The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones is a gut-wrenching, blood-soaked novel that you’ll want to put down and devour in one sitting. And let me tell you, It’s about history, oppression, survival, and the terrifying, unstoppable force that is rage born of injustice.
“A diary, written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered within a wall. What it shows is a slow massacre, a chain of events that go back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow.”
| Author | Stephen Graham Jones |
| Genre | Fiction, Horror |
| Number of Pages | 448 pages |
| Goodreads Rating | 4.40 ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️(as of now) |
| My Rating | 5⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Release Date | March 18, 2025 |
Reviewed: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Stephen Graham Jones’s Buffalo Hunter Hunter broke me in ways I didn’t know I could break.This is an historical horror, vampire lore, and righteous vengeance all wrapped in SGJ’s signature, razor-sharp storytelling.
At first, I thought, “Okay, vampire revenge western. I got this.” I did not have this. Good Stab, a Blackfeet man who cannot die, slowly reveals his past through eerie confessions to a nervous Lutheran pastor. Meanwhile, bodies—painted, mutilated bodies—start showing up. And that’s before we even get to Cat Man (who I will be having nightmares about forever, thanks).
This book is unforgiving. It rips open history and makes you feel it. It hurts. It’s brilliant. It’s SGJ at his absolute best. If you like horror with soul, you need this book. Just…maybe keep the lights on.
Also Read: Wild Dark Shore Charlotte McConaghy
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter Detailed Plot Summary
Let’s start, In 1912, a Lutheran pastor, Arthur Beaucarne, jots down his experiences in a diary. Fast forward a hundred years, and his great-great-granddaughter, Etsy Beaucarne, stumbles upon it. You know when you dig into old family secrets, expecting something mildly scandalous—like an ancestor who was maybe a prohibition-era bootlegger or ran off to join the circus? Yeah, this is not that.
What she finds instead is a horror show. A confessional of sorts, from a man named Good Stab—a Pikuni (Blackfoot) man with a deeply unsettling story. Because he’s a vampire.
Now, if you think this is just your standard “revenge of the undead” kind of deal, think again. This isn’t just horror—it’s history. The Marias Massacre of 1870, in which over 200 Blackfeet people were slaughtered, isn’t a fictional backdrop; it’s a real, brutal part of American history. And Good Stab? He remembers. He remembers the decimation of his people. He remembers the buffalo being hunted to near extinction. And he is not about to let that slide.
Here’s where it gets good. Good Stab isn’t your typical brooding, tragic vampire. No, he’s furious, and rightfully so. He’s a force of nature, a nightmare made flesh, and the worst dream America ever had. He starts hunting the hunters. And let me tell you, the justice he dishes out? Brutal. Poetic, but brutal. Stephen Graham Jones doesn’t hold back—there is so much death. Like, so much. Human death, animal death (mostly wild animals, but still, brace yourself), and the kind of violence that makes you sit there questioning your life choices for reading it at 2 AM.
And the atmosphere? Whew. If you thought churches were spooky before, just wait until you read the confessional scenes between Good Stab and Arthur.
Final Verdict? Masterpiece?
The creeping dread, the weight of guilt pressing down on the pastor, the slowly unraveling horror—it’s masterful. And then there’s Cat Man. I won’t spoil anything, but just know: this dude is terrifying. Sleep with the lights on. Maybe adopt a cat for protection.
But here’s the thing—under all the blood and vengeance, this book is deep, it’s horror with a purpose. So, do you dare pick this one up? Just remember: once Good Stab has your attention, he won’t let go.
Similar Read: Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
Quotes from The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones:
“With enough blood in me, I can see colors in the night, and I can taste those colors, and hear the roots of trees…”
“Some ghosts don’t need graves. Some walk right beside you, whispering in your ear, waiting for you to listen.”
Final Thoughts- Who should read it?
The book The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is perfect for:
- Fans of Stephen Graham Jones.
- Historical fiction readers and horror lovers.
- Fans of revenge stories.
- Readers who love morally complex protagonists. (brutal, thought-provoking )
Thriller Read: Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong
Books like The Buffalo Hunter Hunter:
- The Changeling by Victor LaValle
- Blackwater by Michael McDowell
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FAQs
Is Buffalo Hunter Hunter based on true events?
While the supernatural elements are fictional, the historical backdrop— the Marias Massacre and the near-extinction of buffalo—is tragically real.
About the Author:
Stephen Graham Jones is an author and novelist and has given many NYT bestselling books. His books has something unique (werewolves and slashers) & his storytelling is emmaculate. Few of his famous books are The Only Good Indians, My Heart is a Chainsaw etc.
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The Buffalo Hunter Hunter Review by Stephen Graham Jones
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones is a gut-wrenching, blood-soaked novel that you’ll want to put down and devour in one sitting. And let me tell you, It’s about history, oppression, survival, and the terrifying, unstoppable force that is rage born of injustice.
URL: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214565614-the-buffalo-hunter-hunter
Author: Stephen Graham Jones
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