The God of the Woods
by Liz Moore
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
Why Listen to This Audiobook?
Two missing children, fifty years of secrets, and one family wealthy enough to bury both — Saskia Maarleveld makes sure none of it stays buried.
- Great if you want: class-tension mysteries with multi-generational family secrets
- Listening experience: slow-burn with a dense cast — rewards patient listeners
- Narration: Maarleveld distinguishes voices cleanly across timelines and class lines
- Skip if: you find large ensemble casts hard to track by ear
About This Audiobook
When thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar disappears from her family's Adirondack summer camp in 1975, the vanishing awakens haunting echoes of another tragedy. Fourteen years earlier, Barbara's older brother also disappeared without a trace, leaving the wealthy Van Laar family fractured and the tight-knit mountain community forever changed. As search parties comb the dense wilderness and investigators probe deeper, long-buried secrets surface between the privileged camp owners and the working-class locals whose livelihoods depend on them. Moore weaves together multiple perspectives and timelines to explore how class, power, and family loyalty shape the search for truth in a place where everyone has something to hide.
Saskia Maarleveld delivers a masterful performance that captures the distinct voices of Moore's expansive cast, from privileged teenagers to hardened locals. Her pacing builds tension expertly, allowing the mystery's intricate layers to unfold naturally while maintaining the story's emotional core. Maarleveld's subtle shifts in tone distinguish the dual timelines seamlessly, creating an immersive experience that highlights the atmospheric beauty and underlying menace of the Adirondack setting. The audio format particularly enhances the story's sense of place and community.
