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Haint: An Appalachian Vampire Horror Novel
Immerse yourself in the heart-stopping horrors of an isolated and crime-ridden Kentucky holler, where the lines between myth and reality blur, and a legendary creature awakens to stalk unsuspecting prey.
In the aftermath of a tragic mine collapse, Sheriff Hunter Gallogly finds himself caught between two worlds. A man of law, he must navigate the treacherous paths of his ancestral land while investigating a string of apparent murders. When the sheriff’s drug dealing cousins, Greg and Bob, become involved in an investigation into the killing of one of their dealers, the trio soon stumbles upon evidence that points to an impossible perpetrator.
As the body count rises and terror spreads, Hunter, Greg, and Bob form an unlikely alliance, bound by blood and driven by survival. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront a seemingly unstoppable creature and put an end to its reign of terror. But as they delve deeper into the hunt, family secrets are revealed that could tear them apart.
Against a backdrop of moonlit hollers and ancient superstitions, the sheriff and his cousins, accompanied by both deputies and criminals, wage a desperate battle for the survival of their town. As the creature’s power grows, and the community descends into chaos, the Galloglys must confront their own demons and find the strength to face the unimaginable.
Prepare for a heart-pounding narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Will the Galloglys overcome their differences and put an end to the creature’s reign of terror? Or will they fall victim to the same legend that plagued their kinfolk generations ago.
In this gripping horror novel set in the depths of Appalachia, author Samuel Brower weaves a tale of bloodlust, family bonds, and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to face the darkness head-on.
In the aftermath of a tragic mine collapse, Sheriff Hunter Gallogly finds himself caught between two worlds. A man of law, he must navigate the treacherous paths of his ancestral land while investigating a string of apparent murders. When the sheriff’s drug dealing cousins, Greg and Bob, become involved in an investigation into the killing of one of their dealers, the trio soon stumbles upon evidence that points to an impossible perpetrator.
As the body count rises and terror spreads, Hunter, Greg, and Bob form an unlikely alliance, bound by blood and driven by survival. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront a seemingly unstoppable creature and put an end to its reign of terror. But as they delve deeper into the hunt, family secrets are revealed that could tear them apart.
Against a backdrop of moonlit hollers and ancient superstitions, the sheriff and his cousins, accompanied by both deputies and criminals, wage a desperate battle for the survival of their town. As the creature’s power grows, and the community descends into chaos, the Galloglys must confront their own demons and find the strength to face the unimaginable.
Prepare for a heart-pounding narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Will the Galloglys overcome their differences and put an end to the creature’s reign of terror? Or will they fall victim to the same legend that plagued their kinfolk generations ago.
In this gripping horror novel set in the depths of Appalachia, author Samuel Brower weaves a tale of bloodlust, family bonds, and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to face the darkness head-on.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2023
587 people are currently reading
1007 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Brower
64 books52 followersBestselling author Samuel Brower crafts haunting, immersive tales that blur the line between horror, dark fantasy, and the supernatural. His breakout novel, Haint, became an Amazon bestseller in 2024, cementing his reputation as a must-read voice in modern horror fiction. To date, Brower has published ten gripping novels and dozens of chilling short stories, with his work featured in renowned magazines like Voices, Nine Tales, and Zero Flash. A professional member of both the Horror Writers Association and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, Brower brings a seasoned, masterful touch to every eerie world he creates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
August 29, 2023
This was just what I needed. A town with some issues. A straightforward horror that starts off with a creepy and horrifying encounter, it had a great setting, some interesting and solid characters of all kinds, a monster with a bit of history thrown in, and victims. Super easy to get into and then you're hooked. I read this very quickly and it was hard to put down. Delightful. I hope there are more stories to come.
October 23, 2025
Meh good but simple. It could have been so much more violent.
September 7, 2024
The real vampires are the generational traumas we made along the way.
October 17, 2024
Now, this is a vampire story. This was brutal, and the narrative was straightforward. It's definitely a new favorite vampire story.
January 27, 2024
I liked it. It was a fast paced horror story set in the Appalachians. It definitely brought the setting to life and the uniqueness of a vampire in that setting was one of the highlights of this read.
I thought it was rather straight forward but it did a good job of tying all of the characters into the plot and bringing all the loose ends together so that the plot wraps up.
And the characters really came alive, for such a short book it did a good job of fleshing out all the characters. Even the ones with one or two scenes managed to give the impression of being fully alive. Spoilers for the end:
I can't say the plot had any great surprises for me but for a fast paced action-horror read I quite enjoyed it.
I thought it was rather straight forward but it did a good job of tying all of the characters into the plot and bringing all the loose ends together so that the plot wraps up.
And the characters really came alive, for such a short book it did a good job of fleshing out all the characters. Even the ones with one or two scenes managed to give the impression of being fully alive. Spoilers for the end:
I can't say the plot had any great surprises for me but for a fast paced action-horror read I quite enjoyed it.
December 4, 2025
4⭐️
Solid 4.
Starts off with a bang with an intense and horrifying encounter then keeps the dread coming as the body count rises. Mix in a fucked up town, interesting characters, and a monster with well thought our lore and a lust for blood and you got yourself a pretty decent book in my opinion. 😌
Didn’t expect a horror vampire novel to punch me in the feels as hard as this one did though.
This was an easy read that I couldn’t put down.
Solid 4.
Starts off with a bang with an intense and horrifying encounter then keeps the dread coming as the body count rises. Mix in a fucked up town, interesting characters, and a monster with well thought our lore and a lust for blood and you got yourself a pretty decent book in my opinion. 😌
Didn’t expect a horror vampire novel to punch me in the feels as hard as this one did though.
This was an easy read that I couldn’t put down.
October 21, 2023
This book was better than I expected. It was a good book to escape from reality for a while.
October 30, 2023
fucked up vampire slayyy
June 11, 2025
Super vampire read. Well written, so it's easy to fall into the story. The characters are good, so you can connect with them. I did feel quite emotionally attached to a couple of them, which is unusual for me. The lore of the vampire, the setting where the story is told, just everything about this book I really liked. Book 2 is out in August so I'm looking forward to that.
There's also a newer book cover on Amazon, which I think is much better.
There's also a newer book cover on Amazon, which I think is much better.
November 23, 2024
Excellent Horror Story
I don't think you can give enough praise to this vivid portrayal of Appalachian back woods society in the grip of a horror they must come to understand and cope with The novel is non stop and non put downable. Characters are vivid and loveable. The horror is viceral. Don't miss this one!
I don't think you can give enough praise to this vivid portrayal of Appalachian back woods society in the grip of a horror they must come to understand and cope with The novel is non stop and non put downable. Characters are vivid and loveable. The horror is viceral. Don't miss this one!
August 6, 2025
A Must Read
As someone from Eastern Kentucky (Johnson Co.) I love how the book is based on the culture of this area. The book is beautifully written and leaves no loose ends within the story. As I read the book I grew to love each character especially Brandi, and Hunter. Haint is truly a book you won’t want to put down, and will stick with you for a while.
As someone from Eastern Kentucky (Johnson Co.) I love how the book is based on the culture of this area. The book is beautifully written and leaves no loose ends within the story. As I read the book I grew to love each character especially Brandi, and Hunter. Haint is truly a book you won’t want to put down, and will stick with you for a while.
August 7, 2025
What a suspenful and adrenaline rush
Everyone should read this story if you like supernatural mysteries. It was a can't put it down wild ride. Some characters were flawed but worked together to save the town. There was also a love story that ended tragically for the two characters, but their sacrifice saved the day.
Everyone should read this story if you like supernatural mysteries. It was a can't put it down wild ride. Some characters were flawed but worked together to save the town. There was also a love story that ended tragically for the two characters, but their sacrifice saved the day.
October 28, 2025
3.5 stars
November 1, 2025
Exactly the type of horror book I was looking for during spooky season! Characters were top notch, the plot kept me interested, the writing was fantastic.
May 9, 2024
Really good, had fun with this one.
September 12, 2023
Ja, das Buch erfüllt die Erwartungen von einer Jagd auf einen Vampir und wie dieser auch brutal seine Opfer überfällt. Aber die zwischenmenschlichen Probleme der Bewohner und die Szenen aus der Sicht des Vampirs selber, waren für mich mit Abstand die Besten. Ich hatte nicht erwartet, dass ich so emotional werden würde bei einer Nacht auf dem rooftop, die nicht direkt etwas mit der Jagd oder dem Vampir zu tun hatte.
Außerdem wird der Vampir hier mehr als ein tragisches Wesen vorgestellt, als einem berechnenden Adligen wie in Dracula. Das passt auch definitiv besser zu der Geschichte die hier erzählt wird.
Zuletzt fand ich es gut, dass die meisten Einwohner nicht zu eindimensional dargestellt wurden- Im Gegensatz zu den Besuchern aus der Stadt. Ich weiß nicht wirklich warum die Besucher Tiktoks aufnehmen mussten bei einer Rettungsmission, aber sie wurden danach auch nie wieder genannt. Wirkte etwas random für mich, aber was solls. Sind nur ein paar Seiten und fallen daher nicht ins Gewicht.
Außerdem wird der Vampir hier mehr als ein tragisches Wesen vorgestellt, als einem berechnenden Adligen wie in Dracula. Das passt auch definitiv besser zu der Geschichte die hier erzählt wird.
Zuletzt fand ich es gut, dass die meisten Einwohner nicht zu eindimensional dargestellt wurden- Im Gegensatz zu den Besuchern aus der Stadt. Ich weiß nicht wirklich warum die Besucher Tiktoks aufnehmen mussten bei einer Rettungsmission, aber sie wurden danach auch nie wieder genannt. Wirkte etwas random für mich, aber was solls. Sind nur ein paar Seiten und fallen daher nicht ins Gewicht.
June 12, 2023
Freaky
Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Actually bought it due to the artwork on the cover. Silly me! Took me a bit to warm up to to this one but then it got interesting. No pretty vampires here and no small holes in the neck either. Really wish the proof readers would have caught all the typos(not that there were a tremendous amount) but it does make reading challenging if you're trying to make out words. At first I got a tad too wrapped up in all the southern innuendos and almost put this one to rest. Not all from the South are imbeciles and guess I became a bit too pissy about the descriptive side of things. Glad I got over myself because I did enjoy this book. If you're looking for the Hollywood version of vampires we!!...this isn't it
Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Actually bought it due to the artwork on the cover. Silly me! Took me a bit to warm up to to this one but then it got interesting. No pretty vampires here and no small holes in the neck either. Really wish the proof readers would have caught all the typos(not that there were a tremendous amount) but it does make reading challenging if you're trying to make out words. At first I got a tad too wrapped up in all the southern innuendos and almost put this one to rest. Not all from the South are imbeciles and guess I became a bit too pissy about the descriptive side of things. Glad I got over myself because I did enjoy this book. If you're looking for the Hollywood version of vampires we!!...this isn't it
October 4, 2025
HAINT is a novel that I am very biased toward because I grew up in Ashland, Ky and still live there. This novel is set in-between Ashland and Lexington, KY as well as mentions both. Much like the TV show JUSTIFIED, there's not enough Appalachian fiction for me to be pretty choosy about what I consume. In this case, it's also a vampire novel so I'm going to give it massive credit. In this case, a local sheriff and his friends in a dying coal mining community have to deal with a vampire that escapes where it's been buried for centuries. It's a simple enough premise but works well. There's a few stereotype uses about rural people but I can't say there's not some truth to them. Overall, I highly recommend it.
October 15, 2023
The Holler Haint
I was absorbed by this story from the first paragraph. I'm knowledgeable concerning hollers since I live in one in Tennessee. This book captures perfectly the closeness of mountain folk; add in a haint and you've got yourself a story. I could posit all day on hollers and the people that live there but, I say read this book instead. It was masterfully written and gave a real twist on Vampire lore. I would recommend this book to everyone.
I was absorbed by this story from the first paragraph. I'm knowledgeable concerning hollers since I live in one in Tennessee. This book captures perfectly the closeness of mountain folk; add in a haint and you've got yourself a story. I could posit all day on hollers and the people that live there but, I say read this book instead. It was masterfully written and gave a real twist on Vampire lore. I would recommend this book to everyone.
June 3, 2023
Scary creature, fantastic storyline
This is one amazing story! I was unable to put it down from the first page on. The characters were great, and the creature, well, it was scary. There was just the perfect amount of gore, and I loved the way the storyline developed. I do hope there are more books out there from this author.
This is one amazing story! I was unable to put it down from the first page on. The characters were great, and the creature, well, it was scary. There was just the perfect amount of gore, and I loved the way the storyline developed. I do hope there are more books out there from this author.
September 24, 2023
Amazing
I've never read much growing up and getting into it this year, im glad this is one of the ones that I picked up reading. Very well written to where I can picture what I'm reading. I love the darkness to it and I love that it spares no details. Defintley should give it a read!
I've never read much growing up and getting into it this year, im glad this is one of the ones that I picked up reading. Very well written to where I can picture what I'm reading. I love the darkness to it and I love that it spares no details. Defintley should give it a read!
October 26, 2023
This book was decent, but much more light than I thought it would be. It had some criminals/police team up cliches, along with a character in the audiobook who sounded like a dumb Elvis. I liked the new wrinkle that smoking meth is a great repellent against vampires. Garlic is totally overrated anyways.
January 18, 2024
Amazing
The book is a wonderful mix of old tropes and old settings, the setting feels lived in and is well constructed. The old family being split between the law, the faith, and the underworld mirrored in the three cousins, without being only about that, but rather using those elements to enrich the story
The book is a wonderful mix of old tropes and old settings, the setting feels lived in and is well constructed. The old family being split between the law, the faith, and the underworld mirrored in the three cousins, without being only about that, but rather using those elements to enrich the story
February 13, 2024
This is one of the best books I've read this year. If you're up for a campy old-school vampire horror set in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky, this book is for you. And the ending... perfect. Very exciting climax. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I raced through it. Highly recommended.
June 10, 2023
Really good read
I'm gonna look for more from this author. This book was really good and kept me Interested. Not a bunch of wasted chapters or fancy big words that most authors throw in just to remind you of how smart they are.
I'm gonna look for more from this author. This book was really good and kept me Interested. Not a bunch of wasted chapters or fancy big words that most authors throw in just to remind you of how smart they are.
June 12, 2023
fast read
A fun, action packed easy to read thriller. It took me a little while to get used to the “hillbilly “ dialogue, but it was good! Not totally predictable, it keeps you on the edge until a great ending.
A fun, action packed easy to read thriller. It took me a little while to get used to the “hillbilly “ dialogue, but it was good! Not totally predictable, it keeps you on the edge until a great ending.
August 7, 2023
Great read
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, from beginning to end.
I'm hopeful the author will continue with this type of novels, maybe even cone up with something else similar as a series.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, from beginning to end.
I'm hopeful the author will continue with this type of novels, maybe even cone up with something else similar as a series.
September 10, 2023
Great story telling
Loved this book. Well written characters and engrossing storyline made this book hard to put down. I enjoyed his take on vampires. I will be reading anything this author puts out.
Loved this book. Well written characters and engrossing storyline made this book hard to put down. I enjoyed his take on vampires. I will be reading anything this author puts out.
November 2, 2023
WOW just WOW☺️
This was a great, Fantastic story!!!. I do love me a great vamp story and this was DEFINITELY one!!!. Samuel is a FANTASTIC storyteller and is a PHENOMENAL writer!!!.
This was a great, Fantastic story!!!. I do love me a great vamp story and this was DEFINITELY one!!!. Samuel is a FANTASTIC storyteller and is a PHENOMENAL writer!!!.
November 22, 2023
Amazingly Silk written and plotted
Well done. FreeTime characters written with feeling. Not one stereotypical trope. Far better written than a horror novel in this genre could expect. I enjoyed reading it.
Well done. FreeTime characters written with feeling. Not one stereotypical trope. Far better written than a horror novel in this genre could expect. I enjoyed reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews