The Killing Woods

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the disillusionment of realizing a parent is fallible, or when the family is navigating the fallout of a legal or moral crisis. It is a haunting psychological thriller that begins when Emily's father, a veteran suffering from PTSD, is found in the woods with the body of a teenage girl. Emily refuses to believe he is a killer, while another teen, Damon, searches for the truth about his girlfriend's death. The story delves deeply into the heavy themes of shame, military trauma, and the complex loyalty children feel toward their parents even in the face of dark secrets. Because of its intense atmosphere and mature themes surrounding death and mental health, it is best suited for older teens. Parents will appreciate how it validates the confusing mix of love and anger felt when a hero figure falls from grace, providing a gateway to discuss the long-term effects of trauma on families.