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Big Woods
"A ten-year-old girl disappears from small-town Texas in 1989. Her sister investigates and a reclusive woman may hold the key" --
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2018
170 people are currently reading
2399 people want to read
About the author
May Cobb
9 books1,511 followersMay Cobb is the bestselling author of All The Little Houses and The Hunting Wives, soon to be a series on Netflix. Her previous novels include The Hollywood Assistant, A Likeable Woman, My Summer Darlings, and Big Woods. She earned her MA in literature from San Francisco State University and her essays and interviews have appeared in The Washington Post, Texas Highways, Good Housekeeping, and more. A Texas native, she lives in Austin with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
February 18, 2019
Take a trip back to the 80's & see if you can solve the mystery of the missing children in Big Woods.
It’s 1989 and ten year old Lucy disappears from small town Texas. The story is told in alternating POVs between Leah (big sister, age 14) and Sylvie a nurse who seems to know something about the missing children.
The book starts off BIG with Lucy’s disappearance and an eerie line about “who will save the children” . Her disappearance is tinged with talk of satanic rituals and other bodies recovered in Big Woods. The police have no clues and search of the woods only turns up Lucy’s coin purse. The book quickly turns into more of a slow burn read as the weeks tick by. It kept me turning the pages because I needed to know what happened to Lucy and how Sylvie was connected to it all.
One of the things I really enjoyed was the connection between the two sisters. It was obvious that they had a powerfully strong bond. Leah refused to give up on finding Lucy, even when the adults around her seem to accept that she was most likely dead and would never be found, including her parents. The sisters’ bond/connection was so strong that Leah was having visions/dreams that she felt certain were communications from Lucy trying to aid her in finding and saving her. The adults in her life worried about her visions but she carried on (getting into a few hair raising situations), filled with hope that she would uncover what happened to Lucy.
I connected with Leah the most. Her emotions, pain and struggle were well crafted. Sylvie was also a dynamic character. As her story unfolds and we see the twists & turns her life has taken her part in the story begins to make sense. I couldn’t help wanting to shout at someone to just listen to her!
Unfortunately, I wasn’t a big fan of how things simply tied up neatly at the end. There were so many different elements brought up in the book - satanic rituals & devil worshippers, black roses being delivered at the high school, the church communities in an uproar, psychics, corrupt law enforcement officials, etc and those things were simply swept to the wayside and never mentioned again. I enjoyed how Cobb tied in all these aspects which were relevant in the 80s but it felt unfinished to me.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed Big Woods and in some ways it was a great read. Yet, in others is was a bit lacking for me. This is May Cobb’s debut and as such I can see lots of potential but I also feel like she might have tried to do too much at once here so there were parts that were left undeveloped in my opinion. It was a good read, just not one that I think will remain vividly with me over time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Midnight Ink and May Cobb for my early copy. All opinions are my own.
It’s 1989 and ten year old Lucy disappears from small town Texas. The story is told in alternating POVs between Leah (big sister, age 14) and Sylvie a nurse who seems to know something about the missing children.
The book starts off BIG with Lucy’s disappearance and an eerie line about “who will save the children” . Her disappearance is tinged with talk of satanic rituals and other bodies recovered in Big Woods. The police have no clues and search of the woods only turns up Lucy’s coin purse. The book quickly turns into more of a slow burn read as the weeks tick by. It kept me turning the pages because I needed to know what happened to Lucy and how Sylvie was connected to it all.
One of the things I really enjoyed was the connection between the two sisters. It was obvious that they had a powerfully strong bond. Leah refused to give up on finding Lucy, even when the adults around her seem to accept that she was most likely dead and would never be found, including her parents. The sisters’ bond/connection was so strong that Leah was having visions/dreams that she felt certain were communications from Lucy trying to aid her in finding and saving her. The adults in her life worried about her visions but she carried on (getting into a few hair raising situations), filled with hope that she would uncover what happened to Lucy.
I connected with Leah the most. Her emotions, pain and struggle were well crafted. Sylvie was also a dynamic character. As her story unfolds and we see the twists & turns her life has taken her part in the story begins to make sense. I couldn’t help wanting to shout at someone to just listen to her!
Unfortunately, I wasn’t a big fan of how things simply tied up neatly at the end. There were so many different elements brought up in the book - satanic rituals & devil worshippers, black roses being delivered at the high school, the church communities in an uproar, psychics, corrupt law enforcement officials, etc and those things were simply swept to the wayside and never mentioned again. I enjoyed how Cobb tied in all these aspects which were relevant in the 80s but it felt unfinished to me.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed Big Woods and in some ways it was a great read. Yet, in others is was a bit lacking for me. This is May Cobb’s debut and as such I can see lots of potential but I also feel like she might have tried to do too much at once here so there were parts that were left undeveloped in my opinion. It was a good read, just not one that I think will remain vividly with me over time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Midnight Ink and May Cobb for my early copy. All opinions are my own.
November 5, 2018
Its 1989 when ten-year-old, Lucy disappears. She was walking to the bus stop, but she never got on the bus. An investigation follows but as time trickles away, people begin to fear that her body will be found in the Big Woods. Children's bodies/remains have been found in the Big Woods in the past. Will this be Lucy's fate? Her whole family is devastated, including her older sister, Leah who at fourteen has begun to receive messages from Lucy - on her father's computer and in the form of dreams. Leah believes that Lucy is sending her clues. Leah strongly believes that Lucy is still alive, but no one believes her. Frustrated and believing her sister to be alive, she decides to find Lucy herself.
No one believes Sylvia either. Sylvia is an elderly woman who believes she knows what is happening to the missing children. She has gone to the authorities and they do not believe her either. How frustrating! But how, how does she know?????
This book is told through Leah and Sylvia's POV. Initially, I wondered who Sylvia was and what connection she would have to the missing child. We are given glimpses into Sylvia's life, her heartbreaking quest for a child. Her life, her marriage, and slowly a connection is made. She has had a lot happen in her life and she may indeed hold the key to the mystery surrounding Lucy's disappearance.
This book is set in the late 80's and satanic cults/devil worshipers were believed to be responsible for the missing children and their found remains. There are several things that get started but didn't seem to go anywhere and left me feeling underwhelmed. One area that shined was how the Author showed the family grieving and the close bond of the two sisters.
Is Lucy dead? Is Lucy alive? What happened to the other children? Are the dreams real? Will anyone believer her (Leah or Sylvia)? Will it be too late? Was there satanic worship? Did a pedophile take her? Did another child hurt her? If she is alive, where is she?
Overall, an enjoyable read with short chapters which move the story along. This book does have the nostalgic 80's vibe down. I must give props for that. I appreciate how the Author attempted to include several elements from the 80's. I just wanted a little bit extra. I would have loved to have had one additional POV thrown in, perhaps from an unnamed person.
One scene near the ending of the book was powerful. When Sylvia went down the steps to the basement. She wanted to be a Mother so bad and then she heard the word "Mother" *shudders*
Overall, a good debut and a fast read. I enjoyed the pacing and found the writing to be solid. I would read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Midnight Ink and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
No one believes Sylvia either. Sylvia is an elderly woman who believes she knows what is happening to the missing children. She has gone to the authorities and they do not believe her either. How frustrating! But how, how does she know?????
This book is told through Leah and Sylvia's POV. Initially, I wondered who Sylvia was and what connection she would have to the missing child. We are given glimpses into Sylvia's life, her heartbreaking quest for a child. Her life, her marriage, and slowly a connection is made. She has had a lot happen in her life and she may indeed hold the key to the mystery surrounding Lucy's disappearance.
This book is set in the late 80's and satanic cults/devil worshipers were believed to be responsible for the missing children and their found remains. There are several things that get started but didn't seem to go anywhere and left me feeling underwhelmed. One area that shined was how the Author showed the family grieving and the close bond of the two sisters.
Is Lucy dead? Is Lucy alive? What happened to the other children? Are the dreams real? Will anyone believer her (Leah or Sylvia)? Will it be too late? Was there satanic worship? Did a pedophile take her? Did another child hurt her? If she is alive, where is she?
Overall, an enjoyable read with short chapters which move the story along. This book does have the nostalgic 80's vibe down. I must give props for that. I appreciate how the Author attempted to include several elements from the 80's. I just wanted a little bit extra. I would have loved to have had one additional POV thrown in, perhaps from an unnamed person.
One scene near the ending of the book was powerful. When Sylvia went down the steps to the basement. She wanted to be a Mother so bad and then she heard the word "Mother" *shudders*
Overall, a good debut and a fast read. I enjoyed the pacing and found the writing to be solid. I would read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Midnight Ink and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
June 13, 2018
Ok folks, yes, I’ve found yet another book to take a trip back into the 80s with Big Woods by May Cobb. As soon as I saw that the story took place in that era I knew I had to read it and I’m glad I did as from the opening pages it really felt like I’d time traveled.
The story began with ten year old Lucy heading off to school when a car seems to begin to follow her. Unfortunately the unthinkable happens and Lucy’s family is frantic with worry when she can’t be found. The story then begins to switch the point of view between Lucy’s older sister Leah as the search begins and then another character, Sylvia, who is in her 70s and works as a nurse.
Leah’s point of view shows the frantic search and how her family begins to fracture from the disappearance of her sister. Leah keeps having dreams though of Lucy and she believes that she is still alive, if only anyone would believe her. Sylvia on the other hand doesn’t know the family but she has cared for a young girl with a wild tale of what happened to her in Big Woods but no one will listen to Sylvia when she tries to warn them either.
May Cobb did a wonderful job with this one giving it that perfect vibe of the era, adding in a slight supernatural twist and keeping the pace steady as the point of view went back and forth between the two sides of the story. This one was definitely one that kept my attention and the pages turning waiting to see what the outcome would be.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The story began with ten year old Lucy heading off to school when a car seems to begin to follow her. Unfortunately the unthinkable happens and Lucy’s family is frantic with worry when she can’t be found. The story then begins to switch the point of view between Lucy’s older sister Leah as the search begins and then another character, Sylvia, who is in her 70s and works as a nurse.
Leah’s point of view shows the frantic search and how her family begins to fracture from the disappearance of her sister. Leah keeps having dreams though of Lucy and she believes that she is still alive, if only anyone would believe her. Sylvia on the other hand doesn’t know the family but she has cared for a young girl with a wild tale of what happened to her in Big Woods but no one will listen to Sylvia when she tries to warn them either.
May Cobb did a wonderful job with this one giving it that perfect vibe of the era, adding in a slight supernatural twist and keeping the pace steady as the point of view went back and forth between the two sides of the story. This one was definitely one that kept my attention and the pages turning waiting to see what the outcome would be.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 22, 2018
Have you ever been nostalgic for the 80's? Then do I have a book for you! Being that I did in fact grow up in the 80's this book brought back a lot of memories for me and I enjoyed every minute of this!
Summer, 1989, East Texas.
Lucy and Leah are sisters. Lucy is 10 to Leah's 14 but the age difference meant very little to them. They were incredibly close and loving to one another. One day as Lucy is walking to the bus stop she disappears without a trace.
Clearly the family is devastated. No one has any clues and the time just keeps ticking away as days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months.
A few years prior to Lucy's disappearance several other children had gone missing only to have their remains found in Big Woods. A Satan worshiping cult was blamed though no arrests were ever made because no evidence was ever found.
We have chapters that alternate between Leah and Sylvia a 75 year old woman. At first I was baffled as to what Sylvia had to do with the story but it soon becomes clear that she knows what is happening and what happened to Lucy.
Leah begins having dreams in which she thinks Lucy is sending her messages that she is still alive and giving her clues to her whereabouts but obviously no one will believe her. This prompts Leah to do her own investigation of Lucy's disappearance and Big Woods itself.
Sylvia also goes to the authorities but they don't believe this silly old lady with her crazy tale. She even contacts Lucy's mom but Roz (Lucy's mom) doesn't want to hear it. She is trying to slowly accept the fact that she has lost her precious daughter forever.
This family, wow, I really cared about them. I could feel their grief. Such a sweet and caring family (a very nice break from unlikable characters!) that I just wanted to hug them all and assure them that everything will be alright.
So what did happen to Lucy? You'll have to read it to find out!
I thought this was superb storytelling. An easy 5 stars from me!
Thank you to NetGalley & Midnight Ink for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Summer, 1989, East Texas.
Lucy and Leah are sisters. Lucy is 10 to Leah's 14 but the age difference meant very little to them. They were incredibly close and loving to one another. One day as Lucy is walking to the bus stop she disappears without a trace.
Clearly the family is devastated. No one has any clues and the time just keeps ticking away as days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months.
A few years prior to Lucy's disappearance several other children had gone missing only to have their remains found in Big Woods. A Satan worshiping cult was blamed though no arrests were ever made because no evidence was ever found.
We have chapters that alternate between Leah and Sylvia a 75 year old woman. At first I was baffled as to what Sylvia had to do with the story but it soon becomes clear that she knows what is happening and what happened to Lucy.
Leah begins having dreams in which she thinks Lucy is sending her messages that she is still alive and giving her clues to her whereabouts but obviously no one will believe her. This prompts Leah to do her own investigation of Lucy's disappearance and Big Woods itself.
Sylvia also goes to the authorities but they don't believe this silly old lady with her crazy tale. She even contacts Lucy's mom but Roz (Lucy's mom) doesn't want to hear it. She is trying to slowly accept the fact that she has lost her precious daughter forever.
This family, wow, I really cared about them. I could feel their grief. Such a sweet and caring family (a very nice break from unlikable characters!) that I just wanted to hug them all and assure them that everything will be alright.
So what did happen to Lucy? You'll have to read it to find out!
I thought this was superb storytelling. An easy 5 stars from me!
Thank you to NetGalley & Midnight Ink for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2018
I literally devoured this book - I sat non stop indulging, actually a better word is -binging, force feeding every word - until the end. Five hours later, I'm left full but eerily catatonic from what I read. I kissed both of my daughters - thankful that it was only a story from a book.
I can't remember the last time I have sat, entranced, under a deep spell with a read. Big Woods, draws you in at line one with, "Who will save the children?" Any parent out there can validate the chill and wrenching you get in the depths of your belly when you just read that one line.
Big Woods is a dark, sick, twisted tale (not for the weak) it filled my soul with a feeling that can not be put into words. Let's just say this - it left me in much need of a stiff drink. Cheers!
So what's it about? Here is a brief synopsis:
10 year old Lucy goes missing while walking down her road to her bus stop. Lucy is officially missing; devastated, her parents and 14 year old sister begin the tiresome search to find little, Lucy. What unfolds as the story progresses is a dark tale that leaves even a self proclaimed professional reader like myself feeling haunted. 500 stars for this one! It was a raw tale that leaves you breathless! ❤️
I can't remember the last time I have sat, entranced, under a deep spell with a read. Big Woods, draws you in at line one with, "Who will save the children?" Any parent out there can validate the chill and wrenching you get in the depths of your belly when you just read that one line.
Big Woods is a dark, sick, twisted tale (not for the weak) it filled my soul with a feeling that can not be put into words. Let's just say this - it left me in much need of a stiff drink. Cheers!
So what's it about? Here is a brief synopsis:
10 year old Lucy goes missing while walking down her road to her bus stop. Lucy is officially missing; devastated, her parents and 14 year old sister begin the tiresome search to find little, Lucy. What unfolds as the story progresses is a dark tale that leaves even a self proclaimed professional reader like myself feeling haunted. 500 stars for this one! It was a raw tale that leaves you breathless! ❤️
June 21, 2024
4.5 STARS
I have officially read all of May Cobb’s books to date. 🥰 This may have been her slowest book to start, but then the action began and I raced to the finish line! I’m proud to say Cobb does not have a “worst” book; they’re all good. Big Woods was incredibly different from her later novels. It was very interesting to see her write in both the voices of a 14-year-old and a 75-year-old. I loved Lucy’s determination and perseverance to find her little sister. I would do the same. 💞 I would compare this book to Midnight Is the Darkest Hour, but a way better version. I hope Berkley republishes this for Cobb so it can gain some traction.
Cobb’s books ranked (imo):
The Hollywood Assistant
My Summer Darlings
Big Woods
A Likeable Woman
The Hunting Wives
I have officially read all of May Cobb’s books to date. 🥰 This may have been her slowest book to start, but then the action began and I raced to the finish line! I’m proud to say Cobb does not have a “worst” book; they’re all good. Big Woods was incredibly different from her later novels. It was very interesting to see her write in both the voices of a 14-year-old and a 75-year-old. I loved Lucy’s determination and perseverance to find her little sister. I would do the same. 💞 I would compare this book to Midnight Is the Darkest Hour, but a way better version. I hope Berkley republishes this for Cobb so it can gain some traction.
Cobb’s books ranked (imo):
The Hollywood Assistant
My Summer Darlings
Big Woods
A Likeable Woman
The Hunting Wives
August 10, 2018
If you’re in the mood for a book that sucks you in from the very start then look no further, because Big Woods hooked me after just two pages. A little girl goes missing in the late eighties and being an eighties baby myself I’m always nostalgic for books set then, and throw in a side of satanic cult worshippers and a hint of magical realism and I’m all in!
This alternates between Leah and Sylvia, Lucy is Leah’s sister so her connection was obvious but with Sylvia I wasn’t quite sure how she would fit in, it definitely kept me guessing. I was very invested in these characters, Leah and her family were good, hardworking and sweet people and Sylvia was the same, it made for a nice change of pace to actually like the characters in a thriller compared to many books that are full of hateful and unsympathetic ones.
The pacing here was fantastic, the chapters are short and sweet, you get straight to the point and just keep going for another chapter and then another and before you know it you’re finished! I was so curious about what happened to Lucy, was it the work of a devil worshipping cult? A pedophile? Did she run away? I had many theories and I’m so pleased to say I never quite guessed before the reveal.
I was really impressed that this was Cobb’s debut, she has an assured style that I really liked and she crafted a really interesting story that was part mystery/thriller part family drama that worked so well together. I would definitely read another book from her and will be curious to see what she comes up with next.
Big Woods in three words: Quick, Engrossing and Deft.
This alternates between Leah and Sylvia, Lucy is Leah’s sister so her connection was obvious but with Sylvia I wasn’t quite sure how she would fit in, it definitely kept me guessing. I was very invested in these characters, Leah and her family were good, hardworking and sweet people and Sylvia was the same, it made for a nice change of pace to actually like the characters in a thriller compared to many books that are full of hateful and unsympathetic ones.
The pacing here was fantastic, the chapters are short and sweet, you get straight to the point and just keep going for another chapter and then another and before you know it you’re finished! I was so curious about what happened to Lucy, was it the work of a devil worshipping cult? A pedophile? Did she run away? I had many theories and I’m so pleased to say I never quite guessed before the reveal.
I was really impressed that this was Cobb’s debut, she has an assured style that I really liked and she crafted a really interesting story that was part mystery/thriller part family drama that worked so well together. I would definitely read another book from her and will be curious to see what she comes up with next.
Big Woods in three words: Quick, Engrossing and Deft.
July 4, 2018
Having lived in Texas during the 80s and remembering the satanic cult phenomena that was happening during that time, this book absolutely intrigued me. This book took me back to my childhood... yes, one where I was fascinated with cults, horror and anything macabre - especially if it was true life. Unfortunately, satanic and other types of cults were rampart during this time.
Cobb, thanks so much for taking me back. I giggled at "rock me on my desk" instead of "Rock me, Amadeus" and at the mentions of Luby's and Steak and Ale. The author did a fantastic job in bringing me back into the South.
It took me about 30% of the book to get into it. The chapters alternate between Leah and Sylvia slowly building to their intersection. It does run a little slow in some places. This is really more about the bond between Leah and Lucy (her sister who has gone missing) and how Leah and Sylvia are dealing with the missing children and eerie things happening within the town. I would have loved to have had MORE about the cult - what was going on, who was involved and why. I felt this part was lacking in the book... but only because that's a preference I would've preferred. The ending tied up very quickly. With the slow to moderate pace, this seemed a little too fast and neat right at the finish.
A solid debut. Cobb will certainly have more for us in the future and I'm looking forward to see what she comes up with.
Thanks so much to the publisher and author for my copy.
Cobb, thanks so much for taking me back. I giggled at "rock me on my desk" instead of "Rock me, Amadeus" and at the mentions of Luby's and Steak and Ale. The author did a fantastic job in bringing me back into the South.
It took me about 30% of the book to get into it. The chapters alternate between Leah and Sylvia slowly building to their intersection. It does run a little slow in some places. This is really more about the bond between Leah and Lucy (her sister who has gone missing) and how Leah and Sylvia are dealing with the missing children and eerie things happening within the town. I would have loved to have had MORE about the cult - what was going on, who was involved and why. I felt this part was lacking in the book... but only because that's a preference I would've preferred. The ending tied up very quickly. With the slow to moderate pace, this seemed a little too fast and neat right at the finish.
A solid debut. Cobb will certainly have more for us in the future and I'm looking forward to see what she comes up with.
Thanks so much to the publisher and author for my copy.
April 3, 2018
This is what I like to call a “no bookmark needed” kinda book! Alternating POV and short chapters have you racing through this at neck break speed to see where this wicked tale is taking you. For a debut, May Cobb has managed to write a grisly story that you won’t be able to put down.
September 15, 2018
A well-written thriller that lacks substance
In the year 1989, ten-year-old Lucy disappears from the town of Longview, Texas. The police and citizens of Longview immediately launch a huge search for her, but as the days go by, and she still isn’t found, her family begin to fear the worst, particularly in light of the several unresolved child kidnappings that have been occurring in the surrounding area over the past few years. However, Leah, Lucy’s fourteen-year-old sister, isn’t ready to give up and when she starts having strange dreams about Lucy that contain clues to her whereabouts, she is adamant that her sister is still alive. She starts to look for Lucy alone but her investigation leads her to the danger of the Big Woods and may uncover something far more sinister going on in Longview than the residents could have ever imagined.
Big Woods is an engaging and rapid-paced novel with some good twists and turns scattered throughout. The story is well-written and extremely atmospheric, and the author manages to create an unsettling feel from the very beginning that builds the tension as the mystery of Lucy’s disappearance gradually unfolds. She also manages to create a very 80s-feel to the book, which I was able to recognise and pick up on despite never having lived in the 80s myself! The story is written from two alternating points of view – Leah and Sylvia, a reclusive widow – and the way that they intertwine and build up to the climax of the story are extremely well done. It is also easy to differentiate between the two separate voices of the characters that the author has created, and as you read you feel that you get to know the two women very well, as they explore their fears and past traumatic experiences.
Unfortunately, once I had finished reading I found this story to be quite unmemorable as thrillers go, with a climax that felt a little anticlimactic compared to what the build-up had me expecting. Aside from Leah and Sylvia, none of the background characters really resonated or seemed that well developed to me, and I never really felt that worried for Lucy as I didn’t have a good idea of her character. Similarly, certain aspects of the plot felt a little wishy-washy and poorly explained – for example, the dreams that Leah has been used as a convenient plot device but no reason for them occurring is ever given, which makes some aspects of the story seem lazy. I felt that this could have been the first draft of a novel and may have been really good with a bit of tightening up but unfortunately it never quite reached that level for me.
In conclusion, this was a good debut novel and the author is clearly talented and imaginative, but I feel a little more substance and direction to the story and characters would vastly improve the book.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
In the year 1989, ten-year-old Lucy disappears from the town of Longview, Texas. The police and citizens of Longview immediately launch a huge search for her, but as the days go by, and she still isn’t found, her family begin to fear the worst, particularly in light of the several unresolved child kidnappings that have been occurring in the surrounding area over the past few years. However, Leah, Lucy’s fourteen-year-old sister, isn’t ready to give up and when she starts having strange dreams about Lucy that contain clues to her whereabouts, she is adamant that her sister is still alive. She starts to look for Lucy alone but her investigation leads her to the danger of the Big Woods and may uncover something far more sinister going on in Longview than the residents could have ever imagined.
Big Woods is an engaging and rapid-paced novel with some good twists and turns scattered throughout. The story is well-written and extremely atmospheric, and the author manages to create an unsettling feel from the very beginning that builds the tension as the mystery of Lucy’s disappearance gradually unfolds. She also manages to create a very 80s-feel to the book, which I was able to recognise and pick up on despite never having lived in the 80s myself! The story is written from two alternating points of view – Leah and Sylvia, a reclusive widow – and the way that they intertwine and build up to the climax of the story are extremely well done. It is also easy to differentiate between the two separate voices of the characters that the author has created, and as you read you feel that you get to know the two women very well, as they explore their fears and past traumatic experiences.
Unfortunately, once I had finished reading I found this story to be quite unmemorable as thrillers go, with a climax that felt a little anticlimactic compared to what the build-up had me expecting. Aside from Leah and Sylvia, none of the background characters really resonated or seemed that well developed to me, and I never really felt that worried for Lucy as I didn’t have a good idea of her character. Similarly, certain aspects of the plot felt a little wishy-washy and poorly explained – for example, the dreams that Leah has been used as a convenient plot device but no reason for them occurring is ever given, which makes some aspects of the story seem lazy. I felt that this could have been the first draft of a novel and may have been really good with a bit of tightening up but unfortunately it never quite reached that level for me.
In conclusion, this was a good debut novel and the author is clearly talented and imaginative, but I feel a little more substance and direction to the story and characters would vastly improve the book.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
April 3, 2018
I did not hate this novel. Really. Despite my low rating, I did enjoy several scenes and felt some moments — especially around the three quarters mark — worked well. But on the whole, Big Woods — this author’s debut novel — falls flat.
Set in 1989, this is the story of a kidnapping and the cult fear that broke out in the ‘80s. Told in alternating points of view by two characters, this is just . . . another Gone Girl, but not nearly as twisty or fun or original. When will this trend die?
The characters are *huge* nothings — I just finished and am having trouble remembering their names — and I had a world of trouble telling them apart. Still, I wanted to know what happened next and how it would all turn out, hence my not giving this one star. I did find myself caring at certain moments, but those occasions were far too rare.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC, which was given in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 1989, this is the story of a kidnapping and the cult fear that broke out in the ‘80s. Told in alternating points of view by two characters, this is just . . . another Gone Girl, but not nearly as twisty or fun or original. When will this trend die?
The characters are *huge* nothings — I just finished and am having trouble remembering their names — and I had a world of trouble telling them apart. Still, I wanted to know what happened next and how it would all turn out, hence my not giving this one star. I did find myself caring at certain moments, but those occasions were far too rare.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC, which was given in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2018
Big Woods is my first book by May Cobb and I definitely would look at future books from the author as I did enjoy her writing style. The book is set in 1989 in a small town called Longview and tells the story of Lucy a girl who is abducted. But there is a lot more than meets the eye to this abduction, for the Big Woods has taken children before. Could Lucy be another one of the missing?
The story Big Woods is told from Leah (Lucy's sister) and Sylvia a lady in her seventies who knows more that she should. I liked Leah enough and could relate to her as I was at similar age in 1989. Much of the pop culture mentioned were things that were of the time and correct (From what I could remember). Especially the music, clothing and even being 14 years old. But Sylvia was my favourite character. I loved the chapters in her voice. How she talked to you in a kind, well mannered way and felt like a friend. I related more to Sylvia than Leah which is strange considered the age gap between us too.
Big Woods is a bit of a slow burner. I felt this way to just over half way through when suddenly a lot more things were given to us and I felt like I wasn't totally in the dark anymore. I do feel the author could have told us some things earlier on. Maybe even given us some history on Big Woods rather than what had happened there and who the people thought were responsible. I don't want to give any spoilers, but in the 80's even the late ones the 'blame' in this book was relevant to the time period. There was a lot of this happening in the US I remember from when I was younger, not so much in the UK but it fascinated me as a teen - still does if I'm honest. I do feel May has done her homework and with a book set a few decades ago this has to be the case for it to be believable.
The climax towards the end is good, I loved how we had Sylvia's chapter before Leah's it gave it that shock factor which had me excited - I needed to know more. The ending was good, but I felt the police washed over things a little. Or maybe its because we were already told the ending by the other characters? Either way I felt this could have been done different, but what I read was still good. I finished Big Woods feelings satisfied that the ends were all tied up, but also a little deflated as I often get that when I've invested myself in a book and it ends. But still, the ending felt right and I'm glad May wrote the book this way.
To conclude Big Woods was read over 2 sittings and I did not want to put it down. I loved the story, the pace and the mystery. This is a good thriller and I can see many enjoying it. If you are looking for a gore factor this isn't for you. However if you like a good mystery thriller that will draw you in and not let you go till the end, then give Big Woods a try. 4 stars.
Reviewed on Http://www.readbymel.co.uk
The story Big Woods is told from Leah (Lucy's sister) and Sylvia a lady in her seventies who knows more that she should. I liked Leah enough and could relate to her as I was at similar age in 1989. Much of the pop culture mentioned were things that were of the time and correct (From what I could remember). Especially the music, clothing and even being 14 years old. But Sylvia was my favourite character. I loved the chapters in her voice. How she talked to you in a kind, well mannered way and felt like a friend. I related more to Sylvia than Leah which is strange considered the age gap between us too.
Big Woods is a bit of a slow burner. I felt this way to just over half way through when suddenly a lot more things were given to us and I felt like I wasn't totally in the dark anymore. I do feel the author could have told us some things earlier on. Maybe even given us some history on Big Woods rather than what had happened there and who the people thought were responsible. I don't want to give any spoilers, but in the 80's even the late ones the 'blame' in this book was relevant to the time period. There was a lot of this happening in the US I remember from when I was younger, not so much in the UK but it fascinated me as a teen - still does if I'm honest. I do feel May has done her homework and with a book set a few decades ago this has to be the case for it to be believable.
The climax towards the end is good, I loved how we had Sylvia's chapter before Leah's it gave it that shock factor which had me excited - I needed to know more. The ending was good, but I felt the police washed over things a little. Or maybe its because we were already told the ending by the other characters? Either way I felt this could have been done different, but what I read was still good. I finished Big Woods feelings satisfied that the ends were all tied up, but also a little deflated as I often get that when I've invested myself in a book and it ends. But still, the ending felt right and I'm glad May wrote the book this way.
To conclude Big Woods was read over 2 sittings and I did not want to put it down. I loved the story, the pace and the mystery. This is a good thriller and I can see many enjoying it. If you are looking for a gore factor this isn't for you. However if you like a good mystery thriller that will draw you in and not let you go till the end, then give Big Woods a try. 4 stars.
Reviewed on Http://www.readbymel.co.uk
Want to read
July 7, 2018If you like a thriller that has paranormal aspects then this is the book for you. Its set in the 1980's and changes between the two characters. Kept my attention and I wanted to know more.
May 27, 2019
"Things aren't so black and white, so fixed, so certain."
Big Woods is a Satanic Panic-related thriller set in Texas during the 80s. I liked the setup for this book, and the setting and time period were probably my favorite things. We have 2 main characters - Leah, whose sister has disappeared, and Sylvie, and it takes a bit to find out her relation to the story.
I think I might have liked it better if it was just focused on Leah. I understood later what Sylvie had to do with the story, but I didn't find her mystery captivating enough to keep me curious about what was going on with her.
Big Woods is a slow burn book, and I didn't really find myself getting interested until around the middle of the book. I did like that it had short chapters, so it still moved along well.
I had some issues with the final reveal that I don't want to go into to avoid spoilers, but overall, I guess it just felt a little too neat and contrived. I enjoyed some parts of the story, and thought it was a promising book, but I had trouble staying invested in what was going on.
Big Woods is a Satanic Panic-related thriller set in Texas during the 80s. I liked the setup for this book, and the setting and time period were probably my favorite things. We have 2 main characters - Leah, whose sister has disappeared, and Sylvie, and it takes a bit to find out her relation to the story.
I think I might have liked it better if it was just focused on Leah. I understood later what Sylvie had to do with the story, but I didn't find her mystery captivating enough to keep me curious about what was going on with her.
Big Woods is a slow burn book, and I didn't really find myself getting interested until around the middle of the book. I did like that it had short chapters, so it still moved along well.
I had some issues with the final reveal that I don't want to go into to avoid spoilers, but overall, I guess it just felt a little too neat and contrived. I enjoyed some parts of the story, and thought it was a promising book, but I had trouble staying invested in what was going on.
June 25, 2018
Thank you to Midnight Ink Books for an early e-galley of Big Woods in exchange for an honest review. Lots of amazing creepy atmosphere in Big Woods. Lucy goes missing in the late 1980s and the time period really brought back memories! Lots of concern over satanic clans and the horror of MTV in our homes. I loved all the reminders of the time period. The story moved along at a decent pace with the point of view switching between Lucy’s sister Leah and Sylvia, a widow who may have some answers. Publishes July 8, 2018
October 19, 2018
A thriller set in rural Texas during the Satanic Panic of the late 1980's and early 1990's explores the grief of one family when their little girl goes missing without a trace.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Cobb covers many aspects of the growing social paranoia during the late 1980's with a grim grace. It was a time when the occult gained attention in the U.S., particularly in opposition to evangelical fear from a largely Christian society which made many believe in a dark "us vs. them" mentality that put the mainstream in stark opposition to the different. It resulted in conspiracies, fear-mongering campaigns from some extremist Christian leaders, and too often resulted in false arrests after a surge in modern-day witch hunts that exploited fringe society (see The West Memphis Three).
Perhaps the most present fear for mainstream families during this tense time was that of supposed ritual sacrifice involving children, a fear that May Cobb uses as a propellant in her fiction novel, Big Woods.
DESCRIPTION
In Longwood, Texas a string of unsolved kidnappings is blamed on satanic ritual. The latest victim? Lucy Spencer, a ten-year-old girl who vanished while walking to her school bus. Many fear Lucy's case, too, will remained unsolved.
But amidst her grief, Leah (Lucy's fourteen-year-old sister) starts having strange dreams, dreams where Lucy seems to be trying to send her a message. Though the police and even their parents seem to lose hope, Leah remains convinced that there is still time for Lucy. Leah launches her own investigation, finding danger and darkness at every step.
Though they might not know it yet, Leah and a reclusive widow on the edge of town are walking parallel paths. Together they may discover the key to finding Lucy, if they can only find the courage to confront their biggest fears. For Sylvia, shunned from local society, harbors the darkest small-town secrets that will set this case aflame.
REVIEW
A book that ropes you in right from page one and leaves you hog-tied until the last sentence. Big Woods impresses with how much it can accomplish through an efficient writing style that gives the perfect amount of detail without sacrificing emotion.
It is fast-paced, agile—a true thriller. Yet it also allows moments for grief, pain, and heartbreak. Leah and Sylvia win your heart through alternating perspectives. One a fourteen-year-old girl with the fresh-faced view of youth, the other an aging widow who looks backward more than she looks forward. Their parallels and their foils are a wonderful device for a story that hinges on societal perceptions and how they evolve with time.
At certain moments, Big Woods reads as a movie. It does use some of the lenient logic that film depends on, but it is at no detriment to the story itself and makes for a more approachable, binge-able reading experience that many a thrill-seeker will appreciate.
WHAT WOULD I CHANGE
If I were being excessively critical, I would request that a large revelation (which occurs in the later quarter of the novel) be better seeded in the very beginning. Thrill-readers love to be stunned, but we also love hints that make us feel we should have seen it coming. Please know, this is a finicky complaint and shouldn't deter anyone from making the decision to pick up an enjoyable novel. Other than this small note, I would change nothing.
I can imagine though, that others will argue it could have been longer. I see their point, but I would argue in return that you must look at a novel as a whole and ask what it is trying to achieve. For Big Woods I believe the skill is in its stride, its efficiency, but also its heartbreak. To make it more detailed would have resulted in a much longer story—perhaps overly so—which would have hindered an otherwise breathtaking pace. And truly, detail is often not as needed as you would think. May Cobb knows this truth well and uses it to her best advantage.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Pulling in psychology and tactics from real-life cult leaders, May Cobb carves out a novel that could easily be transferred from the page to the big screen. A tribute to the paranoia of the late 1980's, a witness to the bond of sisterhood, and a testament to grief, Big Woods is a racing, page-turning sprint to the final chapter.
RATING: 4.5/5
A LITTLE HISTORY
Cobb covers many aspects of the growing social paranoia during the late 1980's with a grim grace. It was a time when the occult gained attention in the U.S., particularly in opposition to evangelical fear from a largely Christian society which made many believe in a dark "us vs. them" mentality that put the mainstream in stark opposition to the different. It resulted in conspiracies, fear-mongering campaigns from some extremist Christian leaders, and too often resulted in false arrests after a surge in modern-day witch hunts that exploited fringe society (see The West Memphis Three).
Perhaps the most present fear for mainstream families during this tense time was that of supposed ritual sacrifice involving children, a fear that May Cobb uses as a propellant in her fiction novel, Big Woods.
DESCRIPTION
In Longwood, Texas a string of unsolved kidnappings is blamed on satanic ritual. The latest victim? Lucy Spencer, a ten-year-old girl who vanished while walking to her school bus. Many fear Lucy's case, too, will remained unsolved.
But amidst her grief, Leah (Lucy's fourteen-year-old sister) starts having strange dreams, dreams where Lucy seems to be trying to send her a message. Though the police and even their parents seem to lose hope, Leah remains convinced that there is still time for Lucy. Leah launches her own investigation, finding danger and darkness at every step.
Though they might not know it yet, Leah and a reclusive widow on the edge of town are walking parallel paths. Together they may discover the key to finding Lucy, if they can only find the courage to confront their biggest fears. For Sylvia, shunned from local society, harbors the darkest small-town secrets that will set this case aflame.
REVIEW
A book that ropes you in right from page one and leaves you hog-tied until the last sentence. Big Woods impresses with how much it can accomplish through an efficient writing style that gives the perfect amount of detail without sacrificing emotion.
It is fast-paced, agile—a true thriller. Yet it also allows moments for grief, pain, and heartbreak. Leah and Sylvia win your heart through alternating perspectives. One a fourteen-year-old girl with the fresh-faced view of youth, the other an aging widow who looks backward more than she looks forward. Their parallels and their foils are a wonderful device for a story that hinges on societal perceptions and how they evolve with time.
At certain moments, Big Woods reads as a movie. It does use some of the lenient logic that film depends on, but it is at no detriment to the story itself and makes for a more approachable, binge-able reading experience that many a thrill-seeker will appreciate.
WHAT WOULD I CHANGE
If I were being excessively critical, I would request that a large revelation (which occurs in the later quarter of the novel) be better seeded in the very beginning. Thrill-readers love to be stunned, but we also love hints that make us feel we should have seen it coming. Please know, this is a finicky complaint and shouldn't deter anyone from making the decision to pick up an enjoyable novel. Other than this small note, I would change nothing.
I can imagine though, that others will argue it could have been longer. I see their point, but I would argue in return that you must look at a novel as a whole and ask what it is trying to achieve. For Big Woods I believe the skill is in its stride, its efficiency, but also its heartbreak. To make it more detailed would have resulted in a much longer story—perhaps overly so—which would have hindered an otherwise breathtaking pace. And truly, detail is often not as needed as you would think. May Cobb knows this truth well and uses it to her best advantage.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Pulling in psychology and tactics from real-life cult leaders, May Cobb carves out a novel that could easily be transferred from the page to the big screen. A tribute to the paranoia of the late 1980's, a witness to the bond of sisterhood, and a testament to grief, Big Woods is a racing, page-turning sprint to the final chapter.
RATING: 4.5/5
May 7, 2022
After LOVING The Hunting Wives I knew I had to read May Cobb's prior work. And I was NOT disappointed. Big Woods is a quick read and packed with action and suspense with two unlikely heroes at the center of it. Spinechilling and scary!
November 17, 2018
Couldn't Put it Down
Wow! This author is a master of psychological twists! I love the way that she tells the story from the point of view of the main protagonists in an alternating summary. I definitely want to read more of her work.
Wow! This author is a master of psychological twists! I love the way that she tells the story from the point of view of the main protagonists in an alternating summary. I definitely want to read more of her work.
May 19, 2024
4.5 ⭐ Being a fan of May already, this book was different than her other ones but I absolutely loved it! If you are fascinated by cults I highly suggest this one.
October 10, 2018
So good! Finished in a day - couldn’t put it down. Loved the twist in the middle. Satanic cults .. or is it?
August 11, 2018
I pre-ordered this book a few months ago. Once I almost cancelled the order. Thankful I did not. An incredible book where you really don’t want to stop reading yet there is a fear what you will find in the next chapter. The first-person point of view creates stand-out characters with whom the reader connects. Ms. Cobb’s writing style produces a well-paced read. Her inclusion of aspects of the eighties culture lends a realistic feel to the book. Glad I added Big Woods to my library.
January 13, 2021
I couldn’t stop reading this book! The character development was so well done,and it is written from two intertwined point of view perspectives. You don’t know how those two fit together until you are well into the book. A story of a missing girl, and the turmoil her family (especially her sister) endures while they search and wait.
I grew up outside of Dallas around this time period, so I identified strongly with the time and place references in this book. There is also much dialog around the cult scares of the late 80s/early 90s. This is a really well done story, and I recommend to anyone who enjoys a page turning thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Midnight Ink for the opportunity to provide my honest review in exchange for reading in advance.
I grew up outside of Dallas around this time period, so I identified strongly with the time and place references in this book. There is also much dialog around the cult scares of the late 80s/early 90s. This is a really well done story, and I recommend to anyone who enjoys a page turning thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Midnight Ink for the opportunity to provide my honest review in exchange for reading in advance.
June 2, 2018
This book starts off a little slow, but picks up speed until I was staying up late into the night reading. The story is told in alternating POVs - Leah (14) whose younger sister has been kidnapped, and Sylvia (75), a psychiatric nurse, who knows what may have happened, but no one will listen to her. The short chapters and alternating POVs worked well in this story.
April 19, 2022
After loving THE HUNTING WIVES, I jumped at the chance to read May Cobb’s debut — and it’s a brilliant one, at that. With BIG WOODS, Cobb plunges readers into small-town ‘80s life (right down to the neon and Jell-O), while telling a terrifying yet wholly believable story that chilled me to the core. Cinematic and emotional, this seamless mystery-thriller mashup is going straight onto my favorites list. Fans of Stephen King and Stranger Things will eat this book up.
January 8, 2019
Rediculious
I don't mind suspending belief but this had too many plot holes you couldn't ignore. Also, if you have set the year there's no need to keep bringing up pop reference (songs from the era, foods etc)
I don't mind suspending belief but this had too many plot holes you couldn't ignore. Also, if you have set the year there's no need to keep bringing up pop reference (songs from the era, foods etc)
August 3, 2018
What a thriller! Will give any mother nightmares.
November 2, 2018
Page turner! Could not put this down!! Wonderful book. Loved that it is set in my hometown Longview Texas.
January 11, 2023
You may be familiar with author May Cobb for her salacious, drama-filled thrillers My Summer Darlings and The Hunting Wives. She’s built herself a reputation as someone who knows how to deliver the desperate, unhinged suburban housewife character. What you may not realize, is that before she donned that particular hat, she wrote a deeply moving debut about a family rocked by tragedy. Big Woods is an emotion-packed thriller about a missing child, Lucy, and the two unlikely heroes who refuse to give up on her.
If you’ve read Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger, you’ll want to grab this book. It’s like a hybrid between that and your favorite cult thriller. Big Woods takes place in a small Texas town in the 80’s that has a history of satanic cult action out in Big Woods. When Lucy goes missing, her sister Leah is sure it’s somehow tied to that. When everyone seems to move on, Lucy refuses. She’s plagued by dreams of her sister and an unstoppable conviction that Lucy is still alive. With the help of local recluse Sylvia—who was once rocked by a similar tragedy—Lucy uncovers the mystery surrounding her sister’s disappearance.
This is a deeply emotional read that delves into the many layers of grief. The pace is intentionally slow (although with very short chapters) as the mundane, day to day happenings give us intimate looks into how each person is handling the enormity of the family’s loss. We get dual points of view between Leah and Sylvia, with both past and present day timelines. Big Woods is a book about grief and resilience and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. There is also a razor sharp commentary on the darker side of small town America and the secrets a community is willing to keep.
With a nostalgic 80’s setting, strong characters and a suspenseful build that keeps the pages turning, Big Woods is a worthy thriller to add to your stack. While the lesser known of Cobb’s books, it certainly cements her as a versatile writer in her ability to seamlessly bounce between the more mass market thrillers and something with a more serious tone.
If you’ve read Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger, you’ll want to grab this book. It’s like a hybrid between that and your favorite cult thriller. Big Woods takes place in a small Texas town in the 80’s that has a history of satanic cult action out in Big Woods. When Lucy goes missing, her sister Leah is sure it’s somehow tied to that. When everyone seems to move on, Lucy refuses. She’s plagued by dreams of her sister and an unstoppable conviction that Lucy is still alive. With the help of local recluse Sylvia—who was once rocked by a similar tragedy—Lucy uncovers the mystery surrounding her sister’s disappearance.
This is a deeply emotional read that delves into the many layers of grief. The pace is intentionally slow (although with very short chapters) as the mundane, day to day happenings give us intimate looks into how each person is handling the enormity of the family’s loss. We get dual points of view between Leah and Sylvia, with both past and present day timelines. Big Woods is a book about grief and resilience and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. There is also a razor sharp commentary on the darker side of small town America and the secrets a community is willing to keep.
With a nostalgic 80’s setting, strong characters and a suspenseful build that keeps the pages turning, Big Woods is a worthy thriller to add to your stack. While the lesser known of Cobb’s books, it certainly cements her as a versatile writer in her ability to seamlessly bounce between the more mass market thrillers and something with a more serious tone.
September 18, 2018
I wanted to give this a solid 3.5 stars but you can't do halves, so I rounded it up to four. It was a really suspenseful, interesting read, and I really liked it!
I had a couple of minor gripes, mainly stuff that I found unrealistic (hard to elaborate without spoilers, but suffice to say that the two main characters, Lucy and Leah, get off super light compared to literally every other victim in the book, and that bugged me), but for a debut thriller, it was pretty damn scary and well-written. Having grown up in the bible belt, and being a religions major, I've seen the odd evangelical/pentecostal church that makes chills go up your spine. And I liked how the author plays into the ridiculous 80s era fears of satanists and "devil worshippers".
A few loose ends were never fully tied, though. Who sent the black roses? Do we ever find out for sure? I would have liked to have known more about the final showdown between Sylvia and you know who. Also, what's the deal with the Dad? I felt like the author was setting it up for their to be a bigger reveal about his absence, but there wasn't. What happened to Delia? There were a few characters who are introduced and then go nowhere, like the blonde "friend" of Leah's who throws the church vigil, and the record store guy...I would have liked all these loose ends to be tied up. And, again, Lucy and Leah's arc felt unrealistic to me.
All this aside, I thought it was a solid debut, definitely scary, and I couldn't put it down.
I had a couple of minor gripes, mainly stuff that I found unrealistic (hard to elaborate without spoilers, but suffice to say that the two main characters, Lucy and Leah, get off super light compared to literally every other victim in the book, and that bugged me), but for a debut thriller, it was pretty damn scary and well-written. Having grown up in the bible belt, and being a religions major, I've seen the odd evangelical/pentecostal church that makes chills go up your spine. And I liked how the author plays into the ridiculous 80s era fears of satanists and "devil worshippers".
A few loose ends were never fully tied, though. Who sent the black roses? Do we ever find out for sure? I would have liked to have known more about the final showdown between Sylvia and you know who. Also, what's the deal with the Dad? I felt like the author was setting it up for their to be a bigger reveal about his absence, but there wasn't. What happened to Delia? There were a few characters who are introduced and then go nowhere, like the blonde "friend" of Leah's who throws the church vigil, and the record store guy...I would have liked all these loose ends to be tied up. And, again, Lucy and Leah's arc felt unrealistic to me.
All this aside, I thought it was a solid debut, definitely scary, and I couldn't put it down.
November 5, 2022
“When her sister disappears, the only clue Leah has is a cryptic message: Underground. By the Woods. “
Synopsis: It's 1989 in the sleepy town of Longview, Texas, when 10-year-old Lucy disappears. Her parents, the police, and the community all brace for the worst, assuming her body will soon be found in Big Woods. Just like the other unsolved kidnappings. But then Lucy's 14-year-old sister, Leah, starts having dreams about Lucy - dreams that reveal startling clues as to what happened. Leah begins her own investigation, and soon she meets a reclusive widow who may hold the key to finding Lucy...if only she can find the courage to come forward.
Personal Review : 4 stars
This book is May Cobb’s debut, and no longer in print, so, hard to find! It has been a unicorn on my list since I read Hunting Wives and My Summer Darling, and I finally got my hands on a retired library paperback edition. This book brought all the early 90’s paranoia that surrounds satanic cults, as well as mystery and thrill. The main character Leah has the tenacity to never stop digging into the sudden disappearance of her little sister, even when the “grown ups” had given up- she was easy to cheer for and identify with. The plot kept me turning page after page, with a deep desire to know what happened to Lucy! If you can get your hands on this - do it!
Synopsis: It's 1989 in the sleepy town of Longview, Texas, when 10-year-old Lucy disappears. Her parents, the police, and the community all brace for the worst, assuming her body will soon be found in Big Woods. Just like the other unsolved kidnappings. But then Lucy's 14-year-old sister, Leah, starts having dreams about Lucy - dreams that reveal startling clues as to what happened. Leah begins her own investigation, and soon she meets a reclusive widow who may hold the key to finding Lucy...if only she can find the courage to come forward.
Personal Review : 4 stars
This book is May Cobb’s debut, and no longer in print, so, hard to find! It has been a unicorn on my list since I read Hunting Wives and My Summer Darling, and I finally got my hands on a retired library paperback edition. This book brought all the early 90’s paranoia that surrounds satanic cults, as well as mystery and thrill. The main character Leah has the tenacity to never stop digging into the sudden disappearance of her little sister, even when the “grown ups” had given up- she was easy to cheer for and identify with. The plot kept me turning page after page, with a deep desire to know what happened to Lucy! If you can get your hands on this - do it!
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