Swallowing the Muskellunge

by Lawrence Patrick O'Brien

Wild things run loose at the border. They know that the caravan is coming. Their reach is disturbingly effective, and they have a fierce appetite. The sentinels are patient and can be quite disarming.

From the outskirts of Boston, in 1800, London Oxford’s family climbed aboard a sleigh that was bound for the promised land. They, as part of the Wrights’ caravan, travelled north in the dead of winter. London joined four other young families. Nineteen children were twelve years or younger. Dozens of young, single men, armed with axes, followed on foot. London, who wasn’t always free, was risking everything for a chance at a better life.

Moving through the frigid cold and the blinding white made the adults tired and numb. They felt like they were already asleep. That might be why no-one noticed the drag marks in the snow, or why so few questioned the disappearances. The little ones were left to run recklessly and unfettered. London felt like that—until that something woke him up.

Genres: Horror

296 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2025

Reviews

[Book Nerdection · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blending of historical drama with adaptations of Native American legends was truly titillating and one that caught my attention. O’Brien has a reputation as an author for weaving action-packed plots invigorated by traditional folklore. The inspirations for Matanto (Matthew), an evil spirit from the Lenape legend, and Weesakayjack (Jack) from the Cree stories required some research but added an entertaining mystical quality to the story and its characters.

The dedication to the author’s own family history and how it relates to some of the locations in the story at the beginning was genuinely touching and added extra weight to the read, especially when characters recount the adventures of their own relatives.

The introductory chapter—told from the perspective of a loon (a bird) grieving the loss of his mate and then his chicklings—didn’t fully land for me. I could see it as an attempt to foreshadow what was to come for certain characters, and it was certainly an interesting way to echo the title, but I didn’t feel it helped establish the setting or draw me into the story as strongly as it might have. For readers like me, who don’t have much familiarity with North American freshwater fish predators, some of the impact may be easy to miss, and I found myself frequently flipping between the book and Google, which became distracting.

Additionally, the third-person omniscient narration created a very expansive cast and a wide narrative lens. While that approach offers a lot of perspectives, it also made it harder for me to feel close to the characters, and I sometimes found myself wanting more focus or intimacy. Personally, I felt this narration style reduced some of the suspense O’Brien seemed to be building and made it more difficult to connect emotionally—especially with characters like London, who carry so much desperation and grief throughout the book. As a reader, I tend to look for an emotional anchor and a stronger sense of closeness to the characters, and I didn’t always find that here.

Despite these few drawbacks, I would consider this a good read. Those who appreciate historical drama with a twist will appreciate this story. All in all, Swallowing the Muskellunge is a tantalizing historical drama filled with mystery and murder, inspired by Native North American folklore.

Reviewd By Georgia

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Law says I’m free, but I’m still not white.

London Oxford is determined to do everything possible to keep his family safe. "The Promised Land" is just beyond a treacherous journey filled with biting cold, snow, and strong winds. Keeping his young children close as they begin to explore a new world around them feels almost impossible.

Abner Oxford is not content merely sitting in the sleigh or caring for his younger sisters. He craves adventure and is determined to prove himself as strong and capable as the other men. However, he senses a dark presence surrounding the caravan. It is challenging for him to convince the adults that there may be someone untrustworthy among them, especially since the evidence he has does not seem credible.

"Swallowing the Muskellunge" by Lawrence P. O'Brien follows the journey of a father and son, each navigating their own challenges as they strive to protect those around them.

London and his family face significant challenges as a coloured family in the 18th century. Although he is a free man and his children were born into freedom, due to Massachusetts' ban on slavery in 1783, society still views him as inferior, and his safety outside of their home is not guaranteed. London and his wife, Jane, have worked for the Wright family for years, and they have become accustomed to their roles. However, when the Wrights announce their plans to move away from their family home in search of a new life and legacy in the "Promised Land", London and his family’s future becomes uncertain. This looming unease permeates the narrative, creating tension from the very beginning.

The characters are easy to connect with; London, his wife, and their three children are well-developed and evoke sympathy through their mistreatment and mistrust in society. Their situation is all the more poignant given their reliance on the Wrights' kindness over the years. Although they are essentially in a position of servitude, they enjoy a degree of freedom, and their roles within the Wright household provide them with some security. Outside of the Wrights’ home, proving their freedom would be difficult, and the danger of being mistaken for runaway slaves poses a significant risk if they were to leave.

The Oxford family has been plagued by a dark force for many years. As London shares the story of his father and how his parents became a couple, the truth about what has been haunting the Oxfords gradually begins to unfold. However, for Abner, the past is not the immediate concern; it is the present that presents a much more frightening reality.

The caravan set out with people familiar to Abner, but as they travelled, strangers joined their group. Whether these newcomers can be trusted remains uncertain. Among them is Matthew, a man who came with a group of men to help clear the land and start building once they arrive. But something about Matthew makes Abner uneasy. He never seems to eat, he is always watching, and gradually, men start to disappear. No matter how often Abner is told that the missing men have simply turned back, he cannot accept it and begins to keep a close eye on Matthew. The contrast between Matthew and Abner is stark. While Abner is still a child, Matthew exudes an unsettling authority that Abner believes to be dangerous. For a young boy, especially a young coloured boy in this era, standing up to such a man requires immense courage. People are more likely to believe those who share their skin colour. Despite this, Abner is determined not only to uncover the truth but also to protect his family in the process.

A sense of darkness quickly envelops the pages as you read. The reader gains early insight into the truth behind the peril lurking behind the caravan, but the finer details remain hidden until Abner and London uncover them. This knowledge builds tension rapidly, as readers cannot simply dismiss Abner's concerns as the overactive imagination of a child. The awareness of a lurking danger creates a fast-paced and intense narrative that fully captures the reader's attention, prompting them to turn the pages eagerly in search of the truth and hoping that the characters can uncover it before it's too late.

The author has done an exceptional job of keeping the reader engaged throughout the story, with impeccable world-building and characters crafted with true depth. There are a few punctuation errors that could have been addressed in a final edit; however, they are thankfully rare and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

Matthew is a character who makes your skin crawl as you read about him. On the surface, he seems trustworthy, but as you follow Abner in his investigations, you begin to notice small quirks that suggest he is not as reliable as he appears. Early in the story, even before the caravan sets off, the reader is given clues that Matthew is not what he seems. However, the truth about who—or what—he truly is remains hidden until closer to the end of the novel. The characters are unaware of the danger lurking among them, which creates a heavy sense of unease throughout the pages. As the tension builds and more people begin to disappear, the reader can’t help but lean toward the edge of their seat, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

"Swallowing the Muskellunge" by Lawrence P. O’Brien is a novel that explores deep emotional themes and features a diverse cast of characters, from endearing to loathsome. This captivating story, which incorporates supernatural elements, is essential reading for fans of suspenseful narratives.

Review by Ellie Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawrence P. O’Brien’s Swallowing the Muskellunge delivers a supernatural thriller that hits all the right marks, giving us a gripping narrative about a sleigh ride north that could mean a new life and a world of possibilities for London Oxford, a Black man and former slave with dreams of a better life. Unfortunately, although Massachusetts is a free state, living with the Wrights means London and his family are still not fully free or secure.

At the promised land, London reminds Philemon Wright that he wants the same share as the other men, but in turn, he’s threatened:

“London, I have a copy of a warrant for the arrest of an Oxford who stole some shoes from my

brother.”

“Missa Wright, you know that piece of paper was written for my brother and not for me…”

London’s pleas initially fell on deaf ears: Philemon’s threat is crystal clear. After the reading of Thomas Wright Senior’s will, the Wrights move north, and London decides that he and his family will join them:

“I’m sure going up there will be a lot better for us. Land is cheap, and there’ll be lots of work.

And those boys have been making a lot of promises.”

Unfortunately, something evil lurks out there in all the snow and cold. There are two supernatural beings out in the snowy wilderness: a monster who goes by “Matthew,” and a shapeshifting indigenous man, Wìsakedjàk, who ends up saving the Oxford children when they get lost in the snowstorm:

He heated the snow in a wooden bowl and dropped bits from a pouch he carried.

“Is this better?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you kindly.”

“That’s a little soup I’m making, in case you’re wondering.”

“I’m Abner, and this is my sister Rachael. What’s your name, sir?”

“Some call me Wìsakedjàk.”

If he hadn’t shown up, they might have frozen to death. It’s a heartwarming scene, but there is more brutal combat around the corner. Mathew, with his creepy tendrils, murders a member of the church congregation where the Wrights and Oxfords worship, and after the group sets off on their journey north, he becomes obsessed with Jane Oxford, stalking her. Matthew believes that someone named Coffey acquired a special stone from the Wìsakedjàk, and he is certain that London’s family has acquired it.

When the children get lost, London sets out into the wilderness, where the showdown with evil will take place.

This is a complex plot, but one handled with a measured hand by the author. Furthermore, the commentary on race and the indigenous population is not didactic or preachy. It fits perfectly with the narrative and helps the world-building, which is at times both magical and realistic. This is a smart and compelling take on the supernatural horror/thriller.

Lawrence P. O’Brien’s Swallowing the Muskellunge is a work that poses deep questions about race and identity, survival on the frontier, and the overwhelming power of nature. What this novel most reminds me of is a book written in the 1800s by a man named Henry Tuft, The Autobiography of a Criminal. O’Brien mines similar territory in Swallowing the Muskellunge, showing us the history of a nation forged in violence and crime, where poor blacks and whites are pitted against each other for survival in a tough new world and a violent frontier. It puts the ugliness of human nature and the messiness of empire-building in a stark light, and it forces the reader to ask themselves if the price we have paid for our country was not perhaps a bit too steep.

In the end, O’Brien’s work left me with as many questions as it did answers, and I like books that do exactly that.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swallowing the Muskellunge drops you into a brutal and uncanny world where Black families in the late 1700s try to carve out a life in a landscape full of danger, superstition, and raw human fear. The story follows London Oxford, his son Abner, and the Wright family as they navigate violence, prejudice, mysterious deaths, and something darker hiding in the woods and rivers. The book mixes historical fiction with unsettling folklore, and the result is a journey that twists between real-world cruelty and eerie, mythic threats.

The writing hits with a quiet confidence, yet it never lets you rest. Scenes that start with simple family troubles drift into something tense, then something dreadful, then something almost magical. I found myself leaning in and frowning at the page, not because the prose was hard, but because the emotions were sharp. O’Brien has a way of slipping horror into places that should feel safe. Kitchens, barns, small paths, quiet rivers. The fear creeps in slowly. I kept thinking, I know these people, and I don’t want anything to happen to them, yet trouble keeps finding them. Some moments even made my stomach turn, especially when the book turns toward the threats against Abner or the strange shadow creatures near the river. It all felt personal.

What struck me hardest, though, was the mixture of cruelty and tenderness. I felt anger at the unfairness thrown at London and his family, and I felt warmth in the smaller human moments that kept them standing. A father reaching for his son after a violent scare. A mother snapping at the world because she is scared of losing everything. Those scenes felt raw. The conversations are messy and real. People stumble through their choices, and you see their flaws, yet you can’t help rooting for them. O’Brien’s ideas about freedom, belonging, and survival sit right under the surface. They poke at you in quiet ways. I loved that.

This is a gripping story that digs into both the mythic and the human. I would recommend Swallowing the Muskellunge to readers who enjoy historical fiction with grit, folktale shadows, and characters who feel painfully real. Anyone who likes stories that blend lived struggle with something uncanny will find a lot to chew on here.

[LBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Swallowing the Muskellunge" is a historical fantasy novel that takes place in the late 18th century. It combines elements of black history, immigration, and horror across the U.S. and Canadian border during this time frame. It intertwines realism and folklore, showing how greed, freedom, and nature’s mysticism come together to create a severe backdrop of early North America. O’Brien writes in a very descriptive style that oscillates between being lyrical and gritty depending on which point of view he is writing from.

The book starts with a prologue ripe with symbolism from the point of view of a loon who just lost its mate to human hunters. This introduction foreshadows themes throughout the novel that will be explored, such as violence, loss, and the need for survival.

The story then shifts to the narrative of the Wright family, rich white settlers, in Massachusetts 1796 as they prepare to get ready to go to Canada after the death of their patriarch. At this point, we learn about their Black servants, London and his wife Jane Oxford and their young children, who are attempting to navigate the boundaries of identity as it pertains to race, class, and belonging.

As Thomas and Philemon, two of the Wright brothers, hope to gain a new settlement near Montreal, tensions builds between the family and servants. The brothers’ wishes to build a “promised land” in the wild north uncovers the darker undertones that define the United States at the time, such as manifest destiny, displacement of Indigenous people, and the exploitation of Black labor.

A series of violent and supernatural events unfolds. Major themes explored in this book are freedom vs. servitude, nature vs. spirit, and supernatural justice. O'Brien's mix of perspectives—animal, human, and supernatural—creates a mystical, intimate, and holistic picture of early America’s moral landscape. O'Brien cinematically reveals how the quest for liberty often comes at the cost of others—and how nature, in its memory and consciousness, responds.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was such a rich and compelling historical fiction meets folklore horror novel. The powerful imagery of the harsh, wild landscapes the characters traverse, along with the tension that fills the air in every chapter, kept readers on the edge of their seats. At the same time, the balance the author found between the violent supernatural events of the story and the need for survival that takes center stage in the narrative made this novel soar.

As a fan of fantasy, horror, and folklore storytelling, I loved the idea of the Wìsakedjàk being such a powerful force in the worlds of North American folklore and culture, and taking on a physical presence in the wilds of this setting. Yet it was the powerful themes of this book that stood out. The exploration of Manifest Destiny at the expense of indigenous people, as well as the struggle for identity, is what many people in the Black community felt when they attempted to create their own path in life, but felt the confines of labor for others take control. The exploration of freedom vs servitude, as well as the freedom of nature versus the conquest of land and the rights mankind has to dominate the world, made this narrative so compelling and thought-provoking.

The Verdict

Harrowing, dynamic character arcs and powerful themes, author Lawrence P. O’Brien’s “Swallowing the Muskellunge” is a must-read historical fiction meets folklore horror novel. The emotional resonance readers will have with these characters, the struggles they endure, and the depth of survival they must go through highlight the hardships of life in this era, while also bridging the gap by infusing supernatural terror into the narrative fabric that feels strangely natural.

[Abigail Grimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swallowing the Muskellunge is an emotionally charged, folk horror novel that I received as an ARC from NetGalley, and it definitely kept my interest. Enough so that I read it in a couple days. The book takes place in the late 1700s, when the threat of being returned to slavery is enough to keep a freed man in line, and tells the journey of several families from Massachusetts to Canada. It is there that London Oxford, the main character of this tale, intends to settle his family alongside the Wrights on a large tract of land.

Because I’m unfamiliar with Native American folklore, this book pushed me to do a little research and the way O’Brien has interwoven the legends of Matantu and Wisakedjäk felt in rhythm with what I read online. I absolutely loved the slow climb to terror, and my heart broke at the trauma the families are forced to face in this novel. O’Brien’s descriptions make the horrors the caravan face feel palpable.

I did find it hard to follow along with character names, especially in the earlier portion of the book. While this may be historically accurate in familial naming, it left me confused on more than one occasion. Overall, I could barely put the book down.

According to the cover, Swallowing the Muskellunge is the first in a series. I hope to read more in the future.

[Abdelmadjid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memorable and Well-Written



Swallowing the Muskellunge surprised me with how quietly emotional it is. The story builds slowly at first, but once the characters settle in, it becomes easy to care about them—especially London and his family. The author does a great job bringing the setting to life, and some scenes felt so real I had to pause for a second.

There are a few slower moments, but overall the writing is strong, the atmosphere is vivid, and the emotional parts land well. It’s the kind of story that leaves you thinking about the characters even after you’re done reading.

[Maria Beltrami · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex novel that blends elements of horror and the paranormal with themes of European settlement in North America, the American Civil War, the liberation of black slaves, and the extermination of Native Americans.
There is a lot going on, yet the author skilfully guides the reader through the story of London Oxford, a freed slave, his “non-masters”, the journey of this huge extended family to the promised land of Canada, and the horrors that await them along the way.
A book that keeps you glued to the pages, breathless and rooting for London.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are all part of a caravan going through the cold for a better life. He joined it hoping for a better life with children among them. No one noticed the disappearances or the foot steps in the snow. What is going on? Follow them as they travel to find a new life
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read