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American Paladin #2
Sour Lake: Or, The Beast
It's 1911. Someone, or something, is leaving the good citizens of East Texas's Ochiltree County savagely mutilated and drained of blood. Slow-talking Sheriff Reeves Duncan needs to put an end to the murders, and soon. But it won't be easy. This is the Big Thicket, dark and brooding, haunted by racial tensions and economic despair. Fortunately, Sheriff Duncan can count on the assistance of an undersized but tough-as-rawhide Texas Ranger, two physicians, a mechanical wunderkind, and a soft-spoken idiot savant who knows the sloughs and baygalls of the Thicket like his own backyard. This league of unimpressive gentlemen is about to be tested by the cunning and ferocity of an enemy that walks by night--and the tentacles of a desperate sectarian plot that threatens the very survival of the human race. Cover design by Shaun Venish.
228 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2010
14 people are currently reading
8282 people want to read
About the author
Bruce McCandless III
16 books257 followersBruce McCandless III is the author of the biography Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Free Flight in Space, an Amazon bestseller that was named a Best Book of 2021 by both Men's Journal and Kirkus Reviews. Wonders All Around is first and foremost a relationship story about a family caught up in a father's ambitions, disappointments, and struggle for professional redemption, all as played out against the real-life drama of America's manned space program in the Apollo, Skylab, and early Shuttle years.
A lifelong Texan, Bruce is also the author of the interlinked historical horror novels In the Land of Dead Horses, Sour Lake, and The Black Book of Cyrenaica, as well as a modern fairy tale for pre-teens called Beatrice and the Basilisk. Named Austin's Poet Laureate by the Austin American-Statesman in 2000, he has published poems, stories, and essays in The Seattle Review, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Pleiades, Bayou, and other journals.
With his daughter Carson, Bruce wrote Carson Clare's Trail Guide to Avoiding Death (And Other Unpleasant Consequences), a book of poems for middle-schoolers that Indie Reader gave a perfect 5.0 score and that Kirkus Reviews calls an "amusing and friendly handbook" with "delightful verse and surprisingly useful tips." Bruce and Carson also teamed up to write Beatrice at Bay (2020), a Beatrice sequel that Kirkus touts as "an often thrilling and nuanced fantasy novella."
A lifelong Texan, Bruce is also the author of the interlinked historical horror novels In the Land of Dead Horses, Sour Lake, and The Black Book of Cyrenaica, as well as a modern fairy tale for pre-teens called Beatrice and the Basilisk. Named Austin's Poet Laureate by the Austin American-Statesman in 2000, he has published poems, stories, and essays in The Seattle Review, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Pleiades, Bayou, and other journals.
With his daughter Carson, Bruce wrote Carson Clare's Trail Guide to Avoiding Death (And Other Unpleasant Consequences), a book of poems for middle-schoolers that Indie Reader gave a perfect 5.0 score and that Kirkus Reviews calls an "amusing and friendly handbook" with "delightful verse and surprisingly useful tips." Bruce and Carson also teamed up to write Beatrice at Bay (2020), a Beatrice sequel that Kirkus touts as "an often thrilling and nuanced fantasy novella."
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February 20, 2021Giveaway Win!
August 7, 2024
On "Free Comic Book Day" last week, in one of the shops, There were a few people set up sellings their wares. One was a writer, who had this novel he'd written. I love horror, and when I found out it was set in Texas, I thought I'd give it a read. I'm glad I did.
It's 1911, in the Big Thicket. There have been 2 brutal murders. And while the locals seem happy with blaming a black man who they've had run ins with before, the Sheriff is not so sure.
With the help of two doctors (One being a black man from Houston-which only seems to add fuel to the racial fire) and a Texas Ranger who may be more then he seems,he tries to figure out just who-or WHAT is doing the killing.
Rounding out his "crew" is the nephew of one of the doctors, who has dreams of flying "aeroplanes", a local boy who knows the Big Thicket better then anyone in town, and the black man the locals think did the killing.
I really enjoyed the book. It puts you in 1911 Texas. You feel the heat, hear the cicadas. (Trust me they are as a part of Texas summer as the heat!) and you feel the racial tension. But what is out there in the woods is far worse then a closed minded red neck....
Give this book a try. It's worth it!
It's 1911, in the Big Thicket. There have been 2 brutal murders. And while the locals seem happy with blaming a black man who they've had run ins with before, the Sheriff is not so sure.
With the help of two doctors (One being a black man from Houston-which only seems to add fuel to the racial fire) and a Texas Ranger who may be more then he seems,he tries to figure out just who-or WHAT is doing the killing.
Rounding out his "crew" is the nephew of one of the doctors, who has dreams of flying "aeroplanes", a local boy who knows the Big Thicket better then anyone in town, and the black man the locals think did the killing.
I really enjoyed the book. It puts you in 1911 Texas. You feel the heat, hear the cicadas. (Trust me they are as a part of Texas summer as the heat!) and you feel the racial tension. But what is out there in the woods is far worse then a closed minded red neck....
Give this book a try. It's worth it!
October 27, 2018
Gory,scary ...well actually really unnerving ...this is really normally not the type of story i read .....but well.....It is close to Halloween so I broke my rule. If horror is your genre then you will enjoy this terrifying ,bloody tale that is stated to be a true story.You will hope like I do that It is not so and that it's just the stirrings of an authors vast imagination. It is very graphic and violent but the writer did have the courtesy to warn me ,though I commenced to peruse it anyway.It delivers on the warning for sure .I guess I should give kudos to Mr.McCandless for giving me nightmares tonight LOL.But if that's what a good horror novel is suppose to do to its readers ....he has certainly succeeded at his task .Enjoy the quest for the beast at your own risk 💀
January 15, 2013
Larry McMutry meets Stephen King. Great characters and a well-paced plot meet in this unlikely combination of historical novel and monster mystery. This is not your typical vampire novel. Set in turn-of-the century East Texas, the author captures the gritty reality of life there, including physical hardships and racial tensions with a little supernatural thrown in. Intrigue abounds! Give it a try!
June 21, 2020
Definitely an interesting read! Set in the fall 1911 in a small east Texas town, the novel is supposedly a fact-based story based upon events that took place surrounding a series of brutal killings. The cover blurb states "Being a true account of the Atcheson Horror and its Rampage through an East Texas Town, based on eyewitness Testimony and Previous unpublished Documents." We have the basic narrative of the story supplemented by clips from newspaper articles and letters among the main protagonists.
The strengths of the book regard the explication of the class and race realities of the era. Once the killings start, several prominent people in town start looking for a suspect and settle on a large black man. There are some horrifying tales embedded in the story about lynchings and postcards of the 'strange fruit' that highlight the deep racial divisions of the era. In many ways, this is more terrifying than the account of the Atcheson Horror itself.
It is not much of a spoiler to state that this is a vampire tale, although it is a novel vampire to be sure. A strange posse if you will forms to hunt the vampire, consisting of a Texas Ranger, the local sheriff, his deputy, the local town doctor and his buddy from Houston, the doc's nephew, and the large black man that some in town view as the culprit.
All in all, a clever book that maybe tried a little to hard to be true story, especially at the end. 3.5 stars.
The strengths of the book regard the explication of the class and race realities of the era. Once the killings start, several prominent people in town start looking for a suspect and settle on a large black man. There are some horrifying tales embedded in the story about lynchings and postcards of the 'strange fruit' that highlight the deep racial divisions of the era. In many ways, this is more terrifying than the account of the Atcheson Horror itself.
It is not much of a spoiler to state that this is a vampire tale, although it is a novel vampire to be sure. A strange posse if you will forms to hunt the vampire, consisting of a Texas Ranger, the local sheriff, his deputy, the local town doctor and his buddy from Houston, the doc's nephew, and the large black man that some in town view as the culprit.
All in all, a clever book that maybe tried a little to hard to be true story, especially at the end. 3.5 stars.
October 23, 2018
I got this book as the result of a Giveaway. I jumped into it not knowing exactly what to expect. Once I cracked the cover I put it down only to sleep and go to work! This is at its heart a tale of good vs evil, where a monster lurks in the shadows and good people with good intentions must fend off potential disaster threatening to overtake their tiny Texas town. The story is told with a gritty authenticity that is compelling and convincing and it was difficult to put the book down because I felt like I was leaving characters I cared about in mortal danger. Be warned, there are some stomach-churning scenes of graphic violence, but they are driven by the story, not gratuitously dropped in only for effect. There are some strong echos to our current political situation which makes the story feel contemporary even as the author gracefully recaptures the feel of turn-of-the-century oil country. A good read, with some sci-fi elements, I recommend it be read with a good cup of cocoa, a warm blanket and the lights ON!
July 19, 2021
Great book, unique and interesting characters. Loved the vivid descriptions of the beast.
July 22, 2014
I received this from the author for free in return for an honest review. Well, I'm honestly telling you, if you get the chance, read this!!
The setting is the early 1900's in the back woods of Texas. Something is killing the population there. Not just killing. Mutilating. Ripping apart the bodies and draining them of blood and certain organs. What's doing it? A pack of wild dogs? A bear? A group of people led by a Texas Ranger begin the search to find the truth. Read this! You WON'T be disappointed!
The setting is the early 1900's in the back woods of Texas. Something is killing the population there. Not just killing. Mutilating. Ripping apart the bodies and draining them of blood and certain organs. What's doing it? A pack of wild dogs? A bear? A group of people led by a Texas Ranger begin the search to find the truth. Read this! You WON'T be disappointed!
June 18, 2012
Whew! I can't believe I survived. It's scary down here in Texas especially in the Big Thicket area and McCandless will show you why. Texas Rangers, historical accounts, MURDER, mysterious disappearances, characters from our past you just can't forget and last but not least a horror sci-fi creature that the author keeps believable. Love it! McCandless keeps you turning those pages and even does what most horror and sci-fi authors can't pull off successfully, ends it with fantastic ending. This is a really tall tale.....or wait a minute, is it???
September 13, 2016
In Sour Lake, author Bruce McCandless can't be categorized: He scares the daylights out of you like Stephen King, leaves you in stitches like Mark Leyner, and enthralls you with historical detail as if he is your favorite writer of epic non-fiction. Sour Lake takes you into a dark, creepy, and at times terrifying, world most people are not familiar with and makes you wonder if these events could have actually happened--and just seem too strange for real life.
October 23, 2018
Finally an excellent book. Good characters, written close to faithfully for the time frame of the novel. I live in East Texas and many of the places are familiar to me and the author has been accurate. Some readers might be put off by the racism found in the book. Get over it, it was accurate to the time if a little toned down. Finally a new monster has appeared. I was tired of vampires followed by the zombies. A quick read.
August 20, 2021
230 pages
4 stars
Part horror, part western, part science fiction with a touch of fantasy, this book gives the reader much to think about. It is also very real in the sense that it discusses the reality of being Black in Texas in 1911.
I enjoyed this little novel. I found the writing fascinating. Mr. McCandless has a real talent. I will definitely look into his other books.
There is a spate of horrific killings going on around the little town. People are literally being torn apart. All watched over by the eerie and mysterious Thicket that stands nearby the settlement. The sheriff is determined to find out who is doing the killings, as is the town doctor. They are joined by a few other unlikely heroes who set out to discover the perpetrator. The town people want to blame the few Blacks in the town.
What they discover is far beyond imagination.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Ninth Planet Press for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting and dare I say, fun, book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
4 stars
Part horror, part western, part science fiction with a touch of fantasy, this book gives the reader much to think about. It is also very real in the sense that it discusses the reality of being Black in Texas in 1911.
I enjoyed this little novel. I found the writing fascinating. Mr. McCandless has a real talent. I will definitely look into his other books.
There is a spate of horrific killings going on around the little town. People are literally being torn apart. All watched over by the eerie and mysterious Thicket that stands nearby the settlement. The sheriff is determined to find out who is doing the killings, as is the town doctor. They are joined by a few other unlikely heroes who set out to discover the perpetrator. The town people want to blame the few Blacks in the town.
What they discover is far beyond imagination.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Ninth Planet Press for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting and dare I say, fun, book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
September 8, 2021
I received this book through a goodreads giveaway. I have not read the author before. I enjoy horror but I don't read a lot of books that are set in this time period (the early 1900's). That being said I enjoyed Sour Lake. It is well written and has plenty of action and suspense. The cast of characters is varied and likeable. This is a novel that crosses several genres which makes it a great read for a wide audience interested in a scary tale.
September 27, 2021
A colorful mix of western, sci-fi and vampire tale, 'Sour Lake' is a gory story about a bloodthirsty creature in East Texas and a group of men fighting the evil threat.
While the plot was OK, I had some problems with the often discursive writing, telling too much detail especially about side characters which distracted from the real story. However, after about the first half the book concentrated more on the events going on, so that pace and tension went up a bit. Overall, an interesting and entertaining different take on vampire lore.
While the plot was OK, I had some problems with the often discursive writing, telling too much detail especially about side characters which distracted from the real story. However, after about the first half the book concentrated more on the events going on, so that pace and tension went up a bit. Overall, an interesting and entertaining different take on vampire lore.
July 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this Texas horror story. It has solid research and feels very true to its setting, and having been to Beaumont it felt just like the area. The combination of historical and fantastic works well here.
Very enjoyable book and look forward to more from Bruce!
Very enjoyable book and look forward to more from Bruce!
July 19, 2021
I enjoyed this book- interesting and well developed characters, quick moving plot, and a great creature! It reminded me of my all time favorite tv series X-Files. Many of the elements of East Texas of the time seem well researched and accurate and I appreciate that in a book of fiction. Overall entertaining story and well written!
August 16, 2021
This was a winner of a book.
I like a good horror story, and McCandless kept me reading with historical context and mystery that served the story well.
This was a treat to read as a Goodreads Giveaway selection. I’ll be reading more from the author.
I like a good horror story, and McCandless kept me reading with historical context and mystery that served the story well.
This was a treat to read as a Goodreads Giveaway selection. I’ll be reading more from the author.
September 13, 2021
Horror In the Big Thicket
Texas has grown a bumper crop of exceptional writers and Bruce McCandless III has garnered a good reputation, so I signed up for this ARC as soon as I saw it. I wasn't disappointed! Written in an eclectic style of Texas gothic horror, the tale reminds me of the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and Irish author Sheridan LeFanu, leavened with the folksiness of Mark Twain.
Sour Lake is and was a real place. Set in the hot, humid, overgrown edge of the Big Thicket, the events took place about as far from an urban center as you can get. Venturing out after nightfall must have been terrifying in a place so sparsely settled, where no end of vicious predators--with four legs or two--could hunt without fear of discovery or capture.
I was riveted from the opening chapter and the first horrific attack. The ensuing investigation introduced the characters and more than a few complications as the search for the killer began. One problem they faced was that, though the story takes place in 1910, for many Texans of that day, it had never made it beyond the Civil War.
"Doc" Walter McDivett and his nephew and ward, Jake Hennessy, were interesting characters. Doc was a man whose best years had been in the past century, while Jake revelled in the progress of the 20th. Though Doc wouldn't concede that young Jake was a grown man and viewed his interests as a childish hobby he hoped that he'd outgrow, they weren't so unalike.
Jake's interest in building flying machines may not have earned him his uncle's respect, but their conflict illustrated how the impact of the era's new technological and scientific discoveries was changing society, which added depth to the plot. In a sense, the resistance of the old against the new foreshadows the very nature of the evil that has come to their town.
I received a free ARC of Sour Lake from NetGalley courtesy of the author and Ninth Planet Press. Though I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this excellent book, my views are my own, delivered without obligation. If you like southern gothic horror, especially with a Texas twang, you'll love this book. Bruce McCandless may be the third, but he's second to none!
Texas has grown a bumper crop of exceptional writers and Bruce McCandless III has garnered a good reputation, so I signed up for this ARC as soon as I saw it. I wasn't disappointed! Written in an eclectic style of Texas gothic horror, the tale reminds me of the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and Irish author Sheridan LeFanu, leavened with the folksiness of Mark Twain.
Sour Lake is and was a real place. Set in the hot, humid, overgrown edge of the Big Thicket, the events took place about as far from an urban center as you can get. Venturing out after nightfall must have been terrifying in a place so sparsely settled, where no end of vicious predators--with four legs or two--could hunt without fear of discovery or capture.
I was riveted from the opening chapter and the first horrific attack. The ensuing investigation introduced the characters and more than a few complications as the search for the killer began. One problem they faced was that, though the story takes place in 1910, for many Texans of that day, it had never made it beyond the Civil War.
"Doc" Walter McDivett and his nephew and ward, Jake Hennessy, were interesting characters. Doc was a man whose best years had been in the past century, while Jake revelled in the progress of the 20th. Though Doc wouldn't concede that young Jake was a grown man and viewed his interests as a childish hobby he hoped that he'd outgrow, they weren't so unalike.
Jake's interest in building flying machines may not have earned him his uncle's respect, but their conflict illustrated how the impact of the era's new technological and scientific discoveries was changing society, which added depth to the plot. In a sense, the resistance of the old against the new foreshadows the very nature of the evil that has come to their town.
I received a free ARC of Sour Lake from NetGalley courtesy of the author and Ninth Planet Press. Though I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this excellent book, my views are my own, delivered without obligation. If you like southern gothic horror, especially with a Texas twang, you'll love this book. Bruce McCandless may be the third, but he's second to none!
August 9, 2021
This was a GoodReads giveaway win of a Kindle ebook.
I very recently read McCandless' biographic story of his father which I thought was very good. This book was a fictional account tying together some historic events from 1911 East Texas. It was such a different writing. It goes to demonstrate the vast artistic talent of McCandless. It is not my usual reading preference, in fact I generally steer clear of "vampire" stories as being simply too rote, but I do enjoy any well told story. This was well told. It is the attention to small details that intrigue me.
This was a GoodReads. Give this book a read, especially on a dark and stormy Halloween night.
I very recently read McCandless' biographic story of his father which I thought was very good. This book was a fictional account tying together some historic events from 1911 East Texas. It was such a different writing. It goes to demonstrate the vast artistic talent of McCandless. It is not my usual reading preference, in fact I generally steer clear of "vampire" stories as being simply too rote, but I do enjoy any well told story. This was well told. It is the attention to small details that intrigue me.
This was a GoodReads. Give this book a read, especially on a dark and stormy Halloween night.
December 4, 2021
I loved it! Great characters. Fresh take on an old monster. Vivid setting. Perfect autumn read.
March 2, 2022
Written similar to "found footage"
This story tells of an account which was discussed by the people involved in it. Some of the people believed the murders were done by a brutal human. There were others who believed it may be something other than a human. Riveting tale from beginning to end.
I won this book through a goodreads.com giveaway.
This story tells of an account which was discussed by the people involved in it. Some of the people believed the murders were done by a brutal human. There were others who believed it may be something other than a human. Riveting tale from beginning to end.
I won this book through a goodreads.com giveaway.
November 10, 2021
The story of Sour Lake: Or, The Beast was...an incredible story. I love how it was in 1911 yet while going further in, I was getting amazed by every chapter. I will admit, it scared me. I...kept getting stunned and even though I was stunned, I love it. I mean, picturing yourself in this situation would...make you think later in life on what they had gone through. I love the characters, especially Walter and Lightfoot. Those two really had me reading more. I won't say anymore further because I don't want to ruin any spoilers for those who haven't read this. But let me tell you, readers, IT IS a must-read! You will get entranced by the whole story and have a hard time setting this book down. Sadly I had to many times due to handling personal issues, but it never left my mind and when I had free time, I grabbed the book and continued. I...so much I want to say on this particular book without spoiling but I wish to give this one ten stars instead of five. That's how great this book is and I am so thankful to have it! It's one fantastic book! :)
April 11, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This book is fairly reminiscent of Dracula. A shorter version without the romance and set in Texas, but similar nonetheless. It amuses me because a certain passage actually pokes fun at the way Dracula is written, though I'm fairly certain it was an ironic jibe.
There is some foul language. It's set in Texas in the early 1900s, so there are several n-words and bouts of racism from certain characters. If this bothers you, even if used solely for the historical context, you may want to pass. It also has bouts of graphic gore for you queasy folks to enjoy.
McCandless' novel is well-written and well-researched. I love reading most anything set in Texas (mentions of Houston and Abilene made me smile) as well as anything that follows a vampiric creature. He has some likable characters, though most of them aren't terribly memorable. I enjoyed the plot and suspense despite never feeling truly "thrilled". A few quotation marks were absent, but that's an easily remedied editorial issue.
Overall it was a good book. Not particularly mind-blowing, but it was enjoyable all the same.
This book is fairly reminiscent of Dracula. A shorter version without the romance and set in Texas, but similar nonetheless. It amuses me because a certain passage actually pokes fun at the way Dracula is written, though I'm fairly certain it was an ironic jibe.
There is some foul language. It's set in Texas in the early 1900s, so there are several n-words and bouts of racism from certain characters. If this bothers you, even if used solely for the historical context, you may want to pass. It also has bouts of graphic gore for you queasy folks to enjoy.
McCandless' novel is well-written and well-researched. I love reading most anything set in Texas (mentions of Houston and Abilene made me smile) as well as anything that follows a vampiric creature. He has some likable characters, though most of them aren't terribly memorable. I enjoyed the plot and suspense despite never feeling truly "thrilled". A few quotation marks were absent, but that's an easily remedied editorial issue.
Overall it was a good book. Not particularly mind-blowing, but it was enjoyable all the same.
November 2, 2018
Steampunk Dracula directed by Guy Ritchie! Reading this book, I kept remembering my brother's recent work in East Texas, and how much the flora and fauna frightened him. We were raised in the Midwestern woods, so we're not exactly city slickers! This was just an all-around good story. The use of history and folklore was excellent-- I could almost believe it was all true. And, did I not denote an allusion to "Uneasy Rider" when the lynch mob arrived at Doc's house? I loved this book; it was awesome! This book will also satisfy the 2018 Watauga County Public Library Reading Challenge categories: A Book With The Color Purple In The Title OR On The Cover; A Book With The Color Red In The Title OR On The Cover; A Book With The Color Green In The Title OR On The Cover. I received this book for free from the author.
April 29, 2014
It was pretty solid. I gave it three stars (but its actually 3.5) I love cryptozoology. I loved Destination Truth. This was something out of that show. If you like monsters, this may be something worth checking out.
April 19, 2018
This was a good book. It was very well written, and I found myself unable to put it down.
June 4, 2016
This book was full of chills and thrills.
If you are looking for a book that will rivet your attention and make you stay up late, this one is for you.
Warning : Don't read this alone at night.
If you are looking for a book that will rivet your attention and make you stay up late, this one is for you.
Warning : Don't read this alone at night.
November 5, 2018
It was just ok. Beginning was good but lost interest toward the middle. Oh well.
October 13, 2021
So this is the sequel to In the Land of the Dead Horses, a weird western. In this outing we follow Jewel Lightfoot once again on a weird and wonderous adventure. This time he is investigating gruesome murders that are occurring in East Texas's Ochiltree County in which the Big Thicket is located. The Big Thicket is a forest/swamp which has been described as "America's Ark" and the "Biological Crossroads of North America" (Wikipedia). Something in the Big Thicket is kidnapping and murdering people. Jewel Lightfoot is joined by two doctors, his engineer nephew, the sheriff and a reclusive local naturalist to track down and kill the devilish thing threatening the citizens of Ochiltree County.
Again, McCandless has a great talent for creating characters that are vividly real. In fact, I think the characters are more interesting than the actual mystery. I could read about these characters just playing cards all night-that's how interesting they are.
The mystery itself is ok. I wasn't scared by any means and the resolution was a bit out there but still within the parameters of weird westerns. But, I feel like there is a volume missing between this one and the first novel. Some story lines from In the Land of the Dead Horses appear in Sour Lake but are never really cleared up or explained. We want to know what happened in between the stories. I really hope McCandless will go back and fill in some of the blanks.
If you are looking for an entertaining, strange western, this is the series for you.
Again, McCandless has a great talent for creating characters that are vividly real. In fact, I think the characters are more interesting than the actual mystery. I could read about these characters just playing cards all night-that's how interesting they are.
The mystery itself is ok. I wasn't scared by any means and the resolution was a bit out there but still within the parameters of weird westerns. But, I feel like there is a volume missing between this one and the first novel. Some story lines from In the Land of the Dead Horses appear in Sour Lake but are never really cleared up or explained. We want to know what happened in between the stories. I really hope McCandless will go back and fill in some of the blanks.
If you are looking for an entertaining, strange western, this is the series for you.
August 30, 2019
This is my first read by author, Bruce McCandless III. I normally don't read "horror" genre novels however I gave this a try being that it's a fact-based fiction (horror). I thought it had great characters, plenty of horror, mystery, myths and folklore. Based in Texas in 1911 in a small town outside of Houston. The story is written in a compelling way that has the reader really thinking about the supernatural, good vs evil, vampires, and aliens etc. There is a bit of racism in the novel but the way the author has written it goes within the time frame in our history in the state of Texas in 1911 so I continued reading even though it bothered me. All in all, this was a good novel and I would recommend this if you are into the "horror" genre. I don't think you will be disappointed in this one, maybe grossed out but not disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews