This is not at all my usual type of book. I love true crime, horror, fantasy, and lighthearted, comedic-based non-fiction essays. But... I don't know. Something about the title and the cover just intrigued me, so I "picked a book by its cover" on a whim.

I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

The pacing is a bit slow (intentionally so, I think), but it wasn't annoying or off-putting as I would have imagined a slow plot would be. Somehow, it fit with the overall tone and story.

Think of it like an old-school western (without the cowboys and Indians) without a ton of action. That's the vibe it gives off.

It's a good, solid story, and I enjoyed the ending very much. Definitely worth the read if you're in the mood for something nostalgic and a little slower paced. A good "family" story with western vibes.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Beartooth by Callum Wink, especially since I initially thought it might have too much of a masculine vibe for me. But from the very first page, I was hooked. Wink’s writing is incredibly descriptive—it made me feel like I was right there alongside the brothers, experiencing everything they did. The landscapes, the emotions, the tension—it all came to life in such a vivid way.

Thad and Hazen are characters I won’t soon forget. Their bond, struggles, and individual journeys will stay in my heart forever. There’s something deeply moving about their relationship, and the way Wink brings them to life is nothing short of powerful. What I thought might be a book outside of my usual tastes turned out to be a rich, immersive experience, and I’m so glad I gave it a chance. Highly recommend it!

I knew I wanted to read this book from the moment I saw the first line in the description comparing the novel to A Simple Plan, Scott Smith’s 1993 debut novel. A great book followed by a great movie. As I read Beartooth the comparison made sense to me – The brothers Thad and Hazen did evoke memories of Hank and Jacob, alone without their parents, facing financial issues and forced to decide whether to chase after money that perhaps they shouldn’t. It wasn’t until after I had requested the book that I saw a reference to Cormac McCarthy. If I hadn’t already been eager to read Beartooth before, that would have done the trick.

The setting of Beartooth is a cabin in the mountains near Yellowstone. The setting is so wonderfully described that I could picture it easily, both its beauty and the dangers awaiting therein. The relationship between Thad and Hazen is also very well-written.

This book was fairly short and where I felt it suffered was the exclusion of a key event involving an interaction with Beartooth’s main villain. As I listened to the chapter telling of the aftermath, I went back a few chapters convinced that I must have stopped paying attention as I had missed the event itself. Another similar example occurred when I had missed the initial discussion of an oft-referenced letter. I finally found its introduction, only to realize that there actually wasn’t much detail. I don’t generally have an issue with authors leaving things vague to encourage the imagination of the readers. This book was so short though I would have liked a little more.

Beartooth was narrated by Will Damron, who was excellent. I have enjoyed listening to him before in books such as Listen to the Lie and Bad Blood. I listened at my normal 1.25 speed.

I believe this is an incredible book and I would definitely recommend. It would be fun to see what Hollywood could do with this story.

Thanks to Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this terrific book. The above opinions are my own.

Two brothers get into a financial bind and they try to do something about it that is not very exciting.
Hmmm...
If you like reading books with good character development, this is a great read. If you like books for the plot, this one is not for you. Slow. Not great subject matter. You get to know the characters, but you don't like them.
Very skillfully written. We just need a little more.

This is not my typical read, but I did enjoy it. It is the story of two brothers who live off the grid and their attempts to earn money to save their home. Desperate for money they take a job against their better judgment that leads them to discover more about themselves and the history of their family. A great story of survival, revenge and family. #BearTooth #NetGallery

Beautifully written and well narrated audiobook. This is the story of two brothers living around Yellowstone in a cabin built by their mother’s father. We learn early on that their father has recently died, leaving these young men in their mid-20s saddled with an obscene amount of debt as well as a roof that leaks. The older brother has taken on responsibility for their lives but is in over his head. When he tells his younger brother about the debt, they consider a scheme to steal shed antlers from the National Park, still considered poaching but without harming the animals. The author writes well about the land, reminding me of Peter Heller’s recent books. However, there wasn’t much in the way of plot here. Things happen and life goes on. People come and go. It’s classified as a mystery/thriller but I am shelving it as fiction. I’m still happy to have listened to this novel.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #Beartooth for review purposes. Publication date: 18 Feb 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.



Very much enjoyed this book. I was uncertain how it would play out. BUT it was great. I was very invested in the lives of Thad and Hazen.
lots of characters.... great read! Definitely recommend.

Not what I expected from the blurb. It says it is fast paced- it is not. The book, which is short (audiobook is 6 hours), takes place over like two years (maybe more.) How is that fast paced in anyone's opinion.

This is far more character driven than plot driven. (Which again contradicts the whole concept of being fast paced.) And even worse, the growth arc of the characters isn't even something you can root for. Thad is worse off at the end, in my opinion, though on the rebound from hitting bottom in the middle. Hazen... not much to say without spoilers. Actually, not much to say at all as some things are vague and up to the reader to determine.

Even the "heist" wasn't very exciting. And took all of a chapter.

I typically enjoy Will Damron's narrations. His narration is about the only part that I didn't hate.

I received an advance audio book in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

This book is giving masc energy on every level, and in some ways, this is an intriguing view. In others, it can feel a bit slower paced than I'd have liked, especially with the central activities in mind.

Brothers Thad and Hazen are facing challenging socioeconomic circumstances and their ever evolving sibling bond, and if character development around these issues appeals, there's a lot to enjoy here. Wink nicely develops motivation, explanations for decision making, and past familial details, all of which add more layers to the central characters. At times, though, the suspense I hoped for from the synopsis just wasn't happening.

The narrator of this audiobook adds a lot to the experience and keeps this engaging, even in the periodic slower moments.

I'll read more from this author.

Scenery was atmospheric and the debtors were vivid and outdoorsy. I enjoyed the depth of character and the tragic storyline. The ending felt ambiguous but that was probably intentional.

I had planned to give "Beartooth" a GRRReat review.

WHY?
1) The audiobook was read by Will Damron, one of my favorite narrators.

2) Early reviews of the book were stellar.

3) I am a boy-mom and I was instantly intrigued by the book's compelling premise:

Two brothers desperate for money are approached by a shadowy out-of-towner who convinces them to attempt a heist of natural resources from Yellowstone, a federal crime.

WHAT HAPPENED?
I am an impatient reader/listener.

Waaaaay too much time was spent on characterization, the bond between the two brothers, and the Yellowstone atmosphere.

I was more interested in the heist.

Although the book was well written, I prefer faster-paced books with early action.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars

The cover is basic, but the book is anything but.

Beartooth , is more of a mystery than a thriller that had me in moments of deep thought along the way.

As someone who reads (listens) to quite a few books; most suspense/thrillers/mysteries have a certain something about them, a je ne sais quoi factor. But those of us who read that genre often know what to expect most of the time when we pick up a book like that. The book has a typical style/flow/pace/ and this had a much different feeling to it. For me, Beartooth had an almost historical fiction feel to it, but "historically" it is set right now.

So, in my mind throughout this book, I had a historical-fiction/mystery feel lens running like a filter almost, through the course of the book. That helped set the style/flow for me, and if you have that mindset going into this book, it will also help you ready your other senses. And as other reviewers have commented, you can smell what is going on in this book, but I could get the sense of what I could hear and feel too. So, for me, it was a full-on sensory experience if you put yourself into the mindset of this is more mystorical-fiction, if that were a thing. I think that should become a thing.

Anyway, along with all the sensory experiences, there are complicated relationship dynamics between the brothers while they deal with the harsh realities of life after the death of their father and the financial responsibilities.

I would absolutely recommend this book, but please, go into this knowing that it isn't going to be a thrill ride in the usual sense, and it may not be everyone's cup of tea. But I would absolutely listen to this again.