From the bestselling author Patrick Gale, comes an early novel of love, lies and the secrets we live with 'A very funny, often sad, novel writ with style' Time Out'Excellent' The TimesLawrence Frost has neither father nor siblings, and fits awkwardly into life, happier communing with nature than with people.When he wakes up one morning to discover his wife and child have gone missing, there is evidence to suggest he may be the main suspect in a murder investigation.Confused and threatened with the loss of everything he loves, Lawrence is sent to the Caribbean on a kill-or-cure cruise.On board and ashore, he discovers love, deceit, the truth about his missing family, and the blessings that come with surrendering to destiny. Tree Surgery for Beginners is a vivid and engaging portrait of a man at odds with himself. What readers say about Tree Surgery for Beginners: 'His characters are so skilfully painted and human.You need to know what happens to them. This book approaches the human conditions of love, loss and redemption with sympathy, empathy and humour' ? ? ? ? ?'As with all Patrick Gale's books there is tremendous characterisation, the reader almost feels that they are reading about people that they know, that they are involved in the events unfolding in the story' ? ? ? ? ?