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The Girl Who Hid in the Trees
Something lurks just beyond.
Centuries ago a heinous act created a ripple that still haunts the residents to this very day.
Now the kids who reside near McConnell's Forest live forever in fear.
Jason lost his brother when he was young. He left with his friends to ‘debunk’ the urban legend and never came back.
Now Jason and his group of friends are fed up and want to discover what is happening, what is the real cause of the terror holding their small town hostage.
But something is waiting for them. She may look sweet and innocent, but the friends are about to find out that pure evil can exist in the smallest of packages.
She's out there. And while you may not know her name or what she looks like, the local kids will tell you if you ask, that you should fear for your life from the girl who hid in the trees.
From the dark mind of Steve Stred, the author of Wagon Buddy, YURI and Invisible comes this fast-paced, seat of your pants coming-of-age tale. A quick, violent, bleak read,The Girl Who Hid in the Trees will make you think twice about those sounds you hear far off in the woods.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2019
10 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Steve Stred
88 books671 followersAn award-winning author, Steve Stred lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with his wife and son.
Known for his novels, ‘Mastodon,’ ‘Churn the Soil,’ and his series ‘Father of Lies’ where he joined a cult on the dark web for four years, his work has been described as haunting, bleak and is frequently set in the woods near where he grew up. He’s been fortunate to appear in numerous anthologies with some truly amazing authors.
His novel ‘Mastodon’ will be translated into Czech and Italian over the next few years.
His novel 'Churn the Soil' won the Best Horror Novel award in the 2024 Indieverse Awards.
His novel 'Mastodon' and his novella' Sacrament' were both nominated for Splatterpunk Awards.
He is represented by Kodie Van Dusen at The Rights Factory and Alec Frankel at Independent Artist Group.
Outside of writing, Steve received his Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008, and became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist in 2013.
Known for his novels, ‘Mastodon,’ ‘Churn the Soil,’ and his series ‘Father of Lies’ where he joined a cult on the dark web for four years, his work has been described as haunting, bleak and is frequently set in the woods near where he grew up. He’s been fortunate to appear in numerous anthologies with some truly amazing authors.
His novel ‘Mastodon’ will be translated into Czech and Italian over the next few years.
His novel 'Churn the Soil' won the Best Horror Novel award in the 2024 Indieverse Awards.
His novel 'Mastodon' and his novella' Sacrament' were both nominated for Splatterpunk Awards.
He is represented by Kodie Van Dusen at The Rights Factory and Alec Frankel at Independent Artist Group.
Outside of writing, Steve received his Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008, and became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 20, 2020
Absolutely great and modern coming-of-age horror tale! There seems to be a cursed entity in the forest nearby. Many people got lost over the years never to return. What or better said who is that urban legend? A little girl hid in the trees? When a group of youth seek out to find the reason for this urban legend they find evil. True evil, an insidious monster. Masterly told horror in the woods story with great characters (had to laugh about the reference to Jason), a very special piano and some disturbing/gory scenes. Wonderful and terrifying tale I can highly recommend. From now on you will take urban legends serious and be careful on your next hiking trip...
April 4, 2025
First off, it is well established that I have trouble clicking with short stories. Most books under a hundred pages tend to have the same types of flaws, so I shy away from them. Now this stated that it was about a hundred pages, when in actuality the main story was only about fifty. This frustrated me a ton, as there was no indication that there were three short stories after The Girl Who Hid in the Trees. And, while I enjoyed some of the excerpts and background from the author, it was included in several sections and became a bit much. And that space could have been used to really focus and elaborate on The Girl. So needless to say, I didn’t enjoy the main story much, as it was way too short to accomplish anything memorable. It is a standard eerie type of ghost story, with some creepy moments, a little gore, and some interesting visuals. On the flipside, the dialogue was very clunky, parts of the story were very predictable and cheesy, and I kept finding grammatical issues that distracted me. Takeaway from this is reader beware, as this review could save you some frustration going into this experience.
December 29, 2019
BLAIR WITCHY type of story with younger characters...
Maybe we need a new type of law...
Let's call it 'The Darwin Law':
If anybody goes into a haunted forest with a group, where nobody has come out alive before, and they manage to survive the ordeal, just kill them anyway. Why fuck with the natural order of things?
It shouldn't be limited to haunted forests, anything really, really stupid qualifies.
Oh, no, wait, forget the JACKASS guys made more than one movie...
I'm just kidding, don't work yourself up. This story actually has a moral:
Nobody wants to die a virgin. So, kids, take the opportunity to get the best three and a half seconds of your life over with before you go camping in a haunted forest.
And, adults, I've said this before, so listen up this time: Nothing good can come of camping...you are spitting in the face of evolution. Einstein and all the other great minds of the past didn't think up and invent all the shit you take for granted so you can die in the woods.
Not a bad story. Stred is someone to watch in the future.
Maybe we need a new type of law...
Let's call it 'The Darwin Law':
If anybody goes into a haunted forest with a group, where nobody has come out alive before, and they manage to survive the ordeal, just kill them anyway. Why fuck with the natural order of things?
It shouldn't be limited to haunted forests, anything really, really stupid qualifies.
Oh, no, wait, forget the JACKASS guys made more than one movie...
I'm just kidding, don't work yourself up. This story actually has a moral:
Nobody wants to die a virgin. So, kids, take the opportunity to get the best three and a half seconds of your life over with before you go camping in a haunted forest.
And, adults, I've said this before, so listen up this time: Nothing good can come of camping...you are spitting in the face of evolution. Einstein and all the other great minds of the past didn't think up and invent all the shit you take for granted so you can die in the woods.
Not a bad story. Stred is someone to watch in the future.
October 7, 2019
3.5/5 stars!
THE GIRL WHO HID IN THE TREES is a creepy novella that left me with a serious case of the willies!
In no-where town USA there is a forest-McConnell's Forest. Years ago, Jason lost his older brother, (as well as his brother's gang of friends), in that forest, and the mystery has never been solved. Now that Jason and HIS group of friends are grown, they're tired of hearing the rumors and stories, and they set out in the forest to find the truth. Will they discover what happened? More importantly, will they survive? You'll have to read this to find out!
On Saturday, sitting beside my sleeping mom in the nursing home, something rare happened. I found myself with nothing to read! I can think of only a few things more horrific for me. (Having my eyeball poked out with a fork, for instance.) I found this story on my Kindle app and have been meaning to read it for some time, so I did.
I immediately found myself drawn in to Jason's life and what it must be like to be "the boy whose brother was murdered in McConnell's Forest." A stigma of sorts was attached to Jason, (as does happen in small towns), but it eventually wore off as Jason got older. I loved the relationship he had with Vanessa and I thought that portion was well written. Once he and his girlfriend shared the fact that they both had had "experiences" in the forest, the fun begins.
I thought at that point, everything came racing at me much more quickly than it had in the first half (or so), of the book. I wouldn't have minded a little time spent with the entire group of friends, so that I could get to know them a wee bit better, thereby making what happened to them even more horrific. (Also, I thought it was pushing the envelope that the parents would allow the kids to do what they did so... easily, but I can't get into much more without spoilers.)
Overall though, I thought this tale fun, and about what you'd expect it to be from reading the synopsis. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Recommended!
THE GIRL WHO HID IN THE TREES is a creepy novella that left me with a serious case of the willies!
In no-where town USA there is a forest-McConnell's Forest. Years ago, Jason lost his older brother, (as well as his brother's gang of friends), in that forest, and the mystery has never been solved. Now that Jason and HIS group of friends are grown, they're tired of hearing the rumors and stories, and they set out in the forest to find the truth. Will they discover what happened? More importantly, will they survive? You'll have to read this to find out!
On Saturday, sitting beside my sleeping mom in the nursing home, something rare happened. I found myself with nothing to read! I can think of only a few things more horrific for me. (Having my eyeball poked out with a fork, for instance.) I found this story on my Kindle app and have been meaning to read it for some time, so I did.
I immediately found myself drawn in to Jason's life and what it must be like to be "the boy whose brother was murdered in McConnell's Forest." A stigma of sorts was attached to Jason, (as does happen in small towns), but it eventually wore off as Jason got older. I loved the relationship he had with Vanessa and I thought that portion was well written. Once he and his girlfriend shared the fact that they both had had "experiences" in the forest, the fun begins.
I thought at that point, everything came racing at me much more quickly than it had in the first half (or so), of the book. I wouldn't have minded a little time spent with the entire group of friends, so that I could get to know them a wee bit better, thereby making what happened to them even more horrific. (Also, I thought it was pushing the envelope that the parents would allow the kids to do what they did so... easily, but I can't get into much more without spoilers.)
Overall though, I thought this tale fun, and about what you'd expect it to be from reading the synopsis. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Recommended!
March 12, 2019
An eerie story becomes a violent reality in this tale of seven friends in search of an urban legend. History catches up with the present in the form of a young victim with a bloodthirsty quest for vengeance. A hike through the woods becomes a grisly struggle for survival. Three bonus stories are included with this chiller to further entice the reader.
March 14, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up.
February 19, 2019
The Girl Who Hid in the Trees focuses on a local urban legend with some coming-of-age elements mixed in along the way. I was hooked from the prologue. I wanted to know more about the urban legend instantly: what was it, how many people have died or suffered from it, what was the main character going to do, etc. I was not disappointed at all in this story. Twice I got goosebumps reading passages that seriously irked me. And once while reading my phone charger dropped from the side table, hitting the ground, causing me to jump and yell as well as launch my slumbering cat from my lap. And then I had to read the second half all by myself as the night approached and it just got darker and colder. HIGHLY recommended!
After The Girl Who Hid in the Trees the author gave us three more presents in the form of short stories! Each short story is different in style and theme. And one story, The Tooth Collector, is seriously freaking me out. Even as I write this review. I feel uneasy and vulnerable and I think that Stred totally succeeded! Few stories make me feel these things.
An easy 5 stars! And thank you to the author for sending an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have two of his other books, Wagon Buddy and Left Hand Path: 13 More Tales of Black Magick, unread on my shelves just staring at me now. I must fit them into my upcoming TBR pronto!
After The Girl Who Hid in the Trees the author gave us three more presents in the form of short stories! Each short story is different in style and theme. And one story, The Tooth Collector, is seriously freaking me out. Even as I write this review. I feel uneasy and vulnerable and I think that Stred totally succeeded! Few stories make me feel these things.
An easy 5 stars! And thank you to the author for sending an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have two of his other books, Wagon Buddy and Left Hand Path: 13 More Tales of Black Magick, unread on my shelves just staring at me now. I must fit them into my upcoming TBR pronto!
December 20, 2018
The Girl Who Hid In The Trees 🌲- @stevestred 👍
.
First and foremost, a huge thank you to Steve for sending me over the advanced copy of his new Novella! 😍
OFFICAL Release Date - 28/02/2019 👀
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"Help you? But no one helped me. Now we count, One, Two, Three"
.
The girl in the woods follows a story of a town located near a forest called McConnell's Forest, which has a a rumoured Urban Legend associated with it!
.
As soon as we start the story we are thrown straight into the deep end! We meet Jason our lead character, who is eavesdropping onto a conversation held with his older brother and friends. His brother and friends want to check out if the Urban Legend has any truth to it!
.
"On that July afternoon the boys walked away heading to see if the girl really did hide in the trees"
.
The pace in the book is none stop, I found myself reading at top speed, I just needed to know what was going to happen next!
.
I loved the characters in this story, I think it's so much more difficult for writers to develop well rounded characters in a novella, but Steve got it absolutely spot on! 😎
.
The story fasts foreword and Jason and his friends decide to take their own hike into the woods to reveal the truth about the Urban Legend!
.
The gore, the horror, the tension, the pace! This book has it all in a great small package! I read this book in 40 minutes and loved every minute!
Steve has become an automatic read for me and I can't wait to see what's around the corner from him soon!..
.
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 from me!
.
First and foremost, a huge thank you to Steve for sending me over the advanced copy of his new Novella! 😍
OFFICAL Release Date - 28/02/2019 👀
.
"Help you? But no one helped me. Now we count, One, Two, Three"
.
The girl in the woods follows a story of a town located near a forest called McConnell's Forest, which has a a rumoured Urban Legend associated with it!
.
As soon as we start the story we are thrown straight into the deep end! We meet Jason our lead character, who is eavesdropping onto a conversation held with his older brother and friends. His brother and friends want to check out if the Urban Legend has any truth to it!
.
"On that July afternoon the boys walked away heading to see if the girl really did hide in the trees"
.
The pace in the book is none stop, I found myself reading at top speed, I just needed to know what was going to happen next!
.
I loved the characters in this story, I think it's so much more difficult for writers to develop well rounded characters in a novella, but Steve got it absolutely spot on! 😎
.
The story fasts foreword and Jason and his friends decide to take their own hike into the woods to reveal the truth about the Urban Legend!
.
The gore, the horror, the tension, the pace! This book has it all in a great small package! I read this book in 40 minutes and loved every minute!
Steve has become an automatic read for me and I can't wait to see what's around the corner from him soon!..
.
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 from me!
December 27, 2020
3.5 stars
"Help you? But no one helped me. Now we count, one, two, three."
A big fat thank you goes out to Steve Stred for the opportunity to read a bunch of his work, this being the third book I picked up.
The Girl Who Hid In The Trees is about an urban legend of sorts and a group of teens that set out to find the truth behind the legend of McConnell's Forest.
Jason is the protagonist and narrator in this gory tale. After his brother died in McConnell's Forest, Jason and his friends decide to spend the night camping to see if there is any truth behind the myth or if the forest is just full of ferocious animals that have led to many fatalities.
I have recently read The Ritual and also Frostbitten: 12 Hymns Of Misery, both which I thoroughly enjoyed and I must be honest, I found some parts of this story a little amateur. The concept of this story is such a great one but I found some characters a little lifeless and their interactions very childish.
Through the negatives, there are plenty of positives in this book. I liked it, just not as much as Steve's other books. Just because it's not my cup of tea it may be someone else's favourite restaurant.
I plan on reading many more novels by Steve Stred.
"Help you? But no one helped me. Now we count, one, two, three."
A big fat thank you goes out to Steve Stred for the opportunity to read a bunch of his work, this being the third book I picked up.
The Girl Who Hid In The Trees is about an urban legend of sorts and a group of teens that set out to find the truth behind the legend of McConnell's Forest.
Jason is the protagonist and narrator in this gory tale. After his brother died in McConnell's Forest, Jason and his friends decide to spend the night camping to see if there is any truth behind the myth or if the forest is just full of ferocious animals that have led to many fatalities.
I have recently read The Ritual and also Frostbitten: 12 Hymns Of Misery, both which I thoroughly enjoyed and I must be honest, I found some parts of this story a little amateur. The concept of this story is such a great one but I found some characters a little lifeless and their interactions very childish.
Through the negatives, there are plenty of positives in this book. I liked it, just not as much as Steve's other books. Just because it's not my cup of tea it may be someone else's favourite restaurant.
I plan on reading many more novels by Steve Stred.
June 22, 2020
"The Girl Who Hid in the Trees": Not a bad little story. Gory, creepy, fun, and fast paced. Picturing the scenes kinda made me laugh a few times. The characters' decision making throughout, was, well... interesting (but I guess that's what makes the stories!). I didn't realize it before I started, but there were three other short stories included...
"Abraham, Look to the Sky": Interesting, but not quite enough there. Seemed like it could have been the start of something really cool, but then, no development.
"The Tooth Collector": I think I liked this one best out of all four stories included here. Was a little Twighlight-Zone-ish... maybe? Maybe not. But, ahhh, the parenting skills!
"The Navajo Nightmare": Ruthless retribution in the west! Good stuff!
"Abraham, Look to the Sky": Interesting, but not quite enough there. Seemed like it could have been the start of something really cool, but then, no development.
"The Tooth Collector": I think I liked this one best out of all four stories included here. Was a little Twighlight-Zone-ish... maybe? Maybe not. But, ahhh, the parenting skills!
"The Navajo Nightmare": Ruthless retribution in the west! Good stuff!
February 9, 2020
This was my second time reading Stred’s work. My first experience was with “Ritual”, which I loved.
Let me tell you, “The Girl Who Hid in the Trees” was just as fun.
The story takes place at the rather sinister McConnell’s Forest.
This was a dark & weird tale. At times, it reminds me of “The Ritual” (by Adam Nevill). It also gave me “Blair Witch” vibes.
I believe it’s safe to say that I enjoy Steve’s writing.
He’s definitely a writer that should be on every horror reader’s radar.
I have a feeling that his well-crafted tales of horror will keep coming. And I can assure you that I will do my best to keep devouring them.
Steve was kind enough to send me a copy of the book to review.
Thank you!
Let me tell you, “The Girl Who Hid in the Trees” was just as fun.
The story takes place at the rather sinister McConnell’s Forest.
“Over the three hundred years that the town had existed, at least a hundred people had been reported missing in the forest.”
This was a dark & weird tale. At times, it reminds me of “The Ritual” (by Adam Nevill). It also gave me “Blair Witch” vibes.
I believe it’s safe to say that I enjoy Steve’s writing.
He’s definitely a writer that should be on every horror reader’s radar.
I have a feeling that his well-crafted tales of horror will keep coming. And I can assure you that I will do my best to keep devouring them.
Steve was kind enough to send me a copy of the book to review.
Thank you!
February 28, 2019
Full review to come
February 28, 2019
**Full review HERE at Sci-Fi & Scary.**
Review Excerpt:
It’s no secret that I’m not huge on gore in my horror. I go more for the anxiety-inducing, slow building, atmospheric horror. But every so often, I’ll happen across a guts-filled monstrosity that just makes me think, yes, this is what I needed. The Girl Who Hid in the Trees is DEFINITELY one of those. This novella hooked me from page one, much the way one might hook a still-beating heart from a teenager’s body.
All in all, this was a pretty positive introduction to Stred’s writing, and the main story in the collection was extremely creepy and made for a quick, satisfying read. I’ll definitely be looking forward to exploring what else his scary mind has to offer!
Review Excerpt:
It’s no secret that I’m not huge on gore in my horror. I go more for the anxiety-inducing, slow building, atmospheric horror. But every so often, I’ll happen across a guts-filled monstrosity that just makes me think, yes, this is what I needed. The Girl Who Hid in the Trees is DEFINITELY one of those. This novella hooked me from page one, much the way one might hook a still-beating heart from a teenager’s body.
All in all, this was a pretty positive introduction to Stred’s writing, and the main story in the collection was extremely creepy and made for a quick, satisfying read. I’ll definitely be looking forward to exploring what else his scary mind has to offer!
January 15, 2019
Dark, gritty coming of age that grabs you near the end and doesn’t let you go. This is my favorite of Steve’s work so far. Check out this one for a horrific time.
(I read an early advanced copy courtesy of Steve)
(I read an early advanced copy courtesy of Steve)
February 21, 2020
Thank you SO MUCH to Steve Stred for providing an ARC of THE GIRL WHO HID IN THE TREES, which will be released later next month (Feb 28!).
I like to avoid reading the synopsis sometimes so I can go into my stories blind, and that's what I did here as well. The story immediately pulled me in with the fast pacing and urgent threat of the urban legend plaguing the woods near the town where our main character, Jason, lives. I love urban legend stories, and am always intrigued by reading about small towns with scary histories of missing persons!
Steve grabbed my attention, and didn't let go for the half hour it took me to read through this. There's quite a lot that happens, and the story manages to jump from the past, to the present, to the future in just a short amount of pages - it really felt like a journey!
There were a couple of minor things that personally would've made me enjoy the story slightly more - like fleshing out some of the characters a bit more (the two track girls were almost indistinguishable to me) in particular, as I find with horror that the more I can connect to everyone, the more impact a story can leave on me. Not everyone feels this way though, so definitely don't let this dissuade you from checking it out!!
Overall, really happy to have read this one early, and I'll of course be on the look out for more from Steve in the future!
I like to avoid reading the synopsis sometimes so I can go into my stories blind, and that's what I did here as well. The story immediately pulled me in with the fast pacing and urgent threat of the urban legend plaguing the woods near the town where our main character, Jason, lives. I love urban legend stories, and am always intrigued by reading about small towns with scary histories of missing persons!
Steve grabbed my attention, and didn't let go for the half hour it took me to read through this. There's quite a lot that happens, and the story manages to jump from the past, to the present, to the future in just a short amount of pages - it really felt like a journey!
There were a couple of minor things that personally would've made me enjoy the story slightly more - like fleshing out some of the characters a bit more (the two track girls were almost indistinguishable to me) in particular, as I find with horror that the more I can connect to everyone, the more impact a story can leave on me. Not everyone feels this way though, so definitely don't let this dissuade you from checking it out!!
Overall, really happy to have read this one early, and I'll of course be on the look out for more from Steve in the future!
February 4, 2019
This was my second novel from author Steve Stred. I previously read Wagon Buddy and enjoyed that one as well. The Girl Who Hid In the Trees, although published soon after the book I previously read, shows growth in Stred's work.
I found the writing engaging and, as usual, the characters are well-developed. Towards the end, there are a few characters introduced that just seem rather flat and while I enjoyed the pacing, it was a bit too rushed for me in spots. There were a few issues with editing in the version I read, but they were corrected in the final draft of the book. I only mention this to highlight just how much this author cares about the product that he puts out - not only did he offer the first copy, but he provided reviewers with the final version as well. I thought this was such a great gesture - so I read it again.
I have a few other titles by Stred to read and I am looking forward to it!
I found the writing engaging and, as usual, the characters are well-developed. Towards the end, there are a few characters introduced that just seem rather flat and while I enjoyed the pacing, it was a bit too rushed for me in spots. There were a few issues with editing in the version I read, but they were corrected in the final draft of the book. I only mention this to highlight just how much this author cares about the product that he puts out - not only did he offer the first copy, but he provided reviewers with the final version as well. I thought this was such a great gesture - so I read it again.
I have a few other titles by Stred to read and I am looking forward to it!
March 4, 2019
Really unusual!
I went in expecting a longer story so I was settled in for a extended read when wham! Everything ramped up so fast you didn’t get a chance to tell the kids that camping in that woods is a really bad idea, oh was it ever! Murder, mayhem and the scariest ghost/demon I’ve have ever read on pages! My only complaint? Longer...the story happened so fast, I was in shock at the end. I loved it and the short stories after, my teeth hurt now.. you’ll see why..no spoilers , I don’t review that way so if whirlwind horror, fast and furious is what you like? This one is for you! I’ll be picking up more stories from this amazing author soon! Enjoy!
I went in expecting a longer story so I was settled in for a extended read when wham! Everything ramped up so fast you didn’t get a chance to tell the kids that camping in that woods is a really bad idea, oh was it ever! Murder, mayhem and the scariest ghost/demon I’ve have ever read on pages! My only complaint? Longer...the story happened so fast, I was in shock at the end. I loved it and the short stories after, my teeth hurt now.. you’ll see why..no spoilers , I don’t review that way so if whirlwind horror, fast and furious is what you like? This one is for you! I’ll be picking up more stories from this amazing author soon! Enjoy!
June 12, 2019
We all remember the scary stories we were told as children: the folklore or urban legends that sent that first chill up our spines and left us wanting to experience all anew again. It’s a lot like your first orgasm, electric and sensational and never the same afterward.
In THE GIRL WHO HID IN THE TREES, Steve Stred invents some folklore that naturally attracts the curious. They are frightened by it, but unable to keep their distance. I enjoyed this story as much for the folklore aspect as I did for the main story around which it is centered. Definitely worth your time.
In THE GIRL WHO HID IN THE TREES, Steve Stred invents some folklore that naturally attracts the curious. They are frightened by it, but unable to keep their distance. I enjoyed this story as much for the folklore aspect as I did for the main story around which it is centered. Definitely worth your time.
January 3, 2019
Full disclosure - I’m doing some copy editing on this book.
Steve’s best book yet, with some memorably chilling moments and a set-up reminiscent of King’s IT. I love a good urban legend, and this story hits that sweet spot with aplomb.
Steve’s best book yet, with some memorably chilling moments and a set-up reminiscent of King’s IT. I love a good urban legend, and this story hits that sweet spot with aplomb.
December 23, 2018
Full review to follow.
December 23, 2018
First and foremost, I want to thank the author, Steve Stred, for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The release date is set for 2/28/19.
The Girl Who Hid in the Trees is both a horror story centered around an urban legend and also a coming of age story. Is that even possible in just over 60 pages? Yes! Yes it is. Sweet Jason experiences death, grief, loss, love, and undying friendship; making this, without a doubt, a coming of age story. Along with Jason, I felt so many emotions throughout this short book and had so many outward reactions. I laughed out loud (then quickly had to tell my husband the joke because he was looking at me strangely), I cringed multiple times, I audibly gasped at one point (thankfully my husband had left the room by then. I hate explaining myself). The gruesome imagery Stred is able to create is both horrifying yet intricate and strangely beautiful. There were scenes that had this been a movie, I would have been watching through my fingers. These grisly scenes centered around the little girl and the urban legend; she was creepy, very very creepy, but mesmerizing.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters in this story. Every single one of them was fleshed out and well rounded which is a feat unto itself in such a limited number of pages. At the heart of all this tragedy, Jason and his friends were still teenage kids and they acted like it. I loved the 14 year old boy humor sprinkled throughout; it made them all feel more real and also gave a nice reprieve from the building tension.
I have so much more I could talk about but I really don't want to spoil it! The Girl Who Hid in the Trees is one of those books that you need to go in blind and just let the story devour you.
The Girl Who Hid in the Trees is both a horror story centered around an urban legend and also a coming of age story. Is that even possible in just over 60 pages? Yes! Yes it is. Sweet Jason experiences death, grief, loss, love, and undying friendship; making this, without a doubt, a coming of age story. Along with Jason, I felt so many emotions throughout this short book and had so many outward reactions. I laughed out loud (then quickly had to tell my husband the joke because he was looking at me strangely), I cringed multiple times, I audibly gasped at one point (thankfully my husband had left the room by then. I hate explaining myself). The gruesome imagery Stred is able to create is both horrifying yet intricate and strangely beautiful. There were scenes that had this been a movie, I would have been watching through my fingers. These grisly scenes centered around the little girl and the urban legend; she was creepy, very very creepy, but mesmerizing.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters in this story. Every single one of them was fleshed out and well rounded which is a feat unto itself in such a limited number of pages. At the heart of all this tragedy, Jason and his friends were still teenage kids and they acted like it. I loved the 14 year old boy humor sprinkled throughout; it made them all feel more real and also gave a nice reprieve from the building tension.
I have so much more I could talk about but I really don't want to spoil it! The Girl Who Hid in the Trees is one of those books that you need to go in blind and just let the story devour you.
February 28, 2019
I have been a fan of Steve Stred since I read his novella WAGON BUDDY last year. Since then I have read through his existing works, and his newest novella THE GIRL WHO HID IN THE TREES is his best yet. A coming-of-age type tale, reminiscent of Stephen Kings' IT, and more recently TAMER ANIMALS by Justin M. Woodward.
The story centers around Jason, who looses his older brother at a young age to what the residents of his town call an Urban Legend. The mystery of a young girl who hides in the local forest and lures people to their deaths. Years later, after having a horrifying vision of his brother, Jason decides to gather his friends and end the legend once and for all. What starts as a weekend in the woods with friends, turns into a night a terror that will change Jason's life forever.
The author puts a lot of work into his characters. Making them likable and more importantly, believable. These could be your personal group of childhood friends. The story moves along at a good pace and then jumps into overdrive towards the end. The blood and gore flow freely in the final pages and the author does not hold back. No one is safe and he manages to pull off a few surprises that will catch readers off guard. The author manages to give us a conclusion that is both heartbreaking and totally satisfying.
You may never want to walk alone in the woods again after reading this tale.
This is definitely one book you will want to pick up and spend the afternoon reading. I recommend it highly.
A little added bonus is a forward by Gavin Kendall of KENDALL REVIEWS. I have been a follower of Gavin's for some time and was happy to see him get the opportunity to write this forward. Make sure to check out his site for some really awesome book reviews.
The story centers around Jason, who looses his older brother at a young age to what the residents of his town call an Urban Legend. The mystery of a young girl who hides in the local forest and lures people to their deaths. Years later, after having a horrifying vision of his brother, Jason decides to gather his friends and end the legend once and for all. What starts as a weekend in the woods with friends, turns into a night a terror that will change Jason's life forever.
The author puts a lot of work into his characters. Making them likable and more importantly, believable. These could be your personal group of childhood friends. The story moves along at a good pace and then jumps into overdrive towards the end. The blood and gore flow freely in the final pages and the author does not hold back. No one is safe and he manages to pull off a few surprises that will catch readers off guard. The author manages to give us a conclusion that is both heartbreaking and totally satisfying.
You may never want to walk alone in the woods again after reading this tale.
This is definitely one book you will want to pick up and spend the afternoon reading. I recommend it highly.
A little added bonus is a forward by Gavin Kendall of KENDALL REVIEWS. I have been a follower of Gavin's for some time and was happy to see him get the opportunity to write this forward. Make sure to check out his site for some really awesome book reviews.
January 3, 2019
The children who live near McConnell's Forest know better than to risk going into the woods, or at least they should. Years ago, when Jason was a little boy, he lost his older brother when he entered the forest to deflate an ages old urban legend.
Now that Jason is a teenager himself, he wants to learn what happened to his brother and what is really going on in the forest first-hand.
He persuades his group of friends to camp in the forest overnight so they can figure out this legend and try to stop everyone from being afraid of the forest.
They learn about the legend of the girl who hid in the trees more closely than they could ever have imagined. Their evening is filled with blood, guts, evil, and horror... and a grotesque parade of gore-covered marchers and a piano made of bones.
Yes, a piano made of bones that I can't ever get out of my head. I can still hear the pinging keys echoing through the forest.
I thought this was a great, brutal short story with an unpredictable ending. Plenty of blood, guts, and tension, but also sadness.
Also, thank you to the author, Steve Stred, for sending me this story in advance of publication.
Now that Jason is a teenager himself, he wants to learn what happened to his brother and what is really going on in the forest first-hand.
He persuades his group of friends to camp in the forest overnight so they can figure out this legend and try to stop everyone from being afraid of the forest.
They learn about the legend of the girl who hid in the trees more closely than they could ever have imagined. Their evening is filled with blood, guts, evil, and horror... and a grotesque parade of gore-covered marchers and a piano made of bones.
Yes, a piano made of bones that I can't ever get out of my head. I can still hear the pinging keys echoing through the forest.
I thought this was a great, brutal short story with an unpredictable ending. Plenty of blood, guts, and tension, but also sadness.
Also, thank you to the author, Steve Stred, for sending me this story in advance of publication.
January 6, 2019
On the far side of town lies McConnell’s Forest. Jason stays behind, watching his brother Mikey and his friends enter the forest to find the girl that hides in the trees. Hikers reported seeing a young girl far ahead of them on the path, only to never catch up to her, never to see her again. Some heard a child crying in the night or a girl calling for her mom. The forest was the site of the original town when the first group of European settlers arrived. Over the 300 years that the town existed, at least a dozen people went missing in the forest. On Jason’s birthday, six years later, his friends take him zip lining in McConnell’s Forest, where Jason glimpses the impossible: his brother Mikey.
I enjoyed this urban legend, coming of age tale. I tried not to say too much, I think it’s best to go into this story blind. Thank you Steve Stred for sending me an advanced copy of your new novella. I also want to give a shoutout to Mason McDonald for the amazing cover art. Gorgeous! The a Girl Who Hid in the Trees has a February 28 release date.
I enjoyed this urban legend, coming of age tale. I tried not to say too much, I think it’s best to go into this story blind. Thank you Steve Stred for sending me an advanced copy of your new novella. I also want to give a shoutout to Mason McDonald for the amazing cover art. Gorgeous! The a Girl Who Hid in the Trees has a February 28 release date.
January 26, 2019
I would like to thank Steve Stred for sending me an advanced readers copy of "The Girl Who Hid In The Trees" a short horror novella that definitely packs a punch! .
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Official release date for this book is February 28, 2019!! Though you can already preorder it, and I would definitely recommend it. .
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Steve has created a story and that hooked me from the beginning and didn't let go until the ending! My only small problem was that I wasn't able to connect to a couple of the characters as well as I would have liked, but other than that I loved this book so much!! With most good novellas I'm left wanting more, and that is what happened here! Scenes were described in a way that I could picture what was happening in my head, and I love that in a good book!!
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Official release date for this book is February 28, 2019!! Though you can already preorder it, and I would definitely recommend it. .
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Steve has created a story and that hooked me from the beginning and didn't let go until the ending! My only small problem was that I wasn't able to connect to a couple of the characters as well as I would have liked, but other than that I loved this book so much!! With most good novellas I'm left wanting more, and that is what happened here! Scenes were described in a way that I could picture what was happening in my head, and I love that in a good book!!
December 21, 2018
big thanks to Steve for letting me get a sneak peak of this one in exchange for an honest review! this book serves as both a great snapshot of being young, with grief, first love, and friendship. it also turns really creepy really fast, serving up some pure nightmare fuel imagery. I do wish that when the story took the turn into darkness it would have been a bit more drawn out and built more tension, but that's more personal preference (I think I'm a terrible person that really wants to see horror characters suffering be prolonged 🙃) I especially loved the ending, and don't want to spoil it, but it fits so well and really made the story stand out.
May 31, 2019
Thanks to Steve for the ARC. I could hardly wait to read this! Very creepy, coming-of-age tale with a bitter sweet ending. The only problem I found with it, was that I wanted more. (That's a good thing) Highly recommend for people who love creepy urban legend tales who want to be afraid to walk through the woods forever more.😳👹
February 18, 2021
My edition of this novella also has 3 bonus unrelated short stories with it. see below.
The Girl Who Hid in the Trees was very good, easy to read, it had a 'Stand By Me' feel to it, but darker and more creepy.
The 3 short stories
Abraham, Look to the Sky - a lovcraftian type tale, a bit short to have a big impact. but good
The Tooth Collector - a creepy monster story, the name says it all
Navajo Nightmare - a western horror, I liked it
This was my first Steve Stred book, but I have already gotten 4 more to read.
The Girl Who Hid in the Trees was very good, easy to read, it had a 'Stand By Me' feel to it, but darker and more creepy.
The 3 short stories
Abraham, Look to the Sky - a lovcraftian type tale, a bit short to have a big impact. but good
The Tooth Collector - a creepy monster story, the name says it all
Navajo Nightmare - a western horror, I liked it
This was my first Steve Stred book, but I have already gotten 4 more to read.
June 4, 2019
Posted On www.kendallreviews.com - February 21, 2019
Steve Stred, who lives in Edmonton, AB, Canada with his wife, son and their dog Oj, is the author of the novelInvisible, two collections of short stories;Frostbitten: 12 Hymns of Misery and Left Hand Path: 13 More Tales of Black Magick, the novellas Wagon Buddy, Yuri Jane: the 816 Chronicles, and the novella featured in this review, The Girl Who Hid In The Trees , which includes a Foreword written by Gavin Kendall of Kendall Reviews, and three bonus short stories.
Gavin discovered his love of Horror at the age of ten in the early eighties, as did I, though the authors who inspired our interest in the genre slightly differ, the commonality is our ability to pinpoint the exact moment we knew we would be Horror fans for life. In the closing, Gavin says he has ‘absolutely no doubt in [his] mind that Steve Stred is going to be one of those authors that a young reader will discover . . . and in reading him, a spark will ignite, setting them off on the journey of being a lifelong fan of Horror’, and I couldn’t agree more.
I received an unedited version ofThe Girl Who Hid In The Trees a few months ago, and after reading the novella, I felt Stred’s writing shined in the second half of the book as opposed to the first. However, after reading the edited version, wherein some of the narrative is tightened up, details are changed to enhance believability regarding those who have gone missing over the centuries, and a bit of character development, though I’d love to see more, I can now say that The Girl Who Hid In The Trees is one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year. Stred and I met as volunteers last year, when we both became part of the Kendall Reviews team, to read and review books written by authors in our favorite genres. As many of you know, I believe in being honest in my reviews, never holding my opinion back, so, when I give praise for this book, I want you to know I’m doing so bias free.
The Girl Who Hid In The Trees is a coming-of-age dark tale told from young Jason’s point of view, the main character, and then switches back to third person, after the Prologue, when the reader is introduced to the surroundings of the antagonist, and again later in the story; a technique that can be admittedly confusing for the reader. Stred makes this shift early in the novella, and later, by way of a smooth transition that I think is effective in creating distance between Jason, (and by extension, the reader) and the darkness that lurks in McConnell Forest. Stred does a great job of balancing the blood and gore with well-placed humor, shocking moments that may cause your jaw to drop as it did mine, and a touching love story in the middle of the nightmare. As I look back, after reading both versions of this novella, it’s the poetic prose of the antagonist, sung from the lips of this once angelic creature, that brings a sinister grin to my face and has me wanting more. I don’t want to give too much away about The Girl Who Hid In The Trees, but I will leave you with this excerpt from the book to entice you:
‘Before them was a long, lush sandy beach that disappeared into some of the bluest water we had laid our eyes on. It was a hidden paradise in the middle of a deeply troubled nightmare. McConnell’s Forest had its share of secrets, but this was one I was glad it gave up.’
In closing, if my review or the synopsis of The Girl Who Hid In The Trees sparks your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative mind of the author – you may be surprised what you find lurking within.
Steve Stred, who lives in Edmonton, AB, Canada with his wife, son and their dog Oj, is the author of the novelInvisible, two collections of short stories;Frostbitten: 12 Hymns of Misery and Left Hand Path: 13 More Tales of Black Magick, the novellas Wagon Buddy, Yuri Jane: the 816 Chronicles, and the novella featured in this review, The Girl Who Hid In The Trees , which includes a Foreword written by Gavin Kendall of Kendall Reviews, and three bonus short stories.
Gavin discovered his love of Horror at the age of ten in the early eighties, as did I, though the authors who inspired our interest in the genre slightly differ, the commonality is our ability to pinpoint the exact moment we knew we would be Horror fans for life. In the closing, Gavin says he has ‘absolutely no doubt in [his] mind that Steve Stred is going to be one of those authors that a young reader will discover . . . and in reading him, a spark will ignite, setting them off on the journey of being a lifelong fan of Horror’, and I couldn’t agree more.
I received an unedited version ofThe Girl Who Hid In The Trees a few months ago, and after reading the novella, I felt Stred’s writing shined in the second half of the book as opposed to the first. However, after reading the edited version, wherein some of the narrative is tightened up, details are changed to enhance believability regarding those who have gone missing over the centuries, and a bit of character development, though I’d love to see more, I can now say that The Girl Who Hid In The Trees is one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year. Stred and I met as volunteers last year, when we both became part of the Kendall Reviews team, to read and review books written by authors in our favorite genres. As many of you know, I believe in being honest in my reviews, never holding my opinion back, so, when I give praise for this book, I want you to know I’m doing so bias free.
The Girl Who Hid In The Trees is a coming-of-age dark tale told from young Jason’s point of view, the main character, and then switches back to third person, after the Prologue, when the reader is introduced to the surroundings of the antagonist, and again later in the story; a technique that can be admittedly confusing for the reader. Stred makes this shift early in the novella, and later, by way of a smooth transition that I think is effective in creating distance between Jason, (and by extension, the reader) and the darkness that lurks in McConnell Forest. Stred does a great job of balancing the blood and gore with well-placed humor, shocking moments that may cause your jaw to drop as it did mine, and a touching love story in the middle of the nightmare. As I look back, after reading both versions of this novella, it’s the poetic prose of the antagonist, sung from the lips of this once angelic creature, that brings a sinister grin to my face and has me wanting more. I don’t want to give too much away about The Girl Who Hid In The Trees, but I will leave you with this excerpt from the book to entice you:
‘Before them was a long, lush sandy beach that disappeared into some of the bluest water we had laid our eyes on. It was a hidden paradise in the middle of a deeply troubled nightmare. McConnell’s Forest had its share of secrets, but this was one I was glad it gave up.’
In closing, if my review or the synopsis of The Girl Who Hid In The Trees sparks your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative mind of the author – you may be surprised what you find lurking within.
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