The Tree People

by Naomi M. Stokes

Referring to her people's ancient lore and rituals in order to track down a vicious killer, Jordan Tidewater, the first female sheriff of the Salish Reservation, finds a clue in an ancient, cut-down cedar tree

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Fantasy, Native American, Indigenous, Roman, Crime

544 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1995

Reviews

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book recommendation from my father, who loaned me his own paperback copy. What a beautifully-written book. A wonderful mixture of Quinault Native culture, perspective, and unity with the environment. The author obviously invested a lot of time, attention, and love into this rich depliction of the Quinault rain forest and Olympic Penninsula. The reader is gifted with researched information (be sure to read the author's note at the beginning of the book) about the Quinault Indian lands, the importance of the forests-- especially old-growth-- and the impact of forests on the environment. Don't be fooled-- The Tree People is not a boring, soapbox lecture about hugging trees, it's a beautifully woven tale of an evil shaman buried alive beneath a cedar as his punishment for breaking the laws of his tribe. The cedar planted above him to contain his spirit once it leaves his body. This book is about the escape of the spririt once the tree is accidentally logged. The complexity of the plot, and the descriptive narrative kept me glued to the story. I'll be recommending this book as a must-read, and snatching book two from my dad's book case as soon as possible. This is a book you'll want to read more than once.

[Joanne Olszewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a one to five I give it a three. Much of it was interesting as she explains old growth forests. Also she starts each chapter with a quote that made me want to look up either the book or the person. Unfortunately she also included a story line that read like a True Romance magazine article.

[Jonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book - it taught me so much about the Quinault Indians and the ways of their tribe. I was especially fascinated because Lake Quinault is not far from my home so I felt like I was in the middle of the story. The characterizations are well-thought out and interesting. It was a really good read.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has long been on my shelf, but I'm glad I finally got to it. I enjoyed reading about the rain forest in eastern Washington State, the Quinault Nation and the logging industry. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter and the author's descriptions of the old growth are all worth reading. The story is about the new ways vs. the old ways of the Quinault and the struggle that poses for the main characters. The book is nearly 25 years old and it makes me wonder what is happening with the old growth forest. How much has been preserved? Is the logging industry still contentious with those trying to save the forests? I know about the preservation of the California Redwoods but not sure if that has happened all the way up the coast. Toward the end, the author alludes to some very new research in the 90s showing that trees are connected in some kind of communication web. There has been much more of that kind of research in recent years; the author could have used that new research had the book been written more recently.

[Joseph Carrabis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ever pick up a book and really want it to capture you, to be a book you can lose yourself in for anywhere from a few hours to a few days of amazing reading?
Then don't pick up this book. I read the flyleaf and preface and thought, "This could be good. It hits a lot of things that interest me." (language, anthropology, culture, mystery).
Yeah, well.
The prelude is way too long and oh-my-god expository, a true example of the author saying "I suffered through this research and now you will, too." It could be handled best in either dialogue or a 1-2 paragraph flashback. The opening chapter is (sorry) amateurish and so trope infused it's predictable.
And then it goes downhill.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the history and lore of this book, but the story fell flat for me. Most of the book is building to a climax that is ultimately unsatisfying. There was much potential but the author chose to vanquish the evil quickly and easily, even tho the protagonist had spent thousands of years building up to this moment where he should have been very powerful, but instead was destroyed in a paragraph.

[Judy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

In my opinion, this book was overly detailed in the wrong places. This made it hard to stay interested.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1994 it is a little dated but an excellent book depucting the Pacific Northwest , the devastation of logging the old growth forests and the Indians of the Quinault Nation.

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this from the bookshelf at the condo where my family was staying in Destin, Florida in 2003 (our last family vacation before my younger daughter was diagnosed with cancer) and only got about 200-250 pages thru it. I actually thought about 'accidentally' bringing it home with me to finish because I was so engrossed in the story, but didn't. So a few years later I came across the novel and added it to Mt TBR.

I did enjoy this story of the Pacific Northwest and the Quinault Indians. In the distant past, an evil shaman is trapped/entombed in a cedar tree by the elders of the tribe. The tribe protects and watches over the tree. Now, the tribe has sold some timber but they have cordoned off the cedar and some other trees that must not be touched. A witch, a descendant of the evil shaman's woman, moves the cordon and the tree is cut down, unleashing the evil shaman into the present day. There is a good mystery and I liked the history of the Quinaults.

[Anna]

I tried, really tried. But after >100 pages I cannot get into the feel of the book. It is too depressing, too dark and I don't seem to be in the right mind set to read this kind of tough read.
The descriptive language is well used and having been to the pacific northwest I love the way that scenery is described. But the over all bad, dreading feel of the first pages... that's too much for me, for right now.
So this is a "Did not finish" book for me.

Ich habe ein Buch bei BookCrossing.com registriert!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13925440

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Ms. Stokes describes the Pacific Northwest beautifully, one can picture walking thru those forests and the see the ocean waves. Those woods were very magical/eerie when I was there visiting.

The book takes place on the Quinault Indian Reservation on the Olympic Peninsula. It is spiritual, magical, haunting, with a high "wooo woooo" factor.

I'm reading this book for a book club, and haven't found any other information about Naomi Stokes-anywyare! Hard to believe in this day and age. If anyone has any background on her, please let me know.

[Sissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book starts off strong. it has a twin peaks aura surrounding it for me, due to the similarities in location and content. the foil/foe in this book is certainly scarier than BOB to me though. well, scarier than BOB is pretty hard.
something about the way it is written reminded me of young adult novels. but i won't hold that against it. neither will i hold the scooby doo/murder she wrote crime recaps.
it took me less than a week to read it because it was actually engrossing.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in high school, at the height of my X-Files phase. It lived up to my expectations - misty Pacific Northwest forests, shamanic magic in the modern world, etc...but it was a pretty silly book. Scenes from it still stick with me though.

[Lindsey Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was incredibly good! i picked it up for $1 so i wasn't expecting too much but it took me by surprise! i loved that it was set in the pacific northwest so i recognized most of the places talked about but more than that the story was interesting and deep.

[NanaV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on Native American culture Mystery; ancient creatures surrounding the dark sensual richness of an old-growth forest; also called the magestic "tall ones".

Not necessarily a paranormal romance, but its a book you pick up and can't put it down until the mysteries are solved.

[Shirleynature · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Native American centered mystery includes magical realism and Mother Nature is front and center. The visual imagery of Olympic Peninsula old growth forest allows you to feel like you’re watching the novel unfold.

[Hilary Lang Greenebaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has everything! Native America lore, lush Pacific North West setting, strong female leads, witch craft, murder..... bodice ripping, heavy equipment, and the art of photography. What isn't to like? Compelling and fun to read! Especially if you like/love the Pacific North West.

[Paula Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read (and am on my 3rd copy of!) both of the Quinault books by this author and cannot recommend them enough! The language is almost hypnotic in its rhythm, and the stories are powerful and well written.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little wooo wooo out there. But a good story.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read. I wished they didn't tell (rather than show) so much about logging near the beginning/middle. Maybe a bit dated - 1970s New Age-y.

[Mia Siegert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book probably when I was too young the first time around (especially as I literally didn't know what some of the sexual content was), but this novel shaped the way I viewed literature.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.
Trees and people of the pacific northwest. With the right mixture of mystery/suspense, past/present,
loggers/Indian rights, love/grief, witches/shaman. I didn't want to put the book down.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book- Northwest author, you can visualize
where she is as you read...

[Cws]

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