Netflix Adapts the Bestselling Novel Endorsed by Taylor Swift and Barack Obama

Netflix continues to expand its library of literary adaptations with a new project that comes with some serious celebrity backing. The streaming giant is officially developing a series based on Liz Moore’s 2024 bestseller, The God of the Woods.

The novel skyrocketed in popularity recently due to what industry insiders call the “Swift Effect.” Fans spotted Taylor Swift listening to the audiobook during a backstage scene in her tour documentary, The End of an Era, sparking a massive surge in sales and downloads.

Before the pop star’s unintentional endorsement, the book had already earned high praise from former President Barack Obama. He included the gripping thriller on his highly anticipated list of favorite books for the summer of 2024.

Set in the Adirondack Mountains in 1975, the story revolves around the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl from a summer camp owned by her wealthy family. The investigation unearths dark secrets and connects to the unsolved vanishing of her older brother more than a decade earlier.

Author Liz Moore will personally help bring the story to the screen, serving as co-showrunner alongside Liz Hannah, known for her work on The Post. The duo expressed their excitement in a joint statement, hoping viewers will fall in love with the complex characters just as they did.

This marks the second major adaptation for Moore, whose previous novel Long Bright River was recently turned into a series for Peacock. With Netflix and Sony Pictures Television now backing The God of the Woods, expectations for this mystery drama are already high.

If you have read the book or plan to watch the series, let us know your thoughts in the comments.