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Headhunter
Vietnam 1970. A green hell where death waits behind every tree, in every pooling shadow, and in every mist-haunted hollow. Boobytraps and bullets, landmines and rockets. Mike McKinney went to write about the war, about the terror and frustrations, soldiers and people and a landscape forever altered by the conflict...but he ran across something even worse: a primeval horror straight out of the darkest Vietnamese folklore. A monstrosity that stalks human heads among the twisted, jungled hills of the Central Highlands. Now it is hunting him. And nothing can stop it.
108 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
15 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Tim Curran
149 books599 followersTim Curran lives in Michigan and is the author of the novels Skin Medicine, Hive, Dead Sea, Resurrection, The Devil Next Door, and Biohazard, as well as the novella The Corpse King. His short stories have appeared in such magazines as City Slab, Flesh&Blood, Book of Dark Wisdom, and Inhuman, and anthologies such as Shivers IV, High Seas Cthulhu, and Vile Things.
For DarkFuse and its imprints, he has written the bestselling The Underdwelling, the Readers Choice-Nominated novella Fear Me, Puppet Graveyard as well as Long Black Coffin.
Find him on the web at: www.corpseking.com.
For DarkFuse and its imprints, he has written the bestselling The Underdwelling, the Readers Choice-Nominated novella Fear Me, Puppet Graveyard as well as Long Black Coffin.
Find him on the web at: www.corpseking.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 10, 2014
A bone-chilling novella from the twisted mind of Tim Curran. The descriptions of atrocities perpetrated by demonic and human monsters were vivid and stomach-churning. I think the Vietnam setting was a perfect choice. This is the second book I have read from Curran, and I am hooked.
February 14, 2017
3.5
This is a war story before anything else. More than half of it is about war: the atrocities people do to each other, the insanity of soldiers, mercenaries and officers as well as ordinary people from a street kid to villagers.
A war correspondent, Mac, tells the story of his encounter with one of Vietnamese folklore creatures. For some reason he is marked and the headhunter is after him. That is never explained here.
You can't exactly like this story. I mean, you cannot exactly like the horrible things people, not monsters, do here. And we are not spared - we get the details. The only good thing is that we don't get detailed descriptions of mutilations while they are doing it, but after. I'm aware that good isn't quite suitable either.
So depending on what you expect from this, you will either find it a weak supernatural horror or a good war story with a bit of a horror in it. The monster is definitely not the focus of the story whether the author wanted that or not. We know it exists, Mac does too, but the war and people stole the show. I liked the dialogue a lot. It was a good way to depict different types of men Mac met during his stay in Vietnam.
The ending, while not exactly unexpected, suits the story.
This is a war story before anything else. More than half of it is about war: the atrocities people do to each other, the insanity of soldiers, mercenaries and officers as well as ordinary people from a street kid to villagers.
A war correspondent, Mac, tells the story of his encounter with one of Vietnamese folklore creatures. For some reason he is marked and the headhunter is after him. That is never explained here.
You can't exactly like this story. I mean, you cannot exactly like the horrible things people, not monsters, do here. And we are not spared - we get the details. The only good thing is that we don't get detailed descriptions of mutilations while they are doing it, but after. I'm aware that good isn't quite suitable either.
So depending on what you expect from this, you will either find it a weak supernatural horror or a good war story with a bit of a horror in it. The monster is definitely not the focus of the story whether the author wanted that or not. We know it exists, Mac does too, but the war and people stole the show. I liked the dialogue a lot. It was a good way to depict different types of men Mac met during his stay in Vietnam.
The ending, while not exactly unexpected, suits the story.
February 29, 2016
3.5*s. Not my favorite Curran but still worth reading. The Vietnam setting was very well written and made the entire story that much creepier. Under 100 pages, it's a quick read.
August 13, 2014
If this novella had focused solely on journalist Mike McKinney's experiences in Vietnam, I would have given it 4 stars. That portion of the novella really stood out for me. Mr. Curran does a wonderful job of capturing the atmosphere, setting, and feeling of the war. I felt as though I was right there in that jungle with Mike and the soldiers.
Unfortunately, the horror portion of the novella, which is what this story is essentially supposed to be, turned out to be the weakest part. The buildup worked well up until midway into the story, and then the story sort of unraveled and never fully recovered. The denouement, which should have been the most exciting and frightening part, felt rushed, not fully realized, and anticlimactic.
There were also a few minor writing issues and errors that jumped out at me, such as "soak up the atmosphere" was written as "suck up the atmosphere", "wondering in the jungle" instead of "wandering in the jungle", and a few awkward sentence structures. That being said, there was some very pretty and evocative writing such as this:
"And all around us the night crawled and slithered and danced in hostile, phantasmal forms, brushing us and flowing over us and reaching out for us with clutching, black fingers."
In addition, the dialogue was also very well done.
So, while I enjoyed certain elements of the story, overall it just did not meet my expectations.
Final Rating: 2 stars
Unfortunately, the horror portion of the novella, which is what this story is essentially supposed to be, turned out to be the weakest part. The buildup worked well up until midway into the story, and then the story sort of unraveled and never fully recovered. The denouement, which should have been the most exciting and frightening part, felt rushed, not fully realized, and anticlimactic.
There were also a few minor writing issues and errors that jumped out at me, such as "soak up the atmosphere" was written as "suck up the atmosphere", "wondering in the jungle" instead of "wandering in the jungle", and a few awkward sentence structures. That being said, there was some very pretty and evocative writing such as this:
"And all around us the night crawled and slithered and danced in hostile, phantasmal forms, brushing us and flowing over us and reaching out for us with clutching, black fingers."
In addition, the dialogue was also very well done.
So, while I enjoyed certain elements of the story, overall it just did not meet my expectations.
Final Rating: 2 stars
August 20, 2016
Headhunter is a very solid read from horror writer extraordinaire Tim Curran which, for mine, falls somewhere between enjoyment and really liking it. It has all the usual Curran tropes - dense descriptive prose, a strong atmospheric feel, incredibly imaginative creatures, and some moments of gross out gore - as well as his tendency for characters to tell other characters what happened to them, rather than the reader getting to experience such things from the POV of the protagonist. To my mind, this detracts from the horror of the story - though Curran does save the best sequence for last when Mac finally does get a fits-hand dose of what has been spoken about no end.
3.5 Bowel Clenching Tales From the Depths of the Vietnamese Jungle for Headhunter.
3.5 Bowel Clenching Tales From the Depths of the Vietnamese Jungle for Headhunter.
August 2, 2023
Like the previous novella, Grimweave, this one also takes place in the midst of the Vietnam War and the intensity and the gore it`s still here.
But, from the two works, with a common background, I think this felt like the weaker one.
But, from the two works, with a common background, I think this felt like the weaker one.
January 19, 2014
Very few authors can compare to the sheer imagination of Tim Curran when it comes to conjuring up things that you wouldn't even think of in your worst nightmares! A little long in the army details for my personal taste, but a captivating tale that you won't want to leave until the final page is turned, nonetheless.
Recommended!
Recommended!
September 8, 2015
Its not often that I read something by Tim Curran and leave it feeling let down. This is that single rare case.
This one had a lot of potential but it almost seems as if Curran didn't want to write the finale. The set-up was great. But, the ending faded.
3 STARS
This one had a lot of potential but it almost seems as if Curran didn't want to write the finale. The set-up was great. But, the ending faded.
3 STARS
October 3, 2014
This is quite a bit more than I expected. I was thinking it was going to be a good old fashioned Curran monster romp novella---which is a good thing, he is one of the best at those. However Headhunter is much more.
It is a testament to how good a horror novel is if you can say that it would be a complete and satisfying read even without the horror elements. This novella is a very good straight forward war story about Vietnam and works on that level as well. I had a strong feel for the time, the characters, the jungle, combat, the whole experience and really admired the detail and research.
And then we get to the horror element, and it is truly horrific, and I feel that this is one of Curran’s best. Check it out.
It is a testament to how good a horror novel is if you can say that it would be a complete and satisfying read even without the horror elements. This novella is a very good straight forward war story about Vietnam and works on that level as well. I had a strong feel for the time, the characters, the jungle, combat, the whole experience and really admired the detail and research.
And then we get to the horror element, and it is truly horrific, and I feel that this is one of Curran’s best. Check it out.
January 29, 2014
Headhunter was a very good quick read. I have enjoyed reading Tim's books over the years and will continue. The story is about a reporter(Mike McKinney) in Vietnam(1970)tracking down this story. About some thing that's seven or eight foot tall that smells bad and cuts the head off the people it kills. A sort of spook or legend they call the Headhunter that tales are told about in that area. The story had a good flow and was well written. I gave Headhunter 4 stars.
March 10, 2018
Bewertung: 3,5 Sterne
Inhalt: In Vietnam soll der Jornalist Mac von dem Krieg berichten. Allerdings wird er bald mit der Schauergeschichte des Kopfjägers konfrontiert. Ein über zwei Meter großes Wesen soll im Dschungel seinen Opfern den Kopf abschlagen und diese auf Pfählern platzieren. Bald wird Mac klar, dass der Kopfjäger auch hinter ihm her ist....
Ich mag Tim Currans Schreibstil. Er ist sehr bildhaft und erzeugt beim Leser Kopfkino pur. Die Novelle erzählt vom Kriegeinsatz in Vietnam und den damit verbundenen Gräueltaten. Dabei ist Curran so schlau und lässt den Leser nicht direkt an den Folterpraktiken teilhaben, sondern beschreibt "nur" den Zustand der Leichen. Damit umgeht er den oft verpönten "tortureporn". Allerdings fand ich die Kriegsbeschreibungen ziemlich langatmig und die Geschichte stagnierte bis zur Hälfte des Buches. Danach kam endlich der Monsterhorror und das gefiel mir richtig gut. Ich muss allerdings kritisieren, dass die Geschichte um den Kopfjäger viel zu schnell abgehandelt wurde, um zum Ende zu kommen. Schade, da hätte Curran mehr daraus machen können.
Fazit: Eine kurzweilige Horrorgeschichte mit dem typischen Curran Kopfkino und für mich deshalb empfehlenswert.
Inhalt: In Vietnam soll der Jornalist Mac von dem Krieg berichten. Allerdings wird er bald mit der Schauergeschichte des Kopfjägers konfrontiert. Ein über zwei Meter großes Wesen soll im Dschungel seinen Opfern den Kopf abschlagen und diese auf Pfählern platzieren. Bald wird Mac klar, dass der Kopfjäger auch hinter ihm her ist....
Ich mag Tim Currans Schreibstil. Er ist sehr bildhaft und erzeugt beim Leser Kopfkino pur. Die Novelle erzählt vom Kriegeinsatz in Vietnam und den damit verbundenen Gräueltaten. Dabei ist Curran so schlau und lässt den Leser nicht direkt an den Folterpraktiken teilhaben, sondern beschreibt "nur" den Zustand der Leichen. Damit umgeht er den oft verpönten "tortureporn". Allerdings fand ich die Kriegsbeschreibungen ziemlich langatmig und die Geschichte stagnierte bis zur Hälfte des Buches. Danach kam endlich der Monsterhorror und das gefiel mir richtig gut. Ich muss allerdings kritisieren, dass die Geschichte um den Kopfjäger viel zu schnell abgehandelt wurde, um zum Ende zu kommen. Schade, da hätte Curran mehr daraus machen können.
Fazit: Eine kurzweilige Horrorgeschichte mit dem typischen Curran Kopfkino und für mich deshalb empfehlenswert.
January 1, 2023
“These dead slopes here, some of ‘em look like old ladies and young boys and kids and what the fuck. But it don’t mean shit, dig? See they ain’t no different from Charlie, they helping his scrawny ass. You lay down with dogs, baby, you get up with fleas. Boom, boom, boom.”
Human suffering abounds in the jungles and villages. Innocents are caught in the chaos & destruction. The Vietnam War is on and our narrator Mac, a correspondent/journalist, has heard a rumour about an inhuman creature hunting heads.
The story can be a bit confusing as there is a lot of slang used and names of places/outposts/battle grounds that blur together. It’s not a linear journey with Mac as the reader sometimes jumps to flashback events told from his perspective or from other soldiers telling their story.
It definitely isn’t my favourite Curran novel, and I didn’t get the same imagery or sense of dread that I typically find in his other works.
Human suffering abounds in the jungles and villages. Innocents are caught in the chaos & destruction. The Vietnam War is on and our narrator Mac, a correspondent/journalist, has heard a rumour about an inhuman creature hunting heads.
The story can be a bit confusing as there is a lot of slang used and names of places/outposts/battle grounds that blur together. It’s not a linear journey with Mac as the reader sometimes jumps to flashback events told from his perspective or from other soldiers telling their story.
It definitely isn’t my favourite Curran novel, and I didn’t get the same imagery or sense of dread that I typically find in his other works.
June 14, 2021
If you enjoy some good, old fashoned horror, you can't go wrong with Tim Curran.
Curran's a very good writer who should get a lot more recognition than he does. His stories are fun, and his characters are aptly put together, but where he really shines is in his settings.
I could feel, taste, and smell the oppressive, thick heat of Vietnam. This alone was the immersiveness that worked for me.
Headhunter won't go down as one of my favourites of his (but it's a favourite of many of his fans), but I did enjoy a lot of this novella.
Three stars for transporting me, and looking forward to the next trip with Mr. Curran.
Curran's a very good writer who should get a lot more recognition than he does. His stories are fun, and his characters are aptly put together, but where he really shines is in his settings.
I could feel, taste, and smell the oppressive, thick heat of Vietnam. This alone was the immersiveness that worked for me.
Headhunter won't go down as one of my favourites of his (but it's a favourite of many of his fans), but I did enjoy a lot of this novella.
Three stars for transporting me, and looking forward to the next trip with Mr. Curran.
April 12, 2020
Great War Story
Headhunter had me asking myself why I hadn’t gotten to reading it sooner. It’s definitely a new favourite of mine by Curran. It’s well researched and the slang feels right. It’s dark and disgusting, violent and horrifying. It’s a Vietnam War story. It’s a horror story. And a damn good one.
Headhunter had me asking myself why I hadn’t gotten to reading it sooner. It’s definitely a new favourite of mine by Curran. It’s well researched and the slang feels right. It’s dark and disgusting, violent and horrifying. It’s a Vietnam War story. It’s a horror story. And a damn good one.
June 14, 2014
Before I started Kindergarten I would stay home with my mom and every afternoon before Gumby came on they would play this long-ass commercial for a Time-Life Vietnam War documentary series you could purchase on video tape. The war to me appeared dark, mysterious, and most certainly HELLISH.
Tim Curran captures the hellish vibe quite expertly in this novella, but everything else mostly sucks here. I really wish that he would have fleshed this one out to full length because I think it would have been great. However, the story is rushed and characters are flat. But damn man, it's a cool ass concept. Vietnam War . . . monsters . . . crazy killer marines . . . you know the deal.
Also, there was a slight nod to another Tim Curran book, "Toxic Shadows," when one marine tells of a rumor involving soldiers with yellow eyes prowling the jungle for prey. Nice little reference there.
Tim Curran captures the hellish vibe quite expertly in this novella, but everything else mostly sucks here. I really wish that he would have fleshed this one out to full length because I think it would have been great. However, the story is rushed and characters are flat. But damn man, it's a cool ass concept. Vietnam War . . . monsters . . . crazy killer marines . . . you know the deal.
Also, there was a slight nod to another Tim Curran book, "Toxic Shadows," when one marine tells of a rumor involving soldiers with yellow eyes prowling the jungle for prey. Nice little reference there.
June 17, 2024
'Headhunter’ by Tim Curran is a journey into the heart of a jungle that’s as mysterious as it is terrifying. The setting is almost a character in its own right, with a presence that’s both suffocating and alive. As a big fan of jungle horror, this novella hit all the right notes for me, delivering that sense of dread that comes from not knowing what’s hiding in the dense, dark foliage.
The story’s slow build-up of tension is its strongest suit, really making you feel the main character’s growing paranoia. Curran’s writing made me feel like I was right there in the thick of it, which is exactly what I look for in a good horror story. The ending left me wanting a bit more, but maybe that’s just the mark of a well told story.
The story’s slow build-up of tension is its strongest suit, really making you feel the main character’s growing paranoia. Curran’s writing made me feel like I was right there in the thick of it, which is exactly what I look for in a good horror story. The ending left me wanting a bit more, but maybe that’s just the mark of a well told story.
January 24, 2024
Welcome to Hell.
The setting for this story is Vietnam in 1970, war rages and to make it even worse, a creature that takes heads is stalking the troops.
Curran masterfully weaves a story that is just as much about war as it is a horror story about a monster from Vietnamese folklore. Knowing war is real made that aspect of the story even more horrifying than the mythical part of a hulking creatures unrelenting appetite for death.
Every time I read Tim Currans amazing stories, I seem to find new favourites and this one is right up there.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ gory, brutal stars.
The setting for this story is Vietnam in 1970, war rages and to make it even worse, a creature that takes heads is stalking the troops.
Curran masterfully weaves a story that is just as much about war as it is a horror story about a monster from Vietnamese folklore. Knowing war is real made that aspect of the story even more horrifying than the mythical part of a hulking creatures unrelenting appetite for death.
Every time I read Tim Currans amazing stories, I seem to find new favourites and this one is right up there.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ gory, brutal stars.
December 17, 2019
Tim Curran, das ist als hätte man Charles Bukowski und Peter Straub in einen Mixer gesteckt.
Vom einen hat der die Sprache übernommen und vom anderen die zähe Erzählstruktur die einfach nicht auf den Punkt kommen will.
Eine kleine Anmerkung zur Übersetzung:
Es sollte nicht Country Joe und The Fish heissen, sondern Country Joe and the Fish es handelt sich dabei nur um einen Bandnamen.
Vom einen hat der die Sprache übernommen und vom anderen die zähe Erzählstruktur die einfach nicht auf den Punkt kommen will.
Eine kleine Anmerkung zur Übersetzung:
Es sollte nicht Country Joe und The Fish heissen, sondern Country Joe and the Fish es handelt sich dabei nur um einen Bandnamen.
February 18, 2014
Not one of Tim's better efforts, but a nice try. I thought the build up to the creature was pretty good, the mood was set, the story featured plenty of gruesome details of body parts and heads being ripped off. But the ending felt rather weak (the reporter just walked away?).
June 4, 2024
This was my first Curran book I've read, and I picked a great one to start with. Novella set during the Vietnam War with a really creepy creature. Action packed, and the ending was awesome.
January 9, 2022
Up next from Darth's Colossal Stack of Stuff is the 2013 novella "Headhunter" by Tim Curran. With eye popping cover art, this novella is hard to miss. Set in the Vietnam War, "Headhunter" is a historical horror story that follows an American reporter who becomes obsessed with a monster from Vietnamese folklore. As events around him become increasingly bizarre and ever more gruesome, he begins to realize that he may be the monster's next victim.
If ever there was a testament to Tim Curran's ability to craft setting and evoke mood, "Headhunter" is it. With convincingly rendered Vietnam war trappings and a gritty, feverish take on a monster story, the novella has much going for it, and is positively teeming with personality. As a current US servicemember, I felt the military angle to be realistic, with jargon and procedures that felt legitimate. As always, Curran writes period coloquial dialogue like an old pro. The profane, obscene, racist utterances of 1960's/70's American GI's is spot on. If you are easily offended by such language, take note; the coarse language is ubiquitous. Curran is also a master at creating incredibly uncomfortable scenes of grisly horror artistry. The stadium scene in particular, while dolorous and gruesome, is a masterpiece of horror, and an image you won't quickly forget. I appreciated the author's informed and balanced look at the war. The savagery of the conflict is on full display, but Curran is respectful of the US military and makes it quite clear that most of the soldiers were competent and not evil. Rather, they were placed in a difficult situation, and they did the best they could. Where the novella finds its weakness is in its meandering plot and abrupt ending. The pacing seemed rather odd to me, and it's these issues with the story that put me off. Otherwise, this is a great example of historical horror that conveys a mood worth luxuriating in.
If ever there was a testament to Tim Curran's ability to craft setting and evoke mood, "Headhunter" is it. With convincingly rendered Vietnam war trappings and a gritty, feverish take on a monster story, the novella has much going for it, and is positively teeming with personality. As a current US servicemember, I felt the military angle to be realistic, with jargon and procedures that felt legitimate. As always, Curran writes period coloquial dialogue like an old pro. The profane, obscene, racist utterances of 1960's/70's American GI's is spot on. If you are easily offended by such language, take note; the coarse language is ubiquitous. Curran is also a master at creating incredibly uncomfortable scenes of grisly horror artistry. The stadium scene in particular, while dolorous and gruesome, is a masterpiece of horror, and an image you won't quickly forget. I appreciated the author's informed and balanced look at the war. The savagery of the conflict is on full display, but Curran is respectful of the US military and makes it quite clear that most of the soldiers were competent and not evil. Rather, they were placed in a difficult situation, and they did the best they could. Where the novella finds its weakness is in its meandering plot and abrupt ending. The pacing seemed rather odd to me, and it's these issues with the story that put me off. Otherwise, this is a great example of historical horror that conveys a mood worth luxuriating in.
November 17, 2025
Great read!
Headhunter was a novella by Tim Curran that was both creepy with its atmospheric descriptions that really creeped me out!
A journalist heads to Vietnam to write about the war. But he comes across a story so unbelievable that it drives him to his breaking point. The headhunter lurks the jungle, searching for its next victim. Keep your head up, or you just might lose it.
I give this one 5/5 stats. It captivated me and really sucked me in ‘til I felt like I was in the jungle myself, amongst the soldiers, fighting for my life. There was military jargon I didn’t really gel with, due to simply not understanding what they meant, but overall it was a great read!
Headhunter was a novella by Tim Curran that was both creepy with its atmospheric descriptions that really creeped me out!
A journalist heads to Vietnam to write about the war. But he comes across a story so unbelievable that it drives him to his breaking point. The headhunter lurks the jungle, searching for its next victim. Keep your head up, or you just might lose it.
I give this one 5/5 stats. It captivated me and really sucked me in ‘til I felt like I was in the jungle myself, amongst the soldiers, fighting for my life. There was military jargon I didn’t really gel with, due to simply not understanding what they meant, but overall it was a great read!
May 4, 2020
Nguoi San Ddau!!!
Woah baby! This is one of the sickest short stories that I've ever read! Think of the most brutal parts of your favorite Nam' movie, but even worse! The Headhunter makes The Predator seem like a Teletubbie. Tim Curran is absolutely relentless, everything the man creates rules. Read this!
5/5 Skulls
💀💀💀💀💀
Woah baby! This is one of the sickest short stories that I've ever read! Think of the most brutal parts of your favorite Nam' movie, but even worse! The Headhunter makes The Predator seem like a Teletubbie. Tim Curran is absolutely relentless, everything the man creates rules. Read this!
5/5 Skulls
💀💀💀💀💀
June 19, 2025
You feel like you're there. Tim's writing is that good, he makes you feel like you're in the situation with the characters, and you don't want to be there in this story. Detailed, gruesome descriptions of the Vietnam War and an evil that may or may not be haunting the soldiers. Another superb read, absolutely loved it.
August 5, 2025
More than once its a horror novella based in a war situation. The plot was somehow little bit shaky but overall ok to read. As a fan of Tim Curran I could say I liked it. The Headhunter thing which was disturbing enough to find out; in the end if that thing paid off the price or not, you have to read it to know of course. But I think there could be more to this story...
September 9, 2020
Good premise, kinda short tho
I loved the premise of this book. It almost follows in the vein of Lovecraft, with the main character being a kind of witness rather than actively fighting the threat. So if you like that, you'll like this.
I loved the premise of this book. It almost follows in the vein of Lovecraft, with the main character being a kind of witness rather than actively fighting the threat. So if you like that, you'll like this.
October 8, 2021
Good read!
Good read! Love the gore! I've read several books by this author, and they have been enjoyable. A definite recommend.
Good read! Love the gore! I've read several books by this author, and they have been enjoyable. A definite recommend.
October 1, 2023
A vietnam reporter on a story of of a reported monster that collects heads. I love reading war stories this was pretty good.
March 28, 2015
For the first half of this novella, I was hooked. I couldn't put the thing down. I read the first 65% or so in one sitting because it was so good.
Curran is a great author, there's no doubt about that. He somehow manages to weave horror and prose in a way that few, more established, and well known writers can. And "Headhunter" started out as the perfect example. I've read a few shorts about the war in Vietnam, but none come close to the gritty realism, the horror of jungle warfare, or the psychological toll it had on the soldiers, than "Headhunter" did.
But then, as the more recent novellas of Tim Curran are wont to do, this one took an entirely different direction and ruined everything it had going for it.
The original concept of the Headhunter sounds good on paper and I thought I was in for something really great. However, it wasn't. Curran's talent is bogged down in the over-description of the monster, which, we only see for about 2 pages. I always love his graphic details and the clever way he slings his words about, but not when he wastes all that time, all that set-up, to wrap up 105 pages of backstory in like 3 sentences. And even then, that would have been ok (as he did it in Leviathan in a good way) but here, it was almost pointless.
Had Curran maybe just written a horror story about 'Nam itself, then this could easily been a 4 star rated novella. Instead, he totally squashed everything he had worked for in the last 15% or so of the story. Don't get me wrong, it's not exactly horrible (and it's an insanely easy, fast read), it's just not one of his best. Maybe Curran needs to get back to writing full length novels where he can flesh out his stories a bit more.
Curran is a great author, there's no doubt about that. He somehow manages to weave horror and prose in a way that few, more established, and well known writers can. And "Headhunter" started out as the perfect example. I've read a few shorts about the war in Vietnam, but none come close to the gritty realism, the horror of jungle warfare, or the psychological toll it had on the soldiers, than "Headhunter" did.
But then, as the more recent novellas of Tim Curran are wont to do, this one took an entirely different direction and ruined everything it had going for it.
The original concept of the Headhunter sounds good on paper and I thought I was in for something really great. However, it wasn't. Curran's talent is bogged down in the over-description of the monster, which, we only see for about 2 pages. I always love his graphic details and the clever way he slings his words about, but not when he wastes all that time, all that set-up, to wrap up 105 pages of backstory in like 3 sentences. And even then, that would have been ok (as he did it in Leviathan in a good way) but here, it was almost pointless.
Had Curran maybe just written a horror story about 'Nam itself, then this could easily been a 4 star rated novella. Instead, he totally squashed everything he had worked for in the last 15% or so of the story. Don't get me wrong, it's not exactly horrible (and it's an insanely easy, fast read), it's just not one of his best. Maybe Curran needs to get back to writing full length novels where he can flesh out his stories a bit more.
November 22, 2025
HEADHUNTER by TIM CURRAN
No matter what the Michigan author decides to write, it never fails to hit the reader with the impact of a train full of dictionaries. Curran's writing is flawless and makes me think of the elegance and toughness of a steel butterfly. In this short tale, we journey to Vietnam in the only time that any author takes a reader to Vietnam: during the Vietnam War. Like a lot of horror work I have read, this novella could have stood tall without the supernatural elements because of Curran's stunning ability to make you feel as though he actually experienced everything our narrator did. The horror of war meets the horror of Curran's imagination in a terrific blend and, as always, Curran's ability to put emotional depth into his characters and the story they inhabit is present in Headhunter. My dislike with this story is more of a personal one since I generally do not enjoy fiction of any kind about the Vietnam War because after you have read a few novels and short stories relating to the same subject matter, it is hard to be shocked or surprised. Perhaps Curran felt the same and put this out as a slim novella rather than a novel but it still failed to do much more than entertain me for a couple of hours. Sadly, if I hadn't experienced most of this stuff before I would have enjoyed it a great deal more. Folks who haven't gotten their fill of the Vietnam War and who would enjoy a brief glimpse into the hell that Curran dishes out there should enjoy this but, if you are like me, it is still worth a read although it won't have much of a long-term impact.
No matter what the Michigan author decides to write, it never fails to hit the reader with the impact of a train full of dictionaries. Curran's writing is flawless and makes me think of the elegance and toughness of a steel butterfly. In this short tale, we journey to Vietnam in the only time that any author takes a reader to Vietnam: during the Vietnam War. Like a lot of horror work I have read, this novella could have stood tall without the supernatural elements because of Curran's stunning ability to make you feel as though he actually experienced everything our narrator did. The horror of war meets the horror of Curran's imagination in a terrific blend and, as always, Curran's ability to put emotional depth into his characters and the story they inhabit is present in Headhunter. My dislike with this story is more of a personal one since I generally do not enjoy fiction of any kind about the Vietnam War because after you have read a few novels and short stories relating to the same subject matter, it is hard to be shocked or surprised. Perhaps Curran felt the same and put this out as a slim novella rather than a novel but it still failed to do much more than entertain me for a couple of hours. Sadly, if I hadn't experienced most of this stuff before I would have enjoyed it a great deal more. Folks who haven't gotten their fill of the Vietnam War and who would enjoy a brief glimpse into the hell that Curran dishes out there should enjoy this but, if you are like me, it is still worth a read although it won't have much of a long-term impact.
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