"Good Stab fell to his knees, pressed his forehead to the floor and he screamed too, and I daresay our screams harmonized, at least in how much they pained us.
This, I believe, is the story of America, told in a forgotten church in the hinterlands, with a choir of the dead mutely witnessing.
“Your tore out the heart of my people, Three-Persons,” Good Stab said into the floor.
“I’m sorry,” I said back, I knew how weakly. “I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.”
“Is it wrong to kill?” he asked then, again, sitting back on his haunches, his bared arms hooked around his knees. “Is this what you tell your people who come each Sunday?”
“Yes,” I said."

"What I am is the Indian who can’t die.
I’m the worst dream America ever had."

The vampire genre has a new dark star. Far from the European roots we all know, Stephen Graham Jones has created a uniquely American, a uniquely Native American version of the tormented and tormenting blood-sucker. The novel is rich, not only with the horrors of the genre, but with the very un-magical horrors of the time. No vampire could possibly compete with the mass slaughter of the American Bison, nor of the Native American peoples. This envisioning of an American vampire includes a remarkable twist, new to the genre, at least as far as I am aware.

"Good Stab’s damnation comes with a wickedly satisfying pair of rules: he must feed on his prey until it’s dry—sometimes causing his side to literally burst open—and he grows to resemble whatever he’s feeding from. "– from the PW interview

The structure is frame within a frame within a frame. Etsy Beaucarne is our outermost, in 2012, a struggling academic, the descendant of a pastor from the 19th century. Arthur Beaucarne, a Lutheran, ministered to the religious needs of the residents of Miles City, Montana. His journal, stowed in 1912 was recently found in an old parsonage undergoing renovation (cheekily referred to as revamping). In this journal, Arthur, the second frame, relates the tale told to him by a strange Native American man, Good Stab. The Indian appears at the back of his congregation, in dark clerical garb, wearing sunglasses, and wanting to talk. His tale is terrifying and compelling.

It is an American history not taught in Western schools. The Marias Massacre took place 1870. A U.S. cavalry troop was sent to do damage to a particular branch of the Pikuni tribe, not the branch that had made an alliance with the incoming settlers. The leader of the troop, despite being shown documentation of the alliance, decided that one Indian is the same as another and proceeded to massacre 217 mostly women, children, and old men, many suffering from small pox.

Good Stab, a Pikuni, named for his nifty defense against an attacker, was 37 when he encountered the creature he calls Cat Man.

"The thing had a thin white face with intelligence to it, and at first I thought its chin and mouth were painted for ceremony, but then I saw that it was just that it ate like a sticky-mouth, where it made a mess, and then let that blood stay like it was proud of it, wanted all the other four-leggeds see what it could do. Its mouth looked like it was pushing out too far, too, bringing the nose with it. But I told myself that was just because the dried blood made it look that way.
Its eyes were like mine, like I see you seeing, and its hair was hanging in its face, and it was naked so we could see it was a man, or had once been a man.
But it was no man"

We follow Good Stab’s tale through decades, as told to Pastor Beaucarne, as he struggles to survive, and finds purpose in taking down those who seek to kill “blackhorns.” There are many adventures along his journey of discovery, and many internal struggles. He is a complex character who seems at times inured to the havoc he inflicts, but one who manages to sustain a kind, caring heart, at times anyway. We feel his pain in being an outsider as he yearns to connect with his people.

The backdrop for this story is the Western expansion into the west, including the racism, colonial military dominance, destructiveness, wastefulness, genocide, inhumanity and cruelty of the era. Killers, murderers, and thieves preaching a religion of peace. The irony is not lost. Ultimately, this is a revenge tale. Punishment for many who have come west to pillage nature’s bounty, and targeted attacks on those responsible for the Marias Massacre.

As we get most of the story from Good Stab we get his usage as well, words for creatures of the American west. “Blackhorns” for Bison, as well as Whitehorn, Wags-his-tail, Long-legs, Sticky-mouth and plenty more. Part of the fun of reading this is identifying each species as it is introduced.

Part of the joy of reading The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is seeing the coming together of history and horror in a way that is reminiscent of one of America’s most inspired writers. While this is hardly a magical realism version of history, the incorporation of actual Native American history gives it a very Louise Erdrich-y feel. There is another form of joy to be had here. I have a particularly high bar for horror. I lose no sleep, nor do I have scary dreams as a result of reading a horror book. But there was a night, while reading this one, when I felt that I had somehow ingested three fist-size dollops of Vampire and they had taken root in my torso. I knew in the dream that I could, with effort, expel them, but knew also that it would take a supreme effort to do so. That, to me, is the sign of a good scary book.

Stephen Graham Jones is a prolific writer. Even more than Stephen King, maybe into the domain of Isaac Asimov. I have read only a few (listed below in EXTRA STUFF) but of those I have read, this one stands out. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is most definitely worth whatever time and trouble it takes to track down. Once you sink your teeth into it, you will have a tough time stepping away until you have ingested it all. This is simply a bloody wonderful book.

"You don’t know this yet, but once a generation, once a century, someone is born with a kind of blood no one else has. If you drink from that person . . . how to explain it? It’s like the difference between an animal and a person. But the person is the animal now, and this new one is above them. Their blood, you do anything for it. I’ve only tasted it twice so far in all my years. She’s going to be the third time.”"

Review posted – 2/27/25

Publication date – 3/18/25

I received an ARE of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter from Saga Press in return for a fair review. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.

Stephen Graham Jones has done it again. This is a fantastic novel that looks at America’s bloody history. No one should ever forget what a horrific and bloody history America has had. There are many triggers so please check before reading. Trappers, Native Americans, a vampire and preacher are just some characters. This Historical Horror novel will keep you thinking about it even after you finish it. Creepy, violent, horror. A definite 5 star book.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for this ARC copy for an honest review.

Wow, this book gave me so much to think about. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is told largely through the journal of Arthur Beaucarne’s. The story begins with Etsy, a professor under immense pressure to get tenure (as a professor, this is something I deeply relate to). She discovers the journal of her great-great-great-grandfather, and from there, the narrative shifts between Arthur’s journal entries and the voice of Good Stab, a Blackfeet man seeking revenge.

This is, at its core, a story of vengeance and is set against the backdrop of the 1800s and early 1900s, when white settlers were slaughtering buffalo, displacing Native communities, and stealing land. The language reflects the time period, which makes the story dense at times. Good Stab’s voice in particular can be challenging, as he translates Indigenous concepts into English phrases that are unfamiliar at first, often referring to animals or natural elements in roundabout ways. It took me a while to get used to it, but once I did, it added to the depth and authenticity of the story.

I loved the twist on the vampire mythos (or “Cat Men,” as Good Stab calls them), though I won’t spoil what makes these vampires unique. The first 70% was a slow burn for me as I had to really push through the writing style, but the last 30% absolutely made it worth it. That’s when the pacing quickens and Etsy’s present-day reactions start to re-enter the narrative. The emotional payoff and thematic resonance in the final stretch bumped this up a whole star for me.

Like in The Only Good Indians, Jones rewards readers who are willing to work for it. The storytelling is layered, haunting, and powerful, demanding your attention and rewarding it in full.

In The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, there’s no shortage of blood, guts, and a vampire you’ll find yourself strangely rooting for—but none of that is as chilling as the real horror told by Good Stab; the violent legacy of colonization, the near-eradication of the buffalo, and the Marias Massacre.

Stephen Graham Jones has a signature gift—blending the fantastical with the historical in a way that doesn’t soften the truth but sharpens it. He reminds us that the real monsters aren’t always supernatural. They often wear the face of ordinary men. BHH resurrects the horrors history tried to bury, forcing us to confront how easily truth is twisted, erased, or rewritten by those in power. SGJ delivers a narrative many of us were never taught in school—one built on the bones of real violence, layered with creeping dread.

Make no mistake: this is not an easy read. SGJ makes you work for it. Good Stab’s voice isn’t simplified for convenience—there’s no glossary, no guide. I was living on Google for quite some time. But once you get into the swing of the book, it's almost impossible to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the ARC!
4 stars!

[insert incoherent screaming here]

Wow. Just. Wow.

That is all.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

This book might start a little slowly, but settle in for a wild ride because you KNOW Stephen Graham Jones has an extremely twisted, terrifying story to tell. I took my time reading this one and I'm so glad I did, because the way it all comes together is extremely satisfying.

I was skeptical of the story within a story within a story, but Jones pulls off this structure perfectly in The Buffalo Hunter Hunter. Already one of my favorite books of 2025.
Protagonist Good Stab tells his story confession-style to Lutheran priest Arthur Beaucarne, who writes down the narrative in the early 20th century. Decades later, Beaucarne's descendant Etsy transcribes the diary in a last bid to save her tenure-track university job. The structure is absorbing, with each voice distinctive, adding layers to the story. Further, it mirrors one of the book's major themes, questioning who is telling the story and who has the "final" word on history. It's difficult to root for any of the characters, as they all do chilling things to serve their own interests. Good Stab's motivations of survival and the survival of his people ring true, yet make his path no less disturbing.
I'm a horror fan, but was still disturbed by some of the turns in this novel and surprised by the twists. Haunting, beautifully written, and deeply unsettling. Highly recommend.

4/5 stars!

Stephen Graham Jones does not miss. A gripping, visceral horror, that wields both the horrifying truth of colonization and the fantastical nature of vampires. Jones's prose may not be for everyone, but one cannot deny his sheer ability at portraying the type of fear that slides deep into your bones. The multi -pov should have been arduous, but it instead we were led through the twists and turns by voices that felt grounded right in the soil. There is something so perfectly scary about this book. Soon to be lauded as a true horror classic.

Another excellent book by Stephen Graham Jones! I finished this book today and gave it 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟! Thank you so much to @sagapressbooks #sagasayscrew for the audiobook and ebook, definitely recommend the audio with the full cast or narrators! It made the experience so enjoyable! 🦬🩸

Read if you like:
Vampires
Native American historical fiction
Gory horror elements with an animal twist

This reminded me a little bit of Dracula with the academic aspects, and if you’ve read Dracula, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book!

[Thank you, Saga Press and NetGalley, for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.]

A spectacular tale of Indigenous retribution historic(al) in both genre and magnitude. Emotionally gripping as so much good horror is, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter draws the reader in through layers of artfully woven character testimonial and close, enveloping settings; by the time you notice you're caught, it's far too late.

TBHH is, to my ears, a welcome syncopation in the rhythm of Stephen Graham Jones's work. It's still heart-pounding horror with a lot to say, but its bite (sorry) feels more like a slow puncture than the gnawing of, say, My Heart Is a Chainsaw. Give them both a read! I'll certainly be coming back to The Buffalo Hunter Hunter. There's a lot left to chew on.

I was gifted a copy of this ebook from Net Galley and Saga Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is currently available. I DNF'd this book at 65%. This is my third Stephen Graham Jones book and I don't think his writing is for me. All the characters and Native American words for things was just confusing and not enjoyable. It took me out of the book to the point I has no idea who anyone was or what was going on. I may eventually go back and finish the remaining 35% but I just needed to step away as I wasn't enjoying my time reading it.

Alright so, initially, I had <i>nooo</i> interest in reading this. I see vampire and immediately lose interest but holy crap am I glad I gave in to the peer pressure from Saga Press’s instagram stories!

I paired the audiobook with the ebook and the narration is just *chefs kiss*. They definitely brought the characters to life so well, and the end bit felt so reminiscent of Blair Witch Project’s film style (but for audio obvs).

This was a bit of a slower burn but the eerie vibes are rife throughout. And when the story climax hits, it made it all the more worth it.

As my first Stephen Graham Jones novel, I was not disappointed in least. He did such a phenomenal job at weaving real life atrocities into this book.

This very much reminded me of Dracula but if Dracula was Native American. The premise was very interesting and I loved the historical aspect. Unfortunately, the pace caused the book to move too slowly prohibiting me from wanting to pick it back up to find out what was going to happen next.

THE INDIGENOUS VAMPIRE REVENGE STORY OF MY DREAMS!

Stephen Graham Jones has done it again and I think this is one of my new favorites from him. TBHH is historical horror primarily set in 1912 in Montana. It follows a Lutheran Pastor approached by a Blackfeet Vampire telling his life story in small increments each Sunday.

Typically in stories where we have separate POVS/storylines I am heavily invested in one and not in another. However, I loved every single chapter of this. Both Good Stabs storytelling and Three Persons interpretation of those stories had me on the edge of my seat.

This is a bit of a slow burn so it took me a while to get into - but the payoff was SO. WORTH. IT.

*Thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Brutal and emotional. This masterpiece of storytelling blends history and horror.. This book won’t leave you for days , no weeks, probably months .Dark and absolutely horrific you won’t soon forget this story

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is unlike any horror book I’ve read before. The message and history within this book is so important and powerful. That being said I struggled really hard with the writing style of this one. I don’t know what it was about it but my brain had a really hard time understanding what was going on. I know this is a me issue though and not the books fault at all. Overall I still really appreciated this book. The audiobook is also fantastic and I highly recommend reading it that way.
3.5/5 Stars

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

Stephen Graham Jones is an absolute treasure, we’re so lucky to live at the same time as him. The more time I spend on the book, the more I love it. The characters are so meticulously crafted and human. The actual vampire mythos is like nothing I’ve seen before, it’s a sharp wild thing with grit and teeth. Exactly as vampire horror should be. I loved it.

🩸Book Review🩸

Thank you so much to @sagapressbooks for my gifted e-arc copy of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, by Stephen Graham Jones.

This is my 3rd and official favorite go with SGJ.
One thing to know, and know it wholly and with certainty is this: SGJ books are a guaranteed sssslllllooooowwwww BURN. The writing style is distinctive, and it always takes time to adjust. You need to be alert and ready to zone in…
— I know for some this sounds like a turnoff, and tbh, I would say with confidence that he’s not going to be for every reader. But allllllll of this to say.. his books are so. truly. WORTH IT. I cannot stress this enough.

🦬

If I hadn’t previously read books by him before or had trusted friends who praised this one, I may have DNF’d. I particularly struggled between 30-45%… but then I got my footing, and the pacing and details started to pull together and make more sense, and I was hooked from there until the end.

This book gives voice to tragically buried and unknown pieces of history through a brutal vampire horror tale. The slaughter, massacre, and genocide of Natives by white men is at the core of this story. The sins of the white man and the deep lore and generational trauma is carried is what fuels this tale. It was gory, tragic, infuriating, and a slow weaving of details to bring us to the pinnacle of unadulterated heartache and mourning.

🦬

Good Stab and Three Persons are honestly two utterly unforgettable characters added onto my bookish repertoire. And Etsy’s modern day time jump and role in the beginning and end of the story ended up really pulling this in as what became my favorite of his works.

Be ready to reflect when you read SGJ’s stories. They’re important, and they give voice to a culture and history that deserves so much more awareness, vindication, and knowledge. I’m grateful I stuck this one out. I would truly recommend.

4.5⭐️

Amazing, as always. Amazing, as expected. Amazing, in ways that I have never thought possible.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is such a deep dive into understanding the indigenous American experience through the lens of horror, vampires, and life in general. It's beautiful, heartbreaking, and an experience all in one.

The setting is intoxicating. The way Stephen Graham Jones is able to describe in such detail environments that will feel real in your mind. It's incredible!

The horror is up there, giving the reader a gory, bloody, vampire soaked story.

What can't Stephen Graham Jones do?! This is a vampire story wholly unique from anything I've ever read. This vampire horror story also includes history that was new to me! Learning about the massacres is so important. While difficult to fathom, it's extremely important to understand what native americans went through. Not just a vampire story, there is real pain in the history of these events. Additionally, the vampire traits were so unique but also included traditional vampire lore. Lots of gore in a good way! Stephen Graham Jones is an incredible writer and I need to read his backlog immediately.