Led to the Slaughter: The Donner Party Werewolves

by Duncan McGeary

Trapped in the Sierra Nevada without food, The Donner Party are led to the slaughter. After being manipulated and coerced into a string of bad decisions, the travelers, frozen and abandoned, find themselves unable to go forward or back, and are preyed upon by werewolves in their midst––the very people they thought were friends.

A tale of resilience, horror, and betrayal, the survivors of the expedition are hunted. But the human spirit endures.

As the creatures grow hungry and desperate, a showdown is born between the people struggling to retain their humanity, and the creatures seeking a massacre.

Told from the diaries of young Virginia Reed and others in the party, the truth is finally revealed.

“Duncan McGeary is an accomplished writer who knows how to tell a great story. Led to the Slaughter is a riveting tale sure to please the most discerning reader.” ~ Mike Richardson, Emmy award winning producer and founder of Dark Horse Comics

“If you like your history with a sprinkling of killer lycanthropes, have I got a book for you. Duncan McGeary’s new novel, Led to the Slaughter: The Donner Party Werewolves, offers an alternate explanation for the cannibalism in the Donner Party, and is a welcome addition to the ranks of alternative histories.” ~ Steve Perry, New York Times Bestselling Author of Men in Black, The Mask, and Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

Genres: Horror, Werewolves, Fiction, Supernatural

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2014

About the author

I've lived in Bend, Oregon my whole life (which is becoming increasing rare in this boom town.) After the U of O, I wrote Star Axe, Snowcastles and Icetowers.

While trying to write full time, I started filling in at a local book/comic book store, Pegasus Books. Eventually, I became full time and then manager, and then 30 years ago, I bought the store.

My wife opened her used bookstore, The Bookmark, ten years ago and is also writing these days. She has a book online called, Telling Tree, which is wonderful, and will publish her the second book of her trilogy, Once on a Blue Moon.

I have two sons, Todd, an artist, and Toby, a chef.

So my writing career took a back seat while I tried to keep the store alive and raise a family.

In the last few years, the store has become stable enough that I've been able to come back to writing and I've been writing like crazy.

I've just sold a four book deal to Books of the Dead Press. Led to the Slaughter has been released e-book and will soon be available in print form on Amazon. I also sold a trilogy, The Vampire Evolution, which consists of Death of An Immortal; Rule of Vampire; and Blood of Gold.

I've been very busy, with several other books in the works.

I hope you guys will check out my books. I try to make them entertaining and fast reads.

Reviews

[Simon Dewar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Led to the Slaughter is a werewolf tale by Duncan McGeary, published by Books of the Dead Press in early 2014. This was the first novel I’d read by Duncan and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I thorougly enjoyed it. The story is a spin on the historical events surrounding the Donner Party and the claims of cannibalism which surrounded their ill-fated expedition to California in the mid-19th century.

The Reed family seeks to travel west across the country on the Oregon Trail so that the father, John Reed, can start a new job in California and the family can make a new life. They join a caravan party lead by Jacob and George Donner, who are, unbeknownst to all, werewolves on the way to a clan meeting to decide the the dwindling clans among the realms of men. The tale is one of a harrowing and oppressive journey for caravans through inhospitable lands. Before they reach their final destination, many die of exposure, famine or violence. You really get a sense of what it may have been like to be one of those colonial settlers forging a path out West. I suspect a lot of time and effort went into researching this novel and it’s really paid off. Hat’s off to Duncan.

The story is, mostly, told from the perspective of Virginia Reed, by way of her diary. Diary entries of others, including John Reed and Charles Stanton, flesh out the story and give a great picture of the over all group and the adversities they’re going through and how they’re coping with the arduous journey and their various confrontations with the Donner Party werewolves.

Virginia Reed is a fantastic character. A young teenage girl with real hopes and fears, she stoically faces a host of challenges at every step. The girl is stubborn as a mule and a real fighter, yet finds love and romance along the way and manages to put some of the men back in their places. She’s a fantastic character with a strong and endearing voice. You can’t help but like her and she’s a pretty badass girl. If you like strong female characters, Virginia Reed is your girl.

I found the overall style of writing to suit the time period of the story. Character’s voices seemed consistent and consistent with the time period as well. This really helped paint a

While there are certainly plenty of action scenes and violence in the book, its not over the top or too graphic, and combined with the strong focus on Virginia Reed as one of the main protagonists, I get the feeling that this actually a Young Adult horror novel. Or at least, many teens would probably really enjoy this novel, as much as us adults!

My only regret is that I didn’t have the time to read this story in one hit and had to spread it over a few weeks, due to new family additions and my editing commitments.

Duncan Mcgeary is a solid author, who shows a real knack for weaving not only weaving a dark tale but weaving for us real people and real events. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into his Vampire Evolution trilogy, also recently released by Books of the Dead.

[Snood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected more action in this going in, but McGeary made sure the story of the Donner Party was accurately depicted. It feels more like a historical fiction novel with werewolves than a straight horror, but the misery of the caravans becoming lost, supplies running low, and the desperation that unfolded was powerfully done.

The shifting at will, maintaining their intelligence, and Wolfenrout politics gave these werewolves a unique feeling beyond just being cool monsters.

I would have liked to see perspective from the German encampment though since that was mostly left unexplored. The Reed and Donner families only provided an outsider view. The faux-journal style of the book was a good idea, but led to a few issues. The prologue chapter doesn’t actually fit into the timeline if you place it where it’s listed. Also, the POV shifts to a werewolf at one point in the middle of a chapter. This is great for regular story structures, but makes no sense as part of a journal entry.

Although the slow beginning and handful of issues did detract a little, it was still a very enjoyable novel and a welcome addition to any werewolf fan’s collection.

[Troy Wintersteen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Led to the Slaughter is an entertaining and surprising historically accurate read that follows the Donner Party's fate interwoven with the macabre speculative tale of werewolves who manipulate the party into the series of bad decisions that they made. McGeary's writing is sparse and poignant, leaving the reader with a weighty sense of the brutal conditions that beset the party (alongside all the hardy souls who settled the American West). The author's unexpected spin on werewolf lore adds another interesting wrinkle.

Suitable for adults and YA alike and fun for the Halloween season, Led to the Slaughter makes one wonder what other mad beasts his heroine, real-world teenager Virginia Leeds, will encounter in other books.

[Martha Hann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a werewolf book in my life. This book was chosen because of a historical fiction book club. I don't know if entertaining is the right word to use, bu the alternative narrative of the Donner Party was fun to read, which is a really weird thing to say about such a terrible event.

[Mangamaximis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this version of the Donner party. If you like pioneer horror stories and supernatural you will enjoy this book. Broken down into journal entries from different characters you get all the views. From human to werewolf’s.

[Rachelle DeMunck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done. The story melded well with the known events that happened to the Donner party.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I recommend this book to fans of horror history and survival. Good fast paced interesting story. It keep me up late into the night.

[Kymberly Gensman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, it kept me entertained and engaged. Was a nice fiction story to a non fiction account

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! Coming of age, werewolves, snow.

[Morgan Aquino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good reading

Let me start by saying im a slow reader, and sometimes cant finish a book, but every once in a while i come across a book that just grabs me.

This is one of them, i found myself reading several chapters a night, and really enjoying the story. I may even read it again here soon.

The story built up and unfolded in a nice pace, and the characters were memorable and likable. This was also done in journal form, which is one of my favorite styles of story telling.

I would recommend this to anyone who like history, suspense, thriller or monster stories, as this has it all.

[Steve Altig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read "Werewolf" fiction, but having met the author and considering the Historical background, I purchased the book.

I'm glad that I did and am looking forward to the next in the series featuring the young protagonist, which should be out soon.

McGeary writes well and engagingly. I got hooked & couldn't put it down. The re-read was enjoyable- something I don't often do as soon.

Available for e-readers- a Good Read!!!!

[Martha Wiebenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Duncan McGeary takes the story of the Donner Party and gives it a delicious twist. The characters are easy to identify with and the story is compelling. The line between what is human and what is monstrous is constantly in flux, keeping the reader engaged to the very end. Told from several viewpoints, the story is rich with detail and emotion. The story is great on its own but there's room for more in the main character's future.

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, what can I say. Umm, wow, pretty amazing story. I loved it. It's an alternative historic novel. And although I have not read any accounts of the Donner party, I certainly know it. And I bet you do too. Now just add werewolves, and you get the picture.
This is written by a local Oregon author and he owns his own book store. What's not to love. Plus the book is recommended by Steve Perry another Oregon author that I love. Don't be afraid get the book, put your feet up, and enjoy.

[Lauri Bonn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duncan McGeary's Led to the Slaughter - The Donner Party Werewolves was a cleverly written take on the Donner-Reed fiasco. It drew me in with exciting anticipation and left me impatient to continue the read each time I had to put the book down. This historically based story of a difficult,courageous migration across the country......with a twist was entertaining and engaging.

[Jarryd Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I'm really lucky was relatively short, because I couldn't put it down. The diary-entry style chapters made the alternate history seem all the more believable. Combined with compelling characters and a story that hooks you in and won't let go until the end, this was a very fun read. A good book for the next afternoon off that you have.

[Andy Zeigert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I am friends with the author and designed the cover, so my opinion is biased beyond hope.

BUT I did enjoy this story. It's a rare mash-up of detailed historical fiction and horror, and succeeds pretty well at both. It's also told from a young girl's perspective, which there is always room for more of in these testosterone-fueled genres.

[Evan Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read.

This seemed like a fourth grade history book where some child has drawn pictures of monsters on the margins. The two stories didn't quite mesh, but all in all it was a fun adventure. This is actually a book that I had put aside for good but kept thinking of it. Eventually I came back to it and finished it out.

[Lindsey Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid werewolf book

I enjoyed Led to the Slaughter immensely. It was a solid werewolf tale with good writing and developed characters. I will be checking out McGeary's other works!

[Jim Hardison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this werewolf tale and found the historical backdrop of the doomed Donner Party really convincing and engaging. A good, scary, interesting read. Recommended, but pretty bloody.

[Steven Yoder · Rating 3 out of 5]

this puts out the idea that some members of the Donner Party were werewolves and were the ones eating the travelers. It weaves the actual history in with the alternate explanation.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat idea that doesn't really live up to what I was expecting, but that's on me. Well written but kind of peters out toward the end. Looking forward to the other books in the series.

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant diversion. :)