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The Paradise Trees
He had found exactly the right spot in the woods. A little clearing, green and dim, encircled by tall trees. He would bring his lovely Helen here… This time, it was going to be perfect.
When Alicia Bryson returns to her childhood home in a tiny Yorkshire village, she finds her estranged father frail and unable to care for himself. Her daughter Jenny is delighted at the prospect of a whole summer playing in the woods at the bottom of the garden, but as soon as Alicia sets foot in Lower Banford, strange and disturbing memories begin to plague her. What happened in her father’s house, all those years ago?
But coping with the uncertainty and arranging Bob's care plan aren’t Alicia’s only problems. Unknown to her, she has a stalker. Someone is watching, waiting, making plans of his own. To him, Alicia and Jenny are his beautiful Helens… and they should be in Paradise.
When Alicia Bryson returns to her childhood home in a tiny Yorkshire village, she finds her estranged father frail and unable to care for himself. Her daughter Jenny is delighted at the prospect of a whole summer playing in the woods at the bottom of the garden, but as soon as Alicia sets foot in Lower Banford, strange and disturbing memories begin to plague her. What happened in her father’s house, all those years ago?
But coping with the uncertainty and arranging Bob's care plan aren’t Alicia’s only problems. Unknown to her, she has a stalker. Someone is watching, waiting, making plans of his own. To him, Alicia and Jenny are his beautiful Helens… and they should be in Paradise.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
71 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Linda Huber
23 books144 followersLinda Huber grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged twenty-two, and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and schools for handicapped children, and teaching English in a medieval castle. Not to mention several years spent as a full-time mum to two boys, a rescue dog, and a large collection of goldfish and guinea pigs.
Linda now lives in Switzerland, in a little town on the banks of beautiful Lake Constance.
Her debut psychological suspense novel The Paradise Trees was published in 2013, and was followed by The Cold Cold Sea, The Attic Room, Chosen Child, Ward Zero, Baby Dear, and Death Wish. Linda has also had over 50 short stories and articles published, some of which can be read in The Saturday Secret, a charity collection of short (feel-good) stories.
Linda now lives in Switzerland, in a little town on the banks of beautiful Lake Constance.
Her debut psychological suspense novel The Paradise Trees was published in 2013, and was followed by The Cold Cold Sea, The Attic Room, Chosen Child, Ward Zero, Baby Dear, and Death Wish. Linda has also had over 50 short stories and articles published, some of which can be read in The Saturday Secret, a charity collection of short (feel-good) stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 15, 2016
I adore Linda Huber's novels. It's as simple as that. I have now read all of her books and loved every single one of them. Linda is a talented writer that gives her readers and fans consistency, you know when you pick up one of her books you are going to enjoy it and be lost for quite a while in book world.
The Paradise Trees. Picture woodland in England. Beautiful tall trees, the light filtering through and a sense of peace and tranquility. Then imagine the same place is dark, dangerous and evil. Like flipping a coin. A place that you should not visit...but somebody does. Somebody likes it a lot. Somebody has a plan. Somebody has darkness running through their veins.
He had found exactly the right spot in the woods. A little clearing, green and dim, encircled by tall trees. A magical, mystery place. He would bring his lovely Helen here… This time it was going to be perfect.
When Alicia Bryson returns to her estranged father’s home in a tiny Yorkshire village, she feels burdened by his illness. Her hometown brings back memories of a miserable and violent childhood, and Alicia worries that her young daughter Jenny’s summer will be filled with a similar sense of unhappiness.
The town is exactly as she remembered it, the people, the buildings, even the woods. But Alicia’s arrival has not gone unnoticed. There is someone watching her every move. Someone who has a plan of his own. Someone who will not stop until the people he loves most can rest together, in paradise.
Linda writes with real depth and the book gives us some fantastic character building, there is no way that you can't know the characters by the end of the book because the detail is there, but it's just right. I love the descriptions of people and places in this novel, I get a real sense of realism.
The plot is great! The tension builds up from the start of the book all the way to the finale which is really, really good. We get changing points of view and what I adore is we get in the mind of "someone", you know, the one I said had darkness running through veins. So we get an insight into the motivation and plans someone has. Not pretty stuff.
At the same time we are following the journey of Alicia and her daughter Jenny. The book brilliantly throws up so many different characters who could be "someone", I was seriously in a mind twist trying to do my detective work and guess who it could be, I think I pointed my finger at just about every character at least once. It was frustrating but also brilliant. That is very clever writing. I had no clue. By the time I was pretty certain who it was the book beat me to it with a great reveal.
A fantastic read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller, especially one with much depth and some meat on the bones so to speak. There is nothing overlooked here, I really do think Linda is one of the best authors I have ever read. In fact you should read all of her books, as each one just gets better and better. I would be happy if Linda could pump out one book every month, my life would be complete.
4 stars for The Paradise Trees - will you guess who "someone" is? you won't like what they dream of doing. It will disturb your own dreams.
Thanks so much to Linda Huber for giving me a copy of her novel to read and review, much appreciated, I think I need to head up the Lina Huber fan club!
For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, and author Q&A events come to: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
To follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
The Paradise Trees. Picture woodland in England. Beautiful tall trees, the light filtering through and a sense of peace and tranquility. Then imagine the same place is dark, dangerous and evil. Like flipping a coin. A place that you should not visit...but somebody does. Somebody likes it a lot. Somebody has a plan. Somebody has darkness running through their veins.
He had found exactly the right spot in the woods. A little clearing, green and dim, encircled by tall trees. A magical, mystery place. He would bring his lovely Helen here… This time it was going to be perfect.
When Alicia Bryson returns to her estranged father’s home in a tiny Yorkshire village, she feels burdened by his illness. Her hometown brings back memories of a miserable and violent childhood, and Alicia worries that her young daughter Jenny’s summer will be filled with a similar sense of unhappiness.
The town is exactly as she remembered it, the people, the buildings, even the woods. But Alicia’s arrival has not gone unnoticed. There is someone watching her every move. Someone who has a plan of his own. Someone who will not stop until the people he loves most can rest together, in paradise.
Linda writes with real depth and the book gives us some fantastic character building, there is no way that you can't know the characters by the end of the book because the detail is there, but it's just right. I love the descriptions of people and places in this novel, I get a real sense of realism.
The plot is great! The tension builds up from the start of the book all the way to the finale which is really, really good. We get changing points of view and what I adore is we get in the mind of "someone", you know, the one I said had darkness running through veins. So we get an insight into the motivation and plans someone has. Not pretty stuff.
At the same time we are following the journey of Alicia and her daughter Jenny. The book brilliantly throws up so many different characters who could be "someone", I was seriously in a mind twist trying to do my detective work and guess who it could be, I think I pointed my finger at just about every character at least once. It was frustrating but also brilliant. That is very clever writing. I had no clue. By the time I was pretty certain who it was the book beat me to it with a great reveal.
A fantastic read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller, especially one with much depth and some meat on the bones so to speak. There is nothing overlooked here, I really do think Linda is one of the best authors I have ever read. In fact you should read all of her books, as each one just gets better and better. I would be happy if Linda could pump out one book every month, my life would be complete.
4 stars for The Paradise Trees - will you guess who "someone" is? you won't like what they dream of doing. It will disturb your own dreams.
Thanks so much to Linda Huber for giving me a copy of her novel to read and review, much appreciated, I think I need to head up the Lina Huber fan club!
For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, and author Q&A events come to: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
To follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
June 1, 2018
The setting for The Paradise Trees is a lovely idyllic village that I could easily visualise in my head. Alicia's childhood home is set near lots of greenery near the woods of which there is plenty of space for her daughter Jenny to let off steam.
The story flicks between Alicia and her coming to terms with being back at home with her dad and a mystery man who has plans for Alicia and her daughter. It is obvious there is a lot of unknown history between Alicia and her dad which had me wanting to know more. As much as I felt sorry for her dad being so frail, until I knew what exactly had gone on, I was very cautious with my feelings towards him.
Jenny is an adorable child of which I am sure readers will take to instantly. She is a happy go lucky girl with a wonderful imagination of which children at her age tend to have. Through Jenny, you get a real sense of animal love with the wonderfully named dog Conker and you get to see that special bond a child can have with animals.
There are quite a few characters who could be the mysterious man and I was constantly arguing with myself as to who it could be. No way would I have ever guessed at who it was though so when we do get to find out it certainly comes as a surprise.
The Paradise Trees is a captivating read that draws you in with the beauty of the surroundings whilst hiding something very dark and sinister. You get a sense of foreboding that intensifies the further into the story we get. With a few hidden surprises, this is definitely a must read for suspenseful thriller fans.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story flicks between Alicia and her coming to terms with being back at home with her dad and a mystery man who has plans for Alicia and her daughter. It is obvious there is a lot of unknown history between Alicia and her dad which had me wanting to know more. As much as I felt sorry for her dad being so frail, until I knew what exactly had gone on, I was very cautious with my feelings towards him.
Jenny is an adorable child of which I am sure readers will take to instantly. She is a happy go lucky girl with a wonderful imagination of which children at her age tend to have. Through Jenny, you get a real sense of animal love with the wonderfully named dog Conker and you get to see that special bond a child can have with animals.
There are quite a few characters who could be the mysterious man and I was constantly arguing with myself as to who it could be. No way would I have ever guessed at who it was though so when we do get to find out it certainly comes as a surprise.
The Paradise Trees is a captivating read that draws you in with the beauty of the surroundings whilst hiding something very dark and sinister. You get a sense of foreboding that intensifies the further into the story we get. With a few hidden surprises, this is definitely a must read for suspenseful thriller fans.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
March 31, 2018
Alicia Bryson's whole childhood was tormented by her religion fanatic father whose constant torture made her run away from her hometown. Now that she has a secured life and a daughter of her own, she finds the strength to return to the village when her father becomes sick. As Alicia struggles to find inner peace and seeks for answers from her childhood, a stranger has his eyes on both Alicia and her daughter, whom he wants to send to paradise, like he did to his cat, his mother and his wife. As Alicia dives deeper into her childhood, her own child falls more and more into the hands of the stranger. Soon he captures her and Alicia finds herself on the verge of breaking down for good.
The novel captures a good balance between suspense and psychology. It has a well maintained character portrayal, specially Alicia and the stranger is given a lot of attention. The narrative goes back and forth between the stranger and Alicia, so it's easy to understand what's going on. The suspense was built slowly but perhaps too much slowly. What annoyed me the most is that, we learn at the very beginning of the novel what the stranger is planning to do but it takes more than three quarter of the book for him to do so. The story became interesting only in the last 100 pages. Everything before was just too slow. The only thing that kept me going is the hidden identity of the stranger. We know that the killer is among the people Alicia regularly meets with, but we don't know who. All these suspects are given almost similar back stories so that it becomes hard to figure out the identity of the killer. However, the novel would have been more enjoyable if it was a bit more fast paced.
The novel captures a good balance between suspense and psychology. It has a well maintained character portrayal, specially Alicia and the stranger is given a lot of attention. The narrative goes back and forth between the stranger and Alicia, so it's easy to understand what's going on. The suspense was built slowly but perhaps too much slowly. What annoyed me the most is that, we learn at the very beginning of the novel what the stranger is planning to do but it takes more than three quarter of the book for him to do so. The story became interesting only in the last 100 pages. Everything before was just too slow. The only thing that kept me going is the hidden identity of the stranger. We know that the killer is among the people Alicia regularly meets with, but we don't know who. All these suspects are given almost similar back stories so that it becomes hard to figure out the identity of the killer. However, the novel would have been more enjoyable if it was a bit more fast paced.
August 24, 2013
This was a really gripping read that I had to clear the decks for and read in one go.
Alicia left home at the age of 16, fleeing a brutal tyrannical father and never returned until now. Following her father’s series of strokes and the onset of dementia, she returns to help arrange his care, along with her 8 year old daughter, Jenny. This brings back a whole host of unwanted memories of her unhappy childhood that until now were buried deep inside her.
The story deals well with the dilemmas of caring for an elderly parent – what to do, should they be cared for at home or in a nursing home? However, this is not the main thrust of the story.
Alicia has a stalker who is known only as “The Stranger” with chapters alternating, some told from Alicia’s viewpoint and some from The Strangers. These chapters are particularly chilling and full of menace and fascinating reading. We do not know his identity right until the end of the book and until then we are given a number of possible suspects. I found myself constantly changing my mind as to the identity of the stalker as the author cleverly casts suspicion all around.
The story is well paced, full of drama and with a gripping, chilling conclusion. A read that is highly recommended for lovers of suspense fiction.
Thanks to the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Alicia left home at the age of 16, fleeing a brutal tyrannical father and never returned until now. Following her father’s series of strokes and the onset of dementia, she returns to help arrange his care, along with her 8 year old daughter, Jenny. This brings back a whole host of unwanted memories of her unhappy childhood that until now were buried deep inside her.
The story deals well with the dilemmas of caring for an elderly parent – what to do, should they be cared for at home or in a nursing home? However, this is not the main thrust of the story.
Alicia has a stalker who is known only as “The Stranger” with chapters alternating, some told from Alicia’s viewpoint and some from The Strangers. These chapters are particularly chilling and full of menace and fascinating reading. We do not know his identity right until the end of the book and until then we are given a number of possible suspects. I found myself constantly changing my mind as to the identity of the stalker as the author cleverly casts suspicion all around.
The story is well paced, full of drama and with a gripping, chilling conclusion. A read that is highly recommended for lovers of suspense fiction.
Thanks to the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.
December 7, 2013
I don't know... I didn't enjoy this as much as I could have. I think it was the narrative of "the stranger", it just felt so unnecessary. And I didn't like the character.
Although I enjoyed a lot of this book, some things really annoyed me. A lot of it seemed like it was trying so hard to be mysterious and "who is it?" that it was just painfully obvious. I guessed who "the stranger" was.
I liked the relationship between Alicia and Jenny, it felt very natural. I didn't understand why Alicia was so torn about sending her once-abusive father into a specialist care home. I mean, really? All she did was bitch about how she didn't want to take care of him, felt repulsed when she was near him, but was it fair to put him in a specialist home? Too bloody right it was and I wish it hadn't taken the walkabout incident to make her finally do it.
Overall an OK read, but I wouldn't read it again.
Although I enjoyed a lot of this book, some things really annoyed me. A lot of it seemed like it was trying so hard to be mysterious and "who is it?" that it was just painfully obvious. I guessed who "the stranger" was.
I liked the relationship between Alicia and Jenny, it felt very natural. I didn't understand why Alicia was so torn about sending her once-abusive father into a specialist care home. I mean, really? All she did was bitch about how she didn't want to take care of him, felt repulsed when she was near him, but was it fair to put him in a specialist home? Too bloody right it was and I wish it hadn't taken the walkabout incident to make her finally do it.
Overall an OK read, but I wouldn't read it again.
November 29, 2018
my second poor book this week! So bad I could not finish it.
September 20, 2013
While on her way home for a six weeks stay, after not seeing her father since her sixteenth birthday, Alicia is tormented by a little girl's voice in her head, warning her that she is in a dangerous place. Alicia cannot rid herself of the bitter feelings towards her dad, now an elderly, disabled man suffering from a serious stroke and dementia. She has to take care of his body, since his mind has left him as well.
Home was not how she described the place she grew up in, where she was constantly and brutally punished - mentally, physically and emotionally so. Even her beautiful long hair was hacked off her head by a ruthless fundamentalist father who rejected everything interfering with his interpretation of religion and God.
Accompanying her is her eight year old daughter who will meet her grandfather for the first time. Alicia plans to make her little daughter's experience the total opposite of what she had endured.
The nagging young girl in Alicia's head becomes more agitated when she finally arrives at her old address in Lower Banford. The feeling will just not go away that she is in danger. She is also still terribly afraid of her father.
In a fast moving, gripping plot, a tale is born which introduces danger via the voice in Alicia's head. However, a much more real danger (the stranger) is present right from the very beginning of the story, and although Alicia is aware of a menace she cannot pinpoint, but knows is there,she would try to find it in the wrong place and people.
There is an interesting sub-theme in the book. The dominant characters, whom she reaches out to in coping with events, are all men. They represent true cruelty, -kindness, -strength, -weakness, -friendship and -fear. There is no strong women role models in her life. Alicia is confronted with a smorgasbord of emotions ranging from intense hatred to unconditional love. Some of them are unlocked by nightmarish flashbacks and others by new experiences in Lower Banford. It was men who destroyed, stole her childhood, and it will be men who will lead her to healing. They are there to support her when she finally, and almost too late, have to confront the Paradise Trees in the woods.
Another sub theme is the full circle her little daughter will complete for her. Eight-year-old Jenny will be the happy little girl, playing with the dog named Conker, the cats, and her toys in the woods, making friends, that Alicia was denied by both her parents. Jenny will experience the intense joy and happiness her mother was never allowed. She will also become instrumental in her mom's confrontation of the real danger, almost at a very high price for both of them...
This is a mystery thriller that you will not be able to put down once you have read the first sentence. The issues are real, like the characters. The book is a light read - it won't leave the reader emotionally plundered. It is gripping, interesting, and a very well-planned debut novel for Linda Hubert - a well-deserved three stars read.
Home was not how she described the place she grew up in, where she was constantly and brutally punished - mentally, physically and emotionally so. Even her beautiful long hair was hacked off her head by a ruthless fundamentalist father who rejected everything interfering with his interpretation of religion and God.
Accompanying her is her eight year old daughter who will meet her grandfather for the first time. Alicia plans to make her little daughter's experience the total opposite of what she had endured.
The nagging young girl in Alicia's head becomes more agitated when she finally arrives at her old address in Lower Banford. The feeling will just not go away that she is in danger. She is also still terribly afraid of her father.
In a fast moving, gripping plot, a tale is born which introduces danger via the voice in Alicia's head. However, a much more real danger (the stranger) is present right from the very beginning of the story, and although Alicia is aware of a menace she cannot pinpoint, but knows is there,she would try to find it in the wrong place and people.
There is an interesting sub-theme in the book. The dominant characters, whom she reaches out to in coping with events, are all men. They represent true cruelty, -kindness, -strength, -weakness, -friendship and -fear. There is no strong women role models in her life. Alicia is confronted with a smorgasbord of emotions ranging from intense hatred to unconditional love. Some of them are unlocked by nightmarish flashbacks and others by new experiences in Lower Banford. It was men who destroyed, stole her childhood, and it will be men who will lead her to healing. They are there to support her when she finally, and almost too late, have to confront the Paradise Trees in the woods.
Another sub theme is the full circle her little daughter will complete for her. Eight-year-old Jenny will be the happy little girl, playing with the dog named Conker, the cats, and her toys in the woods, making friends, that Alicia was denied by both her parents. Jenny will experience the intense joy and happiness her mother was never allowed. She will also become instrumental in her mom's confrontation of the real danger, almost at a very high price for both of them...
This is a mystery thriller that you will not be able to put down once you have read the first sentence. The issues are real, like the characters. The book is a light read - it won't leave the reader emotionally plundered. It is gripping, interesting, and a very well-planned debut novel for Linda Hubert - a well-deserved three stars read.
October 29, 2018
I have no idea how this book has so many positive reviews, this was one of the worst books ive ever read. Thank god it was relatively short. It was slow, it dragged out, the characters were just annoying even the climax was bad. This author has some good books but this is not one of them
August 4, 2013
Coming September 1st from Legend Press
Thank you kindly to Legend Press for allowing me a copy of this book via netgalley.
Alicia returns to her home for the first time in many years, bringing her daughter to stay for the Summer and help out with the care of her Father who has suffered a stroke. Dark memories arise from her time living at home..and she can't quite put her finger on the entire reasons for her discomfort - yes her Father was strict, unbending and abusive but there is something she can't quite remember. Meanwhile someone is watching both her and her daughter...watching and waiting...
I loved the way this story flowed....written in quite a punchy style, from the point of view of Alice and her "stalker" it gives you a real sense of menace as you read...cleverly, the setting makes this even more apparent - the beautiful village with friendly locals and lovely scenery should be a place of safety but no-one knows what goes on behind closed doors. As Alicia faces her past and heads into a dangerous future you are never quite sure where the journey is going to end. Ms Huber has a genuine talent for putting you in her characters heads and this is an intelligent and thoughtful debut.
On another note it is also has an eye to dealing with illness and the very real issues having an elderly parent who needs full time care can pose for a family. Alicia's opposing view to that of her Aunt in what is best for her father is very well imagined - a discussion I am sure goes on in homes all over the country...and that adds to the realism of the situation Alicia finds herself in.
All in all I would definitely recommend this for lovers of mystery stories - it has a hint of the "old school" about it which makes it a great book to sit and indulge yourself with. Watch out though...you never know who might be watching you!
Thank you kindly to Legend Press for allowing me a copy of this book via netgalley.
Alicia returns to her home for the first time in many years, bringing her daughter to stay for the Summer and help out with the care of her Father who has suffered a stroke. Dark memories arise from her time living at home..and she can't quite put her finger on the entire reasons for her discomfort - yes her Father was strict, unbending and abusive but there is something she can't quite remember. Meanwhile someone is watching both her and her daughter...watching and waiting...
I loved the way this story flowed....written in quite a punchy style, from the point of view of Alice and her "stalker" it gives you a real sense of menace as you read...cleverly, the setting makes this even more apparent - the beautiful village with friendly locals and lovely scenery should be a place of safety but no-one knows what goes on behind closed doors. As Alicia faces her past and heads into a dangerous future you are never quite sure where the journey is going to end. Ms Huber has a genuine talent for putting you in her characters heads and this is an intelligent and thoughtful debut.
On another note it is also has an eye to dealing with illness and the very real issues having an elderly parent who needs full time care can pose for a family. Alicia's opposing view to that of her Aunt in what is best for her father is very well imagined - a discussion I am sure goes on in homes all over the country...and that adds to the realism of the situation Alicia finds herself in.
All in all I would definitely recommend this for lovers of mystery stories - it has a hint of the "old school" about it which makes it a great book to sit and indulge yourself with. Watch out though...you never know who might be watching you!
August 16, 2018
Although this was Linda Huber's first novel I am not new to her as an author, just catching up on what I have already missed. This certainly didn't feel like a debut novel. It brought up goose bumps in the opening chapters that stayed with me and just simply spiked at heart in my mouth moments throughout the book.
Alicia Bryson was doing what any dutiful daughter would do, she had returned home to be with her father at a time when he could not longer look after himself. But there was something buried deep inside her that was waking up and it was becoming all-consuming. This was horrific in itself but while she was trying to deal with her own past, her eight year-old daughter Jenny had become the obsession of a killer on a mission.
This is such a gripping read as I was seeing this story play out from all angles, including being in the unidentified mind of the killer. Oh yes this person wasn't new to killing and was in plain sight, they have to be of course to get close to the victim. I really loved the simplicity of the story, the busy pre-occupied mum with a mind whirling in so many directions and a little girl who wants to play.
Like all tragic events it makes you look back at all the clues that are easy to see once you know what you are looking at. Brilliant characters that made me look deeper into them and not just surface judge people. There is tension in the story right from the beginning as the past catches up to present day but the pace simply soars in the last few chapters. Super reading!
Alicia Bryson was doing what any dutiful daughter would do, she had returned home to be with her father at a time when he could not longer look after himself. But there was something buried deep inside her that was waking up and it was becoming all-consuming. This was horrific in itself but while she was trying to deal with her own past, her eight year-old daughter Jenny had become the obsession of a killer on a mission.
This is such a gripping read as I was seeing this story play out from all angles, including being in the unidentified mind of the killer. Oh yes this person wasn't new to killing and was in plain sight, they have to be of course to get close to the victim. I really loved the simplicity of the story, the busy pre-occupied mum with a mind whirling in so many directions and a little girl who wants to play.
Like all tragic events it makes you look back at all the clues that are easy to see once you know what you are looking at. Brilliant characters that made me look deeper into them and not just surface judge people. There is tension in the story right from the beginning as the past catches up to present day but the pace simply soars in the last few chapters. Super reading!
August 16, 2018
Returning to her childhood home to share the burden of caring for her estranged and fragile father, Alicia Bryson finds unpleasant memories of her life there crowding in on her. Determined that her eight-year-old daughter will enjoy the ‘holiday’, Alicia is torn between doing the right thing and putting as much distance as she can between herself and the home she escaped from all those years ago.
But Alicia and Jenny have already attracted the attention of one local resident, and not in a good way. Watching every move the young mother and her daughter make, one man is waiting for his chance to put things right in his own crazed view of the world…
This is the first novel I’ve read by Linda Huber and while I was expecting it to be a decent read, I was surprised to find myself pulled into the storyline from the first page. A big dose of underlying tension is often at the heart of a good mystery, and this one is no exception. The plot is simple enough, but Ms Huber weaves the fates of her characters into a creepy and wonderfully tense thriller, where the identity of the stalker will keep you guessing til the end.
With eleven books in her repertoire, Linda Huber has plenty to keep her fans happy.
But Alicia and Jenny have already attracted the attention of one local resident, and not in a good way. Watching every move the young mother and her daughter make, one man is waiting for his chance to put things right in his own crazed view of the world…
This is the first novel I’ve read by Linda Huber and while I was expecting it to be a decent read, I was surprised to find myself pulled into the storyline from the first page. A big dose of underlying tension is often at the heart of a good mystery, and this one is no exception. The plot is simple enough, but Ms Huber weaves the fates of her characters into a creepy and wonderfully tense thriller, where the identity of the stalker will keep you guessing til the end.
With eleven books in her repertoire, Linda Huber has plenty to keep her fans happy.
March 2, 2017
Alicia returns to her childhood home after many years to help her Aunt take care of her estranged father after his debilitating strokes. Weary about returning to look after a parent who had disowned her at sixteen, she's even more troubled about returning there with her eight year old daughter. However, her return piques the interest of someone locally who is harbouring a number of deadly secrets and has both Alicia and her daughter, Jennie in his crosshairs.
Well written characters make this thriller an intriguing read as the story is told from the point of view of Alicia and the malevolent stranger stalking her and her daughter. As we are told the slowly unfolding and disturbing back story of a killer, Alicia battles with a sense of foreboding awakened in her by her familial home. So we are intrigued further by Alicia's past and what had happened between her and her parents for her to leave as soon as she was able.
The identity of the stranger kept me turning pages until the end and proved to make this a satisfying psychological thriller to read.
Well written characters make this thriller an intriguing read as the story is told from the point of view of Alicia and the malevolent stranger stalking her and her daughter. As we are told the slowly unfolding and disturbing back story of a killer, Alicia battles with a sense of foreboding awakened in her by her familial home. So we are intrigued further by Alicia's past and what had happened between her and her parents for her to leave as soon as she was able.
The identity of the stranger kept me turning pages until the end and proved to make this a satisfying psychological thriller to read.
August 2, 2018
A very dark, disturbing and cleverly constructed thriller that had me gripped throughout. Although the stranger's narrative is sickening - he fantasises about killing a child and her mother - Alicia's is very enjoyable. She and Jenny are so well drawn and Alicia's dilemma over her once abusive but now frail father is superbly handled. I knew the stranger was one of two people and due to clever misdirection kept changing my mind about which one but felt satisfied when the identity was revealed.
September 12, 2013
I loved this gripping and fast-paced debut novel. Linda Huber has really got into the heads of her characters and her readers. The very first chapter sent a chill through me and I was hooked...
From the very start we know that Alicia has some serious issues with returning to her childhood home to take care of her ill father. As soon as her car hits the road to her old village she begins to hear a voice in her head reminding her about 'the bad place' and as she settles into her old home, with the father she couldn't wait to get away from, the voice and thoughts become more frequent and more sinister. But Alicia is there to arrange care for her elderly father; diminished by strokes and dementia he is a shell of the father she remembers but try as she might she cannot feel anything but hatred for him. Her 8 year old daughter, Jenny, is the light of her life and although Alicia has bad memories of the place she wants to ensure that her daughter enjoys her time there; what could make better memories than to play in the sun in the woods with a kitten and a dog and a playmate called Oberon....
Interspersed with the chapters of Alicia struggling to cope with her father and settling into village life are the chapters about the stranger. The stranger has a story - and a mission. The story is that he lost his Helen and has found not one but two new Helen's. His mission is to unite them all in Paradise.....
Although we know from the start what the intention of The Stranger is and who his intended victims are, the mystery of the story is who is The Stranger. Linda Huber takes the readers on a very well plotted and tense path with various characters easily fitting the protocol for The Stranger. Hints are dropped and discarded, doubts are cast, red herrings slipped in but it is not until the very end when we truly know who The Stranger is. Linda Huber does an excellent job of casting aspersions on all and her use of language and the mannerisms of the characters to play with the readers mind and to build the tension is a joy; I found myself turning the pages in trepidation and anticipation, fearing they wouldn't discover in time!
It's an easy, uncomplicated read but very enthralling and immensely enjoyable. Characterizations were fantastic and realistic. Will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title.
From the very start we know that Alicia has some serious issues with returning to her childhood home to take care of her ill father. As soon as her car hits the road to her old village she begins to hear a voice in her head reminding her about 'the bad place' and as she settles into her old home, with the father she couldn't wait to get away from, the voice and thoughts become more frequent and more sinister. But Alicia is there to arrange care for her elderly father; diminished by strokes and dementia he is a shell of the father she remembers but try as she might she cannot feel anything but hatred for him. Her 8 year old daughter, Jenny, is the light of her life and although Alicia has bad memories of the place she wants to ensure that her daughter enjoys her time there; what could make better memories than to play in the sun in the woods with a kitten and a dog and a playmate called Oberon....
Interspersed with the chapters of Alicia struggling to cope with her father and settling into village life are the chapters about the stranger. The stranger has a story - and a mission. The story is that he lost his Helen and has found not one but two new Helen's. His mission is to unite them all in Paradise.....
Although we know from the start what the intention of The Stranger is and who his intended victims are, the mystery of the story is who is The Stranger. Linda Huber takes the readers on a very well plotted and tense path with various characters easily fitting the protocol for The Stranger. Hints are dropped and discarded, doubts are cast, red herrings slipped in but it is not until the very end when we truly know who The Stranger is. Linda Huber does an excellent job of casting aspersions on all and her use of language and the mannerisms of the characters to play with the readers mind and to build the tension is a joy; I found myself turning the pages in trepidation and anticipation, fearing they wouldn't discover in time!
It's an easy, uncomplicated read but very enthralling and immensely enjoyable. Characterizations were fantastic and realistic. Will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title.
May 17, 2019
There are so many things about this book that made me cringe...
In no particular order:
(1) Alicia‘s lack of ever watching her own daughter
(2) too busy with trying to start a romance
(3) going out on the first date with a guy and picturing a life together/considering it a relationship
(4) leaving her eight-year-old daughter by herself alone in the woods while she goes to visit her much hated father (makes NO sense!)
(5) not realizing that her father had beat her senseless when she was younger when she carries the scars of proof on her back
(6) while her daughter is missing-because she has such great mothering skills-she decides she’s in love with Frank, Who she’s never even been out with, and has known for about five minutes.
(7) immediately after bringing her daughter home from the hospital after being abducted, she moves her daughter and herself into a strange man’s house to start a life together
(8) graphic animal abuse
(9) graphic child sexual abuse (inappropriate touching/kissing)
(10) all unlikable characters including the vile old man that everybody is fussing around constantly like he’s some poor soul
I could go on and on, this book was THAT bad!
In no particular order:
(1) Alicia‘s lack of ever watching her own daughter
(2) too busy with trying to start a romance
(3) going out on the first date with a guy and picturing a life together/considering it a relationship
(4) leaving her eight-year-old daughter by herself alone in the woods while she goes to visit her much hated father (makes NO sense!)
(5) not realizing that her father had beat her senseless when she was younger when she carries the scars of proof on her back
(6) while her daughter is missing-because she has such great mothering skills-she decides she’s in love with Frank, Who she’s never even been out with, and has known for about five minutes.
(7) immediately after bringing her daughter home from the hospital after being abducted, she moves her daughter and herself into a strange man’s house to start a life together
(8) graphic animal abuse
(9) graphic child sexual abuse (inappropriate touching/kissing)
(10) all unlikable characters including the vile old man that everybody is fussing around constantly like he’s some poor soul
I could go on and on, this book was THAT bad!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2015
4.5 stars
An absorbing thriller that alternates between the main character's (Alicia's) point-of-view and that of a deranged man determined to have Alicia and her daughter all to himself so he can send them to "paradise" forever. A cast of possible suspects is weaved throughout the story so the reader keeps asking, "Is it him? No, maybe it's him..." This kept me guessing until the moment the man's identity is revealed. A real page-turner and an enjoyable, suspenseful read.
An absorbing thriller that alternates between the main character's (Alicia's) point-of-view and that of a deranged man determined to have Alicia and her daughter all to himself so he can send them to "paradise" forever. A cast of possible suspects is weaved throughout the story so the reader keeps asking, "Is it him? No, maybe it's him..." This kept me guessing until the moment the man's identity is revealed. A real page-turner and an enjoyable, suspenseful read.
December 12, 2014
The thriller has a solid storyline and likeable characters. What I especially liked was that the end was not predictable, and you were kept guessing. If you are looking for some suspense with nice turns, this is your next book.
March 3, 2016
Didn't require much guess work to work out who 'the stranger' was, but I still really enjoyed this.
June 22, 2018
A Dark, Tense ..Atmospheric Thriller...Chilling
Alicia Bryson returns with her daughter Jenny to her childhood home in Lower Banford to stay with her estranged father who has suffered a stroke and is frail and unable to care for himself.Her aunt has tried her best ,and though she loves her brother to care for him is hard work.Alicia left home at sixteen, her father had been a strict disciplinarian, quoting passages from the bible, beatings that left Alicia scarred both physically and mentally..As Alicia has to decide on whether to put her father into St.Joseph's care home..she begins to have dark flashbacks, night terrors that leave her exhausted as well as having to get up through the night with her father's care..Little Jenny though loves her new temporary home . She loves to play with her big dog in the Woods at the back of the house...She has even made a new friend who will picnic with her, play all the games she wishes...and it's their little precious secret...Then when Alicia's aunt goes away for a break Alicia reaches breaking point..There are for the first time in a long time two men interested in her.Once Alicia sees her father settled her ex suddenly phones out of the blue..But all the while ..as the events unfold ,there is someone waiting,watching...planning...in these dark beautiful woods where the trees have bloomed for hundreds of years ...there is a deeply disturbed ,very patient psychopath...who has a dream...their own idea of Paradise...When the first part of this killers plan is a success...it won't be long now till the next part...After all its Paradise and Alicia ...after all she has been through is about to see Hell.....The Paradise Trees is a terrifying story as there are so many suspects (I counted 5) that the story will have your mind racing like a steam train on full speed....If ever I go to Yorkshire ..I will be staying well away from this place...A dark, chilling, tense thriller...that will take you into a woman's nightmare...
Alicia Bryson returns with her daughter Jenny to her childhood home in Lower Banford to stay with her estranged father who has suffered a stroke and is frail and unable to care for himself.Her aunt has tried her best ,and though she loves her brother to care for him is hard work.Alicia left home at sixteen, her father had been a strict disciplinarian, quoting passages from the bible, beatings that left Alicia scarred both physically and mentally..As Alicia has to decide on whether to put her father into St.Joseph's care home..she begins to have dark flashbacks, night terrors that leave her exhausted as well as having to get up through the night with her father's care..Little Jenny though loves her new temporary home . She loves to play with her big dog in the Woods at the back of the house...She has even made a new friend who will picnic with her, play all the games she wishes...and it's their little precious secret...Then when Alicia's aunt goes away for a break Alicia reaches breaking point..There are for the first time in a long time two men interested in her.Once Alicia sees her father settled her ex suddenly phones out of the blue..But all the while ..as the events unfold ,there is someone waiting,watching...planning...in these dark beautiful woods where the trees have bloomed for hundreds of years ...there is a deeply disturbed ,very patient psychopath...who has a dream...their own idea of Paradise...When the first part of this killers plan is a success...it won't be long now till the next part...After all its Paradise and Alicia ...after all she has been through is about to see Hell.....The Paradise Trees is a terrifying story as there are so many suspects (I counted 5) that the story will have your mind racing like a steam train on full speed....If ever I go to Yorkshire ..I will be staying well away from this place...A dark, chilling, tense thriller...that will take you into a woman's nightmare...
June 10, 2018
I really enjoyed 'The Paradise Trees' which evoked a magical description of this secret place in the woods that could could both enchant a child and dupe her as prey to the most evil of men.
Alicia Bryson and her eight year old daughter Jenny journeys back to her father's home after many years. Her father, Bob, now has dementia and is cared for by his sister Margaret and Alicia has come home duty-bound to lend a hand. However, Alicia has her own demons to conquer and memories of her father's abuse come flooding back to her. Memories that have remained buried at the back of her mind.
There is another demon out there in the woods, waiting and watching to take his chance to prey upon Jenny, and then to take Alicia. He wants to lure Jenny to his special place in the woods amongst the Paradise Trees and when then send her on to Paradise.
As always with Linda Huber, good believable characters, great sense of place, and a twist or two in the plot what more could I want from a psychological thriller?
Alicia Bryson and her eight year old daughter Jenny journeys back to her father's home after many years. Her father, Bob, now has dementia and is cared for by his sister Margaret and Alicia has come home duty-bound to lend a hand. However, Alicia has her own demons to conquer and memories of her father's abuse come flooding back to her. Memories that have remained buried at the back of her mind.
There is another demon out there in the woods, waiting and watching to take his chance to prey upon Jenny, and then to take Alicia. He wants to lure Jenny to his special place in the woods amongst the Paradise Trees and when then send her on to Paradise.
As always with Linda Huber, good believable characters, great sense of place, and a twist or two in the plot what more could I want from a psychological thriller?
July 28, 2020
This book was easy reading, there was an element of suspense running through it. I thought I’d guessed the villain but I was wrong! Some of it I wondered at the choices of the main character but then that happens in real life too when nasty things happen and the ending was slightly Mills & Boon but overall it was a good read and I’m sure I’ll read some other books by this author.
August 10, 2021
Shockingly bad, the most implausible story ever. A mother leaves her 8 yr old in the dark forest for an afternoon even though she has heard she has a friend who she has to keep secret. Daughter is now missing, mother at times frantic, but at other times considering if she in in love with this guy. No. Just a big fat no.
May 22, 2017
Boring, not suspenseful at all!
The characters were blah and it was obvious who did it
I would not recommend this book to anyone
Boring and took me over a month to read because it didn't keep me wanting more. I only finished it because I paid for it
The characters were blah and it was obvious who did it
I would not recommend this book to anyone
Boring and took me over a month to read because it didn't keep me wanting more. I only finished it because I paid for it
August 27, 2018
Enjoyable, but not as good as others by this author. Too many similar characters who could be responsible which was a little unrealistic. Overall a good story, good characterisation of the main characters and good attention to detail.
August 24, 2024
The Paradise Trees is a dark well written thriller with the underlying feeling of foreboding that never leaves you. There's something very sinister and chilling in the way the story's written and I really enjoyed it.
January 12, 2018
Good read,couldn't put down.
Had you guessing from the start.
Twisted and turned right up until the last chapter.
End was a bit gooey.
Had you guessing from the start.
Twisted and turned right up until the last chapter.
End was a bit gooey.
April 28, 2019
Absolutely Incredible!!
September 29, 2019
Very good book. Kept me guessing throughout.
January 31, 2021
Enjoyed this book
June 14, 2021
I enjoyed this book, kept me guessing all the way through.
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