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Songsnatcher - A Science Fiction Western Adventure
Welcome to the land of stolen childhoods.
In the grim region known as the Wild North, someone is snatching children from their cradles, using an ancient tribal music to lure the innocent away.
In a world where children are seen as the spawn of demons, many are turning a blind eye to this heinous crime.
But not Nox. Not the Coilhunter. Nox has his own kind of music. When the twang of guitar strings doesn't do it, there's always the percussion of gunfire.
In the grim region known as the Wild North, someone is snatching children from their cradles, using an ancient tribal music to lure the innocent away.
In a world where children are seen as the spawn of demons, many are turning a blind eye to this heinous crime.
But not Nox. Not the Coilhunter. Nox has his own kind of music. When the twang of guitar strings doesn't do it, there's always the percussion of gunfire.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2022
About the author
Dean F. Wilson
34 books2,096 followersUSA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author
Dean F. Wilson was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1987. He started writing at age 11.
He is the author of the Children of Telm epic fantasy trilogy, the Great Iron War steampunk series, the Coilhunter Chronicles science-fiction western series, the Hibernian Hollows urban fantasy series, and the Infinite Stars space opera series.
Dean previously worked as a journalist, primarily in the field of technology. He has written for TechEye, Thinq, V3, VR-Zone, ITProPortal, TechRadar Pro, and The Inquirer.
Dean F. Wilson was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1987. He started writing at age 11.
He is the author of the Children of Telm epic fantasy trilogy, the Great Iron War steampunk series, the Coilhunter Chronicles science-fiction western series, the Hibernian Hollows urban fantasy series, and the Infinite Stars space opera series.
Dean previously worked as a journalist, primarily in the field of technology. He has written for TechEye, Thinq, V3, VR-Zone, ITProPortal, TechRadar Pro, and The Inquirer.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 24, 2025
Songsnatcher is a brilliantly written, fascinating addition to The Coilhunter Chronicles by Dean F. Wilson. Although each book in The Coilhunter Chronicles can be read as a standalone novel, I’ve read them in order because I enjoyed the series so much.
In Songsnatcher, children are being lulled to sleep by someone playing a magical flute, after which they are kidnapped and killed based on the belief that anyone born after a specific historical event are demons. On the side of law and order as well as rationality, Nathaniel Osley Xander or Nox, better known as the Coilhunter, sets out to save the children and level justice at the perpetrators of this heinous practice.
Because the music from this flute seems unnaturally powerful, suggesting it may be a form of ancient tribal music, the Coilhunter embarks on a difficult journey to visit the Apanajo tribe, a very old tribe who were believed to have been taught the first music by the spirits. There, a child called the Sage of the Ages gives the Coilhunter a bodhrán, a drum described by the Sage of Ages as a “sonic shield.”
During intense battles using weapons, the bodhrán, as well as other tools and techniques, the Coilhunter and his team fight the Songsnatcher and the Songsnatcher’s allies.
In addition to action sequences, Songsnatcher includes some beautifully written and philosophic passages, making it a remarkable book.
A credit to the entire series, The Coilhunter Chronicles, is the deep impression the writing leaves on the reader. For instance, the Coilhunter’s mechanical duck is such a powerful weapon that when I happened to see a toy rubber duck while reading the series, I felt the same kind of chill I experienced when seeing angel statues after watching the Doctor Who episode, “Blink,” featuring the frightening Weeping Angels. This demonstrates the incredible talent of the author.
In Songsnatcher, children are being lulled to sleep by someone playing a magical flute, after which they are kidnapped and killed based on the belief that anyone born after a specific historical event are demons. On the side of law and order as well as rationality, Nathaniel Osley Xander or Nox, better known as the Coilhunter, sets out to save the children and level justice at the perpetrators of this heinous practice.
Because the music from this flute seems unnaturally powerful, suggesting it may be a form of ancient tribal music, the Coilhunter embarks on a difficult journey to visit the Apanajo tribe, a very old tribe who were believed to have been taught the first music by the spirits. There, a child called the Sage of the Ages gives the Coilhunter a bodhrán, a drum described by the Sage of Ages as a “sonic shield.”
During intense battles using weapons, the bodhrán, as well as other tools and techniques, the Coilhunter and his team fight the Songsnatcher and the Songsnatcher’s allies.
In addition to action sequences, Songsnatcher includes some beautifully written and philosophic passages, making it a remarkable book.
A credit to the entire series, The Coilhunter Chronicles, is the deep impression the writing leaves on the reader. For instance, the Coilhunter’s mechanical duck is such a powerful weapon that when I happened to see a toy rubber duck while reading the series, I felt the same kind of chill I experienced when seeing angel statues after watching the Doctor Who episode, “Blink,” featuring the frightening Weeping Angels. This demonstrates the incredible talent of the author.
May 11, 2022
Songsnatcher. - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
The eponymous slayer uses ancient music to bewitch her victims...so-called demon children...and their families to carry out abduction and murder in the Wild North's Dust Land towns.
Hot on the trail is Nathaniel Osley Xander, aka Nox, the Coilhunter and the Man With a Thousand Names, a bounty hunter supreme who upholds his vigilante brand of justice on those who deserve it - whatever the cost - with backup from his weird and wonderful toys and several disparate friends and frenemies.
Has he met his match this time - who can tell?
But one thing's for sure, you won't be able to put down Songsnatcher by the amazing Dean F. Wilson, until you find out which way the wind blows, and who's next to get a ride in the body box on Nox's monowheel.
Highly recommended to fans of Westworld, Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name character and the Terminator movies.
Go for your metaphorical guns, and your copy of this dystopian novel as fast as you can...and don't forget the earplugs!
The eponymous slayer uses ancient music to bewitch her victims...so-called demon children...and their families to carry out abduction and murder in the Wild North's Dust Land towns.
Hot on the trail is Nathaniel Osley Xander, aka Nox, the Coilhunter and the Man With a Thousand Names, a bounty hunter supreme who upholds his vigilante brand of justice on those who deserve it - whatever the cost - with backup from his weird and wonderful toys and several disparate friends and frenemies.
Has he met his match this time - who can tell?
But one thing's for sure, you won't be able to put down Songsnatcher by the amazing Dean F. Wilson, until you find out which way the wind blows, and who's next to get a ride in the body box on Nox's monowheel.
Highly recommended to fans of Westworld, Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name character and the Terminator movies.
Go for your metaphorical guns, and your copy of this dystopian novel as fast as you can...and don't forget the earplugs!
May 8, 2022
Where Are All The Children?
The Songsnatcher uses his magical flute to disable the adults while the children are lured away and into the hands of the kidnappers. The trail is elusive and the Coilhunter’s efforts to find him and rescue the children have been futile. Nox, himself, heads headlong into one life-threatening situation after another as he searches for the Songsnatcher.
This story is more complex than previous books, Nox has to fight his way through several battles as he tries to catch up with the Songsnatcher. The battles are sloppy, with Nox not up to his usual efficiency in dispatching his foes. A good story, but not quite as fun as previous books.
The Songsnatcher uses his magical flute to disable the adults while the children are lured away and into the hands of the kidnappers. The trail is elusive and the Coilhunter’s efforts to find him and rescue the children have been futile. Nox, himself, heads headlong into one life-threatening situation after another as he searches for the Songsnatcher.
This story is more complex than previous books, Nox has to fight his way through several battles as he tries to catch up with the Songsnatcher. The battles are sloppy, with Nox not up to his usual efficiency in dispatching his foes. A good story, but not quite as fun as previous books.
May 22, 2022
Howdy Do!
Lots of characters to say Howdy Do to! In a desert full of dust twirlers and all manner of ways to die, the Coilhunter looks for the evil doers. If he finds you, better start cringing!!
Lots of characters to say Howdy Do to! In a desert full of dust twirlers and all manner of ways to die, the Coilhunter looks for the evil doers. If he finds you, better start cringing!!
June 22, 2022
A Song For The Wild North
Great read in the series. Interesting characters backed up with a wonderful story. Some of the "folks" are like old friends. Do yourself a favour and read the series. Highly recommended.
Great read in the series. Interesting characters backed up with a wonderful story. Some of the "folks" are like old friends. Do yourself a favour and read the series. Highly recommended.
July 22, 2026
i am waiting book 8 already.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews