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Woman In The Woods
In 1912, a young girl is found dead. In present day, young Jeremy's parents are involved in a murder-suicide. Soon after, he is committed to an insane asylum. Years later, Jeremy turns eighteen and is released. After he returns home to live with his uncle, old memories begin to emerge, and people around him start to die in rapid succession. Slowly coming to terms with his parents' deaths, Jeremy realizes that some secrets will not stay buried. What really happened on the night when his parents died, and how is it connected to the young girl's fate? This is the large print edition of Woman in the Woods, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
- GenresCrime
198 pages, Hardcover
First published January 13, 2019
48 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Tomasso III
50 books179 followersPhillip Tomasso III is the award-winning author of many novels, including Before the Sun Sets and Amazon Best Selling memoir, Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.
He lives in Rochester, NY with his 3 kids, works full-time as a Fire Dispatcher for 9-1-1, and is always hard at work on his next story!
He lives in Rochester, NY with his 3 kids, works full-time as a Fire Dispatcher for 9-1-1, and is always hard at work on his next story!
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 30, 2025
omg this book was such a quick read, and i’m sad that it wasn’t a bigger book. i didn’t really like the supernatural/ ghost aspect, but other than that was a great book. the two j names was kind of confusing, but doable. immediately knew the sheriff was going to be back vibes. kevin is such a tool.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2019
This is a great story that links past and present in a supernatural thriller. Jeremy just was released from an insane asylum thanks to help from his Uncle Jack. Jack is the only family Jeremy has because his mom and dad died years ago. As pictures of what truly happened to his parents in the past float around him, Jeremy is finding the present has problems of its' own. This is a well written tale that will have readers eagerly turning the pages.
March 22, 2020
I really enjoyed this - the slow unraveling really added to the tension and kept me turning pages. A bit spooky in parts, as well! Really interesting story line and well-drawn characters. I'll be reading more from this author.
January 16, 2019
Woman in the Woods is loosely based on a local legend (Rochester, NY) that has been around since my parents were kids. Lady in White, or White Lady's Castle is what the tale was known by. The front face of a "castle" at Durand Beach faces Lake Ontario, on either side are stone steps and behind it nothing but woods.
Growing up my parents' house was haunted. Inside "lived" a friendly ghost known as Jenny. I stopped sleeping in my own bedroom at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Even when I returned home from college I slept on the sofa in the family room.
I dedicated this book to Jenny. I suppose I should also have dedicated it to the Lady in White.
I hope you enjoy the mystery as it unfolds!
Best Wishes,
PT3
Growing up my parents' house was haunted. Inside "lived" a friendly ghost known as Jenny. I stopped sleeping in my own bedroom at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Even when I returned home from college I slept on the sofa in the family room.
I dedicated this book to Jenny. I suppose I should also have dedicated it to the Lady in White.
I hope you enjoy the mystery as it unfolds!
Best Wishes,
PT3
January 22, 2019
So first off, the book's description is actually misleading. I was expecting more of a thriller, not simply a ghost story. There is also very little sense of setting, something I noticed especially since I have lived in Old Forge and Inlet, near where the book takes place (Old Forge is mentioned several times). You would think the Adirondack wilderness would make an excellent backdrop to a tale of revenge and the supernatural, in a "setting as character" manner. Lastly, there was no closure with regards to . All in all Woman in the Woods felt more like a first draft just getting the plot down, rather than a fully realized novel.
That being said, it was an entertaining read and there is a revelation at the end I did not see coming at all.
That being said, it was an entertaining read and there is a revelation at the end I did not see coming at all.
March 22, 2019
Excellent
This book freaked me out a bit. I was so drawn into the story I had to sleep with my lights on. Looking forward to the next one!
This book freaked me out a bit. I was so drawn into the story I had to sleep with my lights on. Looking forward to the next one!
February 21, 2019
"Woman in the Woods" by Phillip Tomasso is a real page-turner! The story begins in 1912, then skips to the present. That pattern continues throughout the book, adding to the intrigue and suspense. Although I don't normally read ghost/paranormal mysteries, I'm glad I made an exception.
February 19, 2019
Couldn’t put it down!
I literally read this in less then 8 hours. I think this is the best book so far written by Philip Tomasso! I hope everyone takes the time to read it. Well done sir, well done.
I literally read this in less then 8 hours. I think this is the best book so far written by Philip Tomasso! I hope everyone takes the time to read it. Well done sir, well done.
February 7, 2019
3.5* good short read
September 20, 2019
Supernatural Psychological Thriller
Woman in the Woods, by Phillip Tomasso, is a supernatural thriller that ties events from the distant past – the year 1912 – to the present. As the story progresses, we learn the time line of events that happened from 1912 on, and gradually how they supernaturally affect Jeremy in the present day situation.
The author has written a strong character in Jeremy. He has severe psychological problems stemming from the murder of his mother, which he witnessed when very young. Yet, after years of therapy, he has managed to retain just enough logical sanity to allow him to understand his plight and how to avoid being sent back to the mental institution. He also has an uncle that believes in him.
While we follow the story that began in 1912, I was left with a question about how the good former law officer’s life affected the horrible present day officer since they were related. Other than that, the way the past affects Jeremy and the other characters is quite stunning. It all comes crashing together in the end.
Woman in the Woods, by Phillip Tomasso, is a supernatural thriller that ties events from the distant past – the year 1912 – to the present. As the story progresses, we learn the time line of events that happened from 1912 on, and gradually how they supernaturally affect Jeremy in the present day situation.
The author has written a strong character in Jeremy. He has severe psychological problems stemming from the murder of his mother, which he witnessed when very young. Yet, after years of therapy, he has managed to retain just enough logical sanity to allow him to understand his plight and how to avoid being sent back to the mental institution. He also has an uncle that believes in him.
While we follow the story that began in 1912, I was left with a question about how the good former law officer’s life affected the horrible present day officer since they were related. Other than that, the way the past affects Jeremy and the other characters is quite stunning. It all comes crashing together in the end.
January 26, 2019
This book follows two story lines in parallel: the murder and investigation of Elissa's thirteen year old daughter in 1912, and the present day return home of Jeremy to the care of his uncle from a mental institution following his eighteenth birthday. Jeremy is living in the house that belonged to his murdered parents and starts to feel that the house is haunted. Strange things are happening, things that seem to have a connection to the past, which makes him explore the history and draws the two storylines together to an exciting conclusion.
All the characters were great, some nice and some not! The character of Uncle Jack was particularly likeable. The author did a great job in relating what was going through Jeremy's mind, especially all the self doubts as to his own sanity and ability to cope outside of the institution. I really enjoyed this book. It is a good creepy story and I loved the ending!
All the characters were great, some nice and some not! The character of Uncle Jack was particularly likeable. The author did a great job in relating what was going through Jeremy's mind, especially all the self doubts as to his own sanity and ability to cope outside of the institution. I really enjoyed this book. It is a good creepy story and I loved the ending!
January 28, 2019
Spooky Tale with a surprising twist
Totally enjoyed this novella which slips between the events of 1912 and the present. When a young girl is raped and murdered in the early years of the 20th century, no one could predict that her death would continue to have repercussions that still reverberate in the present.
Having witnessed the deaths of his parents in a murder/suicide at the age of eight, Jeremy becomes a disturbed child and we meet him at the age of 17 as he is released from the psychiatric hospital where he has been treated for almost ten years. Jeremy moves into the old family home where he lives with his Uncle Jack finds a job and his life seems to be on the up.
When he meets a girl called Greta however, things start to go awry for Here my who becomes convinced his home is haunted. I don't want to give too much away, but as we are taken back to the events of 1912 we begin to think that Jeremy might not be far from the truth. The author has artfully blended past and present to create a tale that will keep you guessing to the end. Is Jeremy going crazy? Does a ghost from the past inhabit his family home? What, if anything is the current town sheriff's connection to the past? A delightful spooky Tale that comes complete with a clever twist at the end. Highly recommend.
Totally enjoyed this novella which slips between the events of 1912 and the present. When a young girl is raped and murdered in the early years of the 20th century, no one could predict that her death would continue to have repercussions that still reverberate in the present.
Having witnessed the deaths of his parents in a murder/suicide at the age of eight, Jeremy becomes a disturbed child and we meet him at the age of 17 as he is released from the psychiatric hospital where he has been treated for almost ten years. Jeremy moves into the old family home where he lives with his Uncle Jack finds a job and his life seems to be on the up.
When he meets a girl called Greta however, things start to go awry for Here my who becomes convinced his home is haunted. I don't want to give too much away, but as we are taken back to the events of 1912 we begin to think that Jeremy might not be far from the truth. The author has artfully blended past and present to create a tale that will keep you guessing to the end. Is Jeremy going crazy? Does a ghost from the past inhabit his family home? What, if anything is the current town sheriff's connection to the past? A delightful spooky Tale that comes complete with a clever twist at the end. Highly recommend.
January 23, 2019
Enthralled from start to finish! Tomasso never fails. He knows how to write horror and suspense with an eye for what will make readers squirm. His latest novella, Woman in the Woods delivers no different. I found myself unable to read this story in bed at night. The darkness seemed too alive. So after reading in the daylight, I still found myself suspensefully swiping Kindle pages to find out who did what and why. The story follows two story lines, Elissa and the loss of her 13 year old daughter to a murderer(s?) and Jeremy after his release from a mental institution back to his childhood home. The stories converge around the home Jeremy is left in a will by his murdered parents. He returns to this home with his Uncle to find that it is haunted. Jeremy finds himself in a fight for his sanity in the home and soon comes to realize there's a story that he needs to follow in order to fully right everything in his world. Tomasso delivers exquisite writing that I've come to expect and won't disappoint readers who love a good ghost story.
Raging Book Reviews Highly Recommended!
*Special thanks to the author for gifting a copy for review.
Raging Book Reviews Highly Recommended!
*Special thanks to the author for gifting a copy for review.
December 21, 2019
When a young man is released from a mental hospital after eight years inside, he finds that the sleepy town of his childhood has changed little, except that now the residents are fixated on blaming Jeremy for his parents death. This is a real page-turner with supernatural elements as two stories run side by side, intertwining history & the present day. Well-written & captivating, the author has done an excellent job of setting the scene & delivering a satisfactory conclusion.
June 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It has a clever plot and is full of excitement at every turn. I loved the characters and how they related to each other. I was amazed where the book took me too! I like how the author made this book easy to read but with so much intrigue. I will be following this author for more of his works.
June 6, 2019
I am usually critical of books that can use some editing to tighten up. WITW is the opposite. Coming in at a brief 185 pgs, it could use some further development of both character and plot. Agree with an earlier reviewer, this reads as a first draft.
February 12, 2022
loved it
If you like thrillers, this is one that you have to check out. It terrified me as I read it by the red light of my 3 month old’s sound machine each night while putting him to bed.
If you like thrillers, this is one that you have to check out. It terrified me as I read it by the red light of my 3 month old’s sound machine each night while putting him to bed.
January 16, 2019
Awesome read that keeps you on your toes and guessing! Reads smooth inbetween the time lines and it links it all together.
March 22, 2020
A good horror story linking past and present in a satisfactory way.
February 17, 2024
A great short read
A really good short read. However, I would have liked for some parts of the story to delve a little deeper.
A really good short read. However, I would have liked for some parts of the story to delve a little deeper.
April 30, 2025
3.5/5⭐️
August 9, 2023
Used too many unnecessary words to take up space in the story line and never told what really happened. I liked where it was heading if it was done correctly.
July 6, 2019
Woman In The Woods is the first book of author Phillip Tomasso that I've read and it was outstanding. From the first chapter you are hooked and the more you read the hauntingly thrills and chills take over. The suspense through out the book is never dull. Reading both the past and present points of view, keeps you entertained and well informed. It stays well connected. I loved reading this story and highly recommend it. The story definitely takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions along with the characters, that had me not wanting to put the book down. Author Phillip Tomasso did a fantastic job writing this book.
June 15, 2022
Another great read by Phillip Tomasso! This novella tells a story of the past and present. As Jeremy is released from an insane asylum , he moves into his childhood home where old memories emerge and old secrets start to surface. Part of the story is set in the present and part is set in 1912. As the story goes on Jeremy must figure out what happened that night before he was locked away while also discovering the woman in the woods. This is a quick read, full of suspense and an ending that is sure to get the blood pumping.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews