What Lies in the Woods

Content warning: This section of the guide discusses gender discrimination and sexual harassment. 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What emotional impact did the gradual unraveling of truth about what happened in the woods have on you as a reader?

2. Marshall is known for her young adult fiction, particularly her survival thriller I Am Still Alive. If you’ve read her previous work, how does What Lies in the Woods compare? If this is your first experience with Marshall’s writing, what aspects of her style stood out to you?

3. Which elements of the novel did you find most compelling—the psychological thriller aspects, the murder mystery components, or the coming-of-age drama themes?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Childhood friendships form the cornerstone of What Lies in the Woods and can shape our identities in profound ways. What childhood friendship had the most significant impact on your development, and how did it influence who you became?

2. The novel explores how physical markers of our past experiences shape our identities. What life experience has most visibly shaped who you are today?

3. When have you discovered that your recollection of an important event differed significantly from others who experienced it?

4. What strategies have you observed other people using to maintain emotional distance from painful experiences?

5. Can you recall a time when you had to decide between revealing a difficult truth or maintaining a secret for what seemed like the greater good?

6. Discuss how the girls use the goddess game to make sense of their world and relationships. What imaginative games or stories did you create as a child that helped you process the world around you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. True crime is currently a popular and prevalent genre. What responsibilities do creators and consumers of true crime content have toward victims of violence and their families?

2. The novel explores how young girls transition to womanhood in a society that both sexualizes and endangers them. In what ways does our culture make this transition particularly challenging for girls compared to boys?

3. Consider how privilege manifests in the novel. How do these examples illustrate how privilege works in the real world? How do privilege and social standing continue to impact justice systems in contemporary society?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The woods are both a physical setting and a symbolic space in the novel. What does this wilderness represent in relation to the characters’ psychological states and the theme of secrets?

2. Marshall incorporates Greek mythology throughout the novel, particularly through the girls’ goddess game and the skeleton’s nickname, “Persephone.” How do these mythological references compare to similar uses in novels like Madeline Miller’s Circe or The Song of Achilles, and what do they add to the story’s themes?

3. Psychological thrillers use a wide range of literary strategies and devices to maintain pace, tension, and suspense throughout the story. What techniques does Marshall use to create suspense and uncertainty while maintaining reader engagement?

4. Which character’s true nature surprised you most when their authentic self was finally revealed? Discuss this character’s development over the course of the novel, including any hints or foreshadowing about their true nature. 

5. Discuss the various betrayals that happen in What Lies in the Woods. How do they play into the novel’s exploration of trust and vulnerability?

6. The novel offers numerous symbols beyond Naomi’s physical scars. What other symbolic elements did you notice, and how did they enhance the story’s themes?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a true crime podcast about the events in Chester, what ethical considerations would guide your approach, and what aspects of the story would you emphasize or downplay?

2. Imagine an epilogue set five years after the novel’s conclusion. What do you think has happened to Naomi and Ethan? Has Naomi found peace, or have new mysteries emerged?

3. Which mythological figure would you choose to embody if you were playing the girls’ goddess game, and why?

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