Thank you Cemetery Hill Publications for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A story within a story within a story! Gregg's novel lives up to its gothic and literary vibe and reminded me of the works of Flannery O'Connor, Faulkner's The Sound and The Fury, and Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Horror fans who enjoy mind bending novels with beautiful prose will appreciate the atmospheric horror and the macabre scenes in this book. And even though the book jumps from dreams into reality and weaves into different streams of consciousness, I never felt lost, just intrigued to find out what happens next.

As a content warning, the topic of sexual abuse is here but the novel presents it with sensitivity and there are no graphic scenes for it.

For me, the heightened sense of empathy for those struggling with mental health is the true gem of this book.

What on earth was this book trying to achieve? It had multiple main and side stories, making it feel like I was wandering down different paths and getting completely lost. I believe this book had a lot of potential if it had focused solely on the monster portion. However, the tree and the tower were present for what reasons? I feel like we could have simply titled the book “The Monster” and continued Sam’s story, as the end of her story as a patient was not particularly clear in the first place.

The time jumping was incredibly fast and disorienting. Suddenly, it’s a year here, three there. I feel like this book put me in a whirlwind.

I really believe that the title of the book is not an accurate representation of what the reader can expect.

I read this book as an ARC via NetGalley.

After seeing a shout out for this book in Booklist, I was interested in reading this debut novel categorized as horror. At the same time, I'm cautious about reading horror that focuses on mental health as it often perpetuates negative stereotypes. To my extreme disappointment, Why Did God Make the Tree, the first in what will be an ongoing series about psychiatrist Dr. Patrick Denny, is ableist in its portrayal of mental health professionals and patients. There are only two perspectives offered from the two psychiatrists in the book: patients should be either heavily medicated or not medicated at all. In addition, there's a particularly troubling scene in which one of Denny's patients attends a concert with him, strikes up a conversation with a stranger, and is asking Denny to offer up diagnoses in front of this random person ("would you say I'm clinically depressed or suffering from generalized anxiety disorder? ... Would you say I'm a suicide risk?"). This novel is homophobic as well as ableist since the author uses the word "sodomitical" to refer to a child molester in the last chapter of the book. (The context doesn't make any amount of sense, since this character's "final sodomitical act" is writing a letter to the doctor and "unleashing these venomous aspersions on the world." Did the author mean sadistic? Apparently not!) I did not expect to see this outdated and offensive word in a novel that takes place contemporaneously and will be published in January 2026, and I sincerely hope the author and publisher consider revising this description. Needless to say, I will not be reading any further entries in this series. What a waste of my fucking time.

I do like an unusual book. One that doesn’t fit neatly into any particular niche or pigeonhole, and Why Did God Make the Tree? is one of those books. The book is in 3 sections: the Tower, the Monster, and the Tree. Each has a different story with interwoven themes and characters.

One protagonist is a psychiatrist with alternative therapies for his troubled patients and the story is told in part through the eyes of this doctor but a somewhat more surreal version through the eyes of the patients.

Why Did God Make the Tree? is part horror, part psychological thriller with witches and small town dark secrets, mental illnesses and old diaries that hold secrets.

We explore the human psyche, and have multiple viewpoints that interweave and undulate together.

It’s a challenging read, but in all the right ways.

It was a refreshing undertaking and another fabulous offering from a publisher who keeps us fans in words reliably. Thank you.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. Although I am not familiar with the author, I do know the publisher quite well. We have a dedicated core of horror readers always looking for new authors and I'm delighted to report I think they will enjoy this. The story's slow build, with a focus on character and mood, is right up the alley of many in our library system. I was concerned about stereotyping with some of the mental illness issues explored but found Gregg's treatment thoughtful and well considered. I look forward to more of their work in the future.

2/5. Initially, I was going to put this book in the DNF pile, but I came back and reread it through. I think the book fits more in general fiction and not horror. It wasn't anything scary more like an always nagging thought of what would we do in these situations. The first part of the book was good until it warped into Samantha's unconsciousness and I got lost. I didn't mind the multi-story lines because they all tied back into Dr. Denny. The timeline confused me when it seemed that 3 years ahead jumped from Dr. Denny seeing Samantha in the first part of the book. We don't realize it until the author makes it known. I didn't like how the story would be focused on one character then suddenly switch to something way off like we entered a fever dream.
I did like each characters story, especially Amelia's. My main thought was could he truly help her. I think some of the characters stories were rushed and we needed more of them. Dr. Denny seemed to be a well-rounded character and what I would assume to be what we would think of an ideal therapist. I think that was a pressing point too in the book, in real society should we just continue to drug up patients or find other ways to help even if they seem a little unconventional to others? Can we stand up for what we believe? Is it okay to want to help but yet have out own selfish desires at the forefront too? All in all it was an okay book, I don't think it was for me. If you like reading into therapy and what can go on in the psych ward then this is for you.

WHY DID GOD MAKE THE TREE? – A Patrick Denny Novel – by Tammy Gregg

DNF – 58%

Having not read the synopsis since I chose to read the book, I like to dive into each narrative blind. I hope the cohesion of the story as a whole will be smooth enough to carry the narrative along until the end. Unfortunately, that is not the case with this book.

Where it also falters, for me, is the way Denny interacts with various characters, his mentality in regards to those he treats, considering his profession.

despite starting this book quite late i managed to read it in 3 days.

I was hooked on the stories the twist of horror and surrealism I found captivating and couldn’t put down.
the characters development along with the story development was so well done in a way I’ve not read before.
I’m not sure DR Denny is always completely professional but he is an incredibly interesting character.
I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Early access e-arc provided by netgalley.

2.5 Stars

This book centres around psychiatrist Dr. Patrick Denny and the different patients he is treating. We mainly have Samantha, Michael and Amelia. All of these patients storylines were worthy of their own book. I found this is the reason I couldn't fully connect with the story. Each patients story had so much more complexity within it than what was shared. Having all these story's crammed into a short novel couldn't allow for the full depth of their characters to be explored. The novel as it stands being the tip of the iceberg of these characters, letting what lies beneath the water go unnoticed. In saying that I do appreciate the representation of this side of the mental health industry. The struggles of the sufferers and the abuse of power by those in authority. Dr Denny is a great protagonist. This style of story reminding me of the TV Show 'The Sinner'.

This is definitely a piece of general/literary fiction, expressing no horror elements in my opinion. More so thriller if anything. I enjoyed Tammy Greggs writing, however I did find some aspects of it to be underdeveloped.

I would recommend this to people of the genre but not so much to people unfamiliar with it. I would be interested in reading a sequel if it was made known that it focuses on less storylines.

I may not have been the right reader for this book. The beginning suggested a psychological horror story centered on Sam, a grieving and sleep-deprived young woman experiencing terrifying visions. That premise drew me in. But as the story unfolded, the focus shifted to Dr. Denny and the asylum where he works, and the narrative expanded into multiple storylines that never quite connected for me. I had hoped for something more intimate, perhaps more grounded in Sam’s psychological unraveling, but the tone and structure moved in a different direction.
I did not finish the book. I found myself increasingly disengaged—not because the ideas weren’t intriguing, but because the style and structure made it difficult for me to stay immersed. I tend to read analytically, looking for cohesion and a sense of purpose behind narrative choices. Readers who are more comfortable letting a story wash over them, embracing ambiguity and shifts in tone, may have a much more enjoyable experience than I did.

The physciatry and mental illness side of this book led me to believe that's why it can sometimes be confusing and blast off in different directions. It is creepy, I'll give it that and hallucinations are the norm when immersed.

The premise is so interesting but I'm sad to say that I couldn't get into the book at all. It felt all over the place and I got stressed out while reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. All opinons are my own.

Received as an early access eArc from Netgalley

Picking up Why Did God Make The Tree does take a little while. You are thrown into the middle of Patrick Denny’s world as he works with Sam, the centre of the first part - The Tower - of the novel. Gregg’s writing style drags you into this melancholy world pretty quickly, though, with psychological horror and a twisting narrative that leaves you never fully comfortable with where you’re sitting in the story.

The more you delve into the book, the more it feels like a fever dream as characters dip in and out of the story from each of the different parts. I think this is one of the reasons that I actually enjoyed the book though. Not really knowing what was going on was why I wanted to keep reading. Patrick Denny was an intriguing character and we were given just enough glimpses into his past to feel like there was a little bit of understanding into why he is the way he is. This mainly comes from the second part of the novel, focusing on the patient ‘Michael’ who has an unhealthy obsession with Patrick’s novel ‘The Monster’.

As a novel, I think it’s more suited to fans of literary fiction than horror. There are definitely a number of dark themes that are explored but a big focus is how circumstance and consequence lead to the development of a person and their illnesses. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some downright horrific moments that are uncovered by characters however going into this I thought it would be a bit more gothic horror based on the description.

I really did enjoy Why Did God Make The Tree, and I am very grateful to the author and Netgalley for supplying an advanced copy. That being said, I do think that it would have been harder hitting if not everyone got their happy ending. This book does such a good job with introspective analysis of people and their trauma that everyone having a normal/seemingly happy life feels deductive to the overall themes. If I had to pick a favourite part, it would have to be the first part. I really liked the dual narrative of Sam and the diary and how interwoven they were. It establishes from the off that Gregg is definitely an author worthy of publishing.

Why Did God Make the Tree presents an intriguing set of interconnected surrealist mysteries, where the suggestion of the supernatural lurks just beyond the page.

Patrick Denny is a former horror novelist, returning to his pre-fame profession of psychiatry, taking up a position at Everston Psychiatric Hospital in the town of Waylingbrooke, New Hampshire. Patrick is eager to return to a life of quiet semi-anonymity, but Waylingbrooke is no ordinary town, and he soon finds himself deeply entangled in the tumultuous lives of his patients, and embroiled in professional conflict with his colleagues.

The novel’s episodic plot structure is reminiscent of the kind of ‘monster of the week’ television popular throughout the 90’s and 2000’s, breaking the overall plot into three distinct sub-narratives. Readers going in expecting a more direct narrative flow may find themselves disoriented, particularly as the chronology of events is occasionally jarring. However, this is an instance where perseverance pays off, the reward being a surreal, introspective, pulp-gothic experience.

As one might expect from other works of surrealist mystery-horror such as David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, the characters here are often larger than life, often relying on familiar archetypes. For a novel of this length (approx. 300 words) this is an expected and economical approach which provides immense satisfaction in instances where characters subvert expectations, and adds to the sense of off-kilter melodrama which pervades the novel.

Our protagonist, Dr. Patrick Denny, remains a somewhat obscure character throughout, and a stronger sense of his goals and desires may have provided a stabilising throughline to aid in maintaining momentum across the three sub-narratives. As a result, the pacing feels somewhat uneven, particularly in the first half, while both novel and reader find their feet. However, once the ball gets rolling, the momentum is irresistible, dragging the reader along for the ride. As this is the first novel in a planned series, one should expect we will see more of what drives Dr. Denny, and learn more of his troubled past, in future installments.

This is a novel that plays heavily with themes of interconnectivity, the blurry threshold between dreams (or, perhaps more aptly, nightmares) and reality. While this is neither a true mystery novel nor a true horror, fans of surrealist in the vein of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and the unsettling dream-logic of Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle will find a lot to chew on here.

Readers are encouraged to check trigger warnings, particularly those sensitive to themes of abuse, paedophilia, loss of autonomy, pregnancy, childbirth, and especially depictions of mental illness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cemetery Hill Publications for providing this digital reviewer copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hook, line, sinker - I read this in a day and didn't notice time slipping past. Utterly sinister and dramatic, this certainly falls into a Poe or Lovecraft camp of creepiness. Gregg's writing paints a perfectly unsettling scene with a cast of pitiful, hateful, and determined characters.

There's a slight cliche to everyone finding the cause of their mental health, "fixing" it, and living happily ever after (for the most part), yet Gregg writes it in a way that doesn't feel disrespectful to mental health. Some plot twists you'll see a mile off; others sneak up behind you. This is a definite contender for horror story of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tammy Gregg, and Cemetery Hill Publications for early ARC access!

Why Did God Make the Tree by Tammy Gregg
NetGalley Read.

Brief overview of the Premise
Patrick Denny left his lucrative life as a horror novelist to go back to practicing psychiatry. At the Everston Psychiatric Hospital, he takes an interest in three patients with unique, and devastating conditions. Wanting to help, he puts his reputation on the line and bulldozes his way through to get access to them, leaving damaged egos in his wake. Patrick risks it all only to be brought to the brink of his own sanity as his own damaged past resurfaces and he is left to face aftermath of the truths he finds alone.

Rating overall
⭐⭐⭐.7.5

Themes – Mental illness, Abuse, Finding the Truth through the delusion, Memory vs Reality

Genre
1. Horror - 👁️‍🗨️ 👁️‍🗨️ 👁️‍🗨️ .75 – 3.75 popping eyes out 5 – This had great gothic/eldritch horror elements to it. It was hard for me to get thoroughly freaked out though because there was just so much happening in a short period of time.
2. Psychological Fiction - 😱 😱 😱.75 – 3.75 mouth dropping faces out 5 – The psychological aspects of this book were tumultuous, distressing and really left me on edge. This rating was difficult for me. I will not explain here why but I find fiction using mental illness, specifically in the horror genre, treads a very fine line with me. In this novel it was a main aspect of the story obviously and it took me a long time to wrap my head around how I felt about the representation of the mentally ill in this story.

Characters
⭐⭐ ⭐.75 - I thought the characters were well done. Given that it was not a long novel and that so much happened in a short amount of time, the characters were impactful and fully developed in my opinion.

Worldbuilding
⭐⭐⭐.5 - If anywhere I felt it was lacking it was in the worldbuilding. Having said that, I will reiterate that so much happened in this book that I almost felt bombarded with information that this may have been the area that my brain decided to dump out of my memory. LOL.

Story
⭐⭐⭐ .75 - I did enjoy this novel. The horror and psychological aspects were nerve bending and it sent me on a bit of a tizzy. Overall, I thought it had a great plot and characters. Some of the events and topics did make me uncomfortable and some I really had to ponder if I was offended or just in shock, (I settled on the latter).

Final Comments: I really had to take some time and space with novel once I was done to see how I really felt about it. It was supercharged from beginning to end, rampaging the read with so much that it was exhausting. I really did enjoy the novel; it really tested my comfort zone a lot. I have not suffered from a mental illness personally but I have had close people in my life who have and so this really tore at my heartstrings and my own experiences, which really made me uncomfortable and made it hard for me to see past the representation of the mentally ill, to the actual story at times. I would like to read this book again I think to see if time changes my perception.
Who would I recommend to: If you are looking for a well written Gothic/Eldritch Psychological Horror then I would say give it a go. Please read trigger warnings as always.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to have ARC access to this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this one. I love the way it is written – so beautifully. A bit of a mind bender but reading it was a joy. The descriptions are detailed and vivid. The assorted collection of characters are weird and intriguing.
What is real and what is surreal? Where does the dreams end and reality kicks in?
The multiple narratives got me worried in the beginning but the author does a great job of weaving them together and in the end resolves each strand.
For the horror fan there’s all sort of nastiness going on – murder, family tragedy, heartbreak, magic, witchcraft and a lot more.
The theme of mental health is dealt with excellently. No big medical words here but you are made to understand what is going on. The author shows how easily misdiagnosis can happen and the consequent tragedy that can follow. I guess the confusion of a medical issue with the supernatural especially in mental health issues will not go away.
An excellent piece of work. I will be looking out for more from this author

First and foremost thank you to Netgally and Tammy Gregg for this eArc.

Without further ado, this book read like a bad fever dream and an acid trip. Too confusing for me to follow, threads that felt like were leading somewhere and ultimately was discarded.

It was an exhausting read that had me squinting at the pages constantly. Whilst there were bits and pieces that were so engaging and had me on the edge of my metaphorical seat, the entirety of the book was just not... good?

If deep diving into the psyche of mentally disturbed individuals with a side plot of surrealism and metaphorical anecdotes sprinkled here and there is something that excites you give it a go.

Personally this book left me with a headache and a bad case of the heebeejeebies.

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.