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What Happened in the Woods
A twisty serial-killer thriller about a kidnapped young woman who is trained to fight back.
They thought she'd be easy prey... They took the wrong girl.
High school senior Brandi Hunt lives for the moment, without rules or immediate consequences. After her meth-addicted mother is arrested, she's sent to live with her father, Jack, who she hasn't seen since she was a child.
He's a strict disciplinarian and a veteran suffering from paranoia and PTSD. Despite his demons, he's determined to set his daughter on the straight and narrow, albeit with unconventional methods that extreme training sessions on survivalism, self-defense, marksmanship, and even guerilla warfare.
But when Jack’s boot camp has a serious casualty, Brandi is finished with her crazy father...
Several years later, while working as a cashier at a fast-food restaurant, Brandi is approached with a modeling opportunity. Despite her misgivings, the lure of easy money is too much to resist.
Red flags wave when the handsome photographer drives her to a remote cabin for the modeling shoot. However, Brandi is blinded by her infatuation, even when he crosses the line of professionalism.
But they aren't alone. When the photographer vanishes, she's left naked and alone. The perfect prey to be snagged by the stranger watching from the woods.
Brandi cannot imagine the hell that is planned for her. It’s a rigged game that only ends one way. Will she survive or die? And either way, can she take a few of them with her first?
Buy this twisty thriller to discover Brandi’s fate!
They thought she'd be easy prey... They took the wrong girl.
High school senior Brandi Hunt lives for the moment, without rules or immediate consequences. After her meth-addicted mother is arrested, she's sent to live with her father, Jack, who she hasn't seen since she was a child.
He's a strict disciplinarian and a veteran suffering from paranoia and PTSD. Despite his demons, he's determined to set his daughter on the straight and narrow, albeit with unconventional methods that extreme training sessions on survivalism, self-defense, marksmanship, and even guerilla warfare.
But when Jack’s boot camp has a serious casualty, Brandi is finished with her crazy father...
Several years later, while working as a cashier at a fast-food restaurant, Brandi is approached with a modeling opportunity. Despite her misgivings, the lure of easy money is too much to resist.
Red flags wave when the handsome photographer drives her to a remote cabin for the modeling shoot. However, Brandi is blinded by her infatuation, even when he crosses the line of professionalism.
But they aren't alone. When the photographer vanishes, she's left naked and alone. The perfect prey to be snagged by the stranger watching from the woods.
Brandi cannot imagine the hell that is planned for her. It’s a rigged game that only ends one way. Will she survive or die? And either way, can she take a few of them with her first?
Buy this twisty thriller to discover Brandi’s fate!
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2025
768 people are currently reading
5853 people want to read
About the author
Phil M. Williams
40 books359 followersPhil M. Williams is the author of twenty-five books primarily in the thriller genre. His thrillers span many subgenres, such as: murder mysteries, political, domestic, dystopian, legal, psychological, and technothrillers. His stories often feature regular Joes and Janes in extraordinary situations that are ripped from today’s headlines.
Williams lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife, Denise. When not writing, he can be found tending their permaculture farm.
If you’d like to read two of his thriller novels for free. Go to http://PhilWBooks.com.
Williams lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife, Denise. When not writing, he can be found tending their permaculture farm.
If you’d like to read two of his thriller novels for free. Go to http://PhilWBooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 12, 2025
I disliked this book so much it drove me to write my first long book review after 13 years of reading.
First off, not sure why this book has over 4 stars. I’m guessing friends of the author spam reviewed it since it just came out. Well let me save you from wasting 5 hours of your life reading this book. It is NOT a 4 star read I can promise you that. Anyways let’s get into it.
(contains spoilers)
Dialogue: 1/5
Excessive use of Gen z lingo. It just felt unnatural, and this is coming from someone who is Gen Z. On page 2 the phrase “spill the tea bitch” was used so I guess it’s my fault I continued reading. The word “literally” was used way too often, 25 times to be exact.
Plot: 2/5
Predictable. At no part of the book was I on the edge of my seat wondering what happened next. Colton & the hiker being a part of it? Saw it coming from a mile away. Yawn.
Characters: 1/5
The main character was supposedly trained by her dad for weeks but then proceeded to make multiple wildly stupid decisions.
Suspense: 1/5
Would not consider this book a thriller. very anticlimactic
Overall such a disappointing read. It had potential to be a great but was ruined by juvenile dialogue. I also don’t think that this author was the right person to write a story about a young girl getting kidnapped and brutally R’ed. It didn’t feel like I was actually in the head of a woman going through all of that. The way he described the aftermath was just.. not it at all. “Her v*gina felt sore, like it did when she and Tyler used to have crazy s*x.” Mind you this girl is underage! It came off like the author had some sort of fetish in the way he described the scenes. Could definitely tell it was written by man.
The only thing that could have made me give this book a 2 star is if the kidnappers suffered. All of that suffering on her part just for them to have the quickest death? Lame.
If you want a thriller kidnapping story that’s actually a 4 star read, go read “Gray After Dark.”
First off, not sure why this book has over 4 stars. I’m guessing friends of the author spam reviewed it since it just came out. Well let me save you from wasting 5 hours of your life reading this book. It is NOT a 4 star read I can promise you that. Anyways let’s get into it.
(contains spoilers)
Dialogue: 1/5
Excessive use of Gen z lingo. It just felt unnatural, and this is coming from someone who is Gen Z. On page 2 the phrase “spill the tea bitch” was used so I guess it’s my fault I continued reading. The word “literally” was used way too often, 25 times to be exact.
Plot: 2/5
Predictable. At no part of the book was I on the edge of my seat wondering what happened next. Colton & the hiker being a part of it? Saw it coming from a mile away. Yawn.
Characters: 1/5
The main character was supposedly trained by her dad for weeks but then proceeded to make multiple wildly stupid decisions.
Suspense: 1/5
Would not consider this book a thriller. very anticlimactic
Overall such a disappointing read. It had potential to be a great but was ruined by juvenile dialogue. I also don’t think that this author was the right person to write a story about a young girl getting kidnapped and brutally R’ed. It didn’t feel like I was actually in the head of a woman going through all of that. The way he described the aftermath was just.. not it at all. “Her v*gina felt sore, like it did when she and Tyler used to have crazy s*x.” Mind you this girl is underage! It came off like the author had some sort of fetish in the way he described the scenes. Could definitely tell it was written by man.
The only thing that could have made me give this book a 2 star is if the kidnappers suffered. All of that suffering on her part just for them to have the quickest death? Lame.
If you want a thriller kidnapping story that’s actually a 4 star read, go read “Gray After Dark.”
March 17, 2025
Gore, violence, and dysfunctional family.
A young lady tells two stories of her life. She has a druggie mother and PTSD addled father who didn't provide a proper upbringing for her.
As she is about to finish HS, her dad begins to provide survivalist skills to her on weekends. She lives with him and his mother while her mom is in jail. She hates these women. She hates her dad. She hates her old friends at school. She's very alone.
The kidnapping she endures forces her to use the combat instruction provided by her Dad. He's always with her, in her head, providing protection even when he's not there.
This is a dark, nasty book full of evil men who deserved the ending they got.
A young lady tells two stories of her life. She has a druggie mother and PTSD addled father who didn't provide a proper upbringing for her.
As she is about to finish HS, her dad begins to provide survivalist skills to her on weekends. She lives with him and his mother while her mom is in jail. She hates these women. She hates her dad. She hates her old friends at school. She's very alone.
The kidnapping she endures forces her to use the combat instruction provided by her Dad. He's always with her, in her head, providing protection even when he's not there.
This is a dark, nasty book full of evil men who deserved the ending they got.
March 25, 2025
dark novel to say the least. the author didn’t have any trigger warnings at the beginning so it all came as a shock honestly i wasn’t prepared for it. i commend the resilience in the fmc because this book was spooky and scary but im glad it had a positive ending. not for the faint of heart that’s for sure.
April 11, 2025
A good story but a bit too graphic
This was an entertaining quick read but some of the descriptions were far too graphic for me. And I consume a lot of true crime.
This was an entertaining quick read but some of the descriptions were far too graphic for me. And I consume a lot of true crime.
April 29, 2025
First book by this author. Good premise. Ridiculous dialogue at times. Predictable. Easy read. Would read another of his books. 3 stars
April 24, 2025
Really great story
The story was plausible and well written. Kept me intrigued from the very beginning and I shipped through it so fast
The story was plausible and well written. Kept me intrigued from the very beginning and I shipped through it so fast
April 23, 2025
I loved this book, the hell she endured and how she handled it kept me riveted! A must read!
March 31, 2025
This book was great short chapters quick read had me wanting to continue to read each chapter !
March 22, 2025
what happened in the woods?
This was a really exciting story. The young woman it was about, Brandi, was a young, angry, abandoned young woman who ended up learning how to survive from her father whom she hadn’t seen for many years. And why did she need it! Good story will read more from this author. I read this in a day and I can’t wait to read another one like it.
This was a really exciting story. The young woman it was about, Brandi, was a young, angry, abandoned young woman who ended up learning how to survive from her father whom she hadn’t seen for many years. And why did she need it! Good story will read more from this author. I read this in a day and I can’t wait to read another one like it.
March 17, 2025
Unexpected
This is a riveting read. I struggled with the early chapters due to Brandi's attitude and sloppy mannerisms. The "befores" and "afters" were also confusing. The primary characters mean for growth fulfilled their purposes even though heartbreak and tragedy intervened.
This is a riveting read. I struggled with the early chapters due to Brandi's attitude and sloppy mannerisms. The "befores" and "afters" were also confusing. The primary characters mean for growth fulfilled their purposes even though heartbreak and tragedy intervened.
March 18, 2025
good read
The back-and-forth from her younger years to occur was interesting the character of well defined, and the situation it was a good book. I enjoyed it.
The back-and-forth from her younger years to occur was interesting the character of well defined, and the situation it was a good book. I enjoyed it.
March 18, 2025
EXCELLENT! 4.5 stars. Creepy, woodsy, campy and survival all rolled into one. What more could you ask for? I’ve enjoyed several of his books now.
March 9, 2025
Different kind of story
Brandi is a teenager with a meth head mother and an absent father. Her mother is sent to jail and Brandi is sent to her paternal grandmother’s to live on her farm. She hates the farm and her hard as nails grandmother who makes her do chores and her homework. After awhile her father comes to visit. He was in the Army, in the elite Delta Force. He teaches Brandi survivalist skills, how to shoot a weapon and other skills.
Brandi is approached one day by a good looking photographer who says he can make Brandi a model. He drives a Tesla and seems sincere so Brandi agrees. The only problem is the photo shoot is in a luxury cabin in the woods. That makes Brandi nervous but she goes along anyway. Soon she is fighting for her life and can trust no one! All the skills her Dad taught her become necessary. Great read!
Brandi is a teenager with a meth head mother and an absent father. Her mother is sent to jail and Brandi is sent to her paternal grandmother’s to live on her farm. She hates the farm and her hard as nails grandmother who makes her do chores and her homework. After awhile her father comes to visit. He was in the Army, in the elite Delta Force. He teaches Brandi survivalist skills, how to shoot a weapon and other skills.
Brandi is approached one day by a good looking photographer who says he can make Brandi a model. He drives a Tesla and seems sincere so Brandi agrees. The only problem is the photo shoot is in a luxury cabin in the woods. That makes Brandi nervous but she goes along anyway. Soon she is fighting for her life and can trust no one! All the skills her Dad taught her become necessary. Great read!
March 15, 2025
I loved this fast moving book. I didn’t know what was coming next. Brandi was rebellious and wanted her own way but in the end she what she wasn’t appearing to be taking in had been absorbed. Thanks to her loving father whom she had rejected time and time again.
March 11, 2025
Gripping!
Difficult to put down, I quickly felt as if I was involved in Brandi's world. Not your typical thriller, but a nail-biting, sometimes gut- clenching tale. My only issue, so to speak, is that I wish the "bad guys" would have suffered more, but thank you for giving women a heroine we can truly appreciate.
Difficult to put down, I quickly felt as if I was involved in Brandi's world. Not your typical thriller, but a nail-biting, sometimes gut- clenching tale. My only issue, so to speak, is that I wish the "bad guys" would have suffered more, but thank you for giving women a heroine we can truly appreciate.
March 11, 2025
Terror in the woods.
This novel is like others by Phil M. Williams, thought provoking and disturbing. Told in two parts, before and after, documents the girls early years and her subsequent life as she reaches maturity. Scenes of violence and rape of teenagers, this story is not for the faint hearted. A good read, if you dare!
This novel is like others by Phil M. Williams, thought provoking and disturbing. Told in two parts, before and after, documents the girls early years and her subsequent life as she reaches maturity. Scenes of violence and rape of teenagers, this story is not for the faint hearted. A good read, if you dare!
December 9, 2024
A dark tale of the upbringing and human underbelly of a young woman’s life. Trained in outdoors survival, she is forced to endure both natural forces and tortured bondage.
Done in a compelling ‘then / now’ format following her life’s journey, I found it engaging as well as twisted.
The author at his probing best.
Done in a compelling ‘then / now’ format following her life’s journey, I found it engaging as well as twisted.
The author at his probing best.
March 9, 2025
Hard to read at times, but a very interesting and intriguing story.
March 7, 2025
Another great book from my favorite author
Real situations with believable characters in plot lines that make you want to read the book all in one go. Sometimes they're dark. Sometimes they're poignant but always an amazing read! Well done Mr. Williams!
Real situations with believable characters in plot lines that make you want to read the book all in one go. Sometimes they're dark. Sometimes they're poignant but always an amazing read! Well done Mr. Williams!
March 7, 2025
Great book
I love a woman revenge story. Very good. I couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend to anyone. 1
I love a woman revenge story. Very good. I couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend to anyone. 1
March 6, 2025
Great book!
This book is very well written and riveting! Hard to put down once you begin. I could imagine how someone could find themselves in this situation.
This book is very well written and riveting! Hard to put down once you begin. I could imagine how someone could find themselves in this situation.
May 2, 2025
What Happened in the Woods -- NEVER should have happened!
This will be a very troubling book for any parent or young person to read. Although author Phil M. Williams doesn't say the infamous line: "The names have been changed to protect the innocent." The things described in this book 'do' and 'are' happening throughout America and the world to many nameless victims.
The book, "What Happened in the Woods," is a realistic look at the depravity of some men and the unbelievable naivety of many young women. In this case, 'young' does not necessarily mean minors, but they may be the most at risk.
The increased use of drugs and a sexualized culture has opened Hell's door to all types of depraved behavior as detailed in this well-written, sometimes fairly graphic book. However, I think it is an important hard look at often hidden crimes that are affecting families and innocents no matter the background or neighborhood.
Author Phil M. Williams has written several books that I have read. I have also added several others to my library. Know this, Williams can tell a story! -Mr.Bill
This will be a very troubling book for any parent or young person to read. Although author Phil M. Williams doesn't say the infamous line: "The names have been changed to protect the innocent." The things described in this book 'do' and 'are' happening throughout America and the world to many nameless victims.
The book, "What Happened in the Woods," is a realistic look at the depravity of some men and the unbelievable naivety of many young women. In this case, 'young' does not necessarily mean minors, but they may be the most at risk.
The increased use of drugs and a sexualized culture has opened Hell's door to all types of depraved behavior as detailed in this well-written, sometimes fairly graphic book. However, I think it is an important hard look at often hidden crimes that are affecting families and innocents no matter the background or neighborhood.
Author Phil M. Williams has written several books that I have read. I have also added several others to my library. Know this, Williams can tell a story! -Mr.Bill
October 23, 2025
What Happened in the Woods by Phil M. Williams is a relentless and pulse pounding thriller that redefines the “final girl” trope with shocking intensity and emotional grit. Through Brandi Hunt’s journey from reckless teenager to hardened survivor, Williams explores not only the terror of abduction but the resilience that trauma forges in the human spirit.
The novel grips from the first page, weaving psychological depth into its survivalist tension. Every twist hits with raw authenticity fueled by the complex bond between Brandi and her father, a veteran haunted by PTSD yet determined to prepare his daughter for a world that takes no prisoners. The pacing is sharp, the stakes are primal, and the character development is strikingly real.
What makes What Happened in the Woods unforgettable is its balance of horror and empowerment. Williams crafts a brutal, thought provoking story that asks: what happens when the prey becomes the predator? The answer is a chilling, fierce testament to human endurance and the instinct to fight back.
The novel grips from the first page, weaving psychological depth into its survivalist tension. Every twist hits with raw authenticity fueled by the complex bond between Brandi and her father, a veteran haunted by PTSD yet determined to prepare his daughter for a world that takes no prisoners. The pacing is sharp, the stakes are primal, and the character development is strikingly real.
What makes What Happened in the Woods unforgettable is its balance of horror and empowerment. Williams crafts a brutal, thought provoking story that asks: what happens when the prey becomes the predator? The answer is a chilling, fierce testament to human endurance and the instinct to fight back.
May 1, 2025
It's more like 3.5 stars. By the description, which I must not have properly read, I wasn't expecting as many sexual assault scenes or any. I was kinda expecting the villians to have kidnapped Brandi attempt their evil deeds, then get the surprise of their lives before anything could happen. if there was going to be one of those scenes, I thought there might be one, and then they'd get theirs.
It was a hard book to get through because of the scenes. It wasn't a bad book, but definitely look up trigger warnings before picking it up. as mentioned, there is sexual assault, as well as drug use, overdose, Brandi has her nipple nearly bitten off, people and animals are shot. Animals are butchered. I am probably missing other triggers.
It was a hard book to get through because of the scenes. It wasn't a bad book, but definitely look up trigger warnings before picking it up. as mentioned, there is sexual assault, as well as drug use, overdose, Brandi has her nipple nearly bitten off, people and animals are shot. Animals are butchered. I am probably missing other triggers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2025
This was a tough read. Graphic, abusive, addiction, animal death, it wasn't my cup of tea.
The beginning made me think a teenager wrote it with all the phrases used but I powered through.
The Plot: Each chapter is either before or after and does go in sequence of before and after. I was never clear on the exact moment that made a before and after, perhaps before age 18 and after age 19, not sure.
Not a thriller to me.
The decriptions of abusive are graphic and too much for me.
Characters were not that good. The main character wasn't emotionally there like I would expect in her situation. The after was just devoid of feelings and nothing except a small bit of a therapy session like overnight all that trau.a just disappeared.
The beginning made me think a teenager wrote it with all the phrases used but I powered through.
The Plot: Each chapter is either before or after and does go in sequence of before and after. I was never clear on the exact moment that made a before and after, perhaps before age 18 and after age 19, not sure.
Not a thriller to me.
The decriptions of abusive are graphic and too much for me.
Characters were not that good. The main character wasn't emotionally there like I would expect in her situation. The after was just devoid of feelings and nothing except a small bit of a therapy session like overnight all that trau.a just disappeared.
March 11, 2025
A thriller with heart. I love when a thriller gives us more than thrills and a chase but has a little meaning and oomph. What Happened in the Woods brings Brandi’s captivating tale with tense moments and with an emotional punch. A poor working girl with a drug addicted mother, an overbearing task master of a grandma and an absent military dad who suffers from the scars of war hardly has a chance. Luckily life has taught her to be a survivor and through difficult times she learned some valuable life skills to face extreme hardship. Brandi will have to use all her skills and more if she hopes to survive what happens to her in the woods.
May 3, 2025
I REALLY wish there was a trigger warning about the content of this book because what occurs (while not explicitly described) is heavily implied and enough to make me set aside the book. I was able to finish by skipping over the obvious disturbing scenes, fueled only by my desire to make sure the ending was positive. Predictable (model agent? Seriously?) with tropes as old as time, but short enough that I didn’t have to force my way to the end for long.
2 stars because the concept is interesting, but the lack of execution and logic was frustrating.
2 stars because the concept is interesting, but the lack of execution and logic was frustrating.
May 15, 2025
Let me start by saying that this is a really dark book. I mean.....really dark. Rape/murder/cruelty to animals/animal death/pornography and just about everything nasty you can name. It was all a little too much for me, to be honest. Too graphic.
The story itself wasn't bad..... although it was certainly not believable. Still, it kept me interested enough to keep reading and to finish the book.
I thought that certain "big reveals" were pretty obvious, but there were a couple of nice twists at the end.
The story itself wasn't bad..... although it was certainly not believable. Still, it kept me interested enough to keep reading and to finish the book.
I thought that certain "big reveals" were pretty obvious, but there were a couple of nice twists at the end.
August 9, 2025
I didn’t know anything about the book before I started reading it. It involves young teenagers being taken advantage of by men. It was shocking and intense. I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen. It flashes back and forth between the past and present which is a little frustrating when you get so locked in to the story and it switches back to the other time period. You keep wanting to read further. I thought the ending was just okay. There are some satisfying moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
Pretty dark novel. There should be a couple trigger warnings at the beginning, some of the stuff that happens could definitely trigger someone. I enjoyed the continued resilience of Brandi(the fmc). The ending was decent, definitely had a happy ish ending. Overall a good, fast twisty(and slightly fucked up) read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews