Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
In the House in the Dark of the Woods
In the House in the Dark of the Woods | Laird Hunt
"Once upon a time there was and there wasn't a woman who went to the woods." In this horror story set in colonial New England, a law-abiding Puritan woman goes missing. Or perhaps she has fled or abandoned her family. Or perhaps she's been kidnapped, and set loose to wander in the dense woods of the north. Alone and possibly lost, she meets another woman in the forest. Then everything changes. On a journey that will take her through dark woods full of almost-human wolves, through a deep well wet with the screams of men, and on a living ship made of human bones, our heroine may find that the evil she flees has been inside her all along. The eerie, disturbing story of one of our perennial fascinations--witchcraft in colonial America--In the House in the Dark of the Woods is a novel of psychological horror and suspense told in Laird Hunt's characteristically lyrical prose style. It is the story of a bewitching, a betrayal, a master huntress and her quarry. It is a story of anger, of evil, of hatred and of redemption. It is the story of a haunting, a story that makes up the bedrock of American mythology, but told in a vivid way you will never forget.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
BeeMagical
post image
Panpan

Book 20🎧 1.8⭐️

Hmmm. No.

Adult Hansel & Gretel🙃

review
Soscha
post image
Mehso-so

Weird & not vegan-friendly 🙍🏼‍♀️

review
vivastory
post image
Pickpick

In colonial New England a woman disappears in the woods after telling her husband & son that she was going to pick berries. Hunt's dark fable/psychological horror story is like mashup of Lolly Willowes & Eggers' 2015 film The VVitch, except a bit wilder. There were a few uncomfortable scenes in this work & I hope to reread it at some point in the next couple of months to gain a better appreciation. Although it seemed to veer off the rails a bit👇

vivastory much at certain points, it was all to a later crazier purpose. (edited) 2y
Tamra I tried this on audio, but it wasn‘t the right time. I‘m going to give it another go. 2y
vivastory @Tamra I could see not getting along with this if I wasn't in the right head space. It's a very strange book for sure & I think it would make a good Halloween read although Hunt isn't a horror writer 2y
Branwen I really want to try this but I don't know if I have the nerve! 😱 Maybe when fall rolls around. 2y
vivastory @Branwen Fall is the perfect time for it. 👏 2y
80 likes4 stack adds5 comments
blurb
vivastory
post image

Good Friday just got gooder.

LeahBergen 😆😆 2y
Megabooks Nobody Somebody was good but I think you‘ll really like/love The Need!! 2y
Branwen Happy Friday! I can't stop staring at the cover of that Laird Hunt book! It's eerily beautiful and intriguing! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it! 2y
See All 7 Comments
vivastory @Megabooks Based off of what I have heard of both novels, I think that you are spot on 👏 2y
vivastory @Branwen Happy Friday! The Laird Hunt is a favorite cover. The book sounds right up my alley 2y
batsy Nice 😆 2y
Chelsea.Poole Unforgettable! 2y
75 likes7 comments
review
rachelsbrittain
post image
Pickpick

A dark and twisty fairy tale inspired novel about a woman lost in the woods who is both helped and hindered by those she meets within its confines. Somewhat confusing but that almost blends into the fairy tale logic and circular storytelling. I think I enjoyed it overall but not a new favorite or anything.

3/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

41 likes1 stack add
blurb
rachelsbrittain
post image

Ready for a road trip

CaffeineAndCandy Awww so cute 3y
Hooked_on_books What a perfect road trip companion! 🐶🧡 3y
Tera66 That face!😍 3y
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
TheEllieMo
post image

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 86
#BooksToRead #TBRPile #TBRMountain

30 likes1 stack add
blurb
erank58
post image

FINALLY getting my last set of points logged....I've totally been hoarding these over the past few weeks, so want to make sure they are posted 😊 1,197 points for #teamslaughter for this check in. I had so much fun during this month, and I was happy to be able to participate! Hoping this last bit of points helps our team a bit for #scarathalon 🐱👻 #thrilloween #gothtober @Clwojick

Clwojick 👏 Way to go!!! Thanks for playing along this past month! It was a pleasure to have you on the team! 👏 3y
37 likes1 comment
blurb
night_shift
post image

Book outlet book haul! Took forever, but that's OK. Have you read any of these? Suggestions?

madams421 Oooh Frankenstein in Baghdad is a fascinating title - I‘m gonna look that one up! 4y
mrsmarch I mailed The Five — did it make it yet? #lmpbc 4y
See All 7 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm Only The Whisper Man, 👍 4y
RainyDayReading In the process of reading A Memory Called Empire and I love it! 4y
mydearwatson I didn‘t really like _The Whisper Man_, but I hope you enjoy it! (edited) 4y
night_shift @mrsmarch yeah, it arrived last week! I totally forgot to comment about it here! 4y
58 likes7 comments
blurb
TheLibrarian
post image

1. Keep but I‘m trying to donate the ones I don‘t enjoy
2. Depends on the book, but around 78 pages/hour
3. Tagged. I rarely bail/DNF books. This one was from 2018!

#wondrouswednesday

Eggs Thanks for joining in 🌺👏🏻🤗 4y
51 likes1 comment
review
amyf0x
post image
Mehso-so

An unnamed woman gets lost in the strange woods, where a mysterious stranger named Eliza treats her injuries but doesn‘t ever want her go home.

Read December 16-25
Book 62

review
pigeonsandcrows
post image
Panpan

This book really didn't work for me at all. I found the language very stilted and unnecessarily formal. It was supposed to evoke 17th century English, I suppose, but I found it was just a distraction. The story was just gibberish to me, and I like weird, nonsensical books. It's relatively short, so dive in and give it a chance if you like, but there's better and more magical out there IMHO.

Skyrimir My thoughts too. I wasn‘t able to finish it. I do want to go back and try at some point though. 4y
pigeonsandcrows @Skyrimir There's certainly a lot of love for it out there. Maybe this was just not the right book at this time for me. I did finish it, at least. It was a book club read. 4y
44 likes2 comments
review
Addison_Reads
post image
Pickpick

There are mixed reviews on this dark fairytale, but I personally loved it.

We follow Goody as she finds herself out in the woods on a search for berries for her man and son. She encounters strange characters along her journey who lead her to her true self.

What appears like a weird mashup of fairytales, actually has a lot more depth lurking beneath the surface. Great read for a rainy autumn day.

@screamathon @4thhouseontheleft

23 likes2 stack adds
blurb
DannyOlda
post image

I was in a rough mood this week so was looking for an easy read e-book can enjoy in the dark then fall asleep to. So far so good.

review
overtheedge
post image
Pickpick



In this horror story, the plot is hard to follow- weird and obscure.
A woman named Goody lives in the woods in New England. She goes into the woods to gather berries for her man and her son. She meets another person, Captain Jane, who leads her to the cabin if Eliza, a herbalist healer. Soon we begin to learn Goodys true interest in the woods, her true nature give this a great twist.

50 likes2 stack adds
blurb
TheLibrarian
post image

Day 27 - DNF

One of the only books I‘ve never finished.

#30junebooks

blurb
Godpants
post image

My April reads. Tagged my favourite of the month.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Great job! 📖💖 5y
ohyeahthatgirl I loved that book too! Just the right amount of weird. 5y
See All 6 Comments
Godpants @ohyeahthatgirl I‘m still thinking about it. Such a good concept. 5y
TheLibrarian Awesome month!! Your favorite for April was the only book I bailed on last year. Maybe I‘ll have to give it another try. 5y
Godpants @TheLibrarian thanks! I really love witchy stories, and going in to it having read some reviews that said it‘s more a folk tale than a horror novel definitely helped. 5y
10 likes6 comments
blurb
valeriegeary
post image

Herb garden weeded, lettuce and cilantro seeds planted, ice tea brewed....Commence sun bathing. #frontporchreading #hellospring

I'm not sure about this book, y'all. The prose style is gorgeous, atmospheric, dark, musical... The prose is what I keep coming back to. The story itself though is muddled and confusing and maybe I'm not smart enough to really get it, or maybe I'm not supposed to? I don't know but the cover is cool. 🐺

review
Expandingbookshelf
post image
Pickpick

The book starts like a traditional fairy tale; a woman gets lost in the woods. But this lyrical novella has more bubbling beneath the surface: there‘s a ship made of flesh, people turned into pigs, a stone that steals screams. The rules of this world are constantly changing, and even when we don‘t understand what‘s happening, suspect our narrator is making the wrong choices. We suspect maybe we shouldn‘t trust this narrator.

review
Godpants
post image
Pickpick

Most people don‘t seem to like this book, but I feel like it‘s the perfect level of unsettling for me. The twist unfolds in a way that is clever and eerie.

blurb
Godpants
post image

Hoping for better luck with this one. Anyone else read this?

TheLibrarian I bailed on this one. Hopefully you have better luck. 5y
ohyeahthatgirl I lover this one! Felt like a dark fairy tale 5y
7 likes2 comments
review
kaykay521
Bailedbailed

Ugh...I got more than half way through but at this point I have no idea what‘s going on nor do I really care. I have a stack on my desk to read. Time to move on to something that will hold my attention

review
Book_Fairy_Mary
post image
Mehso-so

Cool concept, but the book is extremely confusing and there are no answers. So either you dig that kind of thing or you're like me and you really need at least a little clarification. Don't believe me? Checkout positive reviews on Goodreads. Lots of people love it, yet they can't tell you anything beyond the basic plot and classroom terminology of style. 😒🤔

blurb
Elma
post image

Yay! @TheLibrarian the books made it safe and sound. Thank you so much! Can't wait to read them.
#bookmail

TheLibrarian You are more than welcome. Enjoy!! 5y
Jee_HookedOnBookz I loved 'in the house in the dark of the woods'! Hope you'll enjoy it too! 5y
Elma @Jee_HookedOnBookz That's good to hear. I think I will. 5y
95 likes3 comments
review
biblio_ginger
Mehso-so

I'm wondering if I'd like this book better as a graphic novel 🤔 I felt lost quite a bit and confused. Also my name is Elyza and if you've read this book you'll understand why that is funny.😂 Sorry for the inside joke.

review
kelly.ember
post image
Pickpick

I loved the eerie atmosphere of this book! It‘s like a dark fairytale.

quote
mlzbthc

“We‘ll burn it all by the end, you‘ll see. Whether in a hundred years or three.”

quote
mlzbthc
post image

“There is a fine red heart in there. And yes, there is,” she said. I could feel her ear and cheek against my back. She pressed harder, “it pounds and thumps and wallops and groans.” I leaned forward away from her, though there was little room, but her head came straight along with me. “Oh, it‘s a merry thing, this heart of yours,” she said, “it‘s like a drink in a small glass on the deck of a storm tossed ship. Or a shout in a fiery room.”

blurb
Jee_HookedOnBookz
post image

Always something, someone, lurking in the #shadow s, hunting, stalking, preying...A haunting read! Best read at night, under the covers for best effect 😱💀💀
#ANewChapter @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

vkois88 Ooooh this looks good! 5y
Jee_HookedOnBookz @vkois88 yes it is! I hope you'll get to read it! 😁 5y
53 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Skyrimir
post image

I think I would be into this book if I hadn‘t seen it described as a horror story and rather just as a dark fairy tale. I keep waiting for something scary to happen, but it‘s been pretty slow. The narration, while lovely, is all over the place. I‘m about halfway through, I think I‘ll pick up another book and take a break for a bit. Anyone else struggle with this one?

26 likes1 stack add
blurb
Skyrimir
post image

1. Star Trek, but specifically Voyager. I grew up on it!
2. Read, relax, work on yearbook, spend time with family
3. Sci-fi
4. By 6am I‘m at work making sure the coffee is ready for everyone! It‘s not part of my job, but I know how much having coffee ready can make the start of a good day!
5. A new pair of running/workout sneakers
#HumpDayPost @MinDea

Skyrimir @BookwormAHN that sounds good! 5y
tealwish I want to be Janeway, but I have Seven of Nine's social anxiety! Love Voyager!! Also, Dark Matter was one of the best books I read this year!! 5y
Doughtah I enjoyed 5y
26 likes4 comments
review
MadCatRamble
post image
Pickpick

This is very much a marmite book - either you will love it, or you really won‘t. While I don‘t like marmite on toast, I LOVED this book. It may be my favorite read if the year.

CouronneDhiver Thriller? 5y
10 likes1 comment
blurb
gracemom
post image

Perfect on this cold, stormy evening in New Orleans. “Deep into that darkness peering, Long I stood there Wondering, Fearing.”

review
TheLibrarian
post image
Bailedbailed

I really wanted to love this book but I just couldn‘t finish it 😭

blurb
TheLibrarian
post image

Trying some new coffee (I‘m on my 3rd cup of the day). The caramel apple is quite delicious!

This book hasn‘t sucked me in yet and I‘m a little disappointed.

MicheleinPhilly Oh I would be up all night. I can‘t have coffee after 3:30. 👵🏼 5y
Velvetfur I love the artwork on that coffee! And it sounds like it's delicious 👍 5y
erinreads Cute mug! 😻 5y
See All 8 Comments
TheLibrarian @MicheleinPhilly For some reason caffeine doesn‘t usually phase me. I could have taken a nap afterwards. 5y
TheLibrarian @Velvetfur I love the artwork too! That‘s what initially drew me in and then I read some good reviews about the coffee. They have a lot of different kinds of flavors but it‘s a bit expensive. 5y
TheLibrarian @erinreads Thank you! My husband calls it my crazy cat lady mug. 😂 5y
night_shift I'd try that coffee lol 5y
91 likes8 comments
review
Manoshgirl51
post image
Pickpick

Belletrist October Book Pick #2
I absolutely loves this novel! The way the character's progression happens seemed very natural and organic. With every page turn, my bones began to chill and I wanted to read more. I also seemed to pick up on her struggle for independence and her own beliefs. Can't wait to read again!

review
Jbakesmcgee3
Mehso-so

I loved a lot of it but then a significant chunk sounded so disjointed it was hard to totally love

review
AshleyC816
post image
Pickpick

Wow, not sure what I think about this one- a trippy cross between horror and a fairytale. I would go back and read it again if my TBR list wasn‘t so long- I feel like I missed things.

Beckys_Books Your dog appears to be smiling!!😁❤🐕 5y
38 likes1 comment
blurb
closethipster
post image

Solid recommendation—I think from @Liberty on #AllTheBooks!?—and perfect reading for this old inn in upstate NY.

Readaholics Oooo love it 5y
3 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Bookalong
post image
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 for this one!
At once bewitching and vividly haunting!
A woman is lost in the deep dark woods along her journey she comes across several strange and horrifying characters.
With elements of horror, magical realism and folk lore I could not put this down!
#bookreview #bookblogger #bookblog #booklover

blurb
LittleWonder
post image

🐺🐺🐺🐺/5

A very interesting and unique work. The writing and curious plot drew me in. I was lost as a reader at one point, but then found my perspective through the maze of the work. Beautiful writing with a strong and poignant finish. If you read this, don‘t give up - stay the course. 🐺

25 likes1 stack add
blurb
LittleWonder
post image

At the airport and tearing through this book - wasn‘t sure if I‘d like it but the writing is well done and the character development very interesting. Can‘t wait to see how it ends.

kamoorephoto This is on my list!! 5y
21 likes1 comment
review
ohyeahthatgirl
post image
Pickpick

Witches in the wild woods are the ur-nasty women and this story added a nice twist to the narrative. I loved how the narrator's back story was further complicated as the story progressed. I'll be thinking about this for a bit.

blurb
ohyeahthatgirl
post image

The only thing that soothes the sadness of Halloween being over is Halloween clearance. Picked up this giant squishy toad buddy to read a book set in the spooooky woods with me. Cats are not pleased. #toadsoflitsy

blurb
the.bookish.valkyrie
post image

#HalloweenHorrorSwap @TheReadingMermaid
Thank you @whatsthEStorey ! I‘m so excited to read this book! It looks like it‘s made for me! This tea is fantastic (I may have already brewed a cup!) and I‘m in love with their literary tags! The sticker is precious and I LOVE these Disney Villains socks! They be perfect to help keep my toes toasty while I‘m snuggled in to read this chilling book!

whatsthEStorey Yay!! I'm so glad! I hope the book is good. I haven't read it, but the reviews looked pretty good! 5y
the.bookish.valkyrie @whatsthEStorey I‘ll be sure to tag you when I review it! 5y
whatsthEStorey Thanks, I look forward to it! I almost got Sawkill Girls for you, but I didn't because it YA and it really wasn't scary, but I saw you read some YA and it has a very tough girl, girl friendships, the men don't know best theme. I listened to it on audio. 5y
74 likes3 comments
blurb
McGonagall
post image

#bookmail arrived just in time for #halloween I‘m not gonna lie, I purchased this because of the cover. I‘ll admit that I‘m nervous to start it though as I scare easily.

blurb
LouLouLane
post image

A few more days of spooky reading. Lake Chelan Washington

6 likes1 stack add
review
mauveandrosysky
post image
Panpan

I have no idea what I just read. Obscure fiction works for me sometimes, but this was just too much. I couldn‘t wait for it to end and I‘m so glad to be done with it that I can‘t even be bothered to write a full review. The writing itself is good, but I hated the experience of reading this so much.

blurb
LouLouLane
post image

I‘ve never seen a better October TBR stack in my life. Holy cow. #it #autumn #theelementals #thehauntingofhillhouse #inthehouseinthedarkofthewoods

britt_brooke I see you, Easy! 💚🐾 5y
mom2bugnbee Hi, Easy! 😁 🐾 5y
Cinfhen That is a lovely stack!!! 5y
11 likes3 comments
blurb
MidnightBookGirl
post image
Sace Woo hoo! 5y
53 likes1 comment