Reading Guide: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore – Map, Timeline & Characters

Diving into The God of the Woods by Liz Moore? Or maybe you’ve just started and already feel a bit lost, totally understandable, same here. This guide is here to help.

In this post, you’ll find a simple map of key locations, a character list in alphabetical order for quick reference, and a timeline of major events to help keep everything straight. I put it together to make the reading experience more enjoyable, and honestly, a lot less confusing.

Hope it helps you get the most out of the book!

Spoiler-Free Zone
This post is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. It’s safe to keep reading, even if you haven’t started the book yet.

The God of the Woods: Book Synopsis

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Published July 2, 2024

Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.

As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances.

Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet, The God of the Woods is a story of inheritance and second chances, the tensions between a family and a community, and a history that will not let any of them go.

Goodreads Rating

buy on amazon

Title	The God of the Woods
Author	Liz Moore
Genre	Thriller, Crime, Psychological Thriller, Mistery Thriller
Format	478 pages, Hardcover
Published	July 2, 2024 by Riverhead Books
ISBN	9780593418918 (ISBN10: 0593418913)
ASIN	0593418913
Language	English
Awards	Barry Award Nominee for Mystery (2025), Anthony Award Nominee for Best Hardcover Novel (2025), Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Mystery/Thriller (2024), Edgar Award Nominee for Best Novel (2025), Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery/Thriller (2024), Book of the Month Book of the Year Award (2024), She Reads Best of Award for Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense and Nominee for Book of the Year (2024), Barnes & Noble Book of the Year Award Nominee (2024), Libby Award Nominee for Best Adult Fiction (2025)

Author’s Bio – Liz Moore

Liz Moore is an American novelist and professor known for her character-driven stories that blend literary depth with mystery and emotional complexity. She is the author of several acclaimed novels, including Long Bright River, Heft, and The Unseen World. Her work often explores themes of family, identity, and the human cost of societal issues.
Originally from New York City, Moore is a former musician and a graduate of Barnard College. She currently teaches creative writing at Temple University in Philadelphia. Her 2020 novel Long Bright River was a New York Times bestseller and a selection for numerous book clubs and award lists.
The God of the Woods (2024) is her latest novel, a literary mystery set in the Adirondacks that showcases her signature atmospheric style and complex character work.

Check her Official Website: Liz Moore

Consider adding The God of the Woods to your TBR list on Goodreads.

The God of the Woods: Map

Tips for Reading The God of The Woods by Liz Moore

Right, these are the tips I wish I had when I started reading. Most of my frustration with the book came from the slow pace, the huge number of characters, and all the time jumps. So if I had to start The God of the Woods today, this is exactly the kind of advice I’d want to follow.

Be patient – The story moves slowly, from the beginning, take your time.
Keep notes if you can – There are a lot of characters and time jumps, so it’s easy to get confused.
Pay attention to the setting – The forest, the house, and the camp aren’t just background, they’re important to the story.
If you feel lost, that’s okay – Many readers feel the same way. Take a deep breath, put the book down if you need to, and come back to it when you’re ready. Don’t let frustration ruin the experience, this book moves slowly, and honestly, it’s meant to be read that way.

The God of The Woods: Timeline Structure

The book jumps between several years, using multiple points of view to slowly reveal the full picture. Here’s a quick guide:

1800s (Past)

The Sluiter family originally owned land in the Adirondacks during the 19th century.

1870s (Past)

The Van Laars purchased the land in the 1870s.

1950s (Past)

This timeline gives us some background on the Van Laar and Hewitt families, as well as the early history of the preserve. It’s also when Alice marries Peter Van Laar III.

1961 (Past)

This timeline focuses on Bear Van Laar’s disappearance, a key event that leaves a lasting impact and sets the stage for a lot of what comes later.

1962-1965 (Past)

This timeline picks up after Bear Van Laar’s disappearance. In 1962, Barbara Van Laar is born.

1975: June, July, August and September (Present)

This is the main timeline. Most of the story happens in the summer of 1975 at Camp Emerson, when Barbara Van Laar goes missing and everything starts to unfold. The story mostly takes place in the summer of 1975, but it’s told through two different timelines that run side by side:

Before the Disappearance:
These chapters follow the events leading up to Barbara Van Laar going missing. You’ll see life at camp, character relationships taking shape, and early signs of tension beneath the surface.
After the Disappearance:
These chapters take place in August, after Barbara is reported missing. They focus on the investigation, how people respond, and how the camp and the Van Laar family begin to unravel.

The God of the Woods: Character List in Alphabetical Order

This list isn’t totally complete, but I did my best to round up as many named characters as I could find. The book has a lot of people to keep track of, with all the shifting POVs and timelines, so hopefully this helps you stay a little more grounded as you read!

Character Name	Role
Alice Van Laar	Mother of Barbara and Bear, married to Peter Van Laar III.
Amy	A camper in Balsam cabin at Camp Emerson in 1975. One of the eight girls Louise counts in the cabin when noticing Barbara’s absence.
Annabel Southworth	Seventeen-year-old counselor-in-training (CIT) at Camp Emerson in 1975.
Barbara Van Laar	Teenage daughter of Alice and Peter Van Laar. Disappears from Camp Emerson in August 1975.
Bear Van Laar	Young son of Alice and Peter Van Laar, who disappeared in 1961.
Beatrice Alcott	Owner of the Motel Alcott Family Inn.
Bob Alcott	The owner of the Alcott Family Inn is Beatrice’s husband.
Calvin	A male counselor at Camp Emerson in 1975. Performs a skit during the opening campfire to illustrate the rule “When lost, sit down and yell.”
Captain LaRochelle	Captain LaRochelle worked on both Van Laar cases, Bear’s disappearance in 1961 as a lieutenant, and Barbara’s in 1975 as the lead investigator.
Carl Stoddard	Carl Stoddard is a gardener at the Van Laar Preserve and also a member of the Shattuck Township Volunteer Fire Brigade
Carol	Louise’s mother’s.
Caroline	A camper in Balsam cabin at Camp Emerson in 1975. One of the eight girls present when Louise discovers Barbara’s empty bed.
Charlie Hewitt	Charlie Hewitt is Victor Hewitt’s brother.
Christopher Muldauer	Christopher Muldauer is an eight-year-old camper at Camp Emerson, the youngest in the group
Connie Driscoll	Connie Driscoll is an elderly waitress and the proprietor (or namesake) of Driscoll’s Pub, the only restaurant in the town of Shattuck.
Denny Hayes	A state police investigator working with Judyta Luptack in 1975. Supports her efforts in the Barbara Van Laar case.
Donna Romano	Tracy’s father’s girlfriend in 1975. Drives Tracy to Camp Emerson, described as a chain-smoker with a glamorous appearance.
Howard Southworth	Annabel’s father, a friend of the Van Laars.
Jacob Sluiter	Jacob Sluiter is a convicted serial killer and fugitive in The God of the Woods.
Jeannie Clute	Jeannie works as a cook for the Van Laar family.
Jennifer	A camper in Balsam cabin at Camp Emerson in 1975. One of the girls present when Louise notices Barbara’s absence.
Jesse Donnadieu	Louise’s eleven-year-old brother in 1975.
John Paul McLellan	Louise Donnadieu’s long-time boyfriend and fiancé and a member of the elite social circle around the Van Laars, attending the Preserve’s events and parties.
John Paul McLellan Sr.	Father of John Paul, a lawyer and friend of the Van Laars.
Judyta (Judy) Luptack	A state police investigator in 1975, the first female in her role. Investigates Barbara’s disappearance.
Katherine Southworth	Annabel’s mother, a friend of the Van Laars.
Kim	A camper in Balsam cabin at Camp Emerson in 1975.
Lee Towson	A kitchen worker at Camp Emerson in 1975.
Leonard Luptack	Judyta’s brother.
Louise Donnadieu	Twenty-three-year-old head counselor at Camp Emerson in 1975. Discovers Barbara’s disappearance.
Marnie McLellan	Marnie McLellan is John Paul McLellan’s sister.
Maryanne Stoddard	Carl Stoddard’s wife.
Melissa (Two Melissas)	Two campers in Balsam cabin at Camp Emerson in 1975, named Melissa. Two of the eight girls present when Louise notices Barbara’s absence.
Michelle	A camper in Balsam cabin at Camp Emerson in 1975. One of the eight girls present when Louise notices Barbara’s absence.
Molly Jewell	Tracy’s mother in 1975.
Peter Van Laar III	Alice’s husband, father of Barbara and Bear, and owner of the Van Laar Preserve.
Peter Van Laar II	Peter Van Laar’s III father.
Steven	John Paul McLellan’s roommate at Union College in 1975.
T.J. (Tessie Jo) Hewitt	Camp Emerson director and groundskeeper.
Tracy Jewell	Twelve-year-old camper at Camp Emerson in 1975, Barbara’s bunkmate.
Vic (Victor) Hewitt	Former groundskeeper and camp director, T.J.’s father.

The God of the Woods: Book Structure

The God of the Woods is a non-linear book, it jumps between timelines and follows different characters. Bit by bit, it pieces together the Van Laar family’s history and the mysteries surrounding Bear and Barbara’s disappearances.

The book is divided into 7 main parts, which are:

Barbara
Bear
When Lost
Visitors
Found
Survival
Self-Reliance

Inside each part, you’ll find chapters that switch between different characters’ perspectives and different years. A helpful tip to avoid getting lost is to pay close attention to the chapter titles and the year listed at the top, they tell you when the scene takes place and which character the chapter is focused on.

How to read The God of the Woods by Liz Moore — Click the image to enlarge it.

It really helped me to highlight the year and character name as I went, t made it so much easier to keep track. Some chapters jump 10 or 20 years in time, while others only skip ahead a few days or months, so staying a little organised goes a long way in following the story without getting lost.

What to Expect from The God of the Woods by Liz Moore?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with this book, and trust me, I made it, is going in expecting one thing and getting something completely different. I didn’t look into it much before reading; honestly, I was more drawn in by the buzz than anything else. A lot of my friends did the same, and afterward, I realized that most of my issues with the book came from those mismatched expectations.

So if you’re planning to read The God of the Woods, here’s a little guide to help set the right expectations, no spoilers, just a quick look at the feel and structure of the book.

A slow-burn pace – Some people call this book a thriller, but to me, it feels more like a historical drama with a mystery at the center. So don’t expect your usual fast-paced crime story, it’s slower, more emotional, and really focused on the characters.
Beautiful, poetic writing – Descriptive and atmospheric, with a strong sense of place.
Multiple timelines – The story jumps between years, revealing the past and present little by little.
Shifting perspectives and a large cast – Told through several characters’ points of view, the story isn’t linear, which can get a bit confusing, so it helps to keep track as you go, but don’t let that scare you off.
Emotional depth – Focused more on feelings and relationships than nonstop plot.

Quick Tip
Because of the number of characters, timelines, and shifting points of view, I’d recommend reading The God of the Woods by Liz Moore in print or digital format. The audiobook can be a bit overwhelming to follow, and having the text in front of you really helps keep track of the story.

Is The God of the Woods for You?

Honestly, calling The God of the Woods a historical family drama makes more sense than calling it a thriller.

The focus is really on the Van Laar family’s secrets and how they affect characters like Barbara, Alice, and T.J., rather than fast-paced crime-solving. Yes, there’s mystery, but it takes a back seat to the deeper themes of family, class, and legacy. That’s probably why the pacing or tone might feel different from what you expect if you go in thinking it’s a typical thriller.

This book might be a great fit if you enjoy:

Slow, character-driven stories
Rich, poetic writing with lots of detail
Multi-generational family drama
A moody, atmospheric setting
Mystery that unfolds gradually
Non-linear timelines and multiple POVs

You might struggle with it if you prefer:

Fast-paced thrillers or page-turners
Clear, single-perspective or few-perspective storytelling
Stories where “a lot happens” quickly

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helped make The God of the Woods a little easier to follow, especially if you felt overwhelmed by the timelines, characters, or structure. If you’ve read the book and have something to add, your thoughts are more than welcome in the comments!