Wow! This has to be one of the best books I've read. The storyline, without giving anything away, is so well written and totally feasible that something like this could happen in this way. I just didn't want to put it down and found myself on tenterhooks the whole time. I was so ensnared in the story and the characters, I now understand the feeling that makes some people want to read the end before they've finished a book. Then that sad feeling, when I had read the last word - which has to be the sign of an excellent read. Totally recommended.

Maisy and Duncan are twins who are sent to live with the grandmother at Nightingales after their mother is literally dragged screaming from their family home. At Nightingales they meet a strange woman who lives in the woods and does not interact socially, then young boys start going missing, could the woman in the wood be to blame?

I am really unsure how I feel about this book, I had never read a book by Lesley Pearse before so did not know what to expect.

I found it very old-fashioned in the way it was written but that is because the story takes place during the 1960's which certainly helps the author build tension and fear due to the lack of communication available during those times.

At first, it seemed quite tame, then all of a sudden it becomes quite graphic in detailing some of the crimes committed and I don't think this helped the story.

It has a lot of different issues running through the book-Mental health, (which still has a stigma today, but I can imagine was even worse during this time, crime, family issues etc.) which are briefly mentioned.

The story is written well but I don't think the characters were written as well as they could be. The story seemed to go on for a while and the "who dunnit" seemed obvious

This is written in a simple, naive style which is really boring and feels very dated. It deals with several cases of horrific abuse, but the reaction of the main characters is - oh dear, how terrible, instead of the sick horror and trauma it should evoke. The plot is not particularly original, nor is it given any surprising twists. The characters are wooden stereotypes, eg. strict father, mad woman in woods, stupid policeman. The complete character change of the father at the end is risible. I will not be reading any more of this author's work.

Heartwarming family saga. Interesting characters who grow and change with the story .

I have not read anything by Lesley Pearse before and I really thought this book was something by Enid Blyton at first. The children spending time having great fun in the countryside and eating food homemade by their Grandmother's cook. Then having a mystery of finding out about a strange woman who lived deep in the forest and making it their business to go and chat with her. Eventually, the mood turns when one of the twins, Duncan goes missing after a bike ride. This long story becomes darker as the tale unfolds and even becomes quite disturbing in parts. The recent history is well researched (or remembered - sorry I haven't checked the age of the author) and the characters behave in that rather naive way they did in the late 50's, early 60's. The story is well thought out and has no unanswered questions - always a complaint of mine - so I did rather enjoy it although I must admit I did wonder where it was heading for quite some time. I did notice the clues regarding the culprit but maybe that's because I just read too much crime fiction!

A very good read with interesting and unusual characters.
Felt at times the timescale of the missing boys and bit stretched and unbelievable. Also somehow the escape boat took 3 daysto arrive rather tha next day. Nonetheless a great book,. hard to put down!

Lesley Pearse is such a great writer. This book is another of her 'thumping good reads'. Great plot that keeps you hooked

Another great book by Lesley Pearse. I have read all her books and enjoyed them. Set in the 1960's, it is the story of twins, Maisy & Duncan who are sent by their father from London to The New Forest to live with their grandmother when their mother becomes ill.

I very much enjoyed the first part of this book, and I thought this would be another 5 star review. However, at the middle point the book fell apart in my view. It was very unrealistic both in action (which I don't mind so much) and in character emotions for the last half. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of the book hence why I'm giving it 3 stars.

This is another excellent book from Lesley Pearse, she really knows how to write a gripping thriller.

Twins Maisy and Duncan are sent to live with their grandmother in the New Forest when their mother is taken into a care home because she is unwell. Their father is rather cold but their grandmother is too. There are many stories of witches in the area and one of them live in the woods. The twins have always spent all their time together but as they are growing older they find different friends until one day Duncan doesn’t return home.

The story follows Maisy’s search for Duncan with the help of Grace, a lady who lives in a shack in the woods who Duncan had become quite close to.

This is an excellent book, it is well written with some good interesting characters, it also shows how a good looking face can hide a multiple of evil. I read it within a couple of hours and would highly recommend it.

An easy read with the main characters Maisie, Duncan and Grace whose storylines join up to give a good book. Set in the 1960's it gives an insight of everyday life and also not everything was quite as we were led to believe. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Maisy and Duncan are twins who've moved from London to the New Forest to live with their grandmother. This follows their mother being sent to an asylum by their father.

At first I thought the characters were rather twee. However once I got used to the 1950s language and attitudes I began to enjoy the story more.

For a while the story rambles on, with the twins exploring the forest. All very Famous Five.

Then something happens, is there going to be more to this book than I expected?

Perhaps a murder mystery?
Perhaps something more sinister?
Agatha Christie meets Enid Blyton?

This novel has a certain predictability about it, but I still enjoyed it.
I will look out for future books by Lesley Pearce on the strength of this novel.

I give thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK (Michael Joseph) For a copy in exchange for this review.

Lesley Pearse does it again. She never fails to delight and this book, despite its dark subject matter, did just that, with the knowledge that good will always conquer evil. A good all-round read. Highly recommended

15 year old twins Maisy & Duncan are sent to live with their stern & disapproving Grandmother. Their Father is emotionally as well as physically distant and their Mother has been committed to an asylum. Maisy and Duncan settle into life in the New Forest taking lessons with a private tutor and making friends. Then disaster strikes and Duncan goes missing.

I struggled with this book for three main reasons. The first reason was the fact that these are twins - again! A fictional character is far more likely to be a parent of twins than anyone in the real world. They come with useful plot devices - swapping places when identical or having that supposed psychic connection. Unsurprisingly this author decided on the psychic connection which is used towards the end of the book. I did sigh. Was it really necessary? I didn't think so as the characters were using good old intelligence to arrive at conclusions & I would have been far happier had that been continued rather than this supposed psychic link used. This really is an overusued and rather tired plot device.

I struggled very much with the twins as people. I know that this is set in 1960 when people and times were different. However their behaviour, likes and dislikes and manner of speaking was much more like a child of about 11 rather than 15. The author seems to forget that many 15 year olds in this period were out at work full time. They had to grow up fast and would certainly have been behaving in a much older manner than these two.

My third problem is the language used throughout the book. I felt very patronised and felt the language was very simple and dumbed down. It wasn't just the way the twins spoke which was much younger and simpler than their age, it was also the language used throughout the book. The vocabularly was not rich but quite bland and rather basic. I longed for rich adjectives describing the beautiful New Forest but was met with rather bland language which failed to bring it to life. This really ruined the book for me and left me feeling rather short changed.

As I am sure you have gathered I wasn't particularly taken with this book. I worked out the perpetrator quite early on as it was really rather simple due to lack of options. I found the story very simple and a bit silly and unlikely in many places. The language was poor and unimaginative.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

When you read a book written by Lesley Pearse you know you are going to be in for a treat and The Woman in the Wood didn't disappoint .The story starts slowly gradually building to a climax .This is a chilling mystery with wonderful characters and it twists and turns its way with some surprises.I thoroughly enjoyed this book which despite the content managed to create a feel good ending .

The Woman in the Wood by Lesley Pearse was a guilty pleasure with suspense throughout. It tells the story of twins - Maisy and Duncan who are sent to live with their grandmother in a mansion near the woods when their mother is sent away. Though they are at first unhappy to be taken away from their home, they both grow to love their new residence and especially enjoy wandering around the forest. One day, Duncan goes exploring in the woods and doesn´t return.

Though at times, the dialogue felt a bit clunky and it read like a Danielle Steele novel, it was an enthralling read. There were certain moments when I couldn´t tear myself away from the book, and I was filled with horror at certain moments. Without spoiling the plot, I felt the ending was quite satisfying and sentimental without being too cloyingly sweet. Thankyou to Netgally for a copy of this book in an exchange for an unbiased review.

Another fabulous book by Lesley Pearce. I have been reading books by this author for many, many years and I always enjoy them. This book due out at the end of June will undoubtedly entertain and be enjoyed by Ms Pearce's fans. Brilliant characters, great writing. A real page turner.
One to recommend. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Exciting reading, thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end. I felt a range of emotions throughout the book I didn't want it to end

What a great book, from page one i was hooked. I have read a lot of titles by this author and must say this is one of my favourites along with earlier books, Tara and Remember Me. Definitely recommend this book if you wanting a good easy read *****

Heartbreaking and emotional on so many levels. There’s everything you’d expect from a Lesley Pearse novel - emotions, intrigue, mystery and a cracking good story with full bodied characters. I can’t imagine the terror of seeing your mother torn from the family home, put into an asylum, growing up with little love and affection. The country during WW2 was a time for stiff upper lips and resilience but this is something else, and it ‘s a very emotional journey. The plot is tightly woven, sprinkled with mystery and suspense and peppered with uncertainty, emotions and the unknown depths of the New Forest.

The New Forest feels like a world in itself - separated from the rest of the world and the atmosphere and sense of foreboding and mystery are built up with Pearse care and attention. The woman who lives in the woods, who is suspected of many things was a great central character. The 1960s setting built up walls and expectations of a strained and troubled time.

There are so many interesting family dynamics in this story that really drew me in. It was a very emotional read and a new Lesley Pearse classic. Highly recommended.

this review will go up on June 29th on the link below and on GR