The Hanging Tree, by Michael Phillip Cash, is a short novella of about 75 pages, about ghosts, revenge, curses and destiny – is our future pre-determined or are we in control of our destiny?
Seventeen-year-old Arielle has been dating 18-year-old Chad, who her father detests. This causes a heated argument and causes her to rebel against her father. So she meets Chad at an old oak tree that is known as “The Hanging Tree”.
The Hanging Tree is home to five spirts, including a 300+ year old witch. She will not move on until she seeks revenge on all the descendants of the priest that wronged her and hanged her and her cat from the tree all those years ago.
Arielle is a very distant relation of the infamous priest and because of the curse placed on his descendants her future seems to be taking a pre-determined course, but does she have the ability to change the course of her future and end the curse?
Overall, I found The Hanging Tree to be a delightful short story. It flicks between the present and the past with ease, explaining the stories behind the characters and how they met they fate and why.
This is an excellent story spanning 300 years, a curse and a witch seeking revenge told in masterful short stories about the colourful characters, all knitting together into this short novella. With enough suspense to keep you turning the pages, The Hanging Tree is a joy to read. I just wish it had been longer.
Michael Phillip Cash is a master storyteller and one that I will definitely be reading more from!
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £4.99 (Paperback) / £2.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
For more information about Michael Phillip Cash visit www.michaelphillipcash.com.
Click here to read my interview with Michael Phillip Cash
DISCLOSURE: I was provided with a free copy of this book for the purposes of writing a honest and impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review uses an affiliate link which I may receive a small commission from if you purchase through the link.
Click here to read more reviews of books by Michael Phillip Cash
