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Of Teeth and Pine
Forest Ranger for a remote patch of rugged wilderness, Vick Frasier loves her job and she loves the desolate land she cares for. What she doesn’t love is all the missing women’s posters she staples on the board outside, or the bodies of hikers that begin to pile up in the woods.
Simon, a sadistic zealot, has made a church and altar among the Ponderosas and knows his mission is to serve his Almighty God by punishing the wicked.
Something is very wrong in the Modoc National Forest, and Vick will soon find out there are more predators than bears stalking amongst the pine.
This book is gritty, desolate, and haunting, reminiscent of “Back Country” and “True Detective.”
Simon, a sadistic zealot, has made a church and altar among the Ponderosas and knows his mission is to serve his Almighty God by punishing the wicked.
Something is very wrong in the Modoc National Forest, and Vick will soon find out there are more predators than bears stalking amongst the pine.
This book is gritty, desolate, and haunting, reminiscent of “Back Country” and “True Detective.”
- GenresHorror
107 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2024
11 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Desiree Horton
29 books37 followersDesiree Horton is a horror writer and enthusiast. She can be found at home in the PNW with her two dogs, two kids, and one husband. Her work can be found in other horror anthologies, and on the edges of papers she will lose almost immediately. More information on her works can be found at authordesireehorton.my.canva.site or on Amazon. Instagram and tiktok: @horrortonwritesabook
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 27, 2024
There's something about the Pacific Northwest that attracts serial killers. I don't know what it is, maybe it's the fresh breeze coming over the Rocky's from the ocean, maybe it's all of the Pearl Jam fans, I don't know.
While Of Teeth and Pine doesn't take place exactly in the Pacific Northwest and purists might get mad at me for calling Northern California the Pacific Northwest, it really captures this desolate, empty feeling that is also present in movies like Zodiac. Split between two narrators: Vick, whose perspective reads like a Gillian-Flynn-esque thriller/mystery, and Simon, whose perspective is more in line with the horrifying religious fanatism of the second Outlast game, there's a really interesting duality.
At 130+/- pages, it never really overstays its welcome. It has some violently thrilling scenes and a compelling narrative. If there is a complaint to be had, I wish the characters here had more time to breathe and be expanded upon. If your main complaint with a piece of literature is that you want more, then you're in a good spot.
A sinister horror ritual, Of Teeth and Pine is a thriller-flavored horror novel sure to speak to the most grizzled fans of the genre.
While Of Teeth and Pine doesn't take place exactly in the Pacific Northwest and purists might get mad at me for calling Northern California the Pacific Northwest, it really captures this desolate, empty feeling that is also present in movies like Zodiac. Split between two narrators: Vick, whose perspective reads like a Gillian-Flynn-esque thriller/mystery, and Simon, whose perspective is more in line with the horrifying religious fanatism of the second Outlast game, there's a really interesting duality.
At 130+/- pages, it never really overstays its welcome. It has some violently thrilling scenes and a compelling narrative. If there is a complaint to be had, I wish the characters here had more time to breathe and be expanded upon. If your main complaint with a piece of literature is that you want more, then you're in a good spot.
A sinister horror ritual, Of Teeth and Pine is a thriller-flavored horror novel sure to speak to the most grizzled fans of the genre.
November 9, 2024
This was a quick but thrilling read. Desiree's sophomore book is shorter than Midnight Mother, but that's not a bad thing. This one takes place in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Simon was easily the most hated character in my opinion. However, Desiree making me feel hate for a character is great writing.
I don't want to spoil the ending too much but Simon gets what's coming to him. Of Teeth and Pine is a book that is violent and fun, but doesn't get stale. Maybe a bit more character development would've been nice, but I don't want to get nitpicky.
Give this one a read if you're looking for something short but thrilling!
I give it a 4.5/5 stars, rounded to 5.
I don't want to spoil the ending too much but Simon gets what's coming to him. Of Teeth and Pine is a book that is violent and fun, but doesn't get stale. Maybe a bit more character development would've been nice, but I don't want to get nitpicky.
Give this one a read if you're looking for something short but thrilling!
I give it a 4.5/5 stars, rounded to 5.
October 30, 2024
Vick is a forest ranger in a town where women are disappearing. Men are being killed. There are monsters stalking these woods. Will Vick be able to stop the monsters? Amazing story fast-paced full of action and tension.
November 12, 2024
Desiree Horton’s second novel is filled with blood, a taste of the beautiful outdoors, and a lot of snark. I fell in love with her main character, Vick, the female forest ranger who will not put up with any sass and never accepts the word “no.” Without her, the crimes against all the women might not be solved. There’s a religious zealot running loose in the Ponderosas, but everyone else, except for our smarter and quick, Vick thinks it’s just a hungry bear.
Desiree Horton skillfully weaves a dark tale intermingled with humor to offset the gorier parts of this story, which takes a light hand. This book is a short read, so you can take it with you anywhere and enjoy it in a few hours. The cover is the first thing that drew me in. It’s a beautiful cover. Horton is a great storyteller, but her editor didn’t do her any favors. The publishing house really needs to find a new, skilled editor.
Desiree Horton skillfully weaves a dark tale intermingled with humor to offset the gorier parts of this story, which takes a light hand. This book is a short read, so you can take it with you anywhere and enjoy it in a few hours. The cover is the first thing that drew me in. It’s a beautiful cover. Horton is a great storyteller, but her editor didn’t do her any favors. The publishing house really needs to find a new, skilled editor.
November 11, 2024
"Vick..NOT Vicki, tracker-jack, ranger all the way
Knots of solace, calloused hands; oaken in her sway
Strength of foot, fleet of feet, heart of hollied flame
As beasts in brush, one man in lust will learn to hark her name."
Yes- I am, in fact, so enamored with the MC of Desiree Horton’s new novel that I wrote a ditty about her. Wanna fight about it???
The insatiable barrel down through the Modoc Mountain Range that is “Of Teeth and Pine” will leave you with more than thrush marks on your knees, we’re talking genuine soul lashings. This voyage will require readers to pack their nerves, grit, and the willingness to stain your delicate soles…and souls. Our focus around the stalwart pillar of protection that is Vick Frasier is nothing short of a mysterious and enthralling time, spackled with generous helpings of genuine anguish and impending dread. Not just a little “oh no, there’s a bad man doing bad things,” kind of dread. This forest is haunted with a whole lotta NOPE! The dark things Vick stumbles upon speak of an evil that couldn’t possibly be the work of man. No, there’s something MUCH darker happening in this tragedy laden woodline. Vick might be the only person willing and able to shed a little light on it, as a good ranger always does.
This book had it ALL- action, suspense, gruesome descriptions of things I can’t mention here involving things I can’t mention here! Seriously, I haven’t had this much fun investigating strange occurrences alone through a dark forest since, well, the last time I was alone in a dark forest! I cannot recommend this book enough! Out now, so you look kinda weird justin sitting there, OTAP-less... 🤷🏽♂️
Knots of solace, calloused hands; oaken in her sway
Strength of foot, fleet of feet, heart of hollied flame
As beasts in brush, one man in lust will learn to hark her name."
Yes- I am, in fact, so enamored with the MC of Desiree Horton’s new novel that I wrote a ditty about her. Wanna fight about it???
The insatiable barrel down through the Modoc Mountain Range that is “Of Teeth and Pine” will leave you with more than thrush marks on your knees, we’re talking genuine soul lashings. This voyage will require readers to pack their nerves, grit, and the willingness to stain your delicate soles…and souls. Our focus around the stalwart pillar of protection that is Vick Frasier is nothing short of a mysterious and enthralling time, spackled with generous helpings of genuine anguish and impending dread. Not just a little “oh no, there’s a bad man doing bad things,” kind of dread. This forest is haunted with a whole lotta NOPE! The dark things Vick stumbles upon speak of an evil that couldn’t possibly be the work of man. No, there’s something MUCH darker happening in this tragedy laden woodline. Vick might be the only person willing and able to shed a little light on it, as a good ranger always does.
This book had it ALL- action, suspense, gruesome descriptions of things I can’t mention here involving things I can’t mention here! Seriously, I haven’t had this much fun investigating strange occurrences alone through a dark forest since, well, the last time I was alone in a dark forest! I cannot recommend this book enough! Out now, so you look kinda weird justin sitting there, OTAP-less... 🤷🏽♂️
December 16, 2024
Review: Of Teeth and Pine by Desiree Horton 4.5/5 stars
This was a fast-paced novella with dual-POVs, alternating between Vick, a no-nonsense park ranger, and Simon, a misogynistic and fanatical serial killer. Vick has been investigating a series of bizarre bear attacks while Simon has been using the isolated area as his hunting grounds.
While it did not detract from the story, I would have loved to see the supernatural element explored a tad bit more. However, it was still a solid read! Go check it out.
Book summary: “Forest Ranger for a remote patch of rugged wilderness, Vick Frasier loves her job and she loves the desolate land she cares for. What she doesn’t love is all the missing women’s posters she staples on the board outside, or the bodies of hikers that begin to pile up in the woods.
Simon, a sadistic zealot, has made a church and altar among the Ponderosas and knows his mission is to serve his Almighty God by punishing the wicked.
Something is very wrong in the Modoc National Forest, and Vick will soon find out there are more predators than bears stalking amongst the pine.
This book is gritty, desolate, and haunting, reminiscent of “Back Country” and “True Detective.””
This was a fast-paced novella with dual-POVs, alternating between Vick, a no-nonsense park ranger, and Simon, a misogynistic and fanatical serial killer. Vick has been investigating a series of bizarre bear attacks while Simon has been using the isolated area as his hunting grounds.
While it did not detract from the story, I would have loved to see the supernatural element explored a tad bit more. However, it was still a solid read! Go check it out.
Book summary: “Forest Ranger for a remote patch of rugged wilderness, Vick Frasier loves her job and she loves the desolate land she cares for. What she doesn’t love is all the missing women’s posters she staples on the board outside, or the bodies of hikers that begin to pile up in the woods.
Simon, a sadistic zealot, has made a church and altar among the Ponderosas and knows his mission is to serve his Almighty God by punishing the wicked.
Something is very wrong in the Modoc National Forest, and Vick will soon find out there are more predators than bears stalking amongst the pine.
This book is gritty, desolate, and haunting, reminiscent of “Back Country” and “True Detective.””
October 26, 2025
5/5 🍒
1/1 🐻
Vick is a forest ranger who loves her job. What she doesn’t love is the amount of women going missing in her forest on a weekly basis. Most of the police department chalks it up to them just taking a wrong turn while hiking. No one really bats an eye. But Vick knows something is wrong deep down.
Simon is a schizophrenic religious nutball. He also happens to be a serial killer. He believe whole heartedly that he is killing women for god. To serve and give him sacrifices. As the chapters go on they switch back and forth between Vick and Simon.
As Simon heads down a vicious path of murder, Vick is determined to find out what in the world is happening in her woods and why only men seem to be getting attacked by a crazed bear in the woods. Will Simon and Vick’s worlds collide? Will Vick find out what’s happening to all these women?
This book was fast paced and slow paced all at the same time. It was descriptive but not overly. Desiree did a fantastic job at painting us a picture of everything we were reading. I really enjoyed Vicks character and despised Simon’s (as we were supposed to) she did a great job jumping between the two POV’s. I can’t wait to read more from her.
1/1 🐻
Vick is a forest ranger who loves her job. What she doesn’t love is the amount of women going missing in her forest on a weekly basis. Most of the police department chalks it up to them just taking a wrong turn while hiking. No one really bats an eye. But Vick knows something is wrong deep down.
Simon is a schizophrenic religious nutball. He also happens to be a serial killer. He believe whole heartedly that he is killing women for god. To serve and give him sacrifices. As the chapters go on they switch back and forth between Vick and Simon.
As Simon heads down a vicious path of murder, Vick is determined to find out what in the world is happening in her woods and why only men seem to be getting attacked by a crazed bear in the woods. Will Simon and Vick’s worlds collide? Will Vick find out what’s happening to all these women?
This book was fast paced and slow paced all at the same time. It was descriptive but not overly. Desiree did a fantastic job at painting us a picture of everything we were reading. I really enjoyed Vicks character and despised Simon’s (as we were supposed to) she did a great job jumping between the two POV’s. I can’t wait to read more from her.
December 19, 2024
Vick (Vickie) is a forest ranger in the Nor-Cal woods. A dutiful misfit, enamored with the environs within her care, she cleans trails, maps the land, reports injured hikers--each day a reasonably safe adventure. Until, one day, a schizoid religious lunatic designs to make her cherished property a dumping ground for his victims. Now she must rely on her strength, her wits and her knowledge of this shadowy wooded terrain to solve this mystery of who is murdering who and why. 'Of Teeth and Pine' is Twin Peaks meets Friday the 13th, bridged by a unique supernatural element (a real treat) that to speak of would be to risk spoiling.
I found Vickie a relatable and admirable heroine. And the secondary characters in her orbit were complete personalities, integral to the telling of this tale. Here, Desiree Horton has penned an intense and grim thriller peopled by a terrific cast of characters-- the good, the ambiguous, and the criminally insane. Oh, and something else, but you'll have to meet this last entity for yourself in, 'Of Teeth and Pine'.
I found Vickie a relatable and admirable heroine. And the secondary characters in her orbit were complete personalities, integral to the telling of this tale. Here, Desiree Horton has penned an intense and grim thriller peopled by a terrific cast of characters-- the good, the ambiguous, and the criminally insane. Oh, and something else, but you'll have to meet this last entity for yourself in, 'Of Teeth and Pine'.
January 17, 2025
Make sure you’ve packed enough supplies in your pack before going on this hike with Vick.
This is a suspenseful and terrifying story from two very different POV’s.
The first POV is Vick. A forest ranger with a love for nature and maintaining it’s beauty for all to experience. But when Vick starts finding items from people who have gone missing in the Modoc National Forest, she becomes part of something she never would have imagined!
The second POV is about Simon, who is a delusional man on a quest to please The Almighty Father and the lengths Simon takes to be in his good graces. He has an alter in the woods that he provides his offerings to, in the hopes that he will be welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven.
Of Teeth and Pine is gritty and dark. With a dash of humanity. This book will keep you reaching for the trail mix, as you make your way through the thick pines of the Modoc Forest.
This is a suspenseful and terrifying story from two very different POV’s.
The first POV is Vick. A forest ranger with a love for nature and maintaining it’s beauty for all to experience. But when Vick starts finding items from people who have gone missing in the Modoc National Forest, she becomes part of something she never would have imagined!
The second POV is about Simon, who is a delusional man on a quest to please The Almighty Father and the lengths Simon takes to be in his good graces. He has an alter in the woods that he provides his offerings to, in the hopes that he will be welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven.
Of Teeth and Pine is gritty and dark. With a dash of humanity. This book will keep you reaching for the trail mix, as you make your way through the thick pines of the Modoc Forest.
May 27, 2025
Of Teeth and Pine - Desiree Horton
This was my second book by Desiree. I read What Comes From Between and loved the supernatural nostalgic vibes, and decided to check this novella out. This is not that, however. This one is a twisted tale of religion, the National Forest, and real-life horrors. I find books like this to be the most unsettling, as they capture reality. That is exactly what Horton does here. The characters are relatable, and the plot moves along at a great pace. There is gore and violence as well as some sinister intentions throughout. Of Teeth and Pine shows the author's ability to write in multiple styles and portrays her ability to capture authentic narratives. All in all, this was a fantastic read with a nice ending. What really drew me in initially was Desiree's prose at the beginning. I am a sucker for great nature writing and imagery and this book certainly captures that.
4/5 Stars
This was my second book by Desiree. I read What Comes From Between and loved the supernatural nostalgic vibes, and decided to check this novella out. This is not that, however. This one is a twisted tale of religion, the National Forest, and real-life horrors. I find books like this to be the most unsettling, as they capture reality. That is exactly what Horton does here. The characters are relatable, and the plot moves along at a great pace. There is gore and violence as well as some sinister intentions throughout. Of Teeth and Pine shows the author's ability to write in multiple styles and portrays her ability to capture authentic narratives. All in all, this was a fantastic read with a nice ending. What really drew me in initially was Desiree's prose at the beginning. I am a sucker for great nature writing and imagery and this book certainly captures that.
4/5 Stars
February 12, 2025
Don’t give the wildlife food, or else you’ll be food!
What do you get when you have a religious fanatic believing that human sacrifices make great objects for atonement with God and a ginormous bear lurking around in the wrong neck of woods? A novel like Of Teeth and Pine! I love this story’s title and I loved the poem the title is taken from! Vick is a formidable force to contend with as a Forest Ranger in Washington who is dealing with an unusual number of bear attacks in the woods. I guess for an unusual attack, there should be an unusual creature behind it. I enjoyed reading this story! There was so much suspense and terror! Part murder mystery and part horror story, this novel kept me reading until the very end!
What do you get when you have a religious fanatic believing that human sacrifices make great objects for atonement with God and a ginormous bear lurking around in the wrong neck of woods? A novel like Of Teeth and Pine! I love this story’s title and I loved the poem the title is taken from! Vick is a formidable force to contend with as a Forest Ranger in Washington who is dealing with an unusual number of bear attacks in the woods. I guess for an unusual attack, there should be an unusual creature behind it. I enjoyed reading this story! There was so much suspense and terror! Part murder mystery and part horror story, this novel kept me reading until the very end!
July 2, 2025
3.5⭐️ rounded up! Trigger warning for animal harm for anyone sensitive to that. A quick, creepy novella that jumped right into the action of an honorable park ranger and a psycho zealot. My goodness.
Overall good storyline with some gore and lots of eerie internal dialogue. While I enjoyed Vick, Simon is what really sold the story for me. Each of his chapters made me SO uncomfortable.
There were a few spelling errors that took me out of the story a tiny bit as I figured out what it was meant to be, but nothing taken off my rating for that as that’s not the authors fault. Would love that opportunity to beta/ARC read for proofreading though 👀
Overall good storyline with some gore and lots of eerie internal dialogue. While I enjoyed Vick, Simon is what really sold the story for me. Each of his chapters made me SO uncomfortable.
There were a few spelling errors that took me out of the story a tiny bit as I figured out what it was meant to be, but nothing taken off my rating for that as that’s not the authors fault. Would love that opportunity to beta/ARC read for proofreading though 👀
July 3, 2025
This is a tense story! Between the radical religious serial killer and a monstrous bear, no one stands a chance out in the pines. Desiree is an incredible writer with the ability to paint a picture which immerses the reader into the character's experience. I was especially impressed with the realistic dialogue and scene setting. I will definitely be reading more of Desiree's work!
July 18, 2025
This was so much fun. I honestly love love loved the main character. A woman out of the norm for society with her long long legs and wide shoulders, shes cool as heck, kicks ass and is loveable as a character in my head. Twisted stuff in the woofs and twisty all the way through!!! I cannot wait to read more by this author!!!!!
November 1, 2024
This book is amazing, and you should buy it right now!
Vick is a great protagonist, and the other characters that come to life around her keep the story flowing. As a mountain boy who sees bears on occasion, this is definitely going to give me chills the next time I come across one!
Vick is a great protagonist, and the other characters that come to life around her keep the story flowing. As a mountain boy who sees bears on occasion, this is definitely going to give me chills the next time I come across one!
December 10, 2024
I loved this little horror novella. My only complaint is I wish it was longer and more fleshed out (pun intended 🤣) because I was a little confused about the bear (IYKYK, but why, how, etc). I loved the characters and would’ve liked to know more about them!
October 21, 2025
Read this in one sitting because as soon as it starts, youre taken to the mountains where women have been going missing. I love religious horror, so this one was perfect.
November 13, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's gripping and kept my attention from the first page.
The setting and combination of wilderness/nature and a serial killer made for a chilling and brutal story. Vick is a badass protagonist. Although this is a shorter book, the plot, characters, and setting are all well developed. The perfect book to cozy up with on a gloomy rainy day.
The setting and combination of wilderness/nature and a serial killer made for a chilling and brutal story. Vick is a badass protagonist. Although this is a shorter book, the plot, characters, and setting are all well developed. The perfect book to cozy up with on a gloomy rainy day.
July 17, 2025
I buy a lot of books and even more ebooks. I’m excited to buy them and then, they wait to be read. Sometimes (most of the time) that wait can be for a very, very long time. Occasionally, I do buy a book and read it straight away. This was one of those rare books. Maybe it was the cover, an ethereal bear with glowing eyes, the title or the fact I was just in the mood for a story set in a Californian national Forest.
We’re introduced to two people on a collision course to collide. Vick, a diligent Forest Ranger, more at home surrounded by nature than anything else. And Simon, a horribly broken man whose religious fervour goes way beyond moral boundaries.
What follows is a really enjoyable, taut, dark thriller. Quick to read, all the unnecessary fat trimmed off. The way the Bear ties everything together, I thought, was particularly well done. Especially if you believe in the human soul.
This was a lot nastier than I (for some reason) thought it would be. The author does not hold back on ‘wound descriptions’. The first killing and the last killing being particularly gruesome.
I learnt a lot as well, if I’m ever attacked by a Bear in the wilds of the UK: shake Bear bells( did not know they were a thing) do not run away, make myself large and fight back. Theory might be a little different to practise.
Definitely glad I didn’t leave this one festering away on my kindle.
We’re introduced to two people on a collision course to collide. Vick, a diligent Forest Ranger, more at home surrounded by nature than anything else. And Simon, a horribly broken man whose religious fervour goes way beyond moral boundaries.
What follows is a really enjoyable, taut, dark thriller. Quick to read, all the unnecessary fat trimmed off. The way the Bear ties everything together, I thought, was particularly well done. Especially if you believe in the human soul.
This was a lot nastier than I (for some reason) thought it would be. The author does not hold back on ‘wound descriptions’. The first killing and the last killing being particularly gruesome.
I learnt a lot as well, if I’m ever attacked by a Bear in the wilds of the UK: shake Bear bells( did not know they were a thing) do not run away, make myself large and fight back. Theory might be a little different to practise.
Definitely glad I didn’t leave this one festering away on my kindle.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews