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A Man Dies But Once: A short novella set in the gritty world of Dark Frontier
A gritty prequel novella featuring one of the main characters from DARK FRONTIER.
Some things you never forget.
Texas, 1856
“A man always remembers his first murder. Just like he always remembers his first visit to the whore house.”
Grizzled frontiersman Jedediah White looks back on a memorable day from his youth in Texas. In his uncompromising and caustic style, Jed tells the vivid tale of a young man’s coming-of-age in a violent and often cruel land where his youthful lust and white-hot temper see him tangled in a series of events that spiral out of control faster than a stampede of longhorns.
Everybody’s story starts somewhere.
Praise for DARK
'Slipping into Dark Frontier is like pulling on a comfortable pair of old cowboy boots. Matthew Harffy knows how to write a real western.' C.J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three-Inch Teeth
'A modern western with grit in its teeth. A European soldier and man of the world finds the Wild West to be wilder than he might have expected. Much to the reader's delight.' Joe R. Lansdale
Some things you never forget.
Texas, 1856
“A man always remembers his first murder. Just like he always remembers his first visit to the whore house.”
Grizzled frontiersman Jedediah White looks back on a memorable day from his youth in Texas. In his uncompromising and caustic style, Jed tells the vivid tale of a young man’s coming-of-age in a violent and often cruel land where his youthful lust and white-hot temper see him tangled in a series of events that spiral out of control faster than a stampede of longhorns.
Everybody’s story starts somewhere.
Praise for DARK
'Slipping into Dark Frontier is like pulling on a comfortable pair of old cowboy boots. Matthew Harffy knows how to write a real western.' C.J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three-Inch Teeth
'A modern western with grit in its teeth. A European soldier and man of the world finds the Wild West to be wilder than he might have expected. Much to the reader's delight.' Joe R. Lansdale
77 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2025
12 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Harffy
35 books745 followersMatthew Harffy is the author of the action-packed series of historical novels, the Bernicia Chronicles.
Matthew’s 2020 novel, Wolf of Wessex, was his first departure from the seventh century. Taking place a couple of centuries later in the early years of the Viking Age, it tells the tale of ageing warrior, Dunston, as he tries to find a man’s vicious murderers, keep the victim’s orphaned daughter alive and uncover the dark secret that threatens to plunge the kingdom into war. The book was very well received, with The Times calling it “a treat of a book”.
His A Time for Swords series is set at the dawn of the Viking Age. It follows the adventures of monk-turned-warrior, Hunlaf, who witnesses the first attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne and feels compelled to pick up a blade and organise the defence against the Norse raiders.
Before becoming a full-time author, Matthew worked in the IT industry, where he spent most of his days writing and editing, just not the words that most interested him! Prior to that, he worked in Spain as an English teacher and translator.
Matthew lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters.
Matthew’s 2020 novel, Wolf of Wessex, was his first departure from the seventh century. Taking place a couple of centuries later in the early years of the Viking Age, it tells the tale of ageing warrior, Dunston, as he tries to find a man’s vicious murderers, keep the victim’s orphaned daughter alive and uncover the dark secret that threatens to plunge the kingdom into war. The book was very well received, with The Times calling it “a treat of a book”.
His A Time for Swords series is set at the dawn of the Viking Age. It follows the adventures of monk-turned-warrior, Hunlaf, who witnesses the first attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne and feels compelled to pick up a blade and organise the defence against the Norse raiders.
Before becoming a full-time author, Matthew worked in the IT industry, where he spent most of his days writing and editing, just not the words that most interested him! Prior to that, he worked in Spain as an English teacher and translator.
Matthew lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Currently reading
March 3, 2025Looking forward to people getting the chance to read this on 7th March. Incidentally, it is "interesting" to see someone has rated it 2 stars already when it has not been published and I have only sent out one ARC to author Cody C. Engdahl! (Hint: the 2 star rating is not from Cody.)
May 26, 2025
As the synopsis suggests A Man Dies But Once is a prequel to the feature length story Dark Frontier.
We are back with Jed White as he reflects on his life and two of the most memorable moments.
Young Jed is on the cusp of manhood. Many still see him as a boy which he hates.. but sod them.. he’s been out in the world with his father and knows what he wants.. the object of his affection.. Pearl.
Jed’s luck is in when he manages to come into a little bit of money.. hopefully enough to pay for the services offered by the lovely Pearl.. little does Jed know this one adventure will tick off more than one “first” and hints to the man Jed will become.
Jed heads into town and has his eyes set on only one thing but he’s about to get himself mixed up in something much bigger.
I’m not going to spoil it but I really loved how the author didn’t shy away or tone the story down at all, there’s difficult moments to swallow as we see through Jed’s eyes, racism and slavery along with the exploitation of women and the horrible disease consumption.
A little side note, one of my favourite movies ever is Tombstone and while reading A Man Dies But Once I couldn’t help but be reminded of the brilliant performance for the late Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday who also suffered with consumption.
It’s a talent in itself that the author manages to add little details that stimulate the readers mind and makes things real, the cough.. the blood.. it’s a small but vivid bit of detail.
While a short tale the character development was spot on. I’m always worried that characters will be one-dimensional or boring but I knew with Matthew Harffy I didn’t need to be concerned.
Jed may be the main character but I really loved the detail, and time put in to make characters like Larry Woodrow and Gordon Sage come to life. I particularly liked Sage while he interacted with Jed at the bar.
Taking A Man Dies But Once as a standalone read you’d be impressed, it makes you want more.. but if you’ve read Dark Frontier already you’ll be even more impressed… Jed isn’t exactly a closed book but this Novella adds depth and gives the reader some insight into how Jed became the man he is… that ending as Jed has to contemplate the consequences of his actions.. how could it not stick with him..Wow.
I loved this one so much I own the kindle version and the paperback ha ha.
We are back with Jed White as he reflects on his life and two of the most memorable moments.
Young Jed is on the cusp of manhood. Many still see him as a boy which he hates.. but sod them.. he’s been out in the world with his father and knows what he wants.. the object of his affection.. Pearl.
Jed’s luck is in when he manages to come into a little bit of money.. hopefully enough to pay for the services offered by the lovely Pearl.. little does Jed know this one adventure will tick off more than one “first” and hints to the man Jed will become.
Jed heads into town and has his eyes set on only one thing but he’s about to get himself mixed up in something much bigger.
I’m not going to spoil it but I really loved how the author didn’t shy away or tone the story down at all, there’s difficult moments to swallow as we see through Jed’s eyes, racism and slavery along with the exploitation of women and the horrible disease consumption.
A little side note, one of my favourite movies ever is Tombstone and while reading A Man Dies But Once I couldn’t help but be reminded of the brilliant performance for the late Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday who also suffered with consumption.
It’s a talent in itself that the author manages to add little details that stimulate the readers mind and makes things real, the cough.. the blood.. it’s a small but vivid bit of detail.
While a short tale the character development was spot on. I’m always worried that characters will be one-dimensional or boring but I knew with Matthew Harffy I didn’t need to be concerned.
Jed may be the main character but I really loved the detail, and time put in to make characters like Larry Woodrow and Gordon Sage come to life. I particularly liked Sage while he interacted with Jed at the bar.
Taking A Man Dies But Once as a standalone read you’d be impressed, it makes you want more.. but if you’ve read Dark Frontier already you’ll be even more impressed… Jed isn’t exactly a closed book but this Novella adds depth and gives the reader some insight into how Jed became the man he is… that ending as Jed has to contemplate the consequences of his actions.. how could it not stick with him..Wow.
I loved this one so much I own the kindle version and the paperback ha ha.
March 15, 2025
More than just a Western, this novella has real depth and explores the development of the psyche of Jed.
Jed features in the full length Novel, Dark Frontier.
Both this Novella and the full length book are excellent reads.
Jed features in the full length Novel, Dark Frontier.
Both this Novella and the full length book are excellent reads.
April 11, 2025
This novella gives you a glimpse of Jed's early life and how he got started on the path he did. It fits really well with Dark Frontier and am an absolute fan of Matthew and his westerns now.
February 27, 2025
Mathew Harffy has mastered the voice of the Old West.
I’m not typically a fan of first-person narratives, but the voice of old Jed White recounting his first love and first kill was so vividly authentic, I could not tear myself away.
A Man Dies But Once is a 20,000-word novella told from the perspective of Jedediah White, a grizzled old gunslinger who speaks it like a confession after a life of killing and perhaps regret.
The story is a juxtaposition of his first sexual encounter with his first murder, seemingly two rites of passage in the Old West. The two create a dichotomy of love and hate, life-giving and life-taking rituals, as if the two are opposite sides of the same coin.
It’s also an interesting contrast to hear the old, trail-hardened veteran retell a story from his younger, naive days. In it are all the seeds of the man Jedediah White becomes.
Jeb White is a supporting character in Harffy’s full novel, Dark Frontier. You don’t need to read it first, but I bet you’ll want to when you’re done with A Man Dies But Once.
Pre-order Harffy's newest book here:
I’m not typically a fan of first-person narratives, but the voice of old Jed White recounting his first love and first kill was so vividly authentic, I could not tear myself away.
A Man Dies But Once is a 20,000-word novella told from the perspective of Jedediah White, a grizzled old gunslinger who speaks it like a confession after a life of killing and perhaps regret.
The story is a juxtaposition of his first sexual encounter with his first murder, seemingly two rites of passage in the Old West. The two create a dichotomy of love and hate, life-giving and life-taking rituals, as if the two are opposite sides of the same coin.
It’s also an interesting contrast to hear the old, trail-hardened veteran retell a story from his younger, naive days. In it are all the seeds of the man Jedediah White becomes.
Jeb White is a supporting character in Harffy’s full novel, Dark Frontier. You don’t need to read it first, but I bet you’ll want to when you’re done with A Man Dies But Once.
Pre-order Harffy's newest book here:
April 24, 2025
Man I love falling into the old west with Matthew Harffy. I do appreciate the mentioning of vaqueros which are the original cowboys.
Reading his back story of reading and watching westerns is clearly seen in his books. I can’t wait for the next book following Jed and Stokes.
Matthew opening up and wondering if people would like his western genre. I’m glad he plunged. My new favorite author!
Reading his back story of reading and watching westerns is clearly seen in his books. I can’t wait for the next book following Jed and Stokes.
Matthew opening up and wondering if people would like his western genre. I’m glad he plunged. My new favorite author!
May 19, 2025
3/5. This quick novella was entertaining and gritty, just like you would think a western “coming of age” story would be. It was cool to see young Jed and his day of firsts. I really felt for the impossible position Hannibal was in. Jed was just always fated to run into trouble (and be trouble)
November 11, 2025
Gives bit of a back story to Dark Frontier
October 15, 2025
This was a quick and fast read just 63 pages of story. Jed White one of he more interesting characters from Harffy's western debut is about to become a man. First, however, Jed must visit a saloon, drink a whiskey, meet a woman, and kill a man. This story largely takes place over one day and is an easy read. Harffy does a great job of presenting this important day in Jed's life without glamour and conveying the genuine emotions of a teenage boy. I really enjoyed the hat tip to Lonesome Dove in the Novella.
August 23, 2025
A quick, fun read. Jed, our protagonist, is a key character in Harffy’s Wild West novel Dark Frontier (a very exciting read!). Here Jed takes center stage with a brief origin story that shows how this hard drinking, deadly shooting, ace gambler got his start from a hard scrabble life on the Texas frontier as a kid. One day changes everything and life, love and death all takes on new meaning for him. The tale is told in Harffy’s colorful and action packed style, drawing forth colorful characters against the stark backdrop of life on the frontier. It’s a fun read and at the end, of course, you want more! Sorry to hear that, for now, the world of Dark Frontier is on hold, but there are plenty of Harffy’s Dark Age Bernicia Chronicles and his Time for Swords series to curl up with until he can get back to the American West. Also check out his podcast (founded with fellow author and musician Stephen A. McKay, but now cohosted by author Justin Hill) Rock, Paper, Swords!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews