The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Friday, Aug. 2, 2024--San Antonio

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a mystery novel set at a compound in the Adirondack Mountains. Owned by a very wealthy banking family with a home that was taken apart piece by piece in Switzerland and moved to the compound.  But the compound also has a summer camp that serves mostly the children of other wealthy New York friends of the family.  There are two disappearances about 14 years apart of children from the third generation of the banking family with both disappearances taking place on weekends when the family hosts an annual long weekend of guests--business friends and celebrities (to add some spice to the gathering).  Could these two disappearances be tied to each other?  Could a known child molester from the area who recently escaped from prison and might be returning home be a factor?  Why was a body never found during the first disappearance and why weren't people more concerned?  What affairs are taking place among various family members and friends?  How much of their lives are built around protecting their wealth and reputation interests?  Was the man accused of having been responsible for the first disappearance guilty, or was he used as a scapegoat for some strange reason?  Are local people being used and accused of crimes to cover-up for things done by those with money?  It's a good page-turner and very entertaining.  I gave it 4 1/2 stars out of 5.