A long-time favourite of horror aficionados, prolific Native American storyteller Stephen Graham Jones has been thrilling readers for decades but broke through to wider renown (and New York Times bestseller status) more recently with The Only Good Indians. That novel alchemised psychological horror, social commentary, and indigenous perspective into a special, superb read. It was followed by My Heart is a Chainsaw, another hit.

Now, Don’t Fear the Reaper continues the Blackfeet author’s ‘Indian Lake Trilogy’ (which began with Chainsaw) with its story of Jade Daniels, a former ‘final girl’ turned prodigal daughter returned to Proofrock, Idaho, the same weekend as a hulking serial killer, Dark Mill South, who escapes from his prison transport during a snowstorm. Jade was once obsessed with horror films, and as bodies are found in ways that echo gory onscreen deaths, she seems to be living in one, again. Can Jade rally some of the townsfolk and the remnants of the Sheriff’s Department to uncover the truth of what’s really going on?

Don’t Fear the Reaper underlines Jones’ love for slasher films, and his storytelling talent. The University of Colorado professor’s backlist blends genres from experimental to crime fiction, science fiction to horror, all dosed with literary sensibilities. Here, he’s crafted a tense, clever tale laced with humour and full of ‘easter eggs’ for film buffs. A great read for those who can handle their thrillers bloody and killers monstrous.

Reviewed by Craig Sisterson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen Graham Jones (born January 22, 1972) is a Blackfoot Native American author of experimental fiction, horror fiction, crime fiction, and science fiction. He has published “25 or 30 or so books”. 31.5 linear feet of works written by or related to him are held in the Sowell Family Collection in Literature, Community, and the Natural World, part of the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University.

He is currently the Ivena Baldwin professor of English at the University of Colorado Boulder.