"What lengths would you go to in order to save someone you deeply care about ❓❓❓"
Name of Book: These Silent Woods
Author: Kimi Cunningham Grant
Publisher: Minotaur
Publication Date: 16 Nov 2021
No. of Pages: 282
Format: Digital
No electricity, no family, no connection to the outside world.
For eight years, Cooper and his young daughter, Finch, have lived in isolation in a remote cabin in the northern Appalachian woods. And that's exactly the way Cooper wants it, because he's got a lot to hide. Finch has been raised on the books filling the cabin’s shelves and the beautiful but brutal code of life in the wilderness. But she’s starting to push back against the sheltered life Cooper has created for her—and he’s still haunted by the painful truth of what it took to get them there.
The only people who know they exist are a mysterious local hermit named Scotland, and Cooper's old friend, Jake, who visits each winter to bring them food and supplies. But this year, Jake doesn't show up, setting off an irreversible chain of events that reveals just how precarious their situation really is. Suddenly, the boundaries of their safe haven have blurred—and when a stranger wanders into their woods, Finch’s growing obsession with her could put them all in danger. After a shocking disappearance threatens to upend the only life Finch has ever known, Cooper is forced to decide whether to keep hiding—or finally face the sins of his past.
Kimi Cunningham Grant is the author of Fallen Mountains, Silver Like Dust, and These Silent Woods. Kimi is a two-time winner of a Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Memorial Prize in Poetry and a recipient of a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts fellowship in creative nonfiction. Her poems and essays have appeared in Fathom, Literary Mama, RATTLE, Poet Lore, and Whitefish Review. She lives with her family in Pennsylvania.
My Opinion
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant is a gripping crime fiction that centers on the poignant bond between a father and his daughter. The story is fast-paced and steeped in suspense, pulling readers into a secluded world where secrets lurk behind every quiet moment. From the very beginning, the novel builds a sense of unease, making you feel as though something dark is always around the corner. The mystery is tightly woven, with emotional layers that explore themes of guilt, protection, and survival.
The relationship between the father, Cooper, and his daughter, Finch, is the heart of the story. Their isolated life in the woods creates a haunting atmosphere, making readers question what they’re hiding from. Each chapter adds to the growing tension, and the author does a wonderful job of maintaining the thrill throughout most of the book.
However, the climax feels a bit rushed. The resolution, while unexpected in parts—especially the reveal about Scotland’s character—could have been more fleshed out. A more gradual unfolding of the ending might have given the story greater impact. Still, the emotional depth and compelling narrative make it an engaging read, especially for fans of thrillers with a strong emotional core.
- Characters ------------------ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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- Intrigue -------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Logic ---------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Enjoyment ---------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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