Witch in the Woods

Sixteen years ago, Camp Lost Lake was the site of a notorious triple murder. The killer, dubbed the Witch of Lost Lake, was said to be Lori Knight, who donned a witch mask and killed her husband Jacob, a counselor named Gia, and possibly her own son Matthew, whose body was never found. The camp closed, but the legend grew, casting a shadow over the town and the families involved. Now, as the camp is set to reopen, the past refuses to stay buried, and the truth behind the murders is more complicated than anyone suspects.

Secrets of Lost Lake

Olivia D'Angeli, born the night of the murders, grows up in the shadow of the camp's dark history. A DNA test for a school project reveals her beloved father isn't biologically related to her, shattering her sense of identity. Meanwhile, Reagan, a girl on the run with her mother Lori (the alleged Witch), is obsessed with clearing her mom's name. Both girls, unaware of each other, are drawn back to Camp Lost Lake as it reopens, each seeking answers about their families and the truth behind the infamous murders.

DNA and Deceit

Olivia's DNA results show she has no Italian ancestry, contradicting her family's story. A paternity test confirms her father isn't her biological dad. Olivia's mother, Miranda, is evasive, and Olivia's suspicions grow. Meanwhile, Reagan's life is upended by a viral true crime podcast that exposes her mother's past. Both girls are driven by a need to uncover the truth about their origins, their parents, and the night that changed everything.

The Other Girl

As the camp's reopening brings together a group of teens for a summer work project, Reagan sneaks onto the grounds, determined to find evidence to exonerate her mother. Olivia, also at the camp, is drawn to the director's office, searching for clues about her real father. When the two girls finally meet, they are shocked to discover they look exactly alike—identical in every way. The revelation that they might be twins, separated at birth, throws both into turmoil.

Campground Ghosts

The camp is alive with rumors: the Witch of Lost Lake, the missing body of Matthew, and the possibility that the real killer was never caught. The teens find evidence that someone has been living on the grounds—fresh footprints, a sleeping bag, and a hidden camera. The past feels dangerously close, and the line between legend and reality blurs as the girls dig deeper.

The Camera Falls

A hidden lunchbox containing Gia's long-missing video camera falls from a secret compartment. The camera, believed to hold evidence of the true killer, becomes the focus of a frantic search. Both Olivia and Reagan are desperate to see what's on the tape, hoping it will finally reveal the truth and clear their mothers' names. But someone else wants the camera too—and will kill to keep its secrets.

Two Sides Collide

Olivia and Reagan, now aware of their connection, must work together despite mutual suspicion. As they try to access the camera's footage, a masked killer attacks, echoing the violence of the past. The girls are forced to run for their lives, unsure who to trust, as the camp descends into chaos and more bodies fall.

The Masked Killer Returns

A figure in a witch mask stalks the camp, using a bow and arrow to pick off victims. The teens realize the killer is not a ghost, but someone very real—and very determined to keep the truth hidden. Reagan is injured in a bear trap, and the group is picked off one by one. The legend of the Witch of Lost Lake becomes terrifyingly real.

Bear Trap and Betrayal

Reagan is caught in a bear trap, and the group's trust fractures. Accusations fly as they try to figure out who among them might be the killer or an accomplice. Old alliances are tested, and the girls must decide whether to trust each other or go it alone. The sense of betrayal is heightened by the realization that the killer knows the camp intimately.

Blood in the Trees

As the killer hunts them through the woods, the girls are forced to confront their own fears and the lies they've been told. Jack, Reagan's friend, is gravely wounded by an arrow. Hazel, Olivia's best friend, is nearly killed. The violence escalates, and the survivors realize that the killer's motive is tied to the secrets of their families and the inheritance of the Knight family fortune.

The Real Witch Revealed

The killer is revealed to be Officer Karly Knight, Jacob's sister. Consumed by resentment over her lost inheritance and years spent caring for her ailing mother, Karly killed Jacob, Gia, and framed Lori. She returns to finish the job, targeting Olivia and Reagan to secure her claim to the family estate. The girls must outwit her in a final confrontation at the lighthouse, the site of the original tragedy.

Family Lies Unraveled

In the aftermath, the truth about Olivia and Reagan's origins comes out. Andie, Olivia's "sister," is actually her mother, and Matthew Knight was their father. Lori, accused of murder, was only trying to protect the babies. The twins were separated in the chaos, each raised by a different woman. The lies that shaped their lives are exposed, and the girls must come to terms with their true identities.

The Lighthouse Showdown

The climax unfolds in the lighthouse, where Karly tries to kill Reagan to eliminate the last heir. Olivia and Reagan work together to overpower her, sending her plummeting to her death. The cycle of violence is finally broken, and the girls are free from the shadow of the Witch of Lost Lake.

Truths and Consequences

With Karly dead and the truth revealed, Lori is exonerated. The community must reckon with the real story behind the murders and the years of injustice. The surviving teens, traumatized but alive, try to rebuild their lives. The twins, now reunited, face the challenge of forging a relationship after years apart.

Aftermath and New Beginnings

Three months later, Reagan and Olivia are adjusting to their new reality as sisters. Lori and Andie work to repair the damage done by years of lies. The camp is closed for good, but the girls look forward to a future where they can define themselves outside the shadow of the past. The story ends with the hope that, while the past can't be changed, the future is theirs to shape.

The Survivor's Guilt

The survivors struggle with guilt over those who died and the choices they made. Jack, wounded but alive, and Hazel, traumatized but resilient, support the twins as they navigate their new family dynamic. The legacy of the murders lingers, but the girls are determined to move forward.

The Twin's Reunion

Olivia and Reagan, once strangers, now share a bond forged in blood and truth. They support each other as they face the challenges of high school, family, and healing. Their reunion is bittersweet, but they are stronger together.

The Past Isn't Dead

Despite the resolution, not all mysteries are solved. The fate of Matthew Knight, the missing father, remains uncertain. The woods of Lost Lake still hold secrets, and the scars of the past run deep. The story ends with a reminder that some ghosts never truly leave.

Characters

Olivia D'Angeli

Olivia is a perfectionist, people-pleasing teen whose life is upended by a DNA test revealing her father isn't her biological parent. Raised in the shadow of the Lost Lake murders, she is haunted by family secrets and a sense of not belonging. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she uncovers the truth about her origins, her real parents, and her twin sister. Olivia's psychological arc is about confronting betrayal, redefining family, and finding strength in vulnerability.

Reagan Knight

Reagan is tough, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to her mother Lori, who has been accused of the Lost Lake murders. Living on the run, Reagan is obsessed with clearing her mother's name and uncovering the truth. Her discovery of Olivia, her identical twin, forces her to question everything she knows about herself and her family. Reagan's development is marked by her struggle to trust others, her survivor's guilt, and her eventual acceptance of her true identity.

Lori Knight

Lori, the so-called Witch of Lost Lake, is a complex figure: both a victim and a survivor. Falsely accused of murdering her husband and others, she flees with Reagan to protect her. Lori's love for Reagan is genuine, but her choices are shaped by trauma and fear. Her arc is about reclaiming her innocence, facing the ghosts of her past, and reconnecting with the daughter she lost.

Andie (Miranda) Edwards

Andie, Olivia's "sister," is actually her biological mother. As a teen, she became pregnant with twins by Matthew Knight and, after a series of tragic events, allowed her mother Miranda to raise Olivia as her own. Andie's psychological journey is one of shame, guilt, and the desperate need to protect her secret. Her eventual confession is both a release and a reckoning.

Officer Karly Knight

Karly is Jacob Knight's sister and the real murderer behind the Lost Lake killings. Motivated by jealousy, resentment, and a sense of entitlement to the family inheritance, she frames Lori and eliminates anyone who threatens her secret. Karly's psychology is marked by bitterness, rationalization, and a chilling capacity for violence. Her downfall is the result of her inability to let go of the past.

Jack

Jack is Reagan's closest friend and confidant, helping her navigate life on the run and the dangers at Lost Lake. He is brave, compassionate, and ultimately wounded in the violence that erupts at the camp. Jack's role is that of the steadfast ally, and his injury underscores the cost of seeking the truth.

Hazel

Hazel is Olivia's best friend, providing emotional support and practical help throughout the ordeal. She is intuitive, loyal, and unafraid to challenge Olivia when necessary. Hazel's relationship with Reagan evolves into something deeper, offering both girls a chance at healing and connection.

Gia North

Gia was a nosy, ambitious camp counselor whose obsession with gossip led her to film the events of the murder night. Her lost camera becomes the key to unraveling the mystery. Gia's actions, though often insensitive, are driven by a desire for recognition and truth, making her both a victim and a catalyst.

Matthew Knight

Matthew, the twins' biological father, was believed to have died the night of the murders. His fate is left ambiguous, with hints that he may have survived, changed by trauma. Matthew represents lost potential and the enduring impact of family secrets.

Miranda D'Angeli

Miranda, Olivia's adoptive mother and Andie's mother, is a figure of strength and denial. She orchestrates the cover-up of Andie's pregnancy and the adoption of Olivia, believing it is for the best. Miranda's psychology is shaped by a need for control, a fear of scandal, and a deep, if misguided, love for her family.

Plot Devices

Dual Narratives and Twinning

The novel alternates between Olivia and Reagan's points of view, allowing readers to see the same events from two sides. Their physical and psychological twinning is a central device, symbolizing the duality of truth and the complexity of identity. The convergence of their stories at the camp is both literal and metaphorical, forcing a reckoning with the past.

The Lost Camera

Gia's missing video camera is the MacGuffin that drives the plot. Its rediscovery and the footage it contains are the keys to unraveling the mystery and exposing the real killer. The camera represents both the power and danger of truth, as well as the ways evidence can be lost, hidden, or manipulated.

Urban Legend and Masked Killer

The legend of the Witch of Lost Lake is used to mask real crimes and manipulate perception. The killer's use of the witch mask and bow and arrow blurs the line between myth and reality, exploiting fear to cover up personal motives. This device explores how stories can be weaponized and how trauma becomes folklore.

Inheritance and Motive

The Knight family inheritance is the hidden motive behind the murders, driving Karly to kill and frame others. The legal and emotional complexities of inheritance, legitimacy, and family secrets are woven throughout, providing both a practical and psychological engine for the plot.

Unreliable Narration and Red Herrings

The story is filled with unreliable accounts, false confessions, and red herrings. Characters lie to themselves and each other, and the truth is only revealed through the convergence of multiple perspectives and the recovery of lost evidence. This structure keeps readers guessing and underscores the theme that there are always two sides to every story.

Analysis

Two Sides to Every Murder is a gripping, modern YA thriller that interrogates the nature of truth, the legacy of trauma, and the complexity of family. By weaving together dual narratives, the novel explores how stories—both personal and communal—are shaped by secrets, lies, and the desperate need for belonging. The use of twins as both a literal and symbolic device highlights the duality inherent in every mystery: victim and perpetrator, past and present, myth and reality. The book critiques the ways in which communities scapegoat outsiders, the dangers of unchecked gossip, and the corrosive effects of generational secrets. Ultimately, it argues that healing and justice require confronting uncomfortable truths, accepting the messiness of love and loyalty, and forging new identities from the wreckage of the past. The story's open-ended conclusion, with some mysteries unresolved, reflects the reality that not all wounds can be neatly closed—but that hope and connection are still possible.

Last updated: May 13, 2025