What do you think?
Rate this book
The Woman in the Wood
Fifteen-year-old Maisy Mitcham and her twin brother Duncan lose their mother to an asylum one night in 1960.
The twins are sent to their grandmother's country house, Nightingales. Cold and distant, she leaves them to their own devices, to explore and to grow. That is until the day Duncan doesn't come home from the woods.
With their grandmother seeming to have little interest in her grandson's disappearance, and the police soon giving up hope, it is left to Maisy to discover the truth. And she will start with Grace Deville. A woman who lives alone in the wood, about whom rumours abound...
The twins are sent to their grandmother's country house, Nightingales. Cold and distant, she leaves them to their own devices, to explore and to grow. That is until the day Duncan doesn't come home from the woods.
With their grandmother seeming to have little interest in her grandson's disappearance, and the police soon giving up hope, it is left to Maisy to discover the truth. And she will start with Grace Deville. A woman who lives alone in the wood, about whom rumours abound...
391 pages, Hardcover
First published June 29, 2017
537 people are currently reading
1969 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Pearse
71 books2,215 followersLesley Pearse is one of the UK's best-loved novelists with fans across the globe and sales of over 2 million copies of her books to date. A true storyteller and a master of gripping storylines that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end, Pearse introduces you to characters that it is impossible not to care about or forget. There is no formula to her books or easily defined genre. Whether crime as in 'Till We Meet Again', historical adventure like 'Never Look Back', or the passionately emotive 'Trust Me', based on the true-life scandal of British child migrants sent to Australia in the post war period, she engages the reader completely.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley's life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused - their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried - a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse - and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley's early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley's life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused - their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried - a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse - and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley's early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 469 reviews
July 25, 2017
This is wonderful multilayered historical fiction set in the Britain of the 1960s. It revolves around the mystery of a missing child. Maisy and Duncan Mitcham are twins who experience the most disturbing of nights when they are privy to their father, Alastair, sending their mother, Lily, to the asylum, apparently for her own good. The disorientated and confused twins are unhappy with their father, although family life had been strained for some time. Alastair has the twins move to the New Forest in Hampshire, with their grandmother, Violet, at her country house, Nightingales. Like her son, Violet is a cold fish, but things are ameliorated with the warmth of Janice, the housekeeper, who takes care of them and the kind Mr Dove, their tutor. This is a story of loss, attitudes to mental health at the time, family, identity and prejudice.
The twins settle into their new life, exploring the local area whilst out cycling. They discover Grace Deville and her dog, Toby, the woman in the wood, hostile to the outside world, about whom rumours abound that she is bad news and a witch. They befriend her, with Duncan in particular trying to see her as often as possible. Maisy and Duncan's lives move in different directions with Maisy acquiring a new friend, Linda, and some local boys as part of her circle of friends and romantic interests. After a day out with Linda, Maisy returns to find Duncan has disappeared. Violet shows little interest in this fact believing he will return in his own good time. The police look into it but their attention begins to wane. There are some thoughts that Duncan has been abducted, there are missing and murdered local boys in the area. Maisy takes it upon herself to find out what happened. She learns of Grace's traumatic history. Maisy is undeterred by obstacles as she determinedly strives to get to the bottom of the mystery of her missing brother.
Lesley Pearce expertly weaves several storylines in this compelling novel. She captures the societal norms of the 1960s, the stiff upper lips, prevalent attitudes to women and mental health. She is unafraid to powerfully explore dark subject matters. Where she really excels is in her subtle and nuanced characterisations, I was particularly impressed with her portrayals of Maisy and Grace. A fantastic read that I recommend to others. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph.
The twins settle into their new life, exploring the local area whilst out cycling. They discover Grace Deville and her dog, Toby, the woman in the wood, hostile to the outside world, about whom rumours abound that she is bad news and a witch. They befriend her, with Duncan in particular trying to see her as often as possible. Maisy and Duncan's lives move in different directions with Maisy acquiring a new friend, Linda, and some local boys as part of her circle of friends and romantic interests. After a day out with Linda, Maisy returns to find Duncan has disappeared. Violet shows little interest in this fact believing he will return in his own good time. The police look into it but their attention begins to wane. There are some thoughts that Duncan has been abducted, there are missing and murdered local boys in the area. Maisy takes it upon herself to find out what happened. She learns of Grace's traumatic history. Maisy is undeterred by obstacles as she determinedly strives to get to the bottom of the mystery of her missing brother.
Lesley Pearce expertly weaves several storylines in this compelling novel. She captures the societal norms of the 1960s, the stiff upper lips, prevalent attitudes to women and mental health. She is unafraid to powerfully explore dark subject matters. Where she really excels is in her subtle and nuanced characterisations, I was particularly impressed with her portrayals of Maisy and Grace. A fantastic read that I recommend to others. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph.
April 17, 2020
I was rather amazed to come across an English author who writes crime and historical fiction, has written 25 books, has an apparently adoring fan base and who I had never heard of! I dived into The Woman in the Wood with great interest.
It turned out to be rather an odd book and I struggled to see who it was aimed at. Everything was explained as though the audience might not understand, for example, what happens when a young boy is abducted and held by his abductor for weeks. As though in fact her intended audience was 15 years old, the same as her two main characters, but then the descriptive passages were too detailed to be appropriate for a young age group.
The story was interesting. The characters were okay if a bit stereotypical. The guilty party was obvious long before any clues turned up. I finished it but was not really impressed. Sorry to all the fans - it obviously just was not my thing but I did try at least!!!
It turned out to be rather an odd book and I struggled to see who it was aimed at. Everything was explained as though the audience might not understand, for example, what happens when a young boy is abducted and held by his abductor for weeks. As though in fact her intended audience was 15 years old, the same as her two main characters, but then the descriptive passages were too detailed to be appropriate for a young age group.
The story was interesting. The characters were okay if a bit stereotypical. The guilty party was obvious long before any clues turned up. I finished it but was not really impressed. Sorry to all the fans - it obviously just was not my thing but I did try at least!!!
July 2, 2017
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The Woman in the Wood marks bestselling British author Lesley Pearse’s twenty fifth book, which is an achievement in itself. I have followed and enjoyed Pearse’s work for some years now. The latest release from Pearse is another compelling saga, tying together a complex family drama, within a crime fiction narrative and it also features a strong historical backdrop of 1960’s Britain.
The Woman in the Wood opens in the year 1960. At the West London home of Holland Park, fifteen year old twins Duncan and Maisy Mitcham bear witness to their mother being dragged out of her home by their father and bundled into an ambulance, bound for a mental asylum. The twins are naturally confused and concerned. The morning after, they are sent by their father to live with their paternal grandmother Violet, in her stately home of ‘Nightingales’ located in the New Forest, Hampshire. The twins come from a home where they received little attention or affection and their Grandmother also appears to be a cold and uncaring lady. However, respite for the twins comes in the form of the long-standing housekeeper of Nightingales, Janice. Once they have settled in their new home, which comes complete with a private tutor, Mr Dove, they both feel the need to explore the surrounds of Nightingales. Cycling in the surrounding area of Nightingales one day, the twins stumble across a mysterious lady living in a remote shack on the edge of the forest. Local townsfolk have labelled this lady, ‘the woman in the wood’. Grace Deville a.k.a. ‘the woman in the wood’ is a recluse and a self sufficient woman, taking solace in the beautiful surrounds of the New Forest. Eventually, this woman opens up to the twins and Duncan in particular makes the effort to visit her regularly. Meanwhile, Maisy is preoccupied with her new friend Linda and some local boys, who present a potential love interest. While out on a day trip with Linda, Maisy returns home to find that Duncan has disappeared. Duncan’s disappearance is soon linked to a number of abductions and murders of local young boys in the area. Grace Deville immediately becomes one of the prime suspects. Maisy vows to do all she can to find her brother before it is too late.
It is amazing that after publishing twenty five novels, an author can continue to produce original and compelling stories for fans old and new. Lesley Pearse should be congratulated on attaining this feat. Based on my response to this novel and the previous books I have read by Pearse, it is clear that Pearse is a gifted storyteller. She has contributed much to the historical fiction field.
The Woman in the Wood begins with a dramatic and heart wrenching opening scene. The committal of Lily Mitcham, Duncan and Maisy’s troubled mother to a mental asylum, by their father, was a tough scene to open a novel with. What this opening scene does is provide a shroud of mystery over the reason for Lily’s committal and the conditions that lead up to Alastair Mitcham’s decision to lock his wife away. It also provides the reader with a good insight into the treatment of the mentally ill in post World War II England.
Pearse’s twenty fifth novel comes with an interesting character list. Pearse does a good job of depicting the deep bond that exists between twins. She takes it one step further and near the latter parts of the novel, we see how Maisy draws on her psychic bond with Duncan to find him when he goes missing. The twins are seen as separate identities, each with their own distinct personality traits. Alistair and Lily Mitcham, the twins’ parents, were easily visualised, aided by Pearse’s storytelling abilities. I sympathised greatly with the troubled Lily Mitcham. The staff at the home of Nightingales offer fine supporting roles in the unfolding story. While an air of mystery and suspense comes in the form of characters Grandmother Mitcham and main protagonist, the woman in the wood – Grace Deville. Grace was the overwhelming reason why I continued to flick the pages of this novel.
There are some interesting themes that emerge from The Woman in the Wood. There are some dark topics covered within this novel. These include mental illness, loss, murder, abduction and cruelty. Although this novel is a crime based historical fiction story, there are some lighter moments. Friendship, first love, family bonds and belonging form the crux of Pearse’s latest book.
For me, the aspect of the story that resonated the most was the time period and setting. The post World War II period of early 1960’s Britain comes to life through the penmanship of experienced historical fiction author Lesley Pearse. The dialogue, societal expectations and general manner of the characters all work to recreate this era for the current day reader to enjoy. On a more personal note, I specifically enjoyed the references to the familiar locations of the novel. I have visited the picturesque New Forest region in Hampshire, where the twins are sent to live with their Grandmother. I welcomed the chance to revisit this beautiful part of Britain, through the writing of Lesley Pearse.
Readers will find the novel’s steady pace, the air of mystery surrounding a number of characters and the crime of Duncan’s abduction to solve, all work together to keep the pages turning. Lesley Pearse’s twenty fifth release is a fine one to add to the impressive Lesley Pearse collection and it inspired me to return to her backlist.
*I received a copy of this book via the publisher, Penguin Random House Australia, in exchange for an honest review.
The Woman in the Wood marks bestselling British author Lesley Pearse’s twenty fifth book, which is an achievement in itself. I have followed and enjoyed Pearse’s work for some years now. The latest release from Pearse is another compelling saga, tying together a complex family drama, within a crime fiction narrative and it also features a strong historical backdrop of 1960’s Britain.
The Woman in the Wood opens in the year 1960. At the West London home of Holland Park, fifteen year old twins Duncan and Maisy Mitcham bear witness to their mother being dragged out of her home by their father and bundled into an ambulance, bound for a mental asylum. The twins are naturally confused and concerned. The morning after, they are sent by their father to live with their paternal grandmother Violet, in her stately home of ‘Nightingales’ located in the New Forest, Hampshire. The twins come from a home where they received little attention or affection and their Grandmother also appears to be a cold and uncaring lady. However, respite for the twins comes in the form of the long-standing housekeeper of Nightingales, Janice. Once they have settled in their new home, which comes complete with a private tutor, Mr Dove, they both feel the need to explore the surrounds of Nightingales. Cycling in the surrounding area of Nightingales one day, the twins stumble across a mysterious lady living in a remote shack on the edge of the forest. Local townsfolk have labelled this lady, ‘the woman in the wood’. Grace Deville a.k.a. ‘the woman in the wood’ is a recluse and a self sufficient woman, taking solace in the beautiful surrounds of the New Forest. Eventually, this woman opens up to the twins and Duncan in particular makes the effort to visit her regularly. Meanwhile, Maisy is preoccupied with her new friend Linda and some local boys, who present a potential love interest. While out on a day trip with Linda, Maisy returns home to find that Duncan has disappeared. Duncan’s disappearance is soon linked to a number of abductions and murders of local young boys in the area. Grace Deville immediately becomes one of the prime suspects. Maisy vows to do all she can to find her brother before it is too late.
It is amazing that after publishing twenty five novels, an author can continue to produce original and compelling stories for fans old and new. Lesley Pearse should be congratulated on attaining this feat. Based on my response to this novel and the previous books I have read by Pearse, it is clear that Pearse is a gifted storyteller. She has contributed much to the historical fiction field.
The Woman in the Wood begins with a dramatic and heart wrenching opening scene. The committal of Lily Mitcham, Duncan and Maisy’s troubled mother to a mental asylum, by their father, was a tough scene to open a novel with. What this opening scene does is provide a shroud of mystery over the reason for Lily’s committal and the conditions that lead up to Alastair Mitcham’s decision to lock his wife away. It also provides the reader with a good insight into the treatment of the mentally ill in post World War II England.
Pearse’s twenty fifth novel comes with an interesting character list. Pearse does a good job of depicting the deep bond that exists between twins. She takes it one step further and near the latter parts of the novel, we see how Maisy draws on her psychic bond with Duncan to find him when he goes missing. The twins are seen as separate identities, each with their own distinct personality traits. Alistair and Lily Mitcham, the twins’ parents, were easily visualised, aided by Pearse’s storytelling abilities. I sympathised greatly with the troubled Lily Mitcham. The staff at the home of Nightingales offer fine supporting roles in the unfolding story. While an air of mystery and suspense comes in the form of characters Grandmother Mitcham and main protagonist, the woman in the wood – Grace Deville. Grace was the overwhelming reason why I continued to flick the pages of this novel.
There are some interesting themes that emerge from The Woman in the Wood. There are some dark topics covered within this novel. These include mental illness, loss, murder, abduction and cruelty. Although this novel is a crime based historical fiction story, there are some lighter moments. Friendship, first love, family bonds and belonging form the crux of Pearse’s latest book.
For me, the aspect of the story that resonated the most was the time period and setting. The post World War II period of early 1960’s Britain comes to life through the penmanship of experienced historical fiction author Lesley Pearse. The dialogue, societal expectations and general manner of the characters all work to recreate this era for the current day reader to enjoy. On a more personal note, I specifically enjoyed the references to the familiar locations of the novel. I have visited the picturesque New Forest region in Hampshire, where the twins are sent to live with their Grandmother. I welcomed the chance to revisit this beautiful part of Britain, through the writing of Lesley Pearse.
Readers will find the novel’s steady pace, the air of mystery surrounding a number of characters and the crime of Duncan’s abduction to solve, all work together to keep the pages turning. Lesley Pearse’s twenty fifth release is a fine one to add to the impressive Lesley Pearse collection and it inspired me to return to her backlist.
*I received a copy of this book via the publisher, Penguin Random House Australia, in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2017
Fifteen year old twins Duncan and Maisy Mitcham are woken in the middle of the night only to discover that their mother is being taken away to an asylum. According to their father it's the best thing for her.
Within a few days of their mother leaving Duncan and Maisy are being sent to live with their cold hearted grandmother at Nightingales which is located deep in the New Forrest countryside. Their grandmother is not kind, loving or caring towards them and she leaves them to do as they pleased as long as they left her alone. Janice the housekeeper was the opposite of their grandmother, she was warm, caring and always baking them scrumptious treats.
Being allowed to do as they wanted, Duncan and Maisy often went off on their own riding their bikes into the woods and enjoying their own adventures and meeting some of the local kids. Only one day Duncan goes off on his own and doesn't return for dinner that night. Their grandmother shows no care or worry, but as the days pass and then weeks, Maisy knows something isn't right, especially when the police have no clues as to where he might be. Maisy believes the only person who may know where her brother is could be Grace Deville. Grace lived in the woods on her own and despite the rumors about the woman she and Duncan had become rather friendly with one another. Did Grace know where or what had happened to Duncan?
You know a book is good when it rests on your mind for a few days. But a BRILLIANT book makes you want to tell everyone about it and you wish they'd start reading it straight away. Yes, you've guessed it, I REALLY enjoyed this book, so what are you waiting for, go grab a copy and start reading, you know you want to. Highly recommended.
Within a few days of their mother leaving Duncan and Maisy are being sent to live with their cold hearted grandmother at Nightingales which is located deep in the New Forrest countryside. Their grandmother is not kind, loving or caring towards them and she leaves them to do as they pleased as long as they left her alone. Janice the housekeeper was the opposite of their grandmother, she was warm, caring and always baking them scrumptious treats.
Being allowed to do as they wanted, Duncan and Maisy often went off on their own riding their bikes into the woods and enjoying their own adventures and meeting some of the local kids. Only one day Duncan goes off on his own and doesn't return for dinner that night. Their grandmother shows no care or worry, but as the days pass and then weeks, Maisy knows something isn't right, especially when the police have no clues as to where he might be. Maisy believes the only person who may know where her brother is could be Grace Deville. Grace lived in the woods on her own and despite the rumors about the woman she and Duncan had become rather friendly with one another. Did Grace know where or what had happened to Duncan?
You know a book is good when it rests on your mind for a few days. But a BRILLIANT book makes you want to tell everyone about it and you wish they'd start reading it straight away. Yes, you've guessed it, I REALLY enjoyed this book, so what are you waiting for, go grab a copy and start reading, you know you want to. Highly recommended.
July 2, 2017
Twins Maisy and Duncan Mitcham were fifteen years old when their mother was taken away in an ambulance; only a matter of days later they were driven by their father to stay at Nightingales. Deep in the New Forest countryside, it was where their father had grown up; their grandmother lived there, but they didn’t much like her. She was a stiff and unemotional old woman who couldn’t be bothered with her grandchildren. Janice, the housekeeper, was Maisy and Duncan’s lifeline. She treated them as her own, lavishing affection on them both and baking them delicious cakes…
Duncan and Maisy grew to love the area – they had no restrictions and could roam at will, riding their bikes through the woods exploring to their hearts content. They had a private teacher, Mr Dove, who taught them at his home. He was a kind man and both children liked and admired him. As time moved on, they made new friends and had different interests. Maisy was with her friend Linda the day Duncan went missing and she was devastated when he didn’t return home. Days turned to weeks and he still hadn’t returned – the police continued to follow leads but there was nothing.
Where was Duncan? Why wouldn’t he come home? Maisy knew he wouldn’t let her worry – he wasn’t that sort of boy. She decided to go to see the eccentric woman in the woods that Duncan had befriended. Perhaps she could help…
The Woman in the Wood by Lesley Pearse is a powerful, slow-burning psychological thriller that held me in its clutches and didn’t let me go until the last page. Gripping, filled with intrigue and sinister undertones, it portrays Maisy as a strong young woman, loyal and determined, brave and filled with courage. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
With thanks to Penguin Random House for my ARC to read and review.
Duncan and Maisy grew to love the area – they had no restrictions and could roam at will, riding their bikes through the woods exploring to their hearts content. They had a private teacher, Mr Dove, who taught them at his home. He was a kind man and both children liked and admired him. As time moved on, they made new friends and had different interests. Maisy was with her friend Linda the day Duncan went missing and she was devastated when he didn’t return home. Days turned to weeks and he still hadn’t returned – the police continued to follow leads but there was nothing.
Where was Duncan? Why wouldn’t he come home? Maisy knew he wouldn’t let her worry – he wasn’t that sort of boy. She decided to go to see the eccentric woman in the woods that Duncan had befriended. Perhaps she could help…
The Woman in the Wood by Lesley Pearse is a powerful, slow-burning psychological thriller that held me in its clutches and didn’t let me go until the last page. Gripping, filled with intrigue and sinister undertones, it portrays Maisy as a strong young woman, loyal and determined, brave and filled with courage. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
With thanks to Penguin Random House for my ARC to read and review.
July 28, 2018
The woman in the woods by Lesley pearse is the first book I've read by this author and I can tell you it won't be the last.
This book starts as a easy family drama (as easy as that can be) book then you hit the middle then it's twists into a thrilling mystery which you don't see coming.
It's funny, very sad and shocking all at the same time.
I highly recommend the woman in the woods if you're looking for a easy but thrilling read.
This book starts as a easy family drama (as easy as that can be) book then you hit the middle then it's twists into a thrilling mystery which you don't see coming.
It's funny, very sad and shocking all at the same time.
I highly recommend the woman in the woods if you're looking for a easy but thrilling read.
June 27, 2017
When fifteen-year-old twins, Maisy and Duncan Mitcham's mother has to go into an asylum, the twins have to go to their Grandmothers house in the country. Their Grandmother is cold and distant and leaves the twins alone to their own devices. Then one day Duncan does not come home from the woods.
I am a huge fan of Lesley Pearse and her unique style in writing. The book covers all bases:- tension, romance, friendship, drama and crime. There is a fantastic character list of which some are likeable, others not so likeable but all are believable. There is not much more I can say about this book as I would give away too many spoilers. This is the 25th book by the author and I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Lesley Pearse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of Lesley Pearse and her unique style in writing. The book covers all bases:- tension, romance, friendship, drama and crime. There is a fantastic character list of which some are likeable, others not so likeable but all are believable. There is not much more I can say about this book as I would give away too many spoilers. This is the 25th book by the author and I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Lesley Pearse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2019
طرز نوشته کتاب طوری بود که به نظرم بیشتر به درد نوجوان ۱۳-۱۴ساله میخورد تا یه بزرگسال!
Read
May 12, 2018DNF @ 25%
25% might seem like an early place to give up, but nothing had happened and I was getting fed up. I almost put it down at 15% but reading Janel’s (Keeper of Pages) review spurred me on to reading the next 10% before I had to give up.
The characters, for me, felt stiff and unrealistic, and the dialogue was so clunky! So stilted and proper. I didn’t like any of the characters I had read about that far into the story, so I couldn’t imagine liking any of them at any point! And that’s not a good thing when the main character is actually supposed to be likeable…
Clearly this is a well loved book, judging by the reviews in Goodreads, but personally, I couldn’t get into this one. I didn’t like the writing from page 1. It was very “this happens and then this happens and then they do this and then they also do this”. There was no slow tension building, it was all just a quick succession of the twins doing one thing after another after another. I mean just look at that synopsis! No paragraph breaks! I can’t usually get with a book that’s 80% dialogue and 20% descriptions, and this was exactly that.
I’m not really sure who the audience was meant to be for this one? On one level is felt a little juvenile, so maybe a young adult audience, and then it felt rather cosy, so maybe for readers if “women’s fiction”. Apparently if I stuck with it, I would find it’s actually quite a dark mystery thriller, but I can’t bring myself to get that far!
If you like the sound of this by it’s synopsis, I’d say pick it up because I’m very clearly in the minority for this one, you might enjoy it! Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review! Sorry I didn’t enjoy it!
25% might seem like an early place to give up, but nothing had happened and I was getting fed up. I almost put it down at 15% but reading Janel’s (Keeper of Pages) review spurred me on to reading the next 10% before I had to give up.
The characters, for me, felt stiff and unrealistic, and the dialogue was so clunky! So stilted and proper. I didn’t like any of the characters I had read about that far into the story, so I couldn’t imagine liking any of them at any point! And that’s not a good thing when the main character is actually supposed to be likeable…
Clearly this is a well loved book, judging by the reviews in Goodreads, but personally, I couldn’t get into this one. I didn’t like the writing from page 1. It was very “this happens and then this happens and then they do this and then they also do this”. There was no slow tension building, it was all just a quick succession of the twins doing one thing after another after another. I mean just look at that synopsis! No paragraph breaks! I can’t usually get with a book that’s 80% dialogue and 20% descriptions, and this was exactly that.
I’m not really sure who the audience was meant to be for this one? On one level is felt a little juvenile, so maybe a young adult audience, and then it felt rather cosy, so maybe for readers if “women’s fiction”. Apparently if I stuck with it, I would find it’s actually quite a dark mystery thriller, but I can’t bring myself to get that far!
If you like the sound of this by it’s synopsis, I’d say pick it up because I’m very clearly in the minority for this one, you might enjoy it! Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review! Sorry I didn’t enjoy it!
June 13, 2017
I am a huge Lesley Pearse fan she is my favourite author and I have read and loved every one of her books. I have recommended her books to many friends over the years who are now also fans.
I was eagerly awaiting this latest release, her 25th book and was delighted to receive an early copy so I started it straight away.
The Woman in the Wood was everything I'd hoped for, I loved it, it really captured my imagination I was completely taken in by the story.
I don't know how Lesley manages to keep writing these brilliant stories every year but I am so glad she does. She never fails to disappoint me, She creates the most amazing characters, you cannot help but be completely entranced by this wonderful new story which I did not want to end.
The Woman in the Wood is a real emotional roller-coaster ride from beginning to end. Full of mystery and drama it will have you absorbed throughout, the story has stayed with me.
One not to be missed for fans old and new. Long may Lesley continue to write her amazing books.
I was eagerly awaiting this latest release, her 25th book and was delighted to receive an early copy so I started it straight away.
The Woman in the Wood was everything I'd hoped for, I loved it, it really captured my imagination I was completely taken in by the story.
I don't know how Lesley manages to keep writing these brilliant stories every year but I am so glad she does. She never fails to disappoint me, She creates the most amazing characters, you cannot help but be completely entranced by this wonderful new story which I did not want to end.
The Woman in the Wood is a real emotional roller-coaster ride from beginning to end. Full of mystery and drama it will have you absorbed throughout, the story has stayed with me.
One not to be missed for fans old and new. Long may Lesley continue to write her amazing books.
October 26, 2018
Não gostei tanto estava à espera. No entanto é um bom livro.
Opinião completa em vídeo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axlPT...
Opinião completa em vídeo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axlPT...
July 29, 2017
I was disappointed by this book. I have read many by Lesley Pearse in the past and enjoyed them all, particularly 'Stolen' and I had high hopes for this one.
Although the premise of the story was good and the storyline proved excellent, I found it read like an Enid Blyton. Speech was stilted and unnatural - people said things that they just wouldn't say, solely for the purpose of getting part of the story over and I expected more of this author.
I found there was little tension and far more could have been made of several situations. The overall story was good and I did enjoy reading it, but there were many occasions where I thought I was reading an Enid Blyton mystery with some gratuitous pedophilia thrown in to turn it into and adult read!
Although the premise of the story was good and the storyline proved excellent, I found it read like an Enid Blyton. Speech was stilted and unnatural - people said things that they just wouldn't say, solely for the purpose of getting part of the story over and I expected more of this author.
I found there was little tension and far more could have been made of several situations. The overall story was good and I did enjoy reading it, but there were many occasions where I thought I was reading an Enid Blyton mystery with some gratuitous pedophilia thrown in to turn it into and adult read!
August 31, 2017
The Woman in the Wood
Wow, I loved this book but then I knew I would because Lesley Pearse is such a talented author.
It didn't matter that the weather was awful when I was out in our motorhome this year it gave me a valid reason for staying in and reading this brilliant story.
Everyone wanted to explore but I was secretly cheering when the heavens opened and the rain came pounding down.
There are lots of other reviews praising this story so I won't add any comments with the wonderful tale that is written on the pages as I don't want to spoil the story for future readers.
However I will say let the dust gather and enjoy whatever you are reading.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of the magic dust fairy please send her to me as my books come first. 😇
Thank you so much to #Goodreads for a copy of this book it was really appreciated.
Wow, I loved this book but then I knew I would because Lesley Pearse is such a talented author.
It didn't matter that the weather was awful when I was out in our motorhome this year it gave me a valid reason for staying in and reading this brilliant story.
Everyone wanted to explore but I was secretly cheering when the heavens opened and the rain came pounding down.
There are lots of other reviews praising this story so I won't add any comments with the wonderful tale that is written on the pages as I don't want to spoil the story for future readers.
However I will say let the dust gather and enjoy whatever you are reading.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of the magic dust fairy please send her to me as my books come first. 😇
Thank you so much to #Goodreads for a copy of this book it was really appreciated.
September 11, 2017
I really can’t understand the 4/5 stars reviews for this book. For starters, this author must have bunked the lecture on show and tell, because there was no showing at all. This made for a one-dimensional plot and flat cardboard characters. There was a good deal of head-hopping and some glaring grammatical errors. The writing came over as a tad immature and had the subject matter not been quite so disturbing, it could easily have been written for a pre-adult audience.
The story is set in the early 1960s, but you’d never have guessed. The attitudes and dialogue were more Victorian than mid-twentieth century.
Fifteen-year-old twins, Duncan and Maisy, are sent to their cold and unfeeling grandmother after their equally cold and unfeeling father commits their unwell mother to an asylum. With no help from Grandmother, they have to settle into their new surroundings and find new friends. One of these is Grace Deville, a woman who lives alone in the woods and about whom some unkind things are said.
One day, Duncan goes missing…the prospect of his return is diminished when boys of his age are found dead in the area. With the police not being exactly proactive, it falls on Maisy to stay strong and believe her brother will be found.
I was extremely irritated by Pearse’s constant reference to Duncan and Maisy as ‘the twins’. ‘The twins’ are not an entity, they are two people…they are Duncan and Maisy. Pearse wouldn’t have referred to two different aged siblings as ‘brother and sister’ all the time. Twins aren’t a unit (I have twins and twin grandchildren), they are two separate people and like to be known as such. Pearse obviously has no experience of twins or she wouldn’t have made this dreadfully annoying faux pas.
The plot concept is sound enough, but Pearse doesn’t handle it very well and it all became a bit silly.
My first read by this author and I’m afraid to say, my last.
The story is set in the early 1960s, but you’d never have guessed. The attitudes and dialogue were more Victorian than mid-twentieth century.
Fifteen-year-old twins, Duncan and Maisy, are sent to their cold and unfeeling grandmother after their equally cold and unfeeling father commits their unwell mother to an asylum. With no help from Grandmother, they have to settle into their new surroundings and find new friends. One of these is Grace Deville, a woman who lives alone in the woods and about whom some unkind things are said.
One day, Duncan goes missing…the prospect of his return is diminished when boys of his age are found dead in the area. With the police not being exactly proactive, it falls on Maisy to stay strong and believe her brother will be found.
I was extremely irritated by Pearse’s constant reference to Duncan and Maisy as ‘the twins’. ‘The twins’ are not an entity, they are two people…they are Duncan and Maisy. Pearse wouldn’t have referred to two different aged siblings as ‘brother and sister’ all the time. Twins aren’t a unit (I have twins and twin grandchildren), they are two separate people and like to be known as such. Pearse obviously has no experience of twins or she wouldn’t have made this dreadfully annoying faux pas.
The plot concept is sound enough, but Pearse doesn’t handle it very well and it all became a bit silly.
My first read by this author and I’m afraid to say, my last.
July 2, 2017
Visit locations in the novel - The Woman in the Wood
Heartbreaking and emotional on so many levels. There’s everything you’d expect from a Lesley Pearse novel – emotions, intrigue, mystery and a cracking good story with full bodied characters. I can’t imagine the terror of seeing your mother torn from the family home, put into an asylum, growing up with little love and affection. The country during WW2 was a time for stiff upper lips and resilience but this is something else, and it ‘s a very emotional journey. The plot is tightly woven, sprinkled with mystery and suspense and peppered with uncertainty, emotions and the unknown depths of the New Forest.
The New Forest feels like a world in itself – separated from the rest of the world and the atmosphere and sense of foreboding and mystery are built up with Pearse care and attention. The woman who lives in the woods, who is suspected of many things was a great central character. The 1960s setting built up walls and expectations of a strained and troubled time.
There are so many interesting family dynamics in this story that really drew me in. It was a very emotional read and a new Lesley Pearse classic. Highly recommended.
October 10, 2018
8 de 10*
Lesley Pearse, à semelhança de outros autores, está na lista dos meus escritores preferidos. Tenho todos os seus livros e já os li quase todos. Ao contrário do que muitas pessoas pensam (talvez induzidas em erro pelas capas e pelos saquinhos que costumam embalar estes livros), Lesley escreve histórias profundas e poderosas, com personagens sofridas e bravas. Em regra, data as suas histórias em tempos passados, do início do século ou até mesmo do século passado, onde o ponto forte, na minha opinião, são as fabulosas descrições dos ambientes desses tempos idos.
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
Lesley Pearse, à semelhança de outros autores, está na lista dos meus escritores preferidos. Tenho todos os seus livros e já os li quase todos. Ao contrário do que muitas pessoas pensam (talvez induzidas em erro pelas capas e pelos saquinhos que costumam embalar estes livros), Lesley escreve histórias profundas e poderosas, com personagens sofridas e bravas. Em regra, data as suas histórias em tempos passados, do início do século ou até mesmo do século passado, onde o ponto forte, na minha opinião, são as fabulosas descrições dos ambientes desses tempos idos.
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
December 10, 2017
Lesley Pearce heads in a different direction than her usual books with this shocking tale but certainly does not disappoint.
The beginning hooked me right in and as the story unfolds we follow the story of twins Maisy & Duncan, the close bond they share but the shocking horrors they go through.
Why doesn't their cold Grandmother seem to care when suddenly Duncan doesn't return one day for dinner especially when police are investigating boys bodies that have turned up in the surrounding area?. Fraught, desperate and very scared Maisy decides to get to the bottom of it and who does she decide to turn to but the woman who knows this area better than anyone, the woman that locals gossip about the woman lives all alone in the wood. At times it did make for difficult reading because of the subject matter but the writers skill shows as she quickly keeps the story moving so you can't ponder on these matters too much. The tension is built so well as I quickly read on willing for a positive conclusion.
A gripping story with sinister side which made for a compelling read. A story I enjoyed very much.
My thanks go to the author, publishers, and Netgalley in providing me with a arc in return for a honest review.
The beginning hooked me right in and as the story unfolds we follow the story of twins Maisy & Duncan, the close bond they share but the shocking horrors they go through.
Why doesn't their cold Grandmother seem to care when suddenly Duncan doesn't return one day for dinner especially when police are investigating boys bodies that have turned up in the surrounding area?. Fraught, desperate and very scared Maisy decides to get to the bottom of it and who does she decide to turn to but the woman who knows this area better than anyone, the woman that locals gossip about the woman lives all alone in the wood. At times it did make for difficult reading because of the subject matter but the writers skill shows as she quickly keeps the story moving so you can't ponder on these matters too much. The tension is built so well as I quickly read on willing for a positive conclusion.
A gripping story with sinister side which made for a compelling read. A story I enjoyed very much.
My thanks go to the author, publishers, and Netgalley in providing me with a arc in return for a honest review.
June 18, 2017
Another fabulous book by Lesley Pearce. I have been reading books by this author for many, many years and I always enjoy them. This book due out at the end of June will undoubtedly entertain and be enjoyed by Ms Pearce's fans. Brilliant characters, great writing. A real page turner.
One to recommend. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
One to recommend. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
March 26, 2025
Opinião: https://thegirlwhoreadssbooks.wordpre...
Uma pequena nota: é talvez o livro que menos gostei da Lesley Pearse mas é simplesmente impossível não gostar dos livros dela. Penso que seja a primeira vez que dou 4 estrelas a um livro desta autora, em vez das habituais 5 estrelas.
Uma pequena nota: é talvez o livro que menos gostei da Lesley Pearse mas é simplesmente impossível não gostar dos livros dela. Penso que seja a primeira vez que dou 4 estrelas a um livro desta autora, em vez das habituais 5 estrelas.
July 2, 2017
The Woman in the Wood is the first novel by Lesley Pearse that I have read. I’ve certainly seen her novels in stores and libraries, and her popularity is indicated by the mere fact that her novels have sold more than 10 million copies world wide. I’m not sure what rock I’ve been living under, but rest assured, I have emerged, I have read my first Lesley Pearse, and I am hooked.
What an amazing author she is! The way she builds a story, laying all the of foundations, bit by bit, increasing the tension, mystery, emotion, all of these threads waving about and then weaving themselves together with precision. Combined with excellent character development, she really is a master story teller and her popularity comes as no great surprise to me at all.
The Woman in the Wood begins when 15 year old twins, Maisy and Duncan Mitcham, are sent to live with their grandmother in the country. Their mother has been committed to an asylum with very little explanation offered as to why by their father, who is unemotional with them and keeps them very much at arms length. Despite their grandmother being rather cold towards them, their father semi-abandoning them, and the uncertainty about their mother’s condition, the two settle in quite well and begin to view this new country life they’ve been given as a second chance, a new beginning. Everything is rather cosy and nice, and the story slips along in this fashion for a little while as we get to see Maisy and Duncan stretch their wings a little and get to know themselves as well as new people. With the added local legend of ‘the woman in the wood’, Grace Deville, a woman who lives alone in the woods and shuns society, there is a general sense of foreboding hanging about the edges, a distinct Hansel and Gretal feel about the story as it unfolds in its quaint way.
Then Duncan goes missing and the story spins on its tail for a little bit and when it settles, nothing is as you predicted. It morphs into a coming of age story, focused on Maisy for a period of time, and I particularly liked this unexpected turn. The 1960s was such a defining period for women, culture, and social change, and Lesley narrows the focus onto this through the eyes of Maisy, a seventeen year old girl who is somewhat lost and grappling with her options for the future. Not only in terms of a job or career and where she wants to live, but who she actually is, particularly if she ends up having to live her life without ever seeing her twin brother again.
From coming of age we move into mystery and then very quickly into more of a crime/thriller sort of feel, and it’s from this point that the novel descends into a much darker realm, one that has only previously been alluded to. From the beginning to about half way through the novel, we were experiencing the story through Maisy’s eyes, but from here on in, Lesley mixes that up a bit and it works very well. I really liked how the genre flexed throughout, I felt it made for a very interesting and unpredictable story. The time period as well, early 1960s, made for a great setting. There was this general feeling that what was happening should not be happening because life was ‘safe’ back then. It really added to the authenticity of the events, and the way Lesley drew in the left over depravity of the war was particlarly insightful. WWII was still a recent event, only over 15 years previous, so there was still a lot of emotional baggage and, something I had not given much thought to previously, a criminal element still outstanding. People who had gotten away with crimes under the guise of war and had then emerged reinvented, assimilating themselves into society yet remaining unchanged at their core. Very thought provoking content.
It is essential to mention that there are scenes within this novel, inferences and recollections as well as actual events unfolding, that will be disturbing for some readers. A story about teenage boys going missing and a reviewer (me) discussing the dark path the story takes, this is your 2 + 2 = 4 warning. I feel Lesley handled these parts of the story with skill and a great deal of empathy, but she was also brutally honest and I am a parent as well as a reader and she gave me reason to flinch and pause on more than one occasion. I will say though, that within the context of the story, what she included was essential and I don’t think she overdid any descriptions in any way at all. I just wanted to point out that if you are sensitive to reading about child abuse, be cautious.
The best part of this novel was the way Lesley structured the story to demonstrate the ripple effects of crime. So many crime stories just tend to finish and you never really get to see what happens next. How does the victim cope post crime? How do they move forward with all of the mental and physical scarring they now bear? What effect does the events have on the family of the person who perpetuated the crime? How does the family of the victim move forward in a supportive manner? How does a small community react? All of these questions and more are addressed in The Woman in the Wood. And this is what I mean by an evolving story. It just kept on flexing, unravelling and then knitting itself back together in a new way. It was brilliant, I was hard pressed to put the novel aside despite deep tiredness and a very busy working week. And the wrap up was excellent, no thread left dangling, everything was sorted in the most satisfactory way yet also remaining realistic and authentic.
I am most impressed with this novel and Lesley Pearse as an author. I will definitely be looking out for more of her work and won’t hesitate to recommend her as an author to follow.
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with a copy of The Woman in the Wood for review. The Woman in the Wood is released July 3, 2017.
What an amazing author she is! The way she builds a story, laying all the of foundations, bit by bit, increasing the tension, mystery, emotion, all of these threads waving about and then weaving themselves together with precision. Combined with excellent character development, she really is a master story teller and her popularity comes as no great surprise to me at all.
The Woman in the Wood begins when 15 year old twins, Maisy and Duncan Mitcham, are sent to live with their grandmother in the country. Their mother has been committed to an asylum with very little explanation offered as to why by their father, who is unemotional with them and keeps them very much at arms length. Despite their grandmother being rather cold towards them, their father semi-abandoning them, and the uncertainty about their mother’s condition, the two settle in quite well and begin to view this new country life they’ve been given as a second chance, a new beginning. Everything is rather cosy and nice, and the story slips along in this fashion for a little while as we get to see Maisy and Duncan stretch their wings a little and get to know themselves as well as new people. With the added local legend of ‘the woman in the wood’, Grace Deville, a woman who lives alone in the woods and shuns society, there is a general sense of foreboding hanging about the edges, a distinct Hansel and Gretal feel about the story as it unfolds in its quaint way.
Then Duncan goes missing and the story spins on its tail for a little bit and when it settles, nothing is as you predicted. It morphs into a coming of age story, focused on Maisy for a period of time, and I particularly liked this unexpected turn. The 1960s was such a defining period for women, culture, and social change, and Lesley narrows the focus onto this through the eyes of Maisy, a seventeen year old girl who is somewhat lost and grappling with her options for the future. Not only in terms of a job or career and where she wants to live, but who she actually is, particularly if she ends up having to live her life without ever seeing her twin brother again.
From coming of age we move into mystery and then very quickly into more of a crime/thriller sort of feel, and it’s from this point that the novel descends into a much darker realm, one that has only previously been alluded to. From the beginning to about half way through the novel, we were experiencing the story through Maisy’s eyes, but from here on in, Lesley mixes that up a bit and it works very well. I really liked how the genre flexed throughout, I felt it made for a very interesting and unpredictable story. The time period as well, early 1960s, made for a great setting. There was this general feeling that what was happening should not be happening because life was ‘safe’ back then. It really added to the authenticity of the events, and the way Lesley drew in the left over depravity of the war was particlarly insightful. WWII was still a recent event, only over 15 years previous, so there was still a lot of emotional baggage and, something I had not given much thought to previously, a criminal element still outstanding. People who had gotten away with crimes under the guise of war and had then emerged reinvented, assimilating themselves into society yet remaining unchanged at their core. Very thought provoking content.
It is essential to mention that there are scenes within this novel, inferences and recollections as well as actual events unfolding, that will be disturbing for some readers. A story about teenage boys going missing and a reviewer (me) discussing the dark path the story takes, this is your 2 + 2 = 4 warning. I feel Lesley handled these parts of the story with skill and a great deal of empathy, but she was also brutally honest and I am a parent as well as a reader and she gave me reason to flinch and pause on more than one occasion. I will say though, that within the context of the story, what she included was essential and I don’t think she overdid any descriptions in any way at all. I just wanted to point out that if you are sensitive to reading about child abuse, be cautious.
The best part of this novel was the way Lesley structured the story to demonstrate the ripple effects of crime. So many crime stories just tend to finish and you never really get to see what happens next. How does the victim cope post crime? How do they move forward with all of the mental and physical scarring they now bear? What effect does the events have on the family of the person who perpetuated the crime? How does the family of the victim move forward in a supportive manner? How does a small community react? All of these questions and more are addressed in The Woman in the Wood. And this is what I mean by an evolving story. It just kept on flexing, unravelling and then knitting itself back together in a new way. It was brilliant, I was hard pressed to put the novel aside despite deep tiredness and a very busy working week. And the wrap up was excellent, no thread left dangling, everything was sorted in the most satisfactory way yet also remaining realistic and authentic.
I am most impressed with this novel and Lesley Pearse as an author. I will definitely be looking out for more of her work and won’t hesitate to recommend her as an author to follow.
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with a copy of The Woman in the Wood for review. The Woman in the Wood is released July 3, 2017.
July 29, 2024
3.75 stars 🌟. I read this book years ago. I realised it by chapters 4 and 5. I taught I was having a day ja vu moment. So this book was a re-read and it was such a great read. The pace was fast in my opinion and I just couldn't put the book down. I really like Lesley Pearse books. Such a books to read
July 17, 2018
3.5 stars
Set in 1960's England fifteen year old twins Duncan and Maisy have their lives torn apart when their mother is taken away and committed and their Father sends them to live in their Grandmother's house in The New Forest.
It follows their lives for the next few years where they try to grow up and figure out their futures but unfortunately both face some terrible experiences that will either make or break them.
You get a bit of everything with this book - there is some coming of age, mystery, crime, psychological thriller and family drama told from multiple points of view.
I enjoyed the story and some of the character insights. I just felt the flow of the storytelling was a bit jarring - it changes POV frequently which is fine but I didn't feel we got an equal amount of insight into each character (too much Maisy, not enough Grace...and none of the Grandmother who was a bit of a puzzle).
I felt this could have been a bit grittier and therefore a bit more realistic but still a great read.
Set in 1960's England fifteen year old twins Duncan and Maisy have their lives torn apart when their mother is taken away and committed and their Father sends them to live in their Grandmother's house in The New Forest.
It follows their lives for the next few years where they try to grow up and figure out their futures but unfortunately both face some terrible experiences that will either make or break them.
You get a bit of everything with this book - there is some coming of age, mystery, crime, psychological thriller and family drama told from multiple points of view.
I enjoyed the story and some of the character insights. I just felt the flow of the storytelling was a bit jarring - it changes POV frequently which is fine but I didn't feel we got an equal amount of insight into each character (too much Maisy, not enough Grace...and none of the Grandmother who was a bit of a puzzle).
I felt this could have been a bit grittier and therefore a bit more realistic but still a great read.
August 17, 2017
Never read a book of this writer, intrigued by the title and all publicity. I was disappointed. This read like an Enid Blyton 'Famous Five' book, but less plausible and less well written. Totally unrealistic portrayals and characters without much depth or realism (a boy who's been abused by a serial killer and has seen other boys been abused and killed kind of gets over this ordeal super easy and fast by doing some lonely gardening work - really?). Simplistic conversations, language and unlikely plot jumps. Not likely to read other books from this author.
July 9, 2017
Incredibly The Woman in the Wood is the 25th novel from my favourite author Lesley Pearse. Lesley is a master storyteller who has the ability to weave a story that once you pick the book up it becomes unbearable to be away from it once you get stuck into it. You'd think having written so many books that the ideas mightn't flow like they once did or the calibre of writing and the storylines may dip but I found this has never been the case. With each book Lesley's writing gets stronger and stronger and for many years now she has been that author for me that I would buy the book without even looking at the blurb or cover, the fact that is it something written by the brilliant Lesley Pearse is enough for me. It's great to have such confidence in an author that you know you can always rely on an absorbing story waiting to be read between the covers. Lesley is always guaranteed to deliver and with this new book it was no different and the fact that I was annoyed when the outside world came calling and I had to go and do something is testament to the fact The Woman in the Wood is another riveting read that is sure to top the best seller lists.
The book opens in West London in 1960 with what I would term quite a dramatic opening, Maisy Mitcham and her twin brother Duncan aged 15 wake in the dead of night to discover her parents arguing. Alastair, their father is trying to persuade their mother Lily that she must leave the house to receive the treatment she so desperately needs. Lily has not been well for a very long time and she is not the mother the children have vague memories of. Soon Lily is taken away by ambulance yet Maisy and Duncan feel an injustice has been done and are confrontational with their father. Alastair is a stern man, he is not violent or abusive but there has always been that aloofness, that distance between himself and his children and with the twins about to be sent away to the New Forest, that chasm will only grow ever wider. Soon the twins find their lives turned upside down as they attempt to become accustomed to living with their grandmother Violet who they have only ever had fleeting contact with. She lives near the New Forest in a house called Nightingales and has such an intimidating presence, a brusque, stern outlook on all things. It's more or less left to housekeeper Janice to take over the care of the twins. Janice was in sharp contrast to Violet, she was kind and full of life, warmth and fun. The reader could easily see that having Maisy and Duncan bringing new life to the house made up for the fact she had never had children of her own.
It takes time for Maisy and Duncan to readjust to life in a new house and area. Duncan like the outdoors and exploring and they soon became familiar with the forest. Even though they were twins Maisy and Duncan couldn't have been more different. I felt Duncan had a more freer, relaxed attitude to life but yet had that vulnerable side to him. If there was ever any trouble it was Maisy he would look to for resolution or even comfort. Maisy seemed older than Duncan. She had a good, solid head on her shoulders and she was more able to read between the lines surrounding her mother's stay in hospital. She was wary of both her father and grandmother. Yet on the other hand she was willing to accept the situation she found herself in and was prepared to be the adult, the one who was responsible and dealt with problems on behalf of both herself and Duncan. As the story developed time and time again Maisy showed incredible strength of character, such ingenuity and a passion for never giving up and not believing everything at first hand. She kept fighting and wanting answers. She continuously dug deeper and never was content with just the basic facts. Maisy's character was brilliantly written and one readers won't forget in a hurry due to her courage, strength and unwavering faith when all the odds were against her.
I did initially find the pace of the story quite slow once the twins had moved to be with their grandmother, but on reflection there was a lot of setting up going on and subtle hints being dropped that I wasn't clever enough to catch on to. I wondered what significance did the title 'The Woman in the Wood ' have? It refers to a woman Grace Deville who prefers solitude, peace and to be on her own. She lives in basic conditions with her dog in a shack in the woods. Local residents believer her to be a witch who brings bad luck and is not good news at all. But Duncan sees a kindred spirit and befriends her. Grace was a very closed book. Only the bare essentials were revealed about her until absolutely necessary and it was pitched perfectly as if we had known too much about her earlier on in the story all the revelations wouldn’t have had the same impact and I wouldn't have felt the connection and understanding between Grace and another character.
What made the pace of the story pick up was the sudden and unexplained disappearance of Duncan. One day he fails to return home from a bike ride. Maisy's suspicions are raised but of course Violet is ever complacent believing he will return when he feels like it. But a twins instinct is renowned and Maisy feels something much worse and sinister has occurred. I felt every bit of Maisy's pain as she attempts to cope with the loss of her brother. She was never going to give up until she found him and had all the answers. I enjoyed the fact the story had so many layers to it as just as you believed one aspect of the book was resolved and you began to wonder what else could be in store given it appears everything has been tied up yet there are plenty more pages to be read. To this end several times over Lesley turned the story on its head and the layers ever so slowly began to be peeled back. What awaits us beneath the surface is a story that at times was hard to read but these scenes and descriptions made the book the thrilling read it was. Lesley never shied away from the harsh realities or brutal descriptions and although I was repulsed at what was unfolding it added grit and bags full of emotion to the overall storyline. I became ever more deeply invested in the outcome for all the characters and The Woman in the Wood became a real page turner which had me on the edge of my seat desperate for answers and resolution but in other ways I was loathe for such a tense and powerful read to end.
I loved every bit of this story, the twists and turns, surprises and revelations just kept coming and I never saw any of them. I felt I was really taken on a journey with Maisy and co and I never wanted the journey to conclude. Lesley dealt with a harsh and unforgiving topic but managed to intertwine it to perfection with plenty of emotion and a deep exploration of the relationship between the twins and their father. It proved beyond all doubt that first appearances can always be deceptive but one always has to trust their gut instinct and above all else never give up the fight for what you believe in. When everyone else around you is filled with doubt that one grain of hope you have clung to should be kept at the forefront of your mind. I envy people the read of this book or if it is your first book by Lesley Pearse I envy you even more so. I flew through the book in two sittings and regret I didn't savour it for even longer but when a book is this good you just have to keep turning the pages.
Lesley Pearse is an author whose books I love more than anything and this book has proven that to me even more. With deep reluctance I read the last line and closed the book and placed it on my bookshelves along side the 24 other compelling books Lesley has written. They all have pride of place on my bookshelves and I look forward to many many more to come. Congratulations Lesley on another fantastic book in The Woman in the Wood.
The book opens in West London in 1960 with what I would term quite a dramatic opening, Maisy Mitcham and her twin brother Duncan aged 15 wake in the dead of night to discover her parents arguing. Alastair, their father is trying to persuade their mother Lily that she must leave the house to receive the treatment she so desperately needs. Lily has not been well for a very long time and she is not the mother the children have vague memories of. Soon Lily is taken away by ambulance yet Maisy and Duncan feel an injustice has been done and are confrontational with their father. Alastair is a stern man, he is not violent or abusive but there has always been that aloofness, that distance between himself and his children and with the twins about to be sent away to the New Forest, that chasm will only grow ever wider. Soon the twins find their lives turned upside down as they attempt to become accustomed to living with their grandmother Violet who they have only ever had fleeting contact with. She lives near the New Forest in a house called Nightingales and has such an intimidating presence, a brusque, stern outlook on all things. It's more or less left to housekeeper Janice to take over the care of the twins. Janice was in sharp contrast to Violet, she was kind and full of life, warmth and fun. The reader could easily see that having Maisy and Duncan bringing new life to the house made up for the fact she had never had children of her own.
It takes time for Maisy and Duncan to readjust to life in a new house and area. Duncan like the outdoors and exploring and they soon became familiar with the forest. Even though they were twins Maisy and Duncan couldn't have been more different. I felt Duncan had a more freer, relaxed attitude to life but yet had that vulnerable side to him. If there was ever any trouble it was Maisy he would look to for resolution or even comfort. Maisy seemed older than Duncan. She had a good, solid head on her shoulders and she was more able to read between the lines surrounding her mother's stay in hospital. She was wary of both her father and grandmother. Yet on the other hand she was willing to accept the situation she found herself in and was prepared to be the adult, the one who was responsible and dealt with problems on behalf of both herself and Duncan. As the story developed time and time again Maisy showed incredible strength of character, such ingenuity and a passion for never giving up and not believing everything at first hand. She kept fighting and wanting answers. She continuously dug deeper and never was content with just the basic facts. Maisy's character was brilliantly written and one readers won't forget in a hurry due to her courage, strength and unwavering faith when all the odds were against her.
I did initially find the pace of the story quite slow once the twins had moved to be with their grandmother, but on reflection there was a lot of setting up going on and subtle hints being dropped that I wasn't clever enough to catch on to. I wondered what significance did the title 'The Woman in the Wood ' have? It refers to a woman Grace Deville who prefers solitude, peace and to be on her own. She lives in basic conditions with her dog in a shack in the woods. Local residents believer her to be a witch who brings bad luck and is not good news at all. But Duncan sees a kindred spirit and befriends her. Grace was a very closed book. Only the bare essentials were revealed about her until absolutely necessary and it was pitched perfectly as if we had known too much about her earlier on in the story all the revelations wouldn’t have had the same impact and I wouldn't have felt the connection and understanding between Grace and another character.
What made the pace of the story pick up was the sudden and unexplained disappearance of Duncan. One day he fails to return home from a bike ride. Maisy's suspicions are raised but of course Violet is ever complacent believing he will return when he feels like it. But a twins instinct is renowned and Maisy feels something much worse and sinister has occurred. I felt every bit of Maisy's pain as she attempts to cope with the loss of her brother. She was never going to give up until she found him and had all the answers. I enjoyed the fact the story had so many layers to it as just as you believed one aspect of the book was resolved and you began to wonder what else could be in store given it appears everything has been tied up yet there are plenty more pages to be read. To this end several times over Lesley turned the story on its head and the layers ever so slowly began to be peeled back. What awaits us beneath the surface is a story that at times was hard to read but these scenes and descriptions made the book the thrilling read it was. Lesley never shied away from the harsh realities or brutal descriptions and although I was repulsed at what was unfolding it added grit and bags full of emotion to the overall storyline. I became ever more deeply invested in the outcome for all the characters and The Woman in the Wood became a real page turner which had me on the edge of my seat desperate for answers and resolution but in other ways I was loathe for such a tense and powerful read to end.
I loved every bit of this story, the twists and turns, surprises and revelations just kept coming and I never saw any of them. I felt I was really taken on a journey with Maisy and co and I never wanted the journey to conclude. Lesley dealt with a harsh and unforgiving topic but managed to intertwine it to perfection with plenty of emotion and a deep exploration of the relationship between the twins and their father. It proved beyond all doubt that first appearances can always be deceptive but one always has to trust their gut instinct and above all else never give up the fight for what you believe in. When everyone else around you is filled with doubt that one grain of hope you have clung to should be kept at the forefront of your mind. I envy people the read of this book or if it is your first book by Lesley Pearse I envy you even more so. I flew through the book in two sittings and regret I didn't savour it for even longer but when a book is this good you just have to keep turning the pages.
Lesley Pearse is an author whose books I love more than anything and this book has proven that to me even more. With deep reluctance I read the last line and closed the book and placed it on my bookshelves along side the 24 other compelling books Lesley has written. They all have pride of place on my bookshelves and I look forward to many many more to come. Congratulations Lesley on another fantastic book in The Woman in the Wood.
July 6, 2017
4.5*
The Woman in the Wood is Lesley Pearse’ 25th book and what a great achievement. It is also the fifth book of hers that I’ve read; and Lesley is one of the few authors whose books I will always buy regardless. Her stories are family saga/drama based but with an added suspense/crime element and she doesn’t shy away from difficult or disturbing subjects, The Woman in the Wood being no exception. The storyline here is not a particularly pleasant one but despite it being set in the 1960’s it is still just as, if not more so, relevant today.
Twins Maisy and Duncan Mitcham are 15 years old when the story begins and they are suddenly shipped off without any explanation to their grandmother’s house near the New Forest after their father has their mother admitted to an asylum. They are not told anything about their mother, or why she has gone and although they were not close to their mother, there is still a sense of loss and bewilderment that their father and grandmother, both distant and remote people, are ill equipped to deal with. The family take the stiff upper lip attitude to another level and certainly don’t believe in showing emotion or even love. The only bright light in the twin’s lives is Janice, their grandmother’s housekeeper. Without her, they would have floundered even more.
The first half of the book has a much slower pace when various characters are introduced and the reader can form an opinion about them. As mentioned, the kindly Janice together with their tutor Mr Dove are both an important anchor in the lives of the twins, providing care and compassion which is sadly lacking from others. Both Duncan and Maisy were children that you could take an instant liking to. They were polite and interested in people however their trusting manner was to be their downfall.
The second half is where the story really moves up a notch and becomes much more suspenseful. ‘The Woman in the Wood’ refers to Grace Deville, a middle aged reclusive spinster and regarded by locals as the ‘madwoman from the asylum’; she lives in a shack in the forest with her dog Toby, shuns human company and is quite hostile to strangers. Grace’s backstory is not a happy one but are the villagers right to be wary and distrustful of her?
Lesley Pearse has again created a dramatic and suspenseful read with well-drawn and believable characters that you will either love or hate. The setting of the New Forest and the mention of surrounding Hampshire locations add a sense of place and it doesn’t take much imagination to visualise Grace’s secluded forest shack. I have to admit that I spent much of the first part of the book being suspicious of certain characters whilst waiting for something to happen but then when it did, wow, it felt like a punch in the gut. In comparison to some of the author’s previous books that I’ve read, this storyline has a much darker and sinister theme and in my opinion this is very much an adult read.
The Women in the Wood is an excellent addition to the author’s works and a worthy way to celebrate the 25th book. Each of her books are very different and it’s an amazing feat to keep coming up with fresh ideas that provide not only a social commentary of the times but are also a stonking good read. I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it for fans of this genre.
The Woman in the Wood is Lesley Pearse’ 25th book and what a great achievement. It is also the fifth book of hers that I’ve read; and Lesley is one of the few authors whose books I will always buy regardless. Her stories are family saga/drama based but with an added suspense/crime element and she doesn’t shy away from difficult or disturbing subjects, The Woman in the Wood being no exception. The storyline here is not a particularly pleasant one but despite it being set in the 1960’s it is still just as, if not more so, relevant today.
Twins Maisy and Duncan Mitcham are 15 years old when the story begins and they are suddenly shipped off without any explanation to their grandmother’s house near the New Forest after their father has their mother admitted to an asylum. They are not told anything about their mother, or why she has gone and although they were not close to their mother, there is still a sense of loss and bewilderment that their father and grandmother, both distant and remote people, are ill equipped to deal with. The family take the stiff upper lip attitude to another level and certainly don’t believe in showing emotion or even love. The only bright light in the twin’s lives is Janice, their grandmother’s housekeeper. Without her, they would have floundered even more.
The first half of the book has a much slower pace when various characters are introduced and the reader can form an opinion about them. As mentioned, the kindly Janice together with their tutor Mr Dove are both an important anchor in the lives of the twins, providing care and compassion which is sadly lacking from others. Both Duncan and Maisy were children that you could take an instant liking to. They were polite and interested in people however their trusting manner was to be their downfall.
The second half is where the story really moves up a notch and becomes much more suspenseful. ‘The Woman in the Wood’ refers to Grace Deville, a middle aged reclusive spinster and regarded by locals as the ‘madwoman from the asylum’; she lives in a shack in the forest with her dog Toby, shuns human company and is quite hostile to strangers. Grace’s backstory is not a happy one but are the villagers right to be wary and distrustful of her?
Lesley Pearse has again created a dramatic and suspenseful read with well-drawn and believable characters that you will either love or hate. The setting of the New Forest and the mention of surrounding Hampshire locations add a sense of place and it doesn’t take much imagination to visualise Grace’s secluded forest shack. I have to admit that I spent much of the first part of the book being suspicious of certain characters whilst waiting for something to happen but then when it did, wow, it felt like a punch in the gut. In comparison to some of the author’s previous books that I’ve read, this storyline has a much darker and sinister theme and in my opinion this is very much an adult read.
The Women in the Wood is an excellent addition to the author’s works and a worthy way to celebrate the 25th book. Each of her books are very different and it’s an amazing feat to keep coming up with fresh ideas that provide not only a social commentary of the times but are also a stonking good read. I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it for fans of this genre.
July 17, 2017
A mother in an asylum, a cold and distance grandmother, a missing child, a strange woman living alone in the wood – Pearse certainly knows the right ingredients for a historical mystery novel! As if that wasn’t enough, Pearse throws a little emotion into the story as well, while still maintaining the dark themes the blurb promises.
Interestingly, The Woman in the Wood features some very dark themes but I’d still recommend it to readers who tend to avoid novels with sinister themes/content. I say that because Pearse is clearly a skilled writer, she allows you to feel the darkness and allows it to cloud certain parts of the story without throwing you head first into it. I’d say this book is in equally parts, character-driven and plot-driven and this opens the book up to a wider reading audience. The mystery itself is very cleverly constructed and until Pearse was ready to tell, I had no clue what had befallen Duncan.
Not only is this a mystery novel centred around a missing child, Pearse delves into the realm of family ties and friendship. She delivers this theme through some brilliant characters – Maisy and Duncan are likeable children and develop a warm and loving relationship with their grandmother’s housekeeper, in comparison to their cold grandmother and their father who struggles to show affection, this book has a nice contrast of characters. When Duncan goes missing, it’s interesting to see the reaction of the different characters. While the twins may not feel especially close to their family, I didn’t dislike their gran or their dad but don’t worry, Pearse delivers on unlikeable characters too. I also liked that the novel opened with some information about the twin’s mother and how her being in an asylum featured throughout the story as it affected the twin’s actions, without Pearse needing to detail cold and disturbing accounts of their mother in an asylum, as a nearly abstract character, she played vital role in the novel.
Before I conclude this review, I thought I’d say something about the woman in the wood – easily my favourite character! That’s all you’re getting on that!
After reading this book, it is clear Pearse has incredible talent – The Woman in the Wood is a wonderful mystery that is strong enough to engage you fully in the read without needing a lightening pace, it features some strong characters and character development with a firm conclusion to the novel. I highly recommended it!
*My thanks to the publisher (Michael Joseph) for granting me access to a digital copy of this book via Netgalley*
Interestingly, The Woman in the Wood features some very dark themes but I’d still recommend it to readers who tend to avoid novels with sinister themes/content. I say that because Pearse is clearly a skilled writer, she allows you to feel the darkness and allows it to cloud certain parts of the story without throwing you head first into it. I’d say this book is in equally parts, character-driven and plot-driven and this opens the book up to a wider reading audience. The mystery itself is very cleverly constructed and until Pearse was ready to tell, I had no clue what had befallen Duncan.
Not only is this a mystery novel centred around a missing child, Pearse delves into the realm of family ties and friendship. She delivers this theme through some brilliant characters – Maisy and Duncan are likeable children and develop a warm and loving relationship with their grandmother’s housekeeper, in comparison to their cold grandmother and their father who struggles to show affection, this book has a nice contrast of characters. When Duncan goes missing, it’s interesting to see the reaction of the different characters. While the twins may not feel especially close to their family, I didn’t dislike their gran or their dad but don’t worry, Pearse delivers on unlikeable characters too. I also liked that the novel opened with some information about the twin’s mother and how her being in an asylum featured throughout the story as it affected the twin’s actions, without Pearse needing to detail cold and disturbing accounts of their mother in an asylum, as a nearly abstract character, she played vital role in the novel.
Before I conclude this review, I thought I’d say something about the woman in the wood – easily my favourite character! That’s all you’re getting on that!
After reading this book, it is clear Pearse has incredible talent – The Woman in the Wood is a wonderful mystery that is strong enough to engage you fully in the read without needing a lightening pace, it features some strong characters and character development with a firm conclusion to the novel. I highly recommended it!
*My thanks to the publisher (Michael Joseph) for granting me access to a digital copy of this book via Netgalley*
October 15, 2018
Very nice book with lovely characters. Written in an easy to follow way.
February 4, 2019
3,5⭐️
January 18, 2021
I’m in two minds about this book. It’s a great plot, set in the 1960s, with lots of elements that I normally like but it all got quite gruesome about a third of the way in. It starts well with sweet and innocent fifteen year old twins, Maisy and Duncan, being sent from London to live with their grandmother who the term ‘cold fish’ seems to have been invented for. Their grandmother lives in an big country house and has a kind housekeeper called Janice who takes the twins under her wing. Their father, Alastair, has sent them there as their mother is ill and has been sent away to get better but they soon realise she is actually in an asylum for the mentally ill.
There are local tales of a woman who lives in the nearby wood who people are wary of. The twins cycle out to find her one day but didn’t get a very good reception as she clearly wanted to be left alone. A tutor, Mr Dove, is employed for them but the twins are tiring of always doing everything together and start looking to find friends elsewhere. Maisy starts ballroom dancing lessons where she meets Linda who becomes a good friend. Meanwhile, Duncan, is keen for a more adventurous life so spends time with a local boy Colin, but also returns to the woman in the wood whom he gets to know better.
About a third of the way into the book, Duncan doesn’t come home when planned and Maisy is alarmed as he’s very reliable and would get a message to them if he was going to be delayed. Their grandmother thinks she is fussing and ‘boys will be boys’ so refuses to take Duncan being missing seriously or to call the twins’ father. We soon discover that other young boys have gone missing from towns along the south coast and that some have been found dead.
I found the writing quite stilted and variable. The book starts in the tone of a 1960’s children’s book but other times the children say things that just sound strangely adult coming from a teenager. I skim read many sections as there was a lot of horrific details about abuse of young boys, murder and suicide. The book is a strange mix of ‘two go on an adventure’ and horror.
There are local tales of a woman who lives in the nearby wood who people are wary of. The twins cycle out to find her one day but didn’t get a very good reception as she clearly wanted to be left alone. A tutor, Mr Dove, is employed for them but the twins are tiring of always doing everything together and start looking to find friends elsewhere. Maisy starts ballroom dancing lessons where she meets Linda who becomes a good friend. Meanwhile, Duncan, is keen for a more adventurous life so spends time with a local boy Colin, but also returns to the woman in the wood whom he gets to know better.
About a third of the way into the book, Duncan doesn’t come home when planned and Maisy is alarmed as he’s very reliable and would get a message to them if he was going to be delayed. Their grandmother thinks she is fussing and ‘boys will be boys’ so refuses to take Duncan being missing seriously or to call the twins’ father. We soon discover that other young boys have gone missing from towns along the south coast and that some have been found dead.
I found the writing quite stilted and variable. The book starts in the tone of a 1960’s children’s book but other times the children say things that just sound strangely adult coming from a teenager. I skim read many sections as there was a lot of horrific details about abuse of young boys, murder and suicide. The book is a strange mix of ‘two go on an adventure’ and horror.
October 26, 2017
I'm a little torn between four and five stars, but I got so caught up in this that five (or at least 4.5) feels warranted. I loved the characters in this, they felt very real. It deals with some pretty intense stuff, abuse, very dark sides of people, but I felt like Lesley Pearse handled them well, they weren't for mere shock value. I'm keen to read more by her - I know she is very prolific! ☺
Displaying 1 - 30 of 469 reviews