April 2026 Book Discussion - These silent woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

Grace.

Grace.

Sugar Cookie : GingerScraps Praise Team {Lead}
Hi everyone! welcome to April's Book Club Discussion thread!!
This thread will remain open even after we finish reading the current book, so everyone who wants to add any opinions can do so at her leisure.
1. To avoid spoilers, remember to click on the three dots



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2. choose "inline spoiler," and start typing your text. To me it shows up like a mask icon, but as well can show like an eye with a line through it.




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As all of you know, in this thread we can discuss anything about the current book. Please feel free to share your thoughts while you are reading or whenever you want, or as you progress in your reading, it's up to you, this thread is yours, so express all what you think about the book and reading. You can write parts of the text you're reading, and that you think are important to understand the plot, comment on what you think of all what you have reading so far, whether the author is easy or difficult to understand and follow?, how the plot and characters develop to your mind?, and if there's a quote you'd like to share, please do it.
If you are unable to find or get this book, please check out this month's second option: THE GOLDEN SPOON by Jessa Maxwell
Once again welcome, I hope several of you will choose to join us!
 
So I checked this book out in late March when I saw it in the lead during the book poll... that's why I finished early. 😄 I copied and pasted my initial thoughts from the other thread to continue the conversation here.

I just finished These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant via my library. That was enjoyable to read, the pace of the story was done well and believable in the story's plot. I enjoyed the characters and their development, especially Cooper's, in light of his PTSD from his war experience. His "in-laws" didn't seem particularly pleasant, but I can see why they behaved the way they did. I was totally surprised by the action of Scotland (and his consequental character development) at the end. I was glad to see how the story wrapped up in a good way for the main characters, although I felt bad about the fate of the aspiring photographer, Casey Winters. I wonder how that would have further affected Finch's development (beyond the initial shock), with her being so young. I particularly like the part in the end where grace was discussed (and the irony of her name being Grace isn't lost on me)

Now, on to The Golden Spoon next!
 
@GingerScraps I started reading this book a couple of months ago, but I left it unfinished, so I had to reread it to remember the plot, and I wonder why I didn't continue reading because it's really good!
 
I will not share any spoilers. I am about a third of the way through the book and the storyline is not what I was expecting.
It is well written and holding my attention.
 
I finished reading it too it kept me in suspense most of the time, and although there were points that didn't quite fit together, or that were left unanswered, for example, when Scotland goes to the police and it's presumed that Cooper and Finch are dead too, how was it later explained when Finch reunites with his grandparents?, and what did the police? I would have liked to know how she adapted to civilization too, although she was 16y.o. I think Cooper loved his daughter and taught her how to survive and adapt to pretty hostile environments. I was sad that Jake died, he was a great friend, but I liked that Cooper ended up with Marie. Overall, I really enjoyed the novel, and I would love to see it adapted into a movie.
 
I also liked that current issues were addressed, especially the way post-traumatic stress affects the person who suffers from it and those around them.
 
@Grace. I agree with all you have shared about the book.
The background story of Cooper(Kenny)'s time in Afghanistan shows how crazy these so called wars are. I also wondered how it went when Finch turned up at the door of her grandparents as you would think the police would have told them that she had been murdered. With Finch's strong personality I think she would have adapted to normal life in a sense but as she shared the woods was her life. I also like how Cooper and Marie ended up together. Scotland's ending really surprised me. The information of him being a preacher explained his bible quoting and also with him losing his wife and child would have been how he related to Cooper. Also him being a taxidermist explained why he was able to make the dead animal skulls for Finch with his special flesh eating bugs which was mentioned in the story but it was not explained really why he had them. I think I would some day read another book by this author.
 
I'm so glad you got the book, dear Babette! I can't wait to read your comments @pbhill

@A-M I totally agree with your comment, I too would love to read another Kimi's book, I liked the way the book was written.
 
I started yesterday and I'm totally hooked!!! About at the halfway point, I'll come back to share more thoughts and read all your thoughts later :)
 
I finished today! Here are my thoughts :)
I absolutely loved These Silent Woods! I will be thinking about these characters for days - they truly worked their way into my heart.

The storyline involving wartime experiences and the PTSD that follows soldiers home was incredibly moving. I especially appreciated that it wasn’t overdone - it felt very real and believable. My brother-in-law was deployed in the Middle East and spent years in active wartime. He saw and experienced things that are truly unimaginable. I’ve witnessed firsthand the lasting impact of PTSD. He was never quite the same after returning home. He continues to go to therapy and take medication, but he still struggles with his mental health. Because of that, I felt such a deep sense of compassion and connection to Cooper.

I loved Finch. She was so sweet, yet incredibly strong, and I adored her curious mind.

The introduction of Marie was perfect. She brought a sense of balance to the story, and her presence made everything feel more complete.

I was absolutely shocked and brought to tears when Scotland sacrificed himself for Cooper and Finch. That was such a powerful and beautiful moment.

I do wish the epilogue had been a bit clearer. I’m left with a few lingering questions - how did Finch reunite with her grandparents? What ultimately happened with Scotland? And how did Cooper avoid consequences once Finch reentered society?

I would love to see this turned into a movie!
 
@GingerScraps dear I'm sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I have a sister who didn't go to war, but due to a terrible car accident, she now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, we all try to help her live in the present, but it's not easy task, I'm adding your brother-in-law and his family to my prayer list.
Returning to the book, I also would have liked a longer prologue, or perhaps a second book that addressed all those questions, above all, I'd like a book now with Finch as the protagonist, explaining the way she reintegrated into society, as well as how her grandparents received her, because they had previously been told she was dead. To reintegrate her into society, the police would have to correct that information, even for the population registry. I feel that was a loose end, and I'd like to know how the author would resolve it. I also would have liked to know what happened to Scotland.
 
Finished this book last night. Wow! I didn't see that ending coming. I did enjoy the book and have since read through everyone's comments on it. Thanks for picking this book. I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own but am glad it was recommended.
 
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