2.5 stars rounded up to 3

I can appreciate what the author did now that I’ve finished. Literary fiction is a genre I dabble in outside my main ones of horror and fantasy. After reading this I would say it is more for literary fiction fans than horror fans. The premise made me want to pick it up but also left me a bit disappointed when it wasn’t as dark as it sounded. The story within a story effect with time skips was disjointed and confusing, which might not have bothered me if I’d felt more connected to the main character or any of the characters really. Maybe that will happen as the series goes on. I don’t know and I’m not interested in reading more to find out but I think there is an audience for this type of book.

Review of Why Did God Make the Tree? by Tammy Gregg

Why Did God Make the Tree? is a psychologically intricate novel that explores themes of trauma, memory, and mental health through a fragmented, nonlinear narrative. The story unfolds across multiple settings—a rural mental hospital, a small-town theater, and isolated natural landscapes—blending timelines and perspectives in a way that challenges the reader’s grasp of reality and chronology. The novel’s structure is divided into three interwoven parts, each contributing layers to the overarching mystery and deepening the atmospheric tension. Throughout, the prose is descriptive and immersive, with vivid imagery that creates a haunting and often unsettling mood.

I found the book’s approach to mental illness and psychiatric care compelling, particularly in how it portrays the struggles around medication, identity, and perception. The shifting timelines and unreliable narrations kept me engaged and guessing, enhancing the psychological suspense. The story does not offer easy answers but invites readers to experience the characters’ fractured realities firsthand. At times, the narrative’s ambiguity and disorganization mirror the confusion experienced by the characters, which may require patience but ultimately enriches the reading experience. Fans of Stephen King and similar authors who excel at blending psychological horror with supernatural undertones will likely appreciate Tammy Gregg’s novel for its dark, thought-provoking atmosphere.

Thanks to NetGalley and Cemetery Hill Publications for providing an advance copy.

A moving, thought-provoking exploration of connection, healing, and the quiet power of meaning.

In Why Did God Make the Tree, Tammy Gregg weaves the ancient symbolism of the Tree of Life into a modern narrative that examines how we care for one another—spiritually, emotionally, and medically. Through the voices of multiple characters, each offering their own reason for the tree’s existence, the story beautifully illustrates our shared need for grounding, connection, and purpose.

At the heart of the book is Dr. Denny, a gentle, well-meaning doctor who challenges the quick-fix mentality often found in mental health care. His journey shines a light on the consequences of treating symptoms rather than souls.

This is not a book to rush through. It's one to sit with, to revisit, and to reflect on. Full of insight and layered meaning, Why Did God Make the Tree invites readers to consider what truly connects us—and why that matters.

Firstly I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing this ARC.
This fantastical debut novel is the first in the Patrick Denny series.

What beautiful prose and literature! I loved the idea of the interconnectedness of life and stories and how the stories we are told, or the ones we tell ourselves, often become that which we fully believe. A lot of this book left me somewhat on the edge of my seat. Ready to jump into reading but also not feeling the drift to read the book in one sitting.

I applaud the authors imagery created and the colorful and realistic characters that were crafted between the pages of the book.

I loved how every detail, every part of the book, was written with the purpose to fit together like a puzzle. The end was a bit lacking for me. I would have loved more of the previous prose and methodical planning to have gone into the ending but considering that this is the first book in a series, I understand the choice that the author made.

This book was well done and well written. It kept my attention and although I didn't finish it in one sitting, I wasn't feeling despondent to return, in contrast I was quite happy to return to the world the author had created.

This is a very good debut novel with fitting imagery and themes throughout, themes which we should look at more as a society such as the complete control some doctors have and how they sometimes abuse this. How over or undermedication is dangerous and more.

I loved some of the characters, hated others (as was intended I believe) and I felt a twinge of feeling for some.

As far as the cover is concerned, it is a good cover, intriguing and fitting to the message of the book but it just doesn't quite cut it for me. I would have liked more thought to have gone into that.

Before I rate the book I must just say that I love the title, and feel that it is not only intriguing but considering the content of the book, I find it to be one of the best titles I have read in a long time.

Characters 4/5

Setting 5/5

Story 3.5/5


Overall 3.5/5

Why Did God Make The Tree? by Tammy Gregg--This is a dark contemplative book about an unconventional psychiatrist. Some of the passages themselves are haunting, and the story focuses deeply on the power of narratives themselves. That's power to heal, to tear down, to lift up, to start and to end. The stories the patients turn to are somewhat ethereal and unmoored from reality, yet connect so powerfully with their experience as well as ours. Thumbs up.

I particularly enjoyed the uses of metaphor and imagery in this book. I also enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this story, although sometimes the transitions from point of views were a little bit jarring. It seemed to lack some details in the cases of some of the characters, but hopefully that will be remedied in future books in this series, as it’s hinted to become one in the About the Author. Other than previous mentioned things m the plot was intriguing and I would like to see more from this author and this series.

I was not able to finish this book because it was confusing and it didn’t hold my interest. I loved the story idea though

The book, in some parts,is a strong page turner. In between these parts though, the plot feels disjointed and the transitions could be smoother. While you can eventually work out what you have just read, the abrupt changes disrupt the flow of the book which pulled me out of the world created in the book rather than immersing me in it. Some very clichéd phrasing in places.

Each case visited has an ending of sorts, but as a reader, I would have felt it was more complete with clearer information on what happened to bring the character to the situation, and how the situation was resolved. There is a lot of ambiguity.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

Dr Denny's attempt to dig deeper into the mysteries of the mind is psychiatry 101. And him falling down the rabbit hole of his own sanity is the effect of fragile individuality. (That being said, I wouldn't be any better)
It is short and packed and leaves you questioning your own psyche (is that written right?). As far as thrillers go, this is promising. I can't wait to add this to my physical library.
3.9 star read for me.

The book is in 3 sections: the Tower, the Monster, and the Tree. Each focuses on a different story (or case) with a common hero and themes. Our hero is a psychiatrist with alternative therapeutic ideas for his troubled patients. We explore the world through the eyes of the doctor and the alternative world seen through the eyes of the patients. The characters are complex and there is more lurking between the lines.

Based on the description, I was a bit worried that the book would be too dark for me. But though the stories explore dark topics of the troubled psychiatric patients - and their sometimes equally troubled doctor - the book does not tip over into horror.

The stories are vivid but the author doesn't spell out everything. You'll be tempted to re-read sections to find the meaning. At times, I wanted more. The author seemed to skip major events in the timeline or interleave events. But looking back, I generally had enough information to piece together what happened. Just ride the plot line with a stream of consciousness.

True mystery readers may find the book a bit frustrating. While the stories are compelling, there is not a clean "wrap-up". In many ways this book is about perspective. You have to use your imagination and discover the meaning for yourself.

This would be a great read for a book club. Lots to discuss!

It's hard to latch onto the main character, who is involved so deeply in so many people's lives but never seems to come into his own sense of purpose. Also troubling is his dogged insistence on under medicating his psychiatric patients, or even taking them off medication completely; medication is, in fact, demonized in this book, associated exclusively with physical restraint, abuse, and gaslighting.

First and foremost, I would like to point out that there is a very good solid story laid out by the author. The biggest problem I have (and hence the three star rating), is that the plot is very dispersed. Many characters tell their story and they seem to be linked, but it is difficult to separate the different storylines as we are going back and forth in time, reading two additional books within this book (one unbeknownst to us the reader) and with characters that you can only assume are the same, but maybe not. Do I make sense, probably not, but this is just my point, and of course - the main flaw of the book.

Now, don't get me wrong. I hate it when a book spells everything out to the reader, thinking that we are not intelligent enough to link different facts. But here, just a more accurate sense of timeline (maybe as a chapter title) and a differentiation between the books would have made a huge difference to the reading experience.

As the title suggests, Patric Denny will be featured in other novels to come. I'm certain they will be just as interesting, but I do hope that the author will give the reader just a little bit more insights in what and when the actions take place.

Thank you NetGalley, Cemetery Hill Publications, and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.

I was given a copy of this book for review purposes, but I will not be finishing it. The book is confusing and frustrating, trying to understand what is happening. Whose story is being told? The plot jumps from modern day to a journal that tells a story from the past. DNF at approximately 25%.

Without a doubt, this has been the best book I’ve read so far this year. "Why Did God Make the Tree?" is a psychological thriller that completely drew me in - surprisingly so, since I don’t typically gravitate toward darker, more macabre stories. The author does a great job of exploring the human psyche, and the interwoven narratives create a truly compelling experience. Dr. Patrick Denny, the protagonist, has a tragic past and a layered, intricate life that made him fascinating to follow. I’m already eager to see where his story goes next. The other characters are impressively well-developed, especially given the book’s relatively short length (by today’s standards, anyway). In fact, this would be my only complaint - the book was over too soon :)