Beneath Blackwood

by Courtney N. Johnson

Genres: Young Adult, Childrens, Mystery

428 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2026

Reviews

[April]

Enjoyed this journey with Willow, as she tried to figure out what secrets were laying beneath the surface in Blackwood Grove! And when she continued to dig, the secrets just kept unraveling.. Going through her moms things, she realizes that her mom left behind “clues” to point her in the right direction! She soon finds herself and her loved ones in danger as this mysterious story unfolded! And the cliffhanger, wow! Can’t wait for book 2!! Thank you Kate Rock Book Tours & Courtney N. Johnson for a gifted copy!

[Charity - cleanreads_messyhouse]

The last half of this book had me sucked in. No language, no spice, no descriptive violence. Just good old fashioned mystery in a small town with secrets to hide. I found myself wondering who we could trust and genuinely shocked at the plot twists at the end. A fantastic teen mystery read for those looking!

[Samantha (bookstasamm)]

When seventeen-year-old Willow Lane discovers a cryptic note from her late mother, it pulls her into a buried mystery the town would rather keep hidden. As she uncovers secrets woven into Blackwood Grove’s past, Willow realizes some histories aren’t just forgotten - they’re deliberately rewritten.

This was such an engaging YA mystery with a strong sense of place and an underlying eeriness that kept me hooked. I really loved Willow, and her determination to uncover the truth felt so authentic. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. Her best friend, Taylin was such a bright spot in the story, bringing warmth and humor that balanced out the darker elements really well.

The apple festival setting added such a fun, almost cozy contrast to the tension building beneath the surface, and I loved how the mystery slowly unraveled with each new clue. While the pacing dragged a bit at times and made the book feel slightly longer than it needed to be, the story itself was compelling and kept me invested. And that cliffhanger ending?! I’ll definitely be picking up book two to see what happens next.

Thank you to the author and Kate Rock Book Tours for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Lauren | Hartandfoxreads]

I just finished Beneath Blackwood and WOW did it keep me utterly captivated from page one. I sat down to read just a few chapters and just kept reading until I was done. This mystery/thriller is creepy and atmospheric with wonderful twists and turns. That cliffhanger at the end had me 🤯. I can't wait for the next book in this fantastic new thriller series. Courtney Johnson is definitely one to watch. A great new author to the YA thriller scene!
You will love this if you like:
🍏Creepy small towns with dark secrets
🍎Suspenseful Cliffhangers
🍏YA Thrillers
🍎Murder Mysteries
🍏Secret messages with hidden meanings

[Alexandria Williams]

“What we bury will feed the roots…”
So here I am… dressed in black and red for blood, holding the evidence, and wondering… am I attending the funeral of the truth… or the birth of something darker?🔪✨

Because listen… not everything in Blackwood Grove is what it seems.
And honestly? Neither is this story.

After her mother’s death, Willow Lane refuses to accept the silence everyone else calls “peace.”

One hidden note turns into a trail of secrets, traditions, and people who watch a little too closely when you start asking the wrong questions. The deeper she digs, the more it feels like the town itself is bleeding secrets and yes… things definitely get a little bloody along the way 🩸👀

This book gave me:
🌲 eerie small town mystery vibes
🧩 coded messages & hidden truths
🕯️ creepy traditions that made me side eye EVERYONE
❤️‍🔥 a hint of romance wrapped in suspense
⚰️ a cliffhanger that left me staring at the wall like… excuse me?

Willow is fierce, curious, and refuses to stay quiet.

And the tension? Whew. Every chapter felt like peeling back another layer of something rotten hiding beneath perfect smiles.

Let’s just say… wearing red felt appropriate because by the end I was ready for chaos, truth, and maybe a little symbolic bloodshed🍏

If you love:
🔎 YA mystery thrillers
🌲 dark small town secrets
🖤 twisty plots that keep you guessing
🩸 endings that leave you SHOOK
…then Beneath Blackwood deserves a spot on your TBR immediately.

Now excuse me while I sit here waiting for book two because that ending?? So freaking RUDE. 😭

[SueLin Kalisch]

Beneath Blackwood is the debut novel by Courtney N. Johnson. This teen suspense thriller had me absolutely captivated in the story - and then to learn that this is Book 1 in the series? Yassss!!!!!

The writing was wonderfully descriptive, allowing me to get to know the characters and start to form unspoken alliances with some, and cast suspicion on others.

The main character Willow, is one tough teen. Despite her recent past being full of tragedy and sadness, you don't feel sorry for her, not one bit. You want to ride into battle with her and be her bestie. You'll feel her frustrations, blush when she crushes, and clench your fists when she's been hard done by!

With budding romance, small town secrets, clever detective work, teen angst and all the emotions, this novel delivers a twisty storyline and then..... the cliff hanger! Just when you think that everything is going to be wrapped up with a pretty bow, the story takes a turn!

Overall, it was an entertaining book, and the writer's style and tone is perfect for YA readers transitioning to more adult novels, or adults readers who enjoy smut free stories.

[Ashley Williams]

This book was addicting. I’ve been in such a dark romance mood lately so this was a nice change - I honestly love a good YA book - I’m never too old in my opinion 😂

I binged this book - at every turn, there was another secret I felt like. Going through her mom’s things, Willow finds little breadcrumbs to uncover what’s buried. The danger and mystery that follows as she gets closer - your heart will be racing and you’ll be on the edge of your seat.

I will warn you, there’s a cliffhanger at the end that will leave you wowed, if not a little annoyed book 2 isn’t waiting in your hand 😂. If you get down with creepy, small towns/secrets/hidden truths/secret messages/murder mystery vibes, pick this one up! You might even get a little blood on your hands trying to figure everything out (not really). Thank you Kate Rock Book Tours and Courtney N. Johnson for the early copy! Enjoyed this one! All opinions are my own but I hope you like it!

[Kendal Webb]

Beneath Blackwood is such an interesting mystery novel set in a small town, with hidden truth and quiet courage.

Beneath Blackwood was such a good story and was nearly impossible to put down. There are so many twists and turns that keep you hooked. The entire time you're reading, you'll be wondering who is safe to trust and who is not. With relatable characters and a good mystery, Beneath Blackwood catches your attention quickly.
Some of my favorite things were the pacing of the novel, the dynamics between the characters, and how far people are willing to go to keep their secrets buried.

I'd recommend Beneath Blackwood to anyone who loves suspense, cliffhangers, and shocking truths.

This novel has easily become one of my favorite mysteries and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have!

[booksy.tx.ana]

Apples to Rot.
Holy secrets. Willow is grieving and uncovering secrets. The two fall hand in hand. The suspense and suspicion of this town is immediate. There was such a skeptical feel in the air without getting overly detailed in the scene. I truly enjoyed the writing style. The writing is in such a manner that everything moves so quickly. Willow is one determined MC and not willing to let things go. There are so many twisted vines to follow and people who are hiding things. It’s an encapsulating read with an ending dragging you into the next.

I have 4 instead of 5 because I feel like I don’t fully understand what is happening. What exactly or why they’re hiding or paying off certain people. There seem to be still so many questions with what exactly is being hidden. Also, did I miss how her mom died?

Come read with me @booksy.tx.ana

[Sasha Haggerty]

A compelling story full of twists. The author has a great ability to bring a story to life that makes you want to continue reading to discover its secrets. However, my main problem with the text (and I hope this is just due to having an uncorrected proof) is that the formatting pulled me out of it too many times. Particularly when it comes to dialogue. One character is talking and the dialogue continues on the next line where the second characters line should be. I had to go back many times to ensure I was understanding who was saying what and it soured the experience for me. Additionally, many chapters are short. And not in a way I always enjoyed. Scenes felt rushed at times I would have anticipated having more time to experience. Other than that it's a good read. The tone fits its genre. 3.5 ⭐️ overall

[Jame_EReader]

👧🏻 review: Small town story is usually fraught with mystery, uncertainty, darkness and fear; thus I really enjoyed this book is apropos of secret-laden, hidden-clues and finally cliffhanger. Personally this intense story about Willow, her mom and family members absolutely stunned me to the end. While reading this book I was thinking of the movie Hocus Focus but in a serious tone that has buried history, small town and some crazy characters. I thought I had seen and figured out the clues and yet the twists!!! Seriously, this is the reason why this book simply had me turning on the pages even reading through the night. Will there be a second book?!? Hmmm. If you love YA thriller, look no further. Finally, I have to say the cover is eye-catching!

[Shelby Lynn]

This was such an easy read. I love the setting and the quick pace of the story line. It had me pulled in from the beginning.

If you love the small town vibes of Gilmore Girls this book gives that feeling. Everyone knows everyone and you can’t breathe without someone noticing.

Then you have the small town mystery- people are leaving, people are dying. And to the average person it looks like accidents. But was it all an accident? Or is this small town not all that it seems?

Willow is set that she needs to figure it out and with the help of her friends she just might.

[Maria Vickers - MysteryLFL]

3.5 stars, rounded up. This was an interesting book for me. It hits the ground running, a little too fast for my taste, I would have liked some more backstory, but it grips you regardless and it doesn’t let you go. The writing is very whimsical, and the plot very atmospheric. The book is long but it reads quickly. Overall, a solid YA read. I am excited for the sequel that will surely come!

[Christina Faris (books_by_the_bottle)]

Thank you to Courtney N. Johnson and Kate Rocks Book Tours for the ARC!

Lately YA thrillers are my jam so this came along at the perfect time! The atmosphere was rich - I love small towns with big secrets - and the fast pace kept me engaged. Overall a solid debut!

[Paula Williams]

Whoa! Does this debut thriller pack a punch! I’m so excited I got to read this YA book that kept me turning pages until I got to the exciting end….that left me anxious for book 2 in the series from #CourtneyNJohnson!

[Owen Harley]

I picked up Beneath Blackwood expecting a mystery, but I got so much more. The atmosphere was incredible creepy, addictive, and impossible to shake. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, another clue pulled me deeper into Blackwood.

[Jewel Heaton]

This is a great book with a fantastic plot line. At some points it was hard to read because the paragraphs were a little bit choppy. Specifically during heavy dialogue scenes, the paragraphs were 1 sentence long each. Otherwise, this book was great and I can’t wait for book 2!

[Chelsi Warder]

I usually like YA books but this one is waaaaay too YA for me

[Charlotte H. (In My Sarcastic Era)]

So good, will review later!!

[Country Mama]

Beneath Blackwood by Courtney N. Johnson is a YA about Willow Lane, who is our FMC and she lives in a small town called Blackwood Grove. Willow's mother has recently passed away and she now lives with her aunt. Her aunt is a sturdy and stable woman who seems a bit reserved. There are many secrets in Blackwood Grove and Willow is set out to find them, in the town history archives. And to top it all off, there is a boy named Dryden who she used to know as a young child and they have gotten out of touch, however he is the one Willow's mom said she was to marry:) This book has so much drama, action, secrets galore, and more that you need to read this one folks! You will be captivated from the first pages and will be dying to know what happens after the end! I know there will be more to this *series as it is implies in this book. I can not wait to read more by this author!

[Jana]

Thanks to the author for the ARC.
I truly enjoyed this debut YA novel. The story moves fast, with nice build up.  I knocked down a half a star for some disconnect for me in the story. 
Overall, a great read and I can't wait for the second book.

[C Me Read Write Now]

ohhhh it was good!

I love the secrets!! This was suspenseful, creepy at times, thrilling, captivating, you name it!! This was fantastic! I enjoyed the cliffhanger and how cryptic things were. I’m a sucker for a good puzzle and I loved trying to figure this out! If you like puzzles, then this book will keep your attention because just when you think you have the border put together, you realize it’s a double sided picture and your pieces are in the wrong place!! Highly recommend!! Loved it!!

[2manybooks2littletime]

1. 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 • They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But what if it’s hard to tell which is which! While Willow has loyal friends, it takes a bit to see that some are hiding behind their virtuous masks.

2. 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 • Willow almost ping pongs around with memories of her mom and with her aunt in the present. Two siblings seem so vastly different and Willow can’t find the solace and trust she needs from Dahlia. Her found family is what comes through for her and gives her the strength to keep digging for the truth.

3. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 • Blackwood is shrouded in mystery. A place where the so-called esteemed citizens rule within an appalling system that will leave the reader questioning everyone they meet.

4. 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 • Truly a place where everyone has their neighbors’ backs (even if they like to gossip about each other!). Blackwood goes above and beyond with an almost cult-like feel. I think all of us would be running for the hills as quickly as possible!

5. 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 • I was expecting this book to wrap up nicely at the end, but now I just have so many questions and need the story to continue ASAP! My mind is reeling about what and who is still out there! Please release it soon!

[Krystal Kraft]

I couldn’t put this down!😅 and when I wasn’t reading it I wanted to! I will say one of my very favorite things about this wonderful book, was the way it was written to make my ADHD happy! Sentence, blank line…small paragraph, blank line- throughout the entirety of the book! (I have no idea if that even makes sense💀) But it made it for a very fast read and one that I just BREEZED through. Loved the authors style and whole vibe she brought to us through Beneath Blackwood!

Also! can we also talk about how the characters were just like, perfection and determined (some not the good determined!) How the plot was SO darn addicting and just not at all a problem getting invested in! How at times my heart rate went up a bit waiting some scenes out! How I didn’t know what or who to believe until the end and then what she left us with- my gosh I was like just instantly ready for the next one! Definitely recommend it, I had a blast reading it!