Can’t Ride Around It is a delightfully gritty supernatural western that balances gallows humor, heartfelt camaraderie, and ghostly thrills in the wild, wild west of 1876 Deadwood. Co-authors Ann Charles and Sam Lucky continue their Deadwood Undertaker saga with this third installment, proving once again that the series is equal parts spooky, witty, and wildly entertaining.
The story follows undertakers-turned-heroes Rabbit, Boone, and Clementine — an unlikely trio navigating the increasingly bizarre goings-on in a lawless town filled with more than just outlaws. There are secrets buried deep, and some of them refuse to stay dead. The trio faces everything from vanishing corpses to walking dead and shadowy enemies raising armies with dark intentions. As the threats grow stranger, the bonds between the characters become more compelling.
Rabbit, the sharp-shooting wisecracker, brings much-needed levity to tense moments, while Boone offers a more thoughtful, steady presence. Clementine, the tough-as-nails female undertaker with a warrior’s edge, continues to be a standout. She isn’t just holding her own — she’s often leading the charge, wielding weapons, investigating supernatural phenomena, and dispatching danger with skill and style.
What sets this series apart is its unique tone. It’s not quite horror, not fully western, and not purely fantasy — it’s a finely balanced fusion of genres. The prose is punchy and cinematic, blending old-west dialogue with modern humor. The action scenes are tightly choreographed, but what lingers most are the characters’ voices, their banter, and their unexpected moments of tenderness.
The introduction of spectral Uncle Mort adds a heartfelt and humorous twist, while the escalating mystery surrounding missing bodies and necromantic forces drives the plot forward with urgency and intrigue. With references to folklore, Viking sayings, and Navajo ceremonies, the book adds cultural texture without losing its fast-paced momentum.
For readers who love their westerns weird, their horror laced with humor, and their characters rich with personality, Can’t Ride Around It is a must-read. It's a rollicking, rowdy ride — full of ghostly visits, grave-digging duos, and gunfights — that reminds us the past doesn’t always stay buried.