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Klondike Slaughter
In 1898, the gold rush brings all manner of men and women to the icy wilderness of Alaska. Hungry for riches and glory, hungry for gold.
And emerging from the shadows of legend comes an older, more primal hunger.
Through the treacherous journey towards the Klondike, it hunts the brave adventurers. Scenting their memories, tasting their fears. Ravenously seeking something even more valuable than gold.
Life.
And emerging from the shadows of legend comes an older, more primal hunger.
Through the treacherous journey towards the Klondike, it hunts the brave adventurers. Scenting their memories, tasting their fears. Ravenously seeking something even more valuable than gold.
Life.
- GenresHorrorHistorical Fiction
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2018
21 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
David Haynes
26 books214 followersWhen 12 year-old David Haynes picked up a battered copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, he never looked back.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 3, 2022
Horrifying Nightmare!
Backstory:
Setting 1898 - Alaska
Jake and Willie (friends) decide to head into the Klondike to seek their fortune in gold. On their way there they both end up with some other people that tag along with them on the journey.
They all come across some different things that happen to them along the way including unsavory men (Charlie and Cullen) that are out to cause trouble.
There is another type of trouble brewing though as there are rumors that men have disappeared or been killed in the Klondike so everyone has itchy trigger fingers. As time goes on the group finds out that there is something out in the wilds that is stalking them (a folklore legend) and it can invade their minds, but what is worse they cannot see or hear it until it is too late! How are they able to fight such a creature?
No spoilers here as you will need to read the book!
Thoughts:
This book had quite a bit of slow suspense in the beginning of the story with lots of information of the Alaska/Klondike territory and the gold rush days. The story is wrapped around a creature that is folklore for that time era and it really made for interesting reading.
As always with this author the book became fast paced as the more that happened to the small group the more I couldn't put the book down! The folklore creature becomes the focal point in the last half of the book which sent this book into overdrive! I literally read the last 60% within 12 hours and I could not sleep most of the night as I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next!
There is quite a bit of blood and gore in this story so it was a good thing I had my gore suit ready as it was definitely needed for this book. The graphic descriptions by the author of what happens to some of the unfortunate victims along the way were cringe-worthy as I could see the visual images in my minds eye! Giving this book five "Frightening Folklore" stars!
Highly Recommend!
Backstory:
Setting 1898 - Alaska
Jake and Willie (friends) decide to head into the Klondike to seek their fortune in gold. On their way there they both end up with some other people that tag along with them on the journey.
They all come across some different things that happen to them along the way including unsavory men (Charlie and Cullen) that are out to cause trouble.
There is another type of trouble brewing though as there are rumors that men have disappeared or been killed in the Klondike so everyone has itchy trigger fingers. As time goes on the group finds out that there is something out in the wilds that is stalking them (a folklore legend) and it can invade their minds, but what is worse they cannot see or hear it until it is too late! How are they able to fight such a creature?
No spoilers here as you will need to read the book!
Thoughts:
This book had quite a bit of slow suspense in the beginning of the story with lots of information of the Alaska/Klondike territory and the gold rush days. The story is wrapped around a creature that is folklore for that time era and it really made for interesting reading.
As always with this author the book became fast paced as the more that happened to the small group the more I couldn't put the book down! The folklore creature becomes the focal point in the last half of the book which sent this book into overdrive! I literally read the last 60% within 12 hours and I could not sleep most of the night as I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next!
There is quite a bit of blood and gore in this story so it was a good thing I had my gore suit ready as it was definitely needed for this book. The graphic descriptions by the author of what happens to some of the unfortunate victims along the way were cringe-worthy as I could see the visual images in my minds eye! Giving this book five "Frightening Folklore" stars!
Highly Recommend!
May 14, 2022
“Klondike Slaughter” by David Haynes was a pretty good read from start to finish. I enjoyed all the different characters and the journeys they were a part of as everything unfolded until the wild ending. You truly start to love all the characters as this novel gives you everything from classic friendships, acquaintances, relationships, and even those in a position of authority. I particularly loved Jake, Kaa, and Willie as they were all memorable characters with distinct personalities that really made me care for them until the very end.
This novel does indeed have a slow-burn aspect to it at first and even again during reading as I had some situations that I felt were a bit boring. “Klondike Slaughter” does a good job at coming back from this and once you get to about 70% of the novel, things start to pick up where it’s hard to put this one down.
I give “Klondike Slaughter” by David Haynes a 4/5 as it delivered a good horror story with a fantastic folklore twist. I won’t ruin anything for you but when you start to get into the scary and creepy situations you’ll encounter, it’s all so unique and downright horrific that it gets pretty intense. I loved all those horror moments as the only reason this didn’t get a perfect 5/5 from me is due to some parts that dragged on when it didn’t need to. Either way, I’d recommend this to anyone that loves folklore-inspired horror and characters you truly can connect with on a personal level.
This novel does indeed have a slow-burn aspect to it at first and even again during reading as I had some situations that I felt were a bit boring. “Klondike Slaughter” does a good job at coming back from this and once you get to about 70% of the novel, things start to pick up where it’s hard to put this one down.
I give “Klondike Slaughter” by David Haynes a 4/5 as it delivered a good horror story with a fantastic folklore twist. I won’t ruin anything for you but when you start to get into the scary and creepy situations you’ll encounter, it’s all so unique and downright horrific that it gets pretty intense. I loved all those horror moments as the only reason this didn’t get a perfect 5/5 from me is due to some parts that dragged on when it didn’t need to. Either way, I’d recommend this to anyone that loves folklore-inspired horror and characters you truly can connect with on a personal level.
April 12, 2018
Gold fever! The great rush to stake a claim and get rich. This cracking adventure story sees ex lawman Jake and his friend Willie join up with other individuals, including a native Tlingit Indian, to help one another over the gruelling passes and dense wooded terrain on the way to Dawson. Naturally, not everyone is friendly and helpful, and they make enemies as they travel. There are people wanting them dead.
The excitement in this really ramps up when we find that there is something else tracking the group; something that’s messing with their minds. David Haynes incorporates outdoor adventure with horror and legend. It’s a potent mix and it’s done very well. It’s atmospheric, with the snow and the rain as constant enemies. I suspect a lot of good research has gone into this book but the reader isn’t hammered with it. It just makes it very convincing and readable. A thoroughly gripping book.
The excitement in this really ramps up when we find that there is something else tracking the group; something that’s messing with their minds. David Haynes incorporates outdoor adventure with horror and legend. It’s a potent mix and it’s done very well. It’s atmospheric, with the snow and the rain as constant enemies. I suspect a lot of good research has gone into this book but the reader isn’t hammered with it. It just makes it very convincing and readable. A thoroughly gripping book.
February 13, 2021
A dark adventure!
This was a tale of the Yukon gold rush in the mid 19th century. A story of friendship, cruelty and unbelievable hardship, as a group of would be prospectors made their death trip towards the Yukon gold fields. The party were stalked along the way by both murderous humans and a native American "skinwalker". An exciting and thought provoking story.
This was a tale of the Yukon gold rush in the mid 19th century. A story of friendship, cruelty and unbelievable hardship, as a group of would be prospectors made their death trip towards the Yukon gold fields. The party were stalked along the way by both murderous humans and a native American "skinwalker". An exciting and thought provoking story.
January 21, 2020
History meets folklore
I was expecting more of a factual account of Klondike life and the difficulties that the miners faced however this was more a tale of friendship, loyalty and local folklore. An interesting read.
I was expecting more of a factual account of Klondike life and the difficulties that the miners faced however this was more a tale of friendship, loyalty and local folklore. An interesting read.
May 21, 2021
Good read!
Really enjoyed this book! Wendigo type creature. Loved the gore and suspense. Likeable characters. I would definitely recommend this book!
Really enjoyed this book! Wendigo type creature. Loved the gore and suspense. Likeable characters. I would definitely recommend this book!
October 29, 2025
One of the best books I read, I loved it.
April 21, 2018
David Haynes' new story is set in the northern wilderness like his previous story. However, this one is nothing like the last one apart from the feelings of cold and dread.
As ever, the writing is superb and draws you in, but I didn't enjoy the storyline as much as I have with this author's previous books. The setting is not my usual genre and I found the beginning a bit slow, however I did enjoy it more as the story developed.
As ever, the writing is superb and draws you in, but I didn't enjoy the storyline as much as I have with this author's previous books. The setting is not my usual genre and I found the beginning a bit slow, however I did enjoy it more as the story developed.
April 26, 2021
Great blend of horror and mans struggle against nature
I didnt know what to expect reading this novel but it was a pleasant surprice and mix of both indian myth and mans fight against nature during the gold rush. We get to know a group of friends working their way to Yukon with gold in their eyes and on the way they both get human and a supernatural enemy. I have never heard of the creature the monster is based on but goggled it as soon as the name of the creature was revealed but it was a great horror and original element from indian myth spun into a gold rush history. This book is well written and worth your time but be warned, the fight and horror scenes are not for the faint of heart
I didnt know what to expect reading this novel but it was a pleasant surprice and mix of both indian myth and mans fight against nature during the gold rush. We get to know a group of friends working their way to Yukon with gold in their eyes and on the way they both get human and a supernatural enemy. I have never heard of the creature the monster is based on but goggled it as soon as the name of the creature was revealed but it was a great horror and original element from indian myth spun into a gold rush history. This book is well written and worth your time but be warned, the fight and horror scenes are not for the faint of heart
May 7, 2022
This was terrific. It pulled me in and didn't let go until I finished. Here's the thing, I would never have seen a book about the gold rush and picked it up for myself. That's why these group reads with new (to me) authors are so fantastic, I read things I wouldn't have on my own and usually end up loving them. That was definitely the case with Klondike Slaughter and David Haynes has found himself a new fan.
The character development was absolutely perfect for me. I sometimes get a little bored when books spend the entire first half developing the characters and their back stories. But David did a really cool thing here, he sprinkled in bits of back story throughout the action. So I still got to know the characters and their motivations without getting bored or feeling like the main story was interrupted. And man were these some wonderful characters to get to know, Jake, Kate, Willie, Samuel and Kaa were all deer to my heart very quickly. The villains were solid too, but they were assholes.
And the Big Bad in this story?! Wow! Very impressive. So appreciative of Castle Dracula for setting up this fun read!
The character development was absolutely perfect for me. I sometimes get a little bored when books spend the entire first half developing the characters and their back stories. But David did a really cool thing here, he sprinkled in bits of back story throughout the action. So I still got to know the characters and their motivations without getting bored or feeling like the main story was interrupted. And man were these some wonderful characters to get to know, Jake, Kate, Willie, Samuel and Kaa were all deer to my heart very quickly. The villains were solid too, but they were assholes.
And the Big Bad in this story?! Wow! Very impressive. So appreciative of Castle Dracula for setting up this fun read!
April 10, 2023
Another great yarn from Haynes. Atmospheric in every sense. Set in the Klondike rush, there is a creature relentlessly hunting the main character and his small group of companions.
As always the pace is great with enough character development to make me care about the characters.
I just don't get why Haynes isn't more known, his books (particularly when set in isolated areas) are brilliant and deserve much more attention
As always the pace is great with enough character development to make me care about the characters.
I just don't get why Haynes isn't more known, his books (particularly when set in isolated areas) are brilliant and deserve much more attention
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews