Pine Review

Pine came up as a recommendation after I read The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, and it’s been sitting on my TBR since April. Child protagonists do not usually interest me (see: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Room, and The Discomfort of Evening), but Lauren was different. Viewing the disappearance of her mother, and the mysterious apparition in the woods through a ten-year-old’s eyes gives the story an added layer of spook. Lauren is observant and perceptive and her mounting sense of foreboding while everyone else seems oblivious is what makes the creepiness of the story truly spine chilling. It’s a short book, but slow-paced, which enhances the building mystery and disquietude.

Toon’s writing style gives the perfect eerie vibe of remoteness and isolation. I could practically smell the pine forest. This was the perfect read for curling up under the covers on a rainy evening in October and I am so glad I picked it up.