Overview

The Ghost Woods is set in 1960s Scotland and follows two young mothers who are sent to a remote house near a stretch of dark woodland. The place is meant to offer safety and support, but it quickly becomes clear that care comes with rules and judgement. As strange events begin to unfold, the women realise that the old stories tied to the woods may not be as distant as they hoped.

Writing & Atmosphere

The writing is calm and precise, slowly building a sense of unease. The house feels cold and watchful, and the surrounding woods press in on every scene. We are never rushed, but the tension grows steadily through repeated images, quiet moments, and things left unsaid. The folklore elements slip in gently, making the everyday feel unstable.

Characters

The two central women are drawn with real care. They are damaged, practical, and determined to protect their children. Their growing friendship is the emotional centre of the book and offers warmth against the control and suspicion surrounding them. Other characters appear kind on the surface, but their motives are never fully clear, which keeps the pressure high.

Themes

This novel explores motherhood, power, and the way society treats women who do not conform. The idea of the witch is used as a label placed on women who are inconvenient or outspoken. The book asks who is believed, who is hidden away, and how fear can be dressed up as care.

What Worked

• Strong atmosphere: the house and woods feel heavy with meaning.
• Emotional focus: friendship and maternal love ground the story.
• Careful use of folklore: adds depth without overwhelming the plot.

Minor Quibbles

• The pace slows slightly in the middle as background details are filled in.
• The ending resolves fairly quickly after a long and careful build.

Final Thoughts

The Ghost Woods is an unsettling and compassionate gothic novel about control, belief, and the quiet strength of women who refuse to disappear.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)