Overview

Pine by Francine Toon is set in a small Highland village surrounded by dense pine forest. The story follows ten year old Lauren and her father Niall, who live on the edge of the community after the loss of Lauren’s mother. One night, a barefoot woman in a white dressing gown appears on the road, and soon after a local teenage girl goes missing. As rumours spread and memories surface, the village begins to feel unsafe, and the forest presses closer.

Writing & Atmosphere

We found the writing restrained but very effective. Toon uses simple details to build a strong sense of place, from dark roads to the constant presence of trees. The mood is uneasy throughout, with a slow build rather than sudden shocks. The book sits comfortably between psychological thriller and folk horror, letting dread seep in quietly.

Characters

Lauren’s viewpoint feels convincing and unsettling, shaped by grief and things she does not fully understand. Her father’s chapters show a man struggling to protect his child while carrying his own guilt and confusion. The villagers add to the tension, with silences, half truths, and a strong sense that not everything is being said.

Themes

Pine is about absence and the damage it leaves behind. It looks at how loss shapes families and how small communities deal with fear. The forest becomes a place where memory, superstition, and danger overlap. Childhood, trust, and the way stories are passed down all play a central role.

What Worked

• Strong sense of place: the Highland setting feels close and unsettling.
• Dual viewpoint: the child and adult perspectives add depth and tension.
• Atmosphere first: mood and unease drive the story more than plot twists.

Minor Quibbles

• The pacing is slow and deliberate, which may not suit readers expecting a fast thriller.
• The ending leaves some questions open rather than neatly resolved.

Final Thoughts

We found Pine haunting and quietly disturbing. It stays with you through its setting, its silences, and its sense of something always just out of sight.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)