The Crow's Caw

DEAD TREE FOREST by Brett McBean / May 2011 (forthcoming) from Delirium Books / 192 pp. / 150 Limited Edition Mini-Hardcovers

What would it take for you to believe in a legend? You’d probably scoff at the notion if one were presented to you. What if this legend, this folktale, could be the only way you could save your own daughter from a terminal disease? Would you believe then?

In Dead Tree Forest, Al, who recently got out of the Big House after seven years, decides to put all his chips in on an old story that happened one hundred and eighty years ago to save his little daughter from dying.  

We find ourselves in Australia where Al and his buddies, brothers Brian and Nathan, take it upon themselves to do what is necessary to find local help in guiding them on their trip to Dead Tree Forest; to Dead Tree Lake where a certain treasure lies at its murky, cold bottom. The treasure that can save Al’s daughter!

In a local bar Al makes nice with Chris, an aborigine, who knows of the tale and who knows how to get to Dead Tree Forest, and who doesn’t want anything to do with the legend. Later that night Al doesn’t make nice when he, Brian and Nathan kidnap Chris and force him to lead them to the forest.

Dead Tree Forest is a fast read. Brett McBean pulls you in right away and doesn’t let go until the very end. He takes us along the dusty roads of Australia and into its dark secrets. Where men who dare step into the Dead Tree Forest may or may not step back out alive. Where there are more things to fear than the men who hold you at gun point.

Four men walk into Dead Tree Forest: one who is hell bent on saving his daughter, two who follow on greed’s behalf and the last because he has no choice.

And a fifth… You, the reader. You have a choice but the need-to-know is much too strong, so you pack your backpack because you want to know if the legend is real.

Dead Tree Forest is waiting.

- Sheldon Higdon

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