The Ghost Tree (Libby Butler series Book 2 of 2) By Sara Bain

 

The Ghost Tree (Libby Butler series, book 2 of 2) *****

By Sara Bain

I love a great ghost story! This book kept me company for many nights – it's a really thick book.

Scottish legend says the Ghost Tree protects the land from ghosts and evil spirits. The tree is rare. There were once 3 Ghost Trees – now there's only 1 – and it's almost dead.......

Oh my! I loved the Prologue “The 1695 Trouble”. It sets the tone and background for the story. If you read this and don't get excited – stop reading all books – because you're obviously not a book enthusiast.

*Copied from book* parts of the Prologue “The 1695 Trouble” :

Andrew Mackie hurtled through the door and almost fell on the loosened stone at the threshold. His children screamed. A stone hit his back and another scuffed his cheek as he rushed through the house, the panic welling in his chest. A clod of burning peat just missed him as he reached the children's room.     …

A series of loud bangs caused the whimpering children to look up, the horror of their ordeal frozen on their tear-stained faces. They shrieked again as the ceiling tore and a wooden staff ripped through the gaping rent above their head, showering them with sharp splinters.     …

'And thy great mercy defend us from the evil that infests this house.'

Thus begins this ghost story which is set in southern Scotland.

The background is that in 1695, “The Rerrick Parish Poltergeist” terrorized the Mackie family who lived at the Ring Plantation of the Ringcroft of Stocking. There were whispered tales of the terror even before then, perhaps hundreds of years. The details lost in history.

No one has been able to live in the house for any length of time since, even after 300 years.

In moves our current owner, MacAoidh Armstrong [ cheat note: it's Gaelic and pronounced Mackie] which just sets off alarm bells since the 1695 owner's last name was Mackie.

The paranormal activity starts immediately, although simple and seemingly harmless. Oh, it doesn't stay simple, and definitely doesn't stay harmless for long!

This is a primarily ghost story, a mystery/suspense story with a twist of a bit of a love story. I loved the book. I loved the background history of the 1695 trouble. I also loved the legend of The Ghost Tree – a rare tree said to protect the land from ghosts and evil spirits.

Excellent writing. This book would do well in any library, including High School libraries. Age appropriate for 14 year old and older. 

I read the paperback version of this book.