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The Land of Trees
Adoptee Lia has followed her Spanish teacher, Rafael, to Guatemala for romance and adventure. She doesn't know much about the country but she's happy because she's finally living life on her own terms. On their first night together, Lia decides to declare her feelings, but before she gets the chance, the unimaginable happens and Rafael is brutally killed. Devastated, Lia travels to Rafael's family home in the countryside, where she becomes determined to find out why. But not everyone is keen on her investigation. The locals are hostile and the landowner has family problems. Lia has to decide what is more important: living without answers or taking the deadly consequences that come with the truth. Set against a backdrop of civil unrest and huge political change, Naylor shows the powerful impact the past can have, decades down the line.
- GenresFiction
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2019
5 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Naylor
3 books4 followersL.A. Naylor is the author of 'Judge for Yourself: How many are Innocent', a book about British injustice. Her first novel is due to be published in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 29, 2019
This is a great, well written crime story that took me to a foreign land, with characters I recognised in myself.
The story follows the lives of two women and a man, each coming from very different British backgrounds, and this in a very large part leads to the strains, and bonds, of their friendship. The central event of the story is the bloody murder of their Guatemalan friend.
The way the story unfolded was fast enough to keep the gritty crime element going, yet also introduced Guatemala and its history at a pace I could embrace and enjoy. Through the pursuit of the murderer, the trio meet and learn more about the native owners of the land, their history and culture, and what happens when foreigners see value in their country and their land.
The descriptions of the people, the ranch and its landscape, the horses and other animals transported me into the moment, leading to a climatic and tragic ending, with a beautiful postscript of hope.
I thoroughly recommend this to readers of crime fiction looking for an adventure into a foreign land, with a good mix social justice and politics to add increase the tension.
The story follows the lives of two women and a man, each coming from very different British backgrounds, and this in a very large part leads to the strains, and bonds, of their friendship. The central event of the story is the bloody murder of their Guatemalan friend.
The way the story unfolded was fast enough to keep the gritty crime element going, yet also introduced Guatemala and its history at a pace I could embrace and enjoy. Through the pursuit of the murderer, the trio meet and learn more about the native owners of the land, their history and culture, and what happens when foreigners see value in their country and their land.
The descriptions of the people, the ranch and its landscape, the horses and other animals transported me into the moment, leading to a climatic and tragic ending, with a beautiful postscript of hope.
I thoroughly recommend this to readers of crime fiction looking for an adventure into a foreign land, with a good mix social justice and politics to add increase the tension.
January 24, 2020
This book received 3/5 stars. For starters, I loved all of the Guatemalan culture written into the book. That and the action kept me hooked throughout it all. However I feel like at certain points the characters didn’t exactly fit what was going on. ( if that makes sense) and unfortunately it just failed to resonate with me. I was glad to have read it though and I think it’s worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 28, 2019
Following the well tested thriller formula of 'Begin with an earthquake and work up to a climax', "The Land of Trees" sets off with a bloody murder, ends with a devastating fire...and then there is plenty of thrills in-between - Guatemalan politics, economy and social tenesions, environmental crisis, mental health, racism and other themes, some might find more fit for a magazine opinion piece than a thriller. Luckily, thanks to the action-packed plot and LA Naylor's cinematic descriptions of Guatemala's swooping landscapes, the story moves along swiftly and never bores, despite the heavy load it carries. It's a page turner that drew me to Guatemala and its people and left me craving for more - a movie maybe, with Alicia Vikander as the main character, Lia?
February 29, 2020
The Land of Trees is an activism novel for indigenous culture restoration and preservation. From the info dump of the political climate from bystanders to the characters themselves acting as Naylor's speaking podium, activism seeps into every chapter. Corruption regarding land rights included.
And that is the book's true radiance which I love. I wish the K'iche', the Guatemalan culture, and the beautiful natural landscape could shine far beyond these pages. They were worth the read, hands down. Especially when the characters themselves are wandering.
Similar to my experience with Woman: A Collection of Short Stories , my personal interest slips without that element. Regrettably.
Because the fictional aspects of the book are weaker than the important messages it carries. A murder-mystery framing device that had a surprising amount of padding, an unfortunate implication of mental breakdown⇒spiritual capabilities, and three main characters who almost felt like they could have been fused into one or two instead. Who the characters were took time for me to distinguish because their voices were too alike. Having two "L" named characters (Lia and Liz) didn't help.
No spoilers on the climax. It was a result I predicted about halfway into the book. Respectful too, in some ways. I felt like the first half of the book was almost too much setup to wrap up the fictional elements, or anything that wasn't based on Naylor's personal experiences.
By the time the ending rolls around, The Land of Trees made me smile. Perhaps more showing and less telling would have had me by the heart. As it is, it is vaguely a wordier and grounded YA version of Boy And The World set in Guatemala that is less compelling to me. How much I would like to love it as much as Boy And The World though! That's what vexes me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And that is the book's true radiance which I love. I wish the K'iche', the Guatemalan culture, and the beautiful natural landscape could shine far beyond these pages. They were worth the read, hands down. Especially when the characters themselves are wandering.
Similar to my experience with Woman: A Collection of Short Stories , my personal interest slips without that element. Regrettably.
Because the fictional aspects of the book are weaker than the important messages it carries. A murder-mystery framing device that had a surprising amount of padding, an unfortunate implication of mental breakdown⇒spiritual capabilities, and three main characters who almost felt like they could have been fused into one or two instead. Who the characters were took time for me to distinguish because their voices were too alike. Having two "L" named characters (Lia and Liz) didn't help.
No spoilers on the climax. It was a result I predicted about halfway into the book. Respectful too, in some ways. I felt like the first half of the book was almost too much setup to wrap up the fictional elements, or anything that wasn't based on Naylor's personal experiences.
By the time the ending rolls around, The Land of Trees made me smile. Perhaps more showing and less telling would have had me by the heart. As it is, it is vaguely a wordier and grounded YA version of Boy And The World set in Guatemala that is less compelling to me. How much I would like to love it as much as Boy And The World though! That's what vexes me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 23, 2020
What Happened to Rafael?
Lia follows her Spanish Teacher to Guatemala seeking romance. Her wealthy neighbor Richard travels with her to escape his domineering father. Along the way, they meet up with Maya who speaks Spanish and helps them with the language. Just as they find the bar where they are to meet Rafael he is murdered in front of them but not before he gives Lia an address to his home and the Pueblo where he works and she can possibly get a job.
Lia Travels to the Pueblo and Richard and Maya follow. They all begin to work there reforesting a section of land for Miguel the landowner. Lia is determined to find out what happened to Rafael. This is where the story really begins.
There is adventure, and danger in this book but also a great understanding of the Indigenous people of Guatemala amid the disputes among them and the large companies and landowners that are stealing their property. The descriptions of the land is wonderful. I loved that part , however, the characters were not quite right with the parts played.
I enjoyed reading it for the historical and lovely description of the land of Guatemala, for those features I would recommend it. If you are reading for a novel...not so much.
Thanks to L.A. Naylor, and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.
Lia follows her Spanish Teacher to Guatemala seeking romance. Her wealthy neighbor Richard travels with her to escape his domineering father. Along the way, they meet up with Maya who speaks Spanish and helps them with the language. Just as they find the bar where they are to meet Rafael he is murdered in front of them but not before he gives Lia an address to his home and the Pueblo where he works and she can possibly get a job.
Lia Travels to the Pueblo and Richard and Maya follow. They all begin to work there reforesting a section of land for Miguel the landowner. Lia is determined to find out what happened to Rafael. This is where the story really begins.
There is adventure, and danger in this book but also a great understanding of the Indigenous people of Guatemala amid the disputes among them and the large companies and landowners that are stealing their property. The descriptions of the land is wonderful. I loved that part , however, the characters were not quite right with the parts played.
I enjoyed reading it for the historical and lovely description of the land of Guatemala, for those features I would recommend it. If you are reading for a novel...not so much.
Thanks to L.A. Naylor, and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.
September 5, 2020
"The Land of Trees" is a captivating mystery with a contemporary feel. Many 20 something year olds could identify with the main character Lia, who is traveling from England to a Hispanic country in search for answers. Naylor does a good job painting the two different worlds colliding in the plot, Guatemala and the gringos. The cultural clash and differences in attitudes and behaviours make this novel interesting. The finca owner Miguel and the indigenous characters are well developed, demonstrating Naylor's factual and visceral knowledge of the setting and subjects. The tension mounts in the second half of the novel, the dramas intensify, and the ending is both surprising and philosophical. I look forward to more work from this talented, young writer.
May 9, 2020
Exhilarating and super-engaging read! It instantly pulled me in. It’s a perfect blend of mystery, passion, complex human emotions, and sad facts on power sovereignty. L.A Naylor did a brilliant job marrying these diverse elements in and elegant and captivating way. I naturally traveled to the dazzling natural land of trees in Guatemala... It definitely opened up my eyes to tough realities and made me appreciate life and what the nature offers us freely even more! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to feel heard, appreciates nature and is an avid mystery seeker. Can’t wait to read the author’s next book.
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December 27, 2019THE LAND OF TREES was difficult to get into as the actions and dialogue of the characters, portrayed as being close friends, love interests, or strangers, didn’t seem to match with what was happening throughout the book. I like the premise of the story; the synopsis piqued my interest; however, the way the narrative played out didn't quite work for me.
Even though THE LAND OF TREES didn’t resonate with me, it may with other readers. I look forward to reading more books written by the author, L.A. Naylor.
Thank you, BookSirens and L.A. Naylor for providing me with a copy of THE LAND OF TREES in exchange for an honest review.
Even though THE LAND OF TREES didn’t resonate with me, it may with other readers. I look forward to reading more books written by the author, L.A. Naylor.
Thank you, BookSirens and L.A. Naylor for providing me with a copy of THE LAND OF TREES in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2021
Transported to Guatemala
The prose is so descriptive that you feel as if you are immersed in the experience. The book had everything: murder; suspense; intrigue; good pace; interesting characters; and important messages about environmental issues and the subjugation of indigenous populations, an aspect of Guatemala I was not aware of. Consequently I emerged from the book having had a satisfying read as well as being more informed about a country in South America.
The prose is so descriptive that you feel as if you are immersed in the experience. The book had everything: murder; suspense; intrigue; good pace; interesting characters; and important messages about environmental issues and the subjugation of indigenous populations, an aspect of Guatemala I was not aware of. Consequently I emerged from the book having had a satisfying read as well as being more informed about a country in South America.
August 30, 2020
The story has a mixture of almost everything, politics, culture, murder, conspiracy, and friendship. It started slow for me but managed to get through the story. The writing style is ok but could have been expanded including the plot and character building. However, overall an average read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2020
A refreshing read that got me thinking about the devastation caused to rural communities as a result of cruel, greedy and over-powerful foreign interests. Loved the ending. It's a reminder that we can always turn things around for the better. Great book. Read it!
April 3, 2021
A book both gripping and thoroughly enjoyable to read. I knew nothing of life in this part of the world and I certianly feel like I do now. Not an easy one for sure.
November 25, 2019
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
The Land of Trees is a study in humanity and its foibles as well as its greatness. Sometimes greatness is not huge, it is simple but pure in its intent. This is a tale of that kind of greatness. When faced with brutality, a small group of people come together and create love, trust, and kindness in an inhospitable land. L.A. Naylor’s book is well-written, graphically told and filled with a love of the land, and interesting characters.
We follow Lia and Richard, from London and Macy, a mixed race, bipolar woman from Amersham. Lia headed to Guatamala after taking a class taught by a Guatamalan teacher named Rafael. They became friends and when Rafael told Lia to come to his country, she took the opportunity to do just that. She was joined by Richard, a man of money who is enamored of Lia and believes he can sway her feelings toward him. Once in Guatamala they are joined my Macy who is thrilled to meet fellow Brits.
The tale unfolds into terror as they meet up with Rafael who is stabbed to death in front of them even before they have a chance to speak to each other. Determined to find out what happened to Rafael, Lia and her friends go to a ranch that Rafael told her might give her a job, if she decided to travel. Lia headed there right away, got a good job, and became friends with the ranch’s owner, Miguel. Lia thought she could find peace here and she learned to love the ranch. Soon Richard and Macy joined her, and life changed for all of them. Come find out how. You will not be disappointed.
The Land of Trees is a study in humanity and its foibles as well as its greatness. Sometimes greatness is not huge, it is simple but pure in its intent. This is a tale of that kind of greatness. When faced with brutality, a small group of people come together and create love, trust, and kindness in an inhospitable land. L.A. Naylor’s book is well-written, graphically told and filled with a love of the land, and interesting characters.
We follow Lia and Richard, from London and Macy, a mixed race, bipolar woman from Amersham. Lia headed to Guatamala after taking a class taught by a Guatamalan teacher named Rafael. They became friends and when Rafael told Lia to come to his country, she took the opportunity to do just that. She was joined by Richard, a man of money who is enamored of Lia and believes he can sway her feelings toward him. Once in Guatamala they are joined my Macy who is thrilled to meet fellow Brits.
The tale unfolds into terror as they meet up with Rafael who is stabbed to death in front of them even before they have a chance to speak to each other. Determined to find out what happened to Rafael, Lia and her friends go to a ranch that Rafael told her might give her a job, if she decided to travel. Lia headed there right away, got a good job, and became friends with the ranch’s owner, Miguel. Lia thought she could find peace here and she learned to love the ranch. Soon Richard and Macy joined her, and life changed for all of them. Come find out how. You will not be disappointed.
January 2, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It has been published in September 2019.
"The Land of Trees" by L.A. Naylor is a travel fiction book based on a very original premise and graced by a huge cast of out-of-the-ordinary characters moving about in an unusual setting.
It will take you straight to post-war Guatemala and with its vivid descriptions it will allow you to fully immerse in the country's sights and atmospheres, skillfully evoked by an author who undoubtedly knows the place first-hand and has extensively researched the country's history on top of that.
I think it's a bad idea to advertise this novel as a "crime thriller" or a "crime mystery" work, because it's bound to disappoint readers who are after the "thriller" or "mystery" part. True, there is a murder in the very beginning of the story, but that's not enough to make this a crime novel.
There's no thrill or mystery, and no actual investigation takes place (the characters who proclaim to be investigating Rafael's murder are simply throwing blind accusations around based on hunches, without the slightest bit of evidence, and hoping to get the culprit to confess in the process).
As a fan of crime novels, I found this quite a frustrating read.
At the same time, as a fan of travel fiction, I loved how this story transported me to little-known Guatemala and allowed me to get a glimpse of such a different culture and way of living.
The rhythm of the narrative felt too slow at times, with the story lingering way too much on the inner monologues of the three main characters. There are too many scenes without any action at all.
The characters' motivations are somewhat foggy throughout the story, which sadly detracts from the pleasure of reading.
The writing style is fluctuating, with brilliant quotes such as "You have to choose to belong wherever you are, whether it's in between two worlds, on an aeroplane heading somewhere new or back to a landscape of already-lived experience" alternating with pedantic lectures about politics, religion and economics.
The endless philosophical discussions among the three main characters get boring and repetitive after a while, sounding more like an excuse for the author to propagate her own ideas and personal beliefs rather than like scenes contributing to plot progression or to characterization. I ended up being annoyed by all the propagandizing even when the idea I was being force-fed through the reading was one I agreed with beforehand.
Overall, this story is entertaining enough, but not a novel I will be re-reading and certainly not one to make me look up the author and get a copy of the rest of her work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"The Land of Trees" by L.A. Naylor is a travel fiction book based on a very original premise and graced by a huge cast of out-of-the-ordinary characters moving about in an unusual setting.
It will take you straight to post-war Guatemala and with its vivid descriptions it will allow you to fully immerse in the country's sights and atmospheres, skillfully evoked by an author who undoubtedly knows the place first-hand and has extensively researched the country's history on top of that.
I think it's a bad idea to advertise this novel as a "crime thriller" or a "crime mystery" work, because it's bound to disappoint readers who are after the "thriller" or "mystery" part. True, there is a murder in the very beginning of the story, but that's not enough to make this a crime novel.
There's no thrill or mystery, and no actual investigation takes place (the characters who proclaim to be investigating Rafael's murder are simply throwing blind accusations around based on hunches, without the slightest bit of evidence, and hoping to get the culprit to confess in the process).
As a fan of crime novels, I found this quite a frustrating read.
At the same time, as a fan of travel fiction, I loved how this story transported me to little-known Guatemala and allowed me to get a glimpse of such a different culture and way of living.
The rhythm of the narrative felt too slow at times, with the story lingering way too much on the inner monologues of the three main characters. There are too many scenes without any action at all.
The characters' motivations are somewhat foggy throughout the story, which sadly detracts from the pleasure of reading.
The writing style is fluctuating, with brilliant quotes such as "You have to choose to belong wherever you are, whether it's in between two worlds, on an aeroplane heading somewhere new or back to a landscape of already-lived experience" alternating with pedantic lectures about politics, religion and economics.
The endless philosophical discussions among the three main characters get boring and repetitive after a while, sounding more like an excuse for the author to propagate her own ideas and personal beliefs rather than like scenes contributing to plot progression or to characterization. I ended up being annoyed by all the propagandizing even when the idea I was being force-fed through the reading was one I agreed with beforehand.
Overall, this story is entertaining enough, but not a novel I will be re-reading and certainly not one to make me look up the author and get a copy of the rest of her work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 13, 2019
Lia travels to Guatemala to meet up with Rafael , who was once her Spanish teacher, and with whom she has a romantic attachment. Lia barely has time to say hello to Rafael before something really dreadful happens and she is left quite devastated and feeling very alone in an unfamiliar country. Fortunately Lia has other travelling companions to support her however, it is Lia's journey in which she tries to discover what really happened to Rafael which gives the book it's impetus.
Initially off to something of a slow start, the story seems to take a while to get moving but I think the second half of the book which is perhaps the stronger part of the story is what worked best for me. The background to the story that of Guatemala's political and social unrest is well explained and there is an authentic feel to the novel which brings both the country and its people to life in a realistic sort of way. The mystery at the heart of the novel has enough suspense to maintain interest and I enjoyed trying to work out how the story would eventually play out.
The Land of Trees is an interesting coming of age novel which begins with tragedy but ends with a distinct feeling of hope
Initially off to something of a slow start, the story seems to take a while to get moving but I think the second half of the book which is perhaps the stronger part of the story is what worked best for me. The background to the story that of Guatemala's political and social unrest is well explained and there is an authentic feel to the novel which brings both the country and its people to life in a realistic sort of way. The mystery at the heart of the novel has enough suspense to maintain interest and I enjoyed trying to work out how the story would eventually play out.
The Land of Trees is an interesting coming of age novel which begins with tragedy but ends with a distinct feeling of hope
November 17, 2019
This is a fabulous book that is excellently-written. Lia and the other characters are bought to life in a realistic manner. I am interested that this story took place in Guatemala - a place where I have an interest in. This is a fabulous story that is heart-breaking and nail-biting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2019
Lia and Richard have travelled to Guatemala on an adventure and to meet Lia’s friend, Rafael.
He’s late meeting them in a bar, but they get to meet Macy a fellow U.K. resident from Amersham. Rafael arrives, he’s seen handing a case to the barman, but this is soon forgotten.
However, Rafael is then attacked and dies, leaving Lia devastated. The friends decide to find out why he died.
What follows is a crime mystery story, with details of the history, politics and people of Guatemala, with stunning descriptive writing that really brings the beauty of the country to life. A tale of tragedy and ultimately hope.
Thank you to the publishers, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest and unbiased review.
He’s late meeting them in a bar, but they get to meet Macy a fellow U.K. resident from Amersham. Rafael arrives, he’s seen handing a case to the barman, but this is soon forgotten.
However, Rafael is then attacked and dies, leaving Lia devastated. The friends decide to find out why he died.
What follows is a crime mystery story, with details of the history, politics and people of Guatemala, with stunning descriptive writing that really brings the beauty of the country to life. A tale of tragedy and ultimately hope.
Thank you to the publishers, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest and unbiased review.
October 7, 2019
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I could not get into this book until the second half. The introduction to the characters and the story were very interesting, but the journey to the second half was a drag for me. Once it hit the second half of the book, I immensely enjoyed the character interactions, and the story line. At one point I got so angry for the characters and the way they were being treated. I am very happy with the way it was concluded.
An interesting read, but you will have to be patient with the first half due to the slow pacing. Rating 3.5/5.
I could not get into this book until the second half. The introduction to the characters and the story were very interesting, but the journey to the second half was a drag for me. Once it hit the second half of the book, I immensely enjoyed the character interactions, and the story line. At one point I got so angry for the characters and the way they were being treated. I am very happy with the way it was concluded.
An interesting read, but you will have to be patient with the first half due to the slow pacing. Rating 3.5/5.
October 15, 2019
L A Naylor swept me away to Guatemala in her close and encompassing story of oppression and injustice, love and betrayal. I loved exeriencing the danger and the beauty of landscape, both urban and natural from the comfort of my home and having felt wiser about a country and it's peoples I had previously known very little about. Naylor writes place so well it evokes all the senses and is a great study of real human character. Very refreshing to read characters who are normal; that is people living their lives with adversity. Very insightful and a thoroughly good read!
October 7, 2019
It pulled me in fairly quickly. Lia is left alone in a country she doesn't know much about and she wants to know the why of it all but there are lots of obstacles in the way and some things are best left alone. A story about consequences I am not one for giving away plot or story content so I just tell you it is a really good book and worth reading.
October 17, 2019
This is a well-told story with lots of drama. It's a mystery with interesting characters and decent dialog and a plot made more interesting by the foreign setting. Good for mystery fans.
I really appreciate the copy for review!!
I really appreciate the copy for review!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews