The Girl Who Hid in the Trees focuses on a local urban legend with some coming-of-age elements mixed in along the way. I was hooked from the prologue. I wanted to know more about the urban legend instantly: what was it, how many people have died or suffered from it, what was the main character going to do, etc. I was not disappointed at all in this story. Twice I got goosebumps reading passages that seriously irked me. And once while reading my phone charger dropped from the side table, hitting the ground, causing me to jump and yell as well as launch my slumbering cat from my lap. And then I had to read the second half all by myself as the night approached and it just got darker and colder. HIGHLY recommended!

After The Girl Who Hid in the Trees the author gave us three more presents in the form of short stories! Each short story is different in style and theme. And one story, The Tooth Collector, is seriously freaking me out. Even as I write this review. I feel uneasy and vulnerable and I think that Stred totally succeeded! Few stories make me feel these things.

An easy 5 stars! And thank you to the author for sending an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have two of his other books, Wagon Buddy and Left Hand Path: 13 More Tales of Black Magick, unread on my shelves just staring at me now. I must fit them into my upcoming TBR pronto!