The Accursed Huntsman

by Douglass Hoover

An ancient wooden barrier buried deep in the granite cliffs of Nova Scotia’s rural coastline.

A long abandoned Victorian mansion sighing in the salty ocean breeze.

A patchwork team of nobodies ready to breathe new life into humanity’s most ancient mystery.

Haunted by the hunting accident that took both his leg and the life of his best friend, wilderness guide Jack Steward exists on the wooded fringes of society. When an infamously foolhardy millionaire offers Jack the means to reconcile his past wrongs in exchange for participating in a remote archaeological dig along the coast of Nova Scotia, Jack straps on his worn prosthetic and ventures forth into a world of mystery, deceit, and horror. Little does Jack know that the mismatched gang of killers, junkies, has-beens, and frauds he is about to join will uncover an artifact that will shake the very foundation of history, and maybe even grant him the ability to defeat the demons of his past. However, the expedition also unearths a horrific truth – the artifact wasn’t the only thing hiding deep under the Nova Scotian cliffs.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Adventure, Action, Supernatural

392 pages, Paperback

Published July 14, 2021

About the author

Douglass Hoover is a writer, craftsman, veteran, and an avid outdoorsman. He has written four novels and holds an MFA from Emerson College. When not slaving away over a keyboard, you can find him hunting, blacksmithing, farming, or bushwhacking skinwalkers in the forests of rural Maine with his wife, their little goblin, and the pack of wild dogs that nip at their heels.

Follow their adventures on Instagram
@StripedDogForge
@DouglassHooverAuthor

Find handmade outdoor equipment and signed books at www.stripeddogforge.com

Perhaps most importantly, sign up for our newsletter at www.douglasshoover.com for updates on future projects.

Reviews

[Vicki Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes Legends Make Reality...

THE ACCURSED HUNTSMAN
by Douglass Hoover

3 1/2 stars. Legend has it there was once a village at the edge of the Rhine. It was at a time when the hunt wasn't a sport...

It was a way of life...

In the village was a young boy who loved to hunt. Every morning, he went into the forest, but most times, he returned with nothing...

Because the boy consulted a shaman, his hunting skills increased, and as he grew older, he became a mighty hunter...

One day...

The now young man hid at a rocky mountain pass, waiting to kill the greatest stag of all in the forest...

His patience paid off...

He shot an arrow into the stag's heart. There was enough meat to feed the entire village, and they cheered for him...

But...

The young man wasn't happy because once you've slain the greatest of them all, where do you go from there?

This was The Legend of the Huntsman...

Now...

An egotistical wealthy man had hired a personal assistant, an engineer, a hunter, and two archeologists to uncover artifacts related to the legend...

Trouble is...

Most legends are like a game of gossip: A sentence is whispered, and several players pass it on until the final version, which is usually wildly unlike the original...

Sometimes, legends make reality where Devil's sleep and wicked things dream, and eternity is a curse...

This story, by the author of THE NORTH WOODS, was very ambitious and had a little of everything: wild animals, wilderness survival, greed, treachery, several legends, and adventure.

There are lessons to be learned and many morals to the story. Overall, I enjoyed the first half, but the second half dragged, and the last 20% was a chore to get through.

No one in this tale is very likable, so there's that for people out there who must like the characters to enjoy the story.

The biggest problem I personally had was with the location. The majority of the story took place in the clifftop manor that the adventure seekers were squatting in. I would have liked more of the action to have been in the cave where they were looking for the artifact or in the forest.

Not a bad story. It was similar to RIPTIDE by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. THE NORTH WOODS by this author is a good story.

[Tracy P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded-up.

[Xavier Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of archeological adventure (Indiana Jones or Lara Croft), Lovecraft, or Michael Crichton this needs to be on your reading list.

With a hook that reels you in backed up by a cast of interesting, but damaged, individuals--Hoover delivers in his sophomore novel. The tale he weaves follows primarily the journey of a suicidal hunter who takes a job not to lift himself up, but to help another fight cancer. From there the narrative drives through twists and turns that evoke the best of cosmic horror and an archeological story that peers through the darkness of human history like a spelunker's headlamp. There are no extraneous characters and each are propelled towards their entwined fates in a manner that is true to themselves. Which gives the novel a fable vibe without being preachy or moralistic. And each fate delivers either tragedy or deserved ends.

'The Accursed Huntsman' is a fast paced the novel screams towards a conclusion that leaves the reader satisfied yet wanting more. If you like adventure mixed with the supernatural, I cannot recommend this novel enough. I did start it, but an illness in the family interrupted my reading. But when I was able to pick it up--it was near impossible to put down!

If you are trying to decide between the Kindle and softcover--I recommend the softcover. The cover design by Magdalena Korzeniewska is amazing and worthy of front facing on your bookshelf.

[Sara Raztresen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved what the author did with this book. Each character had a distinct feel to them, and yet even at their worst, they all made you feel something for them; Douglass does a great job getting into everyone's heads and really selling their motivations and reasons for being there, as well as their backstories to give them more texture for even their unsavory actions. Descriptions were on point, language fluid and smooth to read, and the plot is well thought out. The pacing doesn't play around, either, and the tension he keeps through the final act is enough to keep your hands stuck to either end of the book until you've made it to the end (which is left delightfully open).

For the lover of good, solid thriller, this really puts you right where you want to be.

[Bekah Groop · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This all felt very predictable from the plot line to the characters themselves, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless!

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling ride! A cross between Indiana Jones and The Mummy with some twisted and freaky monsters added in. The setting in the remote wilderness of Nova Scotia near the rocky cliffs of the ocean made this feel like home to me being from Maine. Well developed characters that really adds to the experience of the story

[Serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

Loved this book! Action packed, suspenseful, vivid imagery, great characters. Well written. Loved the different lore stories told throughout the book. Really well done!

[Marianne Pritchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your classic cast of rag tag characters. A hammy good time adventure romp with notes of Indiana Jones.

[William Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute amazing story, I haven’t read a book this good in some time. I caught myself thinking about getting home and reading it all day at work. A great story full of a large culmination of history, nature, diverse characters, and mystery.

[Patience Uhlman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Hoover does it again with excellent pacing, a visceral atmosphere, and heartfelt characters. If you like mysteries with horrifying elements, then this one is for you.

[Michaela Paule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archeological thriller based in Nova Scotia with a bit of mythology and interesting characters.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a seriously fantastic read! I started with the book, and then my fiancé recommended the audiobook, which only added to the fantastic character building and imagery that Hoover has written into this story. I’d call it a mix of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” with movie “The Kingsmen”-styled humor and action, and a little Indiana Jones archeological lore. Very fun!

[Rose Aitken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barely average this one. It’s distinctly no better than average. Full of B movie type stereotypes and a vomit inducing plot. I mean, who on earth is the author kidding? A mad scientist doctor and some fat ugly expedition sponsor? Give me a break. Thank god I didn’t actually pay for this rubbish. I’d have been seriously ticked off if I’d been mad enough to really fork out good cash for this. On the positive side if there is one, there’s a good deal of action, some flirting which is pretty unlikely, some poor choices of words. Somebody studying at Cardiff university and born in Dublin wouldn’t use the word rappel to slide down a building. She’d call it abseiling so the author couldn’t even get that right. I suppose if you are the kind of person who likes Indiana Jones type films this might appeal to you but otherwise, I don’t think so.

[Brody Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 6.2/10 or 4 stars

Pros:
- Jack was awesome

- The book was written very well, scenes are easy to see and the author has great knowledge as to what he’s talking about

- I really liked the adventure and lore part of the book

- I didn’t expect the “monsters” to be what they were, I actually really liked them

- As per usual for Hoover, he had great character work, meaning you either loved the character or hated them

Neutral:

- Depending on your feelings, this book was not really all that horror like outside of a part at the end

- I would classify this book as adventure/thriller

Cons:

- I was hoping for more horror

- There were come common horror tropes but they always have to be in there somewhere

- I couldn’t stand Greg

[Jessica Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I previously read The North Woods by this author and really enjoyed it, so I decided to see what other books he had available. And I am so glad I decided to read this book! This action/ adventure/horror story is solid and unique. All of the characters are flawed in their own way, but you can't help but keep hoping that (most) of them make it through this discovery. I really enjoyed the creatures that were revealed farther into the book. I found them very unique and equally horrifying. My only complaint is that the ending felt very abrupt. I wanted another chapter or a longer epilogue to tell me a bit more of what happened after everything. Overall though, I can't give this book less than 5 stars. It's definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year. 🖤

[Nicholas E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful blend of history and horror.
Once more Douglass Hoover brings us his exceptional imagination and powerful writing to us. With finely crafted characters and, excellent research and a terrifying beginning, Hoover draws us into 'The Accursed Huntsman.'
Set far in the far northeast and on the Atlantic coast, Hoover's work drives home not only the horrors he has created, but the horrors lurking within the hearts of others.

[LeeAnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually a phenomenal book, especially for a stand alone piece (at this point as I review). The tone is set immensely well from the very beginning and at no point can you really predict where the novel goes entirely. My only critique is that I believe this book would have been great as a series!

[Tristan Severs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painfully slow pacing.

[Hayley Gooding · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Accursed Huntsman was a difficult one to rate because there were so many things about it that I genuinely enjoyed, but it also felt considerably longer than it needed to be.

The premise was right up my street. A wealthy man hires a huntsman to join an expedition to a decaying manor in Canada in search of a mysterious artefact that seems to draw inspiration from legends such as the Holy Grail and the Fountain of Youth. The story combines fantasy, adventure, mythology, folklore and horror, all within a dark and atmospheric setting.

There were parts of this book where I could not stop listening. Some sections were genuinely gripping, and I really enjoyed the folklore and historical elements. It is no secret that I love stories rooted in mythology, legends and old beliefs, so learning more about the history behind the artefact, the locations and the characters was probably my favourite part of the book.

The atmosphere was also very well done. The isolated and deteriorating manor created a suitably dark setting, and there were some graphic descriptions of creatures and events throughout. The book does not hold back when it comes to gore, although I personally did not find any of it particularly difficult to listen to.

The biggest issue for me was the pacing.

The story took a little while to get going, and although there were sections where I was completely absorbed, there were other parts that felt like a slog. I honestly think this book could have been around thirty percent shorter without losing anything important.

The final twenty percent was probably where I became most frustrated. There were some genuinely tense moments, but every time I thought the story had reached a conclusion, another complication appeared. Then another. And another. By the end, I was just thinking, “Oh, come on, surely we are finished now.” The ending itself was fine, but after such a long build up, it ultimately felt a little underwhelming.

The characters were also quite stereotypical and none of them were particularly likeable. We have the wealthy expedition leader who is a bit of a prick, the grumpy huntsman who clearly has a heart of gold, the Irish love interest, the stern and grumpy doctor, the tough bodyguard who is only interested in money, and the computer expert who is hiding a secret.

The character dynamics were enjoyable enough, but it did feel as though the book was working its way through a collection of familiar adventure story tropes.

I am glad that I listened to this on Audible because I think I would have struggled more if I had been physically reading it. The audiobook helped me get through the slower sections, and there were enough exciting moments to keep me interested.

Overall, I did like this book. It had a strong premise, an atmospheric setting, interesting mythology and some genuinely compelling moments. However, it was simply too long, the pacing was inconsistent and the ending went on for much longer than it needed to.

If you enjoy stories in the style of Lara Croft, with ancient artefacts, dangerous expeditions, mythology, folklore, monsters and adventure, then I think you could really enjoy this.

For me, it was a good book with some great ideas that would have been much stronger with tighter pacing and a shorter ending.

[Edie Kennard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Accursed Huntsman is the kind of thriller that grabs you from the opening chapters and never loosens its grip. Blending pulse-pounding adventure with supernatural horror, Douglass Hoover delivers a story that races toward a finale that is both deeply satisfying and leaves you eager for whatever comes next.

Set against the rugged coastline of Nova Scotia, the novel follows Jack Steward, a wilderness guide haunted by a tragic hunting accident that claimed his best friend and cost him a leg. When he's recruited to join an eccentric millionaire's archaeological expedition, what begins as a search for humanity's forgotten past quickly descends into something far older—and far more terrifying.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its cast. Every member of the expedition feels distinct and fully realized, and their personalities, flaws, and motivations add genuine depth to the story. Rather than serving as disposable characters, they become an integral part of the mystery and the emotional weight of the journey.

I also appreciated the care Hoover takes when incorporating Indigenous culture into the story. The novel approaches its Indigenous elements thoughtfully and respectfully, allowing them to enrich the mythology without feeling exploitative. That attention to authenticity adds another layer of depth to an already compelling narrative.

The pacing is excellent. Once the mystery begins to unravel, the story barrels forward with plenty of suspense, unexpected twists, and supernatural dread. The combination of archaeological intrigue, folklore, horror, and adventure makes it incredibly difficult to put down.

If you're a fan of supernatural adventures, archaeological mysteries, or thrillers with well-developed characters and a healthy dose of horror, The Accursed Huntsman is an easy recommendation. It's a gripping, intelligent, and highly entertaining read that delivers exactly what fans of the genre are looking for.

Highly recommended.

[Nicholas Leland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celtic Folklore meets the modern outdoorsman

The cast of characters in this story each being a unique perspective to the story. Each with their own motives for adventuring into the wild. None above all stand out quite like Jack of the arguably 2 protagonists. The way Hoover melds the mythologies in this story creates an enjoyable mythos of its own, similar to The North Woods. I'm hoping that Hoover eventually creates a loose set of circumstances that connect his work just as Stephen King has with his, because it's feels like Hoover has between this novel and the North Woods the foundation for a King-esque universe.

[Tricia Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt know this author until I listened to The Homstead. Fantastic from first to last page.
I was expecting something equally as good. Its fiction, so obviously it can push the bounds of unbelievable but... you do expect the author to finish the book - its almost like the last few pages were missing.

What I look for in a new book is a great story, well developed characters and I dont want to guess the end in the first chapter!
To an extent this book ticked those boxed but .....without giving the plot away the implied ending doesnt work.
Or maybe I was it was a different ending to the one that I listened to..... twice!!

[Dale Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would class this as an adventure horror. A group of people go hunting for a supposedly hidden artifact from thousands of years ago. I liked the characters, the environment, the overall story and the action in the last quarter of the tale. It did however seem to drag for me, probably the first half to three quarters of the book- I can't pinpoint exactly what but a lot of "fluff" could have been but from the book to keep it punchy. Long chapters full of scene descriptions. That's my only gripe with it. And again, maybe it's just me that thought that.

[Nyko The Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just last on my reading list! This was the best!

Not only the best on my reading list! The best book I have read in recent memory! This is a story wrenched out of time and hollowed to a fine point!
Truth an honor born of having been broken over and over again. Some hurts never die. They find a life of their own to keep us going.
I will be pleasantly haunted by
"The Accursed Huntsman”
I can only hope to find other works by
the author, Douglass Hoover
If, I recover from this last, most grievous, wounding.

[Wade Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another slam dunk from Hoover. This is the second book I've read by him and I read it immediately after finishing his first book UT was just that good. I'm not sure which I enjoyed more they were both just so well executed. The characters felt like real people while still being able to make them seem a bit over the top in certain aspects. If you enjoy horror thrillers give this book and this author a try.

4.5 stars

[Kilgallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the author setting his book in Canada as it's always fun to read about home. It was done well but would have been even more interesting if there were any actual Canadian characters..... I did enjoy the combination of European and First Nations traditional belief systems. Great action sequences and the characters were well developed if perhaps a touch stereotypical. Overall a fun and recommended read.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jumped into this novel after I had recently read The North Woods by the same author (and I enjoyed that story a lot.)

I’ll say that this story surpassed my expectations.

Each of the characters were clearly defined and had their own downfalls (some more than others). It almost functions as a cautionary tale against greed, anger, naivety, envy, etc.

Some very classic depictions of monsters, and most of them are completely human.

The ending is left open, which I loved. Would recommend.

[Olivia Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty solid read overall, but I’m giving it 4 stars because the amount of spelling errors drove me nuts. The last 30% was pretty slow, with the ending being interesting and unexpected. I totally thought the last 30% would be different, with more action and monsters and not the characters battling themselves. Every book by this author draws me in and makes me feel like I’m in their world! Bummed we didn’t get to see more of Maedig. Ugh! Stupid Bill!!!

[June Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found it as a freebie on audible just as I was starting a road trip. I loved the development of the characters. I even placed movie actors into the roles. I had Helen Mirren as Margaret and Sam Elliott in his younger years as Jack. I wouldn’t class it as a typical horror but more of an archeological adventure

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Picked this up after reading the Sarvan by Hoover which I loved, and I gotta say he's solidified himself as one of my new favorite writers with this one. I loved the variety of characters, the story constantly had me wanting to know more, and I love how he intertwines history and mythology into his horror so well. Big rec, one of my favorites this year.