Wildwood

by Ashley Woo

A chilling debut gothic mystery in the vein of Jason Rekulak and Stacy Willingham about a house with dark secrets beneath its floorboards. It seems like divine intervention when newly pregnant and freshly unemployed Elinor unexpectedly inherits Wildwood, her family’s estate. She convinces her husband to move to the sprawling wilderness of rural Vermont to make a home and raise their baby. Estranged from her extended family since childhood, Wildwood is a mystery to Elinor—she’s an outsider to the townsfolk and to the prominent Brook family who control the town and its history. Knowing little of the house or its past, save for snapshots of childhood memories, she becomes entranced by an eerie nineteenth-century mural in the primary bedroom she calls “the Forest of the Dead.” But instead of growing more settled in her new home, Elinor feels increasingly isolated and uneasy. She begins to have dreams that feel like memories, phantasmagorical visions of something terrible that happened long ago. Haunted by the mystery of why her family fell apart, she’s determined to uncover the secrets of her ancestry buried deep in the past and even deeper in the woods . . . secrets kept by powerful forces within the house and within the town. Obsessed with finding the truth, Elinor knows she must answer when “the Forest of the Dead” calls her. Someone wants her to know they were there first, and someone else is trying to get in. As the nightmares creep into her waking hours, Elinor embarks on a journey that takes her back and forth in time, to the dark recesses of memories, to the streets of modern Salem, and to the haunted corners of this otherworldy house. The Forest of the Dead is calling. Can you hear the whispers?

Genres: Mystery, Horror, Thriller, Paranormal, Fiction, Gothic

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 8, 2026

About the author

Ashley Woo studied English Literature at Emory University and has masters degrees from Harvard University and Babson College. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she currently lives in Vermont with her husband and two young children. She writes gothic thrillers and her current work in progress is a murder mystery. Ashley’s debut Wildwood will publish with HarperCollins US in Fall 2026.

Reviews

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wildwood is Ashley Woo's debut novel.

Elinor unexpectedly inherits Wildwood; her great-uncle's estate in rural Vermont. She and her husband decide to leave the bustling Boston city life to move into the mansion as it seems the perfect place to raise the child they're expecting.

Wildwood isn't the idyllic, quiet place it promises to be, though. Elinor suffers from terrible nightmares that become increasingly vivid, she hears strange noises inside the house, and sees strange apparitions in the property's forest. She also discovers that her grand-uncle and grandmother had a falling out about Wildwood years ago and she tries to get to the bottom of it. Elinor increasingly feels that her nightmares are trying to tell her something about her past, while the people surrounding her increasingly believe she is losing her marbles.

This book has all the elements of a haunted house story: an old, decaying mansion, strange noises and apparitions, nightmares that feel too real to be just that, and of course, nobody, apart from the protagonist, noticing any of these things.

From my experience reading novels like these, the characters don't have a lot of depth. And while I feel the same way about our protagonist Elinor and her husband Topher, I really likes some of the side characters, such as the mysterious neighbor Madeline and the enigmatic Alice, also known as the "goat lady".

I liked the subject of the witch trials. Give me anything witchy and I'm in, basically. I do think this could've been fleshed out more. While intriguing, these elements felt a bit disjointed.

I liked the writing and thought it was mostly captivating, but the book's way too long for my liking! Editing the book down to 50% of its current page count would benefit the story's credibility and readability.

Wildwood will be published by Harper Perennial on 8 September 2026!

[JennieK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildwood is the intriguing and exciting debut novel by Vermont author Ashley Woo, a new and up and coming gothic thriller writer.

The story tells the tale of Elinor and Topher, a young married couple, who move from their tiny apartment in a Boston suburb to rural Vermont when Elinor inherits Wildwood, her family’s sprawling estate located in the Vermont woods. They believe this home and Vermont will be the perfect bucolic and pastoral place to raise a family, for Elinor is now pregnant with their first child.

However, their good fortune is shattered shortly after moving into their new home when Elinor starts experiencing horrific nightmares and seeing eerie apparitions. What was to be a peaceful life in beautiful Vermont has now turned into a life of suspense and suspicion, haunted happenings a la Salem, and hints of a tragic family secret going back generations. The novel starts off slow but then the suspense builds, with more ghostly apparitions, a long-forgotten cemetery deep in the woods, a bewitching and beguiling neighbor, and a hypnotic mural.

Woo is a talented lyrical writer; there are gorgeous descriptions of the Vermont countryside, a thrilling chase through the wild and tangled woods, and an especially intoxicating scene of a fall harvest festival at the wealthy neighbors’ home.

Wildwood will be published in September 2026. This will be your perfect read for the Halloween and autumn season!

I am looking forward to Ashley Woo’s next novel, and I am sure there will be more thrills and chills to come.

[spirit#5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildwood is the beautifully written and haunting debut novel by Ashley Woo. The protagonist, Elinor, and her husband unexpectedly have the opportunity to move from Boston to a sprawling old home in rural Vermont when Elinor inherits her grand-uncle’s estate. Elinor convinces Topher to step back from the “rat race” of the city to try a slower village life in Vermont.

As they settle into their new life, this life-changing inheritance is not what it initially appeared to be. Elinor is haunted by recurring nightmares and evil sightings in the dense, dark, and spooky forest. She has lingering questions about why her grandmother and her grand-uncle had a falling out so many years ago. Elinor becomes obsessed with trying to connect the dots . . . are her horrific nightmares, which feel like memories, connected to her family’s estrangement. She becomes mesmerized by an eerie 19th-century mural which she believes holds the key to her hauntings and to her past. Elinor is in a race to find out who is haunting her and why before her health and her marriage are destroyed.

The author is adept at creating not only interesting main characters but some intriguing secondary characters as well, such as the mysterious “goat lady”, the beautiful seductive neighbor, and the faithful family dog.

Woo is a gifted and talented writer who has a way with language that captures the settings, whether it’s the spooky house with its ominous mural, the rambling and creepy forest, or the spectral hauntings.

[Casey Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

Wildwood completely exceeded my expectations. Ashley Woo crafted a creative and immersive story that felt genuinely fresh from beginning to end. The plot line was unique — every chapter introduced new layers and twists that kept me fully invested and constantly guessing what would happen next.

What stood out most was Woo’s writing style. The prose flows beautifully while still maintaining an edge of tension and mystery throughout the book. The descriptions were vivid without feeling overdone, and the characters felt authentic and compelling in a way that made it impossible not to get emotionally attached to their journey.

The suspense was masterfully done. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story shifted in an unexpected direction. The pacing was perfect, balancing emotional depth with gripping moments that made it hard to put the book down.

If you love imaginative storytelling, strong writing, and suspense that keeps you turning pages late into the night, Wildwood is absolutely worth reading. Highly recommend!

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haunted house stories are my favorite. Wildwood started strong setting up pregnant Elinor moving into the titular mansion with her husband. The descriptions are amazing and creepy, and I was really into it and then… the plot lost me. The story is scattered, tries to introduce too many storylines at once, the characters are inconsistent, the dialogues don’t propel the plot and, more importantly, I intensely disliked Elinor. She gets too involved in matters than don’t concern her, keeps making up scenarios in her head and having nightmares. Her being pregnant is almost unimportant, considering she doesn’t seem to care that she has a bun in the oven. In the end, I just didn’t care about Elinor, whether the haunting was supernatural or mental illness. I can imagine how hard it must be to write a novel, and I hate having to give this debut a negative review, but this one was not for me.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Harper Perennial.

[Lauren.booksalways · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC aubiobook review. Thank you, Libro.FM Influencer Program for this gifted audiobook

Wildwood was a solid debut by this author, with some really great character work, but I did find myself wanting a little more.

The characters were easily the strongest part of the story. The FMC felt layered, complex, and kept me invested even when the pacing started to drag. Unfortunately, this one felt a bit too long, and I think tightening up the story would have made the atmosphere hit harder.

Going in, I was really hoping for more of a creepy, haunted-house vibe, and while there were definitely atmospheric moments, I wanted the house and forest to feel more like characters.

That being said, the audiobook performance was great! The narration completely pulled me in and added so much to the overall experience, which kept me engaged even during the slow moments. Definitely recommend the audio route if you’re picking this one up. 🎧

[Tabathareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations! The atmosphere was incredible from the very beginning. It had that slow, creeping sense of unease that kept pulling me deeper into the story. I loved following Elinor as she pieced together her family’s history, and every new revelation made me even more invested.

I also really enjoyed how the story tied into Salem and its history. It added another layer to the mystery and gave the book an even stronger gothic feel. The twists were well executed, and I never felt like I had everything figured out before the reveals.

Natalie Naudus gave an outstanding audiobook performance. She captured the eerie tone perfectly and brought so much emotion to Elinor’s journey. This was haunting, immersive, and exactly the kind of gothic novel I love!

Thank you to Libro.fm & Harper Perennial for the gifted audiobook!

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published September 8, 2026.

2 stars

This is a debut novel so I tried to forgive that it was far too long and scattered. Elinor and her husband move to Vermont to claim her inheritance, a large, old house and property. Unfortunately, like a chump and because she’s never read a book before she feels like she needs to solve some crusty old mystery surrounding the place instead of just doing her time there, selling it off quickly, collecting her millions then heading back to the safety and anonymity of the city. Why must people be so, so stupid?

There a witch involved. And a mural on her bedroom wall. A great dog. Some luscious sounding sweaters.

There were some promising bits but it was all too disjointed and unbelievable for me. I wanted to stop reading it, but since it was a debut I kept. I think Woo can tighten up and plot better in the future.

[Nicole Goldberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed. Could not put this down.

Wildwood is one of those reads where you keep telling yourself “one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 1 a.m. Ashley Woo builds the kind of slow, creeping dread that has you genuinely wondering what’s around every corner - what’s in the woods, what’s in the walls, what Elinor is actually remembering. The “Forest of the Dead” mural haunted me long after I closed the book.

It’s thrilling in the best way - not jump-scare thrilling, but that delicious gothic tension where you don’t trust the house, the town, or half the people in it. It’s part classic ghost story, part smart social commentary, with a dose of Get Out vibes. I kept needing to know what would happen next. Easily my favorite read of the year!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elinor is pregnant and unemployed when she learns she's inherited her uncle's sprawling estate in Vermont, Wildwood. Once she and her husband Topher move to the estate, they meet the locals who are members of long established Vermont families. Though some are standoffish and all are elite, Elinor and Topher enjoy their time with their new neighbors. Until Elinor goes digging into the history of the area and her family.

Her grandmother called Wildwood cursed and refused to let her family return when Elinor was a child. Elinor is beginning to believe that her grandmother may have been right.

Suspenseful, chilling, and fairly well written, this was a strong debut, though it was a bit rambling and generic. I look forward to reading what this author writes next.

[Kera’s Always Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is all eerie, gothic vibes, secluded sprawling estate, creepy paintings, strange dreams, and deep, dark history. This was such an entertaining read.

When Elinor learns that she has inherited Wildwood, her estranged family's estate in rural Vermont, she feels this could not have happened at a better time. She has just lost her job and she and her husband are expecting their first child. What better place to start over than this place that holds strange and distant memories for her.

While there, she begins to have weird dreams, making her desperate to uncover what drove her family apart all those years ago. The roots go deep in this story, and it branches out in such wonderful ways. I did struggle slightly to get into this in the beginning, but it completely pays off, because once this picks up and you get into the depths of Wildwood, you will not want it to end.

[Dawn McGill Dalrymple · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Harper Perennial #partner to read & review. This one will be perfect for spooky Fall vibes! Elinor inherits the sprawling mansion of Wildwood from an uncle she hadn’t seen since childhood. She and her husband grabs the opportunity with the stipulation they have to live there 1 year until they "own" it. This is the 1st of many weird things. She's also pregnant with her first baby. She starts having horrible nightmares. Her neighbors are rich, eccentric, and shady. There is definitely something wrong here. I won't give too much away but add to tbr for creepy, gothic, witchy vibes!!

[Margaret Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Wildwood, and it is one of the best Gothic mysteries I've ever read. It has an intelligent and tight plot line that kept me on my toes throughout. The characters were well-developed and the writing was vivid. I loved the detailed portrait of Vermont and the history surrounding it. The book is a classic in the Victorian sense and I would recommend it to anyone. I understand this is a debut novel for Woo, and from all that I see, Ashley Woo is a promising writer. I for one will be looking forward to her next book.

[A Zelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildwood is a gripping gothic mystery that really pulled me in, especially in the second half when the tension becomes almost impossible to put down. As a Vermont transplant myself, I thought the setting felt authentic and vividly rendered. Elinor’s gradual unraveling was deeply compelling—I found myself genuinely feeling for her as she spiraled further into the house’s dark history and her own fears, and cheering for her moments of triumph. This is a well-written debut and I look forward to reading more of the author’s work!

[Knyquol Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of gothic horror that burrows under your skin and refuses to leave. Haunting, atmospheric, and dripping with dread, every page pulled me deeper into Wildwood's twisted history. The eerie setting, creeping sense of unease, and slow-burning mystery had me questioning everything until the very end.
If you love haunted houses, family secrets, unsettling dreams, and stories where the house feels like a character all its own, this is an absolute must-read. One of my favorite gothic reads of the year.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has all the makings of a bestseller - an engaging plot, well-placed Easter eggs, and enough red herrings to keep you guessing. What sets it apart, though, is that it doesn't feel like a guilty throwaway read. There are strong themes running throughout, and Woo's writing style is well-crafted and descriptive. With the richly drawn New England setting and moody Vermont woods, it feels as much like a work of literary fiction as it does a mystery/thriller.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildwood was a perfect spooky summer read for this Vermonter, but I think it would be a great read anywhere, any season for fans of Gothic fiction. The setting is so lush that it becomes its own character, and the descriptions of both the house and the land surrounding it were a pleasure to read. Even with these intensive details, the plot was fast paced and kept me reading well into each evening, wanting to learn more.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I ADORED this horror book!

I loved the witch angle and the suspicious neighbor angle and the whole town not wanting to talk about her property and the creepy rules about the property.

And what's the true horror of this book: a possible haunting or a husband that thinks your crazy?

This was so eerie and vivid and I could picture it so well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Emma Darragh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildwood’s intriguing and eerie plot has you thinking about it even after you reluctantly put it down. I loved stepping into the seemingly quaint small town only to reveal a disreputable and complicated history. I plowed through this book. What a joy to be with an author at their start, I look forward to seeing what else Ashley Woo puts out next!

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blend of psychological thriller, supernatural, lore, history, classic mystery. The setting and the house are rendered beautifully and are characters unto themselves. Madeline's character is one the reader loves to hate. The tension between Elinor and Topher is really well done. It's perfect for readers of The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan or The Sirens by Emilia Hart.

[Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down, but didn't want the story to end: it's a gorgeous, atmospheric mystery and a complicated, moving story of land and history. I found it completely spellbinding. Moody, gothic, and modern, with surprising twists and a stunning ending.

[Danielle Chicop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Wildwood was exceptional! I loved the characters and I loved how descriptive the writing was. I instantly felt transported into rural VT and into the old home. It was such an easy and entertaining read, I just couldn’t put it down!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this in a Goodreads giveaway…..

A twisty story until the very end. Generations and generations and one secret.

Took me a lot to get past Elinor’s actions and behavior. Not sure a pregnant woman would do those things but….fiction.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has lived in Vermont for most of my life, Wildwood truly captures the essence of the state and draws readers into its magical, thrilling story. The author keeps the reader fully engaged through vivid imagery and the protagonist’s journey into the town’s ancestral history after inheriting a home with a clearly unresolved past.

I especially appreciated the novel’s exploration of intergenerational trauma, as well as the resilience and vulnerability of the main character. Her journey through pregnancy was also poignant and deeply relatable, adding emotional depth to the suspenseful atmosphere. Overall, Wildwood is both haunting and heartfelt, with rich storytelling that stayed with me long after I finished it.

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well helloo you creeptastic book! 👻 😳🫣 Thank you @harperperennial #oliveinfluencer for sending me this gifted copy! 🥰 Pub date is 9/8/26! 🥳

What a fantastic debut!! Who doesn’t love gothic vibes… haunted estates and throw in some unmarked graves..😳 Listen to this…

You inherit the home that has been in your family.. for 250 years. 😮 Your uncle in VT leaves it to you and you can’t really figure out why?!! You hardly knew him. 🤔

Welcome to Wildwood my friends… hang on for the ride! This house has a very complicated history and I was intrigued. Every single time I thought I had it figured out… well I didn’t.😬

The entire read kept my on edge as I waited for what would happen next. I seriously wanted to scream at Elinor to get the hell out of that place. 😱😱😱 Yet she kept pushing for answers… you see.. Elinor knows that Wildwood is much more than just a creepy old house. 😬

Run girl run!🏃‍♀️ 😳

🖤🖤🖤Is this on your TBR? I am really ready for spooky season.. 🖤🖤🖤