The Whisperwood Legacy

by Jo Schulte

Overview

"Read this one with the lights on!"—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of The Night of the Witch

Knives Out meets The Hazel Wood in this twisty contemporary fantasy about an amusement park shrouded in dark secrets—and the family desperate to inherit it at any cost. 
 
Welcome to Whisperwood, a sprawling theme park nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where thrilling rides and picture-perfect scenery bring cult-classic fairy tales to life. Or at least they did until eighteen months ago, when the family matriarch, Virginia Strauss, suddenly shut Whisperwood’s gates and the beloved park was left to wither away along with the family’s dwindling fortune.
  
For seventeen-year-old Frankie Strauss, Whisperwood's closure has been a blessing in disguise. After seeing three generations of wealth’s corrupting influence, she is more than ready to shed the Strauss-family's gilded handcuffs.
  
But when Virginia goes missing, Frankie realizes that her family might be guilty of something much worse than mere dysfunction. With the help of the mysterious and handsome groundskeeper, Jem, Frankie sifts through a web of near truths and outright lies, uncovering a reality where nothing is as it seems and fairy tales aren’t just real—they’re deadly. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316578745
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/27/2025
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Jo Schulte grew up chasing fireflies in Michigan, spent many years navigating London’s publishing industry, and now calls Atlanta home, y’all. When she’s not writing, Jo can be found walking her dog, getting distracted by renovation projects, or enjoying a well-earned brunch (the housecleaning can wait). She invites you to connect with her at joschulte.com.

Editorial Reviews

Readers of dark fairy tales and complicated family dramas will be enchanted.”—Booklist

“A fully immersive, wild ride.”—BCCB

“Atmospheric and broody, the story brings together monsters and fairy tales even as it tackles teenage love and heartbreak… A strong, compelling debut that shows that stories really do have power—and can hold danger.”—Kirkus Reviews

"A rare debut that is equal parts chilling and effervescent, The Whisperwood Legacy lures readers into a world where the shadows don't stand still, and all the birdsong carries an omen.Schulte's sparkling humor adds a silver levity to the book's gothic atmosphere. I've never been so delighted by something nightmarish.This is sure to keep readers' terrified and transfixed and, ultimately, transported to the haunting wilderness of the Whisperwood."—Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves

"Atmospheric and delightfully eerie with monstrous fairy tales and toothy secrets, this is a fever dream of a tale that I totally adored and could not put down."—CG Drews, New York Times bestselling author of Don't Let the Forest In

“A masterful blend of humor and danger, The Whisperwood Legacy is a playful, dark fairytaleabout a fractured family and a heroine learning to write her own narrative. Like the magic of the Whisperwood itself, Schulte’s debut will beguile you.”—Allison Saft, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Fragile Enchantment

"Disturbing yet gorgeous fables come to life in this fast-paced debut featuring eccentric family drama, bloody magic, and a heroine with heart. I was swept away by the dark atmosphere woven with German-inspired fairy tales that made me question what was reality and what was story. A delightful, twisty read!" —Emily J. Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique

"Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, this novel will shock you with twists you never saw coming. Read this one with the lights on!"—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of The Night of the Witch

“The chilling atmosphere coupled with family secrets and odd alliances will keep you guessing during this emotional rollercoaster ride.”—Mindy McGinnis, Edgar-Award winning author of Under This Red Rock

"Schulte's wickedly inventive debut is a story that loves stories. Fresh-voiced and funny enough to make its tenderly emotional heart take you by surprise. Layers of twisted fairytales peel away to unveil a book you'll want to read again and again."—Courtney Gould, author of What the Woods Took

“Welcome to The Whisperwood, at onceenchanting and unsettling, where stories are more than words on a page and one family’s legacy threatens to unravel. Jo Schulte’s rollercoaster of a debut brims with mystery, magic, and mayhem. Come for the eerie folktale-inspired theme park, then stay for the delicious family drama. The Whisperwood Legacy is a fast-paced thrill ride that will have you turning pages long into the night.”—Adrienne Tooley, author of The Third Daughter

"Spooky, atmospheric, and fantastically magical, The Whisperwood Legacy’s dark fairytales will linger and haunt readers long after its last page."—Cindy R. X. He, author of Perfect Little Monsters

“The Whisperwood Legacy is a knockout—a gripping mystery about a missing matriarch and the messy family ready to fight, Knives Out-style, for their inheritance, threaded with a magic so chilling that it may scare me off amusement parks forever. But at its (torn-out, still-beating) heart, this book belongs to Frankie: a clever, funny, hurting girl trying to find a place in her own story. Jo Schulte is a remarkable talent; I’ll read any tale she tells.” —Meredith Adamo, Morris Award-winning author of Not Like Other Girls

From the Publisher

2025-02-01
Inside a shuttered North Carolina theme park, one family is bound for a reckoning.

Since its inception, Whisperwood Park has been run by a member of the Strauss family: first German immigrant Sir Wilhelm and now Virginia, his great-granddaughter. The popular park featured rides and attractions based on Wilhelm’s tales, which brought to life his German heritage within the Appalachian setting. But 18 months ago, Virginia abruptly shuttered it. As potential heirs to the property, 17-year-old Francesca “Frankie” Montgomery-Strauss and the rest of her family return, hoping to uncover what happened and what it means for their futures. Frankie also seeks to understand the disappearance of her friend (and maybe something more) Zara Morales. And then Oma—Frankie’s grandmother Virginia—goes missing too. The answers lie in the park, with its stories and its quiet, attractive teenage groundskeeper, Jem. Magic, a family feud, and a dark deal coalesce in a whirlwind that complements rather than overshadows Frankie’s story of unraveling her past, her feelings, and her agency. The portrayal of Frankie’s bisexuality stands out as an understated yet clearly integral part of her characterization. Atmospheric and broody, the story brings together monsters and fairy tales even as it tackles teenage love and heartbreak and digs into the key role Frankie plays in the future of the park and her family. Most characters are cued white; Zara presents Latine.

A strong, compelling debut that shows that stories really do have power—and can hold danger. (family tree)(Fantasy. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews