Big Woods

By: May Cobb

Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin, Brittany Pressley

When her sister disappears, the only clue Leah has is a cryptic message: Underground. By the Woods.

It's 1989 in the sleepy town of Longview, Texas, when 10-year-old Lucy disappears. Her parents, the police, and the community all brace for the worst, assuming her body will soon be found in Big Woods. Just like the other unsolved kidnappings.

But then Lucy's 14-year-old sister, Leah, starts having dreams about Lucy - dreams that reveal startling clues as to what happened. Leah begins her own investigation, and soon she meets a reclusive widow who may hold the key to finding Lucy...if only she can find the courage to come forward.

Delving into the paranoia surrounding satanic cults in the 1980s, Big Woods is an emotionally wrought, propulsive thriller about the enormity of grief, the magical bond between sisters, and a small town's dark secrets.

Praise:

"Big Woods is perfectly timed to take advantage of the 1980s horror revival. Its historic details are excellent, down to the songs on Leah's car stereo. Cobb paints in Day-Glo and brings terrors of the night to life." (Foreword Magazine)

"Cobb's intense, heart-wrenching debut introduces a courageous, determined teen who must find her lost sister amid a disturbing atmosphere of paranoia and fear, crafting a compelling, suspenseful story reminiscent of William Kent Krueger's Ordinary Grace." (Library Journal, starred review)

"Stephen King's Stand by Me collides with Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects in this exceptional thriller. Gutsy, gripping - and pitch-perfect in its resurrection of an era long gone." (A. J. Finn, number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Woman in the Window)

©2018 May Cobb (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Superbly narrated!!

This was an audiobook that makes you question so many things in life. As my fist May Cobb book, I have to say that I will be searching out her backlist. This book was absolutely fascinating. Have you ever wondered if twins can really communicate subconsciously? Ok, so Leah and Lucy are very loose twins only sharing the same birth date, not year, but they also share parents and are only 4 years apart. They have a very close friendship. Can a close bond cause subconscious thoughts to transfer?

I kind of wish we had a bit more information on the cultish side of the story. I’m truly fascinated but their book could have been days long. I still would have loved it! I really enjoyed getting a dual narration with the older lady, Sylvia, and the younger side, Leah. Being inside the their heads and seeing the though process was interesting as can be!! The narrators portrayed their characters perfectly. Brittany Pressley is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her voice is so pleasant to listen to and they way she makes her characters feel everything!! Purely fantastic!!

My first by May Cobb - not disappointed!

Kept my attention and interest through the entire book, from beginning to end. Great narrators!

Gripping until the last moment

A great book although it was sad the ending made up for it Good read!

A bit far fetched at the end.

Really a good story, but too far fetched at the end. Spoiler- no 15 year old girl would respond in the manner of the book. At least not at the end. But overall a good story.

absolutely riveting story...could not put down!

In early October 1989, in the small Texas town of Longview, 10yo Lucy Spencer disappears on her way to school. Her disappearance affects her 15yo sister, Leah, since the pair have more than the typical sister bond. When Leah starts dreaming about Lucy telling her where she is located, she attempts to get the attention of the adults but everyone, including her parents, dismiss her. Leah decides to start her own search for her beloved sister. Many folks are saying that Lucy's disappearance is connected to a satanic cult, that uses the vast acreage around old oil wells, known as Big Woods, to perform its rituals. Lucy is scared, but her love for her little sister is the driving force to find her. Meanwhile, 75yo widow and former nurse, Sylvia Parker, believes that Lucy's disappearance is connected to something more sinister...and we get her background and the reason behind her belief. Unfortunately, her attempts to reach out to the authorities, as well as Leah's parents, are also dismissed. Can Leah and Sylvia get to the bottom of Lucy's disappearance, each in her own way? Is Lucy still alive, especially after almost 3mos? I enjoyed this riveting tale told from separate POVs and could not put it down until the end. Narration team did a great job with all of the characters. I always enjoy narration when you can easily identify the different characters.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

From Longview, loved this book!

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. I grew up in Longview, I would have been 12 when this story took place. The author did such an amazing job of describing the relationship between these two sisters and describing the environment of the story. Ms. Cobb described Longview in both specific and general ways that served the story well. I am a graduate of Longview High School and I knew she was describing LHS before she ever named it. I was hooked, not only because I wanted to find out what happened to Lucy, but also because the author took me home again.

This is a must listen

Caught my attention right from the beginning and I couldn't stop listening, loved it! I would definitely look for more titles by May Cobb.

Great listen! I couldnt bear to turn it off!

The narrator was great! would listen to her books again. The story keeps your attention the whole time. A real page turner!

Nostalgic

Cobb's debut thriller has plenty of '89 nostalgia with an interesting dual-character diary POV storytelling technique.

More like this! We absolutely loved it!

Narrator was on point with all the different characters & depicting them. Other narrators lose me with the introduction of their characters.