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Grievers' Wood
One boy is dead. Another is missing. And a strange girl has been spotted in Grievers’ Wood.
The small town of Greaves has been sleepy for a long time, and that’s how they like it. However, the actions of two teenage boys triggers the awakening of something in the woods that has lain dormant for centuries. Something that concerns four of the town’s founding families and a past incident that shaped the future of the whole community.
But secrets won’t remain hidden for ever, and the past refuses to stay buried. Local journalist Ryan Pascoe, police constable Matty Sellars, and single mum Shelley Kirk will have to fight for their lives and their loved ones in order to keep the menace that stalks Grievers’ Wood at bay.
From the author of 'No One Is Leaving', '21 Dares,' and 'The Deleted.'
The small town of Greaves has been sleepy for a long time, and that’s how they like it. However, the actions of two teenage boys triggers the awakening of something in the woods that has lain dormant for centuries. Something that concerns four of the town’s founding families and a past incident that shaped the future of the whole community.
But secrets won’t remain hidden for ever, and the past refuses to stay buried. Local journalist Ryan Pascoe, police constable Matty Sellars, and single mum Shelley Kirk will have to fight for their lives and their loved ones in order to keep the menace that stalks Grievers’ Wood at bay.
From the author of 'No One Is Leaving', '21 Dares,' and 'The Deleted.'
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2024
15 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Barnard
58 books43 followersStephen Barnard has been writing fiction (and non-fiction cricket exploits) for a number of years. The success of his short story collection 'A Very Bad Year' encouraged him to push further. He now has over 20 published works, mainly in the horror/suspense genre. When he's not writing he teaches, reads, snoozes and binge-watches horror films.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 14, 2024
4.5 stars! This was such a great read. I love small-town horrors as they can feel tensely claustrophobic yet intimate. We really get a feel for the landscape of Greaves. The story is part police procedural intertwined with paranormal horror, and I was absolutely here for it. I loved the main characters especially Shelley who is a mouthy single mother not afraid to speak her mind and ruffle some feathers, combined with Matty the young police constable who it itching to solve what is going on in Grievers Wood. They are the ultimate yet unconventional detective duo.
The author creates a feeling of creepiness and horror, which ramps up as the story unfolds, in parts it is pretty grim and gruesome. I also really enjoyed the backstory of Greaves and what caused horror to befall the founding residents of the town. They say vengeance is a dish best served cold!
The story comes full circle and feels satisfying, which I appreciate. This is a really well-crafted story that was nicely paced and kept me invested throughout. I would recommend this if you enjoy vengeful horror, witches, paranormal goings on, and small-town slashers. It was a really enjoyable read, and I'll absolutely read more books by this author!
With thanks to Stephen Barnard for proving a copy of the book. This is my honest opinion, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
The author creates a feeling of creepiness and horror, which ramps up as the story unfolds, in parts it is pretty grim and gruesome. I also really enjoyed the backstory of Greaves and what caused horror to befall the founding residents of the town. They say vengeance is a dish best served cold!
The story comes full circle and feels satisfying, which I appreciate. This is a really well-crafted story that was nicely paced and kept me invested throughout. I would recommend this if you enjoy vengeful horror, witches, paranormal goings on, and small-town slashers. It was a really enjoyable read, and I'll absolutely read more books by this author!
With thanks to Stephen Barnard for proving a copy of the book. This is my honest opinion, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
May 26, 2024
Stephen Barnard's 'Grievers' Wood,' a full-length novel of supernatural suspense, reminded me a lot of those riveting British Crime TV shows I've been binging on streaming sites for a while. The similarly intricate storyline, fast-paced and dark, with long-buried secrets and several engaging characters, make the book a definite page-turner. There's a big difference, however: those crime shows, however intriguing, dark, and fast paced, never satisfied me as much as a good supernatural horror story would have in the same setting. Well, Barnard, an extremely talented and highly skillful writer, must have heard my prayers, because he came up with the perfect, twisty, absolutely horrifying tale of a supernatural menace exploding into one of those cute little UK villages, a story driven as much by the unpredictable nature of the sinister threat, as by the large cast's clash of personalities.
In short: 'Grievers' Wood' is an intense trip!
There's the grieving mother, the policeman, the journalist, the problematic kids, the people keeping secrets. But the plot starts to defy expectations very early on, twisting around itself and spiraling down to its satisfying, yet also sad, ending. Many times after the second part of the book, I felt I had finally figured everything out, but Barnard wasn't done with me: the story is far from formulaic or stereotypical (unlike many shows), and, after revisiting fairly regularly most of the familiar places (the woods, the crime scenes, the police station, the school, the family home), it goes into its own, surprising direction by grounding its resolution in the not-so-recent past. Personally, however, I think the book's strength lies in its great dialogue and its characters; specifically Shelley, a single mother of three kids, who was a bully at school, always going for the throat and never taking "no" for an answer. She's fully dimensional, and doesn't hesitate to admit both her strengths and her foibles. I really loved her!
In short: 'Grievers' Wood' is an intense trip!
There's the grieving mother, the policeman, the journalist, the problematic kids, the people keeping secrets. But the plot starts to defy expectations very early on, twisting around itself and spiraling down to its satisfying, yet also sad, ending. Many times after the second part of the book, I felt I had finally figured everything out, but Barnard wasn't done with me: the story is far from formulaic or stereotypical (unlike many shows), and, after revisiting fairly regularly most of the familiar places (the woods, the crime scenes, the police station, the school, the family home), it goes into its own, surprising direction by grounding its resolution in the not-so-recent past. Personally, however, I think the book's strength lies in its great dialogue and its characters; specifically Shelley, a single mother of three kids, who was a bully at school, always going for the throat and never taking "no" for an answer. She's fully dimensional, and doesn't hesitate to admit both her strengths and her foibles. I really loved her!
August 24, 2024
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review. I’m so glad I did! I throughly enjoyed it, and once started it was tricky to step away from. This could have been like many classic ghost or revenant stories, but Mr. Barnard’s writing set it apart with rich characters that were easy to connect with. If I could give it 4 1/2 stars, I would. But there were a couple moments that took me out of it a bit. If not for those, this would be a solid 5 star book.
August 11, 2024
Grievers’ Wood shows that Stephen A Barnard has plenty more up his sleeve for us, with no signs of slowing. He’s a master storyteller with the sort of depth and range that I don’t come across often.
This one weaves together small towns, secrets, mystery and investigation, compelling characters, creeping dread and supernatural curses.
Whether it’s a thousand-word flash piece or another novel, I’m eagerly awaiting whatever he hurls at us next.
This one weaves together small towns, secrets, mystery and investigation, compelling characters, creeping dread and supernatural curses.
Whether it’s a thousand-word flash piece or another novel, I’m eagerly awaiting whatever he hurls at us next.
May 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I like the small town aspect mixed with the horror. The fact that the evil entity had something to do with the old founding families of the town was very interesting to me. I also love the detective work performed by the cop and the mother of one of the missing boys. Overall, I really enjoyed this. The old woman entity was creepy. I actually had a nightmare about her while reading this. I was given this book and exchange for an honest review and I will definitely be reading more from this author.
September 10, 2024
I was lucky enough to meet the author and get a signed copy.
I will be buying a lot more from this author.
I will be buying a lot more from this author.
July 20, 2024
A stunning narrative that keeps you guessing until the final page!
The small town of Greaves in England is blissfully unaware of its past; when ancestral rivalry is conjured the desire to avenge wrecks havoc. Beware the wrongs of your namesakes!
This is a fabulously immersive story with deep and considered characterisation that drives the narrative. Shelley, a single mother who has bullied and blustered her way through life is distraught when her son Harvey disappears, and a mutilated body is found in Grievers Wood. Her tenacity and strength compels a sidelined police officer to join her in a no holds barred exploration of the supernatural horror that has plagued the town for generations.
The author seamlessly incorporates gruesome and descriptive horror with a solid Mulder and Scully type investigation - with some dry British wit thrown in that presents a compelling contemporary narrative.
I’ve read several books by this author, and this is my stand out favourite so far. It’s available for pre-order and will release on 20 July. Don’t miss this one - add it to your GoodReads ‘Want to Read’ list now 🖤
The small town of Greaves in England is blissfully unaware of its past; when ancestral rivalry is conjured the desire to avenge wrecks havoc. Beware the wrongs of your namesakes!
This is a fabulously immersive story with deep and considered characterisation that drives the narrative. Shelley, a single mother who has bullied and blustered her way through life is distraught when her son Harvey disappears, and a mutilated body is found in Grievers Wood. Her tenacity and strength compels a sidelined police officer to join her in a no holds barred exploration of the supernatural horror that has plagued the town for generations.
The author seamlessly incorporates gruesome and descriptive horror with a solid Mulder and Scully type investigation - with some dry British wit thrown in that presents a compelling contemporary narrative.
I’ve read several books by this author, and this is my stand out favourite so far. It’s available for pre-order and will release on 20 July. Don’t miss this one - add it to your GoodReads ‘Want to Read’ list now 🖤
July 17, 2024
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Griever's Wood.
Barnard is a master of character development and multiple points of view. This story has a creepy small English town, a 300-year-old grudge, and an eclectic cast of characters.
While this book has much to offer, my favorite parts of the story were the nuanced portrayals of parent/teen child relationships, and how far any one person might go to keep their child safe.
Griever's Wood had more of a mystery style for me than his previous book, No One Is Leaving, which I also recommend. And this generated more of a slow burn type story with police procedural type elements. Still, the eclectic cast of personalities and backstories in this book kept it from growing tedious.
Note: CW for sexual violence. Not a dealbreaker for me, but worth a mention.
Barnard is a master of character development and multiple points of view. This story has a creepy small English town, a 300-year-old grudge, and an eclectic cast of characters.
While this book has much to offer, my favorite parts of the story were the nuanced portrayals of parent/teen child relationships, and how far any one person might go to keep their child safe.
Griever's Wood had more of a mystery style for me than his previous book, No One Is Leaving, which I also recommend. And this generated more of a slow burn type story with police procedural type elements. Still, the eclectic cast of personalities and backstories in this book kept it from growing tedious.
Note: CW for sexual violence. Not a dealbreaker for me, but worth a mention.
June 2, 2024
This is such a great and dark book! It has an exciting and intensely thrilling storyline! I really enjoyed the character development and how they tied together with the town’s story of who Eliza was, and how she came to be who she is now. I definitely needed to see how this story played out and didn’t want to stop reading without answers!
Thank you to Stephen Barnard for an arc copy of this fantastic book!
Thank you to Stephen Barnard for an arc copy of this fantastic book!
October 4, 2025
A small town horror that kind of gave me Blair Witch vibes. I know you... When one boy dies and another goes missing, a strange girl is spotted in Grievers' Wood. But what ties does she have to the past, and what secrets do the residents of the town keep under their hats? As always, secrets don't stay hidden for long, nor can the past be buried forever. The fight for their town and their loved ones bring together a force to be reckoned with between local journalist Ryan Pascoe, Police constable Matty Sellars, and single mum Shelley Kirk as they come together to find the secrets that have been locked away for 300 years.
The character development in this story is second to none. You feel connections to all of them, and your heart breaks with them in their fight to protect their families. This story is filled with family secrets that slowly come out of the woodwork, and the police formalities are done well. Packed with paranormal and bloody horror, Stephen writes with such ease about tragedy steeped with trauma while unfolding the dreary history of Grievers' Wood, creating a world which you completley fall into. I loved the ending. It came around in what I felt was the perfect way. I feel like I'm going to be stuck in this world for a few days... HELP ME! Or not...
The character development in this story is second to none. You feel connections to all of them, and your heart breaks with them in their fight to protect their families. This story is filled with family secrets that slowly come out of the woodwork, and the police formalities are done well. Packed with paranormal and bloody horror, Stephen writes with such ease about tragedy steeped with trauma while unfolding the dreary history of Grievers' Wood, creating a world which you completley fall into. I loved the ending. It came around in what I felt was the perfect way. I feel like I'm going to be stuck in this world for a few days... HELP ME! Or not...
June 15, 2024
Review of Grievers’ Wood by Stephen Barnard.
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has it all; small town, buried secrets of founding families, unsolved crimes, sinister woods, interesting characters, horror and intrigue. The cover is fantastically creepy! The storyline is intense, dark and twisty; a real page turner. You are going to want to know! Spine-chilling!! I really enjoyed this read that gave a couple of nods to the 90s and caused me to be suspicious about the small town I live in. Releases July 20th. Don’t miss this one! 5⭐️ Thank you, Stephen Barnard!
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has it all; small town, buried secrets of founding families, unsolved crimes, sinister woods, interesting characters, horror and intrigue. The cover is fantastically creepy! The storyline is intense, dark and twisty; a real page turner. You are going to want to know! Spine-chilling!! I really enjoyed this read that gave a couple of nods to the 90s and caused me to be suspicious about the small town I live in. Releases July 20th. Don’t miss this one! 5⭐️ Thank you, Stephen Barnard!
May 29, 2024
From the very beginning this story grabs your attention, and doesn't let go until the very end. Its a well written tale, with plenty of twists and turns, and a very interesting storyline that you find yourself invested in. The characters are well written; you end up liking ones you didn't at the start and hoping they make it through, while also having empathy for other characters. This is my second book by Stephen Barnard, and certainly won't be my last. Highly recommend
June 2, 2024
Two teens up to no good inadvertently free a being that really needed to stay bricked up in a folly.
A journalist, a mother of a missing boy, and a young police officer try and work out what’s going on while trying to stay alive themselves. The small town has an unpleasant history and this generation are going to pay for it.
Fast paced plot around and well rounded characters which include deaf representation and a really likeable slightly rough single mother.
Great book
A journalist, a mother of a missing boy, and a young police officer try and work out what’s going on while trying to stay alive themselves. The small town has an unpleasant history and this generation are going to pay for it.
Fast paced plot around and well rounded characters which include deaf representation and a really likeable slightly rough single mother.
Great book
July 7, 2024
Small town secrets get revealed with deadly consequences when an entity is set loose.
I liked the atmospherics, the plot, and how the storyline develops. It was creepy and the sightings of the girl early in the book started it off strong.
However, I had a hard time connecting with the main characters. I am a distracted reader, but when I resume reading, it takes me a minute to get who’s who straight.
I liked the atmospherics, the plot, and how the storyline develops. It was creepy and the sightings of the girl early in the book started it off strong.
However, I had a hard time connecting with the main characters. I am a distracted reader, but when I resume reading, it takes me a minute to get who’s who straight.
July 25, 2024
WOW! From page one, this book has you going on a nonstop, whirlwind of WTF? Who is this young girl…or is it an old woman? What secrets has the small town of Grievers Wood been keeping for hundreds of years? What happens when “she” is released. How many lives will be taken? Stephen Barnard takes you on a journey that will have you terrified, laughing, and crying, all at once. This is one of the few books I wish I could read again for the first time. Grievers Wood gets a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ from me!
September 27, 2024
I was trying to think of a movie I’d watched to recommend it….i then realised it was a book I was reading - this one, Grievers Wood ! You know it’s a good book when that happens!!
Draws you in from the start. Descriptive enough that you easily picture scenes and yet not too wordy. This is one of those books that you’d love to be able to read again blind.
I’ll be reading more by Stephen Bernard without a doubt!!
Draws you in from the start. Descriptive enough that you easily picture scenes and yet not too wordy. This is one of those books that you’d love to be able to read again blind.
I’ll be reading more by Stephen Bernard without a doubt!!
June 1, 2024
I have read all of Stephen Barnards books and this is definitely one of my favourites.
The characters were all well written and believable, some of them I loved and some of them I just wanted to strangle!
The story itself was well thought out, I love a small town horror story and couldn’t fault this one at all. I will be waiting impatiently for the release of this in paperback.
The characters were all well written and believable, some of them I loved and some of them I just wanted to strangle!
The story itself was well thought out, I love a small town horror story and couldn’t fault this one at all. I will be waiting impatiently for the release of this in paperback.
July 13, 2024
Thank you, Stephen Barnard
I love houses that have dark secrets. This book was awesome. It's writing style is as smooth as a good malt whiskey. The darkness is so sad you almost feel for the main villian's revenge. I highly recommend this story.
This author is someone that I am going to definitely be reading a lot more of.
I love houses that have dark secrets. This book was awesome. It's writing style is as smooth as a good malt whiskey. The darkness is so sad you almost feel for the main villian's revenge. I highly recommend this story.
This author is someone that I am going to definitely be reading a lot more of.
June 21, 2024
A dark witchy story with a bit of blood and gore, I enjoyed this book a lot. I really liked the main characters (Shelley especially) and felt for them in al their turmoil. Also appreciated the Ben Young reference in there, fun way to support a fellow author!
February 6, 2025
Grievers’ Wood
Brilliantly written and executed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. The story was excellent and riveting.
Brilliantly written and executed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. The story was excellent and riveting.
March 20, 2025
It was suspenseful and some twist and turns made it a great read.
July 9, 2024
This story gave me the creeps right from the start! I honestly had to think twice about reading it when I was home alone one night. I love a good supernatural horror, but throw in a little mystery and I’m sold. The characters are well-developed, it’s full of suspense, high in the creepiness factor, and all over it’s just a great story. Highly recommend checking this one out.
July 20, 2024
This small town is rocked by a tragedy after something monstrous is released accidentally. Will anyone be able to stop the evil? What does it want with the townspeople? Edge of your seat creepy read.
July 21, 2024
This was such a good book. Even though it is set in todays world it gave of an almost 90's feel in the writing style. I was hooked on this book before I had even finished the first chapter.
The characters were really well written to the point that even if I didn't particularly like them, I could understand why they were the way there were.
The plot is well paced and keeps you wanting to know more about the people involved aswell as what would happen next. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
The characters were really well written to the point that even if I didn't particularly like them, I could understand why they were the way there were.
The plot is well paced and keeps you wanting to know more about the people involved aswell as what would happen next. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
July 21, 2024
Fantastic horror story set in a small town of Greaves with a huge secret. Creepy and suspenseful.
Starts with 2 teenage boys trying to break into a place in the woods. They awaken and let loose a spirit from 300 years before. The spirit of a little girl/old woman wreaks have and murder in the founding families.
There is violence but, to me, the gore level is low. Definitely kept my interest and is well written. Definitely recommend!
Starts with 2 teenage boys trying to break into a place in the woods. They awaken and let loose a spirit from 300 years before. The spirit of a little girl/old woman wreaks have and murder in the founding families.
There is violence but, to me, the gore level is low. Definitely kept my interest and is well written. Definitely recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2024
I enjoyed this book. Unexpected twists to keep the reader guessing made the book that much more memorable. Characters that you want to root for and some that you hate. Every aspect of this book made for a great read.
July 13, 2024
I loved this story about a wicked girl/woman who was out for revenge against families that wronged her centuries before. It definitely grabbed my attention right away and kept it throughout the whole story. Highly recommend.
July 12, 2024
When I read a story like this one, I like to have a story told that will stay in my mind for a while. This book fit the qualification that I expect. This story was about an unspeakable crime that the perpetrators went unpunished and how ‘the sins of the father’ lived up to its implication. I truly felt sorry for the descendants of the original men that committed this atrocity. Then, some descendants were kept in the dark about what could happen if the spirit escaped the place where she was kept. When the spirit is set free, the whole town is exposed to the ramifications of past behavior. This story contained a lot of sorrow and despair. This spirit was very angry and only wanted revenge.it became the job of a few brave people to fix the problem and stop people from being victims of the spirit. I read this book rather quickly as I had to find out more…this book was very interactive and at one point I hollered at one of the characters in the book. There were parts I teared up at. If you like paranormal and supernatural books then this is the book for you.
Oh, and there is a mention of one of the indie brawl book authors…you will have to read to find out.
Oh, and there is a mention of one of the indie brawl book authors…you will have to read to find out.
July 26, 2024
Griever’s Wood follows the residents of the town of Greaves: when two teenagers awaken something in the woods the descendants of the town’s most prominent families are all in danger from something that won’t stop hunting them, and doesn’t know how to die.
Griever’s Wood is a really clever horror that I struggled to put down: I love horrors where you can empathise with the monster/villain and this gave me a really engaging and sophisticated plot with a creature I could really get behind (several miles behind, definitely not within arms reach)
The story is so well paced: it ebbs and flows, and just when you think things are winding down they suddenly ramp back up again: I loved almost every character, they were all really well developed. My favourite was obviously Cat from Edinburgh…great name and location choice!
Griever’s Wood is a brilliant combo of sub genres, I would say if you liked Hex then this is absolutely the book for you.
Griever’s Wood is a really clever horror that I struggled to put down: I love horrors where you can empathise with the monster/villain and this gave me a really engaging and sophisticated plot with a creature I could really get behind (several miles behind, definitely not within arms reach)
The story is so well paced: it ebbs and flows, and just when you think things are winding down they suddenly ramp back up again: I loved almost every character, they were all really well developed. My favourite was obviously Cat from Edinburgh…great name and location choice!
Griever’s Wood is a brilliant combo of sub genres, I would say if you liked Hex then this is absolutely the book for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews