I recommend all of these for the right reader….even the one in the bunch that made me want to throw it across the room when I finished! I' will say, I read that one YEARS ago and I’m tempted to do a re-read to see if I still have such strong feelings. I’ll make note if I listened to the book so you can add it to your audiobook tbr:)
My “In the Woods” Recommendations
The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte 🎧 5 ⭐️ - One of my top thrillers of 2024, this Nordic thriller is the first in a series that’s reminiscent of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (loved) - also, it has a chilling opening scene in the woods!
Never Far Away by Michael Koryta 5 ⭐️ - This was the only thriller that made my top 10 of 2023. The entire book isn’t set in the woods but large parts of it are and boy are those parts fast paced and filled with suspense. This author is writing at the top of his game, if you like thrillers with characters you’ll become invested in then you must give his books a try!
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant 🎧 5 ⭐️ - an emotional read with suspense and a great mystery
The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing In North America’s Wildlands by Jon Billman 4.5 ⭐️ - A truly eye opening, sad, surprising, compelling look at those who’ve gone missing in our Wildlands. A wow read
A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson 4 ⭐️ - another under the radar thriller with amazing setting details
One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner 4 ⭐️ 🎧 - love that one of my favorite thriller writers headed into the mountains for this one
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson 5 ⭐️ 🎧 - I didn’t expect to love this like I did- family drama, love, marriage dynamics with character driven plot twists
The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld 5 ⭐️ - an emotional, riveting mystery
Running From the Devil by Jamie Freveletti 4 ⭐️ 🎧- a super under the radar thriller that will teach you survival skills you will hope to never need
Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta 5 ⭐️ - One of the best opening scenes I’ve ever read and one of the only thrillers that kept me riveted start to finish and had me crying by the end
In the Woods by Tana French (the book I may have thrown across the room when I finished- if you’ve read it, you know what I’m talking about)
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel 4 ⭐️ - a fascinating story
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik 5⭐️ - I binged this is one day- also solidified the fact that I have no desire to ever go white water rafting
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens 5⭐️ - one of my top recommendations for people looking for intense, hold your breath thrills and twists and who are not sensitive readers (this one has graphic violence)
No Exit by Taylor Adams 3⭐️ - entertaining but be prepared to significantly suspend your disbelief
I’d love to know if you have any books-set-in-the-woods recommendations to share.
Love this list! Have you read When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain? It’s set in a village in Northern California and it has Rene Denfield vibes. Highly recommend.
I've only read In the woods, Still missing and These silent woods, but have watched the films for No exit (super entertaining, as you said) and TWWMD, which I LOVED and I when I went to watch it I remembered how much you loved the book!!!! I need to read Michael Koryta!! I saved like 5 from this list haha I also love the woods setting!