Kimi Cunningham Grant

An enjoyable novel set in the remote Appalachian Mountains. I enjoyed the setting of the novel and the sense of time and place, the plot was suspenseful and entertaining and kept me interested throughout, having said that there were a couple of happenings in the novel that I just didn’t find believable hence my 3 star rating as opposed to 4.

Firstly I have to admit I was completely drawn in by the stunning cover of this book.
I really enjoyed the Father / daughter relationship and understood Coopers reasons for bolting. I loved the slow pace of the story and it helped connect with the remote setting and of the novel. The characters were interesting and vivid and came alive in the book. However for me there were a couple of happenings in the story that didn't feel believable and I struggled with the ending of the novel.

An enjoyable read but not a book for my real life bookshelf.… (more)

Interesting tale of a father and daughter living in the backwoods of the Appalachian mountains -- solated, pretty much self sufficient, wood-craft wise, and hiding. As the story unfolds it's easy to keep rooting for the pair to maintain their existence and life together, as Cooper (dad) struggles with the growing questions Finch (daughter) has and the growing perils that threaten them. I know the woods where this novel was set (though admittedly it's been a while since I was there.) My time in them was, admittedly, much less primitive and very different in terms of resources. I definitely wouldn't have the knowledge, ability or forethought to survive a winter, let alone years there.… (more)

While searching for my next audiobook in the suspense genre, I came across These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant on my wishlist. The setting of a father and daughter living in the woods with no electricity and no connection to the outside world because a secret is being held sounded quite intriguing. Plus, it's the perfect time of year to read about surviving in the wilderness. Well, I suppose I would think that regardless of the current season.

Cooper has lived in a cabin in the remote woods for eight years with his daughter, Finch. Their cabin has no electricity, and they never leave the woods. They receive supplies from a long-time friend, Jake, who visits once a year. There is a squirrelly neighbor, Scotland, whom Cooper finds distrustful and sneaky. Finch, who is quite intelligent, curious, and compassionate, learns from the bounty of books in the cabin. This year, Jake doesn’t show up as scheduled to bring their annual supplies, and Cooper is forced to develop a new plan for their survival. A stranger wanders onto their property, threatening the safe haven Cooper has created all these years. These events spark the most complex and emotionally draining spiral for Cooper and Finch.

This book was perfect! I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did when I clicked the borrow button on the Hoopla app. The writing is outstanding. Grant not only thoroughly described each scene, so I could easily imagine myself there, I could feel myself in the cabin and in the woods. The emotions of the characters, whom I adored, were so strong and powerful. I appreciate how the backstory unfolded, too. The author gradually reveals Cooper’s history and why he chose to live in the remote woods with his young daughter.

There were times I couldn’t stop listening, and there were times I was grateful for an interruption to my reading, so I could stop listening — it was that emotional. As the end neared, the tears began; tears of sadness and of joy. And the ending was exceptionally special. I was floored. The beauty of grace is impressive.

Like I mentioned, I borrowed the audiobook of These Silent Woods from my local library with the Hoopla app. I admire Grant’s writing so much that I am an instant fan. I will be reading all of her books. Narration by Bronson Pinchot was perfect. He is now included as one of my favorite narrators.

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog… (more)