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The Memory Wood

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The Memory Wood

By: Sam Lloyd
Narrated by: Joe Jameson, Emily Beecham
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE MUST-READ RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK. Chilling, moving and unputdownable, The Memory Wood is a thriller like no other.

Elijah has lived in the Memory Wood for as long as he can remember. It's the only home he's ever known.

Elissa has only just arrived. And she'll do everything she can to escape.

When Elijah stumbles across thirteen-year-old Elissa, in the woods where her abductor is hiding her, he refuses to alert the police. Because in his twelve years, Elijah has never had a proper friend.

And he doesn't want Elissa to leave.

Besides, Elijah knows how this can end. After all, Elissa isn't the first girl he's found inside the Memory Wood.

As her abductor's behaviour grows more erratic, chess prodigy Elissa realises that outwitting strange, lonely Elijah is her only hope of survival.

Their cat-and-mouse game of deception and betrayal will determine both their fates, and whether either of them will ever leave the Memory Wood . . .

'Beautifully told, with two superbly drawn young protagonists, Lloyd is a rare new thriller talent' Daily Mail

'Superbly creepy, with an unexpected twist' Guardian

'Brilliant writing, a terrifying story, and characters so real it feels like you know them. If you enjoy dark, twisty thrillers that stay with you, read this book' Samantha Downing, author of My Lovely Wife

Richard and Judy Book Club Pick, Winter 2020

© Sam Lloyd 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Coming of Age Crime Thrillers Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense

Critic Reviews

Beautifully told, with two superbly drawn young protagonists, Lloyd is a rare new thriller talent.
Remarkable. Stunning prose and compulsive reading. It's undoubtedly the best thriller I've read in a long, long time.
What makes this book special is the marvellously executed subterranean power game. Superbly creepy, with an unexpected twist, this is a very grim modern fairytale.
I was pulled into The Memory Wood from the very first page—it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let you go. It’s an intense, atmospheric, and truly original thriller. Put everything else aside when you enter the Memory Wood, including your expectations…
Forget everything you think you know about thrillers. The Memory Wood is a compulsive page-turner where visceral horror meets Grimm fairytale – a story that’s guaranteed to burn itself into your brain . . . Every twist and distortion evokes a physical response – you’ll be breathless with anticipation, tingling with hope, and numb with dread from beginning to end.
A beautifully written, fast-paced thriller with twists and turns as dark as the cell in which Elissa is confined. We devoured it in a matter of hours.
A darkly chilling and original novel . . . a series of twists keeps readers captivated until a shocking climax.
Brilliant writing, a terrifying story, and characters so real it feels like you know them. If you enjoy dark, twisty thrillers that stay with you, read this book.
The dreamy nature of the story slowly dissipates as the danger deepens, leaving this reader with pounding heart and sweating palms.
The Memory Wood is impossible to put down. It's so wonderfully written, creepily atmospheric and chilling.
All stars
Most relevant
loved it, stayed up the whole night listening. Awesome book, can not wait to read to read more from this author

5 stars

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This book is SO good. I actually did not want to stop listening. The character development was excellent. This was a great intro to crime fiction for me!!! Strongly recommend!

Pure brilliance

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Well written and brilliantly performed by the narrator. Story keeps you captivated and describes realistic human emotions.

Keeps you enthralled & guessing till the end

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I found this different to my normal listening as unsure for the first short while. Once the story developed I really enjoy the characters. Narration was very good all the way though overall well worth a listen. could only image this happening to children who go through the same thing.

Enjoyed

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Initially I struggled to start this book. Took me three goes. The male voice was off putting sounding out of breath but as the story rolled on the narration was exactly what the character needed. I became fully invested with the twists and turns and hung on for the crescendo of the story. Great listen

Begins as a slow burn

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excellent listen could not stp listening
will look for another title from this author

great

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Story kept you listening,good performances ,thriller to the end ,changing characters was ,was a little disruptive.

Good story ,twists and turns

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Found this story very captivating, a little dark at times but overall I loved it!

Great story

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What a brilliant book….it keeps you guessing the entire time, is full of twists and turns but at the same time easy to follow! Loved it.

Amazing!

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Highly recommend. A little confusing at the start but draws you in quickly. Well performed.

Highly recommend

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