"The Ghost Tree": A Classic Coming-of-Age Horror Novel

Missing dead girls. A monster in the woods. Witches and curses. Visions of murders. Small town secrets. I don’t usually buy books at a bookstore without reading reviews, but as a horror fan the story’s elements and premise led me to believe I’d enjoy this novel. And my first impression proved to be right.

The Ghost Tree takes place in 1985 in the town of Smiths Hollow where a resident finds the mutilated bodies of two girls in their backyard. The murders eerily resemble how 14-year-old Lauren’s father died a year ago — with his heart ripped out of his chest. However, the police don’t appear interested in tracking down the killer, and somehow the crime quickly fades from the townspeople’s memory. Then Lauren, and her four-year-old brother, David, have visions about the murders and a monster in the woods. Eventually, those premonitions motivate Lauren to find the culprit, and uncover the secret behind Smiths Hollow.

“There was one particular tree, too — a lightning-struck tree that arced up toward the sky that carved it, impossibly huge next to its neighbors. A tree with branches that curled like sharp claws looking for skin to scrape. All the townsfolk (when there had been townsfolk to speak of) had avoided that tree, for it wasn’t right that a tree seemed to whisper and stare and reach out when a person passed by.”

Despite the plain prose and well-worn tropes, Henry entices the reader with compelling storytelling and suspenseful narration. The book alternates between several townspeople which keeps the reader guessing on who they can trust as a reliable narrator. Although I prefer to dive into greater depth with one character, Henry fleshes out each person in a matter of a few pages, showing us their motivations and establishing their perspective. And like many horror novels, the setting itself feels like its own character as Henry creates an atmosphere of slow-burning dread.

Despite the multiple perspectives, Henry leaves enough space to establish a few notable characters. As a lonely, quiet girl who is struggling with grief and the growing pains of adolescence, Lauren is a relatable and empathetic protagonist. Aside from Lauren, her little brother David was endearing with his quirky mannerisms and astute observations way beyond his age. Alex Lopez, the new police officer, also stood out as a favorite. Aside from his desire for justice, I could relate to the prejudice and racism his family experienced on a daily basis living in a predominantly white town.

Henry showcases background with fairytale retellings with a section narrated by Lauren’s grandmother explaining the history of Smiths Hollow. The story of witches and a curse feels like an October night, listening to a spooky, campfire folktale. Although this part could’ve flowed more seamlessly if Lauren’s grandmother appeared earlier in the book, Henry manages to weave all these disparate pieces of the mystery into a cohesive narrative.

I enjoy when genre fiction includes important themes alongside the page-turning fun. Thankfully, The Ghost Tree touches upon several poignant topics. First of all, the book is — at heart — a coming-of-age tale, showing the struggles of teenage Lauren trying to cling to childhood while her best friend Miranda yearns for adulthood. Part of adolescence — as Lauren discovers — involves inevitably drifting apart from childhood friends. The book also provides commentary on racism, particularly with Mrs. Schneider’s hatred of the Lopez family. Her attitude shows how common and easy it is to fear, blame, and exclude anyone seen as different from the “norm.” In addition, the book echoes Shirley Jackson’s famous short story, “The Lottery,” by exploring the price a community pays for maintaining the status quo and burying issues like trauma and grief with denial. In a way, introducing any change — like growing up — comes with a price.

Although The Ghost Tree doesn’t reinvent the genre, horror fans who enjoy these familiar tropes will feel like they’re taking a nostalgic trip back to an old haunt. Overall, if you enjoy page-turning, suspenseful, and atmospheric horror fiction, I recommend checking out this novel.

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Originally published on Medium