Backwoods Banshee

Adam Binder #5

by David R. Slayton

As Adam copes with fresh trauma, he must investigate how Banshees are getting into our world, and who is trying to erase history from the books …

Adam, Vic, and their friends are attending a concert, enjoying a rare moment of peace, when a man suddenly rushes the stage and screams, killing the musician and rendering many of the audience members unconscious. Adam quickly learns this is a banshee which has somehow slipped into this world from The Between, a realm outside of everything.

While Adam tries to solve one mystery, the tension builds between him and his boyfriend, Vic, as Adam struggles to heal from the torture he suffered at the hands of a vicious cult. Still not comfortable with being touched, can their relationship survive Banshees and betrayal?

In classic Slayton style, not everyone is who they seem. Friends become enemies, enemies become allies, souls are stolen, and battles fought. Backwoods Banshee is a fast paced, heart breaking, and wonderful addition to the Adam Binder series.

Genres: Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 27, 2026

Reviews

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Backwoods Banshee is my favorite Adam Binder book yet. It’s tightly paced but still takes time to expand on the relationships and worldbuilding. I loved the musings about elves. Do they have religion? Do they write fiction, or do they dream of mundane things instead of superheroes since they’re already kind of superheroes themselves?

I also loved that Adam is going to school to learn how to work on EVs and that he still goes to work. I love when urban fantasy lets characters still be normal humans and doesn’t forget that they need to go through the normal motions of the world. The tie-ins to Rogue Community College are great, along with references to the previous books. This series is getting so complex and has its own whole history.

This book strikes such a great balance of plot, mystery, Adam’s growth and his relationship with Vic, and continuity with the other books. I will always hold a special place in my heart for White Trash Warlock, just for the feeling of discovering it and finding what I’d wanted all my life in Adam and his journey, but this one gives it a run for its money.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Adam Binder is back in the 5th of his books, Backwoods Banshee, & I could not love him more. The previous books have shown Adam growing to overcome his childhood trauma, the way he looks at relationships, & just struggling with identity to begin with, like any young adult. In the previous book, Adam was left with some pretty heavy physical & mental trauma on top of that he’s already dealt with. Which leaves us to now:

Adam has pretty significant PTSD peppering this entire book & that is one of the things I love about David R Slayton’s books. Not everything is wrapped in a pretty bow: each action in every book has consequences that don’t just get pushed aside or magicked away at the end. That truth continues here. These books are not just fantasy stories about elves & witches, but Adam is human & with that come human problems: finances, transportation, mental health, relationships, self doubt. Adam is such a fully fleshed out character, I always forget how much I love him until I’m reading him again & would lay down my life for his.

Backwoods Banshee finds Adam on probation as Page of Swords & attending what should be a fun concert, but all hell breaks loose. Technically he should leave the investigating to the elves, but Adam never really follows the rules. As Adam goes on his search to learn who attacked the concert, he also struggles with the secrets he’s keeping, that leave him with nightmares & riddled with guilt. The tagline for this book is “No one is who they seem” & it holds very true. How do all of the pieces fit together & who can Adam trust with his truths?

This book kept me guessing until the very last word. I loved returning to this world & also getting to see some characters from the spin-off, Rogue Community College. The book creates such a lush, descriptive world full of diverse characters, & coming back is always a treat.

The first three books were dual POV, & the previous book made the skip to Adam’s POV only, which this one continued. I really enjoyed getting this much of Adam. I think the dual POV was necessary to set up the series, but it’s always been Adam’s story. Adam’s relationships, sweet personality, & his loyalties all lay the path for the direction of this entire series, & Backwoods Banshee is no different.

We are set up nicely to continue to a book 6, & I will be waiting as patiently as i can to return. I definitely recommend this book.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backwoods Banshee by David R. Slayton is the kind of horror novel that reminds you why spooky season is one of the best times of the year to pick up a chilling read. Blending folklore, mystery, and supernatural terror, it's an atmospheric story that pulls you into the eerie isolation of the woods and doesn't let go.

The story follows a man who returns to a place tied to painful memories, only to find himself caught up in a series of unsettling events connected to a legendary creature said to haunt the surrounding forests. As strange encounters become more frequent and the line between myth and reality begins to blur, he must confront both the darkness lurking in the wilderness and the ghosts of his own past.

David R. Slayton's writing is vivid and engaging, making it easy to picture the dense forests, lonely roads, and creeping sense of danger that hangs over every chapter. His prose strikes a wonderful balance between character-driven storytelling and steadily building suspense. The pacing allows the mystery to unfold naturally, layering in just enough tension and eerie atmosphere to keep the pages turning while making each revelation feel earned.

What I enjoyed most was how the folklore was woven into the story, creating an unsettling mood without sacrificing the emotional depth of the characters. The supernatural elements never overshadow the personal journey, making the horror feel even more impactful.

If you're ready to start filling your fall reading list, Backwoods Banshee is a fantastic way to ease into spooky season. It's atmospheric, suspenseful, and filled with the kind of creeping dread that horror fans look for as autumn approaches.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy (ARC). All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an Advanced Reader Copy of this from NetGalley

David R Slayton has done it again. This book hit it out of the park. It picks up after the end of Redneck Revenant and deals with the fallout from the events that happened in that book. A good portion of the book deals with Adam's PTSD and how it is affecting his life and relationships. It is so carefully handled with respect to the victim and those around them.

The plot revolves around Adam investigating unnatural occurrences that happened during a concert which takes him to new places and interactions with new people. I loved seeing some of the Rogue Community College characters make appearances. They are always fun. The returning cast of characters of Silver, Argent, Jodi, and a few surprises that I didn't expect kept me smiling throughout.

There is a lot more lore dropped in this book which further proves the author's ability at great world building. There are some big twists in this story near the end that I tried to predict early and completely missed. The story took a much darker turn and was all the better for it. I love where it is headed.

The relationship between Adam and Vic was also explored further. They feel so real together. Vic loves Adam so much and it definitely shows in his patience and protectiveness for him.

This was a very happy 5 out of 5 stars for me and is my second favorite book in the Adam Binder series now. I can't wait for more!

[Andrew Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backwoods Banshee

Adam Binder is back in Slayton’s fifth entry of his eponymous queer urban fantasy series. Dealing with PTSD and being stripped of his title Adam sets out to uncover the mystery of the Between set up in the last book.

Backwoods Banshee is a slower entry that seems to be a piece moving story setting up for things to come. Even at a slower pace, time spent with Adam, Vic, and other characters like Jack and Silver is always a welcome and wonderful read. Slayton gives his characters time to breathe and be themselves and come to terms with all that has happened since the series began. Slayton does a great job of using his fantasy setting to also give critique and insight to things that are happening right now especially in cities across America. The housing crisis and poverty are touched on in a thoughtful manner.

Readers and fans of the series will be left wanting the next entry immediately as there are signs the next entry will be a notable one.
Many mysteries are solved while others are still left hanging.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC for review purposes.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I loved being back in Adam Binder’s world! Adam is struggling to recover from the torture he suffered and on top of that he’s plagued by nightmares of his unborn nephew and dealing with relationship issues with Vic. While he’s dealing with all of the personal things Banshees have begun preying on humans and fey and the Between, a forbidden magical realm, holds a secret that the fey are desperate to keep. More mysterious then that someone is purging knowledge about the Eleven religion from everywhere. And no one seems to know why or how. Somehow everything is connected and Adam needs to figure it all out before destruction happens. But can he? Or will it all be too much? David Slayton always delivers a rich world with diverse characters that keeps me hooked! Plenty of twists to keep the reading guessing and some darker elements that I really enjoyed! This one’s suspenseful, creepy, full of action and heart, and left me wanting more!

[Callise · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started the series I did not expect to love it as much as I do, and when I thought it would end at book 3 I was crushed. There is so much material to work with in the Adam Binder-verse. In Backwoods Banshee we pick up where we left off in Redneck Revenant and are continued access to the inner world of Adam in the aftermath of his capture and torture, and get to reunite with the cast of supportive characters around him. As always the pacing is good, the conflicts made me feel, and the twist at the end was worth the wait. I flew through this book in 2 days and am so grateful to Netgalley for the ARC. I can't wait for the next one and I hope this series continues for dozens of books. Lifelong fan David R. Slayton!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment touches on trauma in a way that felt real and I appreciated that. I also appreciate how the series touches on poverty but feels but authentic and respectful. The queer romance is still a highlight. I adore how caring and supportive Vic is!

The reveal at the end completely got me, and I thought it was heartbreaking. The storyline felt like it left off more open than I expected. I know most series seem to end on cliffhangers so that you feel compelled to read the next book. This ending wasn't quite that, but it felt more like a pause than a conclusion.

It took me a bit to settle back into the world, but I was fully hooked by the end and I’m definitely continuing the series. 4 stars.

I got an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eArc of Backwoods Banshee.

The many trials and tribulations of Adam Lee Binder continue. This was a fantastic book i would give it a more accurate 4.5/5 as the first half is a bit slow and does suffer from middle book issues of knowing the larger plot will not be resolved and being able to tell that as you read. But the action scenes are fantastic and delicious secrets from characters. As well watching Adam struggle with self doubt and ptsd from past events was lovely. I can't wait for the next book.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've greatly enjoyed the Adam Binder books, and this one made me want to go back and reread the whole series (complimentary). As usual, this installment in the saga resolved some questions/conflicts and raised others. David R. Slayton swings for the fences in these stories, and on the whole, he connects. I'm a little bit sad not to see more of Vic (in terms of both POV and action), but I can understand why the book is structured that way. If you're not reading this series, you're missing out.

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

[L.E. Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5*) The highest praise I can give the fifth instalment of an ongoing series is that reading it motivated me to go right back to the beginning of the series to re-read them all again and experience the characters at the start of their journey and fully appreciate how far they've come. I'm currently halfway through White Trash Warlock and loving it even more than my first readthrough. The second highest praise I can give is that the characters of the Adam Binder series are that rare experience for me where they genuinely feel real, flesh and blood people, their lives tangible, their apartments and daily routines detailed in my mind and endearingly desired - this is a world I long to drop into and be welcomed as a friend. I think Adam and I would vibe. Although I want to be careful to avoid spoilers, I particularly appreciated the exploration of post-violent trauma, and the metaphorical meaning of the victims of the banshees felt relevant and rich.

I highly recommend this series to fans of low and urban fantasy with refreshingly original characterisation and setting, as well as sensitive rendering of economic instability and mental health topics.

I am grateful to Blackstone Publishing for reaching out to offer me an ARC. Thank you for the opportunity to read Backwoods Banshee and I look forward to enjoying the continuation of this series.