I really liked this creepy book about cannibalism, science, and folklore. The story is unnerving, and the rougarou is a fun cryptid to consider, so the reader suspends disbelief a little, not knowing where the author will take them. While our MMC takes a scientific approach, he becomes increasingly unreliable as his obsession grows. The mystery itself is fascinating, and a couple of sarcastic characters made me laugh out loud.

There is a lot of fairly graphic imagery, and the plot slows down many times. It jumps around in time a bit, and the POVs change. While I enjoyed the audiobook, whenever recordings were narrated, the sound was so quiet that I had to crank the volume up to full blast just to hear and then quickly turn it back down when that part ended. Hopefully, that's a glitch they work out.

I really liked the way this book had an emphasis on atmosphere. I think the tone of the story as well as the narration was a great combination. This book reads the same way a humid summer evening feels, and I really enjoyed that. As Vincent slowly starts unraveling the truth behind the Cajun Cannibal murders, you can't help but feel that there's something lurking in the background.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley, N.L. Lavin, and Hunter Burke for providing me with a copy of this audio to review

This was different! I did enjoy it but found it moving very slowly at times. As far as horror, I really only found myself frightened in the last few chapters of the book but the story was fascinating. I wasn't thrilled with the twist, as contagion stories generally aren't my genre. The narrators were fantastic!

3.5 stars

Of Flesh and Bone by N.L. Lavin and Hunter Burke is an ambitious, atmospheric dive into Southern folk horror that delivers on mood, setting, and eerie folklore, but stumbles a bit along the way in its execution.

The story has great bones: an expansive plot, rich with unsettling imagery, and that distinctive Southern Gothic flavor that makes everything feel humid, haunted, and heavy with history. If you're into the kind of horror that lingers in the shadows of generational trauma, backwoods legend, and the unexplainable, this absolutely fits the bill.

That said, the first half of the novel suffers from narrative overload. The sheer number of POVs and heavy info dumping made it feel disjointed and hard to latch onto emotionally at first. It takes some time to settle in, but once it does, particularly in the second half when the action roots itself fully in the present, the story finds its stride and becomes much more immersive.

The audiobook is definitely worth mentioning. The full cast narration, especially the use of authentic Louisiana accents, adds another layer of texture that really amplifies the atmosphere and sense of place.

Despite its early pacing and structural issues, Of Flesh and Bone is a creepy, unsettling journey that captures the spirit of folk horror in a way that feels uniquely Southern. If you're patient with the slower build and like your horror tangled in myth and mystery, there's a lot here to enjoy.

Many thanks to NetGalley, N.L. Lavin and Hunter Burke, and Spotify Audiobooks for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5✨.

‘Of Flesh and Blood’ by N.L. Lavin and Hunter Burke was equal parts intriguing, disturbing, and confusing.

The book is divided into three parts, and I have to admit—the entire first section left me disoriented. We were introduced to one storyline, vaguely teased another, and then shifted into something completely different. It wasn’t until part two that the intrigue really picked up, though I still felt unsure about how everything would come together. By part three, I was finally on board, but the confusion earlier on had already pulled me out of the story a few times.

The premise itself is compelling, but the execution felt choppy—perhaps intentionally so, given the unreliable narrator (which is always a bit more challenging for me as a reader). Things began to click more clearly in the final section, but it left two-thirds of the book feeling disjointed.

That said, the generational aspect of the story—interwoven with psychiatry, land, and cultural history—was a standout and what initially drew me in. It felt original and added meaningful depth to the narrative.

Once it got going, I do really think it’s an interesting and worthwhile story. If you enjoy suspense, true crime, thrillers, interwoven cultural mythology and folklore—and don’t mind being challenged to think and piece things together—this is definitely a story to pick up.

Also, the audiobook narrators were a highlight. They did a great job distinguishing characters and brought a lot of nuance to the delivery.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Lavin and Burke, and Spotify Audiobooks for this ALC.

4.25/5
I'm reviewing the audio version of this book. It was narrated by:
Hunter Burke
Bahni Turpin
Darrell Dennis
Cary Hite
Eric Jason Martin
Jude Prest
Raechel Wong
Chris Marroy

This cast of narrators turned a simple audio book in to a unique experience that was very fitting for the way the story was told in the book.

This follows Dr. Vincent Blackburn, a forensic psychologist, as he digs into the "Cajun Cannibal" serial killer, more than a decade after the killings.

This is told through in a way that was part podcast interviews (i.e. the full cast of amazing narrators), the Doctor's notes on his research paper, and his actions and stream of thought along the way.

This was such an interesting experience that blended some of my favorite audio book experiences. Bits of World War Z, Listen for the Lie, and FantasticLand, mixed together to make and excellent experience as something altogether new.

The story and the characters were absolutely fascinating. Characters varied in depth, but their stories felt intentional and needed.

While I kind of saw where the plot was headed from the first autopsy, it was done in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to see the journey unfold.

Highly recommend.

This book starts slow, and the middle is slowed down by plot twists, BUT the last 30% of the book is what made me switch my review from 3.5 to 5. Horror, urban paranormal, man Vs (call-it-what-you-want-but-it's-terrifying): this type of supernatural horror is my favorite type of thriller. The character will doubt himself, we will doubt the character, we will see the world and evil with different eyes.

This one is not for the faint of heart as it is gruesome, creepy and so bizarre. It brings in folk lore which adds a unique element to the story. Dr Blackburn is obsessed with the Cajun Cannibal and he shares the same blood line. Is the killer a monster or something more sinister?

Dr Blackburn begins to loose touch with reality the more time he spends searching for the truth.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a fantastic job. Listened in daylight as the nature of the book made me jump at every sound.

I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook’s top-tier production—it was immersive and exceptionally well done. However, I ended up DNF-ing at 75%. Despite the strong start, the story became too slow, introduced too many characters, and eventually lost its narrative focus. I found myself no longer invested in how it ended. While the format and production were impressive, the story just didn’t hold my attention through to the finish.

Serial killer and the swamps of Louisiana, count me in! This book is a banger and shook me! Vincent Blackburn is a forensic psychiatrist investigating the "Cajun Cannibal". Told through a dual timeline 2008 and present day. As he gets more and more involved, he uncovers shocking information, thst he may be closer to the serial killer than he would like. The atmosphere is so creepy.  At one point Blackburn is interviewing patients at a very infamous prison, and you can just feel the dread and despair of the prison. These guys create an incredible world filled with terror yet hope and humanity emerge. Very fast paced and well written.

I’m so sorry to say that this was just not for me. I don’t know if I was confused by the blurb or not but this read more like a documentary and I am not a documentary fan at all… I think that someone who doesn’t likes crime documentaries would love this though. I was hoping for more of a scary inside the mind of a serial killer type of story. Unfortunately I had to DNF at 23%.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book and again I’m sorry it wasn’t for me.

I received an advance copy of the book for review. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was intrigued by the description. I was quickly sucked into the story and hooked for the duration. This was one that kept me guessing and kept me jumpy.!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 stars & a standing ovation

((Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC))

I think I love horror because I’ve been chasing the high of watching “The Ring” (sequel) in an empty theater with a friend at 13. I haven’t topped that excited-scared feeling until this book.

I listened to the audiobook & it felt like a cinematic experience. The various voice acting + the “click” of audiotapes —- ugh, perfection! It felt like I was watching a movie.

I came into this book with limited knowledge of Louisiana Cajun culture and came out with a new obsession for the Rougarou. This book felt like a mix between true crime, psychological thriller (a little bit of unreliable narrator—my fav trope) and horror based on cultural folklore (in a way that was respectful and appreciative of said culture.)

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

"A Haunting Descent into Madness and Legacy"

"Of Flesh and Blood" written by N.L. Lavin and Hunter Burke is a chilling psychological horror that masterfully intertwines true crime elements with Southern Gothic ambiance. Set in the eerie swamps of Louisiana, the novel delves into the psyche of Dr. Vincent Blackburn, a forensic psychiatrist drawn into the macabre legacy of the infamous "Cajun Cannibal," a serial killer who terrorized St. Landry Parish in 2008.

A decade after the killer's death, Vincent uncovers a disturbing familial connection to the murderer, prompting him to embark on a case study that blurs the lines between professional detachment and personal obsession. As he delves deeper, the resurgence of copycat killings forces Vincent to confront not only the external horrors but also the internal demons that threaten his sanity and the safety of those he holds dear, especially his family.

The narrative, presented through Vincent's case study memoir, offers a unique lens into the unraveling mind of a man grappling with inherited darkness and the weight of familial curses. The authors adeptly weave themes of small-town politics, interracial family dynamics, and supernatural whispers, creating a tapestry that's is terrifying. "Of Flesh and Blood" is a must read for horror fans.

Great narration.
The story is a little hard to follow at first, very interesting premise tho a bit drawn out.
The last few hours were by far the best.
The mental downward spiral was insane.
Fact or fiction? Who’s to say.
Enjoyed the ending.

Of Flesh and Blood
Hunter Burke, N.L. Lavin
Release Date: 06/10/2025
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Of Flesh and Blood is a gripping fusion of horror, folklore, and crime, told through the lens of a unique narrator — a psychiatrist investigating the dark past of his own cousin, the man accused of being the infamous Cajun Cannibal. What sets this novel apart is its immersive, case file-style narrative. Medical records, autopsy reports, police transcripts, historical accounts, and rich regional folklore are all woven together to create a chillingly realistic experience. It reads like a true crime novel — one that feels unnervingly real.
The setting is deeply atmospheric. South Louisiana, with its shadowy bayous and thick, humid air, becomes a character in its own right. The authors do an exceptional job of bringing the region to life through vivid descriptions of the food, traditions, superstitions, and landscape. The folklore is especially compelling — I found myself diving down internet rabbit holes about the Rougarou and other local legends. With a trip to New Orleans coming up in September, I’m already planning to explore more of these eerie tales in person.
The dialogue stands out for its authenticity. It shifts naturally between characters, reflecting their backgrounds, voices, and personalities. (Mitch in particular) The book also touches on small-town politics, eccentric locals, and cultural tensions, all of which deepen the sense of place. Southern horror folklore has a distinctive flavor — a haunting mix of gothic atmosphere, regional history, and supernatural dread. Of Flesh and Blood delivers on every front. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, unsettling and absorbing in equal measure.

If you didn’t know better, you might believe this is a true crime story, but it’s a cleverly written novel about a vicious killer and the psychiatrist who tries to understand what motivated the murderer after his death, only to find that his investigation brings out a copycat. Impossible to stop listening!