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The Devil's Woods
Fear wears many skins.
Deep within the Canadian wilderness, people have been disappearing for over a century. There is a place the locals call "the Devil's Woods," but to speak of it will only bring the devil to your door. It is a place so evil that even animals avoid it.
When their father's expedition team goes missing, Kyle Elkheart and his brother and sister return to the abandoned Cree Indian reservation where they were born. Kyle can see ghosts that haunt the woods surrounding the village--and they seem to be trying to warn him. The search for their father will lead Kyle and his siblings to the dark heart of the legendary forest, where their mission will quickly become a fight for survival.
Deep within the Canadian wilderness, people have been disappearing for over a century. There is a place the locals call "the Devil's Woods," but to speak of it will only bring the devil to your door. It is a place so evil that even animals avoid it.
When their father's expedition team goes missing, Kyle Elkheart and his brother and sister return to the abandoned Cree Indian reservation where they were born. Kyle can see ghosts that haunt the woods surrounding the village--and they seem to be trying to warn him. The search for their father will lead Kyle and his siblings to the dark heart of the legendary forest, where their mission will quickly become a fight for survival.
308 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2013
161 people are currently reading
1983 people want to read
About the author
Brian Moreland
39 books242 followersBrian Moreland writes dark suspense, thrillers, and horror. He's an avid reader and big fan of movies and series. A native Texan, Brian loves to cook, go hiking in nature, and travel to interesting places around the world. He is enjoying life with family in rural Texas and writing new thrilling fiction. His books include:
THE DEVIL'S WOODS
TOMB OF GODS
THEY STALK THE NIGHT
SAVAGE ISLAND
SHADOWS IN THE MIST
BLOOD SACRIFICES: THREE HORROR NOVELLAS:
THE WITCHING HOUSE
DARKNESS RISING
THE SEEKERS
Friend Brian on Goodreads
Follow on Twitter/X @BrianMoreland
THE DEVIL'S WOODS
TOMB OF GODS
THEY STALK THE NIGHT
SAVAGE ISLAND
SHADOWS IN THE MIST
BLOOD SACRIFICES: THREE HORROR NOVELLAS:
THE WITCHING HOUSE
DARKNESS RISING
THE SEEKERS
Friend Brian on Goodreads
Follow on Twitter/X @BrianMoreland
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 1, 2017
Kyle and his sister and brother, Shawna and Eric come back home to the Cree Indian Reservation to see their grandfather and hopefully find their father. They find out he went missing when he let an expedition into the Devils Woods. You don't go there, but they did. What could be lurking in these woods?
The woods and what else have been taking people for years. What does the little town beside the reservation know?
This was a fun scary read that I couldn't put down until I got to the end! There were some surprises and I loved that Kyle could see ghosts. I loved Kyle period 😊
Mel ❤️
March 2, 2024
I just finished this one and it still keeps me shuddering. We see a reunited family. Kyle, a novelist, Eric, a lawyer and Shawna, a rock musician, intend to spend some time in a small town near an Indian reservation. They are invited by their family. What started with a lore about devil's wood soon turns into full fledged horror. Who is inhabiting that forest? Where has the sibling's father gone? What about the other town people like Ray Roamingbear, their cousin and Mayor Thorpe? What hides in the caves? Step by step our main characters are drawn into a world full of shape shifting demons. Will they survive? Nail biting horror at its very best. Enjoyed this novel up to the last page. A modern horror classic with benchmark monsters and an excellent back story. Highly recommended!
October 23, 2025
Gripping, chilling, shocking, and hard to put down! You said you can never go home again????? But if your home was next to The Devil's Woods, would you want to go home again?????Whew! Brian Moreland took me on a creepy, menacing, horrific and deranged ride through the Canadian Wilderness. People have been disappearing in this wilderness for a long, long, time. The Cree First Nation warned their people to stay out of the woods until they eventually moved their reservation. The vivid descriptions, the Indian folklore, the eerie supernatural vibe, and mounting danger sucked me in and never let go!!!
Kyle Elkheart, his brother Eric, and sister Shawna and their guests have been invited to spend time near the Indian reservation by family members who have remained in the area around Hagen's Cove. Their father has gone missing, and their grandfather is elderly. Kyle has a unique gift, and it will come into play during the course of this book. The siblings hope to get answers but what they find is the stuff of nightmares!
You might think twice before taking a walk in the woods after reading this book! What a wild ride! I enjoyed how dark, suspenseful, and creepy this book was from the very beginning. This played out like a movie in my mind. It is full of secrets, danger, and shocking scenes. There are some twists, some reveals, and some moments that will get your heart pounding just a tad bit faster.
If you enjoy a good horror book, look no further! The Devil's Woods delivers on the thrills, chills, and scares!
Thank you to Brian Moreland, the publisher and Goodreads who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Kyle Elkheart, his brother Eric, and sister Shawna and their guests have been invited to spend time near the Indian reservation by family members who have remained in the area around Hagen's Cove. Their father has gone missing, and their grandfather is elderly. Kyle has a unique gift, and it will come into play during the course of this book. The siblings hope to get answers but what they find is the stuff of nightmares!
You might think twice before taking a walk in the woods after reading this book! What a wild ride! I enjoyed how dark, suspenseful, and creepy this book was from the very beginning. This played out like a movie in my mind. It is full of secrets, danger, and shocking scenes. There are some twists, some reveals, and some moments that will get your heart pounding just a tad bit faster.
If you enjoy a good horror book, look no further! The Devil's Woods delivers on the thrills, chills, and scares!
Thank you to Brian Moreland, the publisher and Goodreads who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
August 19, 2025
My second time around with this book was just as intense and gripping as the first time I read it back in 2017!
Small backstory:
A family unites together to find their father who has gone missing on an archaeological dig on an Indian reservation in the deep woods of Hagen's Cove, however the family doesn't realize that there is something that lies deep within the woods which the Indians from past generations have warned everyone for centuries to stay out!
That is about all I can hand out on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
The book grabs you from the first page and throws the reader into a vortex of horror from the beginning to the end of the book!
Once again I was propelled back into this book and I felt that this second time around was more enjoyable as I soaked up all the creepy and spooky atmosphere of the story! Some of the book has horror action and keeps the story moving along at a great pace! Giving this book five "Don't Go Into the Woods" stars!
Small backstory:
A family unites together to find their father who has gone missing on an archaeological dig on an Indian reservation in the deep woods of Hagen's Cove, however the family doesn't realize that there is something that lies deep within the woods which the Indians from past generations have warned everyone for centuries to stay out!
That is about all I can hand out on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
The book grabs you from the first page and throws the reader into a vortex of horror from the beginning to the end of the book!
Once again I was propelled back into this book and I felt that this second time around was more enjoyable as I soaked up all the creepy and spooky atmosphere of the story! Some of the book has horror action and keeps the story moving along at a great pace! Giving this book five "Don't Go Into the Woods" stars!
August 28, 2020
this book was GREAT! I read this as a group read for one of my book clubs. I'm so glad I did! I haven't read a book this good in a long time. it's written very well and keeps you hooked. the characters are realistic and relatable. the woods & what lives there is scary as hell. cause if we've learnt anything else from horror movies it's you don't mess with native American legends (in this case First Nations). There were parts of this that really creeped me out and I had to stop reading (don't read before bed time!) I will definitely read more from Brian Moreland.
September 22, 2017
THE DEVIL'S WOODS, by Brian Moreland is a book I devoured in two sittings! The main setting planted the perfect background to this novel that blended Native American Lore, man, and the supernatural. The Macaya Forest:
". . . The landscape here is different from the woods that surround the reservation's compound. Here, the trees tower to enormous hights and intertwine with one another as if trying to conceal something the land never wanted man to discover."
Three siblings, (Kyle, Eric, and Shawna), taken away from the reservation of their Cree father following their parents' divorce, are brought back by a call from their Uncle Ray. Ray informs them that Elkheart, their father, has gone missing.
At first, the village seems cozy and cheerful--the ideal tourist spot--but once they enter into the grounds of the decaying reservation itself, the atmosphere is permeated by unease and the unnerving sensation of being.... studied.
"The trees have eyes and they're always watching".
Deep in the reservation is a plot of woods that even the Natives were taught to steer clear of, and it is here that Kyle feels he must search for the answers to his father's disappearance. "There are places in the world where lost spirits never rest . . . And man is considered prey . . ."
In all of this, Moreland retains an unyielding tension that gnaws at your mind, even when the characters are involved in more lighthearted activities. Although we have a fairly large cast of main characters, I felt I knew each of them intimately. Incredibly realistic personalities, top-notch atmospheric tension, and horrors that you have to "read" to believe--what more could a reader ask for? I will immediately be looking for more of Brian Moreland's books.
Highly recommended!
***re-read: September 2017--Changing my 4.5* rating to a solid 5 ***
Three siblings, (Kyle, Eric, and Shawna), taken away from the reservation of their Cree father following their parents' divorce, are brought back by a call from their Uncle Ray. Ray informs them that Elkheart, their father, has gone missing.
At first, the village seems cozy and cheerful--the ideal tourist spot--but once they enter into the grounds of the decaying reservation itself, the atmosphere is permeated by unease and the unnerving sensation of being.... studied.
"The trees have eyes and they're always watching".
Deep in the reservation is a plot of woods that even the Natives were taught to steer clear of, and it is here that Kyle feels he must search for the answers to his father's disappearance. "There are places in the world where lost spirits never rest . . . And man is considered prey . . ."
In all of this, Moreland retains an unyielding tension that gnaws at your mind, even when the characters are involved in more lighthearted activities. Although we have a fairly large cast of main characters, I felt I knew each of them intimately. Incredibly realistic personalities, top-notch atmospheric tension, and horrors that you have to "read" to believe--what more could a reader ask for? I will immediately be looking for more of Brian Moreland's books.
Highly recommended!
***re-read: September 2017--Changing my 4.5* rating to a solid 5 ***
October 30, 2023
Once I started reading it was impossible to put down. Unrelenting terror and suspense. More to follow....
July 25, 2021
This is the kind of book that I wished I could use half stars.
The Devil's Woods was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The folklore of both the protagonists and antagonists were interesting, unique, and well thought-out. There was plenty of action, intrigue, crazy-ass creatures in the woods. Two thumbs way up!
The writing was great, but a bit long-winded for me. I found myself tiring of the storylines between the action and setting the book down in search of something else. However, I always kept picking it up to read more.
The female characters, unfortunately, were all relegated to two painfully worn out tropes: The damsels in distress and the sex demons. The damsel spent most of their time crying and screaming and being raped while the sex demons were simple, one-dimensional beauties aching to bone. It was a little disheartening to say the least to read a book of complex and flawed males full of depth, and lame stereotypical females.
There were a few oddities (especially surrounding the RCMP) that I pulled me out of the story a bit, but I will stock that up to writer's choice.
Overall, it was fun but not overly memorable. 3.5 stars
The Devil's Woods was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The folklore of both the protagonists and antagonists were interesting, unique, and well thought-out. There was plenty of action, intrigue, crazy-ass creatures in the woods. Two thumbs way up!
The writing was great, but a bit long-winded for me. I found myself tiring of the storylines between the action and setting the book down in search of something else. However, I always kept picking it up to read more.
The female characters, unfortunately, were all relegated to two painfully worn out tropes: The damsels in distress and the sex demons. The damsel spent most of their time crying and screaming and being raped while the sex demons were simple, one-dimensional beauties aching to bone. It was a little disheartening to say the least to read a book of complex and flawed males full of depth, and lame stereotypical females.
There were a few oddities (especially surrounding the RCMP) that I pulled me out of the story a bit, but I will stock that up to writer's choice.
Overall, it was fun but not overly memorable. 3.5 stars
September 13, 2025
I wanted a scary story in the woods, I got a scary story in the woods.
And more. Some of the more I liked some other I didn't.
Ultimately, The Devil's Woods delivers on its promises and I'm happy I read it. I could have done without the silly romantic parts and one particular trope I won't spoil here.
A perfect read to gently start my horror season readings ^^
And more. Some of the more I liked some other I didn't.
Ultimately, The Devil's Woods delivers on its promises and I'm happy I read it. I could have done without the silly romantic parts and one particular trope I won't spoil here.
A perfect read to gently start my horror season readings ^^
September 22, 2017
Brian Moreland is simply money in the bank. I have yet to read anything of his that I didn't love and The Devil's Woods is his best yet. Kyle and his brother and sister, Eric and Shawna, grew up on the Cree reservation until their mother divorced their father. Eric and Shawna have grown distant from their father, a university archeology professor and an alcoholic, but Kyle has still kept in touch with him through the years. When the siblings receive a call from their uncle Ray inviting them back to the reservation for a visit, Kyle thinks this may be a good way for all of them to reconnect after all these years. Unfortunately, when they arrive, they learn that their father is missing. Kyle attempts to piece together his father's last whereabouts with what he was investigating. What he learns is that their idyllic Canadian hideaway in the woods has an evil buried deep within where things are not as they would seem.
You can tell that Moreland did his research for The Devil's Woods. Its all in the details and his writing is spot on. You get invested in the siblings. Kyle is still mourning from the loss of his wife and you root for him to find happiness. Shawna is the free spirit rebellious type that shows her immaturity from time to time. Eric is the obnoxious womanizer that you want to see get what he has coming to him, yet there are times when he shows his human side and you almost sympathize with him. All of Moreland's characters have depth, no two dimensional cardboard stereotypes here. He also brings the Canadian woods to your doorstep. It feels like you're crunching over leaves, swatting the occasional mosquito and seeing that shadow disappear behind a tree trunk out of the corner of your eye. He really immerses you in his story. He also has done his homework to get the Cree culture and Canadian landscape just right. Moreland delivers another fantastic read and I can't wait for the next one.
5 Float Planes out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
You can tell that Moreland did his research for The Devil's Woods. Its all in the details and his writing is spot on. You get invested in the siblings. Kyle is still mourning from the loss of his wife and you root for him to find happiness. Shawna is the free spirit rebellious type that shows her immaturity from time to time. Eric is the obnoxious womanizer that you want to see get what he has coming to him, yet there are times when he shows his human side and you almost sympathize with him. All of Moreland's characters have depth, no two dimensional cardboard stereotypes here. He also brings the Canadian woods to your doorstep. It feels like you're crunching over leaves, swatting the occasional mosquito and seeing that shadow disappear behind a tree trunk out of the corner of your eye. He really immerses you in his story. He also has done his homework to get the Cree culture and Canadian landscape just right. Moreland delivers another fantastic read and I can't wait for the next one.
5 Float Planes out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
February 15, 2016
Three siblings, Kyle, Eric and Shawna go in search of their missing father. Each sibling has their own cross that they must bear. The trip takes them back to the old Cree Indian reservation, where they were born. They were taken away from the reservation, once there parents were divorced. This rundown village had been abandon for many years. The only remaining tribe members, who live on the reservation are, Two Hawks, their grandfather and Ray, their uncle. Just beyond the reservation, lies The Devil's Woods. The Indian legend has said, that there is something evil lurking in the woods, just waiting for you to enter their forbidden land. Kyle has a gift, he can see ghosts that haunt the surrounding area. The ghosts try to warn Kyle about the evil that hides in the woods. In the near by town of Hagen's Cove, young girls have been disappearing for over a hundred years, without a trace. The search for their father, will take them through the darkest part of the forest, where they will learn, that they must fight to survive. This was the type of book that I hated to put down. Brian Moreland, puts his heart and soul into this terrorizing supernatural thriller. I highly recommend this book.
May 11, 2023
This book was such a fun ride! I loved the Native American folklore and focus on family. The characters were well developed and there were definitely a couple of twists I did not see coming. The action helped to keep good pacing throughout and then propelled forward enough to make me anxious in the last 80% of the book. The cave… OMG. That’s all I say about that. I enjoyed the ending immensely. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
March 8, 2014
A chilling, atmospheric horror novel that raises the campfire story to the level of fine literature.
Moreland builds the suspense slowly, letting the reader get comfortable, introducing them to a cast of characters as flawed and real as old friends, while taking a leisurely stroll through the woods that becomes a sudden mad run for their lives from something as implacable as an avalanche....and ten times as horrifying.
Reminiscent of Graham Masterton, with his blend of Native American mythology, mind-blowing horror and pulp touches, Moreland maintains a voice that is uniquely his own.
Highly recommended!
Moreland builds the suspense slowly, letting the reader get comfortable, introducing them to a cast of characters as flawed and real as old friends, while taking a leisurely stroll through the woods that becomes a sudden mad run for their lives from something as implacable as an avalanche....and ten times as horrifying.
Reminiscent of Graham Masterton, with his blend of Native American mythology, mind-blowing horror and pulp touches, Moreland maintains a voice that is uniquely his own.
Highly recommended!
September 27, 2025
I wanted a scary story in the woods, I got a scary story in the woods.
And more. Some of the more I liked some other I didn't.
Ultimately, The Devil's Woods delivers on its promises and I'm happy I read it. I could have done without the silly romantic parts and one particular trope I won't spoil here.
A perfect read to gently start my horror season readings ^^
And more. Some of the more I liked some other I didn't.
Ultimately, The Devil's Woods delivers on its promises and I'm happy I read it. I could have done without the silly romantic parts and one particular trope I won't spoil here.
A perfect read to gently start my horror season readings ^^
October 14, 2025
Boss Fight Mayhem! Big Boss Bogossity! "Well, there I was, facing down two shamanic spirit warriors at the same time, and what did my boss do? Sat on the sidelines and watched them tag-team me out of the game! Evil's just not gonna win if we keep stabbing each other in the back when we're down!" - Mayor Thorpe - The Evil Minions Lament
I loved this story about a backwoods town inhabited by a whole clan of horribles. A town, young Kyle, a man haunted by loss and powers beyond his control must return to, to find his lost father.
Lots of suspense, lots of action, and lots of derring-do, all backed up by a streak of horror.
Strongly Recommended, 5 'Blood Glistens in Moonlight,' stars
I loved this story about a backwoods town inhabited by a whole clan of horribles. A town, young Kyle, a man haunted by loss and powers beyond his control must return to, to find his lost father.
Lots of suspense, lots of action, and lots of derring-do, all backed up by a streak of horror.
Strongly Recommended, 5 'Blood Glistens in Moonlight,' stars
September 24, 2017
Well, evidently, this is the year of me reading wrong. Everybody loved this one and while I did enjoy parts of it there were just too many things that bugged me and slogged down the pacing of the novel for me. The premise should have been right up my alley, but I just couldn’t get fully into it. I am chalking this one up to bad timing because too many of my friends that have similar tastes dug it a lot more than I did. Yep. The year of me reading wrong continues…
October 9, 2023
Brian Moreland pulls it off yet again. I have loved a lot of his work. This was a thrill ride and a half. Think sheer terror, fantastic realistic characters, tension, suspense and a fast paced plot. What more do you want right? The chill factor is there and plenty of unexpected turns to keep you on your toes. I love his dark mind and imagination. A writer who deserves a lot mite exposure and credit. His writing gets better and better. Highly recommended this, I could not put it down and check out his other books too. I’m a firm fan of this horror writer. Loved it!
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
March 19, 2016
After about a week with several scenes still replaying in my mind, I'm revising my 4 star rating to a 4.5 and rounding up.
THE DEVIL'S WOODS, by Brian Moreland is a book I devoured in two sittings! The main setting planted the perfect background to this novel that blended Native American Lore, man, and the supernatural. The Macaya Forest: ". . . The landscape here is different from the woods that surround the reservation's compound. Here, the trees tower to enormous hights and intertwine with one another as if trying to conceal something the land never wanted man to discover."
Three siblings, (Kyle, Eric, and Shawna), taken away from the reservation of their Cree father following their parents' divorce, are brought back by a call from their Uncle Ray. Ray informs them that Elkheart, their father, has gone missing.
At first, the village seems cozy and cheerful--the ideal tourist spot--but once they enter into the grounds of the decaying reservation itself, the atmosphere is permeated by unease and the unnerving sensation of being.... studied.
"The trees have eyes and they're always watching".
Deep in the reservation is a plot of woods that even the Natives were taught to steer clear of, and it is here that Kyle feels he must search for the answers to his father's disappearance. "There are places in the world where lost spirits never rest . . . And man is considered prey . . ."
In all of this, Moreland retains an unyielding tension that gnaws at your mind, even when the characters are involved in more lighthearted activities. Although we have a fairly large cast of main characters, I felt I knew each of them intimately. Incredibly realistic personalities, top-notch atmospheric tension, and horrors that you have to "read" to believe--what more could a reader ask for? I will immediately be looking for more of Brian Moreland's books.
Highly recommended!
THE DEVIL'S WOODS, by Brian Moreland is a book I devoured in two sittings! The main setting planted the perfect background to this novel that blended Native American Lore, man, and the supernatural. The Macaya Forest: ". . . The landscape here is different from the woods that surround the reservation's compound. Here, the trees tower to enormous hights and intertwine with one another as if trying to conceal something the land never wanted man to discover."
Three siblings, (Kyle, Eric, and Shawna), taken away from the reservation of their Cree father following their parents' divorce, are brought back by a call from their Uncle Ray. Ray informs them that Elkheart, their father, has gone missing.
At first, the village seems cozy and cheerful--the ideal tourist spot--but once they enter into the grounds of the decaying reservation itself, the atmosphere is permeated by unease and the unnerving sensation of being.... studied.
"The trees have eyes and they're always watching".
Deep in the reservation is a plot of woods that even the Natives were taught to steer clear of, and it is here that Kyle feels he must search for the answers to his father's disappearance. "There are places in the world where lost spirits never rest . . . And man is considered prey . . ."
In all of this, Moreland retains an unyielding tension that gnaws at your mind, even when the characters are involved in more lighthearted activities. Although we have a fairly large cast of main characters, I felt I knew each of them intimately. Incredibly realistic personalities, top-notch atmospheric tension, and horrors that you have to "read" to believe--what more could a reader ask for? I will immediately be looking for more of Brian Moreland's books.
Highly recommended!
December 25, 2013
As he did with "Dead of Winter," Moreland delivers another horror thriller that delivers thrills, chills, a lot of tension, many “edge of your seat” moments, and a highly compulsive read that makes for the perfect winter reading. Although "The Devil’s Woods" is set in the present, and not historical fiction like "Dead of Winter," if that wasn’t to a reader’s taste, then that means good news for this one as more horror readers may be inclined to take a chance on it. Once again, Moreland’s research into Canada’s history and specifically British Columbia, as well as the Native American myths and legends associated with the region, is very well-done and he presents it in a very engaging way.
I’ve been recommending "Dead of Winter" to readers ever since I read it a few years ago, and I will continue to recommend it in this review as well because it’s such a high-impact novel. I enjoyed "The Devil’s Woods" as much as I enjoyed "Dead of Winter" although that novel remains my favourite of Moreland’s so far. Continue to watch for more of his work in the future, as it will only keep getting better and better.
For my full review, click here
I’ve been recommending "Dead of Winter" to readers ever since I read it a few years ago, and I will continue to recommend it in this review as well because it’s such a high-impact novel. I enjoyed "The Devil’s Woods" as much as I enjoyed "Dead of Winter" although that novel remains my favourite of Moreland’s so far. Continue to watch for more of his work in the future, as it will only keep getting better and better.
For my full review, click here
September 19, 2025
I read this as part of a group read in the Nightmares and Dreamscapes group. And boyo, am I glad I did.
The Devil's Woods by Brian Moreland is an excellent creature feature, suspenseful book. The book follows the journey of siblings Kyle, Eric, and Shawna, as well as Eric and Shawna's significant others as they travel from Seattle to British Columbia to investigate the apparent disappearance of their father, an apparent ne'er-do-well and drunkard who has disappeared for an extended period of time. The siblings have First Nations heritage, the Cree. They had been separated and/or estranged from the father (Elkheart) and moved to Seattle. The siblings have very disparate lives. Kyle is a writer and widower who has connections to ghosts. Eric is an obnoxious womanizer and lawyer who works to please their step-dad who's a real tool. Shawna is a talented signer. They journey to BC to figure out what happened to their dad, oddly combining it with a vacation and family reunion of sorts with Cree family that lives on a tribal reserve.
The siblings' extended family are welcoming to the siblings, even as the tribe has almost entirely faded out.
What follows is mystery, creature feature, suspense, and twists as the siblings try to investigate. But really only Kyle, the oldest, is putting any real effort into it. Eric and Shawna really don't care.
As a PNW guy, I really appreciated the attention to detail as to local geography, landmarks, and cultural stuff. But where the book really excels is creating setting and atmosphere. The reserve and the dangerous swamp bordering it really come alive and is as much a character as any of the people. The area of BC where the story takes place is an amalgamation of First Nations, Canadian, American, and prior Scandinavian settlers, which felt real. As a PNW guy, I know that is all part of this region's make up and history.
The characters are mostly well drawn without being caricatures. The siblings are distinct. Eric's fiancee/girlfriend Jessica was Aussie but I am not sure I got a strong sense of that except for a few places. But no biggie.
I liked this book a lot, but one should understand the book is also a slow burn. It wasn't (for me) until the 45%-50% mark where the elements of the story start coalescing and action gets going. The book and narrative has a lot of moving parts, which I appreciated. Another element is that not everything is as it seems. And I love that. Especially when as the reader I'm lulled into thinking one thing and then BAM... something gets turned on its head. Love that.
By the 77% mark the book kicks into really high gear. It has a great climactic showdown, full of great, creep imagery. Kyle's
One thing that I did notice that was a bit tough for a book this size was that the Kindle book I read didn't have an electronic TOC that allowed me to know when I was going to be starting a new chapter. There are chapters, but I couldn't access them specifically in the ebook and could not see on the location count when a new chapter was going to arrive.
But that wouldn't dissuade me. I look forward to more of Moreland's work. For sure.
The Devil's Woods by Brian Moreland is an excellent creature feature, suspenseful book. The book follows the journey of siblings Kyle, Eric, and Shawna, as well as Eric and Shawna's significant others as they travel from Seattle to British Columbia to investigate the apparent disappearance of their father, an apparent ne'er-do-well and drunkard who has disappeared for an extended period of time. The siblings have First Nations heritage, the Cree. They had been separated and/or estranged from the father (Elkheart) and moved to Seattle. The siblings have very disparate lives. Kyle is a writer and widower who has connections to ghosts. Eric is an obnoxious womanizer and lawyer who works to please their step-dad who's a real tool. Shawna is a talented signer. They journey to BC to figure out what happened to their dad, oddly combining it with a vacation and family reunion of sorts with Cree family that lives on a tribal reserve.
The siblings' extended family are welcoming to the siblings, even as the tribe has almost entirely faded out.
What follows is mystery, creature feature, suspense, and twists as the siblings try to investigate. But really only Kyle, the oldest, is putting any real effort into it. Eric and Shawna really don't care.
As a PNW guy, I really appreciated the attention to detail as to local geography, landmarks, and cultural stuff. But where the book really excels is creating setting and atmosphere. The reserve and the dangerous swamp bordering it really come alive and is as much a character as any of the people. The area of BC where the story takes place is an amalgamation of First Nations, Canadian, American, and prior Scandinavian settlers, which felt real. As a PNW guy, I know that is all part of this region's make up and history.
The characters are mostly well drawn without being caricatures. The siblings are distinct. Eric's fiancee/girlfriend Jessica was Aussie but I am not sure I got a strong sense of that except for a few places. But no biggie.
I liked this book a lot, but one should understand the book is also a slow burn. It wasn't (for me) until the 45%-50% mark where the elements of the story start coalescing and action gets going. The book and narrative has a lot of moving parts, which I appreciated. Another element is that not everything is as it seems. And I love that. Especially when as the reader I'm lulled into thinking one thing and then BAM... something gets turned on its head. Love that.
By the 77% mark the book kicks into really high gear. It has a great climactic showdown, full of great, creep imagery. Kyle's
One thing that I did notice that was a bit tough for a book this size was that the Kindle book I read didn't have an electronic TOC that allowed me to know when I was going to be starting a new chapter. There are chapters, but I couldn't access them specifically in the ebook and could not see on the location count when a new chapter was going to arrive.
But that wouldn't dissuade me. I look forward to more of Moreland's work. For sure.
July 14, 2023
Wow this book was scary. Every year I go on a guys fishing trip where we stay in a cabin on a lake surrounded by the darkness of the woods. I’m always creeped out by what could be lurking out there at night and this book just amped up that fear big time. It’s the second novel I’ve read by him and honestly I don’t understand why he’s not more mainstream. I loved all the characters, the monsters, and the story never slowed down once. Easy five stars.
March 9, 2014
I freaking love Moreland so far. I'll admit that his style of writing would be best described as "schlock horror", but he writes with such flair that I couldn't help but purchase all of his works I could get my hands on. That's pretty much the best endorsement I can give anyone, that I'd willingly go out and purchase their stuff because I want to give them my money as opposed to getting it from a library or other means.
The story here is fairly fast paced, but if you've read Witching House then you'll be prepared for it. (Although offhand I'd also recommend that you start into his work the same way I did, with the latest and working your way back.) The characters here are nice, but I'd be the first to say that they're more here as fodder to propel the plot along and serve as victims for the things-that-go-bump-in-the-night. I won't spoil the whole plot, but I will say that while I was expecting the twist I wasn't expecting it to be as big as it was.
All in all, this book had a rather satisfying conclusion and this is one of those books I could see doing fairly well as a film. It has enough action to where it'd translate nicely into an After Dark piece, but then I suppose I'm being a bit biased since I really like this author's stuff.
The only big warning I'd give would be that if you weren't into schlock or pulp horror along the likes of the stuff you'd see in the 70s to early 90s cinema, you're less likely to enjoy this as you might otherwise.
The story here is fairly fast paced, but if you've read Witching House then you'll be prepared for it. (Although offhand I'd also recommend that you start into his work the same way I did, with the latest and working your way back.) The characters here are nice, but I'd be the first to say that they're more here as fodder to propel the plot along and serve as victims for the things-that-go-bump-in-the-night. I won't spoil the whole plot, but I will say that while I was expecting the twist I wasn't expecting it to be as big as it was.
All in all, this book had a rather satisfying conclusion and this is one of those books I could see doing fairly well as a film. It has enough action to where it'd translate nicely into an After Dark piece, but then I suppose I'm being a bit biased since I really like this author's stuff.
The only big warning I'd give would be that if you weren't into schlock or pulp horror along the likes of the stuff you'd see in the 70s to early 90s cinema, you're less likely to enjoy this as you might otherwise.
March 25, 2021
This is straight up the best book I’ve ever read. It hooked me immediately without the need for a super long boring buildup. It brings you right into the action and keeps you there until the very last page. There’s absolutely NO fluff in this storyline; all the pages are written with meaning and keep the plot moving. Great character development too.
This book had everything I could have ever hoped for and more:
-the confrontation of past trauma
-balance of tranquility & danger in nature
-backwoods horror
-hallucinogenic, mind altering trips
-ancient folklore
-paranormal interactions
-shifting family & relationship dynamics
-small town “something’s kinda wrong with this place” vibes
-action & adventure
-warlike combat
In my opinion: 100%, A+, 5/5 stars, gold medal... you get the point.
I ripped through this thing in only three sittings before bed each night! For me, that’s bonkers.
I’m NOT an avid reader. I get bored very easily and I don’t have the patience to get through novels. But this one was an absolute banger. Don’t sleep on this, you’ll regret not reading it.
This book had everything I could have ever hoped for and more:
-the confrontation of past trauma
-balance of tranquility & danger in nature
-backwoods horror
-hallucinogenic, mind altering trips
-ancient folklore
-paranormal interactions
-shifting family & relationship dynamics
-small town “something’s kinda wrong with this place” vibes
-action & adventure
-warlike combat
In my opinion: 100%, A+, 5/5 stars, gold medal... you get the point.
I ripped through this thing in only three sittings before bed each night! For me, that’s bonkers.
I’m NOT an avid reader. I get bored very easily and I don’t have the patience to get through novels. But this one was an absolute banger. Don’t sleep on this, you’ll regret not reading it.
June 30, 2015
Review: THE DEVIL'S WOODS by Brian Moreland
I often ponder why it is that a certain few horror authors are consistently prolific best sellers, no matter the quality, while a larger cadre of horror authors produce top quality horror with every venture, and are largely less well-known [except among genre critics, other authors, and some fans]. Among these consistently high-quality writers is Brian Moreland, who always shocks, scares, and satisfies. In THE DEVIL'S WOODS, the horror Mr. Moreland conjures up blew my doors off, and certainly kept me cowering in my room with door locked and multiple lights burning, windows tightly closed and curtained. Here the horrors are both inhuman and human [believe me, the human horrors are every bit as terrifying] and best of all, my personal criterion for horror is well-met: implacability. Brian Moreland raises the horror bar!!
I often ponder why it is that a certain few horror authors are consistently prolific best sellers, no matter the quality, while a larger cadre of horror authors produce top quality horror with every venture, and are largely less well-known [except among genre critics, other authors, and some fans]. Among these consistently high-quality writers is Brian Moreland, who always shocks, scares, and satisfies. In THE DEVIL'S WOODS, the horror Mr. Moreland conjures up blew my doors off, and certainly kept me cowering in my room with door locked and multiple lights burning, windows tightly closed and curtained. Here the horrors are both inhuman and human [believe me, the human horrors are every bit as terrifying] and best of all, my personal criterion for horror is well-met: implacability. Brian Moreland raises the horror bar!!
December 7, 2016
The fact that this book has not had enough exposure is a crime! I'm not one for big reviews, so I will just say this;
The story was great, the characters were varied and full of depth. The attention to detail and lore was excellent. The writing style was solid, fast paced, and didn't stray from the path at all.
Thoroughly enjoyable read/listen ( I listened to the audiobook)
I am a horror veteran. It's hard to peak my interest anymore, and it's great when you discover something different, and at the same time pleasantly familiar.
Simply put - If you consider yourself a horror fan, you won't be disappointed.
Great storytelling!
All in all, 4.5 stars.
Best of luck to you Brian. Keep them coming!
Stu.
The story was great, the characters were varied and full of depth. The attention to detail and lore was excellent. The writing style was solid, fast paced, and didn't stray from the path at all.
Thoroughly enjoyable read/listen ( I listened to the audiobook)
I am a horror veteran. It's hard to peak my interest anymore, and it's great when you discover something different, and at the same time pleasantly familiar.
Simply put - If you consider yourself a horror fan, you won't be disappointed.
Great storytelling!
All in all, 4.5 stars.
Best of luck to you Brian. Keep them coming!
Stu.
December 26, 2013
The Devil’s Woods is Brian Moreland’s second foray into the mysteries of the Canadian wilderness and Native American mythology. His first book, Dead of Winter explored darkness in Ontario from the 19th Century, while The Devil’s Woods explores deviltry in the 21st century out west, in an abandoned Cree Indian Reservation and the nearby town of Hagen’s Cove, which has been a place where people, especially young girls, have been disappearing for over a century without a trace.
Kyle Elkheart, a half-Cree horror novelist living in Seattle who grew up on the reservation, is called home by his uncle and grandfather. His brother Eric and his sister Shawna are the last surviving members of their tribe and their estranged professor father went missing weeks earlier after having spent time exploring the Cree lands-deep into the forbidden woodlands that surround the reservation. Kyle is reluctant at first, but needs a vacation from the nightmares that haunt him every night and the visions of his deceased wife, who passed away two years prior. The lands surrounding their homeland are beautiful though, and Kyle is pleased he is able to make the trip and hopefully get out of the funk surrounding his writing. He is bothered by the fact that he is attracted to Eric’s pretty girlfriend, who has joined them on the trip, and that he seems to be the only person concerned about the disappearance of their father. He sees walking visions of the dead on the reservation and is warned in no uncertain terms by his uncle about the evil that lurks in the woodlands, but suspects that his father may still be out there, uncovering some of the oddities that have caused this region of the country to be dubbed the Canadian Bermuda Triangle.
Every day and every hour seems to reveal bits and pieces of the mystery, especially when a family that has come searching for another member of Kyle’s father’s missing expedition goes missing themselves. There are perhaps monstrous creatures that live within the woods which haunts Cree folklore, but that is not the only evil that Kyle and his family must confront if they are to survive their trip into the Canadian Wilderness.
The Devil’s Woods is another solidly written horror yarn by Brian Moreland, who does an excellent job of crafting believable tales of the supernatural. My favorite of his was his first book, Dead of Winter, and this novel follows in its murky, grim footsteps with demonic glee. The author isn’t afraid to spill some blood and craft horribly wicked creatures that feel like they stepped right out of ancient myth and legend. The evil in this book is quite malevolent while the character development is also solid. The characters, for the most part, are believable and their actions are very plausible. I was perhaps not sold on some elements of the burgeoning romance that Kyle is starting to have with his brother’s girlfriend, but while it felt somewhat predictable it still fit in well with the telling of tale.
The story offers up a few good twists that will keep most readers on their feet and a solid, well-paced supernatural story that is both fun and satisfyingly gruesome. The author’s storytelling abilities always make it a pleasure to return to the sick passages of his twisted mind and this tale was no exception. I look forward to what Brian dreams up next.
Kyle Elkheart, a half-Cree horror novelist living in Seattle who grew up on the reservation, is called home by his uncle and grandfather. His brother Eric and his sister Shawna are the last surviving members of their tribe and their estranged professor father went missing weeks earlier after having spent time exploring the Cree lands-deep into the forbidden woodlands that surround the reservation. Kyle is reluctant at first, but needs a vacation from the nightmares that haunt him every night and the visions of his deceased wife, who passed away two years prior. The lands surrounding their homeland are beautiful though, and Kyle is pleased he is able to make the trip and hopefully get out of the funk surrounding his writing. He is bothered by the fact that he is attracted to Eric’s pretty girlfriend, who has joined them on the trip, and that he seems to be the only person concerned about the disappearance of their father. He sees walking visions of the dead on the reservation and is warned in no uncertain terms by his uncle about the evil that lurks in the woodlands, but suspects that his father may still be out there, uncovering some of the oddities that have caused this region of the country to be dubbed the Canadian Bermuda Triangle.
Every day and every hour seems to reveal bits and pieces of the mystery, especially when a family that has come searching for another member of Kyle’s father’s missing expedition goes missing themselves. There are perhaps monstrous creatures that live within the woods which haunts Cree folklore, but that is not the only evil that Kyle and his family must confront if they are to survive their trip into the Canadian Wilderness.
The Devil’s Woods is another solidly written horror yarn by Brian Moreland, who does an excellent job of crafting believable tales of the supernatural. My favorite of his was his first book, Dead of Winter, and this novel follows in its murky, grim footsteps with demonic glee. The author isn’t afraid to spill some blood and craft horribly wicked creatures that feel like they stepped right out of ancient myth and legend. The evil in this book is quite malevolent while the character development is also solid. The characters, for the most part, are believable and their actions are very plausible. I was perhaps not sold on some elements of the burgeoning romance that Kyle is starting to have with his brother’s girlfriend, but while it felt somewhat predictable it still fit in well with the telling of tale.
The story offers up a few good twists that will keep most readers on their feet and a solid, well-paced supernatural story that is both fun and satisfyingly gruesome. The author’s storytelling abilities always make it a pleasure to return to the sick passages of his twisted mind and this tale was no exception. I look forward to what Brian dreams up next.
October 18, 2020
GREAT read! This one kept me engaged from beginning-to-end.
I went into it thinking it was going to be just another Wendigo story. It is and it isn’t, depending on how you view Wendigo lore. I do feel that the identity of the villain in this story was telegraphed a bit too early on with some rather heavy-handed foreshadowing, but that did not decrease my enjoyment of the book at all.
4.5 stars.
I went into it thinking it was going to be just another Wendigo story. It is and it isn’t, depending on how you view Wendigo lore. I do feel that the identity of the villain in this story was telegraphed a bit too early on with some rather heavy-handed foreshadowing, but that did not decrease my enjoyment of the book at all.
4.5 stars.
December 1, 2013
One of my TOP fave books. A must read. More review to come.
April 10, 2014
Brian Moreland weaves one hell of a tale. I was. 55% into the book knowing this book was getting 5 stars then the book intensified with each page building to a fantastic conclusion!
January 17, 2014
Three Elkheart siblings, Kyle, Eric, and Shawna (all twenty-something) are called back to their childhood home on the Cree Indian Reservation in the wilds of British Columbia by their uncle. Their estranged father, an anthropology professor, has gone missing along with his research and expedition team in the nearby wilderness.
The timing is terrible for Kyle. He is mourning the death of his wife who died in a tragic accident and has descended into a pattern of agoraphobia where leaving his apartment is very difficult. His depression is palatable, and it interferes with his ability to write. He is a bestselling horror novelist and is currently stuck in a desperate case of writer’s block. To top it all off, Kyle sees ghosts, a “gift” he has had since childhood – and this doesn’t help his current frame of mind any. But Eric, Kyle’s younger brother who is a hotshot up-and-coming attorney, convinces Kyle that the family is needed on the Cree reservation. So, the two of them, along with their goth, tattooed, rock band-member sister are off to rural Canada (accompanied by Eric and Shawna’s current love interests).
Once on the reservation and in the nearby village, Kyle realizes things aren’t right. All of the Cree inhabitants have deserted the reservation, except for Kyle’s uncle and grandfather. The villagers are tense. Indian legends about something evil – something monstrous – living in the forest (The Devil’s Woods) seem to be coming true. Kyle is starting to see all kinds of ghosts, and when he touches certain objects in the village or the woods he senses that something horrible has recently occurred. One particularly effective passage has Kyle running his hands over tombstones in a graveyard – tombstones that are not inscribed with names – and hearing the cries and screams of those who are buried in that location. Creepy stuff.
The first half of the book is rather deliberate in pacing. There are hints of the terrors to come, but much emphasis is placed on location and character development. Kyle is nicely portrayed – he is a very broken and haunted hero. Eric is a narcissistic shithead, and Mr. Moreland makes it easy to start disliking the guy. Shawna, the young sister, starts out like she might just be window dressing – a goof-off character. But, she blossoms into a full flesh and blood person who plays a critical role in the narrative. Likewise, her goth boyfriend, Zack, is a nice complement to the story. Finally, there is Jessica, the med student who is in a relationship with Eric. She is a little too “golden” to have fallen for a jerk like Eric. But, Mr. Moreland has something else in mind when she and still-grieving Kyle start exchanging more than just admiring glances.
Midway through the novel, the tempo changes. The last half shifts into maximum overdrive as the true nature of what is actually happening in The Devil’s Woods comes to light. There are numerous plot twists that I didn’t see coming, and the action keeps accelerating to the point where you wonder how much longer the author can keep this up. Just when you think he can’t do it anymore, something more bizarre than what had just happens occurs. The effect is like a roller coaster that doesn’t quit. I don’t want to give any plot lines away, but suffice it to say there are ghosts, demons, monsters, foreign mercenaries, secret passageways, subterranean caves, weird religious ceremonies, weird sexual trysts, explosions, and heaven only knows what else I am forgetting.
You would think an author might lose control of the story given all this stuff going on. But, Mr. Moreland manages the entire thing with aplomb because he has spent the time developing his characters and he does such a fine job setting up the location. You can see this village quite clearly. And, the woods and caves are so well described that they come alive with the characters. The other reason that the novel works so well is that Mr. Moreland has such an unsettling and devilish imagination. He has concocted an incredible storyline that will leave you gasping for breath.
The Devil’s Woods is truly a thrilling read.
The timing is terrible for Kyle. He is mourning the death of his wife who died in a tragic accident and has descended into a pattern of agoraphobia where leaving his apartment is very difficult. His depression is palatable, and it interferes with his ability to write. He is a bestselling horror novelist and is currently stuck in a desperate case of writer’s block. To top it all off, Kyle sees ghosts, a “gift” he has had since childhood – and this doesn’t help his current frame of mind any. But Eric, Kyle’s younger brother who is a hotshot up-and-coming attorney, convinces Kyle that the family is needed on the Cree reservation. So, the two of them, along with their goth, tattooed, rock band-member sister are off to rural Canada (accompanied by Eric and Shawna’s current love interests).
Once on the reservation and in the nearby village, Kyle realizes things aren’t right. All of the Cree inhabitants have deserted the reservation, except for Kyle’s uncle and grandfather. The villagers are tense. Indian legends about something evil – something monstrous – living in the forest (The Devil’s Woods) seem to be coming true. Kyle is starting to see all kinds of ghosts, and when he touches certain objects in the village or the woods he senses that something horrible has recently occurred. One particularly effective passage has Kyle running his hands over tombstones in a graveyard – tombstones that are not inscribed with names – and hearing the cries and screams of those who are buried in that location. Creepy stuff.
The first half of the book is rather deliberate in pacing. There are hints of the terrors to come, but much emphasis is placed on location and character development. Kyle is nicely portrayed – he is a very broken and haunted hero. Eric is a narcissistic shithead, and Mr. Moreland makes it easy to start disliking the guy. Shawna, the young sister, starts out like she might just be window dressing – a goof-off character. But, she blossoms into a full flesh and blood person who plays a critical role in the narrative. Likewise, her goth boyfriend, Zack, is a nice complement to the story. Finally, there is Jessica, the med student who is in a relationship with Eric. She is a little too “golden” to have fallen for a jerk like Eric. But, Mr. Moreland has something else in mind when she and still-grieving Kyle start exchanging more than just admiring glances.
Midway through the novel, the tempo changes. The last half shifts into maximum overdrive as the true nature of what is actually happening in The Devil’s Woods comes to light. There are numerous plot twists that I didn’t see coming, and the action keeps accelerating to the point where you wonder how much longer the author can keep this up. Just when you think he can’t do it anymore, something more bizarre than what had just happens occurs. The effect is like a roller coaster that doesn’t quit. I don’t want to give any plot lines away, but suffice it to say there are ghosts, demons, monsters, foreign mercenaries, secret passageways, subterranean caves, weird religious ceremonies, weird sexual trysts, explosions, and heaven only knows what else I am forgetting.
You would think an author might lose control of the story given all this stuff going on. But, Mr. Moreland manages the entire thing with aplomb because he has spent the time developing his characters and he does such a fine job setting up the location. You can see this village quite clearly. And, the woods and caves are so well described that they come alive with the characters. The other reason that the novel works so well is that Mr. Moreland has such an unsettling and devilish imagination. He has concocted an incredible storyline that will leave you gasping for breath.
The Devil’s Woods is truly a thrilling read.
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