The House in the Woods

by Zoë Miller

When actress Evie Lawrence is injured in a shocking hit-and-run accident, she wants nothing more than to retreat to her woodland home in Wicklow to recover. But when she's forced to admit that she needs help, she reluctantly opens up her solitary life to allow her grand-niece Amber, practically a stranger, to move into Heronbrook to take care of her.

Evie, who has been estranged from her sister's family for many years, vows to keep Amber at a distance so her secrets - and the truth of what happened at Heronbrook years ago - stay buried.

Amber is initially preoccupied with the recent implosion of both her career and her love life, the details of which she's keeping to herself, but soon becomes very curious about the rift in her family. And when unsettling incidents begin to make Evie's secluded home feel less peaceful and more dangerously isolated, Amber starts to suspect that what happened to Evie wasn't an accident at all - and the person responsible still has Evie in their sights. But can Amber persuade Evie to confront the past and get to the truth before it's too late?

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2021

Reviews

[Georgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read. The main characters Evie and Amber are very engaging and the unweaving of the story works well. I did find it a bit one dimensional at times and especially found the character of Pippa not drawn out enough. She was the villain of the piece and that was pretty much it. I also found the revenge narrative a bit of a stretch although quite inventive.

But I enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing. It made me sad as so many lives were wasted because of one event. It was really tough that Evie spent her whole life believing she had done something so horrible and denied herself love because of it. I also wish Lucien was in the book more. I liked the fact that the author gave the characters the chance to make things better and that they took the chance. Also the descriptions of Heronbrook are gorgeous, made me feel like I was there.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The House in the Woods by Zoe Miller is a book that once you start reading it, it becomes increasingly difficult to put down. From the very first chapter you are sucked into the mystery at the centre of this brilliant story and the hold it takes over you does not relinquish its grip until the very last word. The sins of the past have a very long and strong reach right into the present and the author has done a fantastic job of creating a story that will leave you guessing until the last possible minute whilst taking you on a journey of many unexpected twists and turns. You think you have everything worked out but then the story veers in another direction so as to make you reassess everything and then your opinion changes. As a reader you are certainly kept guessing as to who could be behind the attempted killing of one the main characters Evie? Yes, I had my suspicions as to who it could be and also as to their motives but I was proven totally wrong and that’s the sign of an excellent book in this genre. Leave the reader in suspense until everything really needs to be revealed and also lead them up the garden paths so many times that they really can’t decide who the culprit is.

During the summer of 1964 at Heronbrook House something awful happened, the repercussions of which are still radiating through to the present day. Evie is 75 and an award winning actress who has retired to Heronbrook following a successful career. This place holds many memories for her ever since her family holidayed there when she and her sister Pippa were younger. Some memories are good, others not so much and the reasons for this are slowly drip fed to the reader in little titbits. I loved the dropping in of subtle clues and answers to questions at just the appropriate time. It was like we were being spoon fed information on a need to know basis which just made me want to read the book even faster in order to discover all the answers and how all the pieces slotted together.

Evie is now in hospital after someone had attempted to kill her, that’s after she had already been knocked down by a motorbike in the lane near to her home and had suffered a broken hip as a result. Who did this and why? What secrets has Evie being keeping for so long? Is someone determined her secrets will come out into the open? Are they out for revenge? So many more questions can be asked and we don’t get the answers in rapid succession. Rather a slow uncovering of a mystery unfolds and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Suspicion falls in many corners and the resentment felt towards Evie intensifies as people’s motives are revealed.

The book took on a haunting and unsettling feeling as so many hidden issues came to the fore. Some of the things occurring were quite unnatural and spooky in a way and I genuinely felt for the safety and well being of both Evie and Amber. The guilt weighs heavily on Evie and she is reluctant to shed any light as to why but a series of alarming and troubling events and coincidences really start to unnerve her. I thought it was pure genius to tie this in with how her character in a gangland drama series made their untimely end. We move back and forth between the past and the present. Right back to when Evie’s family first starting visiting Heronbrook during the summer holidays. A picture is built up of their life there and how Evie meets Lucien who proves to be the love of her life but will this love cause other events to unfold?

Jessica is Evie’s niece although they have never really met each other due to the family hostilities and chasm that has existed for as long as she can remember. She is married to Paul and they have two grown up children Amber and Adam. Jessica is keeping her own secrets and is fearful of having anyone finding out as she hopes she can solve them herself or just sweep everything under the carpet. A chance meeting with Evie at an event sees a small connection rekindled which is only built upon when Evie has her accident and needs someone to look after her whilst she recuperates. Amber steps into the breech. I think she was intrigued by Evie. This woman who had such a successful acting career yet she held in so much, keeping her cards close to her chest. Amber wants to know why is there this family feud and distinct lack of communication? On the other hand Amber views looking after Evie at Heronbrook as an escape for herself away from the trauma of what she has experienced at work. She feels hard done by and like she has been swindled. Something is not sitting right with her and she decides to dig a little deeper but as she slowly uncovers things and edges her way ever closer to the truth is she perhaps better leaving sleeping things lie or is she right in persisting until everything comes out in the open especially when lives are put in imminent danger?

Initially, I thought that there was a lot of characters to become accustomed to as there are quite a few that I haven’t mentioned. I was trying to see how they were connected to each other and to remember who was who and what their background was etc. I admit to being slightly confused but just for a short time and as I neared the end of the book I realised that every person mentioned had a vital role to play no matter how big or small. Don’t under estimate any characters actions or words because all are central to the plot no matter how insignificant you deem them to be whilst reading. Read between the lines and you will be richly rewarded as a complex family web of connections, secrets, lies and confidences emerges.

The books Zoe Miller now writes are vastly different from her early stories which were more geared specifically to the women’s fiction market. I love the direction her books have taken over the course of the last several years and you can tell she enjoys writing in this genre and keeping her readers entertained and guessing. The House in the Woods had a surprising twist towards the end that had me reeling in shock and it highlighted what a cleverly plotted and superbly executed book this was. Through such intense and scintillating writing Zoe Miller took the reader by the hand and on a journey that becomes unforgettable and I was happy to follow wherever she was leading her characters and this reader. The House in the Woods is a book I would definitely recommend and has only made me excited to write lots more from this talented author in the future.

[Jane Shambler · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reasons I keep selecting books that have secrets. I'm not a lover of secrets I feel they have the potential to be hurtful and harmful to all those concerned. But nothing like a good secret to make a compelling read. Right?

I've never read this author before and I admit she is definitely someone I will be aware of in the future. Her writing style is excellent and she keeps you turning the pages.

This is a character led story. It's about past mistakes, jealousy, unhappiness, heartbreak, regret and revenge. Don't expect a thriller. It's not. What it is is a story of a dysfunctional family. It is a slow burn. But if you like to not expect what comes next you should give it a go.

It is definitely a page turner. You get hooked quickly. A very enjoyable read.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel couldn’t be put down easily. It was just so fascinating from start to finish. Evie Laurence was a successful actor for many years, now retired she wants to spent her final years in Heronbrook where she spent many a family summer holiday. But tragedy strikes when she ends up in a hit and run accident. Her grandniece Amber comes to stay and look after her, but she has her own secrets. Evie has secrets from long ago, is now the time when they will be finally revealed?

Excellent book and the twists and turns kept me going.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got halfway through and though I made progress it just felt like I was going no where..

Dnf.

[Kate Worthington ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ :)

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The House In The Woods by Zoë Miller will be published October 14th with Hachette Ireland and is described as ‘a gripping edge-of-your-seat novel’. Very much a family drama, this is a story of bitter recrimination, revenge and guilt passed down through generations when in the 1960s a shocking incident results in repercussions that are felt for many years to come.

Evie Lawrence, now in her seventies, always had dreams of being an actor, an ambition she successfully fulfilled. Leaving Ireland as a young woman, she tread the boards on the London stage but a cloud always lingered over her. Her stage and TV persona were what the public saw, with Evie giving the world what it expected. In the early years she partied hard, burning the candles at both ends as she tried to forget her past but it would never let her be. Now she has retired to Co. Wicklow after buying and renovating Heronbrook, the cottage that used to be the summer holiday home for Evie, her sister Pippa and her parents. Evie has enjoyed a solitary existence at Heronbrook. She has kept her distance from her relatives and, as the years have passed, she is keenly aware of all the events that she has been absent from.

On one recent occasion Evie briefly met her niece Jessica, Pippa’s daughter but that has been the extent of her interaction with a family member for many years. When Evie has a very unexpected and serious accident she is forced to contact Jessica for assistance. Jessica is a gentle soul. Married with her own grown up children, Jessica has her own stresses, but with her daughter Amber unexpectedly at a loose end, she has an idea. Jessica suggests that Amber move in with Evie and be her on-site carer for a few weeks until Evie is back on her feet again. Amber is initially reticent but on seeing how incapacitated Evie is she considers her mother’s suggestion and agrees that the time-out would provide her with the much needed escape. Amber has suffered her own very personal catastrophe and needs to process her next move in both her professional life and her love life.

Amber and Evie settle in to a routine, both guarding their secrets close to their chests, while keeping each other company. The days pass at a gentle pace and Evie slowly makes progress in her recovery yet Amber feels an unease. There have been a few situations that have caused her concern. Evie is hiding something and Amber makes a decision to dig a little deeper but is very unprepared for what lies buried beneath.

The House In The Woods jumps between the past and the present as Evie’s backstory is slowly revealed. Littered with stunning descriptions of the Wicklow countryside, Zoë Miller very much brings the locations to life for the reader. I was expecting a bit more of a thriller, with perhaps a slightly gothic element, but instead I found The House In The Woods to be a book about family dynamics and the dysfunctional nature of said relationships. This is very much a story about past mistakes, misinterpretations, jealousy, rivalry and lost love. Full of heartbreak and regrets The House In The Woods is a character-driven tale that will appeal to all who like to be a little shaken when turning the pages of a novel. It is a slow-burner that gently creeps up on you as you hope for the best for the wonderful Evie Lawrence.

[Chelsea Grigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of family secrets that seeped through the generations and tore a family apart. A story of unhappiness, heartbreak, missed opportunities, regret and revenge, lots of it.

Actress Evie Lawrence returns to her Heronbrook home in Wicklow to rest and recover after being involved in a hit and run accident. Her great-niece Amber offers to travel down from Laurel Lawns to help care for Evie, who reluctantly accepts, despite Amber being a virtual stranger. She vows to keep Amber at a distance in the hope that she won’t uncover a terrible family secret, a secret that tore their family apart years ago. When unsettling incidents take place at Heronbrook, Amber begins to suspect that what happened to Evie may not have been an accident at all, and those responsible may be out to finish the job.

The story is told through past and present timelines, switching from the summer of 1964 through December 1990, to the present day; my favourite method of story telling. I felt this book was a slow burner, although we learn from the offset that something devastating happened in the past but we were offered no hints as to what that was, so I was kept really intrigued. It then quickly built up the suspense until I couldn’t read and turn the pages fast enough to learn what happened in 1964 that had such devastating consequences.

I loved Zoe Miller’s descriptive writing; the way she describes Heronbrook we can imagine the beautiful settings and serenity of the idyllic home. I would love to be sat on the porch having a cuppa whilst reading my book with Evie! Whilst I thought this book would be suspenseful, eerie and chilling (which it very much was), it also made me feel heartbroken at parts which I wasn’t expecting. This is a testimony to Zoe as through her writing I connected so well with her characters.

I loved Evie and Amber; other characters were likeable, and some I very much disliked. Each piece of the puzzle comes together very cleverly, and although I suspected most characters throughout, I was completely wrong at the end. Masterfully written.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zoe Miller and Hachette UK for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynn Glencorse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a great start to this story but definitely improved as the book progressed.

So I should start by saying I listening to this as an audio book and I think that the narration had a big part to play in my initial lack of enjoyment of the novel as a whole. I hate to say it but the narrator was not great. She sounded more like someone reading a newspaper out loud, rather than presenting a story. She hardly paused between lines and different paragraphs such that it was often hard to distinguish which character was saying what. It felt rushed. Also, not the narrator's fault, I found the language and descriptions, especially at the start of the novel, far too flowery which really puts me off. I was ever so slightly tempted to abandon this book in the opening chapters, which is very unlike me, but I'm glad I persisted.

As the story progressed and all the characters were brought in and their stories were told I really started to enjoy it. I couldn't guess which way the story was going to go and was kept guessing right the way through. There were so many layers to unravel right up to the very last chapter and I loved this accepted) aspect.

I also loved the setting and the romanticism of Evie and Lucian's story.

As I said, I'm glad I stuck with this book and gave it the chance it deserved.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

My introduction to this book listed as general fiction by this Irish author.

I had the audiobook version narrated by Clare McKenna. I love Irish accents. She made the characters seem real. The narrator rattles through the book. It increases the pace of the book, however I found it too fast at times and didn’t have an option to slow it down. I checked several times to make sure I hadn’t accidentally increased the speed on playback.

This is about Evie, an aging actress who lives in her house in the woods. She is injured by a hit and run driver,
following which she reaches out to her estranged family via her niece Jessica.
It’s a family drama full of family dynamics,secrets, rifts,guilt and revenge.

I really enjoyed getting to know the various family members, and there roles in the unfolding drama.

Heronbrook house sounds like a fabulous place to live.

I enjoyed it, the revenge motivation seemed a bit weak, but good characterisation.

[Emma Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story about a pair of sisters who are painfully at odds with each other over the years, beginning as teenagers and ending as elderly ladies. The sense of loss throughout the book is really touching, as is the coming together of a torn-apart family. The different timelines and perspectives were enjoyable.

With regards to the audiobook, which I listened to on Libby, both the narrator and the editing were poorly done. The sentences were stilted and occasionally the volume would change or the narrator stumbled on the words. also and I could hear paper being turned in the background.

[Lucie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 27%

Don't take my rating seriously, as I fell asleep yesterday on a coach while listening to this book and when I woke up it was 27% in, and I am just not that interested to go back and listen to it again. That's the only reason for DNF, probably. Maybe even the writing at the beginning. It didn't sit with me.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very intriguing story around generational secrets and trauma. Well thought out and written.

It’s interesting how not just Evie and Pippa’s actions are connected but how they travel down through Pippa’s family, the secrets and actions aren’t revealed till Amber goes to help her great Aunt Evie. How those actions impact the family but outside the family and the repercussions

[Georgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this, it was not the 'gripping edge-of-your-seat novel' it was sold as - instead I would describe it more as a family drama with lots of hope and redemption. A slow burner but one that I did end up being happy with.

[Aishling Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly disappointed with this book, although set in Ireland around may places I’m aware of, the pace of the books was very slow and boring at times . To much family drama which after a few chapters I was lost.

[Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this. Wow could not put it down really enjoyed it. It's more a family drama than a thriller but very enjoyable none the less

[Everydayreader1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a most enjoyable read. Great plot, characters and definitely suspenseful.

[Jamie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like really sad.
Don't get super old without working things out I guess.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story with some twist and turns and quite engaging. Even though it was set in Australia I felt it was more like an English novel which didn’t quite ring true.

[Mags · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow to start but then couldn't put it down, some of the ending was very far fetched tho hence the low stars I'm afraid.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started off disliking this book due to its one liner cliffhanger chapter endings and bad naming of characters and locations, but in the end I quite enjoyed it even if it was a bit predictable.

[Mone' Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was long-winded and honestly took way too long even for a thriller. Just for an ending that really made no sense and was a huge disappointment. I am not a fan of Zoe Miller.

[Short & Sweet Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one. It was very basically written and one dimensional.

[Gillian Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook:- it was fine to listen to, but was more just trying to finish the story then being invested in any of the characters & plot.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the writing and the build up of suspense and all but the "reasons" behind the drama where a good bit of a left down. Which is the disappointment explaining 3 stars only.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a long time to get into this book, but was a good ending.

[Catherine]

DNF at 18%

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Susan Toovey]

7.5

[Lesley Chivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but would not recommend the audiobook as the narrator did not do a good job in my opinion.