ALL THE STARS for this incredible new book by Jennifer Killick, the queen of MG horror with a fantastic splash of funny. A gripping mystery, full of twists and turns and proper heart-pounding moments that readers will LOVE. But the best thing about Jennifer Killick? She KNOWS her audience. She knows how they speak and think and her characters are just so deeply relatable. She also knows exactly what's going to get readers turning those pages. It's no wonder that her books fly off the shelves in school libraries. This one will do the same. Zero doubts.

I really enjoyed this book, which isn't a surprise as I have loved Jennifer Killick's previous titles, too. Hazard is a town where strange things happen and, when Travis and his classmates begin work on a school project about Bloody-Eyed Mary, things quickly turn spooky. Full of twists, scares and laughs, this thrilling adventure is perfect for upper KS2 readers who love Goosebumps and Jennifer Killick’s previous books.

Gosh, I adored this! It’s spooky and scary infused with urban myths, a terrifying setting and a bunch of kids who are likeable, real and honest. There’s moments of joy amongst all the scary that really help. Horror seems to be Jennifer’s domain and I’m here for it. This is a grown up version of Dread Wood (a perfect companion!) and I think it’ll be perfect for Y6s+!

I loved Point Horror books growing up but, as a teacher in upper KS2, I have noticed the lack of a modern replacement for those children who want a frightening read but one that's also age-appropriate. There have been some brilliant ones recently, some of those written by the same author, but Serial Chillers is slightly more - a little bit more mature, a little bit creepier - and it's great.
As well as having more 'surface-level' chills, such as the titular witch in the woods, there is also the deeper one of a town with evil at it's core. The characters in this book are in high-school and speak as such, so there are a couple of minor swear words, but nothing that stopped me from lending it to the girl in my class who devours scary children's books.
This is a perfect book for Year 6 and above. All of Jennifer's books are so well-written - funny, exciting and contemporary - and this one is no exception.

This book was initially chosen by my pupils to apply for and read. However, 12% in and I had to give it up. I struggled and knowing that I did, I know my pupils would too. This is unlikely a reflection on the book or writing itself and more on that it was an unsuitable book for my pupils who had chosen it.

A great start to a new Jennifer Killick series, highly recommended.

If I need to suggest a book for a student, Jennifer Killick's are a brilliant choice. They feature a likeable bunch of characters using dialogue that is realistic and relatable for the target audience. The plot is well paced so that you want to keep reading and the book is an approachable length, especially for those who only read for short periods at a time. There is also plenty of humour amongst the horror.

The Witch in the Woods turns up the fear factor a notch, doing a fantastic job of creating creepy atmosphere. There are also clues throughout the story for readers to pick up on. Most will probably work it out before the final reveal, but they will still have the satisfaction of knowing they guessed correctly. I knew in advance that this would be the first in a new series, but I thought each one would be self-contained. Instead it looks like we will be getting more books featuring these new characters uncovering their town's secrets. Not everything was wrapped up by the end and several plot points I thought would be important weren't mentioned again. Hopefully they will be feature in the upcoming books in the series.

The Dread Wood series used quite a few Americanisms (such as ass rather arse) that I, and some of my students, found a little odd when the book seemed to be set in the UK based on the school system. The setting for this book feels far more like it is a fictional US town so the word choice feels more apt. It does mean that it isn't quite as relatable for my students but this plot works much better in a US setting.

I really liked it and am glad I pre-ordered a copy for the library. It's creepy and chilling but still suitable for younger readers (or nightmare-prone adults).

Thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC. It meant I could read it while waiting for the physical copy to arrive. Which is great as I already have several students waiting to read it.

My 9 year old son read this one. He is an avid Jennifer Killick fan, having devoured the Dreadwood series in short order. This review is from his review to me.
This was slightly different to the Dreadwood series, but just as enjoyable. It was just creepy enough for me and I loved the characters!

Travis, Zayd, Danielle and Seline are a fascinating quartet and one that I think will carry the Serial Chillers series with ease. They each have a very well-rounded backstory, characterisation and vested interest in the town… or getting out of the town… of Hazard and I was genuinely invested in discovering more about them. There’s a talent in creating a friend group in a book that the reader finds an interest in every character and there doesn’t feel like a natural leader, and Jennifer Killick has smashed that in Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods.
 
Hazard is a brilliantly engaging setting. It appears to be a stereotypical horror town but with much more depth, which is magnificent to see in a children’s book when even most adult horror books struggle to shape a town as successfully in one book. Jennifer Killick’s knack for detail is what truly shines through here and I just know she knows every inch of this town inside and out. When I discovered there was a book 2 coming set elsewhere in the town, I was excited to get to explore this book further.

The titular Witch also deserves a shoutout here, because her story was expertly weaved throughout the book. Whilst older readers/parents may guess the outcome earlier in the novel, I think younger readers will be entranced and I think this is one of those books where they will be excited to make their own conclusions throughout and see if they’re right.
 
Where the novel falters slightly are the relationships between the dialogue, their ages, the setting and then the comparison of this to the action being displayed. For example, certain lines of dialogue from Danielle and Seline sound almost more motherly than sassy tweenage girl whilst lines of dialogue from Zayd and Travis can sound juvenile, making the language overall feel aimed at a younger audience. However, when this is compared to the situation of arrows being fired at their heads or being pounced upon by the witch, it can feel a bit at odds. That being said, these moments are few and far between in the novel.
 
Additionally, I would have loved a slightly stronger subplot. Whilst the subplot of ‘What happened between Travis and Danielle’ is interesting, I don’t know if it’s powerful enough to lure a reader for a full book. Personally, I found myself noticing that each chapter was kids vs witch more and more as the novel went on and a very subtle (VERY subtle) monotony from this because of the subplot. I think embedding the aunt character further into the story would’ve been more fruitful.
 
Overall, I think this is a good opener to the Serial Chillers series and I’m intrigued as to where the characters develop and grow into. I also think the lore of Hazard has a lot to offer and I’m excited to see how all the pieces start to fit together. I would recommend this for any horror lovers who want something to sink their claws into over the Easter holidays and are looking for a new series to venture into…

I asked for this as soon as I saw it as I love Jennifer Killick’s Dread Wood and Crater Lake, just the right amount of creep for everyone.

This didn’t disappoint at all, another very creepy, very funny, and well-paced horror for everyone.

Set in the town of Hazard, which a town full of its namesake seemingly, strange happenings, missing people, spooky creatures, a massive sinkhole which devoured the centre of the town, and of course a witch in the woods.

Travis and Zayd get stuck with Seline and Danielle on a school project, Travis and Danielle used to be best friends but Seline is seen as the school power mean girl who makes fun of others and takes control.

The project is to study one of the many unusual phenomena that the town is prone to and Seline chooses Bloody-Eyed Mary, The Witch in the Wood that snatches your eyes if you ever see her.

Seline decides they actually have to visit the witch woods…

This is where it all starts to go oh so wrong, lots of twists and turns, surprises, chases, friendships tested and renewed/born, this turns into a really well-paced thrilling adventure really quickly.

I absolutely love Zayd and was glad there was so much more to him than comic relief.

After the ending to this I’m really looking forward to finding out what happens next in the series as the revelation and how it was revealed was wonderful, with lots of little clues dropped so you could go along with the reveal.

Once more Jennifer mixes creepy with humour so well, really looking forward to the rest of the series, which reminds me I need to finish the Dread Wood series.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an utter whirlwind of excitement and I flew through the pages so fast. It was filled with suspense as our group of thrown together friends fight nightmares in Hazard.

When they’re paired together for a school history project, they choose to investigate the myth of Blood Eyed Mary which sees them get into a fair few scrapes… as they venture out into the woods, none of them knew just what they would be up against…

It was such an entertaining read and one with a plot that makes it hard for anyone to put down! It’s perfectly spooky, hair-raisingly creepy and full of suspense so you’ll be hooked from the start. I can’t wait for the next instalment - it’s a must read!