Wolf's Hyde

by Dylan Collins Dunbar

Respected Navajo, Sheriff Tanaka Chee, must investigate a pile of gruesome murders near the forests of Flagstaff Arizona. The signs tell the Sheriff that it isn’t a man. Soon the case begins to remind him of stories his grandfather told. Dark stories about the Yee Naaldlooshii. An evil that turns someone into a beast on the nights of the full moon. When Sheriff Chee finally learns the stories are true it is too late. Tanaka then sets out to track the beast across the country turning it into a vicious game of cat and mouse.

From the author who brought you the horror story collection, Free Candy, comes the novel Wolf’s Hyde. From the trenches of Nazi Germany to the streets of Detroit. Follow one man's crusade fueled by guilt and driven by wrath.

Genres: Werewolves, Horror

337 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Dylan Collins Dunbar is a professional touring musician from Detroit, Michigan who has shared the stage with, or directly supported artists like Chris Stapleton, Patti Smith, Elle King, and many more. Since 2015, he has toured the United States with his wife, Jennifer, performing their original music in close to all 50 states. Through recovery from alcoholism, he discovered he had a passion for writing. In 2023, he figured it was time to embark on a new creative endeavor. As a result of sobriety, he now gets to explore the dark places of his mind in a positive way.

Reviews

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent werewolf novel which spans decades. Seemingly unconnected events will weave together at the end for a very visceral and terrifying twist.

Starting in the 1940's, we witness the agonizing transformation of a German soldier into a vicious, blood thirsty creature.

In the 80's, the Native American sheriff of an Arizona county witnesses the horrors of this creature as he loses several friends and the disappearance of his daughter at the hands of a creature. Half wolf, half man, with a hatred for humanity. It leaves a very bloody trail in its wake.

He quits the force and tracks down the beast in several states, needing closure for the massacre which happened.

But in Detroit, a man with almost no memory has some strange impossible events happen to him. A voice in his head, drinking buddies who utter creepy things, and a search for answers.

These three elements make up this novel and when they all come together, chaos will ensue.

This is a book which gives you everything you could want in a werewolf novel with lots of gore drenched imagery, a truly horrifying beast, and a narrative which keeps the pages turning.

As the former sheriff and the beast play a cat-and-mouse game across the country, the stakes are a matter of life or death. This sets the tension high and you feel it as horrors are unfolding.

I always love a good werewolf story and this one is no exception. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I'd find myself loving a book on werewolves so much! I finished it in a couple of sittings, impressed by the author's passion for the genre, entertained by the detailed, compelling, and masterfully plotted story, and absolutely blown away by the terrific writing! Although the intricacy does not allow much space for deep characterization, only a tiny margin for character development, I have to admit that this is one of those rare cases where the apparent one-dimensionality of the main character pays dividends: he's a Native American, a former Sheriff, a Navajo to be exact, who hunts the monster that took his daughter - and his single-mindedness and passionate, full commitment to the hunt were the perfect features this kind of book demanded for its protagonist! I followed his plight with great interest, and out of some curiosity, sure, but ultimately I actually came to care about him. He's smart, patient, honest, and, curiously, totally relatable. Similarly, the villain of the piece is masterfully well-drawn, one you love to hate, even if he's far more complex than his hunter: he has no conscience, likes playing nasty games with his opponent, and he's also gifted with powers better described as a curse - the powers of the lycanthrope, the werewolf, the rougarou, the skinwalker, the Navajos' Yee Naaldlooshii. Everything works gloriously: the minimal gore, the straightforward, sometimes formal dialogue, even the many iterations of the cat and mouse game between hero and villain.

But all this is just the tip of the iceberg: a couple of background stories (one taking us from Stalingrad to Nazi Germany, another the surreal narrative of one man's daily life, apparently unconnected to the rest of the book) complement the main story, interrupting it at just the right moments (a hugely impressive feat for a debut novel! Usually flashbacks and background stories disrupt the flow and weaken the pacing - not in this case!). In the end, everything proves integral to the overarching plot, and it all leads to a rather unexpected ending - the last scene stunned me, and gave me happy chills all over. Great world-building! Perhaps there's potential for a series here, akin to Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles (though better written lol).

In sum, this is a page-turner of a book, a wonderful werewolf story giving new breath to the iconic monster's lore, where nothing feels forced or contrived. Take the ride for yourself and experience firsthand this excellent and action-packed addition to werewolf fiction!

[Mark Panick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the hell out of this book, fun scary ride from start to finish. The kinda horror book that really gets you get invested in the lives of the characters. After finishing I wanted to know in particular where three of them branch off from the ending. Very reminiscent of Stephen Kings writing in the sense of what I mentioned earlier you feel like you really know these people. Its speaks to good writing in my opinion. Anyone who has read horror will recognize these players in an archetypal way. Even with the familiarity it is far from predictable. After just reading several heavy non fiction books this book was comfort food central...its horror pudding without the calories...indulge. Full disclosure I was a beta reader and I do know the author.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s no secret I love werewolves, and this book had some of the most hateful ones I’ve read!

I found this plot different and surprisingly twisty from the usual lycanthrope trope and I was here for it! I enjoyed the different timelines and point of views and although I was confused at times, I was able to follow the story without problems and be surprised by the various bends and turns, not really understanding where it was going (which is a plus).

As expected from a werewolf book, there was a lot of gore, which I very much enjoyed and found entertaining. I loved both main characters and although siding with Sheriff Tanaka Chee, I was also intrigued by the werewolf and couldn’t find myself hating him as I wanted, and after reaching the ending, I understand why.
That ending as well, I can’t say it was surprising in all honesty, but it gave me satisfaction all the same.

I’m hoping for a sequel as I enjoyed this story and the multilayered plot. And if you love cruel and deranged werewolves with a heavy past, then you might appreciate this book too!

Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Leon Scheppink · Rating 5 out of 5]

My scoring system
⭐ Don't quit your day job
⭐⭐ It was tough to finish
⭐⭐⭐ A solid read
⭐⭐⭐⭐ That was fun!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I need more. If you don't give it, I'm going to kidnap you Misery-style, without shattering your ankles, of course.

I won't go in too deep, because a lot of in-depth reviews have already been written for this book. This is undoubtedly one of the most intelligently written werewolf novels I have ever read and believe me, I've read a lot.
I'm normally not a fan of back-and-forth time jumps in a book but in this case, it didn't bother me and it worked, not to mention the fact that it was pretty vital to the storyline.

As far as the lore is concerned, it's pretty much the 'standard' werewolf lore but a few elements have been added, which work well for the story. It is a wonderful mix of suspense, mystery and outright horror and the characters and dialogue are excellent. But the underlying thread, of which I won't reveal anything, is what really sold it for me. A very interesting, clever and original take and the ending is frustratingly perfect but also screams for more.

[Keith Putnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for a movie or a mini series!

I loved this novel! The span of time and the perfect mix of horror and the feel of the hunt on both sides. I would love to see this turned into a movie under the right reigns. It spans eras, and cities as the hunt finally comes to a close, but not an end. Eager to see what comes next.

[Paul Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

More thriller than horror, Wolf’s Hyde is a cryptic quasi-origination story. Certainly the line of Russian-European descent making the journey west.

Some issues with continuity, but a fun story with interesting characters and lots of action.

Can recommend.

[John King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Really Good!

I must say this was one of the best werewolf novels I've read in quite some time! The story and characters were finely crafted and thoroughly fleshed out. The only negatives were typos and some grammar issues that could be remedied by a good proofreader. I definitely recommend this book to any fan of werewolves!

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skinwalker. Lycanthrope. Yee Naaldlooshii. Werewolf. By any name, Tanaka Chee had dedicated his life to hunting it down and destroying it. After a violent killing spree in Flagstaff, Arizona claimed his daughter as one of its victims, the creature became his singular target. As Tanaka connected fragments of his Native American heritage with tales of murder spanning the country, one truth became clear: the werewolf operating under the name Norman was cunning. Tracking where Norman had been proved far easier than predicting where he would strike next. Whether the creature’s elaborate game of cat and mouse was a blessing or a curse, Tanaka didn’t know. What he did know was this: he would stop him or die trying.

Wolf’s Hyde, by Dylan Collins Dunbar, is a supernatural thriller that wastes no time plunging readers into its dark and relentless narrative. From the chilling introduction of the werewolf to the heartbreaking presence of Barbara Chee and, later, her father Tanaka, the story maintains a constant undercurrent of dread. Native American folklore enriches the narrative, blending seamlessly with the timeless European legends of werewolves and monsters that have haunted humanity for centuries. Norman, the ever-elusive antagonist, moves through the story under various identities, but Dunbar reveals only what is necessary, precisely when it needs to be known. This masterful restraint adds layers to the book’s intrigue, keeping readers both captivated and unnerved.

At its core, Wolf’s Hyde is about a father’s grief and his relentless pursuit of closure. Tanaka’s love for his daughter drives the story, grounding the horror elements with emotional weight. The tension between hunter and hunted intensifies with every page as Norman and Tanaka close in on each other. Despite revenge being a familiar theme in literature, Dunbar makes it feel original and organic here, breathing fresh life into the narrative. The balance between emotional depth and raw suspense is handled with precision, ensuring neither element overshadows the other. Dunbar’s take on werewolf mythology is equally impressive. He honors classic lore while threading it with unique twists that keep the story vibrant and unexpected. Readers familiar with traditional supernatural tales will appreciate the nods to established mythology, while the incorporation of Native American legends adds a distinct and refreshing perspective. This fusion sets Wolf’s Hyde apart from other entries in the genre, elevating it beyond a mere creature feature.

The pacing is relentless. From the opening scenes to the book’s climax, Dunbar maintains an unyielding grip on the reader’s attention. The twists are clever and well-timed, often steering the plot in directions that surprise and delight. Just when the story seems predictable, it veers sharply, ensuring readers remain on edge. These unexpected turns are what transform a good thriller into an exceptional one. The conclusion, while inevitable and satisfying, left me conflicted, a testament to how deeply invested I became in the story. Whether it delivered the ending I wanted mattered little in the end; what mattered was the journey, and Dunbar delivered it brilliantly. I found myself torn between admiration for the book’s full-circle resolution and a lingering sense of wanting more—a feeling only the best stories evoke.

In Wolf’s Hyde, Dylan Collins Dunbar crafts a gripping tale of horror, vengeance, and human resilience. The seamless blend of folklore, emotional depth, and thrilling suspense ensures it lingers long after the final page. For fans of supernatural thrillers, this novel delivers everything one could hope for: tension, surprises, and a story that refuses to be put down. It is a worthy addition to werewolf lore, written with skill, heart, and just enough darkness to haunt its readers.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf’s Hyde is a novel featuring a horror story about werewolf’s that come out when it’s a full moon. Sherriff, Tanaka Chee is investigating the disappearance of people and murders. He soon realized that there can’t be a single man conducting out the gruesome horror and destruction of the bodies. He recalled a story his grandfather told him about Yee Naaldlooshii and this is an evil spirit that turns into a beast only at full moons. He called the monster, Norman Thatch. He shared how Norman’s daughter; Barbara was missing and has been and they believed that she was in fact dead. His officers tried to before and stop the beast and it tore through them like it was nothing. The murders had finally stopped. He handed in his badge after twenty years and he was determined to hunt him down and get rid of the beast. There was only one way to spread the curse of Yee Naaldlooshii and it had to bite you and you had to live through it. He thought he was possibly creating a pack of werewolves. The book occurs in Nazi Germany and Detroit and it goes back and forth explaining the different attacks and murders from the werewolves.


I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story mixed with murder and mystery and science fiction. I liked this book and I thought he was a wonderful writer that kept your attention to the story. It was interesting to read along with how the sheriff was unwavered to stop the werewolf and prevent more people from dying. I liked how he also backed up the original of the werewolf and Nazi and crafted an interesting horror story. Readers will be engaged to read until the very end.





Dylan Collins Dunbar is a professional touring musician and he has played with artists such as: Chris Stapleton, Patti Smith, Elle King, and a few others. And now he is an author.

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐺𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕗’𝕤 ℍ𝕪𝕕𝕖🐺 by @dylandunbar1944

Oof this book! Talk about crapping your pants while covering your eyes but still peeking between your fingers because you can’t really look away or stop reading - this describes how you will feel while reading this book. What a thrilling read!

Def recommend this book to those who love a well crafted story with all the horror elements. I loved the investigation side of this story but also enjoyed the heart-pounding, kind of funny, murder scenes. The hunting of the beast and all the antics that followed kept me glued to the pages.

This book will keep you hooked and entertained throughout. Though most of the story takes place in the mid to late 1980’s, it also goes back to 1942 thru 1945. The back story only adds to the story as a whole and gives us a glimpse of what we need to know to make sense of what is happening in the 1980’s.

Such a fantastic read! I cannot rave enough about the stellar writing. I don’t know if I would have found this book by myself but I’m so happy that it crossed my path - def hope this author has plenty of other stories cooking or simmering because I’d read another book by him.

Don’t sleep on this one guys!

[Red Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Follow one man's crusade fueled by guilt and driven by wrath."
Wolf's Hyde is a werewolf novel that you do not want to miss!
This had me captivated from the first page until the last and was such a scary ride. I was turning pages until the end. The author did an amazing job writing this and the ending was so well done. All of the characters were great in this. This was such a well crafted story that will have you entertained. I loved this book so much and would recommend it to any reader especially to readers who love horror. Thank you to the author for this amazing read in exchange of my honest review of Wolf's Hyde.

[Horror Haus Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it’s because I don’t often read werewolf books or maybe it’s simply because this book was written pretty well, but I really enjoyed it. I appreciate the amount of gore that was incorporated into the story and I thought the beast was terrifying. The cat and mouse aspect of it all really keeps you turning the pages. The characters could’ve used a little more depth but honestly there’s so much substance within the actual story that it’s east to look beyond that.

[David Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Werewolf book worth the read

Wolf's Hyde was a good read for me. Appropriately scary without being a gore fest. It has some good swerves in the book, one of my favorite things in a good book. I lost myself in the book to where I was no longer reading but was there in the book, seeing everything from a third person perspective, it is rare that a book can get me so submerged that I forget I am reading.

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your regular werewolf story.
This is a story of tangible, palpable horror, that spans over several decades, and it goes deep, it gets creepy fast, and then it gets even creepier as the story unfolds and pieces start fitting together.

[Robert Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Werewolf Story

Exciting, bloody, violent. Couldn’t ask for more in a story of Werewolves. Nazis, Russians, American Indians and Gypsies, this book has them all. A great read!

[jane brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

The story is reciting and holds your interest. The wolf is diabolical and seemed unstoppable, the Sheriff Chew was his match and the chess game was about to be played.

[Don Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rollercoaster through and through

I was wandering when the young lady would turn up. Nice twist and had me glued to the book for two straight days.

[Melissa Wilander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good!

Very good and different from the usual werewolf tale even though it has the same gory details. I enjoyed very much!

[Heather Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

Well written and has a complex plot. Held my attention to the end, which is hard to do. Can't believe it is on Kindle Unlimited

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A werewolf's life.. I

I enjoyed this book, it is different from other stories that I have read, I found it very interesting and enjoyable.

[Valarie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This is very different from most werewolf books I have read. The storyline twists and turns while easily followed keeps the reader on their toes. Very good book.

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violence Rating: 3/5 - Full Moon Frenzy

I found another favorite writer.

What a refreshing werewolf story. Definitely original and captivating. Setting aside some typos in the book, the exaggerated amount of people pissing themselves out of fear, and the rather tame gore and violence, I really loved this novel. I’m rooting for a sequel. I really need it.

Wolf’s Hyde centers around a chase, a cat and mouse game between the sheriff and the werewolf who caused multiple deaths spread over decades in several states, and it is so well executed that it keeps you invested and guessing. While this chase is mostly described from Tanaka’s side, we do get some details about what the werewolf is doing during all this desperate attempt of Tanaka’s to find him.

What we do get to see are many chapters set in WW2 where Erich (a German soldier) after escaping his death, comes across a mysterious man in a soviet forest. This man, going by the name Nikolia, will offer Erich an escape from certain death in the cold, harsh winter, but only to find out later on that it was a curse.

As the book progresses you’d think these events have no connection whatsoever, but they are an integral part to the werewolf’s identity. And oh damn, what connection there was.

Norman is the werewolf wrecking havoc in the cities and turning other people into werewolves for his own amusement and much to Tanaka’s annoyance. Daniel is another werewolf who’s suffering a great deal. And Erich is the werewolf who survived the soviet forest and returned to Germany only to get tested in a laboratory before he escapes.Oh, and the best part of all, these three werewolves are one and the same person, Erich.

It was absolutely a blast and fun to see the werewolf toying with the prey, showing clear signs of intelligence and not just a mindless beast. A true predator, enjoying the thrill of the hunt and a smart, fight-back prey.

Now, the saddest thing I have ever read in a werewolf novel - Daniel’s character. Damn if I didn’t feel so much for him. From the beginning you notice there’s something off about him, and not in a bad way, but in a sad way. I understood pretty quickly what was happening to him and around him, which only made it more heartbreaking to read about him and his interactions with the people in his life.Daniel is suffering from hallucinations, caused by a split mind, the people he killed appearing before his eyes forcing him to keep entire conversations with the imaginary entities.The saddest of his interactions were with Cassy, the girl he presumably liked. Their date was painful to read.

The psychological aspect of it all was the cherry on top and the original part of the story. The way Erich’s entire mind has split by the wolf’s strength and how he struggled to maintain his humanity is very interesting to witness and engaging. It kept me reading page after page, finishing the book in 2 sittings. Later in the book you do find out that some werewolves were capable of balancing these two sides of the same coin. But Erich’s story is a real tearjerker.

Such a beautiful depiction of what happens when there is no balance in the mind. Denying one side of you, will only make it grow resentful and hateful, wanting to go out and remove the cage holding it back.Think of Erich like Kevin from the movie Split. Norman is the beast, and wants to get to the light and be free and not always hidden and leashed.

If the reader was supposed to hate Norman or want to get him caught and dead, wooff (pun intended), I feel sorry to say this but I must be a psychopath myself because I didn’t feel that way. I loved Norman, and I loved Daniel and Erich to bits.

The ending is just fire. I somehow expected to see Nikolia or Barbara, but not both working together. From the beginning I wanted to see more of Nikolia, and I'm excited to read what's coming next. And finally, finally, after a long time, I might get the chance to read a novel with a brunette as the protagonist/good guy and not a blonde (gods, am I tired and sick of reading about blondes as MC and brunettes being the bad guys; yes, I take it personally).

Barbara's fate was rather predictable to me. I knew from the beginning Norman didn't kill her and later you find out why. For a while I thought he kept her as his mate, but the ending points to a different angle, nonetheless... exciting.

What I found out to be weird was how characters kept talking to themselves like thinking out loud, I'm not sure how many people do that, it seems too overly dramatic and unrealistic and probably would’ve made more sense if all that was internal dialogue.