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Tricksters
A remote Texas town. A missing girl. A predator that wears a human face… sometimes.
Ash and her friends were just passing through Sierra Diablo—a desolate speck in the West Texas desert—when they stopped for a cold beer, met a group of mysterious locals, and vanished into a nightmare. Now Ash is gone, and what began as a simple road trip has turned into a fight for survival.
Matt, her older brother, refuses to let her disappear without answers. But Sierra Diablo guards its secrets closely. Locals speak of tricksters; shape-shifting creatures born from Native legend and desert myth. They look like you. They sound like you. And when they hunt, they don’t stop.
As Matt digs deeper, he finds himself pulled into a world of blood, shadows, and ancient horror, where the land itself seems alive, and survival means outrunning something that isn’t human.
Tricksters is a fast-paced, character-driven supernatural horror novel blending modern shapeshifter mythology, rural survival horror, and psychological suspense. Perfect for fans of The Only Good Indians, Kin, and Texas desert horror, this visceral thriller grips from the first page and doesn’t let go.
Enter Sierra Diablo… if you dare.
Ash and her friends were just passing through Sierra Diablo—a desolate speck in the West Texas desert—when they stopped for a cold beer, met a group of mysterious locals, and vanished into a nightmare. Now Ash is gone, and what began as a simple road trip has turned into a fight for survival.
Matt, her older brother, refuses to let her disappear without answers. But Sierra Diablo guards its secrets closely. Locals speak of tricksters; shape-shifting creatures born from Native legend and desert myth. They look like you. They sound like you. And when they hunt, they don’t stop.
As Matt digs deeper, he finds himself pulled into a world of blood, shadows, and ancient horror, where the land itself seems alive, and survival means outrunning something that isn’t human.
Tricksters is a fast-paced, character-driven supernatural horror novel blending modern shapeshifter mythology, rural survival horror, and psychological suspense. Perfect for fans of The Only Good Indians, Kin, and Texas desert horror, this visceral thriller grips from the first page and doesn’t let go.
Enter Sierra Diablo… if you dare.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
11 people are currently reading
1271 people want to read
About the author
N.L. McLaughlin
11 books38 followersNancy was born and raised in Massachusetts. After serving in the USMC, she returned home and went to college. Not long after, she moved to California and married. Six kids and multiple moves around the US later, she and her family call Texas home.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 55 reviews
June 9, 2024
This is a grim and unrelentingly gruesome novel about a pack of were-creatures in a small Texas town.
Not quite werewolves but coyotes. This pack is viscious and blood thirsty and really like to "play" with their human meals before ripping them to pieces.
When a man's sister goes missing in that town, he comes with some friends to find out what happened. It will not end well!
There's something I really like about a book that doesn't really try to redeem the bad guys. And this is a great example of that. They're definitely sadistic, evil, and care nothing for much else besides hunting and eating. This makes for some very intense breathless reading as the carnage keeps adding up.
We also get to spend enough time with the human characters so their gory deaths have an impact. And there will be many.
I highly recommend this thrilling, fast paced, relentless book.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Not quite werewolves but coyotes. This pack is viscious and blood thirsty and really like to "play" with their human meals before ripping them to pieces.
When a man's sister goes missing in that town, he comes with some friends to find out what happened. It will not end well!
There's something I really like about a book that doesn't really try to redeem the bad guys. And this is a great example of that. They're definitely sadistic, evil, and care nothing for much else besides hunting and eating. This makes for some very intense breathless reading as the carnage keeps adding up.
We also get to spend enough time with the human characters so their gory deaths have an impact. And there will be many.
I highly recommend this thrilling, fast paced, relentless book.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
June 15, 2024
I can certainly applaud the horror aspects of this story: there is terror, torture and absolute carnage throughout.
For me, the characters were the downfall of this tale. They did reckless things and made stupid mistakes, would randomly argue with each other instead of taking action, etc.
It was frustrating to read.
I also didn’t like that the story would jump randomly to a new POV- I don’t mind different narrators, but found it bizarre that scenes were repeated from different POVS. For example, it’s Ash’s perspective in the van when the friends are fleeing from the campsite. As they run from the van the story reverts back to earlier in the scene, but from Ben’s POV now. Then the story essentially repeats itself with a bit of Ben’s inner monologue to “change” it up. If anything, I would’ve preferred it flip to one of the Trickster’s POVs from outside the van (then at least it wouldn’t be repetitive).
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Black Rose Writing for letting me give this story a try!
For me, the characters were the downfall of this tale. They did reckless things and made stupid mistakes, would randomly argue with each other instead of taking action, etc.
It was frustrating to read.
I also didn’t like that the story would jump randomly to a new POV- I don’t mind different narrators, but found it bizarre that scenes were repeated from different POVS. For example, it’s Ash’s perspective in the van when the friends are fleeing from the campsite. As they run from the van the story reverts back to earlier in the scene, but from Ben’s POV now. Then the story essentially repeats itself with a bit of Ben’s inner monologue to “change” it up. If anything, I would’ve preferred it flip to one of the Trickster’s POVs from outside the van (then at least it wouldn’t be repetitive).
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Black Rose Writing for letting me give this story a try!
October 17, 2025
Wow! What a wild ride! The setting alone gives an unnatural, sinister and bizarre feeling! I already knew whoever came to Sierra Diablo just needed to turn around and stay away! Nothing good will come of it!
Tricksters is a story of beast vs humans. Filled with bone crunching and blood soaking barbarity; the fight for survival is in the hills of Sierra Diablo!
Read this story and Just keep driving! 😜
I also enjoyed the crossover connection with the Crossroads series and Colter as a side story. Looking forward to Feral!
Tricksters is a story of beast vs humans. Filled with bone crunching and blood soaking barbarity; the fight for survival is in the hills of Sierra Diablo!
Read this story and Just keep driving! 😜
I also enjoyed the crossover connection with the Crossroads series and Colter as a side story. Looking forward to Feral!
April 17, 2024
The geography in Tricksters alone is enough to make you feel exposed; rural, dark, cut off and miles away from anything that could offer protection. But, that’s not what will make your skin crawl and your heart race with this book. Like the human prey in the story, reading Tricksters will leave you outmatched, outwitted and outmaneuvered from beginning to end. Tricksters hits the ground running, driving up the tension and dispatching every hope you have for the characters, one by one, until you are frenzied trying to work out how it can possibly end. The story is violent, ferocious and merciless, but it also has realized characters with understandable motivations. Texas doesn’t need another chainsaw massacre when Tricksters are on the prowl. Recommended!
July 30, 2024
I am happy I was given an opportunity to read this book!!! It did not disappoint, and that ending, well I didn’t see it coming at all!!
Being from Oklahoma it was fun to have the book set in west Texas and even mentioned Oklahoma……parts of Texas I didn’t know about.
To me this book would be categorized as thriller horror.
If you’re wanting to dip into horror this would be a good place to start…..it has parts of gruesome but not to intense.
So our book takes place in West Texas in a small town where old family blood makes the rules and the rest look the other way
We have shapeshifters and to me very 80’s 90’s scary movie vibes and I was here for it!
Well done and look forward to seeing what you think about Tricksters
Being from Oklahoma it was fun to have the book set in west Texas and even mentioned Oklahoma……parts of Texas I didn’t know about.
To me this book would be categorized as thriller horror.
If you’re wanting to dip into horror this would be a good place to start…..it has parts of gruesome but not to intense.
So our book takes place in West Texas in a small town where old family blood makes the rules and the rest look the other way
We have shapeshifters and to me very 80’s 90’s scary movie vibes and I was here for it!
Well done and look forward to seeing what you think about Tricksters
July 22, 2024
Yikes! This was absolutely horrible, in the best of ways! The author’s writing style suited me perfectly, she made the story interesting, and the large cast kept my attention throughout. The book has very strong B-movie vibes all over, with several cringey moments between the action, many instances of over-the-top gore, and a lot of situations in which both the evil characters and the hunted heroes act a bit unconvincingly - but the story works! I was worried at the start (a pack of were-coyotes? seriously?!), but the horror was visceral, the suspense palpable, and I was drawn in despite my initial reservations. In sum, this is a fast-paced read, with characters some of which will grow on you whether you like them or not, and, most importantly, you will be entertained!
Thanks you Black Rose Writing and Netgalley for the chance of an early read! All opinions are my own.
Thanks you Black Rose Writing and Netgalley for the chance of an early read! All opinions are my own.
July 27, 2024
Thrilling, Fast-paced, and Relentless!
I had a blast with this one, and would love to see TRICKSTERS on a big screen. McLaughlin is a fantastic writer, and I'm looking forward to more of her fiction. Highly recommended!
I had a blast with this one, and would love to see TRICKSTERS on a big screen. McLaughlin is a fantastic writer, and I'm looking forward to more of her fiction. Highly recommended!
July 23, 2024
If you enjoy heart-pounding action, scenes of gore, and the concept of shapeshifting coyote people, then this book is an absolute must-read for you.
I absolutely loved this book. From the very first page to the last, it had me completely hooked. This book was fast-paced making it impossible to put down. It had action, blood, and gore, creating a gripping atmosphere that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author's attention to the detail of the scenery was equally impressive, vividly painting each setting with such clarity that it felt as though I was being transported directly there.
Next time you are on a road trip you might want to think twice before stopping for a bite to eat at place in a small town.
I absolutely loved this book. From the very first page to the last, it had me completely hooked. This book was fast-paced making it impossible to put down. It had action, blood, and gore, creating a gripping atmosphere that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author's attention to the detail of the scenery was equally impressive, vividly painting each setting with such clarity that it felt as though I was being transported directly there.
Next time you are on a road trip you might want to think twice before stopping for a bite to eat at place in a small town.
June 26, 2024
Way back in the 90s, I was a highschool kid and I stumbled upon a book called The Pack by William Essex. It was about a pack of wild dogs that terrorized and shredded their way through a small town. It was my favorite book and I still own a copy to this day.
Tricksters brought me back to my reading roots. If you love ripping flesh, blood, and gore, this book is for you! Everything about this book was great! I was kept on the edge of my seat from start to finish! I never knew if the "good guys" or the "bad guys" would come out on top in the end. Loved the ending and will definitely be reading more books by this author.
"Something you need to understand about us tricksters, we're liars, and we like to play with our food."
Tricksters brought me back to my reading roots. If you love ripping flesh, blood, and gore, this book is for you! Everything about this book was great! I was kept on the edge of my seat from start to finish! I never knew if the "good guys" or the "bad guys" would come out on top in the end. Loved the ending and will definitely be reading more books by this author.
"Something you need to understand about us tricksters, we're liars, and we like to play with our food."
May 23, 2024
I wasn’t expecting the ending at all, i lived the characters and the story line, I’m still in awe over the whole book, truly a good read if you want to try a horror story with lots of twists and gore!!
May 15, 2024
4.5 stars
Blurb
For generations, the Tricksters have inhabited the mountains of west Texas. Preying off unwitting travelers, the pack's existence remains a well-kept secret.
On a road trip, Ash and her friends make the fateful decision to stop in the dusty little town of Sierra Diablo where they meet a handsome and charismatic local named Caleb and his peculiar group of friends.
Later that night, a frightened young girl stumbles into their campsite, begging for help.
What follows is a night of terror as Ash and her friends fight for their lives against a pack of bloodthirsty coyote shapeshifters.
When she fails to return home, Ash's older brother, Matt, sets out to find her. Upon arrival in Sierra Diablo, he realizes that there's something odd about this tiny desert town. Determined to uncover the truth, he investigates further.
As he slowly uncovers the truth, Matt realizes some secrets are better left undisclosed.
When searching for answers, be careful that you don't come to regret what you find.
this book was phenomenal. it was fast paced. she starts you off right in the center. the book kept my attention to the point i was cooking with one hand and holding the book with my other. the descriptions of all the landscape and scenery had me feeling like i was actually there. definitely felt like i was in a horror movie. i would definitely recommend to anyone who loves suspense, coyote shifters, and some gore. i for sure will be picking up more of this authors work. she has a new fan in me.
Blurb
For generations, the Tricksters have inhabited the mountains of west Texas. Preying off unwitting travelers, the pack's existence remains a well-kept secret.
On a road trip, Ash and her friends make the fateful decision to stop in the dusty little town of Sierra Diablo where they meet a handsome and charismatic local named Caleb and his peculiar group of friends.
Later that night, a frightened young girl stumbles into their campsite, begging for help.
What follows is a night of terror as Ash and her friends fight for their lives against a pack of bloodthirsty coyote shapeshifters.
When she fails to return home, Ash's older brother, Matt, sets out to find her. Upon arrival in Sierra Diablo, he realizes that there's something odd about this tiny desert town. Determined to uncover the truth, he investigates further.
As he slowly uncovers the truth, Matt realizes some secrets are better left undisclosed.
When searching for answers, be careful that you don't come to regret what you find.
this book was phenomenal. it was fast paced. she starts you off right in the center. the book kept my attention to the point i was cooking with one hand and holding the book with my other. the descriptions of all the landscape and scenery had me feeling like i was actually there. definitely felt like i was in a horror movie. i would definitely recommend to anyone who loves suspense, coyote shifters, and some gore. i for sure will be picking up more of this authors work. she has a new fan in me.
June 7, 2024
First off, let me say that I pretty much hated everyone in this book, particularly in the second half. The ‘good’ guys included Matt, a Texas Ranger who didn’t care at all if he tortured others. The bad guys included Caleb, who took sadistic pleasure in hunting and killing people.
And still, the book captured my attention from beginning to end. It’s hard for me to decide on a rating, but I’m going with 3.5/5 rounded up.
One thing that never makes sense to me is how someone will kill a person, and then get mad when one of their own family is killed in return. That happens in this book, and it feels really disingenuous. Not that I didn’t believe that Caleb believed he was in the right, but how in the heck could he have believed he was in the right? He knew what he and his family were. And he also knew that they didn’t have to kill anyone to live. Yet he allowed his fun to get in the way. Not a good pack leader. Fortunately, everyone gets their just desserts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
And still, the book captured my attention from beginning to end. It’s hard for me to decide on a rating, but I’m going with 3.5/5 rounded up.
One thing that never makes sense to me is how someone will kill a person, and then get mad when one of their own family is killed in return. That happens in this book, and it feels really disingenuous. Not that I didn’t believe that Caleb believed he was in the right, but how in the heck could he have believed he was in the right? He knew what he and his family were. And he also knew that they didn’t have to kill anyone to live. Yet he allowed his fun to get in the way. Not a good pack leader. Fortunately, everyone gets their just desserts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
May 9, 2024
Man oh man did this one have me at the edge of my seat !! Devoured it (no pun intended) in 48 hours or so. Such a well written story and all of the characters are real and relatable ! Literally could envision them in my head so easily ! Definitely a 5 star read- was my first book from this author but it sure won’t be my last ! Chefs kiss ^
July 9, 2025
I read Tricksters in two sittings, the first segment I was a passenger in my car as my son drove us the 250 km to my in-law’s house, which provided a tense enough environment in which to enjoy McLaughlin’s gore fest, and the second was that night in bed, unable to sleep because I actually wanted to finish the book. So, I grabbed my Kindle and ploughed through to the end of the book. As a result, I have to say that neither is a great place to read a book like Tricksters. In a car, you get so into the action that when you look up suddenly, you are completely disorientated and are sure you are going to die, and in bed, you finish the book and realize you are completely awake and will be for the next three hours, coming down off your dopamine high from the tension-porn you just read.
Tricksters is great.
The setup is great. The characters are great. You get that small-town secret ‘vibe’ that Kealan Patrick Burke perfected in “Kin”. You know that bad people are going to do bad things, and enjoy doing them as it happens, and that you are invited in to witness it all. On the one hand, you want the helpless food to have a chance. Good for them if they manage to get away for a little while. On the other hand, you are enjoying the sheer amount of fun the Tricksters are enjoying as they play with their food.
This was an easy 5 ⭐ read, and one to blast through in one, max two sittings.
Just don’t do it in a car, or in bed, expecting to go to sleep afterwards.
Tricksters is great.
The setup is great. The characters are great. You get that small-town secret ‘vibe’ that Kealan Patrick Burke perfected in “Kin”. You know that bad people are going to do bad things, and enjoy doing them as it happens, and that you are invited in to witness it all. On the one hand, you want the helpless food to have a chance. Good for them if they manage to get away for a little while. On the other hand, you are enjoying the sheer amount of fun the Tricksters are enjoying as they play with their food.
This was an easy 5 ⭐ read, and one to blast through in one, max two sittings.
Just don’t do it in a car, or in bed, expecting to go to sleep afterwards.
July 19, 2024
First and foremost thank you to N.L. McLaughlin for allowing me to be an ARC reader for her book!
I had so much fun reading this. Every time I was forced to set it down I was so upset. But you know...life and adulting sometimes interrupts reading.
The isolation and the dread and fear was so real and immersive. This book takes place in the middle of B.F.E. ....a desert town with minimal occupancy. The main property in this desert town belongs to the tricksters. The only other places are the old deserted gas station, the bar with 1 bar tender and 3 occupants and the Sheriffs office.
These tricksters lure lost travelers to their property and then show their true forms. NO ONE is safe!!!
I loved this story so much and the twists at the end are so mind boggling it had me re-reading the last chapter a couple times to make sure I understood it correctly. Like.....did I just read what I think I read?!?!?! Whew!!! I can let go of my breath now.
I had so much fun reading this. Every time I was forced to set it down I was so upset. But you know...life and adulting sometimes interrupts reading.
The isolation and the dread and fear was so real and immersive. This book takes place in the middle of B.F.E. ....a desert town with minimal occupancy. The main property in this desert town belongs to the tricksters. The only other places are the old deserted gas station, the bar with 1 bar tender and 3 occupants and the Sheriffs office.
These tricksters lure lost travelers to their property and then show their true forms. NO ONE is safe!!!
I loved this story so much and the twists at the end are so mind boggling it had me re-reading the last chapter a couple times to make sure I understood it correctly. Like.....did I just read what I think I read?!?!?! Whew!!! I can let go of my breath now.
July 4, 2024
These aren't your teen romance Shifters. And this isn't a fairy tale with a happy ending.
Launching into the action from page one and not stopping til the final full stop. The story is a run for your life, search for your answer and keep running adventure. Filled with all the tropes of a good horror; dark woods, camping, and missing friends. But it isn't cliche. Stay to the end and be surprised as its all tied up.
My only critique is the characters. They all read like background characters with no real stand out main character or leader. However, it doesn't detract from the story telling.
Grab this extended short story for a midnight read. Keep the lights on, the doors locked and cancel any camping trips.
Launching into the action from page one and not stopping til the final full stop. The story is a run for your life, search for your answer and keep running adventure. Filled with all the tropes of a good horror; dark woods, camping, and missing friends. But it isn't cliche. Stay to the end and be surprised as its all tied up.
My only critique is the characters. They all read like background characters with no real stand out main character or leader. However, it doesn't detract from the story telling.
Grab this extended short story for a midnight read. Keep the lights on, the doors locked and cancel any camping trips.
August 5, 2024
Ash and her friends are on a road trip they make the terrible mistake of stopping in a small town Sierra Diablo where they meet a strange group of locals who show them a place they can camp. Later that night a frightened girl stumbles into camp begging for help. What follows is a night of terror as Ash and her friends have to fight for their lives against a pack of shapeshifters.
This book was so good. I went into this blind I had no idea what to expect and I was not disappointed! This had it all isolated setting, gore a bit of supernatural and so many tense scenes. Would definitely recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, Black Rose Writing and N L McLaughlin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so good. I went into this blind I had no idea what to expect and I was not disappointed! This had it all isolated setting, gore a bit of supernatural and so many tense scenes. Would definitely recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, Black Rose Writing and N L McLaughlin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2024
Fabulous introduction to this author for me. Horror… gore… I loved it.
July 18, 2024
This was an addictive and easy read. Keeps your heart racing the entire time and just when you think you are safe and you can take a breath, the stakes double down. Incredible! If you want fast paced horror to pass an evening with a healthy dose of adrenaline, this is it!
June 8, 2024
Do you like desolate settings? Do you like copious amounts of uncertainty and the feeling of constantly being hunted? Do you like ruthless shapeshifting coyote people?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above then this book is for you.
Tricksters by N.L. McLaughlin is an absolute roller coaster of fear, desperation, cruelty and pure brutality wrapped up with a neat bow made of the entrails of the victims of the Tricksters.
There were so many times throughout this book where I felt like I was being hunted as well. Running with hopes of escape through the endless expanse of desolate land that is the mountains of West Texas; only to have that hope ripped away at a moments notice.
The only thing more insane than the actions that took place throughout the book was the ending. I couldn’t have seen this ending coming at all but felt it was a brilliant plot twist ending to neatly wrap up loose ends.
All-in-all, this book was absolutely incredible and well worth the 5 ⭐️ rating. I would gladly recommend this book over and over again to new and seasoned horror readers.
If you answered yes to any of the questions above then this book is for you.
Tricksters by N.L. McLaughlin is an absolute roller coaster of fear, desperation, cruelty and pure brutality wrapped up with a neat bow made of the entrails of the victims of the Tricksters.
There were so many times throughout this book where I felt like I was being hunted as well. Running with hopes of escape through the endless expanse of desolate land that is the mountains of West Texas; only to have that hope ripped away at a moments notice.
The only thing more insane than the actions that took place throughout the book was the ending. I couldn’t have seen this ending coming at all but felt it was a brilliant plot twist ending to neatly wrap up loose ends.
All-in-all, this book was absolutely incredible and well worth the 5 ⭐️ rating. I would gladly recommend this book over and over again to new and seasoned horror readers.
July 10, 2024
Wow loved this story, from the coyote pack,to the characters, the gore just really good
June 9, 2024
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reviewer! - If you love horror and shapeshifters, this book is for you!! - I thought this book was pretty unique, I haven’t read a story quite like it before. Tricksters aka coyote shifters that seem to dominate a town and have their twisted ways of catching and hunting their prey… humans. But one girl that goes missing has a brother in the Texas rangers who comes looking for her… it’s edge of your seat what’s gonna happen next and plenty gory too. The ending was not at all what I expected either. Highly recommend giving this book a chance!!! The author did a great job with how she wrote this story!
July 8, 2024
Absolutely amazing. I was so took that I couldn't put it down.the storyline and characters are very well thought out. I'm extremely excited to read more from this author.
July 18, 2024
3.5 stars
**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Basics
Authors: she/her, USA
Genre: supernatural horror, thriller
Setting: west Texas desert & mountains
Themes: survival, revenge, family
Mood: impending doom, vengeful
Pros
+ a friend group (3 girls, 1 boy) travelling through the desert meets locals at a bar and takes them up on their offer for a local campground
+ coyote shifter pack who likes to hunt their prey (Caleb: leader, older brother, Pax: younger brother, newly turned, Jewel: little sister, runaway, currently turning, & Caleb's friends)
+ high-octane chase & survival scenes
+ the town that preys together stays together
+ At the 50% mark, the first band of characters (friend group) switches to another cast (missing girl's older brother and his military friends). Keen to see what's going to go down with an older, wiser, more weapon-savvy group of non-shifters.
+ Recommend for readers who like fast-pace thrillers, gore, horror, and supernatural creature features.
Neutral
/ So many POVs (at least 6+) but it works in this story, jumping to whoever is in the middle of the action.
Cons
- Some of the writing is very on-the-nose. For example, the pack can't help but say stuff like "fresh meat and "fresh blood" and "hunt tourists" over and over. I get it. They're mocking their future prey as a sick in-joke, but also, it's repetitive and a bit cringe.
- Unless the 2 coyote brothers also have latent succubus skills, the attraction felt toward them by others is over the top.
- During scenes where characters should be scared and running for their literal lives, they have time to pause, inspect small injuries, and make jokes. Seemed tonally off to me. If I was running for my life after my friend was torn apart to death, I'd be running til my lungs gave out and not wasting a single breath on talking.
- The end fell apart. Plan? What plan?
- The final resolution was deus ex machina style. Sigh.
TW: death of adults and children (off-page), blood, gore, murder, drugging, murder of an unborn child, torture
**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Basics
Authors: she/her, USA
Genre: supernatural horror, thriller
Setting: west Texas desert & mountains
Themes: survival, revenge, family
Mood: impending doom, vengeful
Pros
+ a friend group (3 girls, 1 boy) travelling through the desert meets locals at a bar and takes them up on their offer for a local campground
+ coyote shifter pack who likes to hunt their prey (Caleb: leader, older brother, Pax: younger brother, newly turned, Jewel: little sister, runaway, currently turning, & Caleb's friends)
+ high-octane chase & survival scenes
+ the town that preys together stays together
+ At the 50% mark, the first band of characters (friend group) switches to another cast (missing girl's older brother and his military friends). Keen to see what's going to go down with an older, wiser, more weapon-savvy group of non-shifters.
+ Recommend for readers who like fast-pace thrillers, gore, horror, and supernatural creature features.
Neutral
/ So many POVs (at least 6+) but it works in this story, jumping to whoever is in the middle of the action.
Cons
- Some of the writing is very on-the-nose. For example, the pack can't help but say stuff like "fresh meat and "fresh blood" and "hunt tourists" over and over. I get it. They're mocking their future prey as a sick in-joke, but also, it's repetitive and a bit cringe.
- Unless the 2 coyote brothers also have latent succubus skills, the attraction felt toward them by others is over the top.
- During scenes where characters should be scared and running for their literal lives, they have time to pause, inspect small injuries, and make jokes. Seemed tonally off to me. If I was running for my life after my friend was torn apart to death, I'd be running til my lungs gave out and not wasting a single breath on talking.
- The end fell apart. Plan? What plan?
- The final resolution was deus ex machina style. Sigh.
TW: death of adults and children (off-page), blood, gore, murder, drugging, murder of an unborn child, torture
June 13, 2024
Yes, let's stop in a run-down small town in the middle of nowhere. That's a great idea!
Pax and his brother Caleb, along with their friends, are exactly what the title of this book is called. Tricksters. And they are slick with it. Especially Caleb! He is a gullible girl's (or even guy) worst nightmare!
This story jumps off right from the start with a family traveling in an RV who get sucked right into the games the Tricksters like to play.
Pax and his brother Caleb, along with their friends, are exactly what the title of this book is called. Tricksters. And they are slick with it. Especially Caleb! He is a gullible girl's (or even guy) worst nightmare!
This story jumps off right from the start with a family traveling in an RV who get sucked right into the games the Tricksters like to play.
June 13, 2024
Holy crap!! Nancy McLaughlin is a GENIUS!! I loved every second of this book, I couldn’t put it down. It had me hooked from the first page to the very last word. The twist at the end blew my mind. I am in awe of this book, it’s bloody, it’s gory, it’s gruesome, it tugged on my heartstrings, I even teared up a few times. It was terrifying yet so intriguing. If you love horror books READ THIS ONE!!
June 28, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and N.L. McLaughlin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Tricksters coming out July 25, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
For generations, the Tricksters have inhabited the mountains of west Texas. Preying off unwitting travelers, the pack's existence remains a well-kept secret.
On a road trip, Ash and her friends make the fateful decision to stop in the dusty little town of Sierra Diablo where they meet a handsome and charismatic local named Caleb and his peculiar group of friends.
Later that night, a frightened young girl stumbles into their campsite, begging for help.
What follows is a night of terror as Ash and her friends fight for their lives against a pack of bloodthirsty coyote shapeshifters.
When she fails to return home, Ash's older brother, Matt, sets out to find her. Upon arrival in Sierra Diablo, he realizes that there's something odd about this tiny desert town. Determined to uncover the truth, he investigates further.
As he slowly uncovers the truth, Matt realizes some secrets are better left undisclosed.
When searching for answers, be careful that you don't come to regret what you find.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I definitely love spooky and scary horror stories. It’s one of my favorite genres so I was excited to check this one out. I thought it was creepy and I wasn’t expecting the gory aspect of it. I think it was very suspenseful and fast-paced. The only thing that I kind of got hung up about was the characters. It definitely felt like they were a horror movie. They didn’t always make the best decisions. There was just something missing for me. I didn’t really care for ending as well. But I would definitely check out other books by this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys werewolf stories!
For generations, the Tricksters have inhabited the mountains of west Texas. Preying off unwitting travelers, the pack's existence remains a well-kept secret.
On a road trip, Ash and her friends make the fateful decision to stop in the dusty little town of Sierra Diablo where they meet a handsome and charismatic local named Caleb and his peculiar group of friends.
Later that night, a frightened young girl stumbles into their campsite, begging for help.
What follows is a night of terror as Ash and her friends fight for their lives against a pack of bloodthirsty coyote shapeshifters.
When she fails to return home, Ash's older brother, Matt, sets out to find her. Upon arrival in Sierra Diablo, he realizes that there's something odd about this tiny desert town. Determined to uncover the truth, he investigates further.
As he slowly uncovers the truth, Matt realizes some secrets are better left undisclosed.
When searching for answers, be careful that you don't come to regret what you find.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I definitely love spooky and scary horror stories. It’s one of my favorite genres so I was excited to check this one out. I thought it was creepy and I wasn’t expecting the gory aspect of it. I think it was very suspenseful and fast-paced. The only thing that I kind of got hung up about was the characters. It definitely felt like they were a horror movie. They didn’t always make the best decisions. There was just something missing for me. I didn’t really care for ending as well. But I would definitely check out other books by this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys werewolf stories!
August 1, 2024
Ash and her friends, Hannah, Jasmine, and Ben, are enjoying a road trip together. Looking for a place to stay the night, they decideto stop in Sierra Diablo and see what they could find in the small town for caping. After meeting a man named Caleb who offered to buy them drinks at a bar, Ash and her friends set up camp in a spot that the man suggested to them. Although Ash has express her doubt, her friends brushed it off. Why is Ash doubtful about the camping site? Later that night, a terrified young girl approached them and begged for help. Later that night Ash and her friends ended up fighting for their lives against a pack of bloodthirsty coyote shapeshifters. Meanwhile, Ash’s older brother, Matt, is anxious after she fails to come home or contact him. He decides to head out to Sierra Diablo to investigate further but what he discovers in that town is worse than anything he anticipated. What did he discover?
The author has written a thriller with action. I admire Ash as she was brave and quick to decide what to do. When Ash’s brother comes to find her, I looked forward to what would happen. Will Ash and her brother escape the coyote shapeshifters? I liked the ending of the book even though I didn’t expect it to end the way it did.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The author has written a thriller with action. I admire Ash as she was brave and quick to decide what to do. When Ash’s brother comes to find her, I looked forward to what would happen. Will Ash and her brother escape the coyote shapeshifters? I liked the ending of the book even though I didn’t expect it to end the way it did.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
June 6, 2024
A frenzied, blood-soaked ride through the West Texas desert
Tricksters is a novel that makes excellent use of the same barren and isolated setting that’s worked so well for horror classics such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. But while the setting is familiar, the story Tricksters tells is fresh and original.
After his sister and her friends go missing, with their last known location being a small town in West Texas called Sierra Diablo, a Texas Ranger named Matt sets out to find her. What he finds instead is a family of powerful, murderous shapeshifters with roots in the area as old as the land itself.
Thanks to a combination of non-stop action and N.L. McLaughlin’s terrific prose, Tricksters is a book that grabbed my attention right from the start and didn’t let go until the end. Every page dripped with atmosphere, the suspense kept ramping up, and the characters (both the “good guys” and the “bad guys”) were compelling and well-developed, with the kind of complex emotions and motivations you don’t always see in the slasher genre.
If you’re in the mood for a gritty and violent page-turner that’ll transport you to a nightmare vision of rural West Texas, I highly recommend giving Tricksters a try!
Tricksters is a novel that makes excellent use of the same barren and isolated setting that’s worked so well for horror classics such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. But while the setting is familiar, the story Tricksters tells is fresh and original.
After his sister and her friends go missing, with their last known location being a small town in West Texas called Sierra Diablo, a Texas Ranger named Matt sets out to find her. What he finds instead is a family of powerful, murderous shapeshifters with roots in the area as old as the land itself.
Thanks to a combination of non-stop action and N.L. McLaughlin’s terrific prose, Tricksters is a book that grabbed my attention right from the start and didn’t let go until the end. Every page dripped with atmosphere, the suspense kept ramping up, and the characters (both the “good guys” and the “bad guys”) were compelling and well-developed, with the kind of complex emotions and motivations you don’t always see in the slasher genre.
If you’re in the mood for a gritty and violent page-turner that’ll transport you to a nightmare vision of rural West Texas, I highly recommend giving Tricksters a try!
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