Release: September 14th, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Source: Netgalley
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo
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Welcome to the decrepit Woodmoor Manor…where something in the woods is always watching. Scritch Scratch’s author comes to a chilling middle-grade story about a creepy mansion and sinister creatures in the woods.
All Ginny Anderson wants from her summer is to relax. But when Ginny’s father—a respected restoration expert in Chicago—surprises the family with a month-long trip to Michigan, everything changes. They aren’t staying in a hotel like most families would. No, they’re staying in a mansion. A twenty-six-room, century-old building surrounded by dense forest. Woodmoor Manor.
Locals claim the surrounding woods are inhabited by mutated creatures that escaped a mad scientist over a hundred years ago. And some say campers routinely disappear, never to be seen again.
When the creaky floors and shadowy corners of the mansion seem to take on a life of their own, Ginny uncovers the wildest mystery of all. There’s more than one legend roaming Saugatuck, Michigan, and they definitely aren’t after campers.
They’re after her.
About the Author:
Lindsay Currie loves a great mystery and is the author of several award-winning mystery books for young readers. Moreover, her titles include THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET (2017, S&S) and SCRITCH SCRATCH (2020, Sourcebooks Young Readers) and the forthcoming WHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS (2021, Sourcebooks Young Readers) and CURSES OF EASTPORT (2022, Sourcebooks Young Readers).
Lindsay’s debut middle grade (PECULIAR INCIDENT) has been to several print runs, was featured in TIME for Kids, was a final nominee for a children’s book award in seven states, was an Amazon Prime Book Box pick, and continues the capture the hearts of young readers every single day. Also, SCRITCH SCRATCH follows in those footsteps by going to a second print run only one short month after release, being one of only sixteen titles chosen for the national March Madness book event, and becoming an Amazon Book Box pick for April 2021. In addition, her books have all sold audio rights and foreign rights, as well as having earned a glowing blurb from the master of children’s mystery/horror himself, R.L. Stine.
For more details on Lindsay’s upcoming books, please visit the My Books tab at the top of the page.
What Lives in the Woods Review:
I adore reading spooky middle-grade books and loved the author’s previous novel “Scritch Scratch.” Hence, I started this reading as soon as I got the copy, and I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one sitting, and it exceeded my expectations!
The story has the perfect vibes and all the elements for a good haunted house story. Even though this is a middle-grade novel, some scenes gave me chills even as an adult. As soon as Ginny sets foot in Woodmoor Manor, she starts to experience strange things. Some of my favorite scenes were when she is in her room and hears scratching noises in the window. The mannequin also creeped me out a lot! I get goosebumps just thinking of it. Similarly, the typewriter also gave me shivers and the strange things that Ginny experiences with it.
Moreover, Ginny is a fantastic protagonist and fits perfectly in the story! I LOVED her references to Agatha Christie novels, and this book inspired me to re-read some of the classics. Not only was the story creepy, I thought the author played wonderful homage to Agatha Christie and her novels, especially about the red-herrings. I also enjoyed her interactions with Will and wanted to know more about the ballroom. Ginny, Will, and even Leo turn out to be a fantastic duo as they investigate if the hauntings are genuine or if someone is behind them. The author has a beautiful talent for writing middle-grade horror, and I think this is her best one yet!
Overall, do check out “What Lives in the Woods” if you love middle-grade horror like “Goosebumps,” particularly if you love haunted house stories, because this book will not disappoint!
