Hunted: An Appalachian Zombie Horror Novel

Haint’s Hollow #3

by Samuel Brower

Something new hunts the holler.

In Hunted, the third novel of the Haint’s Hollow saga, terror takes another form. A new kind of monster stalks the mountains—something twisted, ravenous, and unlike anything the Galloglys have faced before.

Greg dreams of rebuilding the holler through his gym. Tanya wrestles with feelings she isn’t sure she can trust. Jesse remains at odds with his family’s legacy. And Hunter and Cheryl begin their married life pulling double shifts after more deputies abandon the sheriff’s department.

Armed with new weapons and old resolve, the Galloglys must fight not just for their home, but for the soul of the holler itself. Yet beneath the ancient mountains, a darker truth waits—and it may be worse than anything they’ve seen before.

Genres: Horror

222 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2026

About the author

Bestselling author Samuel Brower crafts haunting, immersive tales that blur the line between horror, dark fantasy, and the supernatural. His breakout novel, Haint, became an Amazon bestseller in 2024, cementing his reputation as a must-read voice in modern horror fiction. To date, Brower has published ten gripping novels and dozens of chilling short stories, with his work featured in renowned magazines like Voices, Nine Tales, and Zero Flash. A professional member of both the Horror Writers Association and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, Brower brings a seasoned, masterful touch to every eerie world he creates.

Reviews

[Tracy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4-Stars.

Samuel Brower delivers a relentless continuation in Hunted, raising the stakes for Sheriff Hunter Gallogly as the ancient evils lurking in the Kentucky holler reach a breaking point.

Blending local folklore, visceral supernatural terror, and gritty small-town crime, the narrative forces the surviving Gallogly family to face both the bloodthirsty zombified animals hunting them from the dark and the brutal realities of their own shared history.

Brower builds an oppressive sense of claustrophobia within the dense woods and isolated hollows, making the environment itself feel like an active, hostile force.

The uneasy dynamic between Hunter and his estranged, lawbreaking kin provides a grounded emotional core, anchoring the nightmare in believable human conflict and desperate survival instincts.

The creature action is brutal, fast, and unsparing, leaning into dark fantasy and visceral horror without losing the crime-thriller edge that defines the previous entries.

The nonstop momentum left little room for me to catch my breath, and I loved how the nonstop tension was kept high through the final confrontation.

This third book in the Haint's Hollow series stands as a satisfyingly dark, action-packed entry.

Highly recommend for those drawn to gritty Appalachian Gothic thrillers, creature features, and small-town horror stories.

[Josh Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the latest in the series and was gobsmacked with joy. Samuel Brower continues to deliver solid Appalaichan horror with unexpected results. Good fun, great characters, and surprising plot twists. -Josh Douglas

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. The crazy team, the holler vibes and zombie raccoons. What’s not to love?

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very action packed continuation that also managed to get in more lore and points our characters in the direction of finding out what is going on in the Hollow and why. I love creepy old books giving creepy information that csn both help and confuse out characters.
This was an interesting take on zombies, especially combined with the previous monsters and the explanation for their existence.
I wonder if book 4 will give the conclusion, I have to think (and hope) it will be the wildest installment of this series!

[ian.freeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book in the horror trilogy based in small town Appalachia. It was a good read with lots of zombie animal action up in the mountains fighting a local sheriff and his crew. Also a good shoot out at the end. Very enjoyable and far better than the second book.

[Wayne Pickrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haint's Hollow.

A fantastic series, I love the story and the characters. If you like vampires, werewolves and zombies, this is a must read. Enjoy!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series because the premise is unique and the setting reminds me of where I grew up. I also love the paranormal aspects and that it's not clear exactly which Fortean phenomenon is causing all the problems.

I had assumed this would be the end of this series. However, I was pleased to see that Brower, having borrowed a little trick from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," has found a way for it to continue. I just hope he writes a bit more on his Appalachian Druid series first!

[Robyn Gundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and BETTER! I am officially hooked, and I’m genuinely so sad there isn’t a fourth book for me to immediately dive into (especially after THAT ending?! The anticipation is going to kill me!).

Once again, the pacing is absolutely perfect, and I love these characters SO freaking much. I’ve become so attached to this spooky little world, and I never want to leave it! The best way I can describe this series is Stranger Things meets The Vampire Diaries meets Supernatural, and honestly?! I am OBSESSED.

These books are just so much fun, with the perfect mix of creepy, campy, and addictive storytelling. I need more of this series ASAP!

[Winston Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Brower finally dives into the cause of all the supernatural problems around Haint's Hollow. I was particularly worried this would be the last installment of the series and was pleasantly surprised when the ending was left open and hinting at much more to come in the future. I also loved the way he chose to explain the cause of the phenomena. Best book in the series so far!

[Jessica Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and bloody continuation of this series! I enjoyed this trip back into Haints Hollow and learning about the new horrors that have sprung up in this small town. The infected animals were an interesting take on zombie horror, and I enjoyed it. My only complaint was that this book felt a lot more open-ended than the last two. I would have like a few more answers before we wrapped things up at the end. But, overall, a solid 4 stars!

[Erin · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Still chasing that high I got while listening to book one and not quiet getting there. There was no humor, or at least nothing that made me chuckle. The body count is higher (as per usual with sequels) and the town might not recover this time. A fun horror tale/series. Is there going to be another book?! I love the narrator--perfect voice for this series.

[Jessica Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

great finale

I loved this series. The dialogue between characters always kept me engaged and so did the story line. This third book was a great wrap up on this story. Definitely was not expected. Can’t recommend this series enough!

[Brad Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!! Love these books, weirder by the book. Vampires, then werewolves, now zombie animals and metaphysical explanations for all of the weirdness. The zombie animals are great and a must read for zombie fans.

[Thomas Waalkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mutated mayhem run amuck.

There seems to be no break for Haint's Holler. The world keeps collapsing in on our core group of heroes. Where they make their last stand the town falls in with them .... no matter what.

[Tammra Lux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zombie Animals!

I likes this one the best so far, obviously there's more to come.
I'm a huge zombie need so this was awesome. Gory and cringey to read the battles against the animals. Make these books into a series.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these! I rarely get to read books that took place in my neck of the woods, so it's fun for me to see places that I know and characters that feel so familiar. I also love folk horror, so these really satisfy that itch. Can't wait to see how it's all going to end!

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Holler is again in danger, as a new mutation turns the wildlife population into murderous undead. As the team realises it needs more help, they go to the townspeople as a final confrontation looms. Good end to the series, but also left open for more.

[John Peeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

This one is a little slower build then the other two in the series, or maybe its because I'm an animal lover. I really like the world building and look forward to the next one.

[Dixie Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is right up there with Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds!! It was creepy weird and I love creepy weird!!! Can't wait to read the next one!!!!!

[Patricia King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read! Luckily I read the others to explain some similarities but it could be a standalone. I loved the writing style and the characters!

[Dawn Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say the book didn't dissappoint. I was drawn into the story about and the way it affected Haints Hollow. The characters make the story and you get sucked into their lives. Great read.