Every time I think I have read Stephen Graham Jones' masterpiece, he produces another heartfelt, heartrending, heartswelling novel that I love, admire, and agonize over deep into the night. With The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, SGJ dives into historical fiction for a vampire story unlike any other. At times the language and imagery were so beautiful it felt like I was watching an opera. I told my daughter this book also reminded me of a dark telenovela because it's about revenge, which in the face of genocide, is really a cry for justice. I'm blown away by this author's genius. As per usual, his acknowledgments made me tearful.

"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians is a chilling historical horror novel tracing the life of a vampire who haunts the fields of the Blackfeet reservation looking for justice.

A diary, written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered within a wall. What it unveils is a slow massacre, a chain of events that go back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow. Told in transcribed interviews by a Blackfeet named Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar life over a series of confessional visits. This is an American Indian revenge story written by one of the new masters of horror, Stephen Graham Jones."

Yes to revenge for those who deserve it the most.

Set in 1912 The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a gruesome historical horror novel about a Lutheran Priest, Native Americans and a man turned into a monster.

I found Stephen Graham Jones’ writing to be quite addicting here. This is not a typical type of story for me, I don’t read historical horror, but it was a captivating story. Reading about the Native Americans stories made me want to dive into the history on my own time. Some of this story is based on the Marias Massacre in 1870, I would suggest reading about that before or during your reading of this novel. What drew me to the story was the vampire and he did not disappoint. He was a terrifying, horrific monster and some of his chapters were difficult to read. There are some really horrific scenes in this story. What made them more scary was some of it is based on real events. I liked reading the journal articles from the lutheran Priest’s perspective and how he navigated dealing with the vampire.

This is a long book that is sometimes difficult to get through. Some of the violence meshed together a bit and the end was a little strange for me, I could have done without the chapters with the journalist at the end. Overall, if you are up for a wild ride are a Stephen Graham Jones fan then I would pick this up.

Thank you to Saga Press for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Nobody writes like that Stephen Graham Jones. That’s not hyperbole, just simple fact. Jones’s voice and style is unique, and his stories unfold in an intensely conversational way, utilizing stream of consciousness, occasional tangents, and prose and dialogue that can prove circuitous and sometimes confusing until an act or deed provides clarity (or the reader just figures it out on their own). As a Blackfeet Native American writer, Jones brings the oral tradition of Indigenous storytelling to his writing, and in doing so has carved out a distinct and special space within the horror genre, writing books that are unlike anything else out there.

His style makes for a comfortable bedfellow with the epistolary technique, with The Buffalo Hunter Hunter unfolding across a series of journal entries from 1912, many of which concern the life of Blackfeet Indian Good Stab and the events of 1870 and the years following that made him the undead man he is. Good Stab has come to the church of Lutheran pastor Arthur Beaucarne, who records the confessions shared with him over a handful of months. The overarching mystery, of course, is why Good Stab has chosen Beaucarne as his confessor and what unites these two men, especially as skinned corpses are discovered in the snowy banks around Miles City, Montana.

On the surface, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a revenge-driven vampire story. The afflicted Good Stab hunts the mountains and prairies for those who have attacked his people and who are hunting buffalo in an effort to eliminate the Native’s dependent on the animals for their survival. There’s plenty of bloody violence, of course, befitting a 21st Century vampire book, but there’s a heck of a lot more going on between the covers here.

What The Buffalo Hunter Hunter really is, is a piece of history being told through the lens of slow-burn historical horror. It’s America’s story, of land stolen, of murders committed, of genocide enacted in the name of white supremacy, as told by the victims of a nation founded on their blood and tears. As one character writes late in the proceedings, “This is an Indian story…and you’re on Indian land whether you admit it or not.” And the vampiric Good Stab, well, he’s “the Indian who can’t die…. the worst dream America ever had.”

Jones’s latest certainly arrives a timely moment with contemporary American politics being what they are. Right-wing school boards and Moms Against Literacy orgs across the country have, for years now, been working to strip history classes of actual historical content and ban books from their libraries in an effort to help make white America even more coddled and unchallenged by facts, the existence of other races and cultures, and the sins of our forefathers. Rather than confront the multifaceted truths of America’s heritage and legacy, the answer of these fascist-loving nutjobs is to sanitize and whitewash the past and silence everyone else. All of which helps make The Buffalo Hunter Hunter a necessary and vital breath of fresh air, as well as a reminder about the power of truth in fiction and the importance of reading diverse voices. It’s awfully crazy that in order to get a better understanding of American history in 2025 and the horrors inflicted upon Indigenous peoples we have to turn to a vampire book, but that’s where we’re at nowadays in post-truth USA where simple facts are decried as woke and evil.

There’s a necessary and righteous undercurrent of anger at the (un)beating and deeply empathetic heart of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter as Jones challenges readers to confront one’s complictness in a violent and ugly past. This may be Jones at his absolute best, too, reminding readers of just how potent a literary powerhouse he can be. By the time he lays all his cards on the table late in the game, it’s one hell of an emotional sucker-punch that has been preceded by a number of incredible moments that eventually give way to startling revelation. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter has long, sharp teeth to sink into readers, but more importantly, it forces you to think and feel. If you disagree, you might want to check your pulse.

Stephen Graham Jones writing vampires? Well, yes. Absolutely. This book had me in a chokehold, I couldn't put it down. It's gripping, raw, and incredibly intense. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a fascinating character study. Stephen Graham Jones has such a talent for writing characters that feel real and grounded in reality, even when they might be something otherworldly. I wish I could read this again for the first time.

*The Buffalo Hunter Hunter* by Stephen Graham Jones is a dark, gripping read that mixes history with horror. Etsy, a scholar, finds an old journal written by her great-great-grandfather, a priest who vanished in 1912. The journal tells the story of Good Stab, a man seeking revenge for the 1870 Marias Massacre. The book is bloody, intense, and full of twists. It’s a fresh take on vampire lore that’ll keep you hooked and leave you thinking long after you finish.

Stephen Graham Jones has long been on my radar, but not normally being a horror reader, I admit I have put off starting any of his books. But something about the summary of "The Buffalo Hunter Hunter" drew me in, and now I've got a backlist of his other books to work my way through this year.

A journal is discovered in the walls of an old church in 2012. The author, Arthur Beaucarne, was a Lutheran priest who disappeared after writing his entries in the year 1912. His great-great-granddaughter and only living relative, Etsy, gets access to the journal and sees it as her ticket to finally snagging a tenure position. But what she finds instead is a horrific, dark, supernatural tale of revenge and gruesome atrocities, as told through both Arthur and his transcribed confessionals with the Pikuni, Good Stab.

I didn't know there were still ways to surprise me with a vampire book. I took a whole class on them back in pursuit of my literature degree. But Jones has managed to create something so unique and haunting with "The Buffalo Hunter Hunter" that it's hard to even summarize it effectively. The layers to the storytelling are fascinating: Etsy telling of the journal entries of her great-great-grandfather, who is similarly telling the confessions of Good Stab in his journal. It is not a "nice" story by any means - it's the tale of vampiric revenge for an atrocity committed against the Blackfeet in 1870; the Marias Massacre. It's bloody and violent and so visceral that you can't help but be uncomfortable the entire time you're reading. It's not a nicely wrapped up ending. But it's so painfully, violently poignant and timely.

(There's also a bunch of very horrifying Wikipedia rabbit holes this book will send you down. They're worth a read to get a full scope of what is happening around the story.)

Thanks to Netgalley/Saga Press for the eARC. My rating is 4.5/5.

In 2012 a journal written by Arthur Beaucarne, a Lutheran Priest in 1912 is discovered by a construction worker. The journal is returned to Etsy, his only living relative (great great grand daughter), a communications professor. Etsy sees the journal as an opportunity to receive the tenure she wants.
As the journal (dating back to 1870 after the Marias Massacre) is deciphered, a supernatural tale of vengeance as chronicled by Arthur that is based upon the confessionals of Good Stab, a Pikuni who appears one day after his Sunday service. Strap in fellow readers, the story unfolds with pain, suffering, and gore at a very fast pace. Who is good vs who is evil?? Those lines became blurry to me.

SGJ is a master of horror! Throw in that historical fiction element and I'm hooked.

Stephen Graham Jones’ The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a haunting blend of historical fiction and horror, told through a layered narrative that unearths unsettling confessions from a Blackfeet man. Jones reimagines vampire lore through an Indigenous lens, using it as a powerful metaphor for identity, transformation, and historical trauma. The novel’s slow-burning tension builds to moments of visceral horror, challenging readers with its brutal yet thought-provoking themes. With its unique structure and rich cultural commentary, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a gripping and unforgettable read.

I loved the Indian Lake Trilogy and so I was excited to see that Stephen Graham Jones had another book coming out. This marks the fifth book I've read by this author and I am always excited because they are always exactly what I am looking for.

I've loved every other book by SGJ that I've read but this one unfortunately was too hard for me to really get into easily. The priest's language was just /too/ flowery for me and it took me ages to read through his sections.

Maybe this is something for me to try again at a later date, but for now, I just couldn't finish it.

“The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” was painful, thought-provoking and intense. Good Stab was such a complex character and it was easy to empathize with him even as he described horrific acts. The premise was fresh and exciting, and I was inspired to research more into this time period based on the events that were touched upon in this book. The inclusion of diary entries was a personal favorite touch of mine, as I enjoy flashback elements in media. Highly recommend!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I desperately wanted to love this one, as I've heard so many amazing things about this author, but I had to DNF at 25% into the story. I might try and pick it up again, but the writing style and characters didn't connect for me. Loved the premise, and the descriptions/location for the novel was intriguing, however I couldn't connect with the characters, and didn't feel any motivation to pick it back up.

Thanks to Saga Press & Netgalley for giving me early access to this eARC.

4.5 Star!

Wow! This book is gonna stick with me for a very long time. It took me a minute to warm up to the different timelines, and characters. But by the time I noticed, this story had its teeth sunk into me and wasn't letting go.

This is a harrowing tale of the American Indians and the horrors they endured and the revenge of one American Indian turned vampire - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter! It's brutal, it's bloody, and the horrors will remain once the book is shut. And it's worth noting, this story is so much more than a beautifully written horror novel - it explores deep rooted issues in humanity and survival and I will be reflecting on this tale for years to come.

The experience this story offers is destined to last.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter takes place over two time periods. We begin in 2013, with Etsy Beaucarne uncovering the diary of her great-great grandfather, Pastor Arthur Beaucarne, who disappeared in the early 1900s. She hopes to use the diary to secure tenure at the University where she works. As she transcribes Arthur's writing, she unveils the story of his life leading up to the disappearance and the curses that followed.
In 1912, Pastor Arthur Beaucarne adopts a congregation in Miles City after a secretive past that he alludes to but will not write of. He more often writes of a newcomer to his Sunday services named Good Stab, who shares the unbelievable story of his life leading up to his arrival in Miles City. These stories leave Arthur paranoid and fearful, and rightfully so.
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SGJ has done it again. History already contains elements of horror and unimaginable events. Jones takes these elements to new heights, elevating the realities of a time and place with lore and grim fantasy.
I'll also say, I'm not much for vampire stories these days. So much of it feels like a "been there, heard that" sort of scenario. I loved this take on vampirism and the discoveries the character made throughout their transition. How they coped (and didn't cope). The side effects and unexpected consequences. For a story largely set in the past, the concept felt fresh.

I'd highly recommend.

A grand, expansive epic horror western, based on a found journal of a Lutheran pastor and his interactions with a Blackfoot vampire.

A heart-rending novel of vengeance and despair, about the murder of a people, a culture, an entire way of life, and the careless violence of the white settlers.

A whole new way to look at the vampire trope. Although Good Stab must feed on the blood of animals and humans, there is no question who are the real monsters in this novel.

This book is the real deal. It is a well researched historical of Lonesome Dove proportions wrapped in a Stoker-like bloody and disturbing classic vampire novel. It is everything it should be and so much more.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🩸 Historical horror that haunts long after the last page
Listen, I need to confess something—horror isn't typically my jam, but THIS BOOK completely demolished my expectations! The Buffalo Hunter Hunter starts slow (seriously, I almost put it down), but once it sinks its teeth in? Absolutely impossible to escape.
Jones crafts this chilling historical horror set in 1912 that follows a Lutheran pastor transcribing interviews with a Blackfeet man named Good Stab. What unfolds is a vampire revenge story intricately connected to the horrific Marias Massacre where over 200 innocent Blackfeet were murdered. The narrative structure? Brilliantly unsettling—like discovering dark secrets hidden inside walls that were never meant to be found.
The vibes we're tracking:
🌕 Atmospheric Wild West darkness
📖 Journal-style narration that drags you across decades
🧛‍♂️ Vampire lore completely reinvented
💔 Historical trauma made viscerally real
Jones' character work SHINES here. Good Stab's voice haunts you, and those confusing timelines? They come together in an ending that left me staring at my ceiling at 3am.
The horror works because it's both supernatural AND deeply human. Jones makes you question who the real monster is in American history—and doesn't let you off easy.
Bottom line: This book will disturb you, change you, and consume you. Not a horror person? This might be your exception. A blood-soaked masterpiece that forces America to face its nightmares.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and absolutely did NOT disappoint! The premise is wild and the story had me hooked right away,

My god.
An absolutely riveting book.
Gorey AS FUCK.

Excellent writing as always.
A historical fiction feeling of the Marias Massacre with added vengeful vampires.
I loved the way this story timeline worked and how captivated I was the whole time. Sometimes extremely grossed out.

If you need to check the trigger warnings please do so!

Not altogether pleasant reading but very good.

Thanks to netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an eARC

I've tried to read Stephen Graham Jones in the past but it never felt like the right moment, the right book, etc... Well, I'm so glad I gave him another try because The Buffalo Hunter Hunter was incredible and I am grateful to have read it. Told in an epistolary/transcription style , the story weaves between the perspective of a Lutheran pastor and a Pikuni vampire seeking confession for violent actions. This is very much historical fiction with a supernatural twist, as Jones deftly reworks real history into this vampire story - giving the genre a fresh and meaningful take that I think it's been needing. I truly truly hated the POV of the pastor but also appreciated it for the context it gave to the the psyche of the American west at that time.

This book is very slow and very heavy, but it creeps on you in such a way that the moments of terror truly do shake you. I can see this easily becoming a classic in monster literature and the vampire genre!