McNeil delivers a relentless, creepy, and ultimately smart novel that celebrates its bold choices. If you’re ready for a story that respects the classics while fiercely carving its own path, you need to step into these woods. Just be prepared for what you might find there. Trust me, there is no teddy bear picnic.

A Review of They Fear Not Men in the Woods by Gretchen McNeil

Gretchen McNeil’s They Fear Not Men in the Woods is a sharp, modern twist on folk horror that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go. The novel follows Jen Monroe, a young woman dragged back to her Pacific Northwest hometown seven years after her forest ranger father vanished. When his remains are supposedly discovered, Jen returns not for closure, but for the truth, convinced her survivalist father is still alive. A memorial camping trip with old friends becomes her chance to investigate, plunging the group into an ancient, breathing forest where something far more sinister than lost memories awaits.

McNeil’s greatest strength here is her command of atmosphere. The woods are not a passive setting but a pulsing, malevolent force. She builds a world of mist and shadow where every snapped twig and unnatural silence is loaded with dread. This is slow-burn horror at its most effective, a creeping vine of tension that tightens with each page turn. The sense of primal unease is so palpable you can almost smell the damp earth and feel the weight of being watched.

Jen Monroe is a refreshingly abrasive protagonist. Her internal monologue, often brutally honest and laced with a defensive cynicism, is a deliberate and powerful character choice. She isn’t crafted to be universally likeable; she’s built to survive. Her jagged edges and harsh judgments feel like armour, a believable response to a life fractured by loss.

This makes her journey from a woman driven by personal obsession to one confronting an unimaginable evil all the more compelling. The supporting cast, while archetypal, serves its purpose well. Their bickering and rehashed high school drama don’t slow the plot, they amplify the claustrophobia. These are not perfectly polished heroes but flawed people, and their petty conflicts make the eventual, brutal shift into survival horror feel all the more terrifying and real.

When the horror arrives, it does so with breathtaking force. The slow-burning tension ignites into a finale that is both gruesome and eerie. McNeil holds nothing back, delivering scenes of body horror that are as inventive as they are disturbing. This is where the folk horror roots truly blossom into something spectacular. The reveal of what lurks in the forest is a stunning narrative gamble, weird, audacious, and brilliantly feminist. It subverts tired tropes and lands with a powerful punch, transforming the story from a simple creature feature into a bold commentary on nature and vengeance.

Beneath the scares, the novel weaves a potent layer of eco-horror. The themes of conservation and the ravages of the logging industry are not just a backdrop; they are integral to the plot, giving the ancient evil a modern, relevant justification.

McNeil delivers a relentless, creepy, and ultimately smart novel that celebrates its bold choices. If you’re ready for a story that respects the classics while fiercely carving its own path, you need to step into these woods. Just be prepared for what you might find there. Trust me, there is no teddy bear picnic.

Check out Gretchen’s fascinating article on Wylding Hall  by Elizabeth Hand

They Fear Not Men in the Woods by Gretchen McNeil

Seven years ago, Jen Monre left behind her hometown of Barrow, Washington after her father, a forest ranger passionate about protecting old trees from the aggressive logging business that runs their small town, vanished seemingly into thin air. She never wanted to come home again.

Until she gets a call: her father’s remains have been found. It seems impossible. So Jen goes home, determined to find out what really happened to her father. And when her ex-boyfriend proposes a camping trip into the woods in her father’s memory, it feels like the opportunity Jen had been hoping for: to find her father. To find the truth. But what she finds instead may be something deeper, darker and deadlier than she could have ever imagined.

Horror Book Reviews on Ginger Nuts of Horror

For dedicated horror fans seeking their next chilling read, Ginger Nuts of Horror has established itself as a must-visit destination. Driven by a passion for the genre, the website offers more than just standard reviews, providing a deep dive into the world of dark fiction that keeps a global community of readers coming back for more.

A genuine, infectious enthusiasm for horror fuels Ginger Nuts of Horror. Founded by Jim Mcleod, the site has grown from a personal project into a significant resource. The site’s unique appeal stems from its “sense of fun” and the evident “joy for horror“. This passion translates into thoughtful coverage that explores the emotional and thematic depths of horror, looking beyond monsters to the “feelings and emotion” that make the genre so powerful.

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• Thoughtful Reviews
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For anyone looking to stay informed and inspired in the world of horror literature, Ginger Nuts of Horror is an invaluable resource. Its blend of expertise, passion, and diverse content makes it the perfect guide for navigating the ever-expanding shelves of dark fiction.