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Nine Steps From The Tree: Would you go down to the woods today?
A village crossed a young witch and accused her of murder, they burnt her as a witch but not before she cursed the whole village telling them she would take their first love, no matter whom, for denying her, hers. 400 hundred years later the curse is still active with devasting results.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2016
7 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Tams
5 books9 followersDisabled by a polio vaccine many years ago, and possibly considered a drain on the NHS by some, sold by my father and kidnapped by a foster parent, I feel I have an insight into life's little foibles. I am uneducated in the formal sense, so my main aptitude is an imagination and a good sense of humour.
I started my writing with poems and found some success, managing to get published in the Staffordshire Life magazine as well as other publications. One of my poems, listed alongside; Coleridge, Lord Tennyson, Shakespeare, DeFord and Taylor Swift is used in a Russian university to teach how to determine rhyme.
I write for two ex-pat newspapers in Spain and wrote for an ex-pat magazine for two years. I am now on my fourth book, part autobiography and part fiction, so some of it is false and some of it is true, but as for which is which, I leave that up to you.
I started my writing with poems and found some success, managing to get published in the Staffordshire Life magazine as well as other publications. One of my poems, listed alongside; Coleridge, Lord Tennyson, Shakespeare, DeFord and Taylor Swift is used in a Russian university to teach how to determine rhyme.
I write for two ex-pat newspapers in Spain and wrote for an ex-pat magazine for two years. I am now on my fourth book, part autobiography and part fiction, so some of it is false and some of it is true, but as for which is which, I leave that up to you.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 26, 2017
Brilliant!
Amanda, met you on the plane to Alicante and you told me about this, your first book. Really enjoyed it and it was great value on Kindle at £2. Good luck with all your other projects.
Anne Holmes.
Amanda, met you on the plane to Alicante and you told me about this, your first book. Really enjoyed it and it was great value on Kindle at £2. Good luck with all your other projects.
Anne Holmes.
January 21, 2021
Thrilling and Wonderful!
Nine Steps From The Tree by Amanda Tams is a wonderful read. As soon as I started reading it, I struggled to put it down. The very talented writing of Tams had me absolutely encapsulated and drawn into the world that they created on the pages. I knew I was going to be obsessed with this book when the first line was “The ground rumbled, the earth split with a ring of fire licking around her feet as her arms stretched to the heavens, rising as a termagant wind to meet the dark cloud becoming her veil descending to addle simple minds.” Wow!
Nine Steps From The Tree is a mystery that is filled with tension. The main character is named Amy, who is an only child and is extremely spoiled. After a heated argument and break off of an engagement, she runs away into the woods and is never seen again - and the mystery is unsolved… Things get even stranger when Amy’s father goes missing many years later on the anniversary of Amy’s disappearance.
Nine Steps From The Tree is an original and creative novel with many plot twists and turns that you will not see coming. I really enjoyed how each of the characters have their own distinct voices which are displayed in the dialogues - it is almost as though you can hear them. Dialogue is extremely hard to get right but Tams is evidently masterful at this.
I read this book over the Christmas season to keep myself busy, and I can certainly say it did the job! It is the perfect book to keep your attention consumed and pass the time.
Overall, I highly recommend this novel for every fiction reader to read - especially if you enjoy mysteries that are original. Amanda Tams has done a wonderful job at writing this book and I hope there is more to come from her as I will definitely read it.
Nine Steps From The Tree by Amanda Tams is a wonderful read. As soon as I started reading it, I struggled to put it down. The very talented writing of Tams had me absolutely encapsulated and drawn into the world that they created on the pages. I knew I was going to be obsessed with this book when the first line was “The ground rumbled, the earth split with a ring of fire licking around her feet as her arms stretched to the heavens, rising as a termagant wind to meet the dark cloud becoming her veil descending to addle simple minds.” Wow!
Nine Steps From The Tree is a mystery that is filled with tension. The main character is named Amy, who is an only child and is extremely spoiled. After a heated argument and break off of an engagement, she runs away into the woods and is never seen again - and the mystery is unsolved… Things get even stranger when Amy’s father goes missing many years later on the anniversary of Amy’s disappearance.
Nine Steps From The Tree is an original and creative novel with many plot twists and turns that you will not see coming. I really enjoyed how each of the characters have their own distinct voices which are displayed in the dialogues - it is almost as though you can hear them. Dialogue is extremely hard to get right but Tams is evidently masterful at this.
I read this book over the Christmas season to keep myself busy, and I can certainly say it did the job! It is the perfect book to keep your attention consumed and pass the time.
Overall, I highly recommend this novel for every fiction reader to read - especially if you enjoy mysteries that are original. Amanda Tams has done a wonderful job at writing this book and I hope there is more to come from her as I will definitely read it.
December 30, 2020
Wow does Amanda bring it in this book. She had me on the edge of my seat the whole read and I was consistently surprised and enticed by “Nine steps from the Tree”. I consider this one a must read and have already suggested it to multiple people. I don’t know what else to say besides please pick it up, you will not be able to put it down.
January 18, 2026
Nine Steps From The Tree is a tense, woodland-soaked mystery that begins with a spoiled only child named Amy, an explosive argument, and a disappearance that freezes a family in unfinished grief. Years later, her father vanishes on the anniversary of that night, and the book leans into the unsettling idea that some places keep their secrets with intent. Sheffield and Ecclesall Woods aren’t just scenery here—they feel like a silent witness, a presence that refuses to give anything back.
What really works is how Amanda Tams handles fallout. The story treats grief as a long-term parasite that reshapes people, not a single tragic beat. When older history, witchcraft, family trees, things set in motion centuries ago, threads into the narrative, it never tips into melodrama; it stays rooted in guilt, obsession, denial, and the human need for closure. Distinct dialogue, tight pacing, and vivid scenes make it compulsively readable. For fans of original haunting mysteries, it’s a gem.
What really works is how Amanda Tams handles fallout. The story treats grief as a long-term parasite that reshapes people, not a single tragic beat. When older history, witchcraft, family trees, things set in motion centuries ago, threads into the narrative, it never tips into melodrama; it stays rooted in guilt, obsession, denial, and the human need for closure. Distinct dialogue, tight pacing, and vivid scenes make it compulsively readable. For fans of original haunting mysteries, it’s a gem.
January 30, 2026
The action begins right from the first pages, and the author manages to maintain a fast pace, mystery, and interest all the way to the end. As the story unfolds, the tension builds subtly, and each chapter adds a detail that makes you eager to discover more. The book is written in a simple, clear, and easy‑to‑follow style, and the alternating chapters, each focusing on different characters, are not only appealing but also very effective in shaping them.
The story has it all: romance, mystery, erotism, and an emotionally charged atmosphere that stays with you long after you close the book. But what is most intriguing is the legend and the way this tale from another time manages to influence the characters’ present. It is a novel for mystery lovers—an intense read that invites you to dream, but also to reflect on the ways in which the past, myths, and old stories can continue to live through us.
The story has it all: romance, mystery, erotism, and an emotionally charged atmosphere that stays with you long after you close the book. But what is most intriguing is the legend and the way this tale from another time manages to influence the characters’ present. It is a novel for mystery lovers—an intense read that invites you to dream, but also to reflect on the ways in which the past, myths, and old stories can continue to live through us.
February 8, 2026
This novel starts in a place that feels recognisable and real, ordinary people, ordinary routines, and a village you can picture without effort. That grounding matters, because when the darkness arrives it lands hard rather than feeling theatrical.
The first chapter is brutal, a car crash that kills two people in an instant, and it is written like a gut punch. More importantly, it sets the emotional stakes for everything that follows, Kate as their daughter, and Amy as the granddaughter growing up in the shadow of that loss. From there, the story widens into the village’s long memory, where an old wrong done to a young witch still reverberates four hundred years later, twisting first love into something dangerous.
The writing is straightforward and readable, with a strong sense of place, and an easy-to-follow plot that blends folklore, local history, and modern relationships. It is dark, but oddly relatable, and it keeps its claws in you.
The first chapter is brutal, a car crash that kills two people in an instant, and it is written like a gut punch. More importantly, it sets the emotional stakes for everything that follows, Kate as their daughter, and Amy as the granddaughter growing up in the shadow of that loss. From there, the story widens into the village’s long memory, where an old wrong done to a young witch still reverberates four hundred years later, twisting first love into something dangerous.
The writing is straightforward and readable, with a strong sense of place, and an easy-to-follow plot that blends folklore, local history, and modern relationships. It is dark, but oddly relatable, and it keeps its claws in you.
January 22, 2026
A legacy of witchcraft, madness and tragedy echoes across the generations around haunted Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield in this gritty, intriguing mystery with horror elements.
Neurotic teenager Amy explores her sexuality as she prepares to commit to her equally inexperienced boyfriend, Tom. Meanwhile, her parents, Jack and Kate, are drawn into a complex web of jealousy and deceit when Kate’s best friend, Pam, discovers evidence of witchcraft in her attic and starts to unravel, psychologically. With a tragic past and an unrequited attraction to Jack, Pam becomes the catalyst for a twisty tale of lust, betrayal and revenge that has profound effects on everyone involved. Fascinatingly, it all somehow revolves around a mysterious tree in the woods nearby, where an ancient curse was made.
Sexual angst pervades much of the story. Every single character is either thinking about or actively pursuing sex, sometimes at inappropriate moments. It’s both integral to the plot—the curse itself may even be prompting the obsession—and a little overdone. The book isn’t overly graphic, though. The characters’ inner desires and psychologies are explored well. I can’t say I liked any of these people especially, but they came across as real, complicated, and authentic to the region they live in. The colloquialisms made me chuckle as I recognized nearly all of them.
It’s a dark, often unsettling read, but it’s quite well-written and well-researched. I enjoyed the second half more than the first; the supernatural aspects interested me more than the knotty relationships. It delves into some disturbing themes toward the end, which some readers might not like. But I thought the climactic confrontation was superbly done: imaginative, cathartic and extremely vivid.
Nine Steps from the Tree is an offbeat drama that makes good use of its woodland setting and employs a very clever metaphor at the epicenter of its meditation on grief and thwarted passion. I can recommend it for readers who prefer edgy, character-driven reads with more than a hint of the supernatural.
Neurotic teenager Amy explores her sexuality as she prepares to commit to her equally inexperienced boyfriend, Tom. Meanwhile, her parents, Jack and Kate, are drawn into a complex web of jealousy and deceit when Kate’s best friend, Pam, discovers evidence of witchcraft in her attic and starts to unravel, psychologically. With a tragic past and an unrequited attraction to Jack, Pam becomes the catalyst for a twisty tale of lust, betrayal and revenge that has profound effects on everyone involved. Fascinatingly, it all somehow revolves around a mysterious tree in the woods nearby, where an ancient curse was made.
Sexual angst pervades much of the story. Every single character is either thinking about or actively pursuing sex, sometimes at inappropriate moments. It’s both integral to the plot—the curse itself may even be prompting the obsession—and a little overdone. The book isn’t overly graphic, though. The characters’ inner desires and psychologies are explored well. I can’t say I liked any of these people especially, but they came across as real, complicated, and authentic to the region they live in. The colloquialisms made me chuckle as I recognized nearly all of them.
It’s a dark, often unsettling read, but it’s quite well-written and well-researched. I enjoyed the second half more than the first; the supernatural aspects interested me more than the knotty relationships. It delves into some disturbing themes toward the end, which some readers might not like. But I thought the climactic confrontation was superbly done: imaginative, cathartic and extremely vivid.
Nine Steps from the Tree is an offbeat drama that makes good use of its woodland setting and employs a very clever metaphor at the epicenter of its meditation on grief and thwarted passion. I can recommend it for readers who prefer edgy, character-driven reads with more than a hint of the supernatural.
March 27, 2026
Nine Steps From The Tree is a slow burner of a novel with sinister undertones that aren’t necessarily spoken but are more than prevalent. It is a book about family, legacy, heritage, and witchcraft, which leads to some tragedy and some heartfelt moments between the characters. The author spends a lot of time crafting the characters, which pays off as things become more messy and complicated between their relationships.
I liked Pam and Kate’s friendship, as it felt organic at the start and there was a sense of loyalty too. The same for Amy and Tom, and I felt how their characters changed under the influence of the power they were slowly succumbing to. I enjoyed Amy taking on a more assertive role in her relationship, and when she met Greg and Ben I could sense there was something changing her. As Amy started to explore her needs and wants, I could feel the tension between her and her parents, which ultimately caused a knock on effect later in the book. The book has more than one plot line, and when the main one diverts a different plot line takes front and centre.
The highlight for me was the careful crafting of the witches story. Martha’s story was really interesting, and I enjoyed seeing how far she would push things for love. The story, told by Pam’s interpretation, contains some dark foreboding as we slowly start to unravel more of the story and how people are slowly starting to change based on her legacy.
This book is a slow burn in all the best kinds of ways. The dialogue is original and reflected in how the author captures village life, and with the dark presence looming amongst the pages it is a real joy to read.
I liked Pam and Kate’s friendship, as it felt organic at the start and there was a sense of loyalty too. The same for Amy and Tom, and I felt how their characters changed under the influence of the power they were slowly succumbing to. I enjoyed Amy taking on a more assertive role in her relationship, and when she met Greg and Ben I could sense there was something changing her. As Amy started to explore her needs and wants, I could feel the tension between her and her parents, which ultimately caused a knock on effect later in the book. The book has more than one plot line, and when the main one diverts a different plot line takes front and centre.
The highlight for me was the careful crafting of the witches story. Martha’s story was really interesting, and I enjoyed seeing how far she would push things for love. The story, told by Pam’s interpretation, contains some dark foreboding as we slowly start to unravel more of the story and how people are slowly starting to change based on her legacy.
This book is a slow burn in all the best kinds of ways. The dialogue is original and reflected in how the author captures village life, and with the dark presence looming amongst the pages it is a real joy to read.
March 4, 2026
The village setting in this book feels like a place where shadows have weight. I found myself drawn into the atmosphere of Ecclesall Woods and the heavy history that hangs over every house. The story connects a centuries-old curse to the modern lives of families in a way that feels natural. Reading about the ancient rituals involving hawthorn crowns and oak trees gave me a sense of wonder. The author captures the feeling of a community tied to its soil and its secrets. I felt a constant pull to turn the page as the mystery of the mysterious tree unfolded. The blend of local folklore and human emotion created a reading experience that stayed in my mind long after I finished the final chapter.
This novel left me with a deep sense of reflection regarding how the past shapes our present choices. I felt for the characters as they navigated their complicated relationships under the pressure of a lingering legacy. The way the story explores grief and first love is poignant. It does not shy away from the darker parts of human nature, yet it maintains a spark of curiosity about the supernatural. I appreciated the solid research into folk traditions, which made the magical elements feel grounded. The climax felt like a necessary release for the tension built throughout the narrative. It is a memorable tale that made me look at the woods near my own home with a bit more suspicion and a lot more imagination.
This novel left me with a deep sense of reflection regarding how the past shapes our present choices. I felt for the characters as they navigated their complicated relationships under the pressure of a lingering legacy. The way the story explores grief and first love is poignant. It does not shy away from the darker parts of human nature, yet it maintains a spark of curiosity about the supernatural. I appreciated the solid research into folk traditions, which made the magical elements feel grounded. The climax felt like a necessary release for the tension built throughout the narrative. It is a memorable tale that made me look at the woods near my own home with a bit more suspicion and a lot more imagination.
March 9, 2026
Nine Steps From The Tree is one of those books that quietly pulls you into its world and keeps you curious the entire time. What starts as a mystery surrounding Amy’s disappearance slowly unfolds into a much deeper story involving family secrets, love, and darker forces tied to the past. The story blends elements of mystery, witchcraft, and suspense, which makes the whole experience feel eerie in a really enjoyable way.
What I appreciated most was how the author gradually builds tension instead of rushing through the plot. The story moves between past and present in a way that slowly reveals pieces of the truth without giving everything away too quickly. It kept me guessing and wanting to read just one more chapter before putting the book down. The characters also felt believable, especially the way their emotions and motivations were explored as the mystery deepens.
The atmosphere of the story is one of its biggest strengths. There is a slightly unsettling tone that hangs over everything, which fits perfectly with the themes of secrets and old tragedies resurfacing. If I had one small critique, it would be that some sections take their time developing, but that slower pace also allows the mystery to build naturally.
Overall, this is an engaging and atmospheric read that mixes mystery with a touch of the supernatural. If you enjoy stories where the past refuses to stay buried, this one is definitely worth checking out.
What I appreciated most was how the author gradually builds tension instead of rushing through the plot. The story moves between past and present in a way that slowly reveals pieces of the truth without giving everything away too quickly. It kept me guessing and wanting to read just one more chapter before putting the book down. The characters also felt believable, especially the way their emotions and motivations were explored as the mystery deepens.
The atmosphere of the story is one of its biggest strengths. There is a slightly unsettling tone that hangs over everything, which fits perfectly with the themes of secrets and old tragedies resurfacing. If I had one small critique, it would be that some sections take their time developing, but that slower pace also allows the mystery to build naturally.
Overall, this is an engaging and atmospheric read that mixes mystery with a touch of the supernatural. If you enjoy stories where the past refuses to stay buried, this one is definitely worth checking out.
April 27, 2026
This is a great book, but it’s not traditional horror. It leans much more into mystery, built around two threads: an old curse and the messy, very human lives of the people connected to it.
The main character, Amy, is a neurotic teenager trying to figure out her feelings for her boyfriend, Tom. She’s uncertain, awkward, and sometimes overthinks everything—which makes her feel real rather than polished. I liked how honest her character felt, especially in the way she navigates relationships at that age. Her storyline adds a strong sense of realism that contrasts nicely with the supernatural elements running underneath the plot.
The adult relationships bring in another layer, with jealousy, past trauma, and unspoken attraction driving a lot of the tension. I like how people make selfish decisions, misread each other, and act on emotion in ways that feel frustrating but believable—very much like real life.
The atmosphere is steady throughout, but the pacing is on the slower side. This isn’t a fast-moving story, and it doesn’t rely on constant shocks or scares. The ending gets quite dark and intense, and that might be a lot for some readers.
Overall, this is a story about relationships, desire, and consequences, with a supernatural thread running underneath. If you’re expecting fast-paced horror, this isn’t that—but if you’re okay with a slower, more character-focused story, it’s worth reading.
The main character, Amy, is a neurotic teenager trying to figure out her feelings for her boyfriend, Tom. She’s uncertain, awkward, and sometimes overthinks everything—which makes her feel real rather than polished. I liked how honest her character felt, especially in the way she navigates relationships at that age. Her storyline adds a strong sense of realism that contrasts nicely with the supernatural elements running underneath the plot.
The adult relationships bring in another layer, with jealousy, past trauma, and unspoken attraction driving a lot of the tension. I like how people make selfish decisions, misread each other, and act on emotion in ways that feel frustrating but believable—very much like real life.
The atmosphere is steady throughout, but the pacing is on the slower side. This isn’t a fast-moving story, and it doesn’t rely on constant shocks or scares. The ending gets quite dark and intense, and that might be a lot for some readers.
Overall, this is a story about relationships, desire, and consequences, with a supernatural thread running underneath. If you’re expecting fast-paced horror, this isn’t that—but if you’re okay with a slower, more character-focused story, it’s worth reading.
April 21, 2026
Nine Steps From The Tree is an engaging and atmospheric novel that blends mystery with subtle supernatural elements. If you enjoy stories where the past refuses to stay buried, this is definitely one to pick up.
The story begins with the mystery of Amy’s disappearance, but it gradually unfolds into something much deeper—layered with family secrets, relationships, and darker forces rooted in the past. The mix of suspense, witchcraft, and mystery creates an eerie tone that makes the reading experience especially compelling.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is its mood. A quiet sense of unease lingers throughout, perfectly matching the themes of hidden truths and old tragedies resurfacing. The author takes time to build tension, moving between past and present to slowly reveal pieces of the story without giving everything away at once. This approach kept me curious and eager to continue reading.
The characters feel real and relatable, particularly in the way their emotions and motivations develop as the mystery deepens. While some sections may feel a bit slow, that pacing allows the story to unfold naturally and strengthens the suspense.
Overall, it’s a well-crafted read that keeps you intrigued from beginning to end, with just the right balance of mystery and atmosphere.
The story begins with the mystery of Amy’s disappearance, but it gradually unfolds into something much deeper—layered with family secrets, relationships, and darker forces rooted in the past. The mix of suspense, witchcraft, and mystery creates an eerie tone that makes the reading experience especially compelling.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is its mood. A quiet sense of unease lingers throughout, perfectly matching the themes of hidden truths and old tragedies resurfacing. The author takes time to build tension, moving between past and present to slowly reveal pieces of the story without giving everything away at once. This approach kept me curious and eager to continue reading.
The characters feel real and relatable, particularly in the way their emotions and motivations develop as the mystery deepens. While some sections may feel a bit slow, that pacing allows the story to unfold naturally and strengthens the suspense.
Overall, it’s a well-crafted read that keeps you intrigued from beginning to end, with just the right balance of mystery and atmosphere.
January 11, 2026
I picked up Nine Steps From The Tree for the setting alone. There’s something about stories rooted on the edge of a real woodland that makes everything feel closer, more plausible, and therefore more unsettling. Sheffield and Ecclesall Woods aren’t just background here; the landscape feels like a presence, the kind of place that can hold secrets for decades and never give them back.
The premise starts with an argument, a rash choice, and a disappearance that fractures a family in the quiet, long-term way grief does. What I appreciated is that the book doesn’t treat the fallout as a single event; it lingers, reshapes relationships, and returns years later in unexpected forms. When the narrative begins to braid in older history like with witchcraft, a family tree, the idea of something set in motion centuries ago, it could have tipped into melodrama, but it mostly stays grounded in emotional consequences of guilt, denial, obsession, and the desperate human need for closure.
The pacing kept me turning pages, and the author has a vivid, scene-by-scene style that makes it easy to picture the village, the woods, and the unease underneath ordinary life.
The premise starts with an argument, a rash choice, and a disappearance that fractures a family in the quiet, long-term way grief does. What I appreciated is that the book doesn’t treat the fallout as a single event; it lingers, reshapes relationships, and returns years later in unexpected forms. When the narrative begins to braid in older history like with witchcraft, a family tree, the idea of something set in motion centuries ago, it could have tipped into melodrama, but it mostly stays grounded in emotional consequences of guilt, denial, obsession, and the desperate human need for closure.
The pacing kept me turning pages, and the author has a vivid, scene-by-scene style that makes it easy to picture the village, the woods, and the unease underneath ordinary life.
February 24, 2026
I’ll be honest, I’m biased. This book involves witches, generational curses, tragic love in the past and folklore infused magic. It was, as such, totally my jam!
The atmosphere is thick and addictive. The book has a distinctive feel to it that just draws you in from the moment you open it. The setting, especially the woods and the tree, are beautifully described and serves as a great stage for some truly interesting characters.
They are complicated people and at several points in the novel I found myself questioning whether I liked them. But, in the end, the felt real. Their actions and inner psychologies were believable to me and served the story very well. And that is not easy to do with complex characters. So I have to applaud the author for that.
There is a strong sexual current that runs through the story, but I didn’t mind it at all. It served the story and never felt out of place.
Be warned, this book deals with some heavy subject matter. But I feel it was handled very well indeed.
If you are looking for a fun, entertaining, and addictive read, then this is the book for you.
The atmosphere is thick and addictive. The book has a distinctive feel to it that just draws you in from the moment you open it. The setting, especially the woods and the tree, are beautifully described and serves as a great stage for some truly interesting characters.
They are complicated people and at several points in the novel I found myself questioning whether I liked them. But, in the end, the felt real. Their actions and inner psychologies were believable to me and served the story very well. And that is not easy to do with complex characters. So I have to applaud the author for that.
There is a strong sexual current that runs through the story, but I didn’t mind it at all. It served the story and never felt out of place.
Be warned, this book deals with some heavy subject matter. But I feel it was handled very well indeed.
If you are looking for a fun, entertaining, and addictive read, then this is the book for you.
April 19, 2026
Nine Steps From The Tree is a mystery with a supernatural edge, and its biggest strength is the character work. Amy’s disappearance hits a village hard, and the story shows believable coping: some cling to explanations while others push for answers even when it threatens relationships. Grief, loyalty, and old resentments shape decisions, and friendships and family ties feel strained. The folklore, rituals, hawthorn crowns, and the woods—underscores what each character fears and hides.
The past-and-present structure deepens that development. Each return to the past reframes the present—what seems cruel can be self-protection and what seems kind can carry guilt—so motives surface. The book favors small choices and evasions over big speeches.
The writing is clear, and the pacing gives relationships room to breathe before the suspense tightens. I liked that the characters aren’t neatly “good” or “bad”—they’re people under pressure, protecting the ones they love and choosing the wrong silence. The ending provides satisfying answers and payoff. If you like character-driven mysteries with a creepy woodland setting and folklore, it’s worth reading.
The past-and-present structure deepens that development. Each return to the past reframes the present—what seems cruel can be self-protection and what seems kind can carry guilt—so motives surface. The book favors small choices and evasions over big speeches.
The writing is clear, and the pacing gives relationships room to breathe before the suspense tightens. I liked that the characters aren’t neatly “good” or “bad”—they’re people under pressure, protecting the ones they love and choosing the wrong silence. The ending provides satisfying answers and payoff. If you like character-driven mysteries with a creepy woodland setting and folklore, it’s worth reading.
February 21, 2026
Dark Folklore and a Village That Can’t Escape Its Past
A haunting and imaginative tale built on a centuries‑old curse that refuses to die. When a young woman is wrongly accused of witchcraft and vows to take the first love of every villager for generations to come, the stage is set for a story that blends folklore, suspense, and emotion. It is amazing to see that the stories about witchcraft still exist today in some societies. Accusing a person of witchcraft could cause cows to stop giving milk or for women to become barren.
Four hundred years later, the curse still echoes through the lives of those who call the village home, with consequences that are both chilling and compelling. The author combines past and present together with clarity and atmosphere and thereby creates a story that stirs the imagination. There is everything in this book - romance, birth, death, friendship, betrayal and everything else.
A memorable read for fans of dark folklore and generational mysteries.
A haunting and imaginative tale built on a centuries‑old curse that refuses to die. When a young woman is wrongly accused of witchcraft and vows to take the first love of every villager for generations to come, the stage is set for a story that blends folklore, suspense, and emotion. It is amazing to see that the stories about witchcraft still exist today in some societies. Accusing a person of witchcraft could cause cows to stop giving milk or for women to become barren.
Four hundred years later, the curse still echoes through the lives of those who call the village home, with consequences that are both chilling and compelling. The author combines past and present together with clarity and atmosphere and thereby creates a story that stirs the imagination. There is everything in this book - romance, birth, death, friendship, betrayal and everything else.
A memorable read for fans of dark folklore and generational mysteries.
February 18, 2026
The description and cover of this book don’t give a lot away so it’s hard to know exactly what you are getting yourself into, other than that a creepy tree will be involved somehow. Let me caution you if you are thinking of reading this, the ending of this book goes into some very dark territory involving the sexual abuse of a child. I found a lot of the characters in this novel to be quite awful people or at least willing to do awful things. The writing is solid and engaging and there is a great use of a story within a story over several chapters in the middle of the novel. Overall it was still an enjoyable reading experience despite the dark themes and characters willing to do awful things. I really feel like the author needs to include a content warning in her description though as based on the current one you could go into this novel blind and end up being badly triggered by the ending.
April 29, 2026
“Nine Steps From The Tree: Would you go down to the woods today?” by Amanda Tams is an imaginative and compelling tale of a cursed village and its inhabitants. (Trigger warning for CSA) Pam’s parents die in a car crash as they argue about whether or not to tell her something. Later, Pam becomes close friends with her neighbor, Kate and Kate’s daughter, Amy. Kate is a newcomer to the area, and Pam tells her of the local legends involving disappearances, burial grounds, and fae, and warns Kate to prevent Amy from going into the woods. However, Amy does go into the woods and becomes friendly with a particular tree. Later, she meets a man, Greg, in the woods… The author is British, and some of the wording and spelling reflect this. The timeline skips around, there is a lack of punctuation, and the dialogues of individuals are not always separated into different paragraphs, all of which makes the story difficult to read at times.
January 27, 2026
So I read a book about Jack the Ripper by the same author. Save vibes, though I enjoyed this one more. Well-paced and well-researched (or at least able to pull you into the setting), the supernatural aspects were less interesting than the mundane world-building at points. Much like the Ripper story!
As for characters, not of them are perfect. Both in characterization, or in development. Amy, our teenage heroine of sorts, was my favorite. Mostly because she was the most believable. Yes, many of the people are dealing with grief and other issues. Yet many were rather juvenile in their depiction. Wouldn’t say I hated any of them, though. Kept reading enough to finish the short book in a day.
Read the first two chapters if you are unsure. If you don’t like them, then you won’t care for the novel as a whole. Which makes it a success on many levels. Solid 4 out of 5.
As for characters, not of them are perfect. Both in characterization, or in development. Amy, our teenage heroine of sorts, was my favorite. Mostly because she was the most believable. Yes, many of the people are dealing with grief and other issues. Yet many were rather juvenile in their depiction. Wouldn’t say I hated any of them, though. Kept reading enough to finish the short book in a day.
Read the first two chapters if you are unsure. If you don’t like them, then you won’t care for the novel as a whole. Which makes it a success on many levels. Solid 4 out of 5.
February 15, 2026
This book turned out slightly differently than I was expecting from the short and punchy blurb, which described a village cursed by a witch suffering the consequences 400 years later. There was a lot more spicy romance in the story and less supernatural scares than I was hoping for, but I found it an interesting domestic drama with elements of paranormal mystery. I admit to skimming past scenes of erect this and that and nipples galore to get to the folk rituals, which were nicely described, especially those involving hawthorn crowns, charms, sleeping draughts and so on. I also liked the fairy folklore weaved into the plot making it a good springtime read, especially with the backstory of Druid tree worship involving oak and hawthorn relating to the plot. I feel that those aspects of the story were well researched giving the mysterious elements an authentic feel.
January 17, 2026
Author Amanda Tams has written an engrossing mystery and Nine Steps From The Tree held my attention throughout.
It has a family drama that surrounds the past haunted woods story with it. The characters, Jack, Amy, Tom, Martha and the others are well developed and one can relate them throughout.
The story has many threads that are woven intricately and they are combined in a beautiful way in the end.
Tha later part of the story progresses in a brisk pace, tying all the loose ends.
Highly recommended for the mystery readers who likes to read a highly creative story.
It has a family drama that surrounds the past haunted woods story with it. The characters, Jack, Amy, Tom, Martha and the others are well developed and one can relate them throughout.
The story has many threads that are woven intricately and they are combined in a beautiful way in the end.
Tha later part of the story progresses in a brisk pace, tying all the loose ends.
Highly recommended for the mystery readers who likes to read a highly creative story.
January 20, 2021
Awful
This was awful. The meandering prose, the endless exclamations and the never ending blah, blah, blah was excruciating. I skimmed so much my eyes hurt. There was no relief or closure. Sums up in one word awful.
This was awful. The meandering prose, the endless exclamations and the never ending blah, blah, blah was excruciating. I skimmed so much my eyes hurt. There was no relief or closure. Sums up in one word awful.
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