Woods

by Michael J. McLaughlin

“Every sound is death around the corner. Every breeze through the trees is a ghost from your past.” Fourteen-year-old Tempest and her New York City friends are hiking through the Maine woods on a quest for a horror novel hidden by their favorite author. But a mysterious killer begins stalking the teens and lures them into his deadly game. Trapped in the vast and treacherous woods, Tempest battles for her life while trying to save the others.

Audible Audio

Published March 6, 2024

About the author

Michael J. McLaughlin, MD, is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and former surgeon. He received degrees from Harvard College and Columbia University. After four years as a hand surgeon, he made a career change and co-founded Peloton Advantage, an industry leading medical communications company. He founded Physician Renaissance Network (PRNresource.com) and frequently lectures on a variety of business topics. In 2009 he was selected as one of PharmaVOICE's Top 100 Most Inspiring People. His writing includes the career change book, "Do You Feel Like You Wasted All That Training?" and the thriller/suspense novels, "Extinction," "Fugue," and "Woods." Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky, all @McLaughlinBooks.

Reviews

[Patrick Henry]

Halloween is coming and realized I have never read a scary book. This one looked mild, so why not? I didn't note that it was YA fiction. But even that would be okay if it doesn't get mired in teen angst. Time to set aside critical thinking and just go along on the jaunt through the woods.

I was willing to suspend judgment and enjoy the read. But after the first few chapters, I had to ask why title a book "Woods" if it reads like the author never stepped off the sidewalk?

In the beginning, a helicopter dropped off five young people (some were minors) in the deep woods of Maine expecting them to find the caches, follow the clues and ramble back to base in 2 days.

Bushwacking the wilderness isn't like that. It would be an olympic race even if they were athletes along a paved path.

Some sudden surprises keeps the story going. The narrator (the youngest girl) finds spiritual strength in visits and a confession with her recently deceased mother.

A monster lurks. All does not turn out well. Credulity is strained. Some though might find this a good read.

[Patrick Lombardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing thriller that follows more of a young-adult genre but is fun for adults as well. Everything from the characters and setting to the mystery and murders was so captivating, and it was really difficult to put this book down. The writing is crisp and flowed well, and there was no lag throughout the narrative. Can’t wait to read more from Michael McLaughlin!