Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was something different from what I usually read but I did enjoy it. I was able to decipher what was happening pretty quickly and figured out the plot. I’m not sure why it is under the LGBTQ section on NetGalley other than the one mention of the main character not being attracted to anyone.

This is a novella that would be interesting to dissect(no pun intended) for themes, motifs, symbols, etc. It was interesting to see how it ended and while I get why Bea did what she did in the end, I wonder what would’ve been different if she gave the evidence to someone in town? Would that change how the reader looked at the events before? Is what she did in the end symbolize something bigger?

This is a female empowered novella set in the old west with a protagonist who is simply sick and tired of having her life controlled by men.

Bea is on the run from her domineering father. She's running away by train as far west as she can get. But along the way her money starts to dwindle and to keep herself afloat, she decides to offer her body to men for payment. It's a practical decision which she despises bur does anyway.

She gets to a certain town and meets the doctor, a seemingly intelligent articulate man. He offers her a cleaning job for room, board, and pay which she accepts.

However, he's not who he appears to be and the situation will soon take a horrific twist for Bea... and others.

This novella ticks off a lot of horror boxes I enjoy. Strong female protagonist with final girl vibes, secrets, revenge, and perhaps redemption beyond the grave. I highly recommend it.