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Manitou
- GenresHorror
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2026
About the author
Glen Gabel
2 books22 followersGlen Gabel learned to love storytelling at an early age, enlisting his friends in short films, plays, and anything he could jot down on paper. Later his passion turned to screenwriting and eventually into novels and short stories.
After graduating from The University of Southern California with a B.A. in Creative Writing and Film, Glen worked under Joss Whedon at Mutant Enemy/Fox as a production assistant before transitioning to education and earning an M.ed at Portland State University. He later accepted a lead instructor position in Pasadena, California, before moving on to professional copywriting.
Glen’s work includes selling his supernatural thriller screenplay, “The Harrow,” script doctoring on several independent films, and his latest YA fantasy novel, The Soothsayer. Glen’s most recent short story, “Where Light Has No Purchase” was shortlisted as a finalist in Reedsy’s Writing Contest in April 2022 and published in the 2022 Bardsy Character Anthology. He lives in Idaho with his wife and wonder-pup, Duke.
After graduating from The University of Southern California with a B.A. in Creative Writing and Film, Glen worked under Joss Whedon at Mutant Enemy/Fox as a production assistant before transitioning to education and earning an M.ed at Portland State University. He later accepted a lead instructor position in Pasadena, California, before moving on to professional copywriting.
Glen’s work includes selling his supernatural thriller screenplay, “The Harrow,” script doctoring on several independent films, and his latest YA fantasy novel, The Soothsayer. Glen’s most recent short story, “Where Light Has No Purchase” was shortlisted as a finalist in Reedsy’s Writing Contest in April 2022 and published in the 2022 Bardsy Character Anthology. He lives in Idaho with his wife and wonder-pup, Duke.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 23, 2026
4.5⭐️
I recently read Manitou by Glen Gabel for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, and I found it to be a dark, slow-burning thriller that gradually pulls you from a grounded crime story into something far more unsettling and unpredictable.
It begins quietly, following Roy Farmer, a forest ranger living in complete isolation in the Idaho wilderness. His life feels damaged and restrained from the start — shaped by loneliness, alcoholism, and emotional exhaustion. I liked how the book takes its time here. It doesn’t rush the setup, and that slower opening makes everything that follows feel heavier and more believable.
When the cartel plane crash occurs, the story tightens and shifts into something more dangerous and chaotic. What stood out to me is that the escalation never feels sudden — it builds pressure step by step, pulling Roy deeper into violence, corruption, and something that begins to feel beyond explanation.
Roy is really what carries the book. He feels flawed, worn down, and unpredictable in a very human way. His struggles aren’t just background detail — they directly shape how he reacts and survives, which made him feel grounded and real throughout.
The atmosphere is one of the strongest parts of the novel. The wilderness is written as cold, empty, and isolating, creating a constant sense of tension, as though something is always just out of sight. That feeling lingers even in the quieter moments.
Glen Gabel’s writing style is clean, visual, and very cinematic. It’s easy to read, yet vivid enough to build strong imagery and maintain tension without over-explaining anything. I also liked the way the story slowly shifts from a crime thriller into something more supernatural — subtle and effective rather than abrupt.
Overall, it’s a tense, atmospheric read that works best through mood and escalation rather than complexity. A grounded, human story that slowly darkens into something far more disturbing than it first appears.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Glen Gabel, and the publishers at Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: May 15th 2026
I recently read Manitou by Glen Gabel for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, and I found it to be a dark, slow-burning thriller that gradually pulls you from a grounded crime story into something far more unsettling and unpredictable.
It begins quietly, following Roy Farmer, a forest ranger living in complete isolation in the Idaho wilderness. His life feels damaged and restrained from the start — shaped by loneliness, alcoholism, and emotional exhaustion. I liked how the book takes its time here. It doesn’t rush the setup, and that slower opening makes everything that follows feel heavier and more believable.
When the cartel plane crash occurs, the story tightens and shifts into something more dangerous and chaotic. What stood out to me is that the escalation never feels sudden — it builds pressure step by step, pulling Roy deeper into violence, corruption, and something that begins to feel beyond explanation.
Roy is really what carries the book. He feels flawed, worn down, and unpredictable in a very human way. His struggles aren’t just background detail — they directly shape how he reacts and survives, which made him feel grounded and real throughout.
The atmosphere is one of the strongest parts of the novel. The wilderness is written as cold, empty, and isolating, creating a constant sense of tension, as though something is always just out of sight. That feeling lingers even in the quieter moments.
Glen Gabel’s writing style is clean, visual, and very cinematic. It’s easy to read, yet vivid enough to build strong imagery and maintain tension without over-explaining anything. I also liked the way the story slowly shifts from a crime thriller into something more supernatural — subtle and effective rather than abrupt.
Overall, it’s a tense, atmospheric read that works best through mood and escalation rather than complexity. A grounded, human story that slowly darkens into something far more disturbing than it first appears.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Glen Gabel, and the publishers at Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: May 15th 2026
May 17, 2026
I wasn't familiar with the term Manitou. A Manitou is a supernatural being around the indigenous people of North America.
Manitou takes place in a remote Idaho town called Lazarus. One of the main characters is Roy, a forest ranger who is battling some very personal demons. While on the job a plane crashes nearby. The plane has cartel affiliations and is carrying some questionable cargo. Roy goes into the wild to help and stumbles onto something dark.
Not only is this small town plagued by corruption but now there is an inhuman threat within the woods that is going to prove deadly.
I have never read anything from Gabel but I definitely like his style. The story is really fast paced and it's easy to get drawn into the story. The atmosphere is intense and the characters are well developed. I felt like Gabel combined psychological elements with horror to create a unique and enjoyable story. I would definitely read more from him in the future.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Manitou takes place in a remote Idaho town called Lazarus. One of the main characters is Roy, a forest ranger who is battling some very personal demons. While on the job a plane crashes nearby. The plane has cartel affiliations and is carrying some questionable cargo. Roy goes into the wild to help and stumbles onto something dark.
Not only is this small town plagued by corruption but now there is an inhuman threat within the woods that is going to prove deadly.
I have never read anything from Gabel but I definitely like his style. The story is really fast paced and it's easy to get drawn into the story. The atmosphere is intense and the characters are well developed. I felt like Gabel combined psychological elements with horror to create a unique and enjoyable story. I would definitely read more from him in the future.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 9, 2026
MANITOU is a stirring and emotionally riveting story, rife with multiple plot lines inextricably intertwined. A small private plane carrying contraband of chemically altered drugs, intended for a local outlaw biker gang to traffic, instead is struck by lightning, crashing in the mountains of North Idaho. Seemingly everybody rushes to achieve the recovery, but a threat beyond belief that none could have planned for reaches there first, and in sampling the overwrought product, instantly achieve both superhuman strength and megalomania. Now both the town and the mountains are under a triple threat: the outlaw bikers, determined to recover their "product" irregardless; a horrifying villain, psychopathic beyond belief, literally a stone-cold killer, who is sent in by the Siberian mobsters who shipped the product; and the newly-enhanced cryptid threat, far more dangerous than either bikers or villain. Standing against these are only a corrupt, careless, Sheriff; a grieving, alcohol-driven Forest Service Ranger; and a mother who has suddenly lost two of her four children to the cryptid threat. While the body count rolls upward, can anyone stop these onslaughts? Or will the quiet community and the mountain residents all become prey?
April 17, 2026
A host of distinct and interesting characters that all felt real. The story was well written, with good pacing and some mystery. The thrill of "what's going to happen next?" kept me reading. It was hard to put down.
June 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
A special thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and author Glen Gabel for selecting me to receive a copy of Manitou via NetGalley 🖤 This is my honest and voluntary review:
This book was outrageous and I was here for it! Dark, twisted and gripping, this story was a true thriller that left me terrified!
I loved the short chapters and detailed writing. If you are wanting a good monster story, this one's for you!
A special thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and author Glen Gabel for selecting me to receive a copy of Manitou via NetGalley 🖤 This is my honest and voluntary review:
This book was outrageous and I was here for it! Dark, twisted and gripping, this story was a true thriller that left me terrified!
I loved the short chapters and detailed writing. If you are wanting a good monster story, this one's for you!
April 16, 2026
Not my usual genre, but I loved this author’s book Soothsayer, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong. Although it was very different from Soothsayer, I still love this author’s style of writing and his excellent character development. I loved that there was no way you could easily determine how this would conclude. I couldn’t put it down. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, nail biting, and you’ll find yourself wanting to get back to it as soon as possible. My thoughts are you won’t be disappointed. This is a great author that I feel might live and breathe his characters and he’ll have you experiencing that as well.
May 19, 2026
Manitou, Glen Gabel’s most recent novel, is a dark, psychological thriller that blends crime drama, science fiction, and realism into an action-packed, nerve-racking mystery. In the forested northern Idaho town of Lazarus, Roy Farmer resides and works as a forest ranger. Roy has seen his fair share of Mother Nature’s horror, but he also lives with a personal horror that haunts him daily. When a plane crashes outside of Lazarus, it kick-starts the mystery of why citizens start being discovered dead, and not just regular dead, but gruesome dismemberment, not commonly possible from even the angriest person. The more Roy digs into the situation, the more he discovers a mess not unique to the human race, and what intensifies these thoughts and behaviors to the brink of successful and long-lasting survival.
I was impressed with Gabel’s overall story, and within it, the character development through descriptive text that makes the characters memorable and worth pursuing. While the internal dialogue and external actions are not unique, they are familiar and relatable, whether through personal experience or a high likelihood of secondhand experience. That said, some of the events and memories could be triggering for some readers; each character is not without their flaws, and some may seem more sensitive to readers than others. With several characters playing big roles in the story, Gabel’s transitions in point of view are noticeably seamless, flowing smoothly (as much as a dark, psychological thriller can), with the only confusion happening when the reader is waiting to learn more of the mystery; the text assists this conciseness by being descriptive and fast-paced.
Glen Gabel’s Manitou welcomes a wide audience with diverse interests, but mature readers are recommended due to the content, violence, and language; however, if you enjoy a thriller, you’ll find something to love about this story that will remain relevant. Manitou includes a variety of representations but sticks to the basics, with good triumphing over evil. The story does well to tie up loose ends and leaves nothing unanswered, but it would be nice to learn the outcome for the main characters, given the impression they left on this reader.
At a Glance
A dark psychological thriller set in remote northern Idaho, where a forest ranger investigates a string of gruesome deaths following a mysterious plane crash. Blends crime fiction with sci-fi elements. Contains violence, mature content, and strong language.
Best for Readers Who Enjoy
Dark thrillers, psychological suspense, small-town mysteries, sci-fi thriller crossovers, fast-paced crime fiction, books with multiple POVs, mature content, wilderness settings, good vs. evil themes, character-driven suspense
I was impressed with Gabel’s overall story, and within it, the character development through descriptive text that makes the characters memorable and worth pursuing. While the internal dialogue and external actions are not unique, they are familiar and relatable, whether through personal experience or a high likelihood of secondhand experience. That said, some of the events and memories could be triggering for some readers; each character is not without their flaws, and some may seem more sensitive to readers than others. With several characters playing big roles in the story, Gabel’s transitions in point of view are noticeably seamless, flowing smoothly (as much as a dark, psychological thriller can), with the only confusion happening when the reader is waiting to learn more of the mystery; the text assists this conciseness by being descriptive and fast-paced.
Glen Gabel’s Manitou welcomes a wide audience with diverse interests, but mature readers are recommended due to the content, violence, and language; however, if you enjoy a thriller, you’ll find something to love about this story that will remain relevant. Manitou includes a variety of representations but sticks to the basics, with good triumphing over evil. The story does well to tie up loose ends and leaves nothing unanswered, but it would be nice to learn the outcome for the main characters, given the impression they left on this reader.
At a Glance
A dark psychological thriller set in remote northern Idaho, where a forest ranger investigates a string of gruesome deaths following a mysterious plane crash. Blends crime fiction with sci-fi elements. Contains violence, mature content, and strong language.
Best for Readers Who Enjoy
Dark thrillers, psychological suspense, small-town mysteries, sci-fi thriller crossovers, fast-paced crime fiction, books with multiple POVs, mature content, wilderness settings, good vs. evil themes, character-driven suspense
June 3, 2026
Cocaine Bear meets Sasquatch
In the remote town of Lazarus, life is turned upside down when a Cessna plane filled with drugs crashes in the middle of the woods awakening an ancient urban legend. Local Forest Ranger Roy Farmer is the first to arrive on scene, but what he finds leaves him with more questions than answers. There is something in the woods, and now that it has had a taste of cocaine, it’ll stop at nothing to get it’s hands on more.
This is a glorious creature feature book. I loved every second of it. The slow build in intensity keeps you on the edge of your seat and by the end, you realize no one is safe from the creatures or from each other. It poses the idea that man is possibly the bigger monster in this story. All the characters are flawed and make mistakes. Roy is a great example of a flawed character making questionable decisions due to his dark past and current alcoholism. He picks a heck of a time to try and get sober. In juxtaposition, the creatures are hopped up on super-cocaine and their hierarchy is falling apart. It was interesting to get the POV of the Manitou creatures and watch as their survival becomes more and more dire as their leader exposes them to the drugs. Just say no kids.
If you enjoy creature feature books full of blood and gore, this book is for you. There typically isn’t a lot of depth to creature books like this, but I was pleasantly surprised by the layers to the characters and the plot. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and will be reading more by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an ARC of Manitou by Glen Gabel.
In the remote town of Lazarus, life is turned upside down when a Cessna plane filled with drugs crashes in the middle of the woods awakening an ancient urban legend. Local Forest Ranger Roy Farmer is the first to arrive on scene, but what he finds leaves him with more questions than answers. There is something in the woods, and now that it has had a taste of cocaine, it’ll stop at nothing to get it’s hands on more.
This is a glorious creature feature book. I loved every second of it. The slow build in intensity keeps you on the edge of your seat and by the end, you realize no one is safe from the creatures or from each other. It poses the idea that man is possibly the bigger monster in this story. All the characters are flawed and make mistakes. Roy is a great example of a flawed character making questionable decisions due to his dark past and current alcoholism. He picks a heck of a time to try and get sober. In juxtaposition, the creatures are hopped up on super-cocaine and their hierarchy is falling apart. It was interesting to get the POV of the Manitou creatures and watch as their survival becomes more and more dire as their leader exposes them to the drugs. Just say no kids.
If you enjoy creature feature books full of blood and gore, this book is for you. There typically isn’t a lot of depth to creature books like this, but I was pleasantly surprised by the layers to the characters and the plot. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and will be reading more by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an ARC of Manitou by Glen Gabel.
April 21, 2026
received a copy via netgalley
Guys this is not good at all. Truly I find nothing salvageable from this—every now and then there would be a flicker of an interesting idea, but that was it. The writing was very juvenile, in that it felt like someone's first ever attempt at writing a book: lots of telling-not-showing, random exposition dumps about places and characters, unnatural uses of certain words and phrases to try and sound smart, ineffective use chapter breaks, and occasional lack of variation in sentence structure. The plot was like a bad b-movie, and unfortunately not in the fun campy way. The monster was basically a supernatural version of cocaine bear, which was never scary and often made me laugh (especially when we got the monster's POV, that was just sooo wack). The characters were all unsympathetic, which can work if they're at least interesting, but they weren't. We had one (1) woman character and she was reduced to being a wife and mom. And of course the main character was haunted by the memory of his wife who died during childbirth, along with the baby—wow how sad and original!! I also didn't care for how the native characters were treated, very stereotypical. I tried to give this a fair chance but halfway through I had to start skimming just so I could finish it; it was all just rather stupid.
Guys this is not good at all. Truly I find nothing salvageable from this—every now and then there would be a flicker of an interesting idea, but that was it. The writing was very juvenile, in that it felt like someone's first ever attempt at writing a book: lots of telling-not-showing, random exposition dumps about places and characters, unnatural uses of certain words and phrases to try and sound smart, ineffective use chapter breaks, and occasional lack of variation in sentence structure. The plot was like a bad b-movie, and unfortunately not in the fun campy way. The monster was basically a supernatural version of cocaine bear, which was never scary and often made me laugh (especially when we got the monster's POV, that was just sooo wack). The characters were all unsympathetic, which can work if they're at least interesting, but they weren't. We had one (1) woman character and she was reduced to being a wife and mom. And of course the main character was haunted by the memory of his wife who died during childbirth, along with the baby—wow how sad and original!! I also didn't care for how the native characters were treated, very stereotypical. I tried to give this a fair chance but halfway through I had to start skimming just so I could finish it; it was all just rather stupid.
May 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Ooh, I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I think the hardest thing for me was that I could see what it wanted to do, and it was trying very hard to do it, but it just kept getting bogged down in the everyday instead of the fantastic, which is where it really wanted to go.
We follow Roy, a forest ranger, for the bulk of this book, throughout a huge amount of horror tropes into the great unknown. Something is killing people in the woods, and Roy plans on finding out what and stopping it.
I actually feel like the second half of the book is the strongest- there’s a lot of early exposition, and it could very successfully be cut down slightly. There’s a lot to be found in the action backed end of the story though, and the climax is definitely weird and wonderful.
I do wish that this book revelled a little more in the gore of it all as well, but that is something that treads a fine line between being palatable to a broader readership and a horror readership.
Definitely worth it for the cryptid die-hards (although we could have done without the additional twist) and a fun romp that just could have gone a little bit further as a whole.
Ooh, I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I think the hardest thing for me was that I could see what it wanted to do, and it was trying very hard to do it, but it just kept getting bogged down in the everyday instead of the fantastic, which is where it really wanted to go.
We follow Roy, a forest ranger, for the bulk of this book, throughout a huge amount of horror tropes into the great unknown. Something is killing people in the woods, and Roy plans on finding out what and stopping it.
I actually feel like the second half of the book is the strongest- there’s a lot of early exposition, and it could very successfully be cut down slightly. There’s a lot to be found in the action backed end of the story though, and the climax is definitely weird and wonderful.
I do wish that this book revelled a little more in the gore of it all as well, but that is something that treads a fine line between being palatable to a broader readership and a horror readership.
Definitely worth it for the cryptid die-hards (although we could have done without the additional twist) and a fun romp that just could have gone a little bit further as a whole.
May 26, 2026
Fire on Blood Mountain
This novel is full of twists and turns, with several different stories that merge into one. Don't doubt the things you can't see. There are always mysterious creatures that go bump in the night. I'd like to thank author Glen Label and Book Sirens for an advanced reading copy, although halfway through the book I decided to support this author not only with a positive review but by purchasing the ebook as well.
This novel is full of twists and turns, with several different stories that merge into one. Don't doubt the things you can't see. There are always mysterious creatures that go bump in the night. I'd like to thank author Glen Label and Book Sirens for an advanced reading copy, although halfway through the book I decided to support this author not only with a positive review but by purchasing the ebook as well.
May 20, 2026
Roy's life gets more complicated after a plane crash. Now there is something in the woods.
June 15, 2026
Very good book
I really enjoyed this book it held you there wanting to go to the end and find out what happens. Thank You
I really enjoyed this book it held you there wanting to go to the end and find out what happens. Thank You
May 19, 2026
3.75⭐️
This story incorporates so many elements making it unique: a potential cryptid, laced narcotics, and the search for a missing child, all combined to make a compelling read. It features a wide variety of characters and an atmospheric, fast-paced method of storytelling. Through a blend of folk horror, crime drama, and mystery, “Manitou” will leave you guessing until the end. At times, I struggled to connect and stay invested in the story due to the number of characters and the rotating POVs, but I did love all the details. I believe that this was not the perfect story for me but can definitely see others really loving it!
❗️Content warnings: SI, plane crash, drugs / addiction, animal death, gore, stroke (mentioned), missing child / abduction
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Glen Gabel for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This story incorporates so many elements making it unique: a potential cryptid, laced narcotics, and the search for a missing child, all combined to make a compelling read. It features a wide variety of characters and an atmospheric, fast-paced method of storytelling. Through a blend of folk horror, crime drama, and mystery, “Manitou” will leave you guessing until the end. At times, I struggled to connect and stay invested in the story due to the number of characters and the rotating POVs, but I did love all the details. I believe that this was not the perfect story for me but can definitely see others really loving it!
❗️Content warnings: SI, plane crash, drugs / addiction, animal death, gore, stroke (mentioned), missing child / abduction
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Glen Gabel for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After reading the first chapter, I was immediately hooked. Gabel did such an amazing job with immersing the reader into the middle of a clusterfuck of a situation with all the characters not knowing what’s going on and only having little pieces of a very large puzzle. The reader, of course, already knows what’s going on and the truth to the whole thing. It’s extremely nerve-racking.
I really liked how the main character’s grief was an important part to the story. It followed him everywhere and hardly ever let up. I can understand that for some people it might be too much or too frequent but I felt like a lot of who Roy is before (and a lot during) these events is his grief and his alcoholism. They utterly consume him and he’s completely drowning. Throughout the story, you see him slowly healing (and I mean slowly) and trying to do better for those that depend on him. His grief ends up playing a part in an (I think a tad bit unhealthy) attachment to a young girl named Jenna who inadvertently helps him with his troubles.
The whole events started due to greed and addiction and you continue to see it throughout the storyline in the POV of many different characters that see different sides to it.
I really liked Gabel’s writing style. It reminded me A LOT of Stephen King. Gabel bounced around in the POVs a ton which definitely helped the reader to see the vastness of the situation and its potential consequences quite early into the novel. You also get a POV from the creature which I thought was very cool.
Another similarity between him and King: no character is safe. Your favorite character will more than likely be dead by the end. I’ve always liked it when authors have no mercy in their books, it feels much more realistic that way. (RIP my favorite characters though)
I also really enjoyed the creatures and their pack situation as well as the depth to their mental capacity. You don’t really see a lot of sentient creatures in these kinds of horror novels and I was loving it. Though, I’m not sure if I liked the slight supernatural nature that was weaved into the creatures’ story. Usually in books, you’ll see that the creatures are either fully into the supernatural or not at all and strictly biological. But with these ones you get a whisper from someone that these beings are influenced by dark spirits and you hardly hear about it again. It doesn’t really play a part in the storyline and is mostly side music which kinda sucked.
The 2-3ish different small subplots were pretty good! The subplots funneled into the main plot and gave the story a lot of cushion and the author a lot more material to work with to help tell the story better. I think it was pretty great. (Great ending btw. I hope there’s a sequel or even a series.)
I really liked how the main character’s grief was an important part to the story. It followed him everywhere and hardly ever let up. I can understand that for some people it might be too much or too frequent but I felt like a lot of who Roy is before (and a lot during) these events is his grief and his alcoholism. They utterly consume him and he’s completely drowning. Throughout the story, you see him slowly healing (and I mean slowly) and trying to do better for those that depend on him. His grief ends up playing a part in an (I think a tad bit unhealthy) attachment to a young girl named Jenna who inadvertently helps him with his troubles.
The whole events started due to greed and addiction and you continue to see it throughout the storyline in the POV of many different characters that see different sides to it.
I really liked Gabel’s writing style. It reminded me A LOT of Stephen King. Gabel bounced around in the POVs a ton which definitely helped the reader to see the vastness of the situation and its potential consequences quite early into the novel. You also get a POV from the creature which I thought was very cool.
Another similarity between him and King: no character is safe. Your favorite character will more than likely be dead by the end. I’ve always liked it when authors have no mercy in their books, it feels much more realistic that way. (RIP my favorite characters though)
I also really enjoyed the creatures and their pack situation as well as the depth to their mental capacity. You don’t really see a lot of sentient creatures in these kinds of horror novels and I was loving it. Though, I’m not sure if I liked the slight supernatural nature that was weaved into the creatures’ story. Usually in books, you’ll see that the creatures are either fully into the supernatural or not at all and strictly biological. But with these ones you get a whisper from someone that these beings are influenced by dark spirits and you hardly hear about it again. It doesn’t really play a part in the storyline and is mostly side music which kinda sucked.
The 2-3ish different small subplots were pretty good! The subplots funneled into the main plot and gave the story a lot of cushion and the author a lot more material to work with to help tell the story better. I think it was pretty great. (Great ending btw. I hope there’s a sequel or even a series.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.8 stars rounded up!
After a small plane carrying hard drugs crashes in the mountains of Manitou, all hell breaks loose, and the town's characters must combat a threat worse than their greatest imaginings.
I love cryptid horror so much, and this book was no exception. The monsters were scary, and I loved the portions about the cave system. I wish there had been even more scenes sculpting out the monsters' movements and motivations, because I liked them so much!
The book dragged a little bit in the middle, and I think it would have benefited from a deeper dive into some of the characters, especially in the aftermath of the town drama and corruption. It would have been fun to follow up and learn how they would deal with threats in the future, how Roy psychologically resolved the loss of his wife and child (it felt more implied), and discover more about the missing twins' father.
Overall, I love creature features and monster action that takes place in remote wilderness areas. This is one of those novels that feels like it could have a sequel in the future! There were a lot of references to Christian mythology, but I was grateful that the author didn't push a "point" or try to make the book into some radicalized moral lesson. I think he just took inspiration from a belief system to help sculpt out his story, which I can appreciate, since religion has more horror than hope to draw from, especially through the Abrahamic lens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Xpresso Book Tours for an e-ARC.
After a small plane carrying hard drugs crashes in the mountains of Manitou, all hell breaks loose, and the town's characters must combat a threat worse than their greatest imaginings.
I love cryptid horror so much, and this book was no exception. The monsters were scary, and I loved the portions about the cave system. I wish there had been even more scenes sculpting out the monsters' movements and motivations, because I liked them so much!
The book dragged a little bit in the middle, and I think it would have benefited from a deeper dive into some of the characters, especially in the aftermath of the town drama and corruption. It would have been fun to follow up and learn how they would deal with threats in the future, how Roy psychologically resolved the loss of his wife and child (it felt more implied), and discover more about the missing twins' father.
Overall, I love creature features and monster action that takes place in remote wilderness areas. This is one of those novels that feels like it could have a sequel in the future! There were a lot of references to Christian mythology, but I was grateful that the author didn't push a "point" or try to make the book into some radicalized moral lesson. I think he just took inspiration from a belief system to help sculpt out his story, which I can appreciate, since religion has more horror than hope to draw from, especially through the Abrahamic lens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Xpresso Book Tours for an e-ARC.
Review of advance copy
In the tradition of classic monster stories, Glen Gabel’s second novel thrills and terrifies, but veers in another direction—one the reader won’t see coming—and serves to elevate Manitou above similar tales.
While it owes allegiance to Jaws and early Dean Koontz, Manitou retains the author’s signature style and gift for rendering complex, multidimensional characters and represents them, good and evil, sympathetically. Forest Ranger Roy Farmer’s alcoholism and grief battling his sense of duty is detailed in a visceral manner, as is the desperation of mother-of-four Kaylinn Morsimor as they both face their separate, yet similar, demons. In Lazurus, Gabel has created a setting that feels lived-in, a kind of ‘Salem’s Lot with a community of people from all walks of life, from bikers and tweakers to corrupt cops and broken-down suburbanites, all trying to forge an existence in a backwoods town being consumed by its own darkness and whatever creature has been slaughtering its citizens.
The mixture of horror, action, drama and comedy is blended into an intoxicating brew, with graphic depictions of carnage, double-crossings, betrayals, and an ever-expanding body count, but at its center, Manitou is a tale about faith and about hope, when all hope feels impossible to be restored.
Electrifying in its telling, Gabel’s novel reads at a blistering pace with tense scenes that stay imprinted and a satisfying conclusion that will make you want to go back and revisit the story again.
While it owes allegiance to Jaws and early Dean Koontz, Manitou retains the author’s signature style and gift for rendering complex, multidimensional characters and represents them, good and evil, sympathetically. Forest Ranger Roy Farmer’s alcoholism and grief battling his sense of duty is detailed in a visceral manner, as is the desperation of mother-of-four Kaylinn Morsimor as they both face their separate, yet similar, demons. In Lazurus, Gabel has created a setting that feels lived-in, a kind of ‘Salem’s Lot with a community of people from all walks of life, from bikers and tweakers to corrupt cops and broken-down suburbanites, all trying to forge an existence in a backwoods town being consumed by its own darkness and whatever creature has been slaughtering its citizens.
The mixture of horror, action, drama and comedy is blended into an intoxicating brew, with graphic depictions of carnage, double-crossings, betrayals, and an ever-expanding body count, but at its center, Manitou is a tale about faith and about hope, when all hope feels impossible to be restored.
Electrifying in its telling, Gabel’s novel reads at a blistering pace with tense scenes that stay imprinted and a satisfying conclusion that will make you want to go back and revisit the story again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was chosen to be an ARC reader for this book and what a wild ride it was. We start off with a small cast of characters that expands as the events of the novel, which takes place in a small town called Lazarus, unfold. The way you learn about the intricate relationships of the townsfolk and how the hidden darkness that truly lies underneath everything is nothing short of captivating. With each chapter more of the mystery is revealed and you begin to see the big picture of what is really at the heart of what, to all outside appearances, might be any small mountain town.
I appreciated the realistic depiction of those who struggle with substance abuse issues along with the tactful way the heavy topics are handled by the characters involved. The only thing that was a tiny bit off-putting to me was the oft-mentioned references to faith and God specifically, though in the context of the story make perfect sense. Overall this was an entertaining, thrilling and enjoyable read and one I would recommend to anyone who likes mystery, suspense and a bit of folklore and a dash of urban legend in their novels.
As an ARC reader I did receive a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I appreciated the realistic depiction of those who struggle with substance abuse issues along with the tactful way the heavy topics are handled by the characters involved. The only thing that was a tiny bit off-putting to me was the oft-mentioned references to faith and God specifically, though in the context of the story make perfect sense. Overall this was an entertaining, thrilling and enjoyable read and one I would recommend to anyone who likes mystery, suspense and a bit of folklore and a dash of urban legend in their novels.
As an ARC reader I did receive a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 12, 2026
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞. 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐡, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝, 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫-𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
The story takes place in a small town filled with ordinary people, focusing on Roy Farmer, a forest ranger who has endured his fair share of heartbreak and tragedy. One night, everything shifts when a plane crashes, bringing with it precious cargo and a host of unanswered questions. The town suddenly faces a menacing threat that craves blood. As Roy delves into the mystery, he discovers that no one is safe—not even himself.
I won’t lie; while reading this book, I found myself cheering for every triumph and grieving every setback. I even cried a few times because the emotions were so palpable. Glen’s character development made them feel like real people I know, which added to the chilling atmosphere of the story. This is a must-read for 2026!
Thank you Glen Gabel, Netgalley, and Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The story takes place in a small town filled with ordinary people, focusing on Roy Farmer, a forest ranger who has endured his fair share of heartbreak and tragedy. One night, everything shifts when a plane crashes, bringing with it precious cargo and a host of unanswered questions. The town suddenly faces a menacing threat that craves blood. As Roy delves into the mystery, he discovers that no one is safe—not even himself.
I won’t lie; while reading this book, I found myself cheering for every triumph and grieving every setback. I even cried a few times because the emotions were so palpable. Glen’s character development made them feel like real people I know, which added to the chilling atmosphere of the story. This is a must-read for 2026!
Thank you Glen Gabel, Netgalley, and Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a scary fun horror read that hits that perfect balance between gritty and wild. It gave me the tension and moral unraveling of A Simple Plan mixed with the chaotic, creature driven energy of a more grounded Cocaine Bear; which is a combination I didn’t know I needed. What I really loved was the use of multiple POVs. Each perspective felt distinct and purposeful, and the cast of characters is rough around the edges in the best way. There’s a lived in quality to them that makes the stakes feel real, even as things spiral into something much darker and more dangerous.
As a fan of cryptid horror, this absolutely delivered. The creature element is handled well with tense, unpredictable, and never overdone themes, and the backdrop of grimy biker culture only adds to the atmosphere. It’s brutal, a little chaotic, and completely engaging. If you like your horror with strong characters, a creeping sense of dread, and a touch of backwoods menace, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Glen Gabel, and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
As a fan of cryptid horror, this absolutely delivered. The creature element is handled well with tense, unpredictable, and never overdone themes, and the backdrop of grimy biker culture only adds to the atmosphere. It’s brutal, a little chaotic, and completely engaging. If you like your horror with strong characters, a creeping sense of dread, and a touch of backwoods menace, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Glen Gabel, and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and found myself pulled in from the very beginning. The character development was one of the standout strengths—each person felt real, layered, and easy to connect with. I especially appreciated how the author explored the different kinds of struggles and pain people experience in life. It added a depth and authenticity that stuck with me even after I finished reading.
The suspense throughout the story kept me hooked—I was genuinely on the edge of my seat, always wanting to know what would happen next. It’s the kind of book that’s hard to put down once you get into it.
That said, I do want to give a quick heads up to other readers: the book includes a fair amount of gore, violence, and strong language. While that’s not typically what I gravitate toward personally, I can see how it fits the tone and intensity of the story the author is telling.
Overall, this was a compelling, well-written read with strong emotional depth and gripping suspense. If you’re okay with the heavier content, it’s definitely worth picking up.
The suspense throughout the story kept me hooked—I was genuinely on the edge of my seat, always wanting to know what would happen next. It’s the kind of book that’s hard to put down once you get into it.
That said, I do want to give a quick heads up to other readers: the book includes a fair amount of gore, violence, and strong language. While that’s not typically what I gravitate toward personally, I can see how it fits the tone and intensity of the story the author is telling.
Overall, this was a compelling, well-written read with strong emotional depth and gripping suspense. If you’re okay with the heavier content, it’s definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some TWs with this book. Drugs, death including children. oh yeah and a whole lot of death.
Manitou is a gripping, storm‑soaked descent into tension and mystery. Glen Gabel has a real talent for crafting mood — the kind that settles over you slowly and refuses to let go. The setting feels alive, the pacing is tight, and the sense of danger builds in a way that kept me turning pages long after I meant to stop.
But this is definitely a book with a specific flavor. It leans into its intensity, its shadows, and its unsettling moments. Readers who prefer lighter thrills or straightforward plots might find it a bit much. This story asks you to embrace the unknown and sit with the unease it creates.
For me, that’s exactly what made it outstanding. It’s bold, atmospheric, and memorable — a five‑star experience for readers who enjoy stories that aren’t afraid to go dark.
Manitou is a gripping, storm‑soaked descent into tension and mystery. Glen Gabel has a real talent for crafting mood — the kind that settles over you slowly and refuses to let go. The setting feels alive, the pacing is tight, and the sense of danger builds in a way that kept me turning pages long after I meant to stop.
But this is definitely a book with a specific flavor. It leans into its intensity, its shadows, and its unsettling moments. Readers who prefer lighter thrills or straightforward plots might find it a bit much. This story asks you to embrace the unknown and sit with the unease it creates.
For me, that’s exactly what made it outstanding. It’s bold, atmospheric, and memorable — a five‑star experience for readers who enjoy stories that aren’t afraid to go dark.
June 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Manitou!
Oof, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. A lot of my review is my personal preferences on what I like in books I read. This book is HEAVILY built around drug trafficking and addiction, and I am finding out I’m not the biggest fan of the subject.
I felt like the book was almost too long, and dragged in a few areas. If this wasn’t gifted to me I would have DNF’d the book. The storytelling was intriguing, but it felt predictable with everything going on. I didn’t care for the characters, and sometimes I would forget who they were.
Overall, the story kept my attention and it was an interesting take on a cryptid! Haven’t heard many stories that have a Sasquatch-type creature.
Oof, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. A lot of my review is my personal preferences on what I like in books I read. This book is HEAVILY built around drug trafficking and addiction, and I am finding out I’m not the biggest fan of the subject.
I felt like the book was almost too long, and dragged in a few areas. If this wasn’t gifted to me I would have DNF’d the book. The storytelling was intriguing, but it felt predictable with everything going on. I didn’t care for the characters, and sometimes I would forget who they were.
Overall, the story kept my attention and it was an interesting take on a cryptid! Haven’t heard many stories that have a Sasquatch-type creature.
April 7, 2026
This isn’t the kind of book I’d usually pick up, but it was recommended to me, and I’m really glad I gave it a shot.
Manitou kind of sneaks up on you. It starts off pretty grounded, and then things get…strange in a way that actually works. I kept telling myself I’d stop after one more chapter, and that didn’t really happen. 😅
What stuck with me most were the characters. They feel like real people—honestly, a couple of them felt like they could be my neighbor, which made everything hit a little closer to home.
If you like crime stories but don’t mind something a little different mixed in, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
Manitou kind of sneaks up on you. It starts off pretty grounded, and then things get…strange in a way that actually works. I kept telling myself I’d stop after one more chapter, and that didn’t really happen. 😅
What stuck with me most were the characters. They feel like real people—honestly, a couple of them felt like they could be my neighbor, which made everything hit a little closer to home.
If you like crime stories but don’t mind something a little different mixed in, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Personally I think this is better classified as a crime thriller with paranormal elements. The concept here was great, and I think it will find its audience with Rollins or Patterson fans.
For me, the execution didn't meet my expectations and there were too many POV's. I was hoping for a more terrifying monster and felt bogged down in the drama of the people of Lazarus. I did like the monster's POV but separately could have done without the dog-unaliving.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!
For me, the execution didn't meet my expectations and there were too many POV's. I was hoping for a more terrifying monster and felt bogged down in the drama of the people of Lazarus. I did like the monster's POV but separately could have done without the dog-unaliving.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 10, 2026
Surprising good and entertaining book- considering my admitted bias against he horror genre. The characters are vivid and well written and developed, and the atmosphere of the book is eerie and engaging. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because it was 50-100 pages too long. If these writers would learn to land the plane at or before 300 pages, many readers would react positively and read more books. Still, a strong story and I will definitely read more from the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A dark and relentless thriller that drags you kicking and screaming into pure nightmare territory. Chemically altered contraband turns the Idaho mountains into a hunting ground for superhuman cryptids and ruthless Siberian assassins in this brutal, emotionally raw, and mercilessly paced novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ARC Review✨
This was SOOOOO good.
Full of death, gore, drugs and horror that will have you hooked from the first chapter.
Thrilling in its tension, it sets a moody and dark atmosphere that just gets darker and darker the more you read. You will not be able to put this down, and your heart will be beating in wild terror.
If you love monster horrors, then you will love this.
This was SOOOOO good.
Full of death, gore, drugs and horror that will have you hooked from the first chapter.
Thrilling in its tension, it sets a moody and dark atmosphere that just gets darker and darker the more you read. You will not be able to put this down, and your heart will be beating in wild terror.
If you love monster horrors, then you will love this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Incredibly immersive work that dumps you right in. That works well most of the time, though at points plotting weaken. 4 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.
June 22, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed Manitou and have already recommended it to several friends. While this isn’t my usual genre, I was drawn in by the author’s ability to weave mystery throughout the story. Beneath the gore and violence lies an unexpected sense of love and gentleness—a world where good and evil coexist alongside deeper understanding. The plot builds steadily, pulling you in like a well-crafted thriller. You won’t be disappointed.
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