Mrs. Veronica Brown of Little River, seeks information on the disappearance of her daughter, Miss Lilian Brown. Widow of the late Charles Brown, an esteemed banker in the Little River area, Mrs. Brown is distraught over her fourteen-year-old daughter's disappearance.
Miss Brown was last seen walking on the logging road east of Little River, and was wearing a red hat and brown coat.
Hunters in the area stated that they had seen an animal of some kind, perhaps a bear, but no evidence has been found to signify that Miss Brown met an untimely death. The local sheriff's department, along with townsfolk, have been searching the area, but no signs of the missing girl have yet been found.
First of all, may I just say that I have no intention ever of taking an 'eco-therapy' weekend. Just look at the first two sentences of the blurb - 'six go into the woods - three come out'! See what I mean?
J.P. Choquette's Shadow in the Woods starts out with a group heading into the Vermont woods for some nature therapy. Addie Preston is a counselor and she's happy to say yes to her colleague's suggestion to accompany him and three of his clients for the weekend. Addie brings along one of her clients as well. Dr. O'Dell tells Addie that he has a lot of experience camping and hiking in the woods, he gives a detailed list of things that each person should bring, and they set off. The weather is supposed to be good and the fresh air and exercise will be beneficial. Only it doesn't quite work out that way. There is a cave and there is something else...and that's all I'll say about the plot.
The author shifts the viewpoint all throughout the story and that works well to keep the tension tight and pace brisk. I liked seeing things from different perspectives. The only thing I might have wished for was a bit more of a back story of the characters' lives and why each was in therapy. A couple of newspaper articles in the beginning do prepare the reader for 'something in the woods' and also make it clear that strange things have happened before in the area. The suspense became intense and I had a good time reading this book - very quickly. Happily, J.P. has recently mentioned that a new book, Silence in the Woods, a prequel to this story, will be published later this spring. I'll definitely be watching for it! If you like spooky stories, this might be one to try.
Six go into the woods. Three come out.
Addie Preston, a new mental health counselor, is flattered when her colleague asks her to co-lead an intensive Ecotherapy weekend for a small group of clients. The band of six head into the remote trails of the Green Mountains.
As a storm engulfs the area, the group takes refuge in a cave off of the trail. No one is prepared for what they will discover.
Or what will discover them.
Thanks so much for the review, Kay. I'm glad that you enjoyed the book...but I hope it won't keep you out of the woods! :) Many thanks and happy you're back from your time away.
I don't think it would keep me out of the woods, but I'm fairly certain that eco-therapy isn't for me...ha! Thanks for stopping by, J.P.!
I'm looking forward to this one just based on the "Six go into the woods. Three come out"!
Yes, that's certainly a teaser isn't it?
The book sounds intense and would hold my interest. Like you, however, there is no way I would sign up for this therapy! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
The book was definitely a page-turner, Laurel.
I agree with you -- I've read WAY too many books about eco-therapy gone wrong. I'll stay at home, thank you very much!
This one does sound good. I'm adding it to my TBR list on Goodreads.
Maybe just a little quiet walk in the woods without any therapy aspect...or whatever else might be in the woods...ha!
I haven't tried this author yet (although I want to) and I haven't read any eco-therapy-themed books, so I'm doubly intrigued.
Catherine, in some ways it sort of reminds me of Jane Harper's FORCE OF NATURE, without a police presence. People go on a 'nature' event and awful things happen.
They don't seem fun to me - ha!
I enjoyed this one too and I think my thoughts mirrored yours. I wanted a bit more from the characters (super excited about the prequel!) and I'm not going into the woods anytime soon! Caving is most definitely out.
Yes, I'm pretty sure that I first heard about this book on your blog and when you shared your thoughts. Thanks for that!
Six go into the woods. Three come out. - That definitely grabs my attention!
I know! It's definitely spooky, right?
Sounds awesome! Clever plot and I do love Vermont from the times I've been there. Thanks for highlighting this new-to-me author. I'm interested in learning more.
This book has one count against it (spooky), but I like getting different perspectives in a novel and the setting sounds good.
I'm definitely intrigued with that "spooky" element and not to mention the premise, too. Will keep a look out for it.
Happy New Year!! Welcome to 2019!