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Those Who Came Before
People are dying at Strong Lake, and the worst is yet to come.
An idyllic weekend camping trip is cut short when Reese Wallace's friends are brutally murdered. As the group's only survivor, Reese is the prime suspect, and his story doesn't make much sense. A disembodied voice warning him to leave the campground the night before? A strange, blackened tree that gave him an electric shock when he cut it down for firewood?
Detective Greyeyes isn't having any of it until she hears the voice herself and finds an arrowhead at the crime scene - an arrowhead she can't get rid of. Troubling visions of a doomed Native American tribe who once called the campground home, and rumors of cursed land and a mythical beast plague the strangest murder case she's ever been a part of.
Flame Tree Press is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
An idyllic weekend camping trip is cut short when Reese Wallace's friends are brutally murdered. As the group's only survivor, Reese is the prime suspect, and his story doesn't make much sense. A disembodied voice warning him to leave the campground the night before? A strange, blackened tree that gave him an electric shock when he cut it down for firewood?
Detective Greyeyes isn't having any of it until she hears the voice herself and finds an arrowhead at the crime scene - an arrowhead she can't get rid of. Troubling visions of a doomed Native American tribe who once called the campground home, and rumors of cursed land and a mythical beast plague the strangest murder case she's ever been a part of.
Flame Tree Press is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
247 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2019
41 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
J.H. Moncrieff
33 books259 followersJ.H. Moncrieff's City of Ghosts won the 2018 Kindle Book Review Award for best Horror/Suspense.
Reviewers have described her work as early Gillian Flynn with a little Ray Bradbury and Stephen King thrown in for good measure.
She won Harlequin's search for “the next Gillian Flynn” in 2016. Her first published novella, The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave, was featured in Samhain’s Childhood Fears collection and stayed on its horror bestsellers list for over a year.
When not writing, she loves exploring the world's most haunted places, advocating for animal rights, and summoning her inner ninja in muay thai class.
To get free ebooks and a new spooky story every week, go to http://bit.ly/MoncrieffLibrary.
Reviewers have described her work as early Gillian Flynn with a little Ray Bradbury and Stephen King thrown in for good measure.
She won Harlequin's search for “the next Gillian Flynn” in 2016. Her first published novella, The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave, was featured in Samhain’s Childhood Fears collection and stayed on its horror bestsellers list for over a year.
When not writing, she loves exploring the world's most haunted places, advocating for animal rights, and summoning her inner ninja in muay thai class.
To get free ebooks and a new spooky story every week, go to http://bit.ly/MoncrieffLibrary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
November 19, 2022
Sinister And Entertaining!
This story begins with two young couples going camping for the weekend. When they arrive they find the campsite has closed for the summer, so they decide to break through the barriers and set up camp.. The boys then gather kindling but are not having much luck, until they spy an old twisted and gnarly looking tree and chop off some branches for their fire. Reese has been on edge all evening wishing that they should never have stayed in this creepy, desolate place while hearing phantom noises and feeling as though he is being watched from the woods. What happens when Reese wakes up the next morning will become a never-ending nightmare that he cannot awaken from.
This was my first novel by J.H. Moncrieff but it certainly won't be my last. Real horror mixed with crime and great characters plus Native American folklore came together seamlessly to give the reader gooseflesh and shivers throughout the story. This was a well-written and thoughtful story that I will remember for quite awhile.
Creepy, sinister, evil, dark, bloody, gory, depraved are just a few of the descriptions I would use to describe this book! I thoroughly enjoyed the book from page one until the very satisfying completion of the story.
I want to thank the publisher Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for this terrific ARC and any opinions are mine alone!
I highly recommend "Those Who Came Before" to any horror reader and have given a rating of 5 Horrifying 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
This story begins with two young couples going camping for the weekend. When they arrive they find the campsite has closed for the summer, so they decide to break through the barriers and set up camp.. The boys then gather kindling but are not having much luck, until they spy an old twisted and gnarly looking tree and chop off some branches for their fire. Reese has been on edge all evening wishing that they should never have stayed in this creepy, desolate place while hearing phantom noises and feeling as though he is being watched from the woods. What happens when Reese wakes up the next morning will become a never-ending nightmare that he cannot awaken from.
This was my first novel by J.H. Moncrieff but it certainly won't be my last. Real horror mixed with crime and great characters plus Native American folklore came together seamlessly to give the reader gooseflesh and shivers throughout the story. This was a well-written and thoughtful story that I will remember for quite awhile.
Creepy, sinister, evil, dark, bloody, gory, depraved are just a few of the descriptions I would use to describe this book! I thoroughly enjoyed the book from page one until the very satisfying completion of the story.
I want to thank the publisher Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for this terrific ARC and any opinions are mine alone!
I highly recommend "Those Who Came Before" to any horror reader and have given a rating of 5 Horrifying 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
October 24, 2019
THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE by J.H. Moncrieff is an indisputable horror novel, yet that alone is an understatement. I noticed a blending of several other genres, including historical fiction, police procedural, folklore, and the supernatural.
We begin with two couples on their way to a weekend camping trip. In the case of one, Reese is planning on breaking things off with his girlfriend in the near future. The banter was exactly what you would expect to hear from any small group on this type of trip, making for realistic characters right from the start. There's even some sarcasm and "internal" insults that add to this effect.
". . . Once upon a time, I'd thought she was pretty. Then I'd gotten to know her."
Warning bells started going off in my mind as soon as they reached the empty campground. The descriptions and observations made me feel as though I was physically there--and wishing very much that I could be anywhere else!
". . . Something in these woods was malevolent, and it didn't want them here . . ."
From then on, the action and horror ramp up, and never really stop once it begins. Moncrieff does a fantastic job of giving the readers different perspectives throughout the novel. We see things through the mind of Clear Springs Police Detective, Maria Greyeyes--a Native American who believes in the tangible world around her, and not old superstitions.
". . . There was enough tangible evil in her world without chasing boogeymen."
Then there's the nearby Reservation, whose residents don't trust any outsiders--including Maria--and the police force in general.
"You're not welcome here."
The campground in question is a place the Native Americans shun, and one the government tries to push as belonging to the Reservation--neither side wanting ownership of it.
". . . This place was wrong. It was damaged, somehow . . . "
We are taken between the present situation unfolding, and flashbacks to the past of the Indian Reservation. This is a tactic that, admittedly, doesn't always work for me, personally. However, in this instance, the way that it unfolded seemed to merge into the novel seamlessly. While things continued to accelerate in the present, we are given pieces of a horrible tragedy that laid the foundation for the future.
"When does a coincidence become more than a coincidence . . . "
Throughout the story, there is plenty of action, carnage, and gore--along with the ordinary evil humans are capable of. Yet what really kept me glued to this novel were the characters. Each individual featured had a complete history, backstory, and "personal outlook". The beauty of this is that the author doesn't need to single out and "tell" us each and every detail. We are shown some outright, others through the thoughts of different characters, and even more that we are able to simply deduce for ourselves. The fact that I felt I intimately knew the people in this book helped develop a bond of a sort, one that kept me glued to the pages, reluctant to put it down for any length of time.
When a reader "connects" with characters, the book becomes that much stronger, and compelling to them. The smallest details of a personality can make a huge impact in how caught up in the book you become, and in how much you are able to suspend disbelief in the face of illogical happenings.
"I think that place is evil. The kind of evil that doesn't stay put, the kind that will follow you home . . . "
At one point, I became more invested in the characters from the past than the ones in the present.
"It is very difficult to forgive someone who has never apologized, who doesn't realize forgiveness is required . . . "
When I look back at this story as a whole, my overall impression is one of complete perfection in all of the areas I consider essential for a book to be able to mentally "take me away from reality" while I'm reading it. The characters felt REAL. Those that were meant to illicit sympathy did, and those who were meant to be disliked, were. The atmosphere--both in the present scene and past flashbacks--fully conveyed the terror it was supposed to. Additionally, the historical fiction aspect gave me an entirely new level to digest, and quite a bit to think about afterwards. This was a fictional story with so much depth to it, that you could easily feel parts of it were real. I didn't even try to guess where things were headed, I just went along with the words the entire way.
"The tree. They never should have touched that tree."
Highest recommendation.
**Releasing 10/24/19 !**
https://amzn.to/2NaLcgO
We begin with two couples on their way to a weekend camping trip. In the case of one, Reese is planning on breaking things off with his girlfriend in the near future. The banter was exactly what you would expect to hear from any small group on this type of trip, making for realistic characters right from the start. There's even some sarcasm and "internal" insults that add to this effect.
". . . Once upon a time, I'd thought she was pretty. Then I'd gotten to know her."
Warning bells started going off in my mind as soon as they reached the empty campground. The descriptions and observations made me feel as though I was physically there--and wishing very much that I could be anywhere else!
". . . Something in these woods was malevolent, and it didn't want them here . . ."
From then on, the action and horror ramp up, and never really stop once it begins. Moncrieff does a fantastic job of giving the readers different perspectives throughout the novel. We see things through the mind of Clear Springs Police Detective, Maria Greyeyes--a Native American who believes in the tangible world around her, and not old superstitions.
". . . There was enough tangible evil in her world without chasing boogeymen."
Then there's the nearby Reservation, whose residents don't trust any outsiders--including Maria--and the police force in general.
"You're not welcome here."
The campground in question is a place the Native Americans shun, and one the government tries to push as belonging to the Reservation--neither side wanting ownership of it.
". . . This place was wrong. It was damaged, somehow . . . "
We are taken between the present situation unfolding, and flashbacks to the past of the Indian Reservation. This is a tactic that, admittedly, doesn't always work for me, personally. However, in this instance, the way that it unfolded seemed to merge into the novel seamlessly. While things continued to accelerate in the present, we are given pieces of a horrible tragedy that laid the foundation for the future.
"When does a coincidence become more than a coincidence . . . "
Throughout the story, there is plenty of action, carnage, and gore--along with the ordinary evil humans are capable of. Yet what really kept me glued to this novel were the characters. Each individual featured had a complete history, backstory, and "personal outlook". The beauty of this is that the author doesn't need to single out and "tell" us each and every detail. We are shown some outright, others through the thoughts of different characters, and even more that we are able to simply deduce for ourselves. The fact that I felt I intimately knew the people in this book helped develop a bond of a sort, one that kept me glued to the pages, reluctant to put it down for any length of time.
When a reader "connects" with characters, the book becomes that much stronger, and compelling to them. The smallest details of a personality can make a huge impact in how caught up in the book you become, and in how much you are able to suspend disbelief in the face of illogical happenings.
"I think that place is evil. The kind of evil that doesn't stay put, the kind that will follow you home . . . "
At one point, I became more invested in the characters from the past than the ones in the present.
"It is very difficult to forgive someone who has never apologized, who doesn't realize forgiveness is required . . . "
When I look back at this story as a whole, my overall impression is one of complete perfection in all of the areas I consider essential for a book to be able to mentally "take me away from reality" while I'm reading it. The characters felt REAL. Those that were meant to illicit sympathy did, and those who were meant to be disliked, were. The atmosphere--both in the present scene and past flashbacks--fully conveyed the terror it was supposed to. Additionally, the historical fiction aspect gave me an entirely new level to digest, and quite a bit to think about afterwards. This was a fictional story with so much depth to it, that you could easily feel parts of it were real. I didn't even try to guess where things were headed, I just went along with the words the entire way.
"The tree. They never should have touched that tree."
Highest recommendation.
**Releasing 10/24/19 !**
https://amzn.to/2NaLcgO
March 4, 2025
Heard of a Wendigo?...
THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE
by J.H. Moncrief
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. Reese, his girlfriend, and another couple break into a campground one night.
In a cursed bit of forest...
While chopping branches off one of the trees for firewood, Reese unknowingly unleashes an evil entity that lives in the tree...
Heard of the Wendigo?
It is the spirit of a bad person with a taste for human flesh...
When Reese wakes up in his tent the next morning, he is the only survivor of the ill-fated camping trip...
He is arrested by police officer Maria, who is a hard-boiled cop wearing the pants in her family as well as at her office...
Meanwhile...
On a nearby Indian reservation, the tribal chief, who likes his books and slim-fit designer jeans, is beginning to suspect a Wendigo is at large...
At times, this story was confusing and unrealistic. The author went overboard writing the tough female cop as excessively hard-boiled.
THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE
by J.H. Moncrief
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. Reese, his girlfriend, and another couple break into a campground one night.
In a cursed bit of forest...
While chopping branches off one of the trees for firewood, Reese unknowingly unleashes an evil entity that lives in the tree...
Heard of the Wendigo?
It is the spirit of a bad person with a taste for human flesh...
When Reese wakes up in his tent the next morning, he is the only survivor of the ill-fated camping trip...
He is arrested by police officer Maria, who is a hard-boiled cop wearing the pants in her family as well as at her office...
Meanwhile...
On a nearby Indian reservation, the tribal chief, who likes his books and slim-fit designer jeans, is beginning to suspect a Wendigo is at large...
At times, this story was confusing and unrealistic. The author went overboard writing the tough female cop as excessively hard-boiled.
November 6, 2019
Although I appreciated the Native American folklore (fiction I assume) that was included, I would not have marketed this as a horror novel.
The book transitioned between visions of the past with the present crime scenes. These parts were not separated well so I caught myself have to double check who the narrator was each chapter. I enjoyed the cast of characters from the "lost tribe" much more than the present ones... I would definitely read more about those people.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The book transitioned between visions of the past with the present crime scenes. These parts were not separated well so I caught myself have to double check who the narrator was each chapter. I enjoyed the cast of characters from the "lost tribe" much more than the present ones... I would definitely read more about those people.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 7, 2020
Mark your annual calendars for July 4th and type or write in, "Flame Tree Press Annual Book Sale". This is the second time I have taken advantage of this yearly sale; picking up several hardcover books for $5.00 each. In this book haul: THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE by J. H. Moncrieff.
This book begins with a familiar horror trope: A camping trip goes horribly wrong when a small group of friends is stalked, hunted, and brutally murdered one by one. But then the story begins to take on some originality, carving a new path towards genre-blending a creature feature with a supernatural thriller--almost on par with King's THE OUTSIDER. There are a lot of similarities in the sense that there is a strong procedural crime/investigation element mixed with the unexplained. Reminded me a bit of X-Files as well.
The lone survivor of the massacre at Strong Lake, Reese Wallace, is a suspect. He seems to have experienced something in the woods that nobody can make sense of except one detective, Maria Greyeyes, feels strongly that his unbelievable story is worth checking out.
Maria is Native American but has a strong belief in facts over folklore. She ventures out to the scene of the crime and uncovers more than just clues to finding the monster responsible for the murders but artifacts from "The Lost Tribe".
I absolutely loved the way Moncrieff carried readers through dual narratives: The present and the past. The flashback stories were utterly captivating and I found myself investing in that tale so hard, I would feel disappointed when the next chapter was in the present timeline, but then as soon as I picked up where we left off, I was immediately sucked back into those characters as well so hats off to the author for balancing two stories effectively.
*heart check: I felt a check in my spirit while I was reading and began to wonder about stereotypes and authenticity. I wasn't sure but this little red flag to cause me to sit up a little straighter and pay attention since this book was not marketed as #OwnVoices and I've been extremely sensitive about indigenous representation in fiction lately. So I decided to reach out to the author and ask about the process for writing this story--her response is amazing and informative. You can find it on the Night Worms blog here:
https://nightworms.com/blogs/news/boo...
This book definitely captured my attention and I'll be reading more from this author. I love the way she built a solid mystery and wove two timelines in together, ultimately folding the past into the present, seamlessly. I'm a huge fan of genre-blending suspense thrillers and horror and this supernatural, creature-feature is gory and brutal enough to satisfy horror buffs but meaty enough to entertain thriller lovers. I did dock it a star for the heart check but feel confident that my uncertainties were answered well.
This book begins with a familiar horror trope: A camping trip goes horribly wrong when a small group of friends is stalked, hunted, and brutally murdered one by one. But then the story begins to take on some originality, carving a new path towards genre-blending a creature feature with a supernatural thriller--almost on par with King's THE OUTSIDER. There are a lot of similarities in the sense that there is a strong procedural crime/investigation element mixed with the unexplained. Reminded me a bit of X-Files as well.
The lone survivor of the massacre at Strong Lake, Reese Wallace, is a suspect. He seems to have experienced something in the woods that nobody can make sense of except one detective, Maria Greyeyes, feels strongly that his unbelievable story is worth checking out.
Maria is Native American but has a strong belief in facts over folklore. She ventures out to the scene of the crime and uncovers more than just clues to finding the monster responsible for the murders but artifacts from "The Lost Tribe".
I absolutely loved the way Moncrieff carried readers through dual narratives: The present and the past. The flashback stories were utterly captivating and I found myself investing in that tale so hard, I would feel disappointed when the next chapter was in the present timeline, but then as soon as I picked up where we left off, I was immediately sucked back into those characters as well so hats off to the author for balancing two stories effectively.
*heart check: I felt a check in my spirit while I was reading and began to wonder about stereotypes and authenticity. I wasn't sure but this little red flag to cause me to sit up a little straighter and pay attention since this book was not marketed as #OwnVoices and I've been extremely sensitive about indigenous representation in fiction lately. So I decided to reach out to the author and ask about the process for writing this story--her response is amazing and informative. You can find it on the Night Worms blog here:
https://nightworms.com/blogs/news/boo...
This book definitely captured my attention and I'll be reading more from this author. I love the way she built a solid mystery and wove two timelines in together, ultimately folding the past into the present, seamlessly. I'm a huge fan of genre-blending suspense thrillers and horror and this supernatural, creature-feature is gory and brutal enough to satisfy horror buffs but meaty enough to entertain thriller lovers. I did dock it a star for the heart check but feel confident that my uncertainties were answered well.
October 28, 2019
This book is an awesome blend of several genres I enjoy -- horror, crime procedural/investigation, and sci-fi -- with a splash of historical fiction and cryptozoological/monster folklore goodness thrown in for strong flavor.
When Reese goes camping with friends, he has no idea that he will be the only one to leave Strong Lake alive. His friends are brutally murdered. What saved him? A strange voice telling him to leave and a weird burned tree. Yeah -- the detective investigating the mass killing doesn't really buy that story either. Until she hears the voice herself.
This story features one of my favorite monsters from Native American Folklore.....the Wendigo. As the story unfolds, it jumps back and forth from modern time to the colonial era. Usually I don't really care for repeated time jumps....but for this story it worked. The tale of a indigenous people persecuted and killed by European settlers mixed well with the modern storyline, giving it context.
This is a horror story -- the death scenes are gory and gruesome. The Wendigo is not a quiet, well-controlled killer. There is lots of ripping and spewing blood. Be forewarned. If you don't like slashy scream fests with a great story -- then you might want to avoid this one. The story is solid....it isn't just about gore. But the gore is there.
Very entertaining, creepy read! I thoroughly enjoyed it! This is the first book by J.H. Moncrieff that I've read. Definitely reading more of her work! I've already added Return to Dyatlov Pass to my TBR list....and she has so many other titles that sound so good! :)
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
When Reese goes camping with friends, he has no idea that he will be the only one to leave Strong Lake alive. His friends are brutally murdered. What saved him? A strange voice telling him to leave and a weird burned tree. Yeah -- the detective investigating the mass killing doesn't really buy that story either. Until she hears the voice herself.
This story features one of my favorite monsters from Native American Folklore.....the Wendigo. As the story unfolds, it jumps back and forth from modern time to the colonial era. Usually I don't really care for repeated time jumps....but for this story it worked. The tale of a indigenous people persecuted and killed by European settlers mixed well with the modern storyline, giving it context.
This is a horror story -- the death scenes are gory and gruesome. The Wendigo is not a quiet, well-controlled killer. There is lots of ripping and spewing blood. Be forewarned. If you don't like slashy scream fests with a great story -- then you might want to avoid this one. The story is solid....it isn't just about gore. But the gore is there.
Very entertaining, creepy read! I thoroughly enjoyed it! This is the first book by J.H. Moncrieff that I've read. Definitely reading more of her work! I've already added Return to Dyatlov Pass to my TBR list....and she has so many other titles that sound so good! :)
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
June 18, 2019
This is the perfect horror story to take on a camping trip! Although I'm not sure I'd actually be able to sleep out in a tent if I started reading this while I was out there. I'd probably hightail it home the first chance I got. It's all about the Native American mythological figure-the Wendigo and a camping trip from your worst nightmare. If you're not as chicken as I am you should definitely read this around a campfire!
*I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
*I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
June 12, 2019
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
“This land is your land, This land is my land,
This land was made for you and me.”
Throughout this read, these two lines and most of the ‘This Land is Your Land,’ song played throughout my head. Originally written by Woody Guthrie, this was a rebuttal at the time to the frequent playing/airing of ‘God Bless America.’
Whether J.H. Moncrieff had this tune in the back of her mind while writing this story isn’t known, but the lyrics (and in my case the modified Canadian lyrics I grew up hearing) were synonymous with what played out.
Let’s get into the meat and potatoes of ‘Those Who Came Before,’ shall we?
Strong Lake.
Reece, his girlfriend Jess as well as her friend Kira and boyfriend Dan, head to Strong Lake to go camping during the long weekend. Unfortunately the campground is closed, but that doesn’t stop them. They bust in, find a site and decide to have some fun. A discovery of an odd tree begins a horrific story and a sprint through Native American lore. Then after the other three go to bed, Reece hears a voice, so close you’d think it was directly behind him; “You’re not welcome here.”
J.H. Moncrieff has returned with a stunning, new tale of supernatural horror wrapped in a small town’s history of bigotry and racism.
“As I went walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway;
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.”
I became a huge fan of J.H.’s previous work, loving ‘Return to Dyatlov Pass,’ ‘The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave,’ and most recently ‘Monsters In Our Wake.’ J.H. creates startling tales filled with characters that feel real. I love how much depth she gives even to the smallest of characters and in this story that character building shines. Sometimes to the detriment of the reader. In this case, I really couldn’t stand Reece at the beginning. He comes off as uncaring towards his girlfriend and simply staying with her because they have great sex. Same with Detective Greyeyes husband, Ben. Couldn’t stand the character. I didn’t like how flippant he felt towards their marriage or towards Greyeyes job. If you’ve married a professional athlete, you know what to expect. Same with a police officer or detective. I’d like to believe Moncrieff made those two like this purposefully, but as it played out they did their jobs effectively.
“I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps,
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
While all around me a voice was sounding,
Saying this land was made for you and me.”
The real gem of this story is the Native American folklore that this story is based on. The forgotten tribe and the story behind them was fantastic. I enjoyed learning more and more about Little Dove, Lone Wolf and then Little Bear. As we found out more about what became of them as well as the connection to the modern day portion of the story, it was really well done. The present day Chief, Kinew was a great character and Moncrieff used his storyline to the absolute limit, pushing how he interacted with Maria and then with Reece to the max and it created a great push and pull dynamic.
By adding in the arrowhead and the visions associated with it, it was a fantastic way to connect the two time lines.
Moncrieff also does a great job working in historical facts. One of the most hideous things that has come to light over the course of indigenous history is the introduction of small pox through infected blankest given as gifts. This is a book that will make you do some research after you are done reading. For me it was done before and during, due to a book release on my end, but also wanting to do some due diligence of my own. One of the most shocking statistics I found, which J.H. herself relays in the afterword, is that the last residential school in Canada closed in 1996. I always thought this was something that only occurred back in the 60’s and 70’s. How wrong was I?
“The sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling;
As the fog was lifting, a voice was chanting,
This land was made for you and me.”
Of course, no Native American tale like this wouldn’t be complete without the usage of a demon from their tales, and in this case the Wendigo is paramount. There was a reason for Reece going through a transformation throughout this story and with it the use of the Wendigo was a great way to create a monster that is able to move through the forests at will, but also can think and react as a human does.
Recently, when watching the movie The Ritual, based on Adam Nevill’s book (which I still have to read) the ‘monster’ character that was featured was outstanding. Moncrieff, with the description used to introduce us to the Wendigo has created a creature to rival Nevill’s. I would absolutely love to see this story be told on the big screen.
At the end of all of this, the climax and the epilogue were outstanding ways to tie it all together. Moncrieff absolutely delivers on the bigotry narrative, the interpersonal dynamics that occur between Native people working a ‘Caucasian’ job who have to then interact with Native’s. Reece’s parents were done well as were a few others, who I won’t describe to avoid spoilers. But from page one to THE END this book delivers time and time again.
Moncrieff continues to elevate her writing game and I hope this book takes everything to the next deserved level. She dedicates this book to Tina Fontaine and the book unravels from there. I’ve included a few links at the end here if you’re interested in reading a bit more on a few things alluded too throughout. At the end of the day, we need to do more and we need to be better.
While Moncrieff has already released a number of outstanding works (I still need to read The Ghost Writer series) this is her masterpiece. In this case though, I have no doubt Moncrieff will continue to churn out stunning releases. She’ one of the BEST authors out there.
“This land is your land, This land is my land,
This land was made for you and me.”
Throughout this read, these two lines and most of the ‘This Land is Your Land,’ song played throughout my head. Originally written by Woody Guthrie, this was a rebuttal at the time to the frequent playing/airing of ‘God Bless America.’
Whether J.H. Moncrieff had this tune in the back of her mind while writing this story isn’t known, but the lyrics (and in my case the modified Canadian lyrics I grew up hearing) were synonymous with what played out.
Let’s get into the meat and potatoes of ‘Those Who Came Before,’ shall we?
Strong Lake.
Reece, his girlfriend Jess as well as her friend Kira and boyfriend Dan, head to Strong Lake to go camping during the long weekend. Unfortunately the campground is closed, but that doesn’t stop them. They bust in, find a site and decide to have some fun. A discovery of an odd tree begins a horrific story and a sprint through Native American lore. Then after the other three go to bed, Reece hears a voice, so close you’d think it was directly behind him; “You’re not welcome here.”
J.H. Moncrieff has returned with a stunning, new tale of supernatural horror wrapped in a small town’s history of bigotry and racism.
“As I went walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway;
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.”
I became a huge fan of J.H.’s previous work, loving ‘Return to Dyatlov Pass,’ ‘The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave,’ and most recently ‘Monsters In Our Wake.’ J.H. creates startling tales filled with characters that feel real. I love how much depth she gives even to the smallest of characters and in this story that character building shines. Sometimes to the detriment of the reader. In this case, I really couldn’t stand Reece at the beginning. He comes off as uncaring towards his girlfriend and simply staying with her because they have great sex. Same with Detective Greyeyes husband, Ben. Couldn’t stand the character. I didn’t like how flippant he felt towards their marriage or towards Greyeyes job. If you’ve married a professional athlete, you know what to expect. Same with a police officer or detective. I’d like to believe Moncrieff made those two like this purposefully, but as it played out they did their jobs effectively.
“I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps,
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
While all around me a voice was sounding,
Saying this land was made for you and me.”
The real gem of this story is the Native American folklore that this story is based on. The forgotten tribe and the story behind them was fantastic. I enjoyed learning more and more about Little Dove, Lone Wolf and then Little Bear. As we found out more about what became of them as well as the connection to the modern day portion of the story, it was really well done. The present day Chief, Kinew was a great character and Moncrieff used his storyline to the absolute limit, pushing how he interacted with Maria and then with Reece to the max and it created a great push and pull dynamic.
By adding in the arrowhead and the visions associated with it, it was a fantastic way to connect the two time lines.
Moncrieff also does a great job working in historical facts. One of the most hideous things that has come to light over the course of indigenous history is the introduction of small pox through infected blankest given as gifts. This is a book that will make you do some research after you are done reading. For me it was done before and during, due to a book release on my end, but also wanting to do some due diligence of my own. One of the most shocking statistics I found, which J.H. herself relays in the afterword, is that the last residential school in Canada closed in 1996. I always thought this was something that only occurred back in the 60’s and 70’s. How wrong was I?
“The sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling;
As the fog was lifting, a voice was chanting,
This land was made for you and me.”
Of course, no Native American tale like this wouldn’t be complete without the usage of a demon from their tales, and in this case the Wendigo is paramount. There was a reason for Reece going through a transformation throughout this story and with it the use of the Wendigo was a great way to create a monster that is able to move through the forests at will, but also can think and react as a human does.
Recently, when watching the movie The Ritual, based on Adam Nevill’s book (which I still have to read) the ‘monster’ character that was featured was outstanding. Moncrieff, with the description used to introduce us to the Wendigo has created a creature to rival Nevill’s. I would absolutely love to see this story be told on the big screen.
At the end of all of this, the climax and the epilogue were outstanding ways to tie it all together. Moncrieff absolutely delivers on the bigotry narrative, the interpersonal dynamics that occur between Native people working a ‘Caucasian’ job who have to then interact with Native’s. Reece’s parents were done well as were a few others, who I won’t describe to avoid spoilers. But from page one to THE END this book delivers time and time again.
Moncrieff continues to elevate her writing game and I hope this book takes everything to the next deserved level. She dedicates this book to Tina Fontaine and the book unravels from there. I’ve included a few links at the end here if you’re interested in reading a bit more on a few things alluded too throughout. At the end of the day, we need to do more and we need to be better.
While Moncrieff has already released a number of outstanding works (I still need to read The Ghost Writer series) this is her masterpiece. In this case though, I have no doubt Moncrieff will continue to churn out stunning releases. She’ one of the BEST authors out there.
June 13, 2019
A new favorite book for me. Loved the mythology in this book. Loved the wilderness storyline. Great horror novel by an author I hope to read more of. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
November 1, 2019
Two couples prepare to spend the weekend in a cursed campground. Only one young man survives the slaughter that first night.
The events that follow reveal the mystery of what happened to the first Native Americans who disappeared from this land so many years ago. The author does a brilliant job of weaving together a story of historical fiction, Native American folklore and supernatural horror with a dark and ominous atmosphere. We would all do well to remember those who came before.
I received an advance copy for review.
The events that follow reveal the mystery of what happened to the first Native Americans who disappeared from this land so many years ago. The author does a brilliant job of weaving together a story of historical fiction, Native American folklore and supernatural horror with a dark and ominous atmosphere. We would all do well to remember those who came before.
I received an advance copy for review.
June 19, 2019
This book intrigued me after reading the reviews of several trusted Goodreads' friends. One of them mentioned getting it from NetGalley and that is where I found it. Genre is paranormal horror, written in current time, and based on the folklore of the wendigo. [According to Wikipedia (The wendigo is part of the traditional belief system of a number of Algonquin-speaking peoples, including the Ojibwe, the Saulteaux, the Cree, the Naskapi, and the Innu people.)] Main characters are a recently graduated college student, a homicide detective, and a reservation chief.
J. H. Moncrieff's style of writing is realistic, easy, and so enjoyable I finished the book in a day. Book includes the ugly pieces of history, the terrible treatment of indigenous people by settlers; even the effort to wipe them out by spreading disease.
Loved this book and am searching for other books written by this author. Book is really written well and does not have any of my pet peeves that spoil a book for me. There are a couple incidence where the author repeats a thought using the exact same phrase but I'm hoping that will be edited by publication date. I'd recommend this to anyone that likes a bit of PG-gore and loves a good paranormal tale.
J. H. Moncrieff's style of writing is realistic, easy, and so enjoyable I finished the book in a day. Book includes the ugly pieces of history, the terrible treatment of indigenous people by settlers; even the effort to wipe them out by spreading disease.
Loved this book and am searching for other books written by this author. Book is really written well and does not have any of my pet peeves that spoil a book for me. There are a couple incidence where the author repeats a thought using the exact same phrase but I'm hoping that will be edited by publication date. I'd recommend this to anyone that likes a bit of PG-gore and loves a good paranormal tale.
February 5, 2020
Wow! One of my favorite books that I read last year was The Outsider, by you know who. The first half of that book was fantastic, but the second half kind of fizzled for me. I still very much enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it, but...
I liked this book better! It has some very loose comparison points to The Outsider (and fans of that book would likely very much enjoy this one), but it is in every way its own, unique story. I only mention the other book because it should have taken a second half like Moncrieff's did. Instead of slowing the suspense and action, Moncrieff slams down the gas pedal, continuously building to an exhilarating conclusion. Part murder mystery and part supernatural horror, Those Who Came Before was exactly what I needed to read.
5 Stars, and highly recommended!
I liked this book better! It has some very loose comparison points to The Outsider (and fans of that book would likely very much enjoy this one), but it is in every way its own, unique story. I only mention the other book because it should have taken a second half like Moncrieff's did. Instead of slowing the suspense and action, Moncrieff slams down the gas pedal, continuously building to an exhilarating conclusion. Part murder mystery and part supernatural horror, Those Who Came Before was exactly what I needed to read.
5 Stars, and highly recommended!
November 4, 2019
Always been a sucker for horror at camps and this one does not disappoint. When two couples find themselves illegally on a closed camp site, all hell soon breaks loose. When one survivor fails to recall what had happened it's up to this woman detective to put the pieces back together. That in a nutshell is the premise of this horror novel. Clear narrative, a lot of spooky moments, and a fast-paced rhythm that makes you read nonstop. I will definitely check this author out once again.
October 7, 2025
People are dying at Strong Lake, and the worst is yet to come. An idyllic weekend camping trip is cut short when Reese Wallace s friends are brutally murdered. As the group's only survivor, Reese is the prime suspect, and his story doesn't make much sense. A disembodied voice warning him to leave the campground the night before? A strange, blackened tree that gave him an electric shock when he cut it down for firewood? Detective Grey Eyes isn't having any of it until she hears the voice herself and finds an arrowhead at the crime scene and an arrowhead, she can't get rid of.
This was my first time reading something by this author, but I will be looking into reading more!
There's been a horrific slaughter of three people at a campground with only one survivor, Reese, who of course is going to be the center of attention because the question is how did he survive? Reese's girlfriend was one of the ones that was killed, and so of course he is going to be the prime suspect. Detective Greyeyes didn't really believe that he had anything to do with it... but then, she can't be sure.
It really made no sense, but one of the old men that ended up in the drunk tank, Crazy Horse, and tells the detective what he believes is happening and that again... she needs to talk to Chief Kinew. She's not sure that she believes most of what the old man tells her but when she was out at the campgrounds, she could feel that something was very much off.
The Chief doesn't want anything to do with the camp because he says it's "tainted ground", he wouldn't even talk to her in his office for fear of bringing the negative thing into it. He finally tells her, but of course she doesn't believe him...it's just to outlandish. He says it's some kind of supernatural thing that is killing people. He also tells her all the things that the tribe has kept a record of and that this isn't the first time the land has killed.
More some strange things start to happen and the detective as well as Reese and more people at the campground are being slaughtered. The detective has to sort things out fast even if she doesn't want to believe in the folklore of her own ancestors.
I danced around what exactly it was at the campgrounds as I don't want to spoil the tale for you...but it is based on actual Native American folklore, and I found it interesting, since I haven't read much about this and there are many Native American legends, some that are more or less just stories but others just as strange, that are based in some truth. Who's to say what is or isn't real? If you want to read this book, please be aware that it was in parts, on the gory side at times.
I can't say that I was a huge fan of Reese, but I did really like the detective, Maria Grey Eyes. I also really liked Crazy Horse...he was really funny at times. The ending left me a little confused because of something that I'm not at all a fan of...open endings. I'm okay with them when I know there will be another book in the series. I did find that this book follows this author's first book of a story that is based on a massacre that supposedly happened at Dyatlov Pass in Russia in 1959. This ending just leaves you wondering and with some unanswered questions. Overall, I enjoyed it. If you're a fan of, or just love horror with supernatural elements, then you would probably like this one.
I'm going to explore a few more to try to determine if the books are fiction based on reality or just simply good horror tales.
This was my first time reading something by this author, but I will be looking into reading more!
There's been a horrific slaughter of three people at a campground with only one survivor, Reese, who of course is going to be the center of attention because the question is how did he survive? Reese's girlfriend was one of the ones that was killed, and so of course he is going to be the prime suspect. Detective Greyeyes didn't really believe that he had anything to do with it... but then, she can't be sure.
It really made no sense, but one of the old men that ended up in the drunk tank, Crazy Horse, and tells the detective what he believes is happening and that again... she needs to talk to Chief Kinew. She's not sure that she believes most of what the old man tells her but when she was out at the campgrounds, she could feel that something was very much off.
The Chief doesn't want anything to do with the camp because he says it's "tainted ground", he wouldn't even talk to her in his office for fear of bringing the negative thing into it. He finally tells her, but of course she doesn't believe him...it's just to outlandish. He says it's some kind of supernatural thing that is killing people. He also tells her all the things that the tribe has kept a record of and that this isn't the first time the land has killed.
More some strange things start to happen and the detective as well as Reese and more people at the campground are being slaughtered. The detective has to sort things out fast even if she doesn't want to believe in the folklore of her own ancestors.
I danced around what exactly it was at the campgrounds as I don't want to spoil the tale for you...but it is based on actual Native American folklore, and I found it interesting, since I haven't read much about this and there are many Native American legends, some that are more or less just stories but others just as strange, that are based in some truth. Who's to say what is or isn't real? If you want to read this book, please be aware that it was in parts, on the gory side at times.
I can't say that I was a huge fan of Reese, but I did really like the detective, Maria Grey Eyes. I also really liked Crazy Horse...he was really funny at times. The ending left me a little confused because of something that I'm not at all a fan of...open endings. I'm okay with them when I know there will be another book in the series. I did find that this book follows this author's first book of a story that is based on a massacre that supposedly happened at Dyatlov Pass in Russia in 1959. This ending just leaves you wondering and with some unanswered questions. Overall, I enjoyed it. If you're a fan of, or just love horror with supernatural elements, then you would probably like this one.
I'm going to explore a few more to try to determine if the books are fiction based on reality or just simply good horror tales.
November 1, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Flame Tree for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Those Who Came Before
By: J.H. Moncrieff
*REVIEW* 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I'm new to the author, and I like what I've read so far with Those Who Came Before. This story is dark and sinister and haunting. Native folklore is deeply rooted and authentic within the story. Imagine a killer demon at a campground, and you are the only survivor. Reese sounds like a crazy person, and no-one believes him-until the lead detective has an experience that changes her mind. The story is told from multiple points of view in different time periods. It's original and engrossing. I was fascinated by the entire story. It's a terrible twisted tale of the horrors of the past manifesting in the present in a shocking way, and I never want to go camping.
Those Who Came Before
By: J.H. Moncrieff
*REVIEW* 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I'm new to the author, and I like what I've read so far with Those Who Came Before. This story is dark and sinister and haunting. Native folklore is deeply rooted and authentic within the story. Imagine a killer demon at a campground, and you are the only survivor. Reese sounds like a crazy person, and no-one believes him-until the lead detective has an experience that changes her mind. The story is told from multiple points of view in different time periods. It's original and engrossing. I was fascinated by the entire story. It's a terrible twisted tale of the horrors of the past manifesting in the present in a shocking way, and I never want to go camping.
June 10, 2019
THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE is an extraordinary novel of paranormal horror, based on Native American mythology and grounded in ugly historical fact. Seen through the perspective of a new University graduate and a Native American homicide detective, the novel also interweaves visions which clarify past history of both the indigenous tribe and of the onslaught of European settlers. A tremendously engrossing novel with a deep emotional impact, this is non-stop reading.
November 30, 2019
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.*
J.H. Moncrief blends the supernatural, historical, political, and folklore genres of the Native American people to create a gruesome and enjoyable read, with some lessons learned along the way. The Ones Who Came Before is a campfire story gone horrifically wrong, and we have no one to blame but ourselves for the bloody aftermath.
An idyllic camping trip goes horribly wrong for Reese and his friends. When he becomes the lone survivor of a brutal attack, killing his friends, he also becomes suspect number one, especially since his story makes little to no sense- a disembodied voice warning him to leave the camp? A strange blackened tree that gave Reese an electric shock? Detective Greyeyes isn't believing it, but then she hears a disembodied voice as well and finds an arrowhead at the crime scene that she can't seem to get rid of. Extremely disturbing nightmares of a doomed Native American Tribe who once called the campground home, rumors of cursed land, and a mythical beast begin to plague the detectives thoughts and her doubt in Reese's story begins to diminish.
The Ones Who Came Before is a cautionary tale I'm seeing more and more of, and glad of it. The book has strong themes of bigotry and racism towards Native Americans- a subject that needs to be brought to the forefront and I praise Moncrief for doing so. This book shows the ugly history and horrific treatment of our indigenous people, not just historically, but currently, and we're shown some of the hardships they continue to endure. Growing up in a part of the country where Native culture is prevalent, I'm very passionate about this subject and I can be a harsh critic when it comes to stories written around Native culture. But this one didn't disappoint in the least! The depiction of Native Americans as a people and the lore surrounding certain tribes was incredibly well done. The tribe and the lore were grounded solidly in historical facts and tradition. The entire subject was definitely well researched and it showed, particularly in the character of Kinew. What a fantastic character! And his story line created a great dynamic within the story itself- especially his interactions with Reese. The visions the Detective had and the arrowhead were great building blocks connecting the past and the present.
I loved the history that was woven into the story! It was accurate- at least to my knowledge and needed to be, to successfully pull of this tale rich in Native culture. When I realized that this story was going to be written around Native lore, I immediately thought of the Wendigo, and I was so
pumped to be right! *BTW- this is not a spoiler.* The Wendigo is a fascinating creature among Native legends and is somewhat different depending on the tribe and the different parts of the country the tribes reside. Usually described as half man and half demon in some type of animal form, the different variations gave Moncrief some wiggle room to create her own Wendigo, and I have to say, she definitely did the creature justice!
My only complaint was the characterization. It was well done and the characters had depth, but none of the characters besides Kinew were likable to me. This might have been done on purpose, however it's a crap shoot due to the ability of the reader to stay invested in a story where you don't care what happens to most of the main characters.
Those Who Came Before by J.H. Moncrief is a fascinating horror story on different levels. It depicts the two different monsters in this world. The monsters who act like humans and the humans who act like monsters. It's hard to tell which is which and the jury is still out on which is worse. Sometimes reality is more terrifying than a scary campfire tale any of us can dream up. And Moncrief proves it.
J.H. Moncrief blends the supernatural, historical, political, and folklore genres of the Native American people to create a gruesome and enjoyable read, with some lessons learned along the way. The Ones Who Came Before is a campfire story gone horrifically wrong, and we have no one to blame but ourselves for the bloody aftermath.
An idyllic camping trip goes horribly wrong for Reese and his friends. When he becomes the lone survivor of a brutal attack, killing his friends, he also becomes suspect number one, especially since his story makes little to no sense- a disembodied voice warning him to leave the camp? A strange blackened tree that gave Reese an electric shock? Detective Greyeyes isn't believing it, but then she hears a disembodied voice as well and finds an arrowhead at the crime scene that she can't seem to get rid of. Extremely disturbing nightmares of a doomed Native American Tribe who once called the campground home, rumors of cursed land, and a mythical beast begin to plague the detectives thoughts and her doubt in Reese's story begins to diminish.
The Ones Who Came Before is a cautionary tale I'm seeing more and more of, and glad of it. The book has strong themes of bigotry and racism towards Native Americans- a subject that needs to be brought to the forefront and I praise Moncrief for doing so. This book shows the ugly history and horrific treatment of our indigenous people, not just historically, but currently, and we're shown some of the hardships they continue to endure. Growing up in a part of the country where Native culture is prevalent, I'm very passionate about this subject and I can be a harsh critic when it comes to stories written around Native culture. But this one didn't disappoint in the least! The depiction of Native Americans as a people and the lore surrounding certain tribes was incredibly well done. The tribe and the lore were grounded solidly in historical facts and tradition. The entire subject was definitely well researched and it showed, particularly in the character of Kinew. What a fantastic character! And his story line created a great dynamic within the story itself- especially his interactions with Reese. The visions the Detective had and the arrowhead were great building blocks connecting the past and the present.
I loved the history that was woven into the story! It was accurate- at least to my knowledge and needed to be, to successfully pull of this tale rich in Native culture. When I realized that this story was going to be written around Native lore, I immediately thought of the Wendigo, and I was so
pumped to be right! *BTW- this is not a spoiler.* The Wendigo is a fascinating creature among Native legends and is somewhat different depending on the tribe and the different parts of the country the tribes reside. Usually described as half man and half demon in some type of animal form, the different variations gave Moncrief some wiggle room to create her own Wendigo, and I have to say, she definitely did the creature justice!
My only complaint was the characterization. It was well done and the characters had depth, but none of the characters besides Kinew were likable to me. This might have been done on purpose, however it's a crap shoot due to the ability of the reader to stay invested in a story where you don't care what happens to most of the main characters.
Those Who Came Before by J.H. Moncrief is a fascinating horror story on different levels. It depicts the two different monsters in this world. The monsters who act like humans and the humans who act like monsters. It's hard to tell which is which and the jury is still out on which is worse. Sometimes reality is more terrifying than a scary campfire tale any of us can dream up. And Moncrief proves it.
November 29, 2021
I actually enjoyed the crap out of this book! I understand that it's a wee bit mad, but for me the wendigo makes sense. It always has. I grew up around reservations. My best friends from 2nd to 10th grade were native Americans. I learned the gosh awful truth, not in school, but from Penny's mom. She was my bestie from 7th to 10th. Then, she got stupid, and decided to get married! Idiot! This book was not everything I look for in a wendigo story. It's just a fact that I'm a bit sniffy when it comes to these type of tales. Still, J.H. Moncrieff did one hell of a job. I must admit that I hated the ending. Still, it was an end. I'm someone who wants the story from the victims, murderers, and everyone in between. I didn't feel much for these people the way I should have. For me, The heart wasn't there. Except for the one who died. Crikey, this may sound like I didn't enjoy this book, but I really did. I just wish the author had gone deeper. My thanks to Flame Tree press, Netgalley and always, the author. One review given and taken. For the price of a measly review. Also, I've never read this author before. But, I will more than likely look them up on Amazon. Yep, I would recommend this.
November 29, 2019
J.H, Moncrieff never disappoints me. I have loved her writing since The Bear Who Wouldn't Leave presented the creepiest panda bear I had ever encountered. Since then, I have journeyed with her all over the world through her stories. Her latest - Those Who Came Before - gripped me from the first page and refused to let go. I love it when that happens -especially as I was suffering a particularly bad bout of insomnia and needed something to keep me entertained through the wakeful night hours. The group of friends set up camp by Strong Lake, but come morning, Reese is the only one left to tell the tale, and a pretty strange one it is too. His friends have all been horrifically butchered and it seems there is only one person who could possibly have committed the atrocities - Reese himself. But Detective Maria Greyeyes has different ideas and she needs to consult her native American heritage to find the answers. The story takes some fascinating turns - back in time to atrocities committed against the indigenous population, through folklore traditions and the terrifying wendigo. Great story, great ending. J.H. Moncrieff delivers!
November 13, 2019
3.5 Rounded up to 4
This was my first J.H Moncrieff read and it did not disappoint! I was a fantastic blend of Horror, Historical Fiction and Crime Thriller with a generous helping of Native American Folklore, this was certainly a book that is right up my street.
The story switches between perspectives from now and flash backs from when the campground was part of the Indian Reservation. I really like this way of telling a story, it gives a really well rounded narrative.
I found the characters to be surprisingly well balanced for short book but felt that this was a plot driven story in any case. The action was non stop from the first page, I was engaged throughout.
The backdrop was eerie and gave plenty creepy imagery with tonnes of descriptive gore. Fabulous!
I would say if you are a fan Folklore Horror, Crime or Historical Fiction this is definitely one to add to the TBR list! As I said this was my first J.H Moncrieff read but I cannot wait to read more from her!
This was my first J.H Moncrieff read and it did not disappoint! I was a fantastic blend of Horror, Historical Fiction and Crime Thriller with a generous helping of Native American Folklore, this was certainly a book that is right up my street.
The story switches between perspectives from now and flash backs from when the campground was part of the Indian Reservation. I really like this way of telling a story, it gives a really well rounded narrative.
I found the characters to be surprisingly well balanced for short book but felt that this was a plot driven story in any case. The action was non stop from the first page, I was engaged throughout.
The backdrop was eerie and gave plenty creepy imagery with tonnes of descriptive gore. Fabulous!
I would say if you are a fan Folklore Horror, Crime or Historical Fiction this is definitely one to add to the TBR list! As I said this was my first J.H Moncrieff read but I cannot wait to read more from her!
January 4, 2020
At first glance, Those Who Came Before seems like typical horror slasher fare. A group of teenagers goes trespassing on a closed campground with complete disregard for rules and an obvious lack of respect for authority. Said teenagers then get slaughtered in a "red mist" kind of way. Not super original right? Except that's not the end of this story. What comes next is not only a deeper look into the Native American folklore of the wendigo but also a brazen look at the socio-political issues that Native Americans faced and continue to face.
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
September 16, 2024
Long lost Native American Tribe puts a curse on the land a campground resides - suspicious deaths ensue.
Quick and addicting Folk Horror read with great characters and expertly built plot lines. Some blood and gore, but nothing the seasoned horror reader can't handle!
Quick and addicting Folk Horror read with great characters and expertly built plot lines. Some blood and gore, but nothing the seasoned horror reader can't handle!
November 3, 2019
This book was sent to me to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
What a ride this book was. I couldn't put it down. It gave me chills and fascinated me at the same time.
A real chilling page turning read not for the light hearted. So glad I chose this to read for halloween.
What a ride this book was. I couldn't put it down. It gave me chills and fascinated me at the same time.
A real chilling page turning read not for the light hearted. So glad I chose this to read for halloween.
November 7, 2019
A weekend camping trip goes horribly wrong for two young couples. Reese Wallace is the lone survivor of the massacre that befell them, which makes him the likely suspect.
Detective Maria Geyeyes is assigned the case and comes to realize she’ll have to set aside her belief in what is real and what is imagined and draw on her Native American heritage to solve it and stay alive.
The story started with the massacre and that quickly pulled me into the story. As the author wove past history with present day, she tightened the grip on my intrigue. And the more I learned about the characters, the more I was invested in their survival.
This is a mystery and a horror story, but also one of what goes around comes around. The past can come back to haunt you.
And the ending. Well, that gave me much to ponder.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
Detective Maria Geyeyes is assigned the case and comes to realize she’ll have to set aside her belief in what is real and what is imagined and draw on her Native American heritage to solve it and stay alive.
The story started with the massacre and that quickly pulled me into the story. As the author wove past history with present day, she tightened the grip on my intrigue. And the more I learned about the characters, the more I was invested in their survival.
This is a mystery and a horror story, but also one of what goes around comes around. The past can come back to haunt you.
And the ending. Well, that gave me much to ponder.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
February 11, 2020
Another tour de force in terror by J.H. Moncrieff. There's so much I want to say but daren't, because to do so would ruin the twists and turns and key plot points of a must read horror thriller. I love imperfect characters that have to face the impossible. Part police procedural, part Native American myth and wholly engaging, Those Who Came Before is a terrifying delight, best served in the remote woods under a starless sky.
February 14, 2024
Run and don’t walk to the bookstore and get this book now because it’s Stephen Graham Jones meets Friday the 13th and I’m OBSESSED! I seriously loved everything about this book, it’s one of the best indie horror stories I’ve read in quite a while and I’m regretting leaving it unread on my shelves for so long. It’s brutal and gory and I’ll always be obsessed with any story involving wendigo!
June 21, 2021
I really wanted to like this more than I did. I love horror set in the woods, I love anything that gives me a different cultural perspective along with a wee bit of a history lesson - however shameful and painful to read - and I especially love strong female leads that aren't cutesy and show all their warts, but this didn't quite work for me. This started out quite scary and unsettling, however, the big reveal really came halfway through for us, and the rest of the book was the characters then finding out for themselves. I prefer to find out along with our protagonists.
Well written though, and all the other things going for it means I'll be back for another Moncrieff.
Well written though, and all the other things going for it means I'll be back for another Moncrieff.
July 8, 2019
I read Those Who Came Before thinking it was going to be a typical slasher story with no real plot, but what what the hell, I'll give it shot. Boy was I in for a surprise! This story had so many different twist and turns my head felt like it was spinning on a yo-yo! J. H. Moncrieff did what I thought was impossible for me and made a horror story ENJOYABLE!! Now, I love a good horror movie, but very few horror books, but this one has it all. Excellent characters, great storyline, and more importantly, it draws you into the book, hooking you almost from the very beginning. I can't wait to see what else this Author has to share with us!!
April 16, 2020
Just when I thought I had it figured out, this book kept surprising me with each new chapter. What started as a brutal thriller soon turned into some even grittier horror story with an unsettling solution. But what disturbed me even more than the scary fiction was the real dark history it is based on. I'm not sure which of these two I found more impressive, but combined it was an overwhelming reading experience that made a lasting impact.
(thanks to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
(thanks to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
November 11, 2019
This was my first time reading something by this author but I will be looking into reading more!
It starts out with the slaughter of three people at a campground. Only one survivor, Reese, who of course is going to be the center of attention because how did he survive. Reese's girlfriend was one of the ones killed and so of course he is the prime suspect. Detective Greyeyes doesn't really think that he had anything to do with it but she can't be sure.
It really makes no sense, but one of the old guys who ends up in the drunk tank all the time who is called Crazyhorse tells the detective what he thinks is going on there and that she needs to talk to Chief Kinew about it. She is not sure she believes a lot of what the old guys tells her but when she was out at the campgrounds she could feel that something was off.
The Chief wants nothing to do with it because it's tainted land, he wouldn't even talk to her in his office for fear of bringing the negative thing to it. He finally tells her what he thinks is going on but of course she doesn't believe it, it's just to outlandish. Some sort of supernatural element killing people. He tells her all the things that they have kept record of that this isn't the first time the land has killed.
Then some strange things starts to happen the the detective as well as Reese and more people loosely connected the campground are being slaughtered and the detective has to figure things out fast even if she doesn't want to believe in the folklore of her ancestors.
So I danced around what exactly it is out in the campgrounds as I don't want to spoil it but it is based on Native American folklore and I found it enjoyable as I haven't read a lot of books with this in it. I have heard of it and seen movies, etc just not really read anything so it was kind of cool. The book was a bit gore at times so know that going into it.
I can't say that I was a huge fan of Reese, but I did really like detective Maria Greyeyes. I also really liked Crazyhorse he was pretty funny at times. The ending left me scratching my head a bit and I am not a huge fan of open endings unless I know there will be another one. The ending reminded me of the way they do a lot of horror movies and leaves you wondering if it's really over or not. Just was never a fan of that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and if you love horror with supernatural elements then I really think you will enjoy this one!
It starts out with the slaughter of three people at a campground. Only one survivor, Reese, who of course is going to be the center of attention because how did he survive. Reese's girlfriend was one of the ones killed and so of course he is the prime suspect. Detective Greyeyes doesn't really think that he had anything to do with it but she can't be sure.
It really makes no sense, but one of the old guys who ends up in the drunk tank all the time who is called Crazyhorse tells the detective what he thinks is going on there and that she needs to talk to Chief Kinew about it. She is not sure she believes a lot of what the old guys tells her but when she was out at the campgrounds she could feel that something was off.
The Chief wants nothing to do with it because it's tainted land, he wouldn't even talk to her in his office for fear of bringing the negative thing to it. He finally tells her what he thinks is going on but of course she doesn't believe it, it's just to outlandish. Some sort of supernatural element killing people. He tells her all the things that they have kept record of that this isn't the first time the land has killed.
Then some strange things starts to happen the the detective as well as Reese and more people loosely connected the campground are being slaughtered and the detective has to figure things out fast even if she doesn't want to believe in the folklore of her ancestors.
So I danced around what exactly it is out in the campgrounds as I don't want to spoil it but it is based on Native American folklore and I found it enjoyable as I haven't read a lot of books with this in it. I have heard of it and seen movies, etc just not really read anything so it was kind of cool. The book was a bit gore at times so know that going into it.
I can't say that I was a huge fan of Reese, but I did really like detective Maria Greyeyes. I also really liked Crazyhorse he was pretty funny at times. The ending left me scratching my head a bit and I am not a huge fan of open endings unless I know there will be another one. The ending reminded me of the way they do a lot of horror movies and leaves you wondering if it's really over or not. Just was never a fan of that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and if you love horror with supernatural elements then I really think you will enjoy this one!
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