The Little Woods by A.G. Mock

There have been a few books I’ve read that have stuck with me long after I’m done reading—novels with big moments or twists so crazy I have to process them hours or even days later.  The Little Woods fits neatly into this category, and author A.G. Mock has earned a seat at the table with horror authors Stephen King and Ronald Malfi.

The Little Woods’s story develops slowly, ratcheting up the tension and suspense while laying enough breadcrumbs to keep you invested in the mystery and its cast of characters.  We’re transported between two time periods throughout the story, 1977 and 1995, each era providing clues and context for the other as Mock weaves a dark tale of death and evil that has readers questioning the motives and mindsets of every character.  

A typical summer escape for a group of boys turns deadly when a chaotic and tragic series of events sets off a chain reaction of doom and despair for all involved.  Their respite from responsibility and reality, The Little Woods, crumbles into a location filled with horrors that haunt, taunt, and destroy those linked to its nightmarish activities.  

Decades later, two brothers who witnessed the violence reconnect and discover that what they thought was buried in the past has found a way back to the present.  And their lives and the lives of those around them are still in danger.

As the story rocketed toward its conclusion, it felt like things were being explained and wrapped up in a tidy bow.  Boy, was I wrong!  While we’re given reasons for the events, several moments toward the end had me questioning everything I had read and wondering whether what I’d thought was happening throughout the story was being manipulated by one of the characters.  Was their point of view reliable, or were they crafting a version of the story that was anything but truthful?

I’m still thinking about it now, and you will, too.

The Little Woods delivers a powerful story, with strong characters and an intriguing mythology that will keep readers invested.  

I highly recommend The Little Woods by A.G. Mock.