Where the Root Splits

by Anne WestWood

Two best friends. Three strangers. One weekend of camping. And roots that were never meant to be uncovered. Jordy thought a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains with her best friend Mara would be the perfect escape from home. But when they cross paths with three mysterious brothers- Ezra, Talon, and Graves- the quiet getaway quickly spirals into a dangerous web of obsession, betrayal, and chilling secrets.

As the lines between truth and lies blur, and buried truths begin to surface, someone's sanity starts to unravel. The group is left fighting for their lives- but just when you think you know what happened, nothing is as it seems.

Where the Root Splits is a pulse-pounding, atmospheric thriller that explores trust, trauma, and the kind of darkness that never stays buried.

Fans of Verity, One of Us Is Lying, The Favour, and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder won't be able to put this down.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2025

Reviews

[Anne WestWood · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Michelle K. - Verified Reader on [https://payhip.com/b/xtpM8]

A tense, twisty thriller set deep in the Smoky Mountains and impossible to put down.

What begins as an adventurous girls' getaway quickly spirals into a chilling nightmare.
When Jordy and Mara meet three seemingly friendly brothers on the trails of the Smoky Mountains, they welcome the unexpected company. But as the hike deepens into isolation, so does the unease. One of the brothers is hiding something—something dark, buried deep in the wilderness.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, this one will keep you turning pages late into the night.

[Michael Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first page. The tension builds slowly at first, then hits like a storm once the secrets start unraveling. The friendship between Jordy and Mara feels so real, and the mysterious brothers kept me guessing the entire time. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story twisted in a completely different direction. It’s dark, emotional, and absolutely gripping.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this in two sittings. What starts as a peaceful mountain getaway turns into a masterfully twisted psychological thriller. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story threw another curveball. The tension between the characters felt so real, and the secrets kept me second-guessing everything. Anne Westwood knows how to mess with your head—in the best way possible.

[Juliette Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The psychological depth in Where the Root Splits is next level. Anne Westwood doesn’t just deliver thrills—she digs into trust, trauma, and what it means to lose yourself. Every character felt like they were hiding something, and watching it all unravel was equally fascinating and terrifying. Highly recommend for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder!

[Catherine Vickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything—gorgeous prose, rich atmosphere, and characters you love to question. The dynamic between the three brothers alone kept me hooked, but it was the slow burn of paranoia and psychological tension that made it impossible to put down. Just when you think you know who the villain is, the story flips. Absolutely brilliant.

[Sabine Traeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping! The atmosphere was so vivid I could practically smell the pine and feel the tension in the air. The twists kept me second-guessing everyone until the very last page.

[Sandra Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, moody thriller with plenty of suspense. I wish a few of the characters had been fleshed out more, but the plot twists were fantastic and the ending completely blindsided me.

[Robert Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me chills. It’s like One of Us Is Lying meets Verity but set in the woods—and so much darker. I could not stop reading.

[Melvine Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing was a little slow at first, but once the secrets started to unravel, I was hooked. The dynamic between the brothers was especially intriguing.

[John Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-pounding from start to finish! I read it in one sitting because I had to know the truth. The setting in the Smokies was perfection for this kind of story.

[JEFFREY SHAWN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good premise and creepy atmosphere, but I guessed the twist too early. Still, the ending had one last surprise that I didn’t see coming.

[johnny smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting, clever thriller that plays with your mind. Every time I thought I knew who to trust, the story turned on me. Definitely one of my top reads this year.

[joel Austine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best atmospheric thrillers I’ve read in a while. The “nothing is as it seems” vibe is spot-on. Fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will devour this.

[fred ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy, mysterious, and full of paranoia. It made me question every single character. I wish there had been a bit more closure, but maybe that’s what makes it stick with me.