“Jessica Hamilton’s THE WOODS follows Alice, reeling from the recent loss of her daughter, who thinks moving to a new house and a new town will fix her grieving family, only to face a spate of fresh horrors: the simmering rage of aging as a woman, the burden of motherhood, all of the ways in which we are overlooked. Biting, mesmerizing, haunting, I devoured this folk horror in one sitting, with a seething pit in my stomach, knowing that one thing’s for certain: do not enter those woods.”
— ASHLEY TATE, bestselling author of Twenty-Seven Minutes
Description
We Used to Live Here meets The Amityville Horror in this haunting novel about Alice, a frustrated wife and grieving mother whose life is turned upside down when she moves her family into a secluded house sheltered by ancient woods.
After the devastating death of her teenage daughter Lucy, Alice and her family need a fresh start. Their home in the city is full of painful reminders of what they’ve lost, and Alice is worried about the mental health of her other two children, Quinn and Polly, and the state of her marriage. So when she accidentally discovers a gorgeous, renovated bungalow nestled in the shadow of lovely old woods with a FOR SALE sign at the curb, Alice immediately emails the estate agent for a viewing. She can’t believe the list price—until the agent discloses the history of the house.
Years earlier, a woman named Justine Gordon murdered her family there, claiming they were imposters and that her real family had been taken by the woods. Undeterred by the sad story, Alice makes an executive decision as the chief breadwinner. Though neither of her kids are happy to leave their friends behind, her mother Beverley thinks the granny flat in the backyard is cramped, and her husband Geoff, a failed novelist, can’t put down the bourbon long enough to help the family unpack, Alice prevails. As her family reluctantly settles in, the cracks in their relationships become more pronounced. And when inexplicable things start happening, including sightings of strange figures in the yard, and Geoff vanishing into the woods one night and returning hours later wearing different clothes and remembering nothing, Alice must confront the possibility that her refuge may be her undoing. Is her menopausal mind playing tricks on her, or is there something ancient and malevolent in the woods?
Reviews
“A gripping exploration of grief, gender roles, and menopausal rage. With her vivid characters, an eerie setting, and insidious horrors, Jessica Hamilton is a fresh new voice in the femgore genre. I loved it.”
— ROBYN HARDING, internationally bestselling author of Strangers in the Villa
“A compelling tale of grief, family drama, and the cost of getting what you wish for. A highly immersive, engaging story for readers looking for something far deeper in their horror.”
— CRAIG DILOUIE, author of My Ex, The Antichrist
Praise for Don’t You Dare:
“Gripping, racy, and bone chilling, Don't You Dare is a beautifully written domestic suspense with a brilliant balance of emotion and fear. Jessica Hamilton has created a raw, heart shattering, tense story of lust and revenge in a game that spins out of control. The build-up kept me on tenterhooks and the climax left me reeling. This is a stupendous, sinister book you won't want to miss!”
—Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman On The Edge and Watch Out For Her
“Don't You Dare is a sexy, twisted tale of friendship, obsession, and the kind of secrets that won’t stay buried. With a complex but relatable protagonist, an intriguing dual storyline, and sharp insights on marriage, motherhood, and community, Jessica Hamilton’s latest is a spicy page turner!”
—Robyn Harding, bestselling author of The Drowning Woman
