The Woods All Black

I really wanted to love this novel, but I did not. Partially because I thought it was going to be more folk horror.
Leslie works for the Frontier Nursing Service and has been assigned a small village called Spar Creek but when she gets there her welcome is revoked because the local preacher is poisoning the people's minds with stories of women who do not behave in the way he feels the Bible says they should behave. Leslie, for example, wears pants and is educated- two big no-nos's. Additionally there is a young person in town exhibiting behaviors considered to be “man's work” and dress. Punishment for Stevie Mattingly is doled out with fists and attacks on their body. Leslie tries to help, but is powerless.
And something in the woods is stalking everyone.
I felt the strongest parts of the novel are Leslie's memories of serving in the trenches in the first world war. Her life in Europe is also very interesting.
I really thought more was going to happen with whatever was in the woods, I think I thought it had more to do with how the townsfolk were acting. I was incorrect. We really don't get to know anyone so it was hard to understand their motivation- either they were on the side with the preacher or they were not. And very few people were not on his side.