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The Woodkin
On the trail, anything can happen.
After secrets and betrayal shatter his marriage, Josh Mallory seeks solace on the Pacific Crest Trail, in the mountains of Washington. On the trail, he’s just another hiker. On the trail, he can outrun the memories. But this backpacking trip swiftly turns grisly when he comes across the body of another hiker who seems to have fallen to his death.
Josh is forced to detour through a small mountain town, where missing hiker posters flutter in the windows, and residents show no interest in hearing about the dead hiker. Unease that something is not quite right chases him back to the trail. But night falls too quickly and in his haste to get away, he becomes trapped on a mountain ridge beneath the light of a full moon. Feeling more and more uneasy, Josh soon realizes that he may not be alone on the mountain, and begins to fear that, like the missing hikers, he won’t make it out alive.
After secrets and betrayal shatter his marriage, Josh Mallory seeks solace on the Pacific Crest Trail, in the mountains of Washington. On the trail, he’s just another hiker. On the trail, he can outrun the memories. But this backpacking trip swiftly turns grisly when he comes across the body of another hiker who seems to have fallen to his death.
Josh is forced to detour through a small mountain town, where missing hiker posters flutter in the windows, and residents show no interest in hearing about the dead hiker. Unease that something is not quite right chases him back to the trail. But night falls too quickly and in his haste to get away, he becomes trapped on a mountain ridge beneath the light of a full moon. Feeling more and more uneasy, Josh soon realizes that he may not be alone on the mountain, and begins to fear that, like the missing hikers, he won’t make it out alive.
408 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 22, 2023
Josh Mallory and his wife Deb had a huge falling out. A rip-roaring fight in which he just can't forgive her. In his haste he decides he needs some time away to re-assess his life and their marriage. Being the avid hiker that he is he decides to take a 3 week hike through the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The fresh air and nature is sure to do him good.
While hiking he stumbles upon a dead body. His thought is that the hiker fell and broke his leg and being unable to get to help he perished where he lay. That is until he notices the ravaged stomach of said hiker. Must be mountain lions. Yup, that's what happened. He convinces himself of this but there's a twinge, a little niggle, in the back of his brain warning him he may be in danger.
Josh makes it to the small town of Belam, just off the trail, to find help and to let the proper authorities know of the dead body he stumbled upon. What he finds are many missing persons posters hanging all around the town. What he doesn't find are any locals that are willing to help. There isn't even a police department.
Now he's back on the trail but he isn't alone. That isn't bird song your hearing. Oh no. Beware the Woodkin.
Let me tell you that this up and coming horror author shows a lot of promise and I am so happy to be able to say that. Josh is a likeable character and the story is creepy as all get out which I always appreciate. This is reminiscent of the movie, The Hills Have Eyes, which is a favorite of mine. My one caveat to the praise is the repetition. This started out so strong and I was flipping the pages like a madwoman but about half way through there was a lot of heart thumping, heart racing, sweat dripping here, there, and everywhere, the gagging and dry heaving, the many aches and pains he suffered. Which is all well and good but I felt like I kept reading the same page over and over again for a while there. The reason for this is because we really only have Josh and his inner thoughts with very little other dialogue for a good chunk of the story. When he did have others to talk to the book was so much more interesting and the tone more ominous. I'd say a little more editing and a few less pages would have benefited the book.
All in all though this is a promising debut and I look forward to see what Alexander James treats us to next. I hope it's another bloody good time. 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and IPG Publishing for my complimentary copy.
While hiking he stumbles upon a dead body. His thought is that the hiker fell and broke his leg and being unable to get to help he perished where he lay. That is until he notices the ravaged stomach of said hiker. Must be mountain lions. Yup, that's what happened. He convinces himself of this but there's a twinge, a little niggle, in the back of his brain warning him he may be in danger.
Josh makes it to the small town of Belam, just off the trail, to find help and to let the proper authorities know of the dead body he stumbled upon. What he finds are many missing persons posters hanging all around the town. What he doesn't find are any locals that are willing to help. There isn't even a police department.
Now he's back on the trail but he isn't alone. That isn't bird song your hearing. Oh no. Beware the Woodkin.
Let me tell you that this up and coming horror author shows a lot of promise and I am so happy to be able to say that. Josh is a likeable character and the story is creepy as all get out which I always appreciate. This is reminiscent of the movie, The Hills Have Eyes, which is a favorite of mine. My one caveat to the praise is the repetition. This started out so strong and I was flipping the pages like a madwoman but about half way through there was a lot of heart thumping, heart racing, sweat dripping here, there, and everywhere, the gagging and dry heaving, the many aches and pains he suffered. Which is all well and good but I felt like I kept reading the same page over and over again for a while there. The reason for this is because we really only have Josh and his inner thoughts with very little other dialogue for a good chunk of the story. When he did have others to talk to the book was so much more interesting and the tone more ominous. I'd say a little more editing and a few less pages would have benefited the book.
All in all though this is a promising debut and I look forward to see what Alexander James treats us to next. I hope it's another bloody good time. 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and IPG Publishing for my complimentary copy.
August 24, 2023
Is That Dueling Banjos I hear?...
THE WOODKIN by Alexander James
No spoilers. 4 stars. Josh was solo hiking the Pacific Coast Trail when he stumbled upon...
A dead man...
... by the shallows of the riverbank. The man appeared to be the victim of a mountain lion...
This discovery...
... changed Josh's perception of the trail; now it was sinister with the prickling sense that he was being covertly watched...
Continuing along the trail...
Josh met another hiker whose trail name was Appletree, and the two decided to continue their journey together...
At sunset...
The two agreed to share a fire and set up camp together...
Later at the fireside...
Josh confessed that he'd found a dead body back down the trail a ways, which led to telling Appletree...
Other secret things...
Later that night, Josh woke to the sound of a twig snapping and the feeling that something was off...
Next morning...
Josh saw that his backpack had been raided and all his food had been taken. Appletree told Josh about a little town along the trail...
Called Bedal...
Where Josh could replenish his supplies, and so the two men walked together until the trail forked...
Josh took the right hand trail while Appletree took the other fork. Josh waved Appletree off and said he'd catch up with him soon...
Appletree replied: I'm sure you will...
This was a very suspenseful folklore story that I was lucky to stumble upon. I could almost hear DUELING BANJOS playing in the background.
I removed a star for the reveal, which I found very confusing, but I must say it was a lot of fun getting there.
This story was somewhat like PETRA'S GHOST by C.S. O'Cinneide.
THE WOODKIN by Alexander James
No spoilers. 4 stars. Josh was solo hiking the Pacific Coast Trail when he stumbled upon...
A dead man...
... by the shallows of the riverbank. The man appeared to be the victim of a mountain lion...
This discovery...
... changed Josh's perception of the trail; now it was sinister with the prickling sense that he was being covertly watched...
Continuing along the trail...
Josh met another hiker whose trail name was Appletree, and the two decided to continue their journey together...
At sunset...
The two agreed to share a fire and set up camp together...
Later at the fireside...
Josh confessed that he'd found a dead body back down the trail a ways, which led to telling Appletree...
Other secret things...
Later that night, Josh woke to the sound of a twig snapping and the feeling that something was off...
Next morning...
Josh saw that his backpack had been raided and all his food had been taken. Appletree told Josh about a little town along the trail...
Called Bedal...
Where Josh could replenish his supplies, and so the two men walked together until the trail forked...
Josh took the right hand trail while Appletree took the other fork. Josh waved Appletree off and said he'd catch up with him soon...
Appletree replied: I'm sure you will...
This was a very suspenseful folklore story that I was lucky to stumble upon. I could almost hear DUELING BANJOS playing in the background.
I removed a star for the reveal, which I found very confusing, but I must say it was a lot of fun getting there.
This story was somewhat like PETRA'S GHOST by C.S. O'Cinneide.
November 7, 2023
When I came across The Woodkin, I was immediately hooked by the premise. Woodsy horror will always be one of my absolute favorite sub-genres.
Unfortunately, my excitement for this title started dim quite quickly with each page. And from the approx 170 reviews of this book so far, it would seem I’m in the minority of readers who found this book to be an absolute slog to get through.
Aside from a few stand-out gnarly scenes, nothing in this book felt very well executed, feeling overall pretty amateurish. And even at 251 pages, this story felt like it would’ve made a much better novella. This book just drug on and on, and the longer it went the less and less I gave a damn about any of it, most especially our narrator, Josh/Switchback, who is a very specific kind of “progressive” southern straight guy that just gets on my nerves in a very low-key way that builds gradually. There are some personally cringe-inducing moments in his narration that made felt so much like the writer was trying too hard and others that were just… awkward. One scene for instance has a woman being harassed in a store and Josh wants to intervene on her behalf but has to remind himself that she’s “a strong, independent woman” and can handle it herself.
Now, don’t get it twisted, this isn’t something I have an issue with in essence because yeah, that lady did not need him to intervene. But it’s just the way that the scene and other parts of his narration are written that make reading this book so vexing.
I know my disdain for Josh’s characterization is super subjective, again because he reminds me of a certain type of person I don’t enjoy spending time with, so take that with a grain of salt, as I’m sure some readers will enjoy the very colloquial nature of his narration.
But, yeah. This book just wasn’t for me.
And I’ll also note that I just really, really felt the ending was just so absolutely limp and lacking in anything resembling actual human behavior or logic. Which could also be said about much of the dialogue. Too me, a lot of it felt too forced.
Anyways, that’s enough complaining from me. I’ve got a reading challenge to finish.
Unfortunately, my excitement for this title started dim quite quickly with each page. And from the approx 170 reviews of this book so far, it would seem I’m in the minority of readers who found this book to be an absolute slog to get through.
Aside from a few stand-out gnarly scenes, nothing in this book felt very well executed, feeling overall pretty amateurish. And even at 251 pages, this story felt like it would’ve made a much better novella. This book just drug on and on, and the longer it went the less and less I gave a damn about any of it, most especially our narrator, Josh/Switchback, who is a very specific kind of “progressive” southern straight guy that just gets on my nerves in a very low-key way that builds gradually. There are some personally cringe-inducing moments in his narration that made felt so much like the writer was trying too hard and others that were just… awkward. One scene for instance has a woman being harassed in a store and Josh wants to intervene on her behalf but has to remind himself that she’s “a strong, independent woman” and can handle it herself.
Now, don’t get it twisted, this isn’t something I have an issue with in essence because yeah, that lady did not need him to intervene. But it’s just the way that the scene and other parts of his narration are written that make reading this book so vexing.
I know my disdain for Josh’s characterization is super subjective, again because he reminds me of a certain type of person I don’t enjoy spending time with, so take that with a grain of salt, as I’m sure some readers will enjoy the very colloquial nature of his narration.
But, yeah. This book just wasn’t for me.
And I’ll also note that I just really, really felt the ending was just so absolutely limp and lacking in anything resembling actual human behavior or logic. Which could also be said about much of the dialogue. Too me, a lot of it felt too forced.
Anyways, that’s enough complaining from me. I’ve got a reading challenge to finish.
July 14, 2023
“The Woodkin feed the Feast…The Woodkin will feast in His glory.”
Yet another gripping horror story that validates my caution about the wilderness.
The Woodkin follows Josh “Switchback” Mallory, a man hoping to escape his domestic troubles and painful past by backpacking across the mountainous Pacific Northwest. After discovering a corpse on his hike, Josh detours to a nearby mountain town in hopes of informing the inhabitants of his discovery. But they show little interest or concern. Our protagonist decides to search for another town that may have helping hands–working phone lines and law enforcement–but when night falls on his trek he feels as if he’s being watched.
I’m telling y’all, I don’t understand how anyone willingly hikes in the wilderness alone but you won’t catch me doing it. You never know what you’ll find, who you’ll meet, or what might find you. This story was a good time with plenty of gore, mystery, psychological terror, and suspense. If you enjoy survival horror, wilderness settings, and creepy cults, definitely check this book out!
(Thanks so much to the author and CamCat Books for my review eCopy of this book!)
Yet another gripping horror story that validates my caution about the wilderness.
The Woodkin follows Josh “Switchback” Mallory, a man hoping to escape his domestic troubles and painful past by backpacking across the mountainous Pacific Northwest. After discovering a corpse on his hike, Josh detours to a nearby mountain town in hopes of informing the inhabitants of his discovery. But they show little interest or concern. Our protagonist decides to search for another town that may have helping hands–working phone lines and law enforcement–but when night falls on his trek he feels as if he’s being watched.
I’m telling y’all, I don’t understand how anyone willingly hikes in the wilderness alone but you won’t catch me doing it. You never know what you’ll find, who you’ll meet, or what might find you. This story was a good time with plenty of gore, mystery, psychological terror, and suspense. If you enjoy survival horror, wilderness settings, and creepy cults, definitely check this book out!
(Thanks so much to the author and CamCat Books for my review eCopy of this book!)
October 30, 2023
We interviewed the author on our podcast before I read this and his ‘pitch’ had me so hooked.
I read this in one night; the writing is so easy to follow that i was plowing through pages super quick. The author has a great sense of pacing too, the story never once felt like it lagged.
If you hike, or are interested in hiking…uhh, sure read this 👀
Id aay this story is like the Deliverance meets The Ritual, but kept all the good parts.
I read this in one night; the writing is so easy to follow that i was plowing through pages super quick. The author has a great sense of pacing too, the story never once felt like it lagged.
If you hike, or are interested in hiking…uhh, sure read this 👀
Id aay this story is like the Deliverance meets The Ritual, but kept all the good parts.
October 28, 2023
3.5/5
As a passionate hiker, I found plenty to enjoy in The Woodkin. But also an incentive to rethink the hobby :P
Marital problems make Josh Mallory look for solace along the rugged trails of Washington. As expected from the horror novel, a therapeutic hike soon spirals into a nightmarish fight for survival. Things start with the body of a fellow hiker and only turn more lethal.
I loved how the author captured the essence of the hiking experience. I also appreciate the eerie atmosphere of the story. The strong beginning sets the stage for a thrilling journey, and the protagonist’s inner turmoil is well-written.
However, I also felt some brutality later in the story wasn’t necessary. There were instances where the dialogue felt odd. Also, the middle, and especially the end of the story leave a lot of loose ends and unexplained mysteries. Some will be okay with it, but I would prefer more resolution or explanation of the things that happened.
Despite its flaws, The Woodkin is a compelling horror read.
As a passionate hiker, I found plenty to enjoy in The Woodkin. But also an incentive to rethink the hobby :P
Marital problems make Josh Mallory look for solace along the rugged trails of Washington. As expected from the horror novel, a therapeutic hike soon spirals into a nightmarish fight for survival. Things start with the body of a fellow hiker and only turn more lethal.
I loved how the author captured the essence of the hiking experience. I also appreciate the eerie atmosphere of the story. The strong beginning sets the stage for a thrilling journey, and the protagonist’s inner turmoil is well-written.
However, I also felt some brutality later in the story wasn’t necessary. There were instances where the dialogue felt odd. Also, the middle, and especially the end of the story leave a lot of loose ends and unexplained mysteries. Some will be okay with it, but I would prefer more resolution or explanation of the things that happened.
Despite its flaws, The Woodkin is a compelling horror read.
October 15, 2023
Ummmm how do I even review this crazy tale?!?
It starts off with a man doing a 3 week hike on the PCT. Switchback (his trail name) up and started walking after being betrayed by his family member; he’s running from reality and his problems.
Pretty soon he stumbles unto a body: hiking accident, animal mauling, or something more nefarious…. whatever the cause, the dude is gored out. The nearest ranger station is so far away that he has no one to report it to.
“I found him by accident, buried in the depths of a hollow formed by tree roots on the riverbank. Pine sap perfumed the breeze blowing over the green-glass water, masking the sour-meat-and-maggots stench of his corpse.”
After some other good and weird encounters on the trail, he ends up in a bizarre small town. Things go from crazy to batshit crazy shortly after. Think cults, think Deliverance type hillbillies, think cosmic entities, think survival horror…. There’s sooooo much going on.
It was such a good story and the main character deals with complicated grief and historical trauma on top of all these other insane encounters. Switchback is certainly memorable and someone the reader can empathize and sympathize with.
The only thing I would’ve liked to see added or changed is more backstory on the cult/granite slab/roiling black smoke stuff.
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy!
It starts off with a man doing a 3 week hike on the PCT. Switchback (his trail name) up and started walking after being betrayed by his family member; he’s running from reality and his problems.
Pretty soon he stumbles unto a body: hiking accident, animal mauling, or something more nefarious…. whatever the cause, the dude is gored out. The nearest ranger station is so far away that he has no one to report it to.
“I found him by accident, buried in the depths of a hollow formed by tree roots on the riverbank. Pine sap perfumed the breeze blowing over the green-glass water, masking the sour-meat-and-maggots stench of his corpse.”
After some other good and weird encounters on the trail, he ends up in a bizarre small town. Things go from crazy to batshit crazy shortly after. Think cults, think Deliverance type hillbillies, think cosmic entities, think survival horror…. There’s sooooo much going on.
It was such a good story and the main character deals with complicated grief and historical trauma on top of all these other insane encounters. Switchback is certainly memorable and someone the reader can empathize and sympathize with.
The only thing I would’ve liked to see added or changed is more backstory on the cult/granite slab/roiling black smoke stuff.
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy!
November 8, 2023
Not much to say to this one. You read the synopsis and it is exactly what it says, for much worse than better. There was an attempt to make the main character somewhat relatable because 1) his wife had an affair 2) his mom died when he was a kid! Oh now we are supposed to like him! The ending is completely ridiculous, as is the Cult. The idea of a cult preying is a good one, this just didn't scratch that itch.
November 20, 2023
I'm already afraid of hiking alone and evil small towns, but now I'm afraid of the Woodkin too!
The Woodkin by Alexander James is a horror novel that took me by the throat and carried me through the darkest parts of the forest until its exciting conclusion. This novel was such a fun thrill ride truly. Not only was I immediately hooked after reading the first couple of chapters, but this book kept my attention and it never waned. It has such a grisly atmosphere about it. The setting and environment felt claustrophobic while being in the open air at times. Not to mention the characters introduced into this story surprised me.
I really enjoyed this book and think it holds a lot for readers. In addition to it being scary and thrilling, there are some good elements to it. There is a cosmic horror element that really elevated the stakes and ensured that this story didn't hit a plateau.
If you are a fan of folk horror, survivalist horror, or cosmic horror, you're going to love this book. If you really like any of the Wrong Turn movies (especially the remake), this could be a great book for you. Check it out!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Woodkin by Alexander James is a horror novel that took me by the throat and carried me through the darkest parts of the forest until its exciting conclusion. This novel was such a fun thrill ride truly. Not only was I immediately hooked after reading the first couple of chapters, but this book kept my attention and it never waned. It has such a grisly atmosphere about it. The setting and environment felt claustrophobic while being in the open air at times. Not to mention the characters introduced into this story surprised me.
I really enjoyed this book and think it holds a lot for readers. In addition to it being scary and thrilling, there are some good elements to it. There is a cosmic horror element that really elevated the stakes and ensured that this story didn't hit a plateau.
If you are a fan of folk horror, survivalist horror, or cosmic horror, you're going to love this book. If you really like any of the Wrong Turn movies (especially the remake), this could be a great book for you. Check it out!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2023
Josh “Switchback” Mallory heads deep into the forest of the Pacific Northwest, hoping to escape the falling out he has had with his wife Deb. Unfortunately for Josh, what he will find is far from a nice hiking getaway. He soon finds himself in the hands of a dark cult, the Woodkin.
This story was enjoyable, but it could be a little slow at times. I found myself very confused about the lore of the cult and what was happening, and I had to go back and reread a lot of pages for context. The vibes of this were very similar to The Ritual by Adam Nevill, so if you liked that book I do recommend giving this one a try.
Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for my honest review!
This story was enjoyable, but it could be a little slow at times. I found myself very confused about the lore of the cult and what was happening, and I had to go back and reread a lot of pages for context. The vibes of this were very similar to The Ritual by Adam Nevill, so if you liked that book I do recommend giving this one a try.
Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 31, 2023
This novel is a love letter, if a twisted one, to the Pacific Northwest. It is a clear-eyed consideration of childhood trauma and guilt carried like so much hiking gear into adulthood. It is a beautifully-paced and inventive horror story. And it's a poisoned apple, with an antidote for the reader who makes it out of the treeline. I loved the book. I look forward to hearing a great deal more from Alexander James.
September 28, 2023
When Josh Murphy finds out his wife of five years has been cheating on him he takes to the PCT trail in his trail name is switchback he loves the mindless relaxation of hiking and is having a great time away from reality but when he runs into a man named Appleseed he finds him to be a little old-fashioned but very nice and enjoys his time with him he even spends the night sharing a campground but the next morning when he wakes up and find his stuff thrown all over and some of his food wasted it is his new friend Apple seed who tells him about the nearby town where he could stop and replenish his food stock and jump back on the PCT right out of town the only problem is before running into Appleseed Josh found a dead body with a broken leg and he’ll have to report it before leaving Babble. The only problem is no one seems to have a working phone in the whole town the old time café has the nice waitress who calls you honey and baby and wants to feed you up with some good old boys who have some strange ways of ending a conversation when it goes across the street to the General store he is shocked to see it clean but unfortunately it is run by a jerk who aggressively comes on to a woman despite her big red flags that say no no no switch back tries to ignore this and go about his business once he gets back on the trail after giving up reporting the dead body he hears a young boy laughing in the trees and although he saw this boy earlier he thought maybe the boy lived in the nearby town but now he is hours away from the town and yet here that same boy yes before he knows it he is fighting for his life against an 11 year old crazed killer but before it’s over there’s dozens of young boys surrounding him he has been trying to get away from this boy for hours but he knows he will never get away from dozens of them although he will try. This is the beginning of a nightmare he wakes up being put in a cage and next to him this is camping buddy Appleseed but Appleseed has nothing to say it seems they have driven him crazy with fear and win switchback sees whole bites taken out of Apple seeds hands he doesn’t know what to think he only knows he wants out of this nightmare but the ending isn’t coming no time soon and appleseed will not be the only person he reunites with in this nightmare. What he goes through is truly a horrific ordeal. Let me just say if you love horror then you’ll love this book it has monsters the supernatural missing people in the PCT there’s nothing worse than being far away from civilization and being surrounded by the holy uncivilized and that is this book in a nutshell I totally loved it and if you think this summary is crazy I haven’t even told half the story there is so much more to this book it truly is a fascinating read. I want to thank Book Sirens and the author for this awesome free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
August 23, 2023
A hike goes horribly wrong and the resulting story will scare the crap out of you!
After a relationship altering argument with his wife, Josh Mallory sets out on a solo trek on the Pacific Coast Trail through the mountains of Washington.
When he finds the body of another hiker who appears to have fallen to his death his new mission is to get somewhere to notify the authorities. He then comes across another hiker and the two share the trail a while and he learns where to go to get to the nearest town. Here the townfolk don't seem interested in the dead hiker but there are flyers posted throughout the town about other missing hikers. Feeling uneasy, Josh makes his way back to the trail and this is when the fun really starts. The ominous full moon sets the stage for the terror that is to come.
I really enjoyed this creepy, chilling and atmospheric debut. The inner dialogue is sometimes repetitive but that didn't distract from the suspense and horror. What started out as reading 'a few chapters before going to bed' turned into a late night marathon of scary delights. If you like your novels to give you nightmares about other worldly but familiar beings that you don't want to meet on a nighttime hike, this one's for you. Read at your own risk.
Thank you to the author, CamCat Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
After a relationship altering argument with his wife, Josh Mallory sets out on a solo trek on the Pacific Coast Trail through the mountains of Washington.
When he finds the body of another hiker who appears to have fallen to his death his new mission is to get somewhere to notify the authorities. He then comes across another hiker and the two share the trail a while and he learns where to go to get to the nearest town. Here the townfolk don't seem interested in the dead hiker but there are flyers posted throughout the town about other missing hikers. Feeling uneasy, Josh makes his way back to the trail and this is when the fun really starts. The ominous full moon sets the stage for the terror that is to come.
I really enjoyed this creepy, chilling and atmospheric debut. The inner dialogue is sometimes repetitive but that didn't distract from the suspense and horror. What started out as reading 'a few chapters before going to bed' turned into a late night marathon of scary delights. If you like your novels to give you nightmares about other worldly but familiar beings that you don't want to meet on a nighttime hike, this one's for you. Read at your own risk.
Thank you to the author, CamCat Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
September 4, 2023
"The Woodkin feed the feast"
Definitely up the there with the creepiest most spine chilling words I've ever read.
I absolutely devoured this book, I could not put it down. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it.
Our MC decides he's going to be hiking on the PCT trail after discovering he has been betrayed by his wife and right off the bat things start going downhill pretty quickly. This book made me question everything and everyone including the MC and what was real and what wasn't. It was gory, anxiety inducing and creepy as hell.
I felt like I was seeing everything through our MC's eyes, it was so well detailed I felt like I was in those woods right along with him.
There was enough backstory for me to know enough about our main character without overshadowing the storyline or feeling like the author was just trying to fill up the pages and I appreciate that every time in a book.
I am seriously obsessed with all things creepy woods and this book did not disappoint at all.
I highly recommend this one to those of you who enjoy that setting as well. I don't want to give anything away about what awaits you in these pages. You're going to have to read to find out, but I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Thank you to Booksirens and CamCat books for my free Ecopy of this book.
All opinions are 100% my own.
Definitely up the there with the creepiest most spine chilling words I've ever read.
I absolutely devoured this book, I could not put it down. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it.
Our MC decides he's going to be hiking on the PCT trail after discovering he has been betrayed by his wife and right off the bat things start going downhill pretty quickly. This book made me question everything and everyone including the MC and what was real and what wasn't. It was gory, anxiety inducing and creepy as hell.
I felt like I was seeing everything through our MC's eyes, it was so well detailed I felt like I was in those woods right along with him.
There was enough backstory for me to know enough about our main character without overshadowing the storyline or feeling like the author was just trying to fill up the pages and I appreciate that every time in a book.
I am seriously obsessed with all things creepy woods and this book did not disappoint at all.
I highly recommend this one to those of you who enjoy that setting as well. I don't want to give anything away about what awaits you in these pages. You're going to have to read to find out, but I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Thank you to Booksirens and CamCat books for my free Ecopy of this book.
All opinions are 100% my own.
September 13, 2023
This is a creepy one. If hiking a trail alone doesn’t feel creepy enough for you, then add in a secluded town full of apathetic folks and some very strange occurrences which will have you sleeping with the lights ON.
I felt like this one had an original plot and really plays on the isolation of the mountains.
The main character, Josh Mallory, is an ex-football player who now lives in the Pacific Northwest. He is hiking to escape what could be a marital betrayal.
When he comes upon a dead body on the trail, his trip to escape home quickly becomes a trip to survive.
I felt like this one had an original plot and really plays on the isolation of the mountains.
The main character, Josh Mallory, is an ex-football player who now lives in the Pacific Northwest. He is hiking to escape what could be a marital betrayal.
When he comes upon a dead body on the trail, his trip to escape home quickly becomes a trip to survive.
March 14, 2024
This was immensely disappointing for me. As someone who's frightened of deep woods, camping/hiking, and deep isolation in nature, I should've found this scarier.
I found the main character/narrator to be insufferable. Like, okay, so you find out your wife cheated on you so you're logical step is to go on a three week hike?? I guess people do it, but then add on that i didn't like his voice. Also there's literally a part where he's talking about a woman getting harassed in a store and literally says he doesn't need to step in because "she's a strong independent woman" 🤢
But I can forgive an unlikeable/unrelatable character and the weird nature horror was good in the first bit so I continued. And it just got progressively more disappointing with everything. Like it really jumped the shark, and I say that as someone who enjoys cosmic horror a LOT but it just felt poorly executed to me and I HATED the conclusion. Like so, so much. How are we gonna wrap everything up in a nice little bow after everything without any discussion of repercussions.
This did have potential though, and I think it would be some people's cup of tea. I think it would've been vastly improved if it was significantly shorter and far more ambiguous.
I found the main character/narrator to be insufferable. Like, okay, so you find out your wife cheated on you so you're logical step is to go on a three week hike?? I guess people do it, but then add on that i didn't like his voice. Also there's literally a part where he's talking about a woman getting harassed in a store and literally says he doesn't need to step in because "she's a strong independent woman" 🤢
But I can forgive an unlikeable/unrelatable character and the weird nature horror was good in the first bit so I continued. And it just got progressively more disappointing with everything. Like it really jumped the shark, and I say that as someone who enjoys cosmic horror a LOT but it just felt poorly executed to me and I HATED the conclusion. Like so, so much. How are we gonna wrap everything up in a nice little bow after everything without any discussion of repercussions.
This did have potential though, and I think it would be some people's cup of tea. I think it would've been vastly improved if it was significantly shorter and far more ambiguous.
October 17, 2023
This book--> good…good…good…interesting…good…good…good…oh my….good….what.the.hell?…okay…what?..........where.am.I?…....uh…?…oh…....okay…the end.
I really enjoyed this for the most part, and the hiking part a lot. I did get a bit lost/confused for a bit, which isn’t too unusual for me, but I did like it in the end.
I really enjoyed this for the most part, and the hiking part a lot. I did get a bit lost/confused for a bit, which isn’t too unusual for me, but I did like it in the end.
April 8, 2024
I think this book's main problem is that it tends to tell instead of show. There's a couple good twists, but everything else felt half-baked and tired. It was simultaneously too long to be a creepy pasta-style short, and too short to feel like a satisfying amount of time spent with the characters.
Anyways, cool premise, but needed some more time to cook.
Anyways, cool premise, but needed some more time to cook.
September 11, 2023
More psychological than horror but still good. Beginning and end are the best.
November 16, 2023
The first half of this was very good, creepy and odd characters, dark forest setting . Great stuff.
I think the last quarter was not fantastic, it was a bit muddled, I guess the message is go to therapy to gain the tools to assert your self. First half was really good.
I think the last quarter was not fantastic, it was a bit muddled, I guess the message is go to therapy to gain the tools to assert your self. First half was really good.
March 22, 2024
A scary tale good for a campfire. Shows how much guilt and anger can hurt us.
August 26, 2023
The beginning was quite strong; however, I found myself getting a bit bored as the story progressed. Nevertheless, the writing itself maintained a consistent splendor throughout.
October 12, 2023
I am rounding down from a 3.5. This book was DEFINITELY creepy and DEFINITELY a page turner, but it also left me really confused and with a ton of questions. So much of the why and what was never explained which was a bummer for me.
September 7, 2023
Horror Masterpiece
A town where nobody cares about missing people or dead bodies. There always seems to be some issue with the phone service and the people are all just a wee bit off. Yeah, this one has all that and more.
Josh Mallory sets off on a hike to forget about his problems. Yet regardless of the direction he's heading, his hike truly goes south. When he unexpectedly runs low on supplies, a hiker he meets suggests he head to the town of Bedal to restock. From there things only get stranger and Josh is plummeted into terror and madness.
Alexander James description of setting is spooktacular. Excellent development of characters, Josh especially, and dialog and interaction is spot on. The plot is great, yet I don't want to focus on that or leave spoilers.
Instead, I'd rather offer my take on this tale.
As I read it, I thought, "Wow, what great writing. Dark, sinister and providing great scares."
Days later, I'm still impressed but have considered that this is more than a story about monsters in the woods.
After doing a lot of thinking, I thought this tale was more like an allegory about what can happen in your head when you try to avoid or run from your problems. You might think you've done a great job tucking them away in the recesses of your mind. When you least expect it and are at your weakest, they see you and pounce.
Seems to me that the Woodkin themselves are symbolic to Josh's denial of his problems and what his life has become. The demons start out as small voices, and whether he wants to listen or not, they let him know that they see him.
At one point of The Woodkin, Josh dreams of a Christmas party. After revisiting that part of the story, I'm left wondering if he's a truly reliable narrator. Maybe his current woes are partly his own doing?
Before he knows it, there's more of them and they pack a wallop. He cannot run from them, and can only physically fight them with limited success. If he's going to survive, he's going to have to dig deep into parts of his psyche he's buried until this point of his life.
So there you have it. Is this truly a narrative with a mans battle against the Woodkin? Or, is there a deeper meaning to this story? I believe it's open for interpretation. Either way, Alexander James had written a masterpiece you won't want to put down.
A town where nobody cares about missing people or dead bodies. There always seems to be some issue with the phone service and the people are all just a wee bit off. Yeah, this one has all that and more.
Josh Mallory sets off on a hike to forget about his problems. Yet regardless of the direction he's heading, his hike truly goes south. When he unexpectedly runs low on supplies, a hiker he meets suggests he head to the town of Bedal to restock. From there things only get stranger and Josh is plummeted into terror and madness.
Alexander James description of setting is spooktacular. Excellent development of characters, Josh especially, and dialog and interaction is spot on. The plot is great, yet I don't want to focus on that or leave spoilers.
Instead, I'd rather offer my take on this tale.
As I read it, I thought, "Wow, what great writing. Dark, sinister and providing great scares."
Days later, I'm still impressed but have considered that this is more than a story about monsters in the woods.
After doing a lot of thinking, I thought this tale was more like an allegory about what can happen in your head when you try to avoid or run from your problems. You might think you've done a great job tucking them away in the recesses of your mind. When you least expect it and are at your weakest, they see you and pounce.
Seems to me that the Woodkin themselves are symbolic to Josh's denial of his problems and what his life has become. The demons start out as small voices, and whether he wants to listen or not, they let him know that they see him.
At one point of The Woodkin, Josh dreams of a Christmas party. After revisiting that part of the story, I'm left wondering if he's a truly reliable narrator. Maybe his current woes are partly his own doing?
Before he knows it, there's more of them and they pack a wallop. He cannot run from them, and can only physically fight them with limited success. If he's going to survive, he's going to have to dig deep into parts of his psyche he's buried until this point of his life.
So there you have it. Is this truly a narrative with a mans battle against the Woodkin? Or, is there a deeper meaning to this story? I believe it's open for interpretation. Either way, Alexander James had written a masterpiece you won't want to put down.
October 10, 2023
From very first sentence of The Woodkin I knew I was in for it, but in no way did I have any preconceived idea about exactly what 'it' was. Following Josh Mallory through the dark woods of the Pacific Coast Trail to the moment of discovery was a long, disquieting trip permeated with mysterious and unsettling interactions and subtle undertones of menace. For much of the story, it was the mere threat of what could happen to a person alone out there at the mercy of the terrain, the elements, the wild-life, and things that fall outside of the realms of normal experience that inspired so much anxiety and tension.
Alexander James is a fantastic writer. He vividly evokes the fear and the sense of foreboding that derives from not knowing what's happening. Even though we are out in the great wide open with Josh, I couldn't help but feel trapped and oppressed by the atmosphere James created. His characters are fully drawn humans you are invested in seeing survive or get what's coming to them. The dialogue is tight and feels really authentic.
He also has a way with a turn of phrase: "I lost my entire train of thought from engine to caboose" and "what's the cumulative benefit of living a life through a little rectangle?" My favorite was when Josh, struggling with poor vision and balance, refers to the floor under his feet as a "tricksy hobbit". I mean, that's just genius.
I really enjoyed every minute of this unique story. I'd happily recommend it. And I'll definitely look forward to reading future books by Alexander James.
Please note that I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Alexander James is a fantastic writer. He vividly evokes the fear and the sense of foreboding that derives from not knowing what's happening. Even though we are out in the great wide open with Josh, I couldn't help but feel trapped and oppressed by the atmosphere James created. His characters are fully drawn humans you are invested in seeing survive or get what's coming to them. The dialogue is tight and feels really authentic.
He also has a way with a turn of phrase: "I lost my entire train of thought from engine to caboose" and "what's the cumulative benefit of living a life through a little rectangle?" My favorite was when Josh, struggling with poor vision and balance, refers to the floor under his feet as a "tricksy hobbit". I mean, that's just genius.
I really enjoyed every minute of this unique story. I'd happily recommend it. And I'll definitely look forward to reading future books by Alexander James.
Please note that I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 20, 2023
Predictable.
It started off strong with potential. Then, I found myself asking, “why am I even reading this?” So I stopped, I didn’t even finish it but I did make it more than half way through.
It started off strong with potential. Then, I found myself asking, “why am I even reading this?” So I stopped, I didn’t even finish it but I did make it more than half way through.
October 6, 2023
Here's the thing I've noticed about a lot of horror novels. Woods, forests, mountain retreats - they all get a bad rap.
Take some poor stupid schmuck, drop him in the woods. Some bad stuff, usually disgusting and repulsive, goes down. A companion winds up dead.
Run, run, run! Physical odds against the schmuck. Confrontation, capture. More bad stuff, blood and guts, ESCAPE!!! Run, run, run!! Freedom is close.
Plot twist.
If it's very skillfully done, the trope can work. I have read several woods, mountain, camping horror novels this year. And while none of them were bad, they weren't skillful. They didn't work - for me.
This one started off fairly strong. The main character, Josh, aka Switchback, was humorous and likeable enough. Points for referencing both King and Gaiman. Mercifully, this was not as long as the novels mentioned, 11/22/63 and American Gods, respectively.
However, at some point, as much horror tends to do, this starts to read like a TV movie script. There's an ending, yes, but it's silly, improbable and again, roll credits, made for TV. I have a perfect summation of it, but I'd get called foul for spoilers, so enough said.
But please - can we stop using "Lovecraftian" horror when we stick our poor schmuck in the middle of a bad situation and we really don't know what to do or why he's there or how to get him out? I confess, I don't like Lovecraft, or Lovecraftian-style horror, but I have read enough to know when it's well-done and serves a purpose. Generic tendrils of black shit for no explainable reason is just irritating.
One purpose this novel DID serve - as much as I love woods, forests and mountain scenery, I'm not a schmuck and I'm not going to attempt a solitary hike. But I probably wouldn't have done that before, either.
Take some poor stupid schmuck, drop him in the woods. Some bad stuff, usually disgusting and repulsive, goes down. A companion winds up dead.
Run, run, run! Physical odds against the schmuck. Confrontation, capture. More bad stuff, blood and guts, ESCAPE!!! Run, run, run!! Freedom is close.
Plot twist.
If it's very skillfully done, the trope can work. I have read several woods, mountain, camping horror novels this year. And while none of them were bad, they weren't skillful. They didn't work - for me.
This one started off fairly strong. The main character, Josh, aka Switchback, was humorous and likeable enough. Points for referencing both King and Gaiman. Mercifully, this was not as long as the novels mentioned, 11/22/63 and American Gods, respectively.
However, at some point, as much horror tends to do, this starts to read like a TV movie script. There's an ending, yes, but it's silly, improbable and again, roll credits, made for TV. I have a perfect summation of it, but I'd get called foul for spoilers, so enough said.
But please - can we stop using "Lovecraftian" horror when we stick our poor schmuck in the middle of a bad situation and we really don't know what to do or why he's there or how to get him out? I confess, I don't like Lovecraft, or Lovecraftian-style horror, but I have read enough to know when it's well-done and serves a purpose. Generic tendrils of black shit for no explainable reason is just irritating.
One purpose this novel DID serve - as much as I love woods, forests and mountain scenery, I'm not a schmuck and I'm not going to attempt a solitary hike. But I probably wouldn't have done that before, either.
September 6, 2023
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🥾 love to go hiking
🔥 have hidden secrets
🏘️ ever stumbled across a creepy small town
🩸 enjoy horror novels
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
On the trail, anything can happen.
After secrets and betrayal shatter his marriage, Josh Mallory seeks solace on the Pacific Crest Trail, in the mountains of Washington. On the trail, he’s just another hiker. On the trail, he can outrun the memories. But this backpacking trip swiftly turns grisly when he comes across the body of another hiker who seems to have fallen to his death. Josh is forced to detour through a small mountain town, where missing hiker posters flutter in the windows, and residents show no interest in hearing about the dead hiker. Unease that something is not quite right chases him back to the trail.
But night falls too quickly and in his haste to get away, he becomes trapped on a mountain ridge beneath the light of a full moon. Feeling more and more uneasy, Josh soon realizes that he may not be alone on the mountain, and begins to fear that, like the missing hikers, he won’t make it out alive.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
I knew I would love this story right from the start because I love horror novels and am always looking for one that will scare me! The very beginning had me hooked with Josh stumbling across a dead body. I immediately felt the creepy vibe Josh was experiencing, and it just got worse after he went to Bedal, the small town in the middle of nowhere. The monsters were definitely scary but I was left a bit sad that we never got a full picture of who they were, what they were doing, etc. Overall though, I loved the pacing of the story and the changing scenes! I think this could make a good movie!
🥾 love to go hiking
🔥 have hidden secrets
🏘️ ever stumbled across a creepy small town
🩸 enjoy horror novels
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
On the trail, anything can happen.
After secrets and betrayal shatter his marriage, Josh Mallory seeks solace on the Pacific Crest Trail, in the mountains of Washington. On the trail, he’s just another hiker. On the trail, he can outrun the memories. But this backpacking trip swiftly turns grisly when he comes across the body of another hiker who seems to have fallen to his death. Josh is forced to detour through a small mountain town, where missing hiker posters flutter in the windows, and residents show no interest in hearing about the dead hiker. Unease that something is not quite right chases him back to the trail.
But night falls too quickly and in his haste to get away, he becomes trapped on a mountain ridge beneath the light of a full moon. Feeling more and more uneasy, Josh soon realizes that he may not be alone on the mountain, and begins to fear that, like the missing hikers, he won’t make it out alive.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
I knew I would love this story right from the start because I love horror novels and am always looking for one that will scare me! The very beginning had me hooked with Josh stumbling across a dead body. I immediately felt the creepy vibe Josh was experiencing, and it just got worse after he went to Bedal, the small town in the middle of nowhere. The monsters were definitely scary but I was left a bit sad that we never got a full picture of who they were, what they were doing, etc. Overall though, I loved the pacing of the story and the changing scenes! I think this could make a good movie!
September 21, 2023
I typically don’t read “horror” stories, but I was intrigued by the sound of a man hiking on the trails in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I maybe should have stayed with my gut! 😱 But, if you like a creepy, atmospheric, gory read - this one has some great elements.
Josh “Switchback” Mallory hits the mountain trails in Washington State - alone. He is trying to escape his childhood memories and his anger from an incident with his wife. It should be a time to clear his head - until he comes across a dead body.
Heading into a small town to get help, Josh discovers that the town has posters for many missing hikers. The townfolk also don’t seem too concerned about the dead body up on the trail.
Josh gets back on the trail because, honestly, the town seems a little creepy - but he has no idea the horror fest he’s about to encounter. Someone is watching him, following him, waiting to take him to the Woodkin.
Like most thrillers and horror stories, you spoil everything if you say too much. But I will say, I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone half the time - or I thought Josh might be in a fever dream, or was it all about the reasons why Josh hit the trail in the first place?
It was undoubtedly creepy, spooky, and a bit gory. But I was trying to figure out who the Woodkin was. It had cultish vibes, but I’m unsure if that’s right. I’m no horror fan, so y’all can fill me in. The writing is good, and I did like Josh’s character, and my goodness, do not go hiking alone!
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @drunkscribewrites for a spot on tour and a gifted book.
Josh “Switchback” Mallory hits the mountain trails in Washington State - alone. He is trying to escape his childhood memories and his anger from an incident with his wife. It should be a time to clear his head - until he comes across a dead body.
Heading into a small town to get help, Josh discovers that the town has posters for many missing hikers. The townfolk also don’t seem too concerned about the dead body up on the trail.
Josh gets back on the trail because, honestly, the town seems a little creepy - but he has no idea the horror fest he’s about to encounter. Someone is watching him, following him, waiting to take him to the Woodkin.
Like most thrillers and horror stories, you spoil everything if you say too much. But I will say, I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone half the time - or I thought Josh might be in a fever dream, or was it all about the reasons why Josh hit the trail in the first place?
It was undoubtedly creepy, spooky, and a bit gory. But I was trying to figure out who the Woodkin was. It had cultish vibes, but I’m unsure if that’s right. I’m no horror fan, so y’all can fill me in. The writing is good, and I did like Josh’s character, and my goodness, do not go hiking alone!
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @drunkscribewrites for a spot on tour and a gifted book.
September 7, 2023
This is a great novel that combines survival horror, folk horror, and cosmic horror in a twisted brutal tale.
Our main protagonist watched his mother burn to death in a house fire when he was a child, giving him endless nightmares. As an adult, his marriage of five years is crumbling when he realises his wife has cheated on him.
Trying to put together his broken mental and emotional state, he decides to do a three month thru hike along a section of the Pacific Crest Trail.
But soon he's going to find himself being hunted by a fanatical cult that will stop at nothing to capture him for a terrifying ceremony. And this cult serves an ancient evil which lives deep below the forest.
This is an excellent book that doesn't shy away from the scares or the brutality of what this group is capable of. We feel his pain not only as he tries to escape his horrifying fate but also as events from his past play havoc on his mental health in the midst of these monstrositys.
It's filled with action, bloodshed, and it's set in a creepy location, including a small town nearby that isn't what it appears to be at first. If you're looking for a truly enthralling book set in the woods with frightening setpieces and imagery, this is one to get! I highly recommend it.
Our main protagonist watched his mother burn to death in a house fire when he was a child, giving him endless nightmares. As an adult, his marriage of five years is crumbling when he realises his wife has cheated on him.
Trying to put together his broken mental and emotional state, he decides to do a three month thru hike along a section of the Pacific Crest Trail.
But soon he's going to find himself being hunted by a fanatical cult that will stop at nothing to capture him for a terrifying ceremony. And this cult serves an ancient evil which lives deep below the forest.
This is an excellent book that doesn't shy away from the scares or the brutality of what this group is capable of. We feel his pain not only as he tries to escape his horrifying fate but also as events from his past play havoc on his mental health in the midst of these monstrositys.
It's filled with action, bloodshed, and it's set in a creepy location, including a small town nearby that isn't what it appears to be at first. If you're looking for a truly enthralling book set in the woods with frightening setpieces and imagery, this is one to get! I highly recommend it.
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