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 the award-winning author of thriller novels, including NO HARM INTENDED, EXTINCTION, FUGUE, and WOODS. Following earlier careers as a surgeon and the owner of a medical writing business, he now writes full-time in New Jersey, where he lives with his family. Learn more at mclaughlinbooks.com. Follow on social media @mclaughlinbooks.

FROM THE AUTHOR:

Dear Readers,

I'm sincerely grateful to you for reading my books.

I’ve always loved to read and write. Maurice Sendak’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is still one of my all-time favorite books. I read all the Hardy Boys stories before graduating to Agatha Christie’s mysteries. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and her other classics are among my most cherished books. At age ten, I wrote/illustrated a Hardy Boy-esque short story collection, THE MYSTERY LIVES OF KEN, BOB, AND COMPANY.

Though a biology major and pre-med in college, my favorite two courses were small workshops on poetry and short story writing. It didn’t take long to figure out that my poetry sucked. Really bad. Seamus Heaney even told me the poem that got me rejected (twice) from the poet laureate’s course was “disgusting.” That ended what could have been an unsuccessful career in poetry and perhaps turned my attention to thrillers, where I’m encouraged to disgust readers.

Medicine was my first career. My interest in anatomy and an affinity for blood (other people’s) left me with three possible career paths – becoming a surgeon, writing about killers, or becoming a killer. I started with surgery, nudging to the side creative writing and murder most foul. I continued to write short stories, usually at odd hours in bizarre places, while earning a living through other means. Ideas for novels piled up while I awaited my chance to write them.

When I decided to change careers, medical writing was the obvious choice – an option that combined my two life-long passions. I worked for two medical communications companies before starting my own with a partner. At Peloton Advantage, I became proficient in writing, meeting deadlines, and withstanding critics.

My first novel, EXTINCTION, was part medical thriller. Once a doctor, always a doctor, I suppose. I’ve incorporated some aspect of my medical career into my novels, often including an ailment as an obstacle or a doctor trying to save the day. My favorite example of this is in WOODS, where Tempest battles severe headaches, a medical problem my family knows all too well. I can’t wait for you to meet the doctor in my upcoming thriller, NO HARM INTENDED.

My wife and I have three wonderful daughters. They inspire my characters, who talk in my head until I share their voices with readers. The strength of my female protagonists comes from the four of them. I hope that, in return, my novels inspire my kids to rise above adversity and persevere. I also hope my stories scare the crap out of their boyfriends (and now a fiancé, and eventually husbands). Why such a sadistic desire? Someday remind me to tell you the story about my father-in-law showing me how well he shot a gun.

Robin Cook, Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, Michael Palmer, Neil Shulman, and others taught me physicians could become successful writers. I enjoy reading Stephen King, John Grisham, James Patterson, Billy Shakespeare, Dean Koontz, Gillian Flynn, Lucy Foley, and many other thriller writers. Through the International Thriller Writers, American Mystery Writers, Liberty States Fiction Writers, and other writing organizations, conferences, and events, I’ve met many authors and publishing professionals who are now friends and inspire me. I’m grateful to be part of this community. Please continue to support these authors’ work by reading their books and leaving reviews.

Thanks again to you and everyone else who supports my writing career. I hope you enjoy my books.

- Michael J. McLaughlin

Reviews

[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!

[Mort P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Even though it's a bunch of teenagers, the book felt like an adult thriller to me. The characters were all interesting and flawed in some way. The best of all was the lead character, Tempest, who's the youngest and is in bad shape from crushing headaches but rallies to try to help her friends. The guy that's stalking them is messed up and frightening, the last person you'd want to run into out in the middle of nowhere. A fun thriller. I just read it again and enjoyed it just as much.

[Nick Caputo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as this bunch of city teenagers set out into the woods, you know trouble is waiting for them. The tension continues to rise until the inevitable encounter with the creepy guy who's been following them. It only gets worse from there. This is a great read, a combination of survival thriller, family bonds, and past regrets, all clashing in the middle. I'm going to read more of this author after this one.

[Lou Ciccone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is creepy from the start. I like to hike and camp, and I even geocached, so this book will stay with me a long time when I'm out in the woods. It's probably the best thriller I've read in the while.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maine woods scare the bejesus out of me.

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A YA book that reads like a horror movie rather than a thriller. Going out into the woods is never a good idea without a strategy of protection. All on a type of scavenger hunt for pieces of manuscript of a book that an Author before un aliving himself strategically placed in the woods for fans of his work to find. This band of young Adult friends finds more than they bargained for. Well written and suspenseful. Thanks Goodreads

[Liv Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main story line involves a stalker tracking kids in the middle of the dense woods in main, but there's so much more going on. The characters are great and need to resolve their issues with each other and with their past as they confront the danger. The story gets more frightening as it goes along, and the lead character develops while trying to rise to the occasion. I'm a big fan of psychological thrillers and really loved this one.

[Kristin McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I love this cover! I was terrified and anxious the whole way through and the cover lets you know immediately that you need to be on high alert. Tenacity and bravery duel with hubris and evil. Tense and impossible to put down. Great read!

[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.

[Jennifer Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars

The story starts with two people in the woods being attacked by a mysterious figure. Then it cuts to five kids in Northern Maine preparing for a trip to find the final manuscript from their favorite author. The manuscript has supposedly been hidden throughout the Northern Maine woods, and they must follow clues to uncover each part of the book. But when they discover the first geocache, the manuscript is nowhere to be found — only photos and a newspaper article about a missing person. From there, the group dives deeper into the mystery, questioning whether someone is following them and whether they’ll make it out alive.

This book went far beyond my expectations! From the very first chapter, it pulled me into the story and kept me guessing the entire time. As someone from Northern Maine, it was especially exciting to read a story set in a place so familiar to me. The setting added an extra layer of enjoyment and made the adventure feel even more real. I highly recommend picking this book up — you won’t regret it!

[Nat Stran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is scary from the start. Those poor kids don't know what they're getting into. I really loved the characters. Even though they're teenagers, this book is a great read for adults. I loved Tempest. What a brave kid, up against danger from every side. The relationships with her sister and the others, including some unexpected characters (no spoilers), are really interesting.

[HP Krouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy telling scary stories aroudn a campfire, you'll love this book. It's creepy from the start. Then the characters find themselves in a terrifying situation, far from help. I really liked the main character, and her sister and friends are great. I found myself worried silly and cheering out loud. Such a great novel!

[B Sabbarab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just noticed this book was on a Goodreads Giveaway and realized I never wrote a review on it. If you're reading reviews to decide whether to sign up for the giveaway or just to buy it, do it. The story is so good. Scary, endearing, and sometimes even funny. A really great thriller.

[JC Flock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempest is the best. She's young but ready for anything the woods throw at her. This nail biting thriller has lots of excitement, danger, and twists. It starts off great and gets even better until the very end. You'll be watching over your shoulder for weeks after reading it.

[K Kriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite thrillers. I love the story and characters. It scared the heck out of me, but I couldn't stop reading.

[Vicky Mattison · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read this book, I kept wishing I was more like Tempest. I enjoyed reading about her more as the story continued and stressed for her as the end approached. Such a great character and story.