The Staircase in the Woods

In 1998, five teenagers ventured into the woods of Pennsylvania and stumbled upon a mysterious staircase that led to nowhere. One climbed it, and by the end of the night, only four returned. Now, 20 years later, the survivors are shattered, each haunted by that day and with their lives in tatters. Then the staircase reappears, and the estranged friends are drawn back together. This time, driven by guilt and desperation, they resolve to climb it themselves, hoping to uncover the truth, and to perhaps reclaim the friend they lost. Wendig’s disturbing novel follows the classic trope of adults confronting the horrors of unresolved childhood trauma. The ghastly atmosphere, combined with an ever-present sense of danger, creates an unrelenting tension that grips readers. The horrors within the staircase unfold like a twisted escape room, blending video game logic with cruel mind games. This is also a tale about friendship, found family, and overcoming the pain of the past, featuring a cast of broken, flawed, and at times unlikable characters who nonetheless inspire empathy.