Title: Woodhaven

Author: L.J. Dougherty

Release date: July 30, 2022

Huge thanks to L.J. for sending me an advance copy of ‘Woodhaven’ to read. He sent it along with a message in the email saying ‘read when you can, no rush.’ LOL. Oh, Dougherty, you dear sweet sweet man. I would’ve read this in a single sitting when it arrived, if I wasn’t also trying to finish off a short story collection as well.

I’ve previously read Dougherty’s two Espionage Cryptid thrilles – ‘Beasts of the Caliber Lodge’ and ‘Primal Reserve.’ Both were excellent, but I was really intrigued to see what he would do with a novella. Those previous two were sprawling, cinematic pieces with multiple locations and numerous characters. This one was set in a single spot with a few characters and a quarter of the page count. Could he deliver the goods?

You betcha.

What I liked: Following the events that led to the government being overthrown and the military asserting martial law, Joy and her dad, Warren flee to the cabin in the mountains that her grandpa built. Here, Warren has been prepping for just this sort of event and they go about a mundane existence, ever vigilant and on edge, but existing.

The story picks up when a stranger forces his way into the cabin, by holding Joy and Warren’s friend at gunpoint and we begin to learn the horrible truths about the outside world as well as how this people are still surviving.

Dougherty does a great job of making this one feel timeless but also topical and I think that strength will draw in the readers well. You can read this and enjoy it as an escape, or you can read this as a ‘potential’ for what could happen in the world and how we’d each respond. We also get a great subplot about trust and what it means to the individual and how sometimes we need to work together, no matter the differences to survive.

The ending is heartbreaking, poignant and perfect. I absolutely loved it and know it will cause anguish and anger in many, many readers.

What I didn’t like: For me, the minimalism worked. If you’ve read some of my own work, you’ll know I frequently strive for a less is more approach and Dougherty applies that in spades here. So, for those who love that, you’ll be all over this. For those who want more and more and more, you’ll be disappointed.

Why you should buy this: This book is essentially the love child of ‘Armageddon House’ by Michael Griffin and ‘The Cabin at the End of the World’ by Paul Tremblay. We get just enough to keep pulling us along while knowing full well that there is a lot left out and a lot we could learn, but we most likely never will.

I really loved this one a ton and I think it showcases Dougherty’s writing in a way that gets lost in the Summer Blockbuster style Espionage releases he’s put out so far.

This one was great and had everything I look for in a story. Well done.

5/5