Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.
I like Patricia MacDonald's writing.  Nevertheless, this idea (we sent the wrong guy to jail for years) was so commonly used.

Patricia MacDonald's "The Girl in the Woods" takes place in Yorkville, a small town in the Poconos. In the prologue, we meet thirteen-year-old Blair Butler, whose close friend, Molly Sinclair, is a good-hearted girl who frequently invites the lonely Blair to her home. Unfortunately, Blair and her sister, Celeste, are orphans who live with their uncle, Ellis Dietz, an irascible and verbally abusive racist. Ellis's house is a wreck (it "looked as if it was going to implode on itself"). This elderly and cantankerous man is a hostile and irresponsible guardian who is even nastier to the kids after he downs a few beers.

One evening, when Molly is at Blair's house, an argument erupts between Blair and her uncle. Molly decides to walk home but, tragically, never makes it. A jury convicts an African-American man, Adrian Jones (who converted to Islam and has a new name, Yusef Muhammed), of bludgeoning Molly to death. Muhammed has already spent fifteen years in jail. Blair, who is now in her mid-twenties, has a graduate degree in computer science and runs a successful business in Philadelphia. When she discovers new information that may exonerate Muhammed, she puts aside her own concerns and boldly fights for the prisoner's release. Blair even hires a private investigator, Tom Olson, to help track down the perpetrator who took Molly's life.

This engrossing and suspenseful thriller is a multi-faceted page-turner. The novel's descriptive writing and dialogue are lively and fast-paced, and the characters are believable and well-defined. Blair is bright, intuitive, and strong-willed. Ellis is obnoxious, but shows a softer side when a do-gooder named Darlene Reed takes an interest in him. Tom is brusque and ill-mannered, but relentless when it comes to chasing down information. The story is surprising, developed with subtlety and skill, and culminates with a chilling and intense finale. The author demonstrates that justice can be elusive; villains lurk in the most unexpected places; and one should never underestimate a resolute woman who sets out to right a terrible wrong.

The Girl in the Woods is a great book with a interesting storyline. Well written and well developed characters. I would read more by this author.

A remarkable story involving Molly who was murdered 15 yrs earlier by a man that harbors many secrets even to this day.
When Blair Butler decided to uncover the truth she had no idea what she'd unearth as she returned to the Pocono's. 
She initially returned to be with her terminally ill sister Celeste only to learn she too was keeping a shocking deathbed confession.
The wrong man has been serving a prison sentence for a crime he'd not committed and she needed to right the wrongs.
However, the entire truth was not told prior to her death and so the pieces had to be put back together piece by piece.
As Blair went on this heroic journey she was faced with danger every step along the way including being held captive with other captors.
Like a prisoner in their own home these young ladies proved that a wild bird cannot be caged and they had to be set free.
As they made their plans to flee together the idea was born to 'take out' the man holding their freedom in the palm of his hands.
With careful precision they were able to escape, but would the rest of their inner circle ever believe their own survival story?
Is it true good to be true?
Could they have been right underneath them this whole time being held up on a nearby location?
For Adrian Jones the man behind bars now turned Muslim as Yusef Muhammed--time is of the essence-- and he hopes to be set free to live out the rest of his life.
This is a captivating thriller that will entice every nerve in your body.
A wonderful exciting new thriller for 2018!

Well written and intriguing storyline that kept me hooked.  I will look out for more from this author and recommend this to others.

Great book will be reading other books by this author. 
Will also recommend this book to others. 
Great read! 5***** was hooked

A slow burning tale that finally flickered into life towards the end. With a possible romances emerging, could lead to a sequel?

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. I really enjoyed this book, it had great characters and kept me guessing.