The Hanging Tree is a short, 75-page novella that blends ghostly suspense with fate, choice and the ties that bind families across centuries. Michael Phillip Cash ushers readers into Oyster Bay, Long Island, where seventeen-year-old Arielle’s rebellion against her father leads her to the town’s infamous oak – known as the Hanging Tree. There, she plans a secret rendezvous with her boyfriend, 18-year-old Chad; what begins as teenage defiance quickly unfolds into something far more otherworldly.
The Hanging Tree is a local landmark whispered to house five restless spirits, including a 300+ year old witch. Unbeknownst to the teenagers, these five ghosts that linger within its canopy are tethered to the tree by an ancient curse laid upon the descendants of the priest who condemned a vengeful witch and her cat to death three centuries ago. As Arielle and Chad test the boundaries of their young love, the spectres recount their own tragic stories, revealing how choices made long ago still reverberate today. The imprisoned witch will not move on until she wreaks 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 long distant relation of the infamous priest and because of the curse placed on his descendants her future seems to be bound to a pre-determined path. 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 novella, although I think I would have preferred it as a longer, more detailed story. Expertly switching the present day with flashbacks to key moments in the tree’s history, from Goody Bennett’s execution to Martin’s harrowing wartime secret and the Gibson Girl’s doomed romance, helping to maintain suspense through its short pages.
The story revolves around themes of predestination versus free will. As Arielle realises her bloodline connects her to the priest who condemned the witch, she confronts the possibility that her destiny was written long before her birth. But the story urges optimism through looking at self-awareness and decisive action to how Arielle can challenge the curse’s grip. This theme of freewill and choice that spans the generations takes the story beyond a being a simple ghost tale, prompting young adult readers to consider how their decisions shape not only their own lives but those of future kin.
The characters; the teenagers, the ghosts and the witch, are excellent. Arielle has a strong determination balanced with a teenage vulnerability that sees her as an empathetic heroine. While Chad’s mix of bravado and concern help to keep the story grounded with an identifiable teenage angst. Then there are the ghosts – each has their own distinct voice, particularly the indomitable witch Goody Bennett whose 300-plus years of pent-up rage and desire for justice bring depth the story.
The Hanging Tree is a potent gateway into YA horror for young page turners. With its fast-paced storytelling, relatable characters atmospheric backdrop it makes ideal reading for teenagers venturing beyond mainstream YA offerings. Whether you’re drawn to ghost stories, moral quandaries or simply a fast-paced, eerie read, this novella prompts one enduring question: can we rewrite the past by confronting it head-on?
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £14.99 (Paperback) / £7.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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