Quick Synopsis

A father and daughter hiding in the remote Appalachian mountains must reckon with the ghosts of their past when a stranger stumbles upon them.

Publisher’s Synopsis

No electricity, no family, no connection to the outside world. For eight years, Cooper and his young daughter, Finch, have lived in isolation in a remote cabin in the northern Appalachian woods. And that’s exactly the way Cooper wants it, because he’s got a lot to hide. Finch has been raised on the books filling the cabin’s shelves and the beautiful but brutal code of life in the wilderness. But she’s starting to push back against the sheltered life Cooper has created for her—and he’s still haunted by the painful truth of what it took to get them there.

The only people who know they exist are a mysterious local hermit named Scotland, and Cooper’s old friend, Jake, who visits each winter to bring them food and supplies. But this year, Jake doesn’t show up, setting off an irreversible chain of events that reveals just how precarious their situation really is. Suddenly, the boundaries of their safe haven have blurred—and when a stranger wanders into their woods, Finch’s growing obsession with her could put them all in danger. After a shocking disappearance threatens to upend the only life Finch has ever known, Cooper is forced to decide whether to keep hiding—or finally face the sins of his past.

Vividly atmospheric and masterfully tense, These Silent Woods is a poignant story of survival, sacrifice, and how far a father will go when faced with losing it all.

Book Review

These Silent Woods is a touching, suspenseful novel that has a bit of something for everyone – mystery, adventure, romance, and a lot of heart.

In These Silent Woods, Kimi Cunningham Grant creates an atmospheric story filled with tension as well as wonderful characters. Through Cunningham Grant’s words, it is easy to imagine yourself living with Cooper and Finch in their small, remote cabin deep in the woods. Cooper and Finch along with the other characters are unique and feel like people you are friends with. I love a book that truly immerses me in the story, and These Silent Woods did just that.

While not a book I would label a thriller, These Silent Woods slowly unfurled its mystery at a pace that was fitting. As I mentioned, this story is about more than a mystery. It is really about Cooper, Finch, and their lives. As such, Cunningham Grant interwove their backstory and present day while leaving breadcrumbs to follow. She did so in a way that really propels the story forward as you become more absorbed in and enchanted by Cooper and Finch’s lives. It is hard to describe, but I can tell you that it really worked. My only real critique about the storyline was that its resolution seemed a bit took quick and left me with a couple questions. It was just a bit too brisk in contrast to the rest of the book.

These Silent Woods provoked both thought and emotion. I may have cried towards the end of the book, by “may” I mean I absolutely did. That was my level of investment, and at one point, heartbreak. This is a book that will stay with you long after you read.

Overall, These Silent Woods is an example of great storytelling, and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it and think it is a book that has been overlooked so far.

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