Out of the Woods

I’ll admit, I went into *Out of the Woods* expecting another *Gone Girl* clone—something slick but ultimately forgettable. Instead, Wiley delivers a thriller that’s far more interested in psychological erosion than twisty plot acrobatics. The story follows Claire, a woman whose husband’s increasingly erratic behavior forces her to question not just his actions, but her own complicity in ignoring red flags for years. What makes this stand out is how *ordinary* the horror feels. There are no grand villains here, just the slow poison of gaslighting, financial control, and the way love can blind you to the obvious. Allman’s narration is a masterclass in restraint. She doesn’t lean into melodrama, even in the book’s tensest moments, which makes the rare outbursts of emotion hit harder. My only critique? The pacing in the middle act drags slightly—Wiley spends a *lot* of time on Claire’s internal spirals, and while it’s effective, there were moments I wished the plot would just *move*. That said, the payoff is worth it, especially in the final act, where the audiobook’s production shines. The use of subtle background noise (a distant car engine, a door creaking) in key scenes adds a layer of immersion without feeling gimmicky. If you like your thrillers more *Unbelievable* than *Se7en*, this is your next listen—just maybe don’t start it before bed.