3.5 Stars (rounded up to 4)

This story takes the reader on a hunt for clues as each chapter alternates between present day with Rowan investigating what happened to these three girls and flashbacks to the past in the days leading up to when the girls disappeared.

The author does a brilliant job setting the scene and can be pretty gruesome in his details. I was especially uncomfortable with the details about Rowan’s hands (no spoilers).

It was a little slow to begin with, but once Rowan started to look into what might have happened was when it picked up pace. I really enjoyed the chapters which took you back to just before the incident happened as I was desperate and so intrigued as to what had happened and who was involved.

This is a very creepy and slightly disturbing story and the chapters near the end definitely felt very horror like to me. The author’s portrayal of what happened was so detailed and vivid that I genuinely felt afraid and made my skin crawl at one point.

Overall this is a slow paced mystery/thriller with a brilliant and horrifying end!

I was so looking forward to this book. The description made it seem like a page turner. Instead I had to force myself to keep reading hoping for a payoff that was not to be. This was one of those books that just talks around itself in order to string the reader along. Instead of building suspense, it just build annoyance. Parts picked up and I thought we were going somewhere. Then it just got repetitive or ridiculous. I mean...Serendipity and her daughter Snowflake? Ridiculous names aside it just never reached the level of creepy or intriguing that a story of this type should reach.

A really great premise but an extremely slow burn which took the fun out of reading it for me.

Rowan Blake is an investigator in recovery after a horrific accident. His new story is a worry to him as he has no idea what to write but luckily he hears a story about 3 teenagers who went in to the woods 30 years ago and now remember nothing at all. Unable to possibly ignore this he investigates.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Thirty years ago, three school friends took a walk into the woods bu only two came back. Their memories a jumble of hallucinations and twisted visions. There was a chilling reason why nobody looked for the missing girl. Now, disgraced invistigator Rowan Blake will discover that in the remote and desolate Wasdale valley, nothing stays buried forever.

This is the first instalment of the Lakeland trilogy. This is a dark, creepy and descriptively written book. There were some parts that seemed to drag out a bit thoough. The plotline is complex. This is a real slow burner but there's something intriguing about it. The pace does pick up. It's told in the present day and the past in flashbacks. I'm not sure if thre was a oroof reader for this book but id there was, i wouldn't use them again. There's a vast amount of spell0ng mistakes. Apart from those, i quite enjoyed the book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Aria&Aries and the author #DavidMark for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Into the Woods by David Mark is a book that tells the 30 year old story of 3 young girls going into some woods but only 2 returning. The story is told from multiple points of view both in the current and in the historic and is split into 3 parts.

I felt that the book was a little uneven as the story starts off strongly but then seems to dip in the middle before finishing well. Overall the book was an enjoyable read and is recommended

Missing children, rumours of a cult, and a hidden story about what really happened in the woods thirty years ago and why the police didn’t do their job properly, the dark premise of Into The Woods is an alluring promise of sinister ongoings and disturbing truths that is sure to have you intrigued.

Brilliantly written and full of captivating descriptions that detail the supernatural setting well, this is a chilling book that has obviously been excellently researched. You can sense that David Mark is a great journalist and that he’s spent a lot of time getting to understand the themes of his book. And just like his character, Rowan, you can see the passion in his writing.

Rowan is a sympathetic character as he is struggling to heal, fighting despair and self-loathing, and trying to re-establish himself as a credible journalist. But just like the book’s setting, it’s quite an unconventional story with its focus on spiritual energies, the supernatural, and holistic philosophies. I loved learning about Shamans and found so much of the book interesting in its exploration of unorthodox practises, but I struggled to find the “hippy” characters relatable so I wasn’t always completely enthusiastic to carry on.

The problem is that Into The Woods is a real slow burn–one that took me almost half of the book to really find myself invested in it. There’s a lot of detail with little plot progression so you do have to stick with it at times. But I got there in the end, and the revelations in the second half will soon have you gripped as the ominous feeling takes over.

Even though I didn’t love this book, I can tell that David Mark is an excellent writer and will be definitely be checking out some of this other books, which I have only heard great things about. And as the first instalment in a planned trilogy, I’m certainly interested to find out more about Rowan.

I enjoy the 80's timeframe, but I just do not connect when reading about investigators. This book was my first by this author, and I just don't think I will be coming back for more. It was chilling and dark, but just not for me.

A classic slow burn mystery. The beginning took me a bit to get hooked but once I did, I flew through it. The entire book has an overall eerie and ominous feel. Rowan is a washed up investigative reporter who needs a good story-FAST. When one sort of just falls into his lap, he sees opportunity in Wasdale. It's not long before he uncovers something sinister and creepy in this tiny town. It gave us some serious HBO True Detective vibes. Mark's writing is very descriptive. He brings you directly into the heart of the story and the case. If you can get past the character's strange names, you'll learn they are complex. There's cult culture, corrupt policemen, and dark trauma. Plus some really good twists. Parts of the story felt rushed or a bit far fetched but it's worth the wild ride. (PUB DATE: 1/21/21). Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. #IntoTheWoods #ThankYouNetGalley

Oh, this book was terrifying. I loved every minute of it. Well written and fast-paced this book is incredible. I highly recommend for dark thriller fans.

Well this was a little different to what I was expecting - and in a good way! We meet Rowan Blake, a damaged soul, washed up from his career as a journalist and quite badly injured too. He is convalescing in a remote cabin belonging to his sister aided, and as it soon transpires abetted, by niece Snowdrop. He is supposed to be writing his third true crime book but is struggling and avoiding both agent and publisher. But, having spent the advance already and pretty much living on air with no way of paying it back, time is running out. And then a story practically falls into his lap. A local story from 30 years ago. Three girls went into the woods but only two returned. The other, never heard from again, the survivors with no recollection of what happened. Maybe this could be the story to resurrect his flagging career? Or will he be opening up a right can of worms that others want to stay firmly shut...?
This is a bit of a slow burn of a book. I guess it really has to be as there are many layers of intrigue to build up - both in the present and the past, told in flashback - before we can start to peel them all back again to reveal the whole truth of what happened 30 years ago. As things start to unravel, as the truth starts to come to the surface, there's a whole host of things going on. So many that it does skirt being too busy but manages to stop just shy of it being so.
One thing that does make the book stand out is its eclectic mix of characters. Each one so well drawn as to be wholly credible, even those who come across as rather eccentric and larger than life. Rowan I took to immediately, even with all his faults. Snowdrop also being a worthy sidekick.
This is billed as being book one of a trilogy - it's not wholly clear to me which characters will return but even without knowing that, I'm up for book two...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I’m a huge fan of David Mark and his Aector McAvoy series so was instantly drawn to this new standalone.

Unfortunately I found the book extremely slow/one paced and couldn’t ignite any enthusiasm for the story nor the protagonist.

David Mark does have a kind of mesmerising writing style which carried me as far as I could but sadly I just couldn’t like this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Aries for my review copy.

David Mark writes compelling dark books that somehow you just want to keep turning the pages.

I enjoyed Into The Woods but I must admit , at times I had trouble following it at first but that could just easily have been me.

Once I got into the book I was glad I persisted.

It didn't stop me from wanting to finish Into the Woods and see what happens to Rowan , a most unlikeable soul, which I love.

The book is so descriptive, you feel the evil in the air .

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria and Aries, Head of Zeus -- An Aries Book for the opportunity to read and review Into the Woods.

This is a complex tale of secrets, shamanism, corrupt police officers and a journalist trying to re-establish himself.
This is a very mixed novel which I found hard to categorise. On the whole I enjoyed this but at times I found it far fetched. I know little of shamanism and after reading this I'm quite pleased that I don't.
I did enjoy the setting as I love Wasdale but I will view it through new eyes in future

Ahhh, I'm sorry David Mark. I hate hate hate leaving bad reviews on a book, hence I've given an extra star than I normally would.

BUT this one, for me, was a DNF @ 30%.

I really gave this a good try, but I just couldn't get into it. The story wasn't captivating to me and the characters weren't likable (and their names were so weird). David Mark is a good writer as far as prose is concerned, but I found my mind wandering a lot and myself not wanting to read, which is EXTREMELY unlike me.

Such a bummer, I was excited for this one! Thank you NetGalley, David Mark, and Aria & Ares for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It was dark, creepy, disturbing I love the way David was able to really describe scenes throughout the book he was so good at really painting a picture you can truly see. It was just an okay book to me though, I was hooked from the start but parts of the book felt like it drug out. All in all I give it a solid 3 stars. Thank you to Net Galley for providing me a copy to read.

Rowan wrote a true crime novel - celebrated by the critics, but a commercial flop. An online troll targets Rowan and causes massive damage to his hands.
Rowan moves in with his sister, her wife and daughter for convalescence. He hears a story about three young teenage girls disappear into the woods - found days later. Rowan smells a story.
The narrative is Rowan struggling to heal, combating alcoholism, despair and self loathing. It also flashes back to the 1980s, when Violet and Catherine were students at the new age school Silver Birch.
It is a long book - could crop some repetitive areas, etc. I liked the twists. Rowan's drive to discover what was hidden, his budding relationship with his niece, Snowdrop, his reconnecting with family and determining who he wants to be. Intriguing mystery.

Journalist, Rowan Blake is convalescenting in Wasdale Valley. While his body is in recovery, his mind is active. He needs another big story or he might lose his mind. His next big break just sort of falls into his lap.
Thirty years ago, three girls went into the woods and only two came back. The two surviving girls have spotty memories about what happened in the woods, and no idea where the third girl is. Police investigation lead nowhere, bringing everything to a halt.
Rowan wants to know what happened to the missing girl. What he uncovers is something sinister.

Into The Woods sucked me in. Marks words cast a spell that holds you hostage until the end. His writing style is beautifully descriptive with hints of sarcasm. You definitely don't want to skim through the book, or you will miss the meat of the story.
The book is a slow burning read, it took me a few days to finish. Thats purely because I did not want to miss a thing. I honestly wanted more character development for the girls, which would have made the book even longer to read! The big twist was perfectly timed and unexpected, but led to the end too quickly. I wanted more!
I felt like the book would make a wonderful season of True Detectives on HBO. With hints of the occult, police cover up, and suppressed memories, the story would be amazing done on TV.
I really liked this book. I do feel it could have been darker, focused more on the occult aspect then the investigation. But then again, I always want writers to go darker..lol

A twisty turny foray into the shamanic world and the crimes that ensue. Plot twists galore kept the story interesting albeit a bit confusing toward the end. Loved the names of the characters and the irish backdropped plot but didn't get enough of the backstory of the main character to feel any attachments good or bad. A good overall first impression of this author.

Thanks netgalley for this arc

David Mark continues his forays into the darkest sides of life with his latest slow burn of a mystery novel that ventures into horror territory. Rowan Blake is a washed up journalist, with ruined badly injured hands, convalescing alone in remote Bilberry Byre, being supported by eager and enthusiastic 12 year old Snowdrop, the daughter of hippie sister, Serendipity aka Dippy, once again coming to his rescue as his world collapses. A selfish and resentful man, he is desperate and in debt, having spent a publishing advance for two true crime books. His first, on serial killer Gary King, was critically acclaimed but a commercial disaster, and he has nothing when it come to the second, trying to avoid contact with his publishers, but time is running out. Snowdrop worships Rowan, even though he has a history of letting her down, she wants to be a journalist and pushes him into letting her help him work on his next true crime story.

Rowan begins to think there might be potential in looking into a local story, where 30 years ago, 3 girls, from the alternative new age Silver Birch Academy in Wasdale, went into the woods with a stranger but only 2 came out, their memories shot to pieces, with no real idea of what happened, left with remnants of troubling hallucinations caused by drugs. In a narrative that goes back and forth in time, we learn of Violet Sheehan, a girl with problems and a shadow side that bullies others, her relationship with best friend, Catherine Marlish, the daughter of a vicar, and her efforts through the years to bury deep what happened. However, in more recent times, Violet has been seeking to come to terms with her past and on a quest to recover those long lost memories of what happened but is currently travelling abroad. As Rowan chases a story that will put him in grave personal danger, he begins to suspect that all might not be as it appears, that Violet might once again be missing, in this creepy and horrifying tale of evil, that includes the practice of soul retrieval, travelling through the veil, efforts to locate a missing girl, a school healer who disappears, and deaths galore.

This is not a fast paced read but one to take your time over and savour with its wide ranging cast of offbeat and odd characters, such as Pickle with his 'decompression' sessions, the gentle Mr Sixpence, the school healer, retired police officer, now private investigator, Derek Millward and his reclusive protege, DCI Eve Cater, and when it comes to the wonderful Snowdrop, she just captured my heart. The novel drips heavily with its dense atmosphere of dread and menace, as a reader you are well aware nothing good is on the cards, and the weather descriptions simply echo the ominous feel. This is an intensely dark, complex and engaging mystery with a terrific sense of location, utterly riveting and compulsive reading. This book may not to be everybody's tastes, but I loved it, I think it will particularly appeal to those readers who love the author Phil Rickman as there are echoes of elements to be found in his writing. I cannot wait to see what David Mark comes up with next! Many thanks to Aria and Aries, and Head of Zeus for an ARC.

It’s not very often that I find myself unable to finish a book. I don’t like to give up and so try to read the majority before I admit defeat.

I don’t know what it is about this particular novel that made me quit. I managed to get to 60% but it struggled to hold my interest and I just found myself doing anything other than reading (which isn’t normal for me!)

I was hoping for dark, tense and with a bit of pace and instead I had slow and meandering. David Mark’s style of writing is undoubtedly beautiful, his descriptions are vivid and thick with emotion. This book held echoes of Mo Hayder’s ‘Pig Island’, Sarah Hilary’s ‘Fragile’ and Tana French’s ‘The Searcher’.... if you enjoyed those books then perhaps this will be for you?

I didn’t like the weird character names. There, I said it. I may be on my own with that view but I struggled to take the mystery seriously when I’ve got a ‘Snowdrop’, ‘Serendipity’ and ‘Pickle’ to contend with!

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.