The Hanging Tree

An addictive small-town mystery thriller with a killer twist

For a hundred years, the residents of a rural Welsh village have been hiding the truth. Now, a newcomer has started digging around, uncovering more than just buried secrets.

Retired detective, Graham Williams, has moved to Bethgelert for a fresh start, determined to put the horrors of last year behind him. He has seen his fair share of disturbing scenes, but nothing prepares him for what he sees hanging in the gnarly old tree outside his front window.

Only one man can help him uncover the truth ...

Stephen Mallow has come a long way since he helped solve the mystery of Cherry Hollow. When his old nemesis calls and asks for help, he jumps in the car, ignoring the pain in his head and the hole in his heart. He’s ready to take on another weird and creepy small-town mystery.

These two unlikely allies, whose main form of communication is bickering, start to work together to dig up the disturbing secrets of ‘The Hanging Tree’, but they soon realise there’s more to the story than they first thought.

A teenage girl is missing. The town butcher isn’t telling them everything. The tree seems to be speaking to Stephen ...

And someone is watching their every move ...

From Jessica Huntley, award-winning and best-selling author of ‘Jinx’ and ‘Horrible Husbands’, comes ‘The Hanging Tree’, a brand-new twisted thriller, perfect for fans of Claire Mackintosh, Lisa Jewell and Louise Jensen. What readers are saying about The Hanging Tree

"The Hanging Tree is a chilling tale of mystery, suspense, and secrets that refuse to stay buried." —NewInBooks.com

"The ending of the book broke me slightly, just so beautiful." - BookSprout Review

"A slow-burn mystery with interesting voice!" - BookSprout Review

"A page turning thriller in a small town with a secret." - BookSprout Review

"Another Jessica Huntley book I couldn’t put down. I’m completely obsessed with her writing and will read anything she writes! She has a way of holding u in a grip, with twists and turns you don’t see coming." - BookSprout Review

"This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good rural legend." - BookSprout Review

"Outstanding!" - BookSprout Review

"The book got hold of me on page 1 and never let go until the end. The story moves quickly and there are plenty of twists and turns until the end." - BookSprout Review

"Creepy Small-Town Secrets That Sink Their Claws In" - BookSprout Review

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Reader Reviews

4.8

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Jolene C.

Oct 12, 2026

Why did I wait so long to read this?! It’s been sitting on my tbr forever, and I’m ashamed I left it there. Nothing beats folklore twisted into a creepy, atmospheric mystery, and this one absolutely delivered!

I loved this so much, the disturbing secrets, the weird mystery surrounding the hanging tree, it was the perfect read for spooky season.. And Graham and Stephen? Their bickering was so much fun! Two unlikely allies, a missing teenage girl, a suspicious butcher, and a tree that seems to be talking?

Creepy, intriguing, and packed with secrets, this was exactly the kind of twisted folklore mystery I love. Jessica Huntley, you’ve reminded me why I shouldn’t let books sit on my shelf for so long!

Carina P.

Aug 15, 2026

There’s a particular kind of dread that settles in when a story circles around a body hanging from a tree, and Jessica leans into that mood with precision. Jessica builds that eerie, small‑village tension beautifully, and I loved the connection to The Darkness Within — it adds a deeper, more unsettling layer to the mystery. The secrets unravel at just the right pace, keeping the atmosphere thick and the pages turning. A solid, satisfying, creepy read from one of my fav authors!

Mandy S.

Aug 15, 2026

The Hanging Tree grabs you from the first page and refuses to loosen its grip. Huntley layers secrets, lies, and razor-sharp tension into a taut, adrenaline-laced story that keeps you fully locked in. Bold, atmospheric, and brilliantly crafted—a standout thriller you can’t put down!

Rachel B.

Aug 15, 2026

“The Hanging Tree” by Jessica Huntley is a haunting, atmospheric thriller packed with long-buried secrets and rising danger. Retired detective Graham Williams teams up with Stephen Mallow to untangle a small-town mystery that only becomes darker the deeper they dig. Every new revelation tightens the tension and keeps the stakes climbing.
I especially appreciated how Huntley weaves themes of mental health and grief into the story. She portrays their impact with honesty and care, adding emotional depth to the suspense.
A gripping, intense, and chilling read—Huntley delivers a truly haunting thriller.

About the Author

Jessica Huntley

I am an award-winning and best-selling psychological thriller author. I'm an ex-British soldier and Personal Trainer and have been writing almost non-stop for the past five years.

I am now the author of twenty-one books and am both self-published and traditionally published with Inkubator Books and Joffe Books.

I write books for thriller readers who like their stories dark and twisty with complex, yet memorable characters, who often suffer from relatable mental health disorders.

When I'm not writing, I am either keeping fit, walking her dog or looking after my young son. Or plotting my next book ...

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