Cover Image: The Woman in the Woods

The Woman in the Woods

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Member Reviews

I was so engrossed in this creepy, frightening, chilling story when a delivery man knocked on my door and my kindle flew out of my hand because it made me jump. I have never read a story as creepy as this before, even Stephen King or James Herbert's books have never made me jump or gave me chills as much as this did. It's a scary read with a plot that gives you so many red herrings you don't know what to believe. The characters are all consuming and the plot just grabs you and trust me when I say this, it's impossible to put down once you start reading. I absolutely loved getting lost in the dark, creepy, atmospheric pages. The mystery, suspense and the twist at the end was so unexpected, especially because I was led to believe that Allie's mum was actually alive and well and living her life in Paris. Lisa certainly knows how to twist her plots and keep her readers attention throughout and the creepiness and witchcraft was written so well it makes your hairs stand up and gives you serious goosebumps. I LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT!.

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I simply adore when a writer drags you straight into story and from the very first page you find yourself living and breathing a character.

The Woman in the Woods is a creep-fest that will also mess with your mind! I found myself loathing virtually every character and by the end I didn't trust anyone. Not even the baby! Ok, well maybe the baby.

In much the same way that Lisa Hall's previous books have got under my skin, this one did too bringing with it an air of unease and deep seated sense of suspicion.

I loved all the plant knowledge that was scattered throughout whenever a flower or plant was mentioned - for good or evil - and I chuckled to myself at quite what the author's search history would reveal!

Great book, super atmospheric and the perfect read for the darker nights.

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I struggled with this strangely enough. Loved the premise and the writing style was really good but I just didn't get as engrossed in the story ad I was expecting to. I actually stopped and started it a bit before i managed to find any interest in finishing it. I found it a bit slow and difficult to get into but I saying that, I did enjoy the story itsself. I just felt it could have been "more".... whatever that means! It could just be that I like my creepy stories to scare the bejeezus out me and not be able to get them out my mind for days afterwards and this was just nothing that dramatic.

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Allie and Rav live in an old house on the edge of a supposedly haunted village. They have two children, pre-schooler Mina and new baby Leo. Rav is super busy, Allie is a frazzled mum. There is a lot of breastfeeding!!

This story is very gothic at the beginning, all spooky happenings, talk of witches, spells, curses, old lady who knows the secrets, gossipy locals. It all starts off really good, the suspense builds and the reader wavers between gaslighting, supernatural and mental issues, not quite sure where the story will lead.

I enjoyed the book and read it at quite a pace, couldn’t wait to see what happened. Allie was annoying in that she couldn’t confront Rav and Naomi, her friend. That would have explained a lot!

I’m sorry that the book ended as it did. There was such a massive potential to have a cracking ending, instead it dwindled away and left me cold.

Thank you NetGalley.

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I enjoyed this book throughout. It was quite atmospheric and creepy. It started off strong and had me gripped. However, the ending did not do it justice. It somehow felt unfinished. I’m not sure if it was what the author wanted to achieve.

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Whilst I enjoyed The Woman in the Woods, it didn’t grip me as I expected. I was drawn into the story and felt the creepy undertone was building up slowly to a great ending but felt it sadly fell short. I would rate this book 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

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This is a tricky book to review because I love Lisa Hall and I adore her writing style. This book is signature Hall. From page one you’re drawn in and it’s truly captivating to read. The plot itself has this slow, creeping pace that builds and builds as to create this sense of craziness that the main character feels. At times this book is extremely creepy and edging on the border of horror/fantasy. A perfect read for Halloween!

The reason I’ve rated it so lowly is that I felt it could’ve been so much more! Details such as her passion and knowledge of flowers took a backseat when really that could’ve been played up much more heavily to coincide with the witchcraft and potions.

I didn’t like how all of a sudden things/people/hobbies (like the mural for example) were suddenly flung into the story and made really important to the main character when really in terms of contribution to the plot they were very minimal.

It was weird that everybody in the book was referred to by name except her son. Who was always called ‘the baby’, like we’d forget he was the one being breastfed every chapter! Whilst I call my child ‘baby’ the reference to her son as ‘the baby’ felt really impersonal and like she was deliberately disowning him.

The further I got into the book I began to get annoyed with Allie. She had all these things happen between her, Rav and Naomi and she never thought to just confront them and ‘have it out’. As a reader I found it a bit too obvious that it was all a writers trick and she was reading everything incorrectly. So for me, this element got in the way of the spooky house theme.

This book had all the right ingredients: top author, excellent writing style, compelling theme. But I just felt it wasn’t grounded as a story. Everything about it was too flippant and changeable and it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a psychological thriller or family drama.

Whatever it was i genuinely enjoyed reading it! But it’s not my favourite from this author and I’m just a bit disappointed that Lisa didn’t really push her creativity in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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An initially tense and suspenseful read. The ending was unexpected but a little too easy for me, but that's personal taste. Enjoyable enough.

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Allie is seeing and hearing things in the old cottage her and her husband, Ravi, have just moved into, in the most haunted village in Kent. She has a toddler daughter and a baby son. She becomes more and more terrified when she investigates the history of the past occupants of the cottage. The hauntings are driving her to act in very strange ways. She also begins to suspect her best friend of plotting to run off with Ravi and the children. Is she really being haunted or is she mentally ill? There was constant tension in this tale from the beginning, but I didn't find it particularly scary.

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I'll admit it - this book scared me!

#TheWomanIntheWoods is a masterpiece that weaves tales of witchcraft intricately with truths about motherhood and the challenges faced in those life-changing few months with a new baby. The fears that grip the main character, Allie, are so real that I felt like I was experiencing them alongside her. I struggled to put this book down and as it reached its conclusion, Lisa Hall provided me with an actual "open-mouth moment" which doesn't happen very often!

Lisa Hall's new book is a story that will shock, scare and grip you in equal measure! A perfect Halloween read.

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This story is about Allie who moves into an old cottage with her husband and 2 year old daughter Mina. She then gives birth to her son. She then sees a flash in the woods which is at the back of her garden and she starts hearing strange noises. After researching her house She discovers her home is associated with Witchcraft.

I was a bit dubious when I started this book because Witches and Witchcraft are not something I generally enjoy reading about. I suppose I was worried this might go more into the fantasy genre. I needn’t have worried as there isn’t any fantasy element to this book. I was drawn into the story straight away and felt great sympathy for Allie who was struggling to adjust to having a two year old and a newborn. There were a few plot twists and is genuinely creepy in places. It would make the perfect Halloween read.

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This was so gothic and atmospheric it was delicious. It was creepy, scary and literally gave me goosebumps it was such a good read. I love stories about witches and witchcraft and the suspicion and superstition that surrounds that and this was not a disappointment in the slightest. I loved it

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The Woman in the Woods by Lisa Hall

Ellie and her husband , and two children move into their new home in a village called Pluckney which has a bit of a reputation. As they settle in things begin to happen. Items are moved and there seems to be a noise coming from the chimney. What does Allow keep seeing in the Woods ?
A great story by the author that gives us a little of everything suspense , chills , superstition , and twists that you don't see coming.
Couldn't put it down..

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Absolutely INCREDIBLE. I was kept guessing the entire way through the story, and I was so gripped, I could not put it down - I read it in under 24 hours. A beautifully crafted, deliciously creepy tale.

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Wow what a read.

The most perfect cottage in the most haunted village.

I quickly found myself totally engrossed into the plot and loved all the twists and turns.

Lisa has a great way of engaging you and keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Again, WOW this is a must read and so far one of my books of the year.

5 stars from me.

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Allie and her husband move to an old cottage in the village of Pluckley, ready for a fresh start and a nice place to bring up their children. But soon Allie begins to notice strange things happening such as a flash of white moving through the woods, and a scratching noise coming from the chimney. After finding out more about the house's history with stories of witchcraft, Allie becomes obsessed with it all and worries that her family are in danger. A thrilling story where you are kept guessing what is happening and keep turning the pages until you reach the shocking ending. Good twists and turns and a good range of characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

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#TheWomanInTheWoods #NetGalley
Wow. So much suspenseful.
Allie moves to a quaint old cottage with her husband, it’s their dream home. Nestled in the village of Pluckley, it seems a perfect haven in which to raise their two children. But Pluckley has a reputation. It’s known as England’s most haunted village. And not long after the birth of their new son, Allie begins to notice strange things.. What’s the flash of white she sees moving quickly through the woods to the back of their house? And what’s the strange scratching noise coming from the chimney? As Allie discovers more about the history of their new home, she uncovers a story of witchcraft and superstition, which casts a long shadow into the present day. And not everything is as it seems. Her family might well be in danger, but it’s a danger none of them could have foreseen.
I loved every book of this author. I wasn't expecting that angle in this psychological thriller. Otherwise it's a good thriller. Main character was so much engaging.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me an advance copy of this book.

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