Family Tree

by John Ryland

When local cop Blake Giles witnesses a tense confrontation between Sheriff Preston Mansfield and a member of the hated Whitestone family, he begins to question the origins of the bad blood between the two families. He quickly finds that the feud has been going on longer and is more deadly than he ever imagined. The two families are linked by an ancient curse surrounding a centuries-old tree on the Whitestone Property which bears peculiar markings resembling a human face.
Blake soon learns that the markings aren’t natural, or a coincidence. The tree is the resting place of the spirit of a strange creature appeased for generations by child sacrifices made by both families.
Sensing the birth of a Whitestone girl, the beast is waking and it’s hungry, fortunately, she has a champion. Now Blake must risk his job, his reputation, and his life to stop the sacrifice before it’s too late. But first he must find out what it is, and how to kill it.

301 pages, Paperback

Published January 21, 2025

About the author

John Ryland (1753–1825) was an English Baptist minister and religious writer. He was a founder and for ten years the secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society.

Reviews

[Carolyn Breckinridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Tree by author John Ryland is a sinister tale of a town trapped by tradition, prejudice and mistrust, its citizens too fearful and overwhelmed to challenge the status quo. Evil emerges whenever a female child is born to the ostracized Whitestone family. At these times, Sheriff Preston Mansfield takes matters into his own hands, as did his father and grandfather previously. When newcomer Deputy Blake Giles investigates, he is horrified and conflicted. Moving forward with his suspicions will almost certainly cost him his career, his love, his community and ultimately, his life. A gripping, suspenseful read, and another winner for this prolific author of horror and supernatural suspense.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked everything about this book but Abby and some of the depictions of southern people. The storyline was really interesting. The fact that the writer is southern and still depicted southern as prejudice and stupid was not my cup of tea. I did appreciate that at least one Southern is this book had compassion and cared about his neighbor.

[Terri Ryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Man! This author is ruggedly handsome and writes a great book. I very much recommend this book and his other works as well!

[Kristin Daryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from John Ryland! It sucks you in from the very beginning. I’ll never look at a tree the same way again.