Published: July 30, 2010
Words: 120,344 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452335308

Short description

Founded in the 1830s, the fictional town of Mapleview has the reputation of being blanketed by a sentience of paranormal activity and urban legends. The town is suddenly plagued by a series of mysterious disappearances; and although the Mapleview police have its most experienced detectives assigned to the case, they can provide no answers. Could it be the dark, centuries-old history of Mapleview?

Extended description

Founded in the 1830s, the fictional town of Mapleview has the reputation of being blanketed by a sentience of paranormal activity and urban legends. The Trivelli House; one of the oldest, historical residences in town; has been owned by the family for generations. But it, too, has its legend. Mary, a member of the family, purchases the house from her aunt and is bound and determined to rid the property of any stigmatism or reputation, as it is the house she has always wanted since a little girl. But a temporary guest of Mary's moves in with her and soon disappears!
This is only the first of a series of disappearances throughout the town. And although the Mapleview police have its most experienced detectives assigned to the case, they can provide no answers. The person responsible couldn't be very far. Or perhaps the disappearances are supernatural. Maybe they are related to the dark, centuries-old history of Mapleview.
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Review from Misty Baker on.. (Read more) Founded in the 1830s, the fictional town of Mapleview has the reputation of being blanketed by a sentience of paranormal activity and urban legends. The Trivelli House; one of the oldest, historical residences in town; has been owned by the family for generations. But it, too, has its legend. Mary, a member of the family, purchases the house from her aunt and is bound and determined to rid the property of any stigmatism or reputation, as it is the house she has always wanted since a little girl. But a temporary guest of Mary's moves in with her and soon disappears!
This is only the first of a series of disappearances throughout the town. And although the Mapleview police have its most experienced detectives assigned to the case, they can provide no answers. The person responsible couldn't be very far. Or perhaps the disappearances are supernatural. Maybe they are related to the dark, centuries-old history of Mapleview.
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Review from Misty Baker on March 10, 2011:
Very few things shock me anymore. I'm not exactly sure if the fault is entirely literary based (ie. my addiction to all things Stephen King) but the fact remains that I rarely find myself mouth agape, and hand to chest these days. To shock me, you must be original, you must be disturbingly graphic, and if all of these still fail to warrant a response, you must be completely void of boundaries.

In "The Tree Goddess" Tom Raimbault manages to do all of the above, and he does it so well that at times I actually questioned his mental stability.

Mapleview is a small town, and like most small towns, is filled with folklore and an over abundance of urban legends, but UNLIKE the twisted tales of most towns the ones in Mapleview are actually true. Haunted house? No problem. A hand in the bottom of a vase? Sure... got that too. Everyone has a secret, everyone is hiding who they REALLY are, and more importantly... something not so friendly is stalking the Trivelli house.

It's difficult to describe this novel with the gusto and attention it deserves, not because I'm lazy, (which lets face it... is usually the case) the problem comes with the complexity in which the novel is written. "The Tree Goddess" is NOT a simple read. The plot spans several years and includes a very large collection of characters, (and by large I'm talking may-need-a-flow-chart large) Luckily the extraordinarily detailed and twisty-turny plot doesn't pull from the overall success of the novel, (which could have very easily been the case.) Instead it brings the BIGGER story to life... one demented piece at a time.

And if all of that wasn't enough to suck you in, Raimbault (inadvertently) left his readers prizes! Several times throughout the novel he would jump from his (current) narrative to address the reader in first person. (For example: If you are reading this book in 10 years...) And...he wrote an introduction explaining his writing process and inspiration (which we all know I LOVE.)

Simply put... this was a fantastic novel. The writing was great, the story was warped and even though it ended at measly 308 pages... it could have very easily kept going, and I (without a doubt) would have kept on reading.

If you are a fan of horror (King, Strand, Nicholson etc.) you will not be disappointed. For the rest of you I issue this warning. Ugly things live in this book, if you are the sensitive type you might want to take a wide step to the left.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: If you see a woman riding her bike into the woods... turn around and leave immediately. Don't ask why... just do it.
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Tags

horror, mystery, paranormal, supernatural, ghost, macabre

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Reviews

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Review by: Stefanie Cardino on Nov. 19, 2010 :
The Tree Goddess by Tom Raimbault is truly “a novel of mystery and macabre” as the author so eloquently puts it. This story is written in a unique perspective that comes with a story unfolding with a well read narrative. With each new chapter and turn of a page, the thrilling suspense within captivates the reader time and time again. From the legends and rumors surrounding the Trivelli family and house, to the strange events happening in and around Mapleview, Route 4, and Sillmac; the mystery will have you second guessing yourself as you try to sort out the facts from the fiction.

With each new disappearance that crops up, the plot only thickens; then just when you feel you can’t stand it anymore, and that you have the tangled web unwoven, a new twist leaves you dangling, grasping for more. A masterfully crafted ending pops up out of nowhere taking the reader by utter surprise. This book is well worth the read, and it is recommended that a second read be completed, for there are those little details that are picked up, which had been previously overlooked. This book is highly recommended for those avid readers of the mystery, suspense, macabre, thriller, and even drama genres. For this novel has a little bit of everything bound within its pages.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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