Chuck Wendig has a real knack for blending horror with something quieter and more emotional underneath, and The Staircase in the Woods definitely leans into that. It kicks off with a setup I personally never get tired of; estranged childhood friends returning as adults to confront something terrible they did long ago. (One of my favorite tropes, no surprise.) But Wendig takes this familiar setup and transforms it into something far more profound: a haunting meditation on friendship, regret and the inescapable grip of the past.
From the start, there’s this thick, creeping unease. And the staircase itself? Genuinely unsettling. I didn’t even realize this was a real phenomenon people talk about, which made it extra creepy. It draws the characters in, and by extension, the reader too. Wendig’s writing is vivid, moody, almost cinematic at times—he really knows how to create an atmosphere that feels half-forgotten and half-haunted. There’s a creeping dread that lingers, not just from the supernatural elements, but from the weight of the characters’ past choices.
That said, while I was completely into it at first, I did feel the pacing dip a little in the second half. It’s not a dealbreaker, but certain ideas and emotional beats started to repeat themselves, and the momentum slowed down a bit for me. The characters are great; flawed, raw, and very human but I think the story lingered on a few too many of the same emotional notes
Still, this hit a lot of the things I look for in horror. It’s more about the things that stay with you than outright scares, and the supernatural elements are woven in just right. Not overdone, but enough to leave you feeling uneasy. I didn’t end up loving it as much as I’d hoped, but I absolutely liked it, and I kept thinking about it after I finished. That counts for a lot.
If you’re into horror that’s more reflective than explosive, or if you love stories where old friendships get tested in the worst (read: creepiest) ways, this is one to keep an eye on.
Out April 29, 2025 – 3.5 stars
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Peek-A-Book 