The Staircase in the Woods Audiobook By Chuck Wendig cover art

The Staircase in the Woods

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The Staircase in the Woods

By: Chuck Wendig
Narrated by: Jay Myers, Amber Benson, Xe Sands
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

“Chuck Wendig weaves his magic once more, turning a lonely staircase in the woods into a searing, propulsive, dread-filled exploration of the horrors of knowing and being known.”—Kiersten White, author of Hide and Lucy Undying

ONE OF VULTURE’S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR (SO FAR)

Five high school friends are bonded by an oath to protect one another no matter what.

Then, on a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something extraordinary: a mysterious staircase to nowhere.

One friend walks up—and never comes back down. Then the staircase disappears.

Twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared. Now the group returns to find the lost boy—and what lies beyond the staircase in the woods. . . .

©2025 Chuck Wendig (P)2025 Random House Audio Horror Supernatural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Scary Camping

Critic reviews

“Chuck Wendig is the Frank Lloyd Wright of horror, and here’s his masterstroke of malaise. The Staircase in the Woods is a true blueprint for terror.”—Clay McLeod Chapman, author of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes

“Chuck Wendig weaves his magic once more, turning a lonely staircase in the woods into a searing, propulsive, dread-filled exploration of the horrors of knowing and being known. I’d follow him anywhere.”—Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide

“[A] masterclass in character . . . Unputdownable, with imagery that cuts like a knife—this is Chuck Wendig at the top of his game.”—Thomas Olde Heuvelt, author of HEX and Darker Days
Intriguing Premise • Vivid Descriptions • Brilliant Voice Acting • Beautifully Flawed Characters • Psychological Depth
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great book! good story! and he managed to get all the 90s feeling perfect.. let's call it nostalgia, but we'd never call it that.

there is a lot in here

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The story itself wasn’t jarring, it was the performance. The one character was voiced in a way that totally broke the immersion for me. Otherwise the story itself was okay, kind of like a modern day IT, I dunno, good filler stuff but not the author’s best work.

Jarring!

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I loved the story, I liked the characters. I do wonder if Chuck Wendig realizes 1998 was 27 years ago, and the characters would be almost 50, but it was an enjoyable story and more than I expected. I do question some of the choices with who read what section, and especially how some of the antagonists were voiced, but on the whole the narrators did a great job.

Great story, occasionally questionable vocal choices

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A story of commitment, danger, fear, love, relationships and every emotion you can ever feel.

Get this!

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Incredible performance from the narrators! They really put me into the world built in this incredibly told story. The author utilizes time skips with purpose and generally not at random. Though the terms "blood" and "ichor" are used various times throughout descriptions and can be repetitive, the gruesome language paints a dark picture for the audience and not just for shock value. The ending may upset some, but I think it leaves a good opening for personal interpretation. Trigger warning for potential readers, but I listened to the very end and very much enjoyed this book.

Dark and Interesting

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I enjoy stories about old childhood friends that reunite. Add in some modern folklore and a pinch of horror and it’s a good read. Kind of like Model Home it has twists and turns but ends up where it should I reckon.

It was good

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Felt like a grown up version of the stories I used to read online. Very nostalgic vibes, lots of reminiscing.

Story was fun, author is clearly as terminally online as I am; I think I only missed like one reference.

It does get a bit goofy near the end. To me it felt like it moved from eldritch horror to more Goonies. Same with the voice actress's performance in the last few chapters. Not bad though, I certainly enjoyed it.

Overall a fun book!

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As a lifelong reader of House of Leaves, I am always looking for new wings to add to the haunting houses of my mind. The stairs and their house, while imperfect (it drags in the middle but picks back up), are a worthwhile addition to the labyrinth.

The narrators are excellent, as well, and read the story to me without any jarring flaws.

An examination of houses, and ghosts

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Good story...original. Described as horror...maybe as a movie but just listening....not so much. Wouldn't recommend to a friend.

Just okay

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As a fantastical character study, I’d give this maybe another star, but as a horror novel it just never came together. By the characters’ repeated admission, they were not at risk in most of the story.

One of the narrators used a ridiculous fake voice for the “monster” at the end, which drained what little tension the author had built.

Pretty disappointing.

Distracting narration, low-tension

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