The Language of Trees by Ilie Ruby

This book, set in New York State, is part mysticism, part mystery, part historical fiction and part spiritual.  It is the story of the people of Canadaguia who live near a mystical lake and former Seneca Indian Village.  Many of the residents have Seneca Indian ancestry and Indian mysticism as part of their makeup.  Some are healers, some visit from time to time from the beyond.  It is a mystery about the disappearance of Melanie Ellis, a resident of the town.  Some folks think she may have gone back to her druggie life, but her family feels that she would never leave her tiny son.

What has become of Melanie is surprising, but little in the small town is not surprising.  Grant, a former resident, has returned to straighten out his life after his divorce.  He can talk to trees and has healing powers inherited from his father who was a doctor and former Indian healer.  He feels that something bad has happened to Melanie.  He sees the spirit of her drowned brother, Luke, wherever he goes as do many of the other citizens of Canadaguia.  Grant must use his many powers and his knowledge of the area to find the missing girl.

As the story progresses, we find out much about the lives and loves of the townspeople.  There are some surprising facts revealed.  In the end, the mystery is solved.  To tell the ending would give the excitement of the book away, but Melanie did not run away.  Grant's intuition is correct and his talents are used in a mystical way.  This is a very action packed, quick read.