Between the Trees

Between the Trees #1

by Gail Matelson

In one moment, Anaya Green's world is turned upside down as she watches a large, green leaf gently float down from her favorite tree and land directly in her lap. Fascinated and frightened in the same breath, she reads the written message that is inscribed on the leaf. This surreal communication stuns her, but the ensuing friendship offered by this sentient life-form changes her life. The tree is opinionated, but his bright personality is funny and endearing. He puts a wrinkle in Anaya's preference for a solitary lifestyle, although not half as much as her occupation as a newspaper reporter. Often required to write stories about controversial issues, Anaya must interview a woman who finds herself precariously in the middle of a city transportation controversy. However, when the woman is found deceased only days later, Anaya confers with a compellingly charming police detective and is notified that the police believe the woman has committed suicide. Anaya is profoundly impacted by her death. When she returns home at the end of that difficult day, she receives a startling 'leaf message' from her favorite tree. The message states that the suicide was actually a murder. Now, Anaya must somehow convince the handsome detective that a murder has occurred, and possibly reveal the strange identity of her informant... the tree!

Fantasy, science-fiction, humor and a very unusual murder mystery are interwoven in this unique story. Please also enjoy the sequel, "Among the Trees," where more of the tree's secrets are revealed!

Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2014

About the author

It wasn't until I returned from a year-long, solo driving trip around the United States that I wrote my first book, a personal memoir that I haven't as yet published. Thoroughly enjoying the experience of writing, I spontaneously wrote my first mystery novel. The experience was so 'novel', the characters so willing to tell their own story, that I never stopped writing. Twenty-one books and seventeen years later, my unique stories cover a wide spectrum, from humorous metaphysical fantasy in "Last 90 Days, Archie Trilogy Book 1," and magical realism in "Between the Trees," to a psychological thriller in "The Building." Blending multiple genres, my stories have inspiring stories of transformation, as well as humorous and romantic threads woven into the plots.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish to thank Gail Matelson, for providing me with a copy of her novel, "BETWEEN THE TREES: An Usual Mystery", in exchange for an honest review. I wasn't quite sure what kind of a book I was getting into, but I have a open mind and a positive attitude. This is a unique metaphysical-mystery novel, with an inspiring message.

It is a cozy mystery with a strong, female lead named Anaya Green. Anaya is a newspaper reporter, for Central Time, in Central California, who leads a fairly reclusive life and who befriends her favorite tree as a form of communication. Anaya is at peace in her spacious backyard, and massive tree, her refuge from the world. The tree gave her solace, and she received physical and mental healing from the tree. She had a Connection... She preferred to write her articles for work from home, on the patio, near her tree. It was her sacred space.

"She wanted to believe in a world where Nature and People lived in Harmony."

But then something strange happens... "her tree" starts leaving her cryptic messages. The messages are written on leaves dropping in her lap, from the tree. There had been a suicide, but the message left for her indicated it was really murder!

There is a a romantic and humorous thread woven into the plot. This is a fast-paced novel, filled with witty humor, character driven and packed with plot twists and turns.

This novel highlights a holistic and integrated approach that will guide humanity to live in harmony with nature.

Thank you Gail for allowing me to read your inspiring novel. Much success!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read that is about trees that communicate with their owners. It turns out that Anaya is not the only person in her small town of San Turin, California who has a tree who sends her messages on its leaves.

Anaya is a Newspaper Reporter, who is a very private person and likes to write by herself in her backyard on her patio under her beautiful tree.

She is very happy to be by herself until the leaves start to fall and she begins to doubt her sanity. She has one friend to call, Frank, who comes over to check it out and finds out it is true.

That is when the adventures begin, someone dies and Anaya helps the police with the murderer and falls for the cop on the case who begins to help her find other trees in the town.

This is a well written story and well worth the time to read and has kept my interest and kept me reading until late into the night. I would recommend the book to all my friends and family.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unique and fascinating story that I found it hard to put done. It has mystery elements and will keep you in suspense Anaya a reporter loves sitting on her patio watching the elements and one day a leaf blows onto her lap. On its the back in orange letters it reads "watch out for Gerald" On investigating she returns a kidnap child to his family. Usually she is loner but begins to draw friends and enemies. The characters are developed especially the trees. I wished to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book. I recommend it highly.

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very unusual and unique book. It was all about Anaya and her job as a reporter, her personal struggles and her very close friend, her backyard tree. Her tree is her confidant and her significant work assistant. Thanks to Gail for sending me this free Goodreads Giveaway. It made me chuckle (like Frank does a lot in this tale) and it kind of intrigued me. It may not be a story for everyone, but it was definitely entertaining.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delight to read! Absolutely outside my normal choice of a book to read. The plot is fanciful, but the characters were easy to enjoy so I got caught up in the storyline. And, isn't that the point of a good book?! Thank you, Gail. This was a treat.

[Correen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I label the book as a fantasy, not sure what the author meant it to be. It had a clever story line, but seemed to drag a bit. I probably will not read the next two in the Trilogy although I enjoyed much of this book.

[Michael Pennington · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea how this book came into my reading list. It’s pretty dire. 🙃

[James Sillwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT: Anaya Green, who lives in San Turin, California, is a senior reporter at Central Times. Fiercely protective of her privacy, she likes nothing better than to sit outside, enjoying the peace and quiet of her yard. One day her tree starts sending messages, making her think twice about a suicide case she's been working on. It soon becomes clear that the tree wants to help her. When Anaya is assigned to look into the background of local politician, Pat Turner, she's amazed to discover an identical looking tree in Pat's yard. The discovery leads Anaya on a search for any other similar trees. She asks her friend, Frank, to help her.
I really liked the relationship between Anaya and Frank, they understand one another and see the funny side of everything. I thought Frank was much better suited to Anaya than her current partner, Detective Charlie Ross. It would be interesting to see how the relationship between them develops in any future sequel.
There are some intriguing secondary characters. I did wonder what happened to the super-attractive Jed Carter and the Attorney, Jack Emerson. I thought the politician, Pat Turner, desperate to maintain her public image and willing to stop at nothing to do so, was a complex character with many sides to her. The idea of trees communicating with humans is a thought provoking and intriguing idea which works well in this story.
A fast paced, witty and entertaining read.

[Anna Fantabulous · Rating 2 out of 5]

Matelson’s heroine Anaya Green is a 32 year old print journalist in California. Green has trouble forming and keeping relationships mainly because of her anti-social personality. In fact she avoids people generally, something that is complicated by her choice in profession. At the same time, she is attuned to her surroundings, especially the tree in her garden. The tree sends her messages on leaves and she solves a few mysteries with its help, opening herself up to the possibility of a life and love she never did before - as well as trees that can be used for good and evil.

This light-hearted fantasy is an okay read.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair, unbiased and non-reciprocal review.

[Lucy English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gail Matelson set herself a difficult challenge by having a main character who is a tree. This is an interesting story with suspense and romance and a bit of a spiritual aspect related to the relationship Ana, the main character, has with her favorite tree. I liked Matelson's inclusion of aspects of nature and gardening and would love to have seen her spend even more time on that aspect of the story. There was quite a bit of exposition, as made necessary by the solitary nature of the character, especially at the beginning, but it is mitigated with the introduction of more characters as the story progresses. An interesting and unique story

[Karen Miles · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I wanted to like this book but I could not connect with the main character and plot.