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The Memory Tree
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26A sinister Gothic folk horror from the bestselling author of The Ghosts of Merry Hall, in which a family in modern day England find their new home beset by the terrifying ghosts of the past. Ideal for lovers of gothic chillers by Laura Purcell, Susan Hill and Rebecca Netley.
When her husband, Ben, takes on his first parish in the rural community of Hope-Upon-Barrow, Kate Greenway feels like it could be a fresh start for the family. But from the moment they arrive, something just feels… off. It could be the mysterious housekeeper, Mrs Butterworth, so demanding and controlling of the family. It could be the locals, with their strange rituals and rites. Or it could be the yew tree which stands in their garden, whose presence brings headaches, visions and disturbing, unfamiliar memories that do not belong to Kate.
As she investigates the strange things happening to her, Kate begins to delve into the history and memories of Hope-upon-Barrow, and the more she uncovers, the more she risks losing herself to something deadly and ancient.
An extraordinary new Gothic chiller from the bestselling author of The Ghosts of Merry Hall.
When her husband, Ben, takes on his first parish in the rural community of Hope-Upon-Barrow, Kate Greenway feels like it could be a fresh start for the family. But from the moment they arrive, something just feels… off. It could be the mysterious housekeeper, Mrs Butterworth, so demanding and controlling of the family. It could be the locals, with their strange rituals and rites. Or it could be the yew tree which stands in their garden, whose presence brings headaches, visions and disturbing, unfamiliar memories that do not belong to Kate.
As she investigates the strange things happening to her, Kate begins to delve into the history and memories of Hope-upon-Barrow, and the more she uncovers, the more she risks losing herself to something deadly and ancient.
An extraordinary new Gothic chiller from the bestselling author of The Ghosts of Merry Hall.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 19, 2026
I had no idea what to expect from this novel, but it caught me and held me fast. This dual-timeline story takes place in Hope-Upon-Barrow, a rural Dorset village and surrounds an ancient yew beside the graveyard. Those who stand beside the yew experience the past. The village, especially the vicarage, the church, and the yew, are darkly atmospheric with the rituals and tales of folk horror and the uncanny creeping dread of gothic horror intertwined. I don’t want to say much more about the story because I want you to immerse yourself in it and see what you find. I was deeply invested from the beginning and sat with the characters’ pain, fear, guilt, and unease and with the sense of foreboding and cloying eeriness clouding the air of Hope-Upon-Barrow. I suspect I will revisit this book in my thoughts over and over again. If you are like me and enjoy folk and gothic horror, this book is for you. Recommend! (Note: There is a lot of child loss and animal death in this one. Be prepared.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 Stars.
The Memory Tree unfolds through dual perspectives and timelines, alternating between present-day Kate Greenwood and 1866’s Octavia Kibble; both residents of the vicarage in the rural village of Hope-under-Barrow. Kate is the wife of Ben –the newly appointed vicar, whilst Octavia is the daughter of the highly respected Reverend Phineas Kibble. The plot is set into motion when the characters stumble across the deep roots of an ancient yew tree, inadvertently uncovering the mysterious memories buried beneath; the good, the bad and the ones they wish they could erase.
The novel evokes a lingering sense of uncanny. Despite its initial façade of normalcy, there’s an underlying unease and anticipation that the cracks and crevices will reveal themselves at any moment. It’s undeniably atmospheric and taps into that ‘eerie British village with hidden secrets’ vibe that’s typically found in folk horror and rural gothic fiction. I think if you liked The Burning Girls (the show, or novel by C J Tudor), you will enjoy this too.
Personally, I felt there were some inconsistencies in the way the main characters acted, which made it difficult to relate or connect with them. As an example, Ben hypocritically accuses Kate of caring too much about what others think, yet he himself is preoccupied in making a good impression as the new village vicar. Meanwhile, Kate appears to be deliberately contrary and stubborn at the strangest of times, yet is also overly compromising and often unable to stand up for herself when the opportunity arises. I don’t think it’s necessary for a character to be likeable to appreciate the story, but there were times when the actions of these characters felt illogical and frustrating.
I thought the plot was well written and twisty, however the clues provided throughout the novel allowed the reader to easily piece the puzzle together quite early on. Therefore, the reveals were predictable to me and didn’t hold any shock value; but there still was an element of satisfaction and enjoyment in figuring out the mystery itself.
In the portion of the story set in the present day, I felt the conclusion lacked impact. I feel as a reader, more understanding and background knowledge of the characters involved was necessary to fully appreciate and feel emotionally invested in the end. Without this, parts felt illogical, odd and abrupt, where I think the expectation was for a poignant and devastating moment. In comparison, I quite enjoyed reading Octavia’s part of the story, which was quietly cruel and heartbreaking.
Overall, at its core The Memory Tree is a story of flawed protagonists grappling with their own grief and enduring guilt. I thought it was an easy read, and despite some disconnect with the characters, the setting was creepy and atmospheric, with a solid plot. As both timelines of the story merged, the ending felt fitting, bittersweet, and tentatively hopeful.
Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for the eARC, in exchange for honest review.
The Memory Tree unfolds through dual perspectives and timelines, alternating between present-day Kate Greenwood and 1866’s Octavia Kibble; both residents of the vicarage in the rural village of Hope-under-Barrow. Kate is the wife of Ben –the newly appointed vicar, whilst Octavia is the daughter of the highly respected Reverend Phineas Kibble. The plot is set into motion when the characters stumble across the deep roots of an ancient yew tree, inadvertently uncovering the mysterious memories buried beneath; the good, the bad and the ones they wish they could erase.
The novel evokes a lingering sense of uncanny. Despite its initial façade of normalcy, there’s an underlying unease and anticipation that the cracks and crevices will reveal themselves at any moment. It’s undeniably atmospheric and taps into that ‘eerie British village with hidden secrets’ vibe that’s typically found in folk horror and rural gothic fiction. I think if you liked The Burning Girls (the show, or novel by C J Tudor), you will enjoy this too.
Personally, I felt there were some inconsistencies in the way the main characters acted, which made it difficult to relate or connect with them. As an example, Ben hypocritically accuses Kate of caring too much about what others think, yet he himself is preoccupied in making a good impression as the new village vicar. Meanwhile, Kate appears to be deliberately contrary and stubborn at the strangest of times, yet is also overly compromising and often unable to stand up for herself when the opportunity arises. I don’t think it’s necessary for a character to be likeable to appreciate the story, but there were times when the actions of these characters felt illogical and frustrating.
I thought the plot was well written and twisty, however the clues provided throughout the novel allowed the reader to easily piece the puzzle together quite early on. Therefore, the reveals were predictable to me and didn’t hold any shock value; but there still was an element of satisfaction and enjoyment in figuring out the mystery itself.
In the portion of the story set in the present day, I felt the conclusion lacked impact. I feel as a reader, more understanding and background knowledge of the characters involved was necessary to fully appreciate and feel emotionally invested in the end. Without this, parts felt illogical, odd and abrupt, where I think the expectation was for a poignant and devastating moment. In comparison, I quite enjoyed reading Octavia’s part of the story, which was quietly cruel and heartbreaking.
Overall, at its core The Memory Tree is a story of flawed protagonists grappling with their own grief and enduring guilt. I thought it was an easy read, and despite some disconnect with the characters, the setting was creepy and atmospheric, with a solid plot. As both timelines of the story merged, the ending felt fitting, bittersweet, and tentatively hopeful.
Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for the eARC, in exchange for honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The main character of this story (Kate) is extremely self-centered and the main relationship between herself and her husband doesn't really make sense. She is married to a Vicar yet doesn't like being referred to as the Vicar's wife and doesn't want to attend church meetings held in their home. She also keeps trying to paint the yew tree that the community has asked her not to paint because of its significance to them and her husband asked her not to paint since it will impact his position. In the first chapter she says she is moving to the town with him because he has stayed in the city with her for years and wants to move to the small town, but her internal monologue is derogatory towards the townspeople almost from the start and she doesn't really try to fit in at all. Also, his one request is don't paint the tree, and she can't even respect that.
Kate Greenwood's husband, Ben, takes on his first parish in the rural community of Hope0under-Barrow, and Kate hopes it can be a new beginning for the family. As soon as they arrive, Kate begins to feel that something is off, whether with the locals' rituals, the yew tree that everyone seems to worship, or whatever is happening with her young son. When the tree roots are infiltrating the water pipes and headaches, visions, and disturbing memories that aren't her own begin to plague Kate, it all becomes too much. As Kate begins to investigate the happenings, she begins to believe her family is in danger from something deadly and ancient, and she must try to keep them safe.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Kate Greenwood's husband, Ben, takes on his first parish in the rural community of Hope0under-Barrow, and Kate hopes it can be a new beginning for the family. As soon as they arrive, Kate begins to feel that something is off, whether with the locals' rituals, the yew tree that everyone seems to worship, or whatever is happening with her young son. When the tree roots are infiltrating the water pipes and headaches, visions, and disturbing memories that aren't her own begin to plague Kate, it all becomes too much. As Kate begins to investigate the happenings, she begins to believe her family is in danger from something deadly and ancient, and she must try to keep them safe.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Memory Tree is exactly the kind of gothic chiller that seeps under your skin — slow, unsettling, and quietly relentless. Heather Davey has crafted a story that feels both ancient and modern, rooted in English folklore yet pulsing with very real, contemporary dread.
Kate Greenwood arrives in Hope‑under‑Barrow hoping for a fresh start, but the village has other plans. From the first chapter, there’s a delicious sense of wrongness: the locals with their strange, tight‑lipped rituals, the oppressive quiet, and of course the ancient yew tree looming over the vicarage garden like a watchful sentinel. Davey uses atmosphere masterfully — the creeping headaches, the flickers of memory that aren’t Kate’s, the sense that the past is not only alive but hungry.
What I loved most is how grounded Kate feels. She’s not a gothic heroine wandering around in a trance; she’s a modern woman trying to make sense of something impossible, and her unraveling is handled with nuance and empathy. The tension builds gradually, layer by layer, until the history of Hope‑under‑Barrow reveals itself in a way that is both chilling and strangely tragic.
Fans of Laura Purcell, Susan Hill, and Rebecca Netley will feel right at home here. The novel blends folk horror with psychological suspense, creating a story that’s as much about memory and identity as it is about hauntings.
Dark, immersive, and beautifully written — a perfect fireside read for anyone who loves their horror with a strong gothic heart.
With thanks to Heather Davey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Kate Greenwood arrives in Hope‑under‑Barrow hoping for a fresh start, but the village has other plans. From the first chapter, there’s a delicious sense of wrongness: the locals with their strange, tight‑lipped rituals, the oppressive quiet, and of course the ancient yew tree looming over the vicarage garden like a watchful sentinel. Davey uses atmosphere masterfully — the creeping headaches, the flickers of memory that aren’t Kate’s, the sense that the past is not only alive but hungry.
What I loved most is how grounded Kate feels. She’s not a gothic heroine wandering around in a trance; she’s a modern woman trying to make sense of something impossible, and her unraveling is handled with nuance and empathy. The tension builds gradually, layer by layer, until the history of Hope‑under‑Barrow reveals itself in a way that is both chilling and strangely tragic.
Fans of Laura Purcell, Susan Hill, and Rebecca Netley will feel right at home here. The novel blends folk horror with psychological suspense, creating a story that’s as much about memory and identity as it is about hauntings.
Dark, immersive, and beautifully written — a perfect fireside read for anyone who loves their horror with a strong gothic heart.
With thanks to Heather Davey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Memory Tree Heather Davey
5 stars
Evocative and haunting
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book by this author and am happy to say that I thought this one was even better.
Kate, her husband Ben and their 5 year old son, Noah have just moved from the North to Hope-Under-Barrow, a small village in Dorset where Ben is to become the local vicar. The vicarage and gardens are dominated by a huge yew tree, the Memory Tree of the book title. Kate, a painter feels compelled to paint this stunning tree but Ben is strangely reluctant and we soon discover that there are all kinds of traditions and stories attached to this tree so much so that there is an annual Barrow Man Day to ward off any evil that may be lurking.
The book is divided up between Kate's story in the present day and that of a previous vicar's daughter, Octavia from 1866. We learn all about the tree and the awful things that happened all those years ago and how the current day villagers must act in order to prevent any further tragedies. I really enjoyed the way the two stories are built up and how events from so long ago can affect the present day. Kate herself has a dreadful childhood secret and although the events had happened up in the North, somehow they are still linked to the Memory tree.
The ending was totally unexpected for me but I particularly enjoyed the beautiful writing in this book which was s descriptive and evocative. I read this book in a couple of days and w0uld recommend it to anyone who loves a ghostly tale.
Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a 3.5 rounded up for me.
At its heart this is a book about love and grief. There just happens to be some religion and superstitions and unexplainable magic thrown in for good measure. This is very much more of a gothic novel over horror.
The story alternates timelines chapter to chapter with Octavia's story in 1866 and Kate's in 2026. Both set in the same English town, and the same vicarage. Octavia, a Reverend's daughter & Kate a Reverend's wife.
When Kate & her family make the move to the small town immediately things start going weird. The water is foul, she's getting unexplained headaches, the townspeople have a weird obsession with a tree in the their yard, she's fighting with her husband, her son is acting out etc... As she spends some time there things slowly start to become clear for her, even if they don't always make the most sense.
Octavia is a young girl in grief over the death of her mother who makes friends with another young girl, Alice. A terrible accident causes further spiraling out of the locals. While she and Kate have very different lives and the specifics of their grief differ, that is a part of what ties them together. The rest of what ties them together? Well, you'll just have to read for that.
Thank you to Netgalley for an early e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
At its heart this is a book about love and grief. There just happens to be some religion and superstitions and unexplainable magic thrown in for good measure. This is very much more of a gothic novel over horror.
The story alternates timelines chapter to chapter with Octavia's story in 1866 and Kate's in 2026. Both set in the same English town, and the same vicarage. Octavia, a Reverend's daughter & Kate a Reverend's wife.
When Kate & her family make the move to the small town immediately things start going weird. The water is foul, she's getting unexplained headaches, the townspeople have a weird obsession with a tree in the their yard, she's fighting with her husband, her son is acting out etc... As she spends some time there things slowly start to become clear for her, even if they don't always make the most sense.
Octavia is a young girl in grief over the death of her mother who makes friends with another young girl, Alice. A terrible accident causes further spiraling out of the locals. While she and Kate have very different lives and the specifics of their grief differ, that is a part of what ties them together. The rest of what ties them together? Well, you'll just have to read for that.
Thank you to Netgalley for an early e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yew tree mythology was something I was unfamiliar with prior to reading this novel; I was only familiar with it by name. However, after reading this foreboding gothic folk horror, I was very intrigued and found myself doing some additional research, which I think speaks to the impact the book had on me. However, I wasn’t able to latch onto the characters as I’m perhaps meant to (Am I meant to dislike them? I can’t tell…but I did in case you’re wondering). I still found the pacing very addicting and was able to overlook the disconnect I was feeling obviously because I was constantly justifying staying up late to read a little bit more until I finished it in one sitting. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t completely satisfied with the ending which is why I would recommend it for book club read; it’s one of those books where you like it but you need to talk about it because there’s a reason you can’t give 5 stars...
The story examined remorse from two seemingly different characters living parallel lives in different timelines. I thought the author transported you back and forth with such grace and it immersed you with each transition. I think it’s definitely worth your time to try it out.
The story examined remorse from two seemingly different characters living parallel lives in different timelines. I thought the author transported you back and forth with such grace and it immersed you with each transition. I think it’s definitely worth your time to try it out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first time I've read anything by Heather Davey; it certainly won't be the last.
The Memory Tree is told over two timelines, from the viewpoint of Kate in the present day and Octavia in 1866. Both stories are set in the rural village of Hope-Upon-Barrow — an isolated community where a large, ancient Yew tree stands on parish grounds and seems to have otherworldly qualities of a much darker nature.
The novel was deeply atmospheric and Davey managed to build tension and a nice sense of unease with each turn of the page. I was also impressed by the number of themes in the book and surprised by the depth they were given. The novel looked at guilt and regret in an organic way without ever hurting the pace of the story.
Admittedly, I did struggle somewhat to connect to one of the main characters, and I wasn't quite sure the ending worked for me as such; however, there were still more positives than negatives.
Worth a look.
With thanks to Titan for the ARC.
The Memory Tree is told over two timelines, from the viewpoint of Kate in the present day and Octavia in 1866. Both stories are set in the rural village of Hope-Upon-Barrow — an isolated community where a large, ancient Yew tree stands on parish grounds and seems to have otherworldly qualities of a much darker nature.
The novel was deeply atmospheric and Davey managed to build tension and a nice sense of unease with each turn of the page. I was also impressed by the number of themes in the book and surprised by the depth they were given. The novel looked at guilt and regret in an organic way without ever hurting the pace of the story.
Admittedly, I did struggle somewhat to connect to one of the main characters, and I wasn't quite sure the ending worked for me as such; however, there were still more positives than negatives.
Worth a look.
With thanks to Titan for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Memory Tree by Heather Davey is a story centered on the folklore and mythology surrounding the Yew tree.
I found the format of alternating chapters with different POVs and time periods (Kate and Octavia) very propulsive. And the way the two intertwine and even mirror each other was very unique and one of my favorite aspects of the book. The chapters are short and often leave off on mini cliff hangers which made me want to keep reading (just one more chapter!).
However, the characters themselves feel underdeveloped. None of them are particularly likeable, and I think the reader is supposed to like Kate and Octavia. Their motivations and actions don't always make sense given what we know about them and their previous actions.
I enjoyed the sense of uncanny and foreboding throughout the novel, and would recommend for an interesting plot and story format.
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC!
I found the format of alternating chapters with different POVs and time periods (Kate and Octavia) very propulsive. And the way the two intertwine and even mirror each other was very unique and one of my favorite aspects of the book. The chapters are short and often leave off on mini cliff hangers which made me want to keep reading (just one more chapter!).
However, the characters themselves feel underdeveloped. None of them are particularly likeable, and I think the reader is supposed to like Kate and Octavia. Their motivations and actions don't always make sense given what we know about them and their previous actions.
I enjoyed the sense of uncanny and foreboding throughout the novel, and would recommend for an interesting plot and story format.
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC!
May 31, 2026
{3.75}
Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for approving me for this ARC! I was really excited to get to this one after really enjoying Heather Davey’s first book a few months ago.
This one didn’t quite hit the same for me, but I still had a good time with it overall. For most of the book I was really invested in both timelines and I thought the atmosphere was done really well in a way that was pretty creepy and oppressive.
Where it lost me a bit was towards the end. The big reveal felt like it came a little out of nowhere and I wish there had been a bit more foreshadowing leading up to it. Because of that, the ending didn’t land as strongly for me as I wanted it to. That being said, I still think Heather Davey is great at creating unsettling vibes and I’d definitely read more from her in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for approving me for this ARC! I was really excited to get to this one after really enjoying Heather Davey’s first book a few months ago.
This one didn’t quite hit the same for me, but I still had a good time with it overall. For most of the book I was really invested in both timelines and I thought the atmosphere was done really well in a way that was pretty creepy and oppressive.
Where it lost me a bit was towards the end. The big reveal felt like it came a little out of nowhere and I wish there had been a bit more foreshadowing leading up to it. Because of that, the ending didn’t land as strongly for me as I wanted it to. That being said, I still think Heather Davey is great at creating unsettling vibes and I’d definitely read more from her in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was completely incredible and I honestly could not stop reading. It gave me that exact uneasy, creepy feeling that only truly great horror can pull off. Even after putting it down, I was still feeling super jumpy and slightly paranoid about every little noise in the room.
I loved how unpredictable it was. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it completely proved me wrong. The dual POV worked so well, and the short chapters kept everything moving super fast while linking the two timelines perfectly.
Such a creepy and atmospheric read. I am definitely going to read The Ghosts of Merry Hall next, and I will be reading anything else Heather Davey writes from now on!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved how unpredictable it was. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it completely proved me wrong. The dual POV worked so well, and the short chapters kept everything moving super fast while linking the two timelines perfectly.
Such a creepy and atmospheric read. I am definitely going to read The Ghosts of Merry Hall next, and I will be reading anything else Heather Davey writes from now on!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Memory Tree is eerie and full of folk-horror atmosphere that has a duel time-line between Kate in the present and Octavia and Alice in the past. Both take place in the isolated village of Hope-Upon-Barrow.
The town's strange rituals and the unsettling yew tree all create a constant sense that something dangerous is lurking just beneath the surface. All while Kate’s growing confusion and the strange memories she experiences make the story slowly creep along.
I liked how the story slowly unfolds with the village's secrets and folklore pulling you in deeper the more you read. The Memory Tree great pick if you love quiet, unsettling horror with strong gothic vibes.
The town's strange rituals and the unsettling yew tree all create a constant sense that something dangerous is lurking just beneath the surface. All while Kate’s growing confusion and the strange memories she experiences make the story slowly creep along.
I liked how the story slowly unfolds with the village's secrets and folklore pulling you in deeper the more you read. The Memory Tree great pick if you love quiet, unsettling horror with strong gothic vibes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Memory Tree was atmospheric, emotional, and much heavier than I expected going in. The story slowly unravels themes of grief, trauma, memory, and the ways people bury painful truths, and I appreciated that the horror felt rooted in emotion rather than just shock value. The writing created a very eerie, melancholic tone that stayed with me after finishing.
The pacing was slower at times, but the unsettling atmosphere and emotional depth kept me invested. This felt more like a reflective, psychological horror story than a fast-paced thriller, and I think readers who enjoy quiet, haunting horror will really connect with it.
The pacing was slower at times, but the unsettling atmosphere and emotional depth kept me invested. This felt more like a reflective, psychological horror story than a fast-paced thriller, and I think readers who enjoy quiet, haunting horror will really connect with it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Memory Tree was an admirable Gothic English tale set in dual timelines. The novel constantly had me wavering between likable and unlikable. An incredibly well- written and atmospheric setting, I loved the ancient and modern juxtaposition of the English countryside. The use of folklore does its job adding creeping tension. The drawbacks were the characters themselves. There was not enough dimension to them period, which hindered the emotional elements of the story and towards the end it became a bit draggy to wrap up. All in all an ok read. #thememorytree #heatherdavey #netgalley #goodreads
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Is it just me, or is Kate just very unlikeable?
I could find no sympathy for her, as she just wasn't very nice.
Whilst I enjoyed the book, I never got the creepiness I was expecting from the blurb, and some things felt a bit too predictable.
However, I did like it,I liked the dual timeline with two very different characters and I liked how the magnificent yew was central to the story.
Worth a few hours of my time.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.
I could find no sympathy for her, as she just wasn't very nice.
Whilst I enjoyed the book, I never got the creepiness I was expecting from the blurb, and some things felt a bit too predictable.
However, I did like it,I liked the dual timeline with two very different characters and I liked how the magnificent yew was central to the story.
Worth a few hours of my time.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.
July 1, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a horror/historical novel. It’s set across two timelines, present and past. I found both timelines equally interesting which doesn’t always happen. Sometimes one just feels a bit like filler. Not at all the case here, the two are thoroughly intertwined making for a carefully unravelled mystery. We have female protagonists for both, a daughter of a religious leader in the past, who is stifled by her father’s restrictive rules. In the present we have a wife and mother, taking over the home featured in the past storyline and facing uncanny events triggered by the past.
This was quite creepy. It’s quite subtle too. There’s the rituals dominating the village in the presence, the consuming community. There’s the disconnect in the marriage as the husband draws further into the superstitions of the village and away from his family. Above all, there’s the yew tree that seems to hold some terrible secrets. The author chose to do some quite interesting things here that I didn’t see coming and that was a welcome surprise.
Atmosphere is done very well in this book, making for a constant sense of unease.
This is a horror/historical novel. It’s set across two timelines, present and past. I found both timelines equally interesting which doesn’t always happen. Sometimes one just feels a bit like filler. Not at all the case here, the two are thoroughly intertwined making for a carefully unravelled mystery. We have female protagonists for both, a daughter of a religious leader in the past, who is stifled by her father’s restrictive rules. In the present we have a wife and mother, taking over the home featured in the past storyline and facing uncanny events triggered by the past.
This was quite creepy. It’s quite subtle too. There’s the rituals dominating the village in the presence, the consuming community. There’s the disconnect in the marriage as the husband draws further into the superstitions of the village and away from his family. Above all, there’s the yew tree that seems to hold some terrible secrets. The author chose to do some quite interesting things here that I didn’t see coming and that was a welcome surprise.
Atmosphere is done very well in this book, making for a constant sense of unease.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed The Memory Tree! A fantastic gothic folk horror story.
Davey did a beautiful job of weaving two perspectives together, stories 150 years apart.
I recommend The Memory Tree to those who are into folk horror and mysteries.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC!
Davey did a beautiful job of weaving two perspectives together, stories 150 years apart.
I recommend The Memory Tree to those who are into folk horror and mysteries.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.75
I was enjoying the story until it got to the point where the twist was revealed and then I was just frustrated. I can't really say why without spoiling but it's a trope that I'm sick of now - and more sick of the MC's lack of reaction to.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I was enjoying the story until it got to the point where the twist was revealed and then I was just frustrated. I can't really say why without spoiling but it's a trope that I'm sick of now - and more sick of the MC's lack of reaction to.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Memory Tree is a dual-timeline folk horror tale set between 1866 and the present day.
We follow Octavia, a vicar's daughter, and Kate, a vicar's wife who moves to a new village with her husband and young son. Both women are drawn to an ancient yew tree in the graveyard.
The first two-thirds were the strongest for me, with the author creating a wonderfully atmospheric sense of unease. While the folklore and supernatural elements worked well, I found it difficult to care about any of the characters, and the ending left me a little confused. It didn't quite deliver the satisfying conclusion I would've liked.
Overall, this was an intriguing read for fans of folk horror and gothic mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
We follow Octavia, a vicar's daughter, and Kate, a vicar's wife who moves to a new village with her husband and young son. Both women are drawn to an ancient yew tree in the graveyard.
The first two-thirds were the strongest for me, with the author creating a wonderfully atmospheric sense of unease. While the folklore and supernatural elements worked well, I found it difficult to care about any of the characters, and the ending left me a little confused. It didn't quite deliver the satisfying conclusion I would've liked.
Overall, this was an intriguing read for fans of folk horror and gothic mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews