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Buried in the Woods Below
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden's The Housemaid, Riley Sager's The Only One Left and Alice Feeney's My Husband's Wife, this addictive psychological suspense-thriller is a must-read for anyone who loves dark secrets, isolated settings, and jaw-dropping twists.
SOME MEMORIES WERE NEVER MEANT TO STAY BURIED.
When Charlotte Hoffman's picture-perfect career implodes overnight, she retreats to the one place she swore she'd never return: Big Island, Minnesota. Home to her childhood best friend, Olivia Parker, and the place where her life first fell apart.
Eighteen years ago, tragedy struck, and Charlotte's blamed herself for that bloody night ever since. Now she's back, staying with the Parkers in their isolated lakeside home, surrounded by dark woods shrouded in mist and the decaying remains of a long-abandoned amusement park.
But something isn't right.
The Parkers' young twin girls whisper about ghosts in the trees. Threatening notes appear on doors. An old carousel screams in the wind. And every night the island claims another victim.
As Charlotte wades ever-deeper into danger, she can't shake the feeling that someone brought her back to the isolated island for a reason.
Someone who wants to finish what was started all those years ago.
SOME MEMORIES WERE NEVER MEANT TO STAY BURIED.
When Charlotte Hoffman's picture-perfect career implodes overnight, she retreats to the one place she swore she'd never return: Big Island, Minnesota. Home to her childhood best friend, Olivia Parker, and the place where her life first fell apart.
Eighteen years ago, tragedy struck, and Charlotte's blamed herself for that bloody night ever since. Now she's back, staying with the Parkers in their isolated lakeside home, surrounded by dark woods shrouded in mist and the decaying remains of a long-abandoned amusement park.
But something isn't right.
The Parkers' young twin girls whisper about ghosts in the trees. Threatening notes appear on doors. An old carousel screams in the wind. And every night the island claims another victim.
As Charlotte wades ever-deeper into danger, she can't shake the feeling that someone brought her back to the isolated island for a reason.
Someone who wants to finish what was started all those years ago.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Daniel G. Miller
9 books863 followersDaniel G. Miller is the USA Today bestselling and Edgar-nominated author of the Orphanage by the Lake mystery-thriller series and the Tree of Knowledge adventure series. His novels have been published in over fifteen different languages, and he currently serves as the President of the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. When he’s not writing, he enjoys sipping sunset cocktails with his wife, watching NBA basketball, and singing off-key to his sons, not necessarily in that order. He currently lives in Delray Beach, Florida. He loves hearing from readers, so feel free to drop him an email anytime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
September 2, 2026
"SOME MEMORIES WERE NEVER MEANT TO STAY BURIED."
An isolated setting on Big Island, Minnesota, carries some dark secrets. With an abandoned amusement park, the Big Island Amusement Park, which operated a short while from 1906-1911, you get the creepy atmosphere that comes with dread and doom. A tragedy occurred 18 years ago, leaving Olivia Parker severely injured. Charlotte is the narrator and returns after being suspended from work. She stays with the Parker family to help care for their 8 year old twins, resembling the creepy twins on The Shining.
"Every night the island claims another victim."
A lakeside home in an isolated setting, comes with creaking floorboards, haunting shadows, an old carousel screams and eerie whispers from ghosts in the trees. When threatening notes appear and the dog is found dead, it is all over the place. It is disturbing as dark secrets become clear. Don't miss this if you like a dark thriller with a Gothic feel. This is perfect for the Halloween season of haunted houses. No way would I stay there.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
An isolated setting on Big Island, Minnesota, carries some dark secrets. With an abandoned amusement park, the Big Island Amusement Park, which operated a short while from 1906-1911, you get the creepy atmosphere that comes with dread and doom. A tragedy occurred 18 years ago, leaving Olivia Parker severely injured. Charlotte is the narrator and returns after being suspended from work. She stays with the Parker family to help care for their 8 year old twins, resembling the creepy twins on The Shining.
"Every night the island claims another victim."
A lakeside home in an isolated setting, comes with creaking floorboards, haunting shadows, an old carousel screams and eerie whispers from ghosts in the trees. When threatening notes appear and the dog is found dead, it is all over the place. It is disturbing as dark secrets become clear. Don't miss this if you like a dark thriller with a Gothic feel. This is perfect for the Halloween season of haunted houses. No way would I stay there.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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June 11, 2026Sharp and surprising, Buried in the Woods Below hooked me from page one. Rich in atmosphere, with the past rotting around Charlotte, Daniel G. Miller takes us on a deft journey into friendship, the past, and why it's worth unearthing secrets.
April 20, 2026
This was such a solid, atmospheric thriller that completely pulled me in.
Charlotte returning to her hometown after years away already carries that uneasy tension, but setting it against an isolated lakeside house, dense woods, and an abandoned amusement park? It creates this constant sense that something isn’t quite right — and that feeling never really lets up.
The pacing is strong from the start, but what I really loved was how the final stretch kicked things up another notch. The last 30% moves fast, and I absolutely flew through it needing to know how everything was going to come together.
There are plenty of twists woven throughout. I did pick up on a couple early, but there were still enough surprises to keep me engaged, and the way it all builds into the ending made it worthwhile.
This leans into that eerie, slightly unsettling space between psychological thriller and something a little darker, with an unreliable edge that keeps you questioning what’s real and what isn’t.
Heathcliff 💔 not the sole reason this wasn’t a 5⭐️ for me, but it definitely played a part.
A really engaging, twisty read with a strong finish.
Charlotte returning to her hometown after years away already carries that uneasy tension, but setting it against an isolated lakeside house, dense woods, and an abandoned amusement park? It creates this constant sense that something isn’t quite right — and that feeling never really lets up.
The pacing is strong from the start, but what I really loved was how the final stretch kicked things up another notch. The last 30% moves fast, and I absolutely flew through it needing to know how everything was going to come together.
There are plenty of twists woven throughout. I did pick up on a couple early, but there were still enough surprises to keep me engaged, and the way it all builds into the ending made it worthwhile.
This leans into that eerie, slightly unsettling space between psychological thriller and something a little darker, with an unreliable edge that keeps you questioning what’s real and what isn’t.
Heathcliff 💔 not the sole reason this wasn’t a 5⭐️ for me, but it definitely played a part.
A really engaging, twisty read with a strong finish.
August 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own!
4.75⭐️. Daniel G. Miller seriously never misses for me. I have loved every book I've read by him, and Buried in the Woods Below was no exception.
This book had me constantly questioning everyone and trying to figure out what was really going on. There were so many characters I went back and forth on, and I genuinely had no clue what was about to happen. I loved the ghost element, which is normally not something I gravitate toward, but it worked so well here and added even more to the creepy, unsettling atmosphere.
One of my favorite things about this book was the writing. Miller has such a cinematic way of describing scenes that I could picture everything perfectly. The short chapters and constant buildup kept the story moving, and while the beginning was a little slower for me, around the 40% mark things really started picking up.
That ending completely stunned me. I spent the entire book trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together, but I never came close to predicting that twist. In hindsight, the clues were there, but I completely missed how they connected. It was the kind of reveal that made me want to revisit the story and see how carefully everything had been foreshadowed. I just sat there thinking damn.
Buried in the Woods Below has everything I want from a thriller: memorable characters, an unsettling setting, vivid writing, genuinely frightening moments, and an ending that left me completely speechless.
Daniel G. Miller has officially proven once again why I will always pick up his books.
4.75⭐️. Daniel G. Miller seriously never misses for me. I have loved every book I've read by him, and Buried in the Woods Below was no exception.
This book had me constantly questioning everyone and trying to figure out what was really going on. There were so many characters I went back and forth on, and I genuinely had no clue what was about to happen. I loved the ghost element, which is normally not something I gravitate toward, but it worked so well here and added even more to the creepy, unsettling atmosphere.
One of my favorite things about this book was the writing. Miller has such a cinematic way of describing scenes that I could picture everything perfectly. The short chapters and constant buildup kept the story moving, and while the beginning was a little slower for me, around the 40% mark things really started picking up.
That ending completely stunned me. I spent the entire book trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together, but I never came close to predicting that twist. In hindsight, the clues were there, but I completely missed how they connected. It was the kind of reveal that made me want to revisit the story and see how carefully everything had been foreshadowed. I just sat there thinking damn.
Buried in the Woods Below has everything I want from a thriller: memorable characters, an unsettling setting, vivid writing, genuinely frightening moments, and an ending that left me completely speechless.
Daniel G. Miller has officially proven once again why I will always pick up his books.
July 6, 2026
Buried in the Woods Below, a psychological thriller
Charlotte is sort of "forced" into taking time off from work, since she hasn't taken any for a long time, and a workplace incident that needs a deeper review. As luck would have it, her childhood best friend Olivia's family has invited her to stay with them at their lake house on Big Island for the month. While Charlotte is not overly enthused, as she has lost touch with Olivia over the years, her mom convinces her to go. She also used to have a crush on Olivia's dad Eric, and isn't sure if that crush has dissipated over the years.
As soon as Charlotte arrives at the lake house, the red flags start flying in. If it were me, I am not sure I would have been convinced to stay, with no Wi-Fi, threatening letters left on the house, the creepy misty air, possibly evil twins, and eerie abandoned amusement park with screeching old rides and horrifying dolls, I would have hopped on the next boat out of there. But Charlotte decides to stay, her crush on Eric seems to be alive, and she also wants to catch up with Olivia.
With every chapter of this story, the mystery expands. Who is leaving threatening notes? The neighbor? How did Eric even get this house? And my biggest question of all, why does Charlotte stay as everyday gets weirder!? There are stories of ghosts on the island as well, and Charlotte starts to see and hear things at night, but when she goes outside, sees nothing. Add to all of that Eric's disturbing doll collection, and the fact that someone else from Charlotte's work life is also mysteriously staying on the island, it is too strange to not want to run!
I did not expect the ending at all, and I absolutely loved the unexpected reveal. You will have to read this story to learn the truth behind all of the goings on at Big Island.
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"After five minutes of weighing the pros and cons, one thing becomes abundantly clear: I need a drink."
"I shift my gaze and see Big Island rising like a specter from the water. But it’s not beautiful—it’s haunting."
"The promise of isolation feels more like entrapment now. The outside world can’t reach you here, but neither can help."
"I can’t help the sensation that I’ve entered the hotel from The Shining every time I see them."
"Now that I’m awake and half sober, it all seems so surreal."
Charlotte is sort of "forced" into taking time off from work, since she hasn't taken any for a long time, and a workplace incident that needs a deeper review. As luck would have it, her childhood best friend Olivia's family has invited her to stay with them at their lake house on Big Island for the month. While Charlotte is not overly enthused, as she has lost touch with Olivia over the years, her mom convinces her to go. She also used to have a crush on Olivia's dad Eric, and isn't sure if that crush has dissipated over the years.
As soon as Charlotte arrives at the lake house, the red flags start flying in. If it were me, I am not sure I would have been convinced to stay, with no Wi-Fi, threatening letters left on the house, the creepy misty air, possibly evil twins, and eerie abandoned amusement park with screeching old rides and horrifying dolls, I would have hopped on the next boat out of there. But Charlotte decides to stay, her crush on Eric seems to be alive, and she also wants to catch up with Olivia.
With every chapter of this story, the mystery expands. Who is leaving threatening notes? The neighbor? How did Eric even get this house? And my biggest question of all, why does Charlotte stay as everyday gets weirder!? There are stories of ghosts on the island as well, and Charlotte starts to see and hear things at night, but when she goes outside, sees nothing. Add to all of that Eric's disturbing doll collection, and the fact that someone else from Charlotte's work life is also mysteriously staying on the island, it is too strange to not want to run!
I did not expect the ending at all, and I absolutely loved the unexpected reveal. You will have to read this story to learn the truth behind all of the goings on at Big Island.
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"After five minutes of weighing the pros and cons, one thing becomes abundantly clear: I need a drink."
"I shift my gaze and see Big Island rising like a specter from the water. But it’s not beautiful—it’s haunting."
"The promise of isolation feels more like entrapment now. The outside world can’t reach you here, but neither can help."
"I can’t help the sensation that I’ve entered the hotel from The Shining every time I see them."
"Now that I’m awake and half sober, it all seems so surreal."
April 17, 2026
Oh wow… I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this!
Daniel has become an instant read author for me.
Charlotte is a successful woman who has had a lot of tragedy and trauma that haunts her.. She’s suspended from work, and her mother suggests she visits old friends on an island with bad cell service and no WiFi.. what could happen?
Thank you for the advance reader copy!
Daniel has become an instant read author for me.
Charlotte is a successful woman who has had a lot of tragedy and trauma that haunts her.. She’s suspended from work, and her mother suggests she visits old friends on an island with bad cell service and no WiFi.. what could happen?
Thank you for the advance reader copy!
August 18, 2026
I am so happy I was give the opportunity to arc read Buried in the Woods Below. For the most part, I went into it blind. So when I opened this book to the first page and saw the Minnesota State Fair mentioned I was immeasurably giddy knowing it would be a local setting! This book has it all. An abandoned amusement park, an isolated island, ominous notes, and suspicious deaths? Say LESS. There were a few things that I had guessed correctly right of the bat which did not bother me one bit since it’s a theme I love to read about in books! But the twists and turns were awesome and the ending?! Absolutely DIABOLICAL. As I was reading, I was constantly wondering whether this story had ghosts at play or not and that alone had me sucked in. The atmosphere was so eerie that it was almost tangible. I’m so excited for everyone to get their hands on this and see what it’s all about!
July 1, 2026
i enjoy this authors writing, the book was very spooky and atmospheric. my only issues with this one is that i predicted the big “shock” very early on in the book and i wasn’t a big fan of the ending
September 17, 2026
3.5⭐️'s
Daniel G. Miller is a newer author to me. Earlier this year, I randomly grabbed The Orphanage by the Lake from Target and loved it. I jumped at the opportunity to read his newest, Buried in the Woods Below!
Charlotte is forced to take a leave of absence from work and accepts an invitation to spend time on Big Island in Minnesota at her childhood best friend’s home. She's hesitant because after a tragedy occurred 18 years ago, she has had no desire to return to Minnesota. However, her mom insists it will be good for her to get away for a while and spend some time with her friend’s family. While on the island, memories from the past start to resurface.
This book hooked me right away! The story starts with the tragedy from 18 years earlier, and it had my heart pounding. The atmospheric setting was perfectly unsettling: an isolated island, haunted woods, no Wi-Fi, an abandoned amusement park, threatening notes, AND creepy twins. As the story unfolded, I didn’t know who to trust, and I was questioning everyone. I had no idea where the plot was headed, and the ending took me by surprise.
Why I didn’t give it 5⭐️’s — There was a whole storyline about Charlotte having a crush on her friend's Dad, and that kind of gave me the ick. It absolutely added to the unsettling vibe, and I’m sure most people won’t think twice about it, but it wasn’t for me. Additionally, some of the subplots felt a little disjointed and weren’t wrapped up. Overall, this book was a fun read, and it kept me turning the pages. It would be a good one to add to your spooky season list because there is some ghost talk. 👻
Daniel G. Miller is a newer author to me. Earlier this year, I randomly grabbed The Orphanage by the Lake from Target and loved it. I jumped at the opportunity to read his newest, Buried in the Woods Below!
Charlotte is forced to take a leave of absence from work and accepts an invitation to spend time on Big Island in Minnesota at her childhood best friend’s home. She's hesitant because after a tragedy occurred 18 years ago, she has had no desire to return to Minnesota. However, her mom insists it will be good for her to get away for a while and spend some time with her friend’s family. While on the island, memories from the past start to resurface.
This book hooked me right away! The story starts with the tragedy from 18 years earlier, and it had my heart pounding. The atmospheric setting was perfectly unsettling: an isolated island, haunted woods, no Wi-Fi, an abandoned amusement park, threatening notes, AND creepy twins. As the story unfolded, I didn’t know who to trust, and I was questioning everyone. I had no idea where the plot was headed, and the ending took me by surprise.
Why I didn’t give it 5⭐️’s — There was a whole storyline about Charlotte having a crush on her friend's Dad, and that kind of gave me the ick. It absolutely added to the unsettling vibe, and I’m sure most people won’t think twice about it, but it wasn’t for me. Additionally, some of the subplots felt a little disjointed and weren’t wrapped up. Overall, this book was a fun read, and it kept me turning the pages. It would be a good one to add to your spooky season list because there is some ghost talk. 👻
June 29, 2026
Buried in the woods below is a tale that haunts you till the very end.
This is my first novel by Daniel G. Miller, and I enjoyed every moment of it. It gradually crawls under your skin.
A psychological suspenseful thriller that has you riding the rollercoaster and having a wild experience. Which feels perfect for the setting.
I was sucked into the atmosphere, an old island, a former amusement park that’s buried in the woods, and haunting pasts, that’ll have people running away.
I didn’t know if this was going to be paranormal or just a very eerie story. Either way, I was left unsettled.
Charlotte returns to her old best friend’s hometown, the place she swore never to return, and things start to take off from there.
She’s filled with flaws, emotionally driven, but also with the sense to be in control. I found myself invested in her throughout the process.
The rest of the characters also had me intrigued and left me with my detective hat on.
Some of the revelations and twists felt a bit predictable, but I found it entertaining. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a psychological thriller, and as soon as things started rolling out, it just made so much sense. I’m still thinking about it.
I can definitely see it being brought to the big screen.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and the author for the e-galley! 🖤
This is my first novel by Daniel G. Miller, and I enjoyed every moment of it. It gradually crawls under your skin.
A psychological suspenseful thriller that has you riding the rollercoaster and having a wild experience. Which feels perfect for the setting.
I was sucked into the atmosphere, an old island, a former amusement park that’s buried in the woods, and haunting pasts, that’ll have people running away.
I didn’t know if this was going to be paranormal or just a very eerie story. Either way, I was left unsettled.
Charlotte returns to her old best friend’s hometown, the place she swore never to return, and things start to take off from there.
She’s filled with flaws, emotionally driven, but also with the sense to be in control. I found myself invested in her throughout the process.
The rest of the characters also had me intrigued and left me with my detective hat on.
Some of the revelations and twists felt a bit predictable, but I found it entertaining. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a psychological thriller, and as soon as things started rolling out, it just made so much sense. I’m still thinking about it.
I can definitely see it being brought to the big screen.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and the author for the e-galley! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press for the review copy. All opinions are voluntary and honest.
I was initially very into this one. The mysteries about Charlotte’s past (and present) had me hooked enough that I needed answers despite the meandering narrative and I moved through it pretty quickly.
Then the dog dies at 30%. I don’t share spoilers normally but for me, this should be included in content warnings and I want other readers to know.
Unfortunately, that’s a hard pass for me. I skimmed the rest of the book and there’s a lot of death (adult and children) and an unreliable narrator.
Sorry to say, this one was not for me.
I was initially very into this one. The mysteries about Charlotte’s past (and present) had me hooked enough that I needed answers despite the meandering narrative and I moved through it pretty quickly.
Then the dog dies at 30%. I don’t share spoilers normally but for me, this should be included in content warnings and I want other readers to know.
Unfortunately, that’s a hard pass for me. I skimmed the rest of the book and there’s a lot of death (adult and children) and an unreliable narrator.
Sorry to say, this one was not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Whoops🤦🏼♀️missed reposting for publication day on Sept 1st!! Happy belated publication day🥳!!! (9/8/26)
———-
I know I started a review for this shortly after finishing it….just need to locate it 🙄 (8/17/26)
——-
I finally found my notes. Now if only I can read them and remember what I need to fill in!!
At the end of April (2026) I listened to the Red Letter, I believe it was called, by this author and loved it. So when I saw another book by him shortly after that, I was very excited and perhaps my expectations were a bit high going into it.
This has all of the elements for a spooky book. Tragic past, current life chaos, isolated island with creepy occurrences, 2 twin little girls who maybe aren’t so sweet. An underlying sense of doom and dread carried throughout the book.
Unfortunately I had a big twist figured out early and this time, it was a case of that takes away from the book for me instead of me wanting to give myself a pat on the back for figuring things out.
I don’t want to give the plot line away, I want others to enjoy this and hopefully have more fun with it than I did. I think this will be the perfect spooky season book for some readers!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating posted: 5/15/26
Thoughts posted: 8/22/26
Publishing date: 9/1/26
Reposted belatedly for publication day: 9/8/26 then again because I noticed I put miss not missed🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
———-
I know I started a review for this shortly after finishing it….just need to locate it 🙄 (8/17/26)
——-
I finally found my notes. Now if only I can read them and remember what I need to fill in!!
At the end of April (2026) I listened to the Red Letter, I believe it was called, by this author and loved it. So when I saw another book by him shortly after that, I was very excited and perhaps my expectations were a bit high going into it.
This has all of the elements for a spooky book. Tragic past, current life chaos, isolated island with creepy occurrences, 2 twin little girls who maybe aren’t so sweet. An underlying sense of doom and dread carried throughout the book.
Unfortunately I had a big twist figured out early and this time, it was a case of that takes away from the book for me instead of me wanting to give myself a pat on the back for figuring things out.
I don’t want to give the plot line away, I want others to enjoy this and hopefully have more fun with it than I did. I think this will be the perfect spooky season book for some readers!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating posted: 5/15/26
Thoughts posted: 8/22/26
Publishing date: 9/1/26
Reposted belatedly for publication day: 9/8/26 then again because I noticed I put miss not missed🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
May 4, 2026
4.0 ⭐️ Charlotte goes back to a family friend’s island home while taking a leave from work. However, vacation turns into survival as the people around her star disappearing and threatening notes appear on her door. The writing definitely made me feel trapped on the island with everyone as they navigated this mystery. This book has scandal, mystery, ghosts, isolation, and untrustworthy characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy!
June 14, 2026
Overall; not a bad thriller but at times it seemed a little far fetched and it was a little predictable.
September 3, 2026
Buried in the Woods Below took a little while to win me over, but once it did, I was fully invested.
The beginning was a little rough for me because there is a LOT of description. The trip to Big Island felt approximately three times longer than the actual distance traveled because I knew there were trees, I understood there was a lake, and yet we were still discussing the trees and the lake. I’m very much a plot-and-people reader, so extended descriptions of scenery tend to make my brain wander.
Thankfully, once things started happening, this became a completely different reading experience.
Charlotte and I were on the same wavelength almost immediately. She calculates probabilities, counts things when she’s stressed, overthinks social interactions and describes a gathering as basically scheduled surgery. I have never felt so understood.
Charlotte returns to Big Island eighteen years after a childhood friendship abruptly ended, and there’s a lot about that history she doesn’t fully understand. Add in a threatening note, some very questionable behavior from the people around her and the fact that the island is accessible only by boat, and suddenly all that isolation actually matters.
What I appreciated most was how carefully the story was constructed. As I got closer to the end, I started noticing things that didn’t quite fit. I figured out part of what was happening shortly before the book revealed it, but instead of being disappointed that I’d guessed it, I was more excited. That’s my favorite kind of reveal. The clues were there. I had enough information to put pieces together myself, and there was still more waiting for me.
I did have some issues beyond the heavy description. There were several points when I couldn’t understand why everyone was still staying on an isolated island after increasingly alarming things started happening.
Still, the second half more than made up for my slower start, and the final stretch was easily my favorite part. This ended up being a strong four-star read with a main character I absolutely loved spending time with.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.
The beginning was a little rough for me because there is a LOT of description. The trip to Big Island felt approximately three times longer than the actual distance traveled because I knew there were trees, I understood there was a lake, and yet we were still discussing the trees and the lake. I’m very much a plot-and-people reader, so extended descriptions of scenery tend to make my brain wander.
Thankfully, once things started happening, this became a completely different reading experience.
Charlotte and I were on the same wavelength almost immediately. She calculates probabilities, counts things when she’s stressed, overthinks social interactions and describes a gathering as basically scheduled surgery. I have never felt so understood.
Charlotte returns to Big Island eighteen years after a childhood friendship abruptly ended, and there’s a lot about that history she doesn’t fully understand. Add in a threatening note, some very questionable behavior from the people around her and the fact that the island is accessible only by boat, and suddenly all that isolation actually matters.
What I appreciated most was how carefully the story was constructed. As I got closer to the end, I started noticing things that didn’t quite fit. I figured out part of what was happening shortly before the book revealed it, but instead of being disappointed that I’d guessed it, I was more excited. That’s my favorite kind of reveal. The clues were there. I had enough information to put pieces together myself, and there was still more waiting for me.
I did have some issues beyond the heavy description. There were several points when I couldn’t understand why everyone was still staying on an isolated island after increasingly alarming things started happening.
Still, the second half more than made up for my slower start, and the final stretch was easily my favorite part. This ended up being a strong four-star read with a main character I absolutely loved spending time with.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.
September 14, 2026
A mystery thriller that might keep you guessing.
Charlotte Hoffman agrees to visit a secluded Minnesota island to stay with her childhood family friends after she’s suspended from her job. Supposedly she’s there at her mother’s behest to help the Parkers care for their 8-year old twins and enjoy her time away from work. She arrives to find a house surrounded by dense forests and an abandoned amusement park that was the site of a tragedy 18 years prior. Soon after she settles in, strange notes begin to appear and dangerous incidents escalate. It’s all leading up to a terrifying climax on a stormy night.
The set up was solid but the execution screamed trying too hard as the suspense felt forced. There was a lot of weird stuff going on from the beginning but I, unfortunately, saw the set up and twists right away which dimmed my interest. I didn’t care for the main character and her crush was annoying as were her dreams. The plot seemed overworked and cliche. One happy surprise was, however, that it went where I hoped it would at the end. It was a quick read but the constant melodramatic push kept it firmly meh for me.
The e-book ARC was provided to me by the publisher for my opinion. I was able to secure the audio book from the library so that I could listen while reading, but I did not care at all for the narrator, Victoria Villarreal, as her voice grated with her stops and starts that were intended to be dramatic. Generally the simultaneous experience enhances my enjoyment, but I had to stop listening.
Charlotte Hoffman agrees to visit a secluded Minnesota island to stay with her childhood family friends after she’s suspended from her job. Supposedly she’s there at her mother’s behest to help the Parkers care for their 8-year old twins and enjoy her time away from work. She arrives to find a house surrounded by dense forests and an abandoned amusement park that was the site of a tragedy 18 years prior. Soon after she settles in, strange notes begin to appear and dangerous incidents escalate. It’s all leading up to a terrifying climax on a stormy night.
The set up was solid but the execution screamed trying too hard as the suspense felt forced. There was a lot of weird stuff going on from the beginning but I, unfortunately, saw the set up and twists right away which dimmed my interest. I didn’t care for the main character and her crush was annoying as were her dreams. The plot seemed overworked and cliche. One happy surprise was, however, that it went where I hoped it would at the end. It was a quick read but the constant melodramatic push kept it firmly meh for me.
The e-book ARC was provided to me by the publisher for my opinion. I was able to secure the audio book from the library so that I could listen while reading, but I did not care at all for the narrator, Victoria Villarreal, as her voice grated with her stops and starts that were intended to be dramatic. Generally the simultaneous experience enhances my enjoyment, but I had to stop listening.
September 1, 2026
This was darkly twisted. Strangely twisted. There was an uncomfortable feeling throughout this entire book, and I couldn't trust anyone at any point. Even the children were suspicious!
This story made me so uncomfortable that I honestly don't know if I loved it or hated it. And that alone is enough for me to say...wow. What did I just read?!
It's told from one point of view, and my feelings toward that character fluctuated wildly throughout the book. One minute I was thinking one thing, and the next, I wasn't sure what to believe. It made this feel like a roller coaster that was about to shoot straight off into the atmosphere.
This was just a crazy, crazy story, and I can't stop thinking about it.
Single POV
Triggers
This story made me so uncomfortable that I honestly don't know if I loved it or hated it. And that alone is enough for me to say...wow. What did I just read?!
It's told from one point of view, and my feelings toward that character fluctuated wildly throughout the book. One minute I was thinking one thing, and the next, I wasn't sure what to believe. It made this feel like a roller coaster that was about to shoot straight off into the atmosphere.
This was just a crazy, crazy story, and I can't stop thinking about it.
Single POV
Triggers
July 27, 2026
An isolated island...that used to be an amusement park?? Yeah, I'm reading that every single time.
Charlotte was such an interesting character to follow as she tried to navigate life after being suspended from her job. I loved slowly watching everything unravel while trying to figure out what was really going on. This ended up being the perfect mix of revenge and psychological suspense. The atmosphere was easily my favorite part!
I did pick up on the twist before it was revealed, but not until pretty close to the end, and honestly it didn't bother me. The suspense getting there was more than enough to keep me entertained. Also...I need this as an audiobook immediately because I just know it would be INTENSE with the right narrator.
Charlotte was such an interesting character to follow as she tried to navigate life after being suspended from her job. I loved slowly watching everything unravel while trying to figure out what was really going on. This ended up being the perfect mix of revenge and psychological suspense. The atmosphere was easily my favorite part!
I did pick up on the twist before it was revealed, but not until pretty close to the end, and honestly it didn't bother me. The suspense getting there was more than enough to keep me entertained. Also...I need this as an audiobook immediately because I just know it would be INTENSE with the right narrator.
July 19, 2026
I would give this 3.5 stars. I guessed part of the twist early on in the book and I loved the atmosphere of the setting. I felt a lot of it just didn’t play out well. It could be that I expected more from some of the reviews I had seen.
September 7, 2026
Seventy-four sailboats on the left wall. Forty-eight on the wall behind the bed. Charlotte Hoffman counts them the way she counts stairs, paces along a trail, floorboards in a hallway and, later, the concrete blocks of a room she would very much rather not be in. She is a management consultant, thirty years old, sent home from her firm for a month after what everyone at work is carefully calling an incident. Counting is how she keeps her feet under her. Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller hands you that habit inside the first twenty pages and then spends the rest of the book showing you what it is holding up.
The Counting in Buried in the Woods Below
Most thrillers give the narrator a tic and then forget it. This one uses the tic as load-bearing structure.
Charlotte does not merely count. She unpacks the moment she arrives, squares the napkins, straightens a tilted frame in a house that is not hers. When the pressure rises, the numbers get louder and the sentences get shorter, and Miller times that so precisely you can feel a chapter tightening before anything has happened in it. First person present tense usually flattens a story into breathless reportage. Here it does the opposite, because it puts you inside the counting as it happens rather than hearing about it afterwards.
A second device works just as well. A crack appears in the guest room mirror on the second night, a nick barely worth noticing. Every time Charlotte passes it, the crack has travelled further. By the end of the week it reaches her waist. Nobody comments on it, and the book never explains what it is for. That restraint is the best writing decision in Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller.
Building a Locked Room Out of a Lake
The setting does the rest. Big Island sits in Lake Minnetonka, reachable only by boat, half nature preserve and half a scatter of expensive houses. A century ago there was an amusement park here. What is left is a carousel with rusted horses and the skeleton of a Ferris wheel standing in a clearing, which is not a subtle image and does not need to be.
Charlotte comes for a week with the Parkers. Eric bakes for a living, mixes drinks he calls bootlegs, and collects nineteenth-century dolls with real hair alongside a fortune-telling machine that spits out hand-painted cards at the worst possible moments. His wife Laelynn runs a digital marketing firm and runs the household the same way. Their eight-year-old twins, Emma and Penelope, are the most unnerving thing in the book. The neighbour, Russ Neuman, wants everyone off his island, and his mother died in the Parkers' house under circumstances the county recorded as undetermined.
Then the trap closes. A note goes up on the front door. A boat engine goes on the fritz. The mechanic is backed up. Cell service here was never reliable, and a storm arrives with a tornado warning behind it. Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller assembles its closed circle patiently and without cheating, so that by the time nobody can leave, you have watched every exit shut for a reason you accepted at the time. The cast even gets one bright afternoon on the mainland at the James J. Hill Days festival in Wayzata, which makes the trip back feel considerably worse.
What works
The strongest parts of Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller are structural rather than sensational.
Chapter engineering. Forty-nine chapters plus a prologue and an epilogue, most of them four or five pages, nearly all ending on a turn rather than a shock. It is why the book reads faster than its length suggests.
The prologue as a clock. A dated flash-forward opens the novel and then sits there ticking while the calendar in the chapter headings walks toward it.
The twins. Emma and Penelope chant a counting rhyme, hold tea parties for damaged dolls, and lie with total composure. Nothing supernatural is required. Children who have worked out that an adult is frightened of them are quite enough.
The domestic warmth. Miller writes ordinary pleasure well: burgers with the cheese cooked inside, blueberry pancakes, a game of Clue by candlelight. The comfort is genuine, which is what makes it useful to him later.
The fair play. Everything the ending needs is on the page in plain sight. A second read is a different book.
Where Buried in the Woods Below Gives Ground
Four things keep Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller off the top shelf of the subgenre.
The Gothic props are laid on with a trowel. Antique dolls, a fortune-telling automaton, a decaying carousel, a drowned amusement park, a ghost child, a cracking mirror and a Saint Bernard called Heathcliff. Any three would have carried the atmosphere. All seven start arguing with each other.
The middle repeats one beat. Wake to a crunch on the gravel, creep to the window, glimpse something, find a mundane explanation, go back to bed. The fourth time arrives with the reader already ahead of it.
Some characters are there to be suspects. Russ Neuman and Carlos, a bartender from Chicago, get exactly enough page time to point at and not enough to become people.
The prose reaches. Miller is a clean writer who occasionally cannot leave a storm alone. A single page hands you a sky like napalm, thunder like war cries and clouds like a waiting army.
Do You Need The Orphanage by the Lake First?
No. Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller is a standalone with no shared cast, and the only thing carried over from The Orphanage by the Lake is a taste for cold water and buried history. Readers who came to Miller through the Tree of Knowledge books should know this is a quieter, more claustrophobic performance, the puzzle turned inward rather than outward.
Content Notes for Buried in the Woods Below
Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller earns its warnings. There is workplace sexual harassment and an on-page sexual assault, sustained violence including the deaths of children, the poisoning of a dog described in detail, childhood abuse and the death of a parent, heavy drinking used as coping, a body recovered from water and depictions of psychiatric crisis and detention. One further note, offered plainly rather than as a complaint: this is a thriller that draws a line between mental illness and violence, and readers tired of that framing will find it here undiluted.
Read it if / Skip it if
Read it if you like a closed circle where the walls are weather and water; if short chapters and a ticking date are your idea of a good time; if you want a book that rewards a reread.
Skip it if you need your Gothic furniture rationed; if repeated night-time false alarms wear you out; if the content notes above describe a hard limit rather than a heavy week.
Worth Your Shelf
The last image is small and very well chosen: a blade of grass pushing up through a crack in concrete, and an ant working its way along it. Miller is a patient writer, and patience is why this holds together despite an attic of Gothic clutter he could have cleared out. Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller is not the cleverest psychological thriller of the year and is not trying to be. It is a well-built trap with a real house inside it, warm enough that you forget you are in a trap at all, which is the only trick that matters. Read it over two nights with the lake wind coming in, then go back to the first fifty pages. You will find you were told.
The Counting in Buried in the Woods Below
Most thrillers give the narrator a tic and then forget it. This one uses the tic as load-bearing structure.
Charlotte does not merely count. She unpacks the moment she arrives, squares the napkins, straightens a tilted frame in a house that is not hers. When the pressure rises, the numbers get louder and the sentences get shorter, and Miller times that so precisely you can feel a chapter tightening before anything has happened in it. First person present tense usually flattens a story into breathless reportage. Here it does the opposite, because it puts you inside the counting as it happens rather than hearing about it afterwards.
A second device works just as well. A crack appears in the guest room mirror on the second night, a nick barely worth noticing. Every time Charlotte passes it, the crack has travelled further. By the end of the week it reaches her waist. Nobody comments on it, and the book never explains what it is for. That restraint is the best writing decision in Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller.
Building a Locked Room Out of a Lake
The setting does the rest. Big Island sits in Lake Minnetonka, reachable only by boat, half nature preserve and half a scatter of expensive houses. A century ago there was an amusement park here. What is left is a carousel with rusted horses and the skeleton of a Ferris wheel standing in a clearing, which is not a subtle image and does not need to be.
Charlotte comes for a week with the Parkers. Eric bakes for a living, mixes drinks he calls bootlegs, and collects nineteenth-century dolls with real hair alongside a fortune-telling machine that spits out hand-painted cards at the worst possible moments. His wife Laelynn runs a digital marketing firm and runs the household the same way. Their eight-year-old twins, Emma and Penelope, are the most unnerving thing in the book. The neighbour, Russ Neuman, wants everyone off his island, and his mother died in the Parkers' house under circumstances the county recorded as undetermined.
Then the trap closes. A note goes up on the front door. A boat engine goes on the fritz. The mechanic is backed up. Cell service here was never reliable, and a storm arrives with a tornado warning behind it. Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller assembles its closed circle patiently and without cheating, so that by the time nobody can leave, you have watched every exit shut for a reason you accepted at the time. The cast even gets one bright afternoon on the mainland at the James J. Hill Days festival in Wayzata, which makes the trip back feel considerably worse.
What works
The strongest parts of Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller are structural rather than sensational.
Chapter engineering. Forty-nine chapters plus a prologue and an epilogue, most of them four or five pages, nearly all ending on a turn rather than a shock. It is why the book reads faster than its length suggests.
The prologue as a clock. A dated flash-forward opens the novel and then sits there ticking while the calendar in the chapter headings walks toward it.
The twins. Emma and Penelope chant a counting rhyme, hold tea parties for damaged dolls, and lie with total composure. Nothing supernatural is required. Children who have worked out that an adult is frightened of them are quite enough.
The domestic warmth. Miller writes ordinary pleasure well: burgers with the cheese cooked inside, blueberry pancakes, a game of Clue by candlelight. The comfort is genuine, which is what makes it useful to him later.
The fair play. Everything the ending needs is on the page in plain sight. A second read is a different book.
Where Buried in the Woods Below Gives Ground
Four things keep Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller off the top shelf of the subgenre.
The Gothic props are laid on with a trowel. Antique dolls, a fortune-telling automaton, a decaying carousel, a drowned amusement park, a ghost child, a cracking mirror and a Saint Bernard called Heathcliff. Any three would have carried the atmosphere. All seven start arguing with each other.
The middle repeats one beat. Wake to a crunch on the gravel, creep to the window, glimpse something, find a mundane explanation, go back to bed. The fourth time arrives with the reader already ahead of it.
Some characters are there to be suspects. Russ Neuman and Carlos, a bartender from Chicago, get exactly enough page time to point at and not enough to become people.
The prose reaches. Miller is a clean writer who occasionally cannot leave a storm alone. A single page hands you a sky like napalm, thunder like war cries and clouds like a waiting army.
Do You Need The Orphanage by the Lake First?
No. Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller is a standalone with no shared cast, and the only thing carried over from The Orphanage by the Lake is a taste for cold water and buried history. Readers who came to Miller through the Tree of Knowledge books should know this is a quieter, more claustrophobic performance, the puzzle turned inward rather than outward.
Content Notes for Buried in the Woods Below
Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller earns its warnings. There is workplace sexual harassment and an on-page sexual assault, sustained violence including the deaths of children, the poisoning of a dog described in detail, childhood abuse and the death of a parent, heavy drinking used as coping, a body recovered from water and depictions of psychiatric crisis and detention. One further note, offered plainly rather than as a complaint: this is a thriller that draws a line between mental illness and violence, and readers tired of that framing will find it here undiluted.
Read it if / Skip it if
Read it if you like a closed circle where the walls are weather and water; if short chapters and a ticking date are your idea of a good time; if you want a book that rewards a reread.
Skip it if you need your Gothic furniture rationed; if repeated night-time false alarms wear you out; if the content notes above describe a hard limit rather than a heavy week.
Worth Your Shelf
The last image is small and very well chosen: a blade of grass pushing up through a crack in concrete, and an ant working its way along it. Miller is a patient writer, and patience is why this holds together despite an attic of Gothic clutter he could have cleared out. Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller is not the cleverest psychological thriller of the year and is not trying to be. It is a well-built trap with a real house inside it, warm enough that you forget you are in a trap at all, which is the only trick that matters. Read it over two nights with the lake wind coming in, then go back to the first fifty pages. You will find you were told.
June 14, 2026
Buried In The Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller is a suspenseful, psychological thriller about Charlotte who has recently experienced a major issue at work that forces her to take some time off. She decides to take up an offer to return to her hometown to spend time with her old childhood friend, Olivia and her parents, The Parkers and their 8 year old twins.
During her stay in their newly purchased home in Big Island, strange things start to happen immediately. Charlotte was told of an old tale that there is a ghost lurking in the area near an old abandoned carousel. The ghost belongs to a little girl that allegedly fell off the carousel years and years ago. This brings back memories of a tragic incident that occurred years back with her and Olivia at an amusement park. There is atmospheric tension that continues to build up as notes are left at the Parkers door warning them to go away. Charlotte also starts believing that she is seeing the rumored ghost and she starts hearing things.
Overall the story was good. It was a slow burn at the beginning but it all started weaving together nicely. The ending is not at all what i was expecting. I definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys psychological thriller books! Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All opinions are my own.
During her stay in their newly purchased home in Big Island, strange things start to happen immediately. Charlotte was told of an old tale that there is a ghost lurking in the area near an old abandoned carousel. The ghost belongs to a little girl that allegedly fell off the carousel years and years ago. This brings back memories of a tragic incident that occurred years back with her and Olivia at an amusement park. There is atmospheric tension that continues to build up as notes are left at the Parkers door warning them to go away. Charlotte also starts believing that she is seeing the rumored ghost and she starts hearing things.
Overall the story was good. It was a slow burn at the beginning but it all started weaving together nicely. The ending is not at all what i was expecting. I definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys psychological thriller books! Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All opinions are my own.
August 5, 2026
Buried in the Woods Below was an absolutely phenomenal read. From the very first chapter, Daniel G. Miller pulled me into a story that was equal parts mystery, psychological thriller, and horror. The isolated island, the mist-covered woods, the abandoned amusement park, and the eerie lakeside home created an atmosphere that was so vivid I felt like I was walking through it alongside Charlotte. Every chapter left me feeling uneasy in the best possible way, and I constantly found myself saying, “Just one more chapter.”
One of my favorite things about this book was the writing. Daniel G. Miller has such a cinematic way of describing scenes that I could picture everything perfectly. Some of my favorite passages were the ones filled with pop culture references because they instantly painted an image in my mind.
This description immediately drew me in:
“There’s something about the house that unsettles me. Set deep in the trees, flanked by those stubborn chrysanthemums, it doesn’t look peaceful; it looks trapped. A coffin in the sunlight.”
That one sentence completely changed how I pictured the house. Instead of feeling like a safe place, it immediately became something sinister. Calling it “a coffin in the sunlight” was such a haunting image and perfectly captured the unsettling atmosphere that never lets up.
Another quote that I absolutely loved was:
“As I walk in, they appraise me. ‘Hello, Ms. Charlotte,’ they say in unison. I smile and greet them, but goose bumps break out on my arms. I can’t help the sensation that I’ve entered the hotel from The Shining every time I see them.”
As someone who loves horror movies, this reference instantly clicked for me. The image of the twins from The Shining is iconic, and it immediately made the scene ten times creepier. I could practically hear the silence and feel Charlotte’s unease.
Then there was this incredible description:
“The sun sinks behind a ceiling of clouds, casting an eerie red glow, like the eye of Sauron watching from above. A veil of mist creeps in from the lake, slithering up the lawn.”
I loved this because I’m also a fan of The Lord of the Rings, and the comparison to the Eye of Sauron made the entire setting feel like something evil was constantly watching. It turned an ordinary sunset into something ominous and unforgettable.
But the quote that completely horrified me was this one:
“They creep down from the shelves on all fours and leap on top of me, grabbing my hair and dragging me to the ground… They keep coming. Slithering up my neck. Crawling up my legs. My chest. My face. Prying my mouth open with porcelain fingers. I scream. But it’s muffled by a tiny, cold hand sliding down my throat.”
This scene genuinely gave me chills. The imagery was so vivid and disturbing that I could picture every second of it. I don’t get creeped out easily, but this sequence was incredibly effective and is easily one of the most memorable horror scenes I’ve read in a long time.
Beyond the incredible atmosphere and writing, the mystery itself kept me guessing from beginning to end. Every time I thought I had figured out what was happening, another clue or revelation made me question everything again. The pacing was fantastic, constantly building tension while keeping me invested in Charlotte and what happened all those years ago.
And then there was the ending.
I honestly did not see that twist coming. I spent the entire book trying to piece everything together, and Daniel G. Miller completely surprised me. Looking back, all the clues were there, but I never connected them the way the author intended. It was one of those endings that immediately makes you want to flip back through the book and appreciate just how cleverly everything was set up.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric thrillers, creepy forests, abandoned amusement parks, psychological suspense, horror movie vibes, and twists that genuinely catch you off guard, I utterly recommend Buried in the Woods Below enough. This book had everything I look for in a thriller: unforgettable characters, an unsettling setting, beautiful descriptive writing, terrifying moments, and an ending that left me speechless.
Without a doubt, this is an easy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read, and I can’t wait to read more from Daniel G. Miller
One of my favorite things about this book was the writing. Daniel G. Miller has such a cinematic way of describing scenes that I could picture everything perfectly. Some of my favorite passages were the ones filled with pop culture references because they instantly painted an image in my mind.
This description immediately drew me in:
“There’s something about the house that unsettles me. Set deep in the trees, flanked by those stubborn chrysanthemums, it doesn’t look peaceful; it looks trapped. A coffin in the sunlight.”
That one sentence completely changed how I pictured the house. Instead of feeling like a safe place, it immediately became something sinister. Calling it “a coffin in the sunlight” was such a haunting image and perfectly captured the unsettling atmosphere that never lets up.
Another quote that I absolutely loved was:
“As I walk in, they appraise me. ‘Hello, Ms. Charlotte,’ they say in unison. I smile and greet them, but goose bumps break out on my arms. I can’t help the sensation that I’ve entered the hotel from The Shining every time I see them.”
As someone who loves horror movies, this reference instantly clicked for me. The image of the twins from The Shining is iconic, and it immediately made the scene ten times creepier. I could practically hear the silence and feel Charlotte’s unease.
Then there was this incredible description:
“The sun sinks behind a ceiling of clouds, casting an eerie red glow, like the eye of Sauron watching from above. A veil of mist creeps in from the lake, slithering up the lawn.”
I loved this because I’m also a fan of The Lord of the Rings, and the comparison to the Eye of Sauron made the entire setting feel like something evil was constantly watching. It turned an ordinary sunset into something ominous and unforgettable.
But the quote that completely horrified me was this one:
“They creep down from the shelves on all fours and leap on top of me, grabbing my hair and dragging me to the ground… They keep coming. Slithering up my neck. Crawling up my legs. My chest. My face. Prying my mouth open with porcelain fingers. I scream. But it’s muffled by a tiny, cold hand sliding down my throat.”
This scene genuinely gave me chills. The imagery was so vivid and disturbing that I could picture every second of it. I don’t get creeped out easily, but this sequence was incredibly effective and is easily one of the most memorable horror scenes I’ve read in a long time.
Beyond the incredible atmosphere and writing, the mystery itself kept me guessing from beginning to end. Every time I thought I had figured out what was happening, another clue or revelation made me question everything again. The pacing was fantastic, constantly building tension while keeping me invested in Charlotte and what happened all those years ago.
And then there was the ending.
I honestly did not see that twist coming. I spent the entire book trying to piece everything together, and Daniel G. Miller completely surprised me. Looking back, all the clues were there, but I never connected them the way the author intended. It was one of those endings that immediately makes you want to flip back through the book and appreciate just how cleverly everything was set up.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric thrillers, creepy forests, abandoned amusement parks, psychological suspense, horror movie vibes, and twists that genuinely catch you off guard, I utterly recommend Buried in the Woods Below enough. This book had everything I look for in a thriller: unforgettable characters, an unsettling setting, beautiful descriptive writing, terrifying moments, and an ending that left me speechless.
Without a doubt, this is an easy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read, and I can’t wait to read more from Daniel G. Miller
September 17, 2026
god dammit i am so fucking mad rtc
-----------------------------------------
this book had everything i wanted, it made me feel the way i used to when i would curl up with a new thriller back in the day, before i burnt myself out on them. it was literally a five star read for me up until the last few chapters.
here are some of my thoughts and quotes i noted while reading, as a treat-
- "he looks like he's been attending the Paul Rudd school of aging gracefully." lmao love this common knowledge that p rudd is that bitch
- "does this have anything to do with me?" wild to assume immediately a note left on the door of a house you have never been to, in a place you haven't been to ever, is about you
- "I don't blame Laelynn. I remember she has just launched her digital marketing firm, and being married to Eric, while certainly an adventure, was probably more like having a second child. She was just trying to keep an organized household and make sure he didn't accidentally kill us."
- "it's amazing how an idea can seem cute and whimsical in the fog of intoxication, yet unbearably heavy in the light of sobriety" fuck, two quotes in one page
- "“it’s a bad habit of mine. I’m always wishing I could turn back the clock.”
“not me bro” as i write this from my 1970s couch sitting in front of a 90s tv/vcr combo in a room lit by 1950s light fixtures 😅
- TIL: it was originally "champing at the bit"
- i'm so excited with this book bc i feel like i'm gunna end up giving it five starts bc this so far is a very atmospheric, tense thriller where ANYONE could be the killer. There are so many undertones of unease between the MC and multiple others i just love it, i feel like i'm reading a thriller from years ago if that makes sense to ANYONE
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I am so so so so tired of things like being the explanation of ANYTHING, it can feel like such a cop out, but ESPECIALLY in cases such as these, where part of the MC's backstory and conflict in the book is that she has been SA'd. Sorry, but in the year of our lord and savior Mariska Hargitay 2026, this is really just not ok and def not cool from a male author.
-----------------------------------------
this book had everything i wanted, it made me feel the way i used to when i would curl up with a new thriller back in the day, before i burnt myself out on them. it was literally a five star read for me up until the last few chapters.
here are some of my thoughts and quotes i noted while reading, as a treat-
- "he looks like he's been attending the Paul Rudd school of aging gracefully." lmao love this common knowledge that p rudd is that bitch
- "does this have anything to do with me?" wild to assume immediately a note left on the door of a house you have never been to, in a place you haven't been to ever, is about you
- "I don't blame Laelynn. I remember she has just launched her digital marketing firm, and being married to Eric, while certainly an adventure, was probably more like having a second child. She was just trying to keep an organized household and make sure he didn't accidentally kill us."
- "it's amazing how an idea can seem cute and whimsical in the fog of intoxication, yet unbearably heavy in the light of sobriety" fuck, two quotes in one page
- "“it’s a bad habit of mine. I’m always wishing I could turn back the clock.”
“not me bro” as i write this from my 1970s couch sitting in front of a 90s tv/vcr combo in a room lit by 1950s light fixtures 😅
- TIL: it was originally "champing at the bit"
- i'm so excited with this book bc i feel like i'm gunna end up giving it five starts bc this so far is a very atmospheric, tense thriller where ANYONE could be the killer. There are so many undertones of unease between the MC and multiple others i just love it, i feel like i'm reading a thriller from years ago if that makes sense to ANYONE
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I am so so so so tired of things like being the explanation of ANYTHING, it can feel like such a cop out, but ESPECIALLY in cases such as these, where part of the MC's backstory and conflict in the book is that she has been SA'd. Sorry, but in the year of our lord and savior Mariska Hargitay 2026, this is really just not ok and def not cool from a male author.
August 29, 2026
I’m stuck between 4 and 5 stars on this one, but I think I’m landing on 4. 😂
Charlotte returns to the island she swore she’d never go back to after a tragedy from 18 years ago, and from the moment she arrives, there’s this unsettling feeling that something is very, very wrong. The atmosphere was SO good! an isolated lakeside house, dark woods, strange sounds and rustling outside, creepy little twin girls talking about ghosts, mysterious notes, and then...the deaths start happening. 👀 I loved the feeling that something was lurking just outside the story, and I was constantly wondering who could be trusted and what was actually happening. I definitely did **NOT** see everything coming (I read this one with a friend, and she picked up on things I completely missed, so apparently your mileage may vary!). 😂
There were a few pieces that didn't completely click for me, although knowing me, there’s a very real possibility I was reading too fast and missed a tiny reference somewhere along the way. And I’ll admit, the title had me waiting for a bigger connection to the actual story that I never quite found. But the biggest thing? *My heart was BROKEN by the end.* So much happens, and I really don't want to say anything more because experiencing it without spoilers is the way to go.
**4 stars — creepy woods, mysterious deaths, questionable memories, and enough twists to keep me guessing. I may have missed a few clues, but I definitely didn't miss the emotional damage. 😭**
Charlotte returns to the island she swore she’d never go back to after a tragedy from 18 years ago, and from the moment she arrives, there’s this unsettling feeling that something is very, very wrong. The atmosphere was SO good! an isolated lakeside house, dark woods, strange sounds and rustling outside, creepy little twin girls talking about ghosts, mysterious notes, and then...the deaths start happening. 👀 I loved the feeling that something was lurking just outside the story, and I was constantly wondering who could be trusted and what was actually happening. I definitely did **NOT** see everything coming (I read this one with a friend, and she picked up on things I completely missed, so apparently your mileage may vary!). 😂
There were a few pieces that didn't completely click for me, although knowing me, there’s a very real possibility I was reading too fast and missed a tiny reference somewhere along the way. And I’ll admit, the title had me waiting for a bigger connection to the actual story that I never quite found. But the biggest thing? *My heart was BROKEN by the end.* So much happens, and I really don't want to say anything more because experiencing it without spoilers is the way to go.
**4 stars — creepy woods, mysterious deaths, questionable memories, and enough twists to keep me guessing. I may have missed a few clues, but I definitely didn't miss the emotional damage. 😭**
August 31, 2026
This was a fun one! I’m always a sucker for an isolated setting in a thriller, and this definitely delivered on the creepy atmosphere. An island, dark woods, an abandoned amusement park, strange notes and creepy kids talking about ghosts… yeah, I was intrigued 😂
I liked how the story slowly revealed what had happened to Charlotte all those years ago. There were quite a few moments where I thought I had figured things out, only to realise I was completely wrong. Some of the twists worked really well for me, and I definitely had that “wait… WHAT?” feeling more than once.
The whole time, there’s this feeling that Charlotte has been brought back to the island for a reason, and I really wanted to know what was going on. The atmosphere was probably my favourite part — everything felt slightly off and unsettling.
Was everything perfect? Probably not, and there were a few moments where I found myself questioning some of the characters’ decisions, but overall I had a great time reading it.
If you like twisty psychological thrillers with dark secrets, creepy settings and plenty of things going on beneath the surface, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
Definitely one of those books where I kept saying “just one more chapter”… and then suddenly it was way later than it should’ve been. 😂
I liked how the story slowly revealed what had happened to Charlotte all those years ago. There were quite a few moments where I thought I had figured things out, only to realise I was completely wrong. Some of the twists worked really well for me, and I definitely had that “wait… WHAT?” feeling more than once.
The whole time, there’s this feeling that Charlotte has been brought back to the island for a reason, and I really wanted to know what was going on. The atmosphere was probably my favourite part — everything felt slightly off and unsettling.
Was everything perfect? Probably not, and there were a few moments where I found myself questioning some of the characters’ decisions, but overall I had a great time reading it.
If you like twisty psychological thrillers with dark secrets, creepy settings and plenty of things going on beneath the surface, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
Definitely one of those books where I kept saying “just one more chapter”… and then suddenly it was way later than it should’ve been. 😂
September 3, 2026
Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G Miller is a heavy hitting thriller which knocked me down and flipped me over like eggs for breakfast
Charlotte Hoffmans career was glittering and she had it all. That is until it all came crashing down in epic fashion. One minute she is a media darling, next minute, poof, all gone. Charlottes only option is to go back home, to her past, a place that she does not want to remember and even more so, does not want to be
This thriller goes beyond in that the reader is enveloped in the isolation, both in location and human connection. The narrative keeps picking and prickling the skin with different symbols and clues that keep the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end
I came out of this story with a distinct feeling of unease despite the closure and as such, I would highly recommend Buried in the Woods for people that enjoy the darker, more creep side of the thriller genre, perfect for Autumn and spoopy season!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Poisoned Pen Press for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Charlotte Hoffmans career was glittering and she had it all. That is until it all came crashing down in epic fashion. One minute she is a media darling, next minute, poof, all gone. Charlottes only option is to go back home, to her past, a place that she does not want to remember and even more so, does not want to be
This thriller goes beyond in that the reader is enveloped in the isolation, both in location and human connection. The narrative keeps picking and prickling the skin with different symbols and clues that keep the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end
I came out of this story with a distinct feeling of unease despite the closure and as such, I would highly recommend Buried in the Woods for people that enjoy the darker, more creep side of the thriller genre, perfect for Autumn and spoopy season!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Poisoned Pen Press for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
August 25, 2026
I have loved every Daniel G. Miller book I’ve read. While I liked this book, I think it was my least favorite of his books so far.
After a catastrophic event Olivia and Charlotte lose touch with it each other. After seventeen years apart they are finally reunited on The Big Island of Minnetonka. Charlotte has been given a month’s suspension and at her mother’s suggestion returns to help the Parker’s, Olivia & her family, out by watching their twin girls while their mom goes away on business.
After first arriving Charlotte sees Vivek, the partner she blames for her suspension, at the restaurant. Then she sees him again on the Big Island.
Strange notes are being left, there is an ongoing feud with the neighbor, creepy old fair memorabilia (circa 1908), and an old carousel and Ferris wheel. Things keep going from strange to stranger.
I wasn’t surprised by most of what happened. It was still an enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
After a catastrophic event Olivia and Charlotte lose touch with it each other. After seventeen years apart they are finally reunited on The Big Island of Minnetonka. Charlotte has been given a month’s suspension and at her mother’s suggestion returns to help the Parker’s, Olivia & her family, out by watching their twin girls while their mom goes away on business.
After first arriving Charlotte sees Vivek, the partner she blames for her suspension, at the restaurant. Then she sees him again on the Big Island.
Strange notes are being left, there is an ongoing feud with the neighbor, creepy old fair memorabilia (circa 1908), and an old carousel and Ferris wheel. Things keep going from strange to stranger.
I wasn’t surprised by most of what happened. It was still an enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 11, 2026
The premises. The twist and turns. The STORYTELLING. Literally ✨impeccable✨!!!
This one literally had me holding my breath in soo many chapters and I didn't even realize it at times because the TWIST 😮💨 The feeling I would describe while reading this book is like going through a maze. In some parts you thought it was going towards a certain direction or in this case, who the "ghost" was but then it makes you take step back and say "wait, that's not it" and then you take another direction but you then second guess yourself...and I swear I felt like this book was GASLIGHTING me because what do you mean I missed a certain dialogue??? My eyes were glued to the pages the whole time!
My brain was literally so WARPED after I finished it and maaaaan it was so good... but also dark because oof that ending though. WHEW. 🤯 This is the perfect read for the spooky season!
Thank you so much Poison Pen Press for the ARC copy 🫶
This one literally had me holding my breath in soo many chapters and I didn't even realize it at times because the TWIST 😮💨 The feeling I would describe while reading this book is like going through a maze. In some parts you thought it was going towards a certain direction or in this case, who the "ghost" was but then it makes you take step back and say "wait, that's not it" and then you take another direction but you then second guess yourself...and I swear I felt like this book was GASLIGHTING me because what do you mean I missed a certain dialogue??? My eyes were glued to the pages the whole time!
My brain was literally so WARPED after I finished it and maaaaan it was so good... but also dark because oof that ending though. WHEW. 🤯 This is the perfect read for the spooky season!
Thank you so much Poison Pen Press for the ARC copy 🫶
July 11, 2026
ARC review
This was a surprising thriller I didn’t expect. I had suspicions where it was going, but even with that knowledge was not let down by the ending. I was stunned and mesmerized watching this story unfold. Really well told, easy read, quick paced, a thriller that will keep you up at night.
We see charlotte who is having a bit of a life crisis, and decides to take a vacation and be helpful with old friends of the family. Once she arrives on Big Island strange things start happening. Noises at night, unusual shadows in the woods, etc.
As things start to unfold The Whodunnit keeps you guessing, but the final explanation will leave you shocked.
A masterclass of thriller writing, truly enjoyable to read. A one night book to devour.
Book has some triggers, but can’t say what without giving away key plot twists.
This was a surprising thriller I didn’t expect. I had suspicions where it was going, but even with that knowledge was not let down by the ending. I was stunned and mesmerized watching this story unfold. Really well told, easy read, quick paced, a thriller that will keep you up at night.
We see charlotte who is having a bit of a life crisis, and decides to take a vacation and be helpful with old friends of the family. Once she arrives on Big Island strange things start happening. Noises at night, unusual shadows in the woods, etc.
As things start to unfold The Whodunnit keeps you guessing, but the final explanation will leave you shocked.
A masterclass of thriller writing, truly enjoyable to read. A one night book to devour.
Book has some triggers, but can’t say what without giving away key plot twists.
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