What do you think?
Rate this book
The Coyote
They’re the perfect victims.
Arizona shares nearly four hundred miles of international border with Mexico, thirty-six of which are completely unfortified. On one side lies desperation; on the other, opportunity.
There’s no record of their destinations.
Tens of thousands of undocumented aliens pass through these thirty-six miles every year, only to find one of the harshest and most inhospitable deserts on the planet waiting for them.
No one knows where to look when they disappear.
Hundreds die walking, casualties of the merciless sun, their bodies never to be identified. Others simply set out across the red Sonoran sands and vanish into thin air.
It’s as though they never existed at all.
Special Agent Lukas Walker is assigned to investigate a murder, the only evidence of which is a twenty-foot design painted on a rock formation in the victim’s blood. He quickly learns that if the heat doesn’t get you…
The Coyote will.
Arizona shares nearly four hundred miles of international border with Mexico, thirty-six of which are completely unfortified. On one side lies desperation; on the other, opportunity.
There’s no record of their destinations.
Tens of thousands of undocumented aliens pass through these thirty-six miles every year, only to find one of the harshest and most inhospitable deserts on the planet waiting for them.
No one knows where to look when they disappear.
Hundreds die walking, casualties of the merciless sun, their bodies never to be identified. Others simply set out across the red Sonoran sands and vanish into thin air.
It’s as though they never existed at all.
Special Agent Lukas Walker is assigned to investigate a murder, the only evidence of which is a twenty-foot design painted on a rock formation in the victim’s blood. He quickly learns that if the heat doesn’t get you…
The Coyote will.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2012
98 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Michael McBride
111 books480 followersMichael McBride was born in Colorado and still resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He hates the snow, but loves the Avalanche. He works with medical radiation, yet somehow managed to produce five children, none of whom, miraculously, have tails, third eyes, or other random mutations. He writes fiction that runs the gamut from thriller to horror to science fiction...and loves every minute of it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 18, 2015
3.5 stars
I think this was my third or fourth audiobook of Michael McBride's. It was my least favorite so far.
I enjoyed the setting and the Native American history in the story, but I was a little disappointed when I realized that this was more of a police procedural than a horror tale.
I found that my mind wandered a few times while listening, and I had to go back to listen to it again. This may have been due to the narrator. In a few cases, it seemed like he was finished reading a sentence, but then continued on again-almost like he had to turn a page, or wait for the cue card to change or something. It threw me off.
Overall though, this is a Michael McBride story, so it's still good. It's just that this one didn't quite suit my tastes and I thought the narrator was just a little off.
*I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review. This is it.*
I think this was my third or fourth audiobook of Michael McBride's. It was my least favorite so far.
I enjoyed the setting and the Native American history in the story, but I was a little disappointed when I realized that this was more of a police procedural than a horror tale.
I found that my mind wandered a few times while listening, and I had to go back to listen to it again. This may have been due to the narrator. In a few cases, it seemed like he was finished reading a sentence, but then continued on again-almost like he had to turn a page, or wait for the cue card to change or something. It threw me off.
Overall though, this is a Michael McBride story, so it's still good. It's just that this one didn't quite suit my tastes and I thought the narrator was just a little off.
*I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review. This is it.*
November 25, 2013
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Michael McBride has a versatility in writing that I really admire. Not really a horror story, I would classify this as more of a Thriller/Crime type, with some nice slightly graphic details added in. As in most of the stories that I've read from this author, the research that he puts into his books really stands out and impresses me to no end. He is able to take some history, facts, and that fantastic imagination of his, and turn out one head-spinning novel! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, McBride took it up a notch. By the end, I was left thinking back over passages as it slowly dawned on me that all the clues were there--this story was just so masterfully crafted that I let myself get sidetracked into thinking that I knew exactly where it was headed. Another superb story from an author that will remain on my "must-read" list!
Recommended!
Michael McBride has a versatility in writing that I really admire. Not really a horror story, I would classify this as more of a Thriller/Crime type, with some nice slightly graphic details added in. As in most of the stories that I've read from this author, the research that he puts into his books really stands out and impresses me to no end. He is able to take some history, facts, and that fantastic imagination of his, and turn out one head-spinning novel! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, McBride took it up a notch. By the end, I was left thinking back over passages as it slowly dawned on me that all the clues were there--this story was just so masterfully crafted that I let myself get sidetracked into thinking that I knew exactly where it was headed. Another superb story from an author that will remain on my "must-read" list!
Recommended!
January 26, 2016
SPOILERS THROUGHOUT!!!!!!!!!
22/1 - Page 8
'As far as names go, I could have done a hell of a lot worse than Lukas Walker, but something like Luke Sky Walker would really sing.'
Seriously?! Is he being funny?
Page 17
'...where he couldn't been seen...'
That should be be.
Page 75
'...find myself in this almost Apocalyptic desert wasteland...'
Why is apocalyptic capitalised?
Page 76
'...hadn't put of much of a fight.'
That of should be up.
Page 85
'...hoping to make money off of a product...'
I hate the use of off of, it's as annoying (and logical) as 'tuna fish'.
Page 90
'Another, lesser know facet of this...'
That should be known.
Page 96
'I few Styrofoam...'
That I should be an A.
Page 99
'Brush marks on the sand in front of me. The side-to-side trails of leaves being swept back and forth to cover prints. They were faint, but they were fresh.'
How the hell can he tell whether or not they're fresh? It's not like they must be fresh because it rained the night before, this is Arizona it probably hasn't rained in a month.
Page 103
'It was the one to the southeast along the Baboquivari Range, where Antone had introduced me to my biological uncle and cousin, who had found the first smiley face in the shadow of Baboquivari Peak, beneath which our creator god, I'itoi, lived deep in his maze.'
There is no need to recap all of that information, we're only 100 pages in so it's not like I've forgotten what happened already. All that needed to be said was the first two hints as to which crime scene he was heading for. To be continued...
26/1 - The story of the title is actually only 248 pages long (GR has it listed at 271), the next 114 pages are another McBride story altogether - The Calm before the Swarm (dreadful name, but I'll try not to let it colour my opinion). As The Calm before the Swarm is listed separately, as a book in its own right, I won't review it here. I'll review it as another book on its own merits with its own rating, also so that it counts towards my reading challenge (which it doesn't as part of The Coyote because the page count is off by over 100 pages).
I felt absolutely no connection with Lukas. We're told some of the details of his life, but because the book's written in the 1st person and he's a very solitary investigator (doesn't want or need help from anyone) there's very little dialogue, so there's only three characters who he talks to, who could ask him questions or involve him in a conversation. We're told that he's Native American, but for me he could have been any nationality. His heritage doesn't seem to change or drive his personality in any way. One of the killers was also Native American and uses some of the mythology in his modus operandi, but it still could have been a guy from anywhere who became obsessed with Tohono O'odham mythology. The reveal of the first killer was way too early, not even counting the telegraphing of his identity from the first time we meet him. The second killer's reveal was better, but it was still too obvious who it was from about halfway through the book. On top of all that the editing issues continued through to the end of the book.
Page 119
As much as I had enjoyed punching Boss Nass at the time, I regretted it even more now.
He's talking about hitting a security guard who was 'running girls' out of a casino. The guard made a final crack about Lukas' eyes being very similar to the eyes of one of the killers', which lead to a punch to the head that somersaulted him over the back of the chair he was sitting in. What's Boss Nass got to do with anything? I've never heard the name, but I googled him and it turns out he's a Star Wars character, which left me feeling even more confused as to why Lukas is referring to him as Boss Nass.
Page 127
'...Lord only knew what waiting for me...'
There should be a was between what and waiting.
Page 147
'The bones protruding from the pit were old. They'd been absolved of flesh long ago.'
Absolved doesn't mean the same thing as removed.
Page 149
'...bring their murderer to justice, or, failing at that, to avenge them.'
The at is unnecessary.
Page 152
'...reversed the car and backed toward to road...'
That to should be a the.
Page 167
'...but not my much.'
That my should be a by.
Page 170
'...where the rock walls petered to sandy hills...'
That should be petered out.
Page 189
'...when no one else wanted to job.'
That to should be a the.
Page 204
'...was the first to study the heritance of behavioural traits...'
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary heritance is an archaic form of heritage/inheritance and they could only find examples of its use in legal documents from prior to 1900.
Page 214
'...my flashlight reflected from metal on the...'
That from should be off (not off of either).
Page 215
'...have been ripped right off of a muscle car.'
My pet hate, that should be just off.
Page 238
'...who had robbed him on his only child...'
That on should be an of.
I've already got McBride's Burial Ground on my Kindle, otherwise, on the strength of this book (which was free, thankfully), I probably wouldn't bother reading anything else by him. Here's hoping the editing is better, at least.
22/1 - Page 8
'As far as names go, I could have done a hell of a lot worse than Lukas Walker, but something like Luke Sky Walker would really sing.'
Seriously?! Is he being funny?
Page 17
'...where he couldn't been seen...'
That should be be.
Page 75
'...find myself in this almost Apocalyptic desert wasteland...'
Why is apocalyptic capitalised?
Page 76
'...hadn't put of much of a fight.'
That of should be up.
Page 85
'...hoping to make money off of a product...'
I hate the use of off of, it's as annoying (and logical) as 'tuna fish'.
Page 90
'Another, lesser know facet of this...'
That should be known.
Page 96
'I few Styrofoam...'
That I should be an A.
Page 99
'Brush marks on the sand in front of me. The side-to-side trails of leaves being swept back and forth to cover prints. They were faint, but they were fresh.'
How the hell can he tell whether or not they're fresh? It's not like they must be fresh because it rained the night before, this is Arizona it probably hasn't rained in a month.
Page 103
'It was the one to the southeast along the Baboquivari Range, where Antone had introduced me to my biological uncle and cousin, who had found the first smiley face in the shadow of Baboquivari Peak, beneath which our creator god, I'itoi, lived deep in his maze.'
There is no need to recap all of that information, we're only 100 pages in so it's not like I've forgotten what happened already. All that needed to be said was the first two hints as to which crime scene he was heading for. To be continued...
26/1 - The story of the title is actually only 248 pages long (GR has it listed at 271), the next 114 pages are another McBride story altogether - The Calm before the Swarm (dreadful name, but I'll try not to let it colour my opinion). As The Calm before the Swarm is listed separately, as a book in its own right, I won't review it here. I'll review it as another book on its own merits with its own rating, also so that it counts towards my reading challenge (which it doesn't as part of The Coyote because the page count is off by over 100 pages).
I felt absolutely no connection with Lukas. We're told some of the details of his life, but because the book's written in the 1st person and he's a very solitary investigator (doesn't want or need help from anyone) there's very little dialogue, so there's only three characters who he talks to, who could ask him questions or involve him in a conversation. We're told that he's Native American, but for me he could have been any nationality. His heritage doesn't seem to change or drive his personality in any way. One of the killers was also Native American and uses some of the mythology in his modus operandi, but it still could have been a guy from anywhere who became obsessed with Tohono O'odham mythology. The reveal of the first killer was way too early, not even counting the telegraphing of his identity from the first time we meet him. The second killer's reveal was better, but it was still too obvious who it was from about halfway through the book. On top of all that the editing issues continued through to the end of the book.
Page 119
As much as I had enjoyed punching Boss Nass at the time, I regretted it even more now.
He's talking about hitting a security guard who was 'running girls' out of a casino. The guard made a final crack about Lukas' eyes being very similar to the eyes of one of the killers', which lead to a punch to the head that somersaulted him over the back of the chair he was sitting in. What's Boss Nass got to do with anything? I've never heard the name, but I googled him and it turns out he's a Star Wars character, which left me feeling even more confused as to why Lukas is referring to him as Boss Nass.
Page 127
'...Lord only knew what waiting for me...'
There should be a was between what and waiting.
Page 147
'The bones protruding from the pit were old. They'd been absolved of flesh long ago.'
Absolved doesn't mean the same thing as removed.
Page 149
'...bring their murderer to justice, or, failing at that, to avenge them.'
The at is unnecessary.
Page 152
'...reversed the car and backed toward to road...'
That to should be a the.
Page 167
'...but not my much.'
That my should be a by.
Page 170
'...where the rock walls petered to sandy hills...'
That should be petered out.
Page 189
'...when no one else wanted to job.'
That to should be a the.
Page 204
'...was the first to study the heritance of behavioural traits...'
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary heritance is an archaic form of heritage/inheritance and they could only find examples of its use in legal documents from prior to 1900.
Page 214
'...my flashlight reflected from metal on the...'
That from should be off (not off of either).
Page 215
'...have been ripped right off of a muscle car.'
My pet hate, that should be just off.
Page 238
'...who had robbed him on his only child...'
That on should be an of.
I've already got McBride's Burial Ground on my Kindle, otherwise, on the strength of this book (which was free, thankfully), I probably wouldn't bother reading anything else by him. Here's hoping the editing is better, at least.
March 28, 2015
4.5 stars.
The Coyote by Michael McBride takes place in Tohono O’odham Nation reservation in Arizona. There appears to be a serial killer leaving blood paintings on rock walls on the reservation but missing the bodies that the blood belongs to. Special Agent Lukas Walker is brought in on the case, but not just for his extraordinary skills as an agent. This was his father’s homeland and these are his people; even if they are people he has never met before.
Reunited with an uncle and cousin he has never met, Walker is less than embraced with open arms. His father left his family seemingly without looking back and the resentment is still palpable from a people who are raised to take care of their family and honor their ancestors. It’s a life that Walker cannot imagine and a culture that is not his own, despite the color of his skin.
The killings are growing closer together. Each picture is slightly different. Each blood spill is from a different person. As the picture grows in details, the body counts are adding up, and no one knows how many more people will die before this killer that they have nicknamed “The Coyote” will finish it or if Walker can stop him before he does.
Written in the first person, McBride is one of the few authors that I feel pulls this off without it feeling forced or unbelievable.
The Coyote by Michael McBride takes place in Tohono O’odham Nation reservation in Arizona. There appears to be a serial killer leaving blood paintings on rock walls on the reservation but missing the bodies that the blood belongs to. Special Agent Lukas Walker is brought in on the case, but not just for his extraordinary skills as an agent. This was his father’s homeland and these are his people; even if they are people he has never met before.
Reunited with an uncle and cousin he has never met, Walker is less than embraced with open arms. His father left his family seemingly without looking back and the resentment is still palpable from a people who are raised to take care of their family and honor their ancestors. It’s a life that Walker cannot imagine and a culture that is not his own, despite the color of his skin.
The killings are growing closer together. Each picture is slightly different. Each blood spill is from a different person. As the picture grows in details, the body counts are adding up, and no one knows how many more people will die before this killer that they have nicknamed “The Coyote” will finish it or if Walker can stop him before he does.
Written in the first person, McBride is one of the few authors that I feel pulls this off without it feeling forced or unbelievable.
March 28, 2015
Review of The Coyote by Michael McBride The Coyote by Michael McBride takes place in Tohono O’odham Nation reservation in Arizona. There appears to be a serial killer leaving blood paintings on rock walls on the reservation but missing the bodies that the blood belongs to. Special Agent Lukas Walker is brought in on the case, but not just for his extraordinary skills as an agent. This was his father’s homeland and these are his people; even if they are people he has never met before.
Reunited with an uncle and cousin he has never met, Walker is less than embraced with open arms. His father left his family seemingly without looking back and the resentment is still palpable from a people who are raised to take care of their family and honor their ancestors. It’s a life that Walker cannot imagine and a culture that is not his own, despite the color of his skin.
The killings are growing closer together. Each picture is slightly different. Each blood spill is from a different person. As the picture grows in details, the body counts are adding up, and no one knows how many more people will die before this killer that they have nicknamed “The Coyote” will finish it or if Walker can stop him before he does.
Written in the first person, McBride is one of the few authors that I feel pulls this off without it feeling forced or unbelievable.
© 2015 by Andi Rawson of Andreya's Asylum
Reunited with an uncle and cousin he has never met, Walker is less than embraced with open arms. His father left his family seemingly without looking back and the resentment is still palpable from a people who are raised to take care of their family and honor their ancestors. It’s a life that Walker cannot imagine and a culture that is not his own, despite the color of his skin.
The killings are growing closer together. Each picture is slightly different. Each blood spill is from a different person. As the picture grows in details, the body counts are adding up, and no one knows how many more people will die before this killer that they have nicknamed “The Coyote” will finish it or if Walker can stop him before he does.
Written in the first person, McBride is one of the few authors that I feel pulls this off without it feeling forced or unbelievable.
© 2015 by Andi Rawson of Andreya's Asylum
June 2, 2015
Coyote
In his book Coyote, McBride takes us inside an Indian reservation. There is a serial killer preying on coyote (not the Wile E. kind, but illegals muling drugs into the country under cover of night). A Native American federal agent, Lukas Walker, is sent to investigate and realizes he has ties within the community. The killer leaves bloody paintings on the cliff walls as the only sign of his being their and then he vanishes without a trace. Lukas needs to solve this riddle and catch this killer before more wind up dead.
McBride proves yet again why he is an author that everyone should be reading. The level of research he puts into novels is without compare. Coyote is hot, arid, and dusty. It is a well written departure from the horror I have come to expect from McBride. It is more police procedural. This isn't a disappointment, just something unexpected. The characters are well developed and very solid. The story chugs along at a lightning pace and keeps the reader involved. I would definitely recommend this title to someone who enjoys good books and isn't unwillingly to let genre decide what they read.
In his book Coyote, McBride takes us inside an Indian reservation. There is a serial killer preying on coyote (not the Wile E. kind, but illegals muling drugs into the country under cover of night). A Native American federal agent, Lukas Walker, is sent to investigate and realizes he has ties within the community. The killer leaves bloody paintings on the cliff walls as the only sign of his being their and then he vanishes without a trace. Lukas needs to solve this riddle and catch this killer before more wind up dead.
McBride proves yet again why he is an author that everyone should be reading. The level of research he puts into novels is without compare. Coyote is hot, arid, and dusty. It is a well written departure from the horror I have come to expect from McBride. It is more police procedural. This isn't a disappointment, just something unexpected. The characters are well developed and very solid. The story chugs along at a lightning pace and keeps the reader involved. I would definitely recommend this title to someone who enjoys good books and isn't unwillingly to let genre decide what they read.
Want to read
September 29, 2015FREE on AMAZON today!
Want to read
September 30, 2015Free 09-30-15 (Suspense Thriller)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Coyote-Nove...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Coyote-Nove...
January 21, 2013
This story was written well and I really enjoyed the last part of the book, but I have to admit I wasn't really on board the first half of this story. It tells the tale of an FBI Agent who specializes in Serial Killers and he's sent to a Native American Tohono O'odham Nation, which is a desert next to Mexico that is thriving with illegal immigrants trying to get into the US and lots of them help carry drugs into the US. What is happening is some killer is murdering these immigrants in odd ways. Lucas Walker is the FBI Agent and himself is half Native American, and this is his tale of reconnecting with his forgotten culture while he tracks down the Serial Killer.
There were two things that prevented me from getting into this story from the start. One was the fact it’s in a desert, and only so much world building can be described in an interesting manner. The area just wasn't very exciting. Secondly, Agent Walker slowly tries to figure out who is killing these immigrants, and by slowly, I mean repetitive. We get the same type of scenes repeating (Walker finds a new dead body in the desert, etc...), and it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. So, my interest level wasn't there for the first half of the book, but it started to pick up when new revelations came into the story, and things started changing and speeding up. So, I liked the second half of the book, and as I mentioned it is well written, so I'll say I liked it, but it’s not one of my favorite McBride stories. It gets a 3/5 from me.
There were two things that prevented me from getting into this story from the start. One was the fact it’s in a desert, and only so much world building can be described in an interesting manner. The area just wasn't very exciting. Secondly, Agent Walker slowly tries to figure out who is killing these immigrants, and by slowly, I mean repetitive. We get the same type of scenes repeating (Walker finds a new dead body in the desert, etc...), and it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. So, my interest level wasn't there for the first half of the book, but it started to pick up when new revelations came into the story, and things started changing and speeding up. So, I liked the second half of the book, and as I mentioned it is well written, so I'll say I liked it, but it’s not one of my favorite McBride stories. It gets a 3/5 from me.
January 30, 2013
McBride has done it again. This novel follows the similar feel of other McBride novels. An FBI agent tracks a murderer in the Arizona desert. Clues are left where only the agent can find them. Both gory and emotional, this book captivated my attention. I read it in two days, it was so good. Packed with twists and turns (some expected, some foreshadowed, and some were complete surprises), it keeps you interested. If you love a good action book, with some gore/violence involved, and a puzzle to be solved, this is the book for you.
October 7, 2015
Very good book.
Arizona has sixteen miles of bored with Mexico, other than border patrol it's completely open to Indian reservations. Rafael left the reservation and joined the Air force. Killed in the Desert Storm, after losing his mother he was raised by grand parents. He didn't know anything about his father's background. To investigate a serial killer came to reservation where his father grow up. Way the author describes desert heat, snakes, cacti and Sun set, you feel like you're right there.
Arizona has sixteen miles of bored with Mexico, other than border patrol it's completely open to Indian reservations. Rafael left the reservation and joined the Air force. Killed in the Desert Storm, after losing his mother he was raised by grand parents. He didn't know anything about his father's background. To investigate a serial killer came to reservation where his father grow up. Way the author describes desert heat, snakes, cacti and Sun set, you feel like you're right there.
July 9, 2014
Great book! I was a little worried to start as it was written first person which I'm not a fan of, but Michael Mcbride pulled it off. the story backdrop was rich with information and his main character was witty. quick read
December 31, 2022
A little disappointed...
It happens sometimes. You're reading along, knee-deep in a fictional story. You're in your 'fiction bubble', escaping into a book that has your attention immediately, both for the acumen of the author, and because you pleasantly realized that the story's region and part of the subject matter are in your ridiculously small niche of expertise. I always try to tender my expectations to have some understanding here, since it was obvious that some solid due diligence was done regarding fact checking of culture, law enforcement in the area and topographical accuracy. I was reading along, both curious about the tapestry of the storyline and excited to resonate with my areas of expertise: deserts, animals and animal behaviors. Time and time again, I was yanked out of my fiction-enjoying consciousness by startling groups of words that I found myself re-reading to make sure I understood the author's intent, bearing in mind that it was a fictional account. I could hardly escape these interludes, and found myself shaking my head each time. It also occurred to me that maybe I was being too harsh in my assessment, that the words 'creative license' should be out in front of me as I express my relatively minor grievance. To be fair, it was a good read, albeit a very predictable one. I just had a hard time reading about regional, animal and plant discrepancies that kept leaping off of the well-written pages at me. I suppose most people would have had a different experience due to unfamiliarity. I truly do enjoy this author's writings, and will continue to read and recommend these creative and enjoyable writings.
It happens sometimes. You're reading along, knee-deep in a fictional story. You're in your 'fiction bubble', escaping into a book that has your attention immediately, both for the acumen of the author, and because you pleasantly realized that the story's region and part of the subject matter are in your ridiculously small niche of expertise. I always try to tender my expectations to have some understanding here, since it was obvious that some solid due diligence was done regarding fact checking of culture, law enforcement in the area and topographical accuracy. I was reading along, both curious about the tapestry of the storyline and excited to resonate with my areas of expertise: deserts, animals and animal behaviors. Time and time again, I was yanked out of my fiction-enjoying consciousness by startling groups of words that I found myself re-reading to make sure I understood the author's intent, bearing in mind that it was a fictional account. I could hardly escape these interludes, and found myself shaking my head each time. It also occurred to me that maybe I was being too harsh in my assessment, that the words 'creative license' should be out in front of me as I express my relatively minor grievance. To be fair, it was a good read, albeit a very predictable one. I just had a hard time reading about regional, animal and plant discrepancies that kept leaping off of the well-written pages at me. I suppose most people would have had a different experience due to unfamiliarity. I truly do enjoy this author's writings, and will continue to read and recommend these creative and enjoyable writings.
May 17, 2018
Nice change
Enjoyed this selection, focus was on Native American people along with crime drama. Good flow to story, believable characters. McBride writes across different genres and reading his books is like opening a gift and being pleased with what's inside. You may not have expected it but happy with it.
Enjoyed this selection, focus was on Native American people along with crime drama. Good flow to story, believable characters. McBride writes across different genres and reading his books is like opening a gift and being pleased with what's inside. You may not have expected it but happy with it.
June 6, 2018
The coyote
It started out in an interesting manner. The “hero” as such was so full of his position and sure he was superior that I began to lose interest in the story. Too much about who he was and what he thought and how inept everyone else was. Just lost me. I began speed reading then flipping pages just to get through.
It started out in an interesting manner. The “hero” as such was so full of his position and sure he was superior that I began to lose interest in the story. Too much about who he was and what he thought and how inept everyone else was. Just lost me. I began speed reading then flipping pages just to get through.
August 25, 2024
FBI Special Agent Lukas Walker is assigned to investigate a spate of murders and the smile face pictures, in blood, left at the scene. The case crosses tribal land, which his father left many years before and takes Lukas on a journey into his heritage. Good story, told totally from Lukas's point of view.
February 18, 2022
you will enjoy this book it keeps you guessing all the way to the end. some gore but not overpowering. you will love the main character. long but you won't want to put it down.
June 6, 2025
A very decent serial killer thriller with a plot that is full of twists and turn, both literally and figuratively, ill post my full review below once it posts on Amazon
March 3, 2015
This psychological thriller wasn't what I expected. I've read other books by this author and was counting on a paranormal/sci-fi type of read. Those are my favorite kind of reads, so I was a bit disappointed this wasn't in that genre.
However, for all that, it was still a pretty good read. In it, FBI agent Lukas Walker has been sent to his ancestral Native American reservation to investigate what may be a serial killer. The more he investigates, the closer he gets to the killer...and the skeletons in his own family closet. The plot is a good one and will keep readers skipping right along. It is a bit bloody, but I've never read anything about a serial killer that wasn't. I did like the character of Lukas and I thought the family dynamics at play were really fascinating.
All in all, a solid read from a writer who can't be pigeon-holed. A huge bonus for me: there was a novella in the back, free, by the same author that I absolutely loved! That story, The Calm Before the Swarm, is more indicative of the kind of writing I had expected. McBride remains an author I'll pick and read and know I'm getting a good story from.
However, for all that, it was still a pretty good read. In it, FBI agent Lukas Walker has been sent to his ancestral Native American reservation to investigate what may be a serial killer. The more he investigates, the closer he gets to the killer...and the skeletons in his own family closet. The plot is a good one and will keep readers skipping right along. It is a bit bloody, but I've never read anything about a serial killer that wasn't. I did like the character of Lukas and I thought the family dynamics at play were really fascinating.
All in all, a solid read from a writer who can't be pigeon-holed. A huge bonus for me: there was a novella in the back, free, by the same author that I absolutely loved! That story, The Calm Before the Swarm, is more indicative of the kind of writing I had expected. McBride remains an author I'll pick and read and know I'm getting a good story from.
October 14, 2015
Scary cliffhanger
Indian reservation, FBI, border patrol agents, Indian police, drug traffickers, human trafficking, relatives, and Indian creation story keep this a well-developed storyline with great characterization. The novellas at the end of the book is a stand alone end of the world story. Both for adult readers. Two books in one.
Indian reservation, FBI, border patrol agents, Indian police, drug traffickers, human trafficking, relatives, and Indian creation story keep this a well-developed storyline with great characterization. The novellas at the end of the book is a stand alone end of the world story. Both for adult readers. Two books in one.
November 27, 2022
This was a bit of a slow read and I could give it a 2.5 if I could. A little bit of dry humor and some interesting moments, but the author is a bit of a windbag and took a lot of time explaining a little bit of detail. The book seemed to lead to a big conclusion, but turned out rather unremarkable. Can't see pursuing this author again.
February 28, 2016
Fantastic as usual
Mc Bride at his best. Absolutely loved these characters. I'm from Tucson and know the reservation. It was like going on home. I'm so glad there are so many McBride books so I can keep reading.
Mc Bride at his best. Absolutely loved these characters. I'm from Tucson and know the reservation. It was like going on home. I'm so glad there are so many McBride books so I can keep reading.
November 25, 2012
Takes place on the Tohono O'odham Nation. Crime thriller with native American sub-plots.
November 30, 2012
Very interesting storyline, I read this book in one day. Some of places, in this book I've visited and recognized. Really good book!
October 11, 2012
Super good, super fast page turner. I couldn't put it down.
Read
July 11, 2018A great story!
Michael McBride is a great author. I am one to like to read books over again as time passes. This is the second time reading this book. McBride always uses relevant, and often controversial topics when writing his stories. He once again succeeds in melding the topic of the security of our borders, the plight of the Tohono O'odham Indian nation, who lives right at the center of one of the most popular border crossings for undocumented persons entering our country as well as those bringing millions of dollars of drugs in, with the story of a serial killer who has an unlimited supply of victims to choose from. The main character is an FBI agent who is half-O'odham, who's father came from the exact area where the killings are happening; but left and never went back. Unfortunately, his father never talked about his family. This put the FBI agent, Lukas Walker, at a great disadvantage, since he knew nothing about the culture of the people from whom he was descended. With little to go by, Lukas was charged with finding the person responsible for the murders taking place in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet; the Sonoran desert. It was said that trying to cross the desert, as many of the undocumented and the drug runners attempted, at least one third would die of exposure at 90 degrees farenheit. The temperature of the Sonoran desert could reach 120 degrees at times. One thing Lukas did have, was the ability to think like the serial killer he was hunting.
Michael McBride is a great author. I am one to like to read books over again as time passes. This is the second time reading this book. McBride always uses relevant, and often controversial topics when writing his stories. He once again succeeds in melding the topic of the security of our borders, the plight of the Tohono O'odham Indian nation, who lives right at the center of one of the most popular border crossings for undocumented persons entering our country as well as those bringing millions of dollars of drugs in, with the story of a serial killer who has an unlimited supply of victims to choose from. The main character is an FBI agent who is half-O'odham, who's father came from the exact area where the killings are happening; but left and never went back. Unfortunately, his father never talked about his family. This put the FBI agent, Lukas Walker, at a great disadvantage, since he knew nothing about the culture of the people from whom he was descended. With little to go by, Lukas was charged with finding the person responsible for the murders taking place in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet; the Sonoran desert. It was said that trying to cross the desert, as many of the undocumented and the drug runners attempted, at least one third would die of exposure at 90 degrees farenheit. The temperature of the Sonoran desert could reach 120 degrees at times. One thing Lukas did have, was the ability to think like the serial killer he was hunting.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews