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In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman
Maverick Casey spent his life searching for a monster in the vast woods behind his home. But now time is running out. Desperate to leave behind a legacy and slowly losing his grip on reality, Maverick enlists the help of a disgraced TV show host to document his final expedition in the thicket, his final search for the legendary Wildman of Nobility, TX. Includes bonus short story: The Bloody Beast of Boggy Creek.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
12 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Elford Alley
20 books83 followersElford Alley is a horror author and disgraced paranormal investigator. His novels include Apartment 239 and In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman. He has two short story collections, Ash and Bone and The Last Night in the Damned House.
His short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, including Paranormal Contact, Beneath, Cosmos, and Campfire Macabre. His work has also been featured in Huffington Post, Cracked, and DoomRocket.
He enjoys folklore, exploring strange places, and spending time with his family. You can also check out his website for updates: elfordalley.com.
His short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, including Paranormal Contact, Beneath, Cosmos, and Campfire Macabre. His work has also been featured in Huffington Post, Cracked, and DoomRocket.
He enjoys folklore, exploring strange places, and spending time with his family. You can also check out his website for updates: elfordalley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 15, 2022
Single-sitting Read!
This is a fun, fast-paced, and often poignant novella that I enjoyed from the first page to the last. Highly recommended!
This is a fun, fast-paced, and often poignant novella that I enjoyed from the first page to the last. Highly recommended!
June 25, 2022
I have to say immediately that this novel brought to mind one of my favorite documentaries: Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie (2008). Like Dallas and Wayne in the documentary, Alley's character Maverick Casey has devoted his life (in this case six decades) to the search for a Bigfoot-like creature. The novel follows smug TV host James Cushing, a layered character with issues that make him complex, as he teams up with Casey to make a documentary.
A poignant story with vivid characters, sharp dialogue, touches of realism, a lot of humor, superb prose, and a denouement that hits you in the heart. In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman is fantastic.
A poignant story with vivid characters, sharp dialogue, touches of realism, a lot of humor, superb prose, and a denouement that hits you in the heart. In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman is fantastic.
May 2, 2021
This was my first time reading Alley but won't be my last. This was a character-driven, engaging, one-sitting read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
September 20, 2021
Great dark, comedy about a man who is has been on the hunt for Bigfoot in his own backyard for quite some time.
The dialogue in this is top notch. The story strums along and we have a great conclusion with a bonus story at the end that somewhat ties into the main fare.
I've got some other Alley to get into and I'm excited to see what else he's done.
The dialogue in this is top notch. The story strums along and we have a great conclusion with a bonus story at the end that somewhat ties into the main fare.
I've got some other Alley to get into and I'm excited to see what else he's done.
June 5, 2022
I'm not sure if I'm on my own here, but one thing I love is when you go into a book thinking one thing and it ends up going somewhere completely different.
There's a few books that come to mind immediately, but in this case - none of them went as far in the other directions as Elford Alley's 'In Search of the Nobility, Tx Wildman.'
Based off the title and the original cover art this book had when I snagged it, I was expecting this to be a straight-up creature feature about people searching for bigfoot and things going south. So much so, that when I came across this book, I DM's Hunter Shea to see if he'd read it, as I know he loves bigfoot/sasquatch fiction.
It turns out, this book is a much more introspective piece, and in parts incredibly moving, focusing on two men from very different backgrounds, both of whom want to leave this world with some sort of legacy.
What I liked: The story follows James Cushing, Grade-A dill-hole and host of a "monster hunting" show. Of course everything on it is fake and he hates the show and where he's at in his life. When the show heads to Texas and they encounter Maverick Casey, a lifelong Bigfoot hunter, Cushing sees a bit of himself in the old man and it's this connection that pushes the narrative from that moment forward.
Alley does a great job of making the reader loathe and connect with both Casey and Cushing, and as things play out and more layers are peeled back and exposed, Alley doesn't ease up. No, instead he grinds into both characters, making things go from bad to worse.
The biggest aspect here that I ultimately adored, was that the crux of the book is Casey and his final search for the Wildman and we in fact, never actually go searching for him. It was a bold decision and one that works really well. I struggled over whether to include that bit of info in this review, but decided upon doing it, as it really sets this book apart from other stories in this subgenre.
What I didn't like: I think the only thing that didn't really click for me was some of Casey's issues. I won't share those here, but I think I would've had more of a compassionate lens on him if he reached out to those he loved.
Why you should buy this: Alley does a fantastic job of creating an intriguing character based thriller. As each part moves along, the writing succeeds in pulling the reader along and the narrative grows stronger with the story.
This was really well done and a true unexpected gem.
There's a few books that come to mind immediately, but in this case - none of them went as far in the other directions as Elford Alley's 'In Search of the Nobility, Tx Wildman.'
Based off the title and the original cover art this book had when I snagged it, I was expecting this to be a straight-up creature feature about people searching for bigfoot and things going south. So much so, that when I came across this book, I DM's Hunter Shea to see if he'd read it, as I know he loves bigfoot/sasquatch fiction.
It turns out, this book is a much more introspective piece, and in parts incredibly moving, focusing on two men from very different backgrounds, both of whom want to leave this world with some sort of legacy.
What I liked: The story follows James Cushing, Grade-A dill-hole and host of a "monster hunting" show. Of course everything on it is fake and he hates the show and where he's at in his life. When the show heads to Texas and they encounter Maverick Casey, a lifelong Bigfoot hunter, Cushing sees a bit of himself in the old man and it's this connection that pushes the narrative from that moment forward.
Alley does a great job of making the reader loathe and connect with both Casey and Cushing, and as things play out and more layers are peeled back and exposed, Alley doesn't ease up. No, instead he grinds into both characters, making things go from bad to worse.
The biggest aspect here that I ultimately adored, was that the crux of the book is Casey and his final search for the Wildman and we in fact, never actually go searching for him. It was a bold decision and one that works really well. I struggled over whether to include that bit of info in this review, but decided upon doing it, as it really sets this book apart from other stories in this subgenre.
What I didn't like: I think the only thing that didn't really click for me was some of Casey's issues. I won't share those here, but I think I would've had more of a compassionate lens on him if he reached out to those he loved.
Why you should buy this: Alley does a fantastic job of creating an intriguing character based thriller. As each part moves along, the writing succeeds in pulling the reader along and the narrative grows stronger with the story.
This was really well done and a true unexpected gem.
June 6, 2018
Clever, entertaining and surprisingly emotional. "In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman" draws you in and doesn’t let go. The setting is created beautifully. But the most compelling aspect of the book is the development of a wide variety of characters. The temptation in a work of this size would be to skimp on characters (either in breadth or depth), and that most certainly is not the case here.
Is this a "To Kill a Mockingbird" first novel? No, but then again, I am not sure Truman Capote was available to consult. (And I bet a whole heap of folks would like it better than Watchman!)
Is "In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman" perfect? No. There is definitely room to grow. Some of the voices would blend into each other at times and the ending was a bit abrupt for my taste, but these are just quibbles. What is exciting is that there is plenty of evidence to lead one to believe that this growth is imminent and inevitable.
Is it a 5* first novel? You better believe it! Fast, fun, and filled with laugh-out-loud moments (and I don’t mean textese “lol” where a person does not even really smile when he types it …I mean belly jiggling, make-people-look-at-you-funny, guffaw moments). This is a fast read and well-worth the investment. I cannot wait for the next book.
Is this a "To Kill a Mockingbird" first novel? No, but then again, I am not sure Truman Capote was available to consult. (And I bet a whole heap of folks would like it better than Watchman!)
Is "In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman" perfect? No. There is definitely room to grow. Some of the voices would blend into each other at times and the ending was a bit abrupt for my taste, but these are just quibbles. What is exciting is that there is plenty of evidence to lead one to believe that this growth is imminent and inevitable.
Is it a 5* first novel? You better believe it! Fast, fun, and filled with laugh-out-loud moments (and I don’t mean textese “lol” where a person does not even really smile when he types it …I mean belly jiggling, make-people-look-at-you-funny, guffaw moments). This is a fast read and well-worth the investment. I cannot wait for the next book.
June 20, 2021
Where do I start with this? Devastating? Emotional overload? Looking in a mirror? My mouth and throat have dried out from being agape as I read this. What the author does here with a goofy enough premise is hold up a mirror right in front of the reader. The characters in this book are full, relatable, and familiar in a way that you may only understand if you live or have lived in a small town. The characters are what really drive this story, the five main players(as I see them) each tied to one with some sort of responsibility, dependence, or maybe it’s just a stubborn refusal to let go? I don’t know, review-reader. I’m not good at reviews, but Elford Alley is damn good at writing. I think I should have just left the review summed up with this:
“When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?”
“Happy.”
“When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?”
“Happy.”
December 31, 2019
A thoroughly enjoyable slender little novel. Its narrative feels somehow just like the mockumentary filmmaking of the subject matter. It's thoughtful, sad, and darkly funny, more a story about doomed obsession than one about monsters
April 19, 2021
This is one of the most personal and fun books I've picked up in a long time. The author has an excellent grasp on the language and gives you enough prose that never over extends itself. And I welcome the earthy and honest characters and all their odd personalities. These are all very real characters that Elford Alley has created. At times I was reminded of scenarios or characters from Flannery O'Connor or Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and found myself enthralled in their conspiracy to find the mythical Bigfoot or Wildman of Nobility, TX. But the story isn't about that at all. It is about finding the monsters, or better yet, the things we've lost and how we may spend our life looking for them. In Search of the Nobility, TX Wildman took me back to my childhood in the 70's when Bigfoot and his ilk was the stuff of popular legend. Of course Bigfoot doesn't exist, but the desire of wanting him to be real is to submit to our search for a mythical and greater (magical?) other that may actually be superior to us in many unknown and mysterious ways.
To say it's an easy read is to admit that the book is hard to put down. I felt a genuine fondness for all of the characters and there are several moments that made me laugh out loud. The bonus short story, The Bloody Beast of Boggy Creek acts as a epilogue of sorts, relating to the business of exploitive journalistic programming. Elford Alley's style is easy to digest and often humorous. There are a few volumes out there of his short work that also comes recommended. Not every writer can take everyday people and make their conversations seem very real or their plights something to empathize.
To say it's an easy read is to admit that the book is hard to put down. I felt a genuine fondness for all of the characters and there are several moments that made me laugh out loud. The bonus short story, The Bloody Beast of Boggy Creek acts as a epilogue of sorts, relating to the business of exploitive journalistic programming. Elford Alley's style is easy to digest and often humorous. There are a few volumes out there of his short work that also comes recommended. Not every writer can take everyday people and make their conversations seem very real or their plights something to empathize.
November 29, 2019
Riveting
Alley is a talented and engaging writer. The Nobility, TX Wildman has a depth of humanity that is surprising and unexpected, putting one in the mind of an early Stephen King. A well crafted tale.
Alley is a talented and engaging writer. The Nobility, TX Wildman has a depth of humanity that is surprising and unexpected, putting one in the mind of an early Stephen King. A well crafted tale.
December 6, 2020
One mans passion.
This is not just a Bigfoot story, this is the story of a man searching for a dream. Elford Alley has built characters and places that are rich and full. They could be our town or our neighbors. With a practiced hand he has led us through this mans dream to be known as not just the town nut but as a witness to the true unknown.
This is not just a Bigfoot story, this is the story of a man searching for a dream. Elford Alley has built characters and places that are rich and full. They could be our town or our neighbors. With a practiced hand he has led us through this mans dream to be known as not just the town nut but as a witness to the true unknown.
September 19, 2020
Gripping story
I liked it well enough to read it in less than a day. There are a lot of stories woven together here, and for the most part, that really works. This probably could have used one more pass by an editor, but the story itself was a great one.
I liked it well enough to read it in less than a day. There are a lot of stories woven together here, and for the most part, that really works. This probably could have used one more pass by an editor, but the story itself was a great one.
July 9, 2021
I wasn't expecting a Bigfoot story with a heart. Such a good story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews