The Reckoning Trees

Seth Browne #1

by Alicia Gilliam

Seth must choose . . .

. . . surrender his search or his sanity.

And if he doesn’t change, he might lose them both.

Will his wife’s murder remain unsolved in the hands of a small town sheriff’s department?

Praying for answers in his beloved trees hasn’t gotten him anywhere. God seems to only make things worse with an old-fashioned dare.

Genres: Christian Fiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2022

About the author

Alicia started writing her debut novel in 2020. When the rest of the world turned their creative energies to planting gardens and becoming You tube sensations, she wrote Book One. Then she was hooked and couldn’t stop.

Her writing style is like the old children’s song, “Deep and Wide.” Deep: rich, layered characters wrestling with serious issues. Wide: multiple points of view for a broader reader experience. Children often bring unique perspectives to her stories.

Alicia currently lives in Florida, smack dab in the center of the state. So, no, you won’t find her lounging on any beach-front property. Actually, when she’s not writing the next book, she’s serving foster families with her revered organizational skills.

Reviews

[Katie Powner]

This book is fast-paced and a fast read. I liked that there was minimal romance. I liked seeing the characters grow and change. As a foster parent, I especially appreciated that the author embraced the idea that family is so much more than just blood. Overall, a solid debut.

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book features unlikely characters with an inspirational message.

[Lisa Howeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reckoning Trees by Alicia Gilliam is a book that pulls you down into darkness fast and furious until you feel like your lungs are going to burst from all the pressure. You hold on, though, because tingling at the edges of your consciousness is the idea that somewhere above you is light and in that light is hope. More than once while reading this book I realized I had been holding my breath, holding in my fear or what might happen next, hoping and praying it would be good and not bad.

This book rips back the curtain of a dark underworld most of us have never really known and never want to know. The writing is raw, visceral, thought provoking, and carries a deepness in even the simplest of sentences. In the same way I caught myself holding my breath, I often felt a chill of deliciousness shiver up my arms – delight at how a sentence read or how Gilliam strung a series of words together to make the sentence mean so much more than what it seemed on the surface.
Two more books in the series? Yes, please. Give me another.

[Annie Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this poignant and gripping story. Contemporary fiction is not usually my cup of tea, but this one held my attention and didn't let go. It only took a chapter or two before I felt as though I knew the characters personally and was invested in their struggles and successes. I could hardly believe it when I heard The Reckoning Trees was the author's debut novel. As a professional editor, as well as an author myself, I encounter a lot of books by experienced authors that are nowhere near this well written – not only in terms of polish, but with the structure of the plot, how the characters are developed, etc. I highly recommend The Reckoning Trees and look forward to more by Alicia Gilliam!

[Marbeth Skwarczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reckoning Trees is a remarkable debut novel by Alicia Gilliam. Set in a small town and its sparsely populated surroundings, the main character, Seth Browne, is a year into investigating the mysterious murder of his wife--and it appears that he's the ONLY one still anxious to solve the case. Haunted by prophetic dreams and a handful of clues, he spends most of his time alone in the home that was once filled with love. When a desperate young woman shows up at his isolated home, he finally begins to realize that the picturesque town isn't nearly as wholesome as he'd assumed.

The Reckoning Trees is beautifully written and promises great things to come from the main character, the series, and the author.

[Jessica Grewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read and review this book before its release. This book immediately drew me in. It did bounce back and forth between characters but wasn’t confusing. I thought the characters were well developed and I learned more about them as the story progressed. The plot is realistic. The author uses dreams but it still feels like a plausible story. I highly recommend this story. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy. I was asked to give my honest opinion and was not compensated for my review.

[Kelly Zeit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I’m eagerly looking forward to the second book. The only “complaint” is that I felt like the main characters falling in love was so backseat that I didn’t see it coming. I’m actually
Not a huge romance fanatic, but it’s the only area I wish there was just a little more building of within the story. Overall a great read.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching story of forgiveness,redemption and kove

Unlike any story I have read! Three human beings who needed each other all for different reasons, brought together by one mans faith in God.

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching and Carefully Crafted

Gilliam tackles many difficult and gritty subjects with realism, delicacy, and grace. Despite the subject matter, she keeps it clean. The faith messages are clear but not heavy handed. An admirable debut novel. I'll seek out more of her work.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense and romance. An enjoyable read.

My favorite quote from the book “Well, that’s the time you got to trust the most, ain’t it? If you could feel Him or see Him, you wouldn’t have no need to be trusting Him, now would you?”

[Pam Blum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reckoning Trees is a fast paced mystery with a side of romance. The character development is engaging and believable. I found myself genuinely caring for the characters and what was going to happen to them. I was blown away by this debut novel.

[Kathleen Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping complexity.

I loved this story. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book voraciously. My busy life doesn’t allow it. But the plot was so compelling, Seth so complex, and the writing so well-done, I couldn’t put it down. Well done, A. Gilliam. It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel and I’m so thankful the sequel is out.

[Shirley Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won’t regret starting it!

Great book. The storyline keeps you reading because it keeps attention & wondering what is on the next page. Good CLEAN suspenseful mystery.

[Lesha Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book!

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read by this author. I was hooked and wanted to see how it continued so I immediately purchased book two and three!

[Selena Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have zero time to read for fun, but I am really trying to carve out time to give my mind a 30 minute reading break each day. I picked this book up and couldn’t put it down. It is part murder mystery, part love story, part spiritual grappling. It is deep without being heavy, touching on tough real-life issues like human trafficking, abandonment, child abuse/neglect, corruption… and redemption. It was the best $10 I’ve spent in a long time. I personally prefer paper, but it is also available on Kindle unlimited!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. This series. This author. The plot almost didn't seem real, but the longer you got to know the characters, the more you understand them. You hurt along with them and yelled at them to just open up their feelings. God is woven throughout the book. While the word prostitution ring isn't mentioned, it's heavily implied. While we don't want to consider things like that reality, it is. You don't have to be at the top of a tree to be closer to God. You just need to have a heart to reach out to Him.