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The Memory Tree
A 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.
352 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2026
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October 3, 2026
The Memory Tree by Heather Davey is a horror novel about a woman who moves to a small village with her young son and her husband, who is the new parish vicar.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan Books, and the author (Heather Davey), for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Well, I'm not sure.
First, the story is told in two time-lines. The first is 1866 and a girl named Olivia has lost her mother, and is living with her father, the local minister. She makes a friend called Alice, and together they learn the secrets of the Yew tree. This story was so interesting. I loved it. This part also had chapters about the sermons given by Olivia's father. I probably could have done without them, except they supposedly showed that he was slowly losing the plot.
The second time-line was Kate's and it is in 2026. So this is current, surrounding the same small town. For some reason, this storyline dragged. I'm not a fan of reading stories about small children, so Noah's behaviour irritated me. Mind you, so did Ben's, and how many times did he just tell Kate she was overly sensitive, or over-reacting. Yeah, that's going to go over well. However, I wasn't thrilled with Kate's actions either.
Overall, the story is about regret, about guilt, and about loss. It's actually a sad story. I can't see it being rated as horror. But it is creepy, and very atmospheric. Parts really kept me invested. There should have been more of those.
Anyway, until next time ....
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Told on two timelines, the present day and the 1800s, this is a story of grief, guilt, strange customs, and how they came to be.
In the 1800s, we have best friends Octavia, the vicar's daughter, and Alice, whose family owns the nearby farm. When these friends are witness to a strange occurrence at the ancient yew tree and share this information with Octavia's father, tragedy and deception ensues which still, to this day has a hold over the community of Hope Upon Barrow.
In the present day, we have Kate, her young son Noah, and her husband Ben, who has just been appointed his first parish. As they move into the old vicarage by that same yew tree, Noah and Kate are both disturbed by memories that could not possibly be their own.
That is all I will say about the plot.
I liked the small community setting with their unnerving superstitions, but I preferred the characters from the past over the present day goings on. I had a lot of empathy towards Octavia and Alice and the gradual reveal of what they endured all those years ago. The climax near the end wasn't the shocking twist it was probably meant to be, because it was too easily inferred long before it was exposed.
My thanks to Titan Books for the e-ARC
In the 1800s, we have best friends Octavia, the vicar's daughter, and Alice, whose family owns the nearby farm. When these friends are witness to a strange occurrence at the ancient yew tree and share this information with Octavia's father, tragedy and deception ensues which still, to this day has a hold over the community of Hope Upon Barrow.
In the present day, we have Kate, her young son Noah, and her husband Ben, who has just been appointed his first parish. As they move into the old vicarage by that same yew tree, Noah and Kate are both disturbed by memories that could not possibly be their own.
That is all I will say about the plot.
I liked the small community setting with their unnerving superstitions, but I preferred the characters from the past over the present day goings on. I had a lot of empathy towards Octavia and Alice and the gradual reveal of what they endured all those years ago. The climax near the end wasn't the shocking twist it was probably meant to be, because it was too easily inferred long before it was exposed.
My thanks to Titan Books for the e-ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
'I think of the tree and the weird things I've remembered when I'm near it; the face I thought I saw in the trunk. Despite my scoffing, if I'm completely honest, it almost seems as if the area has a power, some sort of strange energy, just as the villagers say. The very energy they want protection against.'
With gothic vibes, folklore ties and a Dorset setting 'The Memory Tree' drew me in like a moth to a flame, ticking off numerous areas of interest for me. The overall result was more disturbing than scary as such but I thoroughly enjoyed it and found 'The Memory Tree' to be a highly compelling story that was impossible to put down.
From it's very first page 'The Memory Tree' drew me in both by beautifully setting the scene and by dropping hints of intrigue that left me longing to unravel just what would come next. It's a dual narrative story with both storylines taking place in the small village of Hope-under-Barrow in Dorset. The modern day storyline follows Kate who moves with her pastor husband Ben and young son Noah when Ben takes on the parish job in Hope-under-Barrow. The historical storyline follows Octavia in 1866, the local pastor's teenage daughter. Both leads suffer from headaches and experience impossible memories when by the church's ancient yew tree and the cloying sense of unease that it causes permeates through the pages.
Naturally the two storylines are tied together by the folklore surrounding the tree and it's mysterious 'Barrow Man'. It was fascinating to see the legend's birth within one storyline whilst the other showed the shape that it had taken on over a century and a half down the line. Both storylines also had compelling points of interest and the author did a wonderful job of dropping hints that left you longing to uncover more. When it comes to Kate you have the mysterious female from her past that she seems desperate to forget, along with the way her family seems to be fracturing upon moving to Hope-under-Barrow. Whilst the past storyline initially reels you in by dropping little hints of what happened that year before a truly pervasive sense of dread utterly takes over and leaves you dreading just what you'll ultimately uncover.
As I said earlier I found this story more disturbing than scary as such. It's wonderfully atmospheric and gets beneath your skin but it's horrors were very different than I'd envisioned. This isn't a complaint, as it's beautifully done, just a heads up so other readers get their expectations right. Rather than the kind of haunting that you may well expect 'The Memory Tree' felt more like it contained a toxic substance within its roots. Being near the tree brings on headaches and strange memories whilst also seeming to infect those around it in more complex ways. Behaviours change and you get an almost psychological uneasiness, afraid of just where everyone's actions will ultimately take them.
What I especially appreciated about 'The Memory Tree' was how it wove an array of complex themes into its narrative naturally. As a reader I pick up books for enjoyment, rather than to unravel any kind of hidden meaning from them, but I always appreciate when books manage to get a message across through the storytelling, rather than simply preaching at readers. Here there's obviously a theme of memory but both grief and guilt are tangled up around it. 'The Memory Tree' also explores the idea of how these kind of folk legends are born and how time, and the narrator, can twist a tale in many ways. It's beautifully done and was fascinating to uncover these tainted origins.
There were times when I guessed what was coming but this is one of those books where a bit of predictability actually almost adds to the experience. It's impossible not to be overcome with a sense of dread when you realise where one storyline is headed, and that experience really adds to the psychological unease throughout.
Overall I recommend 'The Memory Tree' for anyone who loves a gothic atmosphere and finds folklore and it's origins fascinating. It's definitely worth noting that it's more disturbing than scary as such but it's a vividly unsettling experience to watch how human behaviour can lead to dark places, and how a narrative can be twisted so expertly by the one doing the telling. I'll definitely be going back and checking out the author's debut as soon as I get the chance to.
With gothic vibes, folklore ties and a Dorset setting 'The Memory Tree' drew me in like a moth to a flame, ticking off numerous areas of interest for me. The overall result was more disturbing than scary as such but I thoroughly enjoyed it and found 'The Memory Tree' to be a highly compelling story that was impossible to put down.
From it's very first page 'The Memory Tree' drew me in both by beautifully setting the scene and by dropping hints of intrigue that left me longing to unravel just what would come next. It's a dual narrative story with both storylines taking place in the small village of Hope-under-Barrow in Dorset. The modern day storyline follows Kate who moves with her pastor husband Ben and young son Noah when Ben takes on the parish job in Hope-under-Barrow. The historical storyline follows Octavia in 1866, the local pastor's teenage daughter. Both leads suffer from headaches and experience impossible memories when by the church's ancient yew tree and the cloying sense of unease that it causes permeates through the pages.
Naturally the two storylines are tied together by the folklore surrounding the tree and it's mysterious 'Barrow Man'. It was fascinating to see the legend's birth within one storyline whilst the other showed the shape that it had taken on over a century and a half down the line. Both storylines also had compelling points of interest and the author did a wonderful job of dropping hints that left you longing to uncover more. When it comes to Kate you have the mysterious female from her past that she seems desperate to forget, along with the way her family seems to be fracturing upon moving to Hope-under-Barrow. Whilst the past storyline initially reels you in by dropping little hints of what happened that year before a truly pervasive sense of dread utterly takes over and leaves you dreading just what you'll ultimately uncover.
As I said earlier I found this story more disturbing than scary as such. It's wonderfully atmospheric and gets beneath your skin but it's horrors were very different than I'd envisioned. This isn't a complaint, as it's beautifully done, just a heads up so other readers get their expectations right. Rather than the kind of haunting that you may well expect 'The Memory Tree' felt more like it contained a toxic substance within its roots. Being near the tree brings on headaches and strange memories whilst also seeming to infect those around it in more complex ways. Behaviours change and you get an almost psychological uneasiness, afraid of just where everyone's actions will ultimately take them.
What I especially appreciated about 'The Memory Tree' was how it wove an array of complex themes into its narrative naturally. As a reader I pick up books for enjoyment, rather than to unravel any kind of hidden meaning from them, but I always appreciate when books manage to get a message across through the storytelling, rather than simply preaching at readers. Here there's obviously a theme of memory but both grief and guilt are tangled up around it. 'The Memory Tree' also explores the idea of how these kind of folk legends are born and how time, and the narrator, can twist a tale in many ways. It's beautifully done and was fascinating to uncover these tainted origins.
There were times when I guessed what was coming but this is one of those books where a bit of predictability actually almost adds to the experience. It's impossible not to be overcome with a sense of dread when you realise where one storyline is headed, and that experience really adds to the psychological unease throughout.
Overall I recommend 'The Memory Tree' for anyone who loves a gothic atmosphere and finds folklore and it's origins fascinating. It's definitely worth noting that it's more disturbing than scary as such but it's a vividly unsettling experience to watch how human behaviour can lead to dark places, and how a narrative can be twisted so expertly by the one doing the telling. I'll definitely be going back and checking out the author's debut as soon as I get the chance to.
October 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the gifted ebook.
My Review
Being a huge Gothic horror lover, give me a creepy little town filled with old superstitions and I'm in. The Memory Tree gave me that eerie feeling I look for in this kind of story, especially with the history surrounding the town and the sense that something just isn't right. The story is told through two timelines, one in the 1800s and one in the present, and while I enjoyed both, I found myself much more invested in Octavia's story. There was something about the older timeline that pulled me in more, and I always looked forward to getting back to it.
I did figure out where some of the twists were heading, so a few of the reveals didn't surprise me as much as I would have liked. I won't say what I figured out because I think going into this without knowing too much is part of the fun. The ending also didn't completely work for me and left me wanting a little more. Still, I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere, the superstitions, and the history woven throughout the story.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. I think Gothic horror readers who love creepy small towns, old secrets, and stories that move between the past and present will enjoy this one. I especially loved getting lost in Octavia's story and the darker history of the town.
My Review
Being a huge Gothic horror lover, give me a creepy little town filled with old superstitions and I'm in. The Memory Tree gave me that eerie feeling I look for in this kind of story, especially with the history surrounding the town and the sense that something just isn't right. The story is told through two timelines, one in the 1800s and one in the present, and while I enjoyed both, I found myself much more invested in Octavia's story. There was something about the older timeline that pulled me in more, and I always looked forward to getting back to it.
I did figure out where some of the twists were heading, so a few of the reveals didn't surprise me as much as I would have liked. I won't say what I figured out because I think going into this without knowing too much is part of the fun. The ending also didn't completely work for me and left me wanting a little more. Still, I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere, the superstitions, and the history woven throughout the story.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. I think Gothic horror readers who love creepy small towns, old secrets, and stories that move between the past and present will enjoy this one. I especially loved getting lost in Octavia's story and the darker history of the town.
September 28, 2026
A harrowing gothic tale that circles death, all consuming grief and the madness of one’s soul at the perversion of one’s faith and the power of suggestion.
Ominous, dark and foreboding, dual time line and at the center, a very large poisonous Yew tree.
The story features friends, Octavia and Alice in 1866, Dorsetshire, England and the discovery they make at the base of the Yew tree. That discovery leads to unwanted attention, a morbid fascination of life in the hereafter and the biggest sin of all.
Current day is Dorset, 2026 where young Reverend Ben Thomas, wife Kate and five year old son, Noah take over the very church where tragedy struck in 1866.
Fractured relationships, bizarre rituals and rites that just oozes with creepiness. And trying to uncover the possibilities where ghosts are concerned.
Thanks to Titan Books for this enthralling read!
Ominous, dark and foreboding, dual time line and at the center, a very large poisonous Yew tree.
The story features friends, Octavia and Alice in 1866, Dorsetshire, England and the discovery they make at the base of the Yew tree. That discovery leads to unwanted attention, a morbid fascination of life in the hereafter and the biggest sin of all.
Current day is Dorset, 2026 where young Reverend Ben Thomas, wife Kate and five year old son, Noah take over the very church where tragedy struck in 1866.
Fractured relationships, bizarre rituals and rites that just oozes with creepiness. And trying to uncover the possibilities where ghosts are concerned.
Thanks to Titan Books for this enthralling read!
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.)
August 20, 2026
I really liked the idea behind The Memory Tree, and the gothic folk horror elements were right up my street. There’s something particularly effective about the small village setting and that underlying feeling that something isn’t quite right. I also really enjoyed the dual POV and the way the story moves back and forth through time. Octavia’s story was definitely the more satisfying of the two for me, and I thought the writing was strong throughout, with enough mystery and intrigue to keep me wanting to read on. I especially loved the idea of the tree itself almost becoming a character within the story, and the mythology surrounding it was fascinating.
My biggest issue was the ending, particularly Kate’s story. I spent the first two thirds thinking this was building towards something really brilliant, but by the time I’d picked up the clues, I had a pretty good idea of where it was heading, so the eventual conclusion didn’t feel like the big twist I was expecting. More than anything, it just left me thinking, “Oh… is that it?” I know some readers have really enjoyed the unpredictability of the ending, but unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me, and I think a stronger conclusion to Kate’s story could have made this a much more satisfying read overall. That said, I did enjoy the book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic folk horror, creepy village settings and stories where there’s something sinister lurking beneath the surface.
Thank you to NetGalley for this copy.
I would give this 3.5 stars if I could.
My biggest issue was the ending, particularly Kate’s story. I spent the first two thirds thinking this was building towards something really brilliant, but by the time I’d picked up the clues, I had a pretty good idea of where it was heading, so the eventual conclusion didn’t feel like the big twist I was expecting. More than anything, it just left me thinking, “Oh… is that it?” I know some readers have really enjoyed the unpredictability of the ending, but unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me, and I think a stronger conclusion to Kate’s story could have made this a much more satisfying read overall. That said, I did enjoy the book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic folk horror, creepy village settings and stories where there’s something sinister lurking beneath the surface.
Thank you to NetGalley for this copy.
I would give this 3.5 stars if I could.
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
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not impact my rating or review.
This had the makings of a very good modern Gothic novel. And then I don't know what happened. The book just had too much going on to the point that I just didn't care about solving the mystery of Hope-upon-Barrow village. I think if Davey had focused the novel on either the past following Octavia or the present following Kate, the book would have flowed together much more smooth. But the last minute wrinkle/reveal didn't make a lot of sense and I just gave up even grasping what the author was going for.
The Memory Tree follows Kate Greenway and her family as the move to a new parish for her husband Ben to take over. Hope-upon-Barrow feels like a place out of time and the new home they must live in feels dark and ominous. An enormous yew tree blocks most of their view and Kate is at turns repelled by the tree, but also wants to paint it. When their 5 year old son Noah has a traumatic experience due to the tree, Kate is left wondering about it and the mysterious ceremony called Barrow Man Day the villagers do every year that staves off death. The book jumps back into the past following a teen daughter of the local reverend, Octavia. Octavia feels pulled to the yew tree after her mother's death and finds herself making a new friend Alice, who also seems drawn to the tree as well. The book jumps back and forth between the two timelines as both Kate and Octavia learn more about the tree and what preceded it.
I don't know what else to say, the dual timelines did not work. Neither Kate or Octavia felt very developed. I didn't get a good sense of Kate or her husband Ben as a couple at all. We keep hearing that Kate is an artist, but honestly it seemed to be a lot of her going off and not sketching, or sketching things and being stubborn and not listening to her husband. They both don't seem to know what to do with their son and one wonders why they had him at all at times. And then of course Octavia's whole plot felt like it was in a different book. I don't know what to even say about it much except again, there are Gothic elements, but I think Davey trying to tie things together just made the whole book a bit of a mess. The flow of the entire book was off because we would get a few pages with Kate and then Octavia and back and forth again. We also had some homilies in between chapters at times written by the fictional Reverend Kimble, Octavia's father. The ending felt like it came out of nowhere (Kate's) and it didn't even make a lot of sense in the end. I think that sometimes some books go for shock value over common sense. And I wish I had felt affected by the ending we get, but it felt like the book just went on forever after we get the final reveal.
This had the makings of a very good modern Gothic novel. And then I don't know what happened. The book just had too much going on to the point that I just didn't care about solving the mystery of Hope-upon-Barrow village. I think if Davey had focused the novel on either the past following Octavia or the present following Kate, the book would have flowed together much more smooth. But the last minute wrinkle/reveal didn't make a lot of sense and I just gave up even grasping what the author was going for.
The Memory Tree follows Kate Greenway and her family as the move to a new parish for her husband Ben to take over. Hope-upon-Barrow feels like a place out of time and the new home they must live in feels dark and ominous. An enormous yew tree blocks most of their view and Kate is at turns repelled by the tree, but also wants to paint it. When their 5 year old son Noah has a traumatic experience due to the tree, Kate is left wondering about it and the mysterious ceremony called Barrow Man Day the villagers do every year that staves off death. The book jumps back into the past following a teen daughter of the local reverend, Octavia. Octavia feels pulled to the yew tree after her mother's death and finds herself making a new friend Alice, who also seems drawn to the tree as well. The book jumps back and forth between the two timelines as both Kate and Octavia learn more about the tree and what preceded it.
I don't know what else to say, the dual timelines did not work. Neither Kate or Octavia felt very developed. I didn't get a good sense of Kate or her husband Ben as a couple at all. We keep hearing that Kate is an artist, but honestly it seemed to be a lot of her going off and not sketching, or sketching things and being stubborn and not listening to her husband. They both don't seem to know what to do with their son and one wonders why they had him at all at times. And then of course Octavia's whole plot felt like it was in a different book. I don't know what to even say about it much except again, there are Gothic elements, but I think Davey trying to tie things together just made the whole book a bit of a mess. The flow of the entire book was off because we would get a few pages with Kate and then Octavia and back and forth again. We also had some homilies in between chapters at times written by the fictional Reverend Kimble, Octavia's father. The ending felt like it came out of nowhere (Kate's) and it didn't even make a lot of sense in the end. I think that sometimes some books go for shock value over common sense. And I wish I had felt affected by the ending we get, but it felt like the book just went on forever after we get the final reveal.
September 30, 2026
In Hope Under Barrow Ben and his wife and son move into the old Vicar’s house. Not long after arriving and exploring Kate begins to feel uneasy. It doesn’t help that she is immediately put off by Mrs. Butterworth, one of the church elders who seems to have gone through the boxes that were delivered and already picked the rooms they will be using based on the old vicar's preferences. They are quickly warned to stay away from the large ancient Yew tree that presides over the graveyard and grows from a barrow that is several centuries old but where two other graves now lay as well.
Something about the Yew tree draws not only Kate but her son Noah as well and despite Ben’s insistence that they listen to the superstitions of the townspeople and stay away from the tree. The townsfolk believe that whoever’s body lays beneath the barrow has cursed the town and seeks revenge on others in return for his death even though he was innocent.
Kate begins getting headaches and seeing visions of things that didn’t happen to her. Almost like she is reliving someone else’s life through their memories.
The past seems to be trying to bleed through in Hope Under Barrow. Long buried secrets are crying to be told, The Barrow Man wants to be redeemed for people to know the truth of the town and Vicar Kibble whom they hold in such esteem from so many years ago. Everyone makes mistakes and some are worse than others. However Vicar Kibble created the ritual for The Barrow Man and the Yew Tree to protect the townspeople and for that they will always be grateful.
Steeped in folklore #TheMemoryTree by #HeatherDavey is a wonderful book about the strength of friendship and love. How some memories are so strong that their very essence lives on and aches to be seen, heard and felt. A place can hold the energy from strong emotions and the Yew tree is said to have magical properties. They used to be planted in graveyards because their roots were said to soak up the gases from the corpses as they began to decompose but druids saw them as a tree to bless and heal a place.
The Yew tree in #TheMemoryTree is so much more than all of that.
The tale is told from the point of view in the present of Kate Ben’s wife and from the perspective of Octavia the Vicar Kibbles daughter whose discovery of what the Yew tree is capable of plunges her father into a spiral of discovery and madness that ends in tragedy.
Thank You so much #Netgalley for the chance to read #TheMemoryTree by #HeatherDavey in return for a fair and honest review.
Something about the Yew tree draws not only Kate but her son Noah as well and despite Ben’s insistence that they listen to the superstitions of the townspeople and stay away from the tree. The townsfolk believe that whoever’s body lays beneath the barrow has cursed the town and seeks revenge on others in return for his death even though he was innocent.
Kate begins getting headaches and seeing visions of things that didn’t happen to her. Almost like she is reliving someone else’s life through their memories.
The past seems to be trying to bleed through in Hope Under Barrow. Long buried secrets are crying to be told, The Barrow Man wants to be redeemed for people to know the truth of the town and Vicar Kibble whom they hold in such esteem from so many years ago. Everyone makes mistakes and some are worse than others. However Vicar Kibble created the ritual for The Barrow Man and the Yew Tree to protect the townspeople and for that they will always be grateful.
Steeped in folklore #TheMemoryTree by #HeatherDavey is a wonderful book about the strength of friendship and love. How some memories are so strong that their very essence lives on and aches to be seen, heard and felt. A place can hold the energy from strong emotions and the Yew tree is said to have magical properties. They used to be planted in graveyards because their roots were said to soak up the gases from the corpses as they began to decompose but druids saw them as a tree to bless and heal a place.
The Yew tree in #TheMemoryTree is so much more than all of that.
The tale is told from the point of view in the present of Kate Ben’s wife and from the perspective of Octavia the Vicar Kibbles daughter whose discovery of what the Yew tree is capable of plunges her father into a spiral of discovery and madness that ends in tragedy.
Thank You so much #Netgalley for the chance to read #TheMemoryTree by #HeatherDavey in return for a fair and honest review.
October 6, 2026
I went into this book mostly blind. I always like to specify when that’s the case because I feel like expectations can really shape how we experience a book. For this book, the author was new to me and I requested it off of Net Galley based on the blurb alone.
This book has a dual narrative. One of them is Kate in 2026 and the other is Octavia in 1866. They live in the same vicarage and have noticed strange things around an old yew tree on the property. Octavia’s story focuses on how her father, Phineas Kibble, became a revered man in his time (which is more interesting than it sounds!). Kate’s story is about something dark from her past starting to leak through in places as her husband, Ben, takes a new position at the vicarage. Kate and Ben’s son, Noah, is talking about a sad girl and a crow that was hurt by its friend. On top of all of that, the town wants Ben to bless their Barrow Man Celebration, which is a festival that began as a way to keep the Barrow Man from harming the village via death, crop failure, or seasonal extremes.
I enjoyed this book. I thought the dual narrative worked well. This book had a definite atmosphere of creeping dread, which is something I love. It’s also a great gothic story, which I didn’t expect. Personally, I love a haunted tree and a long buried Barrow Man figure. Noah in this story was so cute! A lot of times when kids are in books like this, they are just creepy and have little cuteness. Heather Davey did a great job of making Noah endearing and not annoying, which is a book ick of mine.
For things I didn’t like about this book, I thought it went a little too long. I think it could have easily lost about 30 pages or so and told the same story. I also didn’t like how the book ramped up to the ending, but went through it quickly. I think most of the ending of the story took place in the last 10% of the book. While that in of itself wouldn’t be a problem, there were several plot twists that hit one after the other. I prefer my twists paced out through the story more.
Overall, I give this one 4 stars! I recommend this book if you like folk horror with a side of gothic secrets.
This book has a dual narrative. One of them is Kate in 2026 and the other is Octavia in 1866. They live in the same vicarage and have noticed strange things around an old yew tree on the property. Octavia’s story focuses on how her father, Phineas Kibble, became a revered man in his time (which is more interesting than it sounds!). Kate’s story is about something dark from her past starting to leak through in places as her husband, Ben, takes a new position at the vicarage. Kate and Ben’s son, Noah, is talking about a sad girl and a crow that was hurt by its friend. On top of all of that, the town wants Ben to bless their Barrow Man Celebration, which is a festival that began as a way to keep the Barrow Man from harming the village via death, crop failure, or seasonal extremes.
I enjoyed this book. I thought the dual narrative worked well. This book had a definite atmosphere of creeping dread, which is something I love. It’s also a great gothic story, which I didn’t expect. Personally, I love a haunted tree and a long buried Barrow Man figure. Noah in this story was so cute! A lot of times when kids are in books like this, they are just creepy and have little cuteness. Heather Davey did a great job of making Noah endearing and not annoying, which is a book ick of mine.
For things I didn’t like about this book, I thought it went a little too long. I think it could have easily lost about 30 pages or so and told the same story. I also didn’t like how the book ramped up to the ending, but went through it quickly. I think most of the ending of the story took place in the last 10% of the book. While that in of itself wouldn’t be a problem, there were several plot twists that hit one after the other. I prefer my twists paced out through the story more.
Overall, I give this one 4 stars! I recommend this book if you like folk horror with a side of gothic secrets.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Memory Tree by Heather Davey features a dual timeline—1866 and 2026–and the protagonists are Octavia Kibble, a fifteen year old girl, and Kate, the wife of a vicar who has moved to the town of Hope-under-Barrow. Kate is having frightening visions, her son Noah is speaking of dreams and seeing a girl, and the very old yew tree in the graveyard might be the key to it all.
Negative thoughts:
-The dual timelines don’t work. The trajectory of Octavia’s life telegraphs well in advance what is almost certainly going to happen and what Kate will discover, so it left me impatient waiting for it to be revealed. It would have been better for Kate to have discovered what occurred in the past through viewing memories here and there piecemeal and just only have her be the protagonist.
-I didn’t like Kate very much, either. Some of her prickliness can be understandable, like people treating her simply as an extension of her husband Ben, but she came out the gate COMBATIVE. Why on Earth would she, knowing the parish is troublesome, immediately decide to paint a tree even after being told not to? Why would she be openly dismissive of their beliefs, especially when they’re clearly afraid? It’s a recipe to make everyone hate you.
-Was…there a point with Mrs. Butterworth? That seemed really odd that it was never touched upon.
-I didn’t love the very ending much at all.
Positive thoughts:
+The premise is an interesting one. A little town with a tradition set around the supernatural is always fun.
+Near the end was quite exciting. I had guessed the twists in advance, but seeing it come together made for a brisk read.
Recommended for people who like a mix of the past and present and a bit of the supernatural sprinkled in. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Negative thoughts:
-The dual timelines don’t work. The trajectory of Octavia’s life telegraphs well in advance what is almost certainly going to happen and what Kate will discover, so it left me impatient waiting for it to be revealed. It would have been better for Kate to have discovered what occurred in the past through viewing memories here and there piecemeal and just only have her be the protagonist.
-I didn’t like Kate very much, either. Some of her prickliness can be understandable, like people treating her simply as an extension of her husband Ben, but she came out the gate COMBATIVE. Why on Earth would she, knowing the parish is troublesome, immediately decide to paint a tree even after being told not to? Why would she be openly dismissive of their beliefs, especially when they’re clearly afraid? It’s a recipe to make everyone hate you.
-Was…there a point with Mrs. Butterworth? That seemed really odd that it was never touched upon.
-I didn’t love the very ending much at all.
Positive thoughts:
+The premise is an interesting one. A little town with a tradition set around the supernatural is always fun.
+Near the end was quite exciting. I had guessed the twists in advance, but seeing it come together made for a brisk read.
Recommended for people who like a mix of the past and present and a bit of the supernatural sprinkled in. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kate accompanies her husband Ben on his first parish assignment in Hope-under-Barrow. It should be a fresh start for the family, but something feels off. The locals have odd rituals; a yew tree in the graveyard seems to bring on headaches and memories that aren't Kate's. She begins to investigate what's happening to her, delving into the town's history. The more she uncovers, however, the more she risks losing herself to something terrible.
The story is told from two POV threads: Kate in 2026 and Octavia in 1866. The yew tree in the churchyard is old and planted in a barrow, and sometimes the people near it see a man or hear music. We eventually find out that the village has a ritual involving the tree to ensure a year of good luck. Odd things happen near the vicarage, which is dark and gloomy, with different water and outlook than the rest of the village. Kate has memories of a childhood tragedy and is having trouble fitting in. Octavia is isolated with a single new friend after her mother's death. Both carry grief with them, even when not acknowledged.
Sighting the ghost or the odd behavior of crows keeps the story from feeling too slow or suffocating in the opening third of the book. The shadowy, suffocating atmosphere is present in both timelines, as well as similar names, a sense of repetition and dread, and the feeling that something awful will happen in both timelines. We reach that terrible point in both, and then see the aftermath. Kate is the one who comes to a realization that brings her relief: truth and forgiveness are the only ways to relieve the weight of the past, not hiding behind lies. That's not spoilery, and it will make perfect sense in the final quarter of the book, promise.
The story is told from two POV threads: Kate in 2026 and Octavia in 1866. The yew tree in the churchyard is old and planted in a barrow, and sometimes the people near it see a man or hear music. We eventually find out that the village has a ritual involving the tree to ensure a year of good luck. Odd things happen near the vicarage, which is dark and gloomy, with different water and outlook than the rest of the village. Kate has memories of a childhood tragedy and is having trouble fitting in. Octavia is isolated with a single new friend after her mother's death. Both carry grief with them, even when not acknowledged.
Sighting the ghost or the odd behavior of crows keeps the story from feeling too slow or suffocating in the opening third of the book. The shadowy, suffocating atmosphere is present in both timelines, as well as similar names, a sense of repetition and dread, and the feeling that something awful will happen in both timelines. We reach that terrible point in both, and then see the aftermath. Kate is the one who comes to a realization that brings her relief: truth and forgiveness are the only ways to relieve the weight of the past, not hiding behind lies. That's not spoilery, and it will make perfect sense in the final quarter of the book, promise.
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
2.5/5: The Memory Tree
A large tree alongside a tiny vicarage in a tiny town has *secrets*.
Kate and her family move to Hope-Upon-Barrow after her husband takes on the position as a priest for the tiny little parish community. She begins having strange memories and visions. What is the tree hiding?
Vibes:
-gothic folk horror
-small town England
-dual timeline (modern day and 1860's)
-grief and death
I ADORE the ‘British village with hidden secrets’ flavor of folk horror. I love it. So *naturally* I had to read this book, and jumped for joy when Netgalley approved my ARC request!
The first half of the book kept me engaged and I was really vibin' along with it.
Then the end hit. OMG. THE END WAS SO DUMB. Not only did it leave me with one too many questions (wtf is the deal with Mrs Butterworth?! Did I miss something or was that never explained?) but also the "big reveal" was the STUPIDEST, ILLOGICAL, INFURIATING piece of THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE nonsense ARGHHHHH. I won't go into details (because spoilers) but honestly, I just can't recommend this book because of the ending.
Ahem. Deep breath.
Listen, I really TRULY did enjoy the vibes. And if you are a VIBE based reader and can ignore plot endings that make me rip my hair out, then yes read this book. I love folk horror, I love small British towns that are spooky and mysterious. But lawwwwddyyyyy that ending "explanation".
.......
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All views expressed are my own.
A large tree alongside a tiny vicarage in a tiny town has *secrets*.
Kate and her family move to Hope-Upon-Barrow after her husband takes on the position as a priest for the tiny little parish community. She begins having strange memories and visions. What is the tree hiding?
Vibes:
-gothic folk horror
-small town England
-dual timeline (modern day and 1860's)
-grief and death
I ADORE the ‘British village with hidden secrets’ flavor of folk horror. I love it. So *naturally* I had to read this book, and jumped for joy when Netgalley approved my ARC request!
The first half of the book kept me engaged and I was really vibin' along with it.
Then the end hit. OMG. THE END WAS SO DUMB. Not only did it leave me with one too many questions (wtf is the deal with Mrs Butterworth?! Did I miss something or was that never explained?) but also the "big reveal" was the STUPIDEST, ILLOGICAL, INFURIATING piece of THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE nonsense ARGHHHHH. I won't go into details (because spoilers) but honestly, I just can't recommend this book because of the ending.
Ahem. Deep breath.
Listen, I really TRULY did enjoy the vibes. And if you are a VIBE based reader and can ignore plot endings that make me rip my hair out, then yes read this book. I love folk horror, I love small British towns that are spooky and mysterious. But lawwwwddyyyyy that ending "explanation".
.......
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All views expressed are my own.
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
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books, as well as the author, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley #TitanBooks #LindaGillard #TheMemoryTree #Fiction #Reading #Books #BookReviews
Title: The Memory Tree
Author: Heather Davey
Format: eBook
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication Date: September 29, 2026
Rating: 4 Stars
Themes: Dual timelines, folk horror, small town, grief, paranormal
Trigger Warnings: Grief, loss, child neglect/abuse, child distress, mental health, trauma, animal death, marital strife, paranormal
It’s my opinion that this book is best enjoyed if one goes in knowing as little as possible. All I’ll say is that this book takes place in two timelines, both of which are equally compelling. While the ending was fairly predictable, I didn’t mind as the journey was the fun part. The writing was lovely and atmospheric, dark, and beautifully descriptive. I enjoyed an attachment to the characters from both timelines as they experienced a creeping sense of dread. The tension and foreboding that permeated the narrative were the best parts for this reader. I felt physically uncomfortable at times, in the best way. If you enjoyed this author’s book entitled “The Ghosts of Merry Hall” or if you like gothic, atmospheric, folk horror, this book will be just the thing.
#NetGalley #TitanBooks #LindaGillard #TheMemoryTree #Fiction #Reading #Books #BookReviews
Title: The Memory Tree
Author: Heather Davey
Format: eBook
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication Date: September 29, 2026
Rating: 4 Stars
Themes: Dual timelines, folk horror, small town, grief, paranormal
Trigger Warnings: Grief, loss, child neglect/abuse, child distress, mental health, trauma, animal death, marital strife, paranormal
It’s my opinion that this book is best enjoyed if one goes in knowing as little as possible. All I’ll say is that this book takes place in two timelines, both of which are equally compelling. While the ending was fairly predictable, I didn’t mind as the journey was the fun part. The writing was lovely and atmospheric, dark, and beautifully descriptive. I enjoyed an attachment to the characters from both timelines as they experienced a creeping sense of dread. The tension and foreboding that permeated the narrative were the best parts for this reader. I felt physically uncomfortable at times, in the best way. If you enjoyed this author’s book entitled “The Ghosts of Merry Hall” or if you like gothic, atmospheric, folk horror, this book will be just the thing.
September 29, 2026
I went into this blind, other than having read Davey's previous book and really liking it. what I was hoping for the most was immersive storytelling, compelling characters and worldbuilding that would make me temporarily detach from reality. Rejoice, it's all there! In a very humble number of pages, we are delivered a memorable story, about character that jump out of the page, a pace that refused to let us drift and the wonderfully nagging feeling of 'I need to know what happens next!' Needless to say, this was finished in just two sittings.
On thing that Davey does REALLY well is delivering the gothic, spooky vibes. She knows how grab your attention, weave the suspense, sprinkle the breadcrumbs of the resolution all the while giving you goosebumps, I had SUCH a good time(you know what I mean!) the folk horror elements were top notch! I particularly enjoyed the suffocating small town/village feeling, that was really well done indeed. You feel uneasy and uncomfortable throughout and I think that's what stood out and made this such a memorable reading experience for me. Octavia's part etched itself into my heart, I will be thinking of it for a long time.
If you, like me, enjoy the gothic spooky vibes, this one is for you. Thank you to Heather Davey, Titan Books and NetGallye for this review copy, all opinions are my own.
On thing that Davey does REALLY well is delivering the gothic, spooky vibes. She knows how grab your attention, weave the suspense, sprinkle the breadcrumbs of the resolution all the while giving you goosebumps, I had SUCH a good time(you know what I mean!) the folk horror elements were top notch! I particularly enjoyed the suffocating small town/village feeling, that was really well done indeed. You feel uneasy and uncomfortable throughout and I think that's what stood out and made this such a memorable reading experience for me. Octavia's part etched itself into my heart, I will be thinking of it for a long time.
If you, like me, enjoy the gothic spooky vibes, this one is for you. Thank you to Heather Davey, Titan Books and NetGallye for this review copy, all opinions are my own.
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.
August 22, 2026
A beautifully written, atmospheric read that completely drew me in. The gothic storyline is wonderfully twisty and kept me guessing, with the perfect balance of mystery, emotion and intrigue. The writing is flawless – elegant, vivid and effortlessly engaging. I particularly loved the way the story moves between the past and present, with each timeline adding depth to the other and keeping me completely invested in uncovering how everything connects. I also loved the way it explores themes of death, continuing life beyond it, and also the complexities of relationships. It gives the story a depth that makes it feel both haunting and surprisingly personal. Without a doubt, one of my absolute favourite reads in the genre. A truly special and captivating story that I know will stay with me for a long time.
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
September 29, 2026
Another spooky read from Heather Davey, just in time for Halloween. The premise and the permanence of the yew tree was really striking, and the dual timeline helped the pace of the novel as the mystery unfolded. I was really surprised at the twist in the modern storyline - I felt it was really well done and did quite shock me - not an easy thing to do!
I liked the fact that the book resolved on a hopeful note, with an eye on the future, but with a nod to the past. Such mysterious and seemingly evil things occurred in the book, but those left at the end can move ahead in healing, which was a good and satisfying touch.
I liked the fact that the book resolved on a hopeful note, with an eye on the future, but with a nod to the past. Such mysterious and seemingly evil things occurred in the book, but those left at the end can move ahead in healing, which was a good and satisfying touch.
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