Whoa…what a surprise! Such a mix of genres - historical fiction, mystery, family drama, horror, edge of your seat suspense with twists and turns thrown in along the way - all combined into one engrossing reading experience. As a reader I still have questions about how and why but I did not want to put this read down.
Adelaide, a thirty one year old woman, escapes her childhood home under a huge cloud of suspicion with an extremely heavy trunk she does not want out of her sight. Immediately the reader is pulled in making assumptions about what has happened. As she travels to find a new home far away, her past travels with her and is revealed little by little.
Victor LaValle grabs hold of you and pushes and pulls you along a roller coaster track, slowing down, gathering speed and rocketing along sharing his unbelievable storyline. I was unable to identify with any of the characters but the storyline is so powerful it keeps the car on the track and the reader engrossed in the tale.
I so love when a book is a total surprise to me and this read certainly was. My sincere appreciation to Victor LaValle who captivated me and held me hostage on my couch for hours, One World for publishing it, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this soon to be published twisted tale.

It’s 1914 and Adelaide Henry is packing up stakes and leaving California after losing everything near and dear to her. She’s taking only a small bag and a large padlocked steamer trunk with her. Hearing that Montana has no rules about lone women purchasing property, Adelaide picks a plot and stakes a claim in the rural town of Big Sandy. There is some serious baggage she’s carrying with her and anyone that’s too interested in her trunk comes to a bad ending. What exactly is in there? We don’t have to wait overly long to find out, but once the cats out of the bag, it’s too late to put it back in! This book was a strange mix of historical fiction and horror, something I would have never thought to put together. While well written, this dark and dreary read was not for me! Thank you to One World and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Lone Women is beautifully written, multi-layered historical fiction with a vivid sense of setting and atmosphere. I felt like I was alongside the characters on this cold, vast, isolated land.

The characters are well developed, complex, and real enough to step off the pages. I loved Adelaide, and her predicament broke my heart.

This book is marketed as horror, but if you’re not a fan of the genre, don’t let that deter you. The horror aspect feels like an allegory, a symbol of things I can't talk about because of spoilers. It’s not overdone or full of gore. Instead, it’s a poignant backdrop that brings us to a thought-provoking conclusion.

It's 1914 and Adelaide has a secret- a big horrific secret. This blends historical fiction with an unusual undertone (until it's right out there) of horror. She's moved to Montana, dragging with her a large locked trunk, where she plans to homestead in an area where there are only two other black people. Along the way she meets an odd woman with four blind sons- keep your eye on this group. Things are tough when you move to a shack with nothing, including food, but luckily her closest neighbor arrives on horseback with her son- they've got secrets too. The nearest town is dominated by the Reeds- not good people. Sorry but this truly deserves to be experienced without expectations because it's twisty and frankly surprising. LaValle pulled me in early, when I thought Adelaide was running because of what happened to her parents (which is true) and then it seemed like a fairly conventional yarn about a black woman struggling to make it as a homesteader but then, wow! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great tension, intricate plotting, and intriguing characters made this a terrific read.

I'm not usually drawn to the early US homesteading period of historical fiction, but the promised twists were intriguing, and didn't disappoint. Adelaide had a lot of baggage she'd been carrying around all of her life, in the form of an enormous steamer trunk. Although it was less about the trunk than what it held, and that's where the darkness starts. Some of the homesteading details seemed a bit unrealistic, and on the whole the story didn't get as detailed as I would have liked, but rather remained a little superficial, which ended up keeping me just out of the story enough to not be fully engaged. I think there could have been a bigger grab and more intensity which would have bumped it up to a 5 star rating for me, but overall this was a solid story and well worth your time.

My thanks to Random House/One World, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I hate to say this book wasn’t for me but I just could not get myself to enjoy it. The story opens with Adelaide setting fire to her home, with her deceased parents inside, and leaving for Montana with nothing but her secretive locked trunk. Solid start but from there I was so bored. I couldn’t connect with Adelaide and just didn’t care what happened to her or even what was in the mysterious trunk. This didn’t read as horror to me, even in the metaphorical sense, and I’m overall disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and One World for an ARC of this title.

What a delight of a book. I'm not a huge historical fantasy person, but this hit the right blend of well-researched and well-written. The setting and details of frontier life in Montana during homesteading feels fully thought out (there's fantastic world building happening), and the various characters that make up the town feel fleshed-out and complex. LaValle knows his hand and plays each of his cards at the right time, revealing a new layer to the supernatural dealings, and though the moment right before the finale felt a smidge rushed and occasionally hard to follow (a lot of characters make a LOT of choices leading into the finale), I loved the ending.

Thanks Random House and Netgalley for providing this ARC. I enjoyed this mix of historical fiction and the supernatural/horror a lot. LaValle did a good job mixing in some current issues without detracting from the plot or feeling like certain topics were inserted to check a box. It all worked quite well.

Actually, 4 1/2 stars.

Adelaide Henry is a Black woman who escapes after her parents’ murders, taking an enormous steamer trunk with her to Washington. She ends up in Montana after taking advantage of some free land with a cabin, sight unseen. Funny thing, she is not alone and has a big secret and the reason why she fled after her parents were killed.

This historical horror tells about wide-open space when the West was still being settled where one could hide a horrifying secret. A secret that maybe too monstrous. If you love historical horror, this book hits all the dark spots. And yet, lovers of American history fiction will love it too.

This is a novel that gives you the “need to know” feeling from page one. This is a wonderful Historical Fiction with a bit of fantasy/horroresque!
Such a good book!!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

WOW. Thank you a million times over to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-ARC. Lone Women was absolutely a WILD and amazing ride. "Horror" done right! The pacing was steady and the characters well rounded. I wanted more, and will most certainly add this author to my "must reads" list! Formal review will be available on GoodReads, socials & Amazon.

This was my first foray into the works of Victor LaValle but it definitely won’t be my last. This was such a strange blend of historical fiction, mystery, and horror but it was done so well. I had no idea what was going on with Adelaide during the first fifteen percent. Once things started getting revealed, I was even more intrigued.

The only issue I had was that the pacing seemed to fall off in the last half. We go from primarily following Adelaide to having a few more perspectives introduced and it really slowed things down for me. The additions were necessary to flesh out the narrative, but it was a little jarring.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Random House/One World, and Victor LaValle for an e-arc of Lone Women in exchange for an honest review.

A 3 star horror x historical fiction. To talk about this book beyond the blurb would be to give spoilers, so I’m just going to leave it vague. I enjoyed it, I related to Adelaide although I can see how other reviewers wouldn’t be able to put themselves in her circumstances, and it was a fun, quick read.

From the publisher:
Adelaide Henry carries an enormous steamer trunk with her wherever she goes. It’s locked at all times. Because when the trunk opens, people around Adelaide start to disappear.

The year is 1915, and Adelaide is in trouble. Her secret sin killed her parents, forcing her to flee California in a hellfire rush and make her way to Montana as a homesteader. Dragging the trunk with her at every stop, she will become one of the “lone women” taking advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those who can tame it—except that Adelaide isn’t alone. And the secret she’s tried so desperately to lock away might be the only thing that will help her survive the harsh territory.

Crafted by a modern master of magical suspense, Lone Women blends shimmering prose, an unforgettable cast of adventurers who find horror and sisterhood in a brutal landscape, and a portrait of early-twentieth-century America like you’ve never seen. And at its heart is the gripping story of a woman desperate to bury her past—or redeem it.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle is expected out March 28th, 2023 from One World.

My Thoughts:

Adelaide Henry is a strong woman. She's able to leave most of her past behind her, save what's in her trunk. Not that she doesn't have regrets perhaps, but rather that she is moving forward - taking positive action in light of what went before. Whatever is in that trunk though must be mighty important. But, it's for her eyes only. Dangerous things happen when other people open her trunk. I found the mystery surrounding the trunk irresistible.

I liked Adelaide and the other women she befriends out in the sparsely populated area of Big Sandy, Montana. Some of the other folks, not so much. They were sneaky and kept the dark side of themselves hidden for the most part. I especially enjoyed watching her friendship with Grace and Sam grow.

The pacing of the book was good. The building of tension and the twists was nicely done as well. I found it hard to put the book down. The ending surprised me in a good way.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. This blend of historical fantasy, western, and horror makes for a good read. You might also consider it as part of the weird western genre. I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy those genres or if you've read other works by Victor LaValle.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

“A guilty soul is always troubled by its reflection."

Victor LaValle’s Lone Women is a masterclass in ramping up suspense until it reaches its apex. And what an apex it is.

Protagonist Adelaide Henry is a woman literally and metaphorically on the run. She seeks the solitude of the Montana wilderness, but soon realizes she can’t outrun her past… nor does she want to.

LaValle explores themes of identity, blood ties versus found family, and the ways in which systems are constructed to marginalize and oppress. The way that the mystery about the contents of Adelaide’s trunk is gradually revealed exceeded my predictions and expectations. This is a tale that I can see depicted on screen, which would be as visually stunning as LaValle’s text is striking.

If you want a book that will keep you guessing until the very end, Lone Women is definitely for you.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lone Women is the story of Adelaide Henry, who, after the violent deaths of her parents on their California farm, travels to Montana to make a fresh start. All she brings with her is a heavy, locked steamer trunk that carries a secret. The year is 1914, and Montana homesteads are being offered dirt cheap to those who can cultivate the land. Adelaide is a tall, sturdy, strong woman who is already burdened by the trunk's secret -- so building a new life on her new plot of land seems like something she is capable of. But she never could have anticipated the challenges she will face, the people who will come into her life...or what will happen when the trunk is opened for good.

Blending horror, historical fiction, literary fiction, and fantasy, Victor LaValle has created a vivid, haunting portrait of life in the western United States during the early 1900s. In gripping, atmospheric prose, in writing that is both literary and propulsive, he tells a harrowing story of survival and found family, a story featuring both the best and worst of humanity. Through a cast of diverse, unapologetic female characters, he touches on themes of feminism, racism, and wealth and privilege, exploring the idea of freedom in fascinating, inventive ways.

And LaValle does all of this in a narrative that is absolutely engrossing, that grabs you from its violent opening and doesn't let go until its perfectly-executed conclusion. At first I was reading just to know what was in the trunk, and then when I found out, this story went in directions I could never have predicted, with several well-timed twists and reveals. It kept me so engaged.

Lone Women is my favorite read of the year so far. It's flawless. One hundred percent perfection. No notes. Thank you so much to NetGalley and One World/Random House for the advance reading opportunity.

I love Victor LaValle and I look forward to everything that he writes. It is no surprise how excited I was to learn that the following up novel to The Changeling was going to be a historical horror novel set in the American west. I know that westerns and horror have been popular lately (see Death Head’s Press’s Splatter Western series), so I was really excited to see what LaValle would bring to the table.

I thought of the movie Airheads when the title was revealed, the 90s comedy starring Brendan Fraser and Adam Sandler. Their band was called the Lone Rangers, and someone made the comment of how can they be "lone" if there are three of them? I started this book with this same question in my head. How could they be "lone" if the title refers to "women"? It is discovered that "lone women" refers to homesteaders in Montana, particularly single or widowed female homesteaders who traveled to Montana to cultivate the land. Adelaide Henry shows up from California to stake her claim, carrying nothing but a steamer trunk that is almost too heavy to move. There are secrets inside the trunk. secrets that Adelaide and her family have spent her lifetime trying to hide. Now that she is out in a land of endless isolation and wind, the only thing that she can do is face her past and her secrets.

LaValle might be talking about “lone women” being those single homesteaders who are working the land to make a life of their own, but the “lone women” element also refers to the differences between Adelaide as an African-American homesteader and the way the white women in the nearest town of Big Sandy treat her and the other few minority women. The Reeds own the opera house and the entire town. Jerrine Reed leads the Busy Bees social club, and one of their commitments is promoting female ran businesses. One of the businesses is a new laundry service by Mrs. Metta Sterling and her son. The thing about this is the town already had a female ran laundry service, but the person in charge of that, Fiona Wong, happens to be Chinese. There is a fissure between the white women and the minority women in town. The minorities become their own faction, not only because they are are pushed away from the other women in town, but also because they do not seem swayed by the influence of the Reeds. These outcasts turn into “lone women” and band together to form their own close knit group. 

Lone Women does have enough different elements in it that keeps the story moving and interesting. This story is a fresh mix of not only horror but of mystery, adventure, and politics, but the freshness is heavily steeped in so many elements that are classic to horror. I love all of LaValle's novels. This is not my favorite one, but it is enjoyable and a very solid western horror.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t read much historical fiction (unless it’s romance) and this book mixes in another genre I don’t read often but it was utterly engrossing. I wasn’t familiar with this author so the novel was quite a surprise for me.

I was pulled in very quickly both with the overall story and the allusion to the mystery of what was in the steamer trunk Adelaide was taking on her journey. All of the characters and their struggles were compelling and some I’d thought minor or irrelevant played very important parts in the story.

It was a strange and unusual book — these are good things — and I’m glad I was able to read it without knowing much about it which made the experience all the more unexpected.

This book started so strong! I loved the gothic mystery elements and the strong female BIPOC main character. However, I think the mystery inside the trunk was revealed too soon. I wish the suspense would have continued past the first half. It would have held my interest longer,

Thank you Victor LaValle, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, One World and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. I really enjoyed this book a lot. I was a bit nervous diving in since I had heard talk of it having a sort of sci-fi esq vibe but I was pleasantly surprised and it was a great mild horror story. Adelaide is our main character who has drug her problems and baggage across several state lines in a hope to start over but fate has other ideas. This book depicted history and really not much was missed in that department and made the story come alive.