Chuck Wendig, the New York Times bestselling author of Wanderers, The Book of Accidents, and Wayward, returns with a gripping new novel – The Staircase in the Woods.
In his latest work, Wendig delves into themes of social alienation, childhood abandonment, and the complex ways we adapt to hide the scars of our formative years. The Staircase in the Woods centres on five friends who, twenty years ago, stumbled upon a mysterious staircase in the forest. When one of them climbed it and disappeared, the staircase vanished as well, leaving behind only the unanswered questions. Now, decades later, the staircase has reappeared—and so have the unresolved fears and buried secrets from their past.
This novel explores how growing up without guidance, feeling like an outcast, and trying to hide those effects shapes us as adults. Wendig’s gripping narrative asks: how do the traumas of childhood manifest when we’re finally forced to confront them?
In an exclusive interview with Wendig to celebrate the release of the book, the author reveals the chilling inspiration behind The Staircase in the Woods, sharing how he seamlessly blends supernatural horror with a grounded, real-world setting—and why the friendships we forge in youth can shape us in ways we can’t escape.
WORDS: Howard Gorman
