Book Reviews for Bookish People

Hi everyone! I was worried I wouldn’t have time to review another horror novel. Not that it really matters; I still have a couple more to finish. This is the third novel I have read by Christina Henry. You are more than welcome to check out my other reviews of her novels. Needless to say, I have become a fan. I even have another book of hers to review. That will be for another time, though. For now, let’s talk about The Ghost Tree.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Murder, Child Death, Grooming of a Minor, Racism and Racist Language, Explicit Language, Disturbing Imagery

On the outside, Smiths Hollow is a picturesque American town with friendly neighbors. The people of Smiths Hollow know that something sinister lurks in the surrounding woods. When the two mutilated bodies of teen girls are found in a backyard, the pleasant facade of the town shatters. Fifteen-year-old Lauren starts having visions of a monster attacking these girls. She also realizes that these girls died in the same way that her father did just a year ago. With the help of other concerned residents, Lauren investigates the history of Smiths Hollow and uncovers a terrible secret that has been hiding in plain sight.

I have to commend Christina Henry’s ability to create tension, a dark atmosphere, and twisty mysteries. The Ghost Tree has many classic elements of small town horror novels that make it feel familiar enough for any horror reader. The novel is also set in 1985, so there is a layer of nostalgia that reminded me a lot of Stranger Things. The novel, though, does not rely on nostalgia or tropes. The Ghost Tree is an unflinching and rather brutal novel with interesting supernatural elements and subplots that are neatly tied together. I wasn’t expecting this novel to be an ensemble cast, but I felt that helped to flesh out the story. Smiths Hollow felt lived in, and the setting truly mattered to the overall plot. Everything balanced out nicely, and delivered plenty of intense moments of horror. Overall, I was impressed with The Ghost Tree and I am excited to read more of Christina Henry’s novels.