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Shepherd of the Black Sheep
Small towns can harbor dark secrets…
After the tragic death of her parents, ten-year-old Paige Hardgrave is sent to live with her grandfather on his ranch.
The pain doesn’t stop with the relocation though. Shortly after the move, Paige’s new friend is murdered by an unknown assailant.
With the police unable to find answers, the small town of Middlebury grows fearful and suspicious, itching to take vigilante justice on whoever they can blame.
A slain child, a missing murder weapon, a shattered community, family secrets, and second chances forge a twisted path through Kristopher Triana’s latest dark thriller.
Get lost in this mystery today!
After the tragic death of her parents, ten-year-old Paige Hardgrave is sent to live with her grandfather on his ranch.
The pain doesn’t stop with the relocation though. Shortly after the move, Paige’s new friend is murdered by an unknown assailant.
With the police unable to find answers, the small town of Middlebury grows fearful and suspicious, itching to take vigilante justice on whoever they can blame.
A slain child, a missing murder weapon, a shattered community, family secrets, and second chances forge a twisted path through Kristopher Triana’s latest dark thriller.
Get lost in this mystery today!
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2018
26 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Kristopher Triana
68 books2,185 followersKristopher Triana is the author of Gone to See the River Man, Full Brutal, They All Died Screaming, Shepherd of the Black Sheep, Toxic Love, and more.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 12, 2025
It’s been some time since I read a Kristopher Triana story. I’ve seen him do deep psychological horror, splatterpunk, thriller, and even a western of sorts. So his range is insane, especially as he maintains a continued high level of quality. Every single book that I’ve seen from him has been magnificent. He has this way of pulling you into these worlds that he’s molded and keeps you riveted and fully engaged in his plot and characters. There is such smooth transition from scene to scene, the constant aura of uncertainty and terror, and these characters who feel like they are actual people that you’re accompanying for the ride. Now with this particular story, I figured out what was going on right away, but it was the way everything unfolded that was truly spectacular. Tom is a tragic character, and despite not agreeing with his every action, you can at least empathize with his various dilemmas. He is a grizzled old veteran with a troubled past, experiences more trauma, and is made caretaker to a young girl who is equally damaged. It’s just a recipe for disaster. Now this wasn’t a horror story, but was more of a thriller, which to someone like myself who almost exclusively sticks with horror, should speak volumes to how much I appreciated this story, despite it being a different genre than I am used to. Just a great book by a great author. To quote the late, great Stan Lee…’nuff said.’
February 14, 2022
Grandfather Tom is given custody of his granddaughter after his son and daughter-in-law are killed. Tom is going to do his best to give her the best of upbringings. Unfortunately, that turns out not to be that easy as things slowly get darker and become more disturbing. This is my third Triana novel, all so very different—one I loved, one I hated, and this one lying somewhere between. The story was interesting without being enthralling or exciting, and had I rated it immediately on finishing I would have given it a standard three stars. And then it got me thinking…
June 5, 2021
This was a great short read from Triana, I'm used to his more extreme stuff like Full Brutal, but this man does dark psychological thrillers just as well!! Even though it was a fairly short story, there was so much packed in. It was really well written, the characters felt real, I believed in them and had to keep on reading to find out what happened to them, where this tragic event was going to take them next and how they were going to deal with what was thrown at them! (Which was a lot!)
The story was set in winter, with lots of snow, which helped with the chilling feeling I had through the whole book.
Creepy, dark, atmospheric and haunting, I really enjoyed it. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
The story was set in winter, with lots of snow, which helped with the chilling feeling I had through the whole book.
Creepy, dark, atmospheric and haunting, I really enjoyed it. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
June 24, 2022
Story 4/5
Narration 4/5
Narration 4/5
August 28, 2018
“A promise is a promise.”
I don’t know why, but this one reminded me a little of Lee Thompson. Stylistically and content wise there were definite similarities. (That is a compliment, btw) Not to saying Triana doesn’t have his own voice, because he does. A dark twisted voice, but his own nonetheless.
Paige has had a rough go of it lately. After a terrible accident she is shipped off to live on her Grandfathers ranch. Getting to know one another isn’t going to be easy. Especially after a stranger shows up one day and then bodies start piling up. There have got to be better ways to bond…
For a short novel this had a slow burn to it with a growing dark and brooding vibe underlying the entire storyline. I will definitely be seeking out more of Triana’s stuff. Dude is good. Real good.
I don’t know why, but this one reminded me a little of Lee Thompson. Stylistically and content wise there were definite similarities. (That is a compliment, btw) Not to saying Triana doesn’t have his own voice, because he does. A dark twisted voice, but his own nonetheless.
Paige has had a rough go of it lately. After a terrible accident she is shipped off to live on her Grandfathers ranch. Getting to know one another isn’t going to be easy. Especially after a stranger shows up one day and then bodies start piling up. There have got to be better ways to bond…
For a short novel this had a slow burn to it with a growing dark and brooding vibe underlying the entire storyline. I will definitely be seeking out more of Triana’s stuff. Dude is good. Real good.
July 12, 2022
The Shepherd of the Black Sheep is an absolutely haunting, slow-burn psychological tale that gets oppressively darker with every turn of the page. Most people picking this up are probably going to be used to Triana’s outright brutality but don’t expect to find that here. It’s better described as a slow, painful splitting of your heart. Even though know where the book is going, it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
November 11, 2018
Kristopher Triana’s Shepherd of the Black Sheep was an unexpected pleasure, one of many random books to appear with little fanfare on a book reviewer’s desktop, but once opened was exceptionally difficult to put down. It’s not a horror novel as such, more of a dark mystery thriller heavy with the pain and uncertainties life can bring. However, there’s much to admire in this tight well-written story, with sympathetic characters and a few scenes with the emotional kick of a sledgehammer. Sometimes the horror lies in the manner in which the tale is told, and that is certainly the case with Shepherd of the Black Sheep.
The novel is narrated in the third person by Tom Hardgrave, an old man and rancher who after the sudden death of his daughter becomes sole custodian to his granddaughter, eleven-year-old Paige. Much of the early sequences are played out via Tom’s inner struggles as he tries and fails to connect with the girl, who has emotionally shut herself down after the loss of her mother. They may seem like small things, but Tom stresses over what to buy her for Christmas and other things pertinent to a child becoming a teenage girl. The grandfather is a widower, and throughout the novel there is a deep sense of loss and melancholy as he also reflects upon mistakes he made with his own children many years earlier. You might not think you’ll easily connect with this old guy, but I found him to be very well drawn and easy to make a stand with. My only gripe would be his distain of modern technology, which is referred to many times; I know plenty of granddads who have iPhones!
Set in rural Vermont, the bleak winter, the snowy forests and spartan landscapes are beautifully described and although Tom has spent his life farming in this locality, as he gets older every year is slightly tougher to survive. Taking responsibility for a little girl he barely understands is only one of many problems when he also has debts to pay and needs to sell a calf to the local butcher just to get by.
Before long things begin to look brighter for Paige after she becomes best friends with the daughter of a rich and influential local family, Alice. The two girls are inseparable and create a complex fantasy world called Sopheria, full of magic, romance and good versus evil feuds. Characters such as Princess Katandra and Sir Rowan are larger than life to both girls, but there is also a dark side to their world, with a character Page calls the ‘Dark One’ threatening the peace of the land they have created.
After lulling the reader into a false sense of security, Shepherd of the Black Sheep takes a shocking turn when Alice is brutally murdered whilst out playing with Paige in the local forest close to Tom’s ranch. Much of the novel concerns the fallout of the death and this single act dominates the book. Paige was the only witness; the police investigate and a drifter passing through town is the prime suspect. Things are muddied further as Tom is very old friends with the local sheriff and tensions in the local community run high when the drifter remains at large. But nothing is that simple and the novel spirals in some clever directions and you’ll get no more spoilers from me.
Even though Shepherd of the Black Sheep is written with deceptively simple sentences, they have real power and a real flow permeates the prose. After the death of Alice, the sequences between Tom and Paige truly crackle as the old man tries to figure out what is truly going on inside his granddaughter’s head. Part of the success of the novel is attributed to the fact that most of the time we truly do not know how damaged psychologically Paige is. There are hints here and there, and although the ending might not be a huge surprise, the way everything plays out is done brilliantly and is nail-biting reading.
And as the story progresses, the escalation of circumstances from the death of Alice is outstanding, and this ramps up the tension sky high and once it hurtles towards its climax you will not want to put the book down. Also, it would take a stone-hearted man not to feel sympathy for poor old Tom, as no matter what he does things just get worse. Overall, it’s a highly entertaining novel, deceptively easy to read, but very cleverly written. It’s quite short and if you’re looking for a break from more traditional horror, into something a bit more realistic, then Kristopher Triana’s Shepherd of the Black Sheep is an excellent choice.
The novel is narrated in the third person by Tom Hardgrave, an old man and rancher who after the sudden death of his daughter becomes sole custodian to his granddaughter, eleven-year-old Paige. Much of the early sequences are played out via Tom’s inner struggles as he tries and fails to connect with the girl, who has emotionally shut herself down after the loss of her mother. They may seem like small things, but Tom stresses over what to buy her for Christmas and other things pertinent to a child becoming a teenage girl. The grandfather is a widower, and throughout the novel there is a deep sense of loss and melancholy as he also reflects upon mistakes he made with his own children many years earlier. You might not think you’ll easily connect with this old guy, but I found him to be very well drawn and easy to make a stand with. My only gripe would be his distain of modern technology, which is referred to many times; I know plenty of granddads who have iPhones!
Set in rural Vermont, the bleak winter, the snowy forests and spartan landscapes are beautifully described and although Tom has spent his life farming in this locality, as he gets older every year is slightly tougher to survive. Taking responsibility for a little girl he barely understands is only one of many problems when he also has debts to pay and needs to sell a calf to the local butcher just to get by.
Before long things begin to look brighter for Paige after she becomes best friends with the daughter of a rich and influential local family, Alice. The two girls are inseparable and create a complex fantasy world called Sopheria, full of magic, romance and good versus evil feuds. Characters such as Princess Katandra and Sir Rowan are larger than life to both girls, but there is also a dark side to their world, with a character Page calls the ‘Dark One’ threatening the peace of the land they have created.
After lulling the reader into a false sense of security, Shepherd of the Black Sheep takes a shocking turn when Alice is brutally murdered whilst out playing with Paige in the local forest close to Tom’s ranch. Much of the novel concerns the fallout of the death and this single act dominates the book. Paige was the only witness; the police investigate and a drifter passing through town is the prime suspect. Things are muddied further as Tom is very old friends with the local sheriff and tensions in the local community run high when the drifter remains at large. But nothing is that simple and the novel spirals in some clever directions and you’ll get no more spoilers from me.
Even though Shepherd of the Black Sheep is written with deceptively simple sentences, they have real power and a real flow permeates the prose. After the death of Alice, the sequences between Tom and Paige truly crackle as the old man tries to figure out what is truly going on inside his granddaughter’s head. Part of the success of the novel is attributed to the fact that most of the time we truly do not know how damaged psychologically Paige is. There are hints here and there, and although the ending might not be a huge surprise, the way everything plays out is done brilliantly and is nail-biting reading.
And as the story progresses, the escalation of circumstances from the death of Alice is outstanding, and this ramps up the tension sky high and once it hurtles towards its climax you will not want to put the book down. Also, it would take a stone-hearted man not to feel sympathy for poor old Tom, as no matter what he does things just get worse. Overall, it’s a highly entertaining novel, deceptively easy to read, but very cleverly written. It’s quite short and if you’re looking for a break from more traditional horror, into something a bit more realistic, then Kristopher Triana’s Shepherd of the Black Sheep is an excellent choice.
July 16, 2018
Hauntingly beautiful you will not be able to put Shepherd of the Black Sheep down. Kristopher Triana is in the likes of if I dare say, Stephen King. You are lulled into ordinary guy Tom Hardgrave’s cold world of Middlebury along with his sweet tragic granddaughter Paige. Then a child is murdered, and his granddaughter is the witness. Tirana grip has you now. You’re with Tom as his world goes into this unspeakable thriller that it is. In the end, the question remains. At what lengths would you go for your child?
Triana writing is superb. The book is set in winter so the overall tone of the book has this overcast melancholy feel it is so easy to get lost and transported like you were in Middlebury itself. Triana writes Tom with an odd likable and relatability even for a female reader. While this book is a thriller all the way it also has a hidden underlayer that I found pleasing. Not sure if I am correct or if it's just me but check out this book and see if you can find it too.
Triana writing is superb. The book is set in winter so the overall tone of the book has this overcast melancholy feel it is so easy to get lost and transported like you were in Middlebury itself. Triana writes Tom with an odd likable and relatability even for a female reader. While this book is a thriller all the way it also has a hidden underlayer that I found pleasing. Not sure if I am correct or if it's just me but check out this book and see if you can find it too.
July 13, 2020
Hell of a writer. Can't believe I haven't read more of his work. Consider that rectified!
December 21, 2021
A modern western. I was a bit disappointed with thi as I had expected violent and gory, but it was only mildly so. After his daughter and her husband die a 10yo girl goes to live with her grandfather. But he can't figure her out. Is her cold, empty stair caused by grief or is there something more sinister involved? A decent "creepy kid" story.
July 5, 2018
Wow! This is a quick read that kept me turning the pages. Tom is a good man. A rancher who works hard and does his best not to hurt anyone. A good neighbor. A recovering alcoholic who still feels the call of the bottle, but resists it at all costs. A kind person who’s lost everyone he loved: wife, sister, son… He has just become the legal guardian of his granddaughter, Paige. He is not given to big public displays of emotion and doesn’t know what to do with a little girl, but he tries his best. One day, Paige’s best friend is murdered right in front of her, and she is the only witness. When the police fail to find the culprit, the crime exposes many town secrets and the pressure on Tom starts building. As Tom’s life starts collapsing, he fears that Paige may not be telling the whole truth about the death of her friend. The plot is fantastic and the characters so real that they pop out of the pages. Some twists are not completely unexpected but that’s beside the point. What makes this an excellent novel is Tom himself. I just wanted him to be OK, to get out of trouble, to avoid getting more and more tangled. As I said, he is a good man, even when he’s doing the wrong thing… I don’t want to spoil the story, but if you care about character development and a tightly wound plot, you should read this book immediately.
I received a free copy from the Publisher, but I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, Blood Bound Books!
I received a free copy from the Publisher, but I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, Blood Bound Books!
August 22, 2018
Family need someone they can trust.
Vermont winter weather is closing in, and rancher Tom Hargrave has been given custody of his granddaughter, Paige after his daughter and son-in-law are killed.
He is trying to be a good guardian but when Paige’s best friend is murdered, and Paige is the only witness, his problems are only just beginning.
Can he find out who killed the child and save his reputation at the same time?
This book was ok, good storyline, well written etc. However, I am not totally happy with the story. Paige is a troubled child, with problems after her parents’ deaths and Tom is trying to make her feel safe again, but, how far can you go to make this happen?
He is a lovely guy who messed up with his own kids and wants to make it work with his grandchild. Fair enough, but without giving anything away, he does not know when it is beyond his capabilities to help Paige, and he makes terrible mistakes.
I cannot say more. Suffice to say I could not find the whole story believable, and it left me frustrated and cross with the guy for being so naïve.
It is worth a read and see what you think.
Shesat
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
Vermont winter weather is closing in, and rancher Tom Hargrave has been given custody of his granddaughter, Paige after his daughter and son-in-law are killed.
He is trying to be a good guardian but when Paige’s best friend is murdered, and Paige is the only witness, his problems are only just beginning.
Can he find out who killed the child and save his reputation at the same time?
This book was ok, good storyline, well written etc. However, I am not totally happy with the story. Paige is a troubled child, with problems after her parents’ deaths and Tom is trying to make her feel safe again, but, how far can you go to make this happen?
He is a lovely guy who messed up with his own kids and wants to make it work with his grandchild. Fair enough, but without giving anything away, he does not know when it is beyond his capabilities to help Paige, and he makes terrible mistakes.
I cannot say more. Suffice to say I could not find the whole story believable, and it left me frustrated and cross with the guy for being so naïve.
It is worth a read and see what you think.
Shesat
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
August 4, 2022
Great storytelling by Triana in this novel. Not as extreme as a lot of his works, but still dark and bleak. Dark fiction at its finest!
August 11, 2022
ⓇⒺⓋⒾⒺⓌ
Kristopher Triana - Shepherd Of The Black Sheep
𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀…
Another month, another Triana read. I can’t get enough of this authors books.
Shepherd Of The Black Sheep is probably the slowest of the Triana reads I’ve read so far, and is far less ‘extreme’ than my previous experiences.
I would describe SOTBS as a dark thriller with horror undertones, however this
doesn’t stop Triana delivering another excellent read.
𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗲’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁.
𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀, 𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲.
Considering this is a story under 200 pages long, Triana does a hell of a job creating characters and atmosphere.
Protagonist, Tom Hardgrave, (Paige’s Grandfather) is both relatable and likeable and I was really hoping everything would end well for the man doing his best to raise and protect his family.
This isn’t my favourite from the author, but is still highly recommended
Kristopher Triana - Shepherd Of The Black Sheep
𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀…
Another month, another Triana read. I can’t get enough of this authors books.
Shepherd Of The Black Sheep is probably the slowest of the Triana reads I’ve read so far, and is far less ‘extreme’ than my previous experiences.
I would describe SOTBS as a dark thriller with horror undertones, however this
doesn’t stop Triana delivering another excellent read.
𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗲’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁.
𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀, 𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲.
Considering this is a story under 200 pages long, Triana does a hell of a job creating characters and atmosphere.
Protagonist, Tom Hardgrave, (Paige’s Grandfather) is both relatable and likeable and I was really hoping everything would end well for the man doing his best to raise and protect his family.
This isn’t my favourite from the author, but is still highly recommended
August 19, 2024
Unfortunately predictable, but a short, gory read if you’re into that kind of thing.
August 4, 2018
’Shepherd of the Black Sheep’’ by Kristopher Triana: ISBN: 978-1940250-31-1 (Blood Bound Books)
‘This is an awful bloody book. But then, being a Blood Bound Books publication it couldn’t be anything else because Blood Bound Books specialise in publishing works on matters that are generally exceedingly bloody and awful.
The book might be described as a mystery thriller and, indeed, essentially, that is what it is. But yet, to call it such would be to do it a gross injustice because it is in fact a horror story of the very first degree minus ghouls and ghosts and general mumbo jumbo. Call it then a mystery thriller wrapped in a jet black cobwebbed shroud of decidedly chilling, decidedly disturbing evil woven by Mr Triana’s genius with the pen when it comes to such.
The setting is small town northern New England in winter. The weather is bone numbing cold; as chilling to the flesh as the events that occur are chilling to the soul. The focal point is old timer Ted Hargrave’s ranch which stands on the outskirts of town; a lonesome spot, nearest neighbour a good quarter mile off. A small girl is murdered on ranch land: multiple stab wounds to the guts and Ted’s eleven year old granddaughter, Paige, who is also his ward, escapes the same fate by a whisker fleeing from the killer in terror and screaming for her grandfather who, luckily, happens to be near.
There is an obvious suspect: a drifter, a dope head, recently caught prowling about the ranch and run out of town by the Sheriff. The case looks open and shut but subsequent events quickly prove that it isn’t. More killings occur, triggering spirals of fear and suspicion which culminate in a witch hunt, its victim, perversely, poor Paige. Old Ted, enduring an intensifying waking nightmare that would have broken a lesser man, rises to the occasion and fights for his ward, for his blood grandchild, against all comers. What’s the result of the conflict? That I’ll leave for the reader to find. But, be assured, this being a Blood Bound Book, the good guys don’t come out winners.
“Shepherd of the Black Sheep” by Kristopher Triana: (blood Bound Books) if you’re a fan of horror that isn’t stuffed full of ghosts and ghouls and mumbo jumbo this is one you’ll enjoy. I have to award it five black stars. No choice in the matter at all.
D. A. Barker, (author of “Killing for Christmas,” “What am I” and, in composition, “Suzanne.”)
‘This is an awful bloody book. But then, being a Blood Bound Books publication it couldn’t be anything else because Blood Bound Books specialise in publishing works on matters that are generally exceedingly bloody and awful.
The book might be described as a mystery thriller and, indeed, essentially, that is what it is. But yet, to call it such would be to do it a gross injustice because it is in fact a horror story of the very first degree minus ghouls and ghosts and general mumbo jumbo. Call it then a mystery thriller wrapped in a jet black cobwebbed shroud of decidedly chilling, decidedly disturbing evil woven by Mr Triana’s genius with the pen when it comes to such.
The setting is small town northern New England in winter. The weather is bone numbing cold; as chilling to the flesh as the events that occur are chilling to the soul. The focal point is old timer Ted Hargrave’s ranch which stands on the outskirts of town; a lonesome spot, nearest neighbour a good quarter mile off. A small girl is murdered on ranch land: multiple stab wounds to the guts and Ted’s eleven year old granddaughter, Paige, who is also his ward, escapes the same fate by a whisker fleeing from the killer in terror and screaming for her grandfather who, luckily, happens to be near.
There is an obvious suspect: a drifter, a dope head, recently caught prowling about the ranch and run out of town by the Sheriff. The case looks open and shut but subsequent events quickly prove that it isn’t. More killings occur, triggering spirals of fear and suspicion which culminate in a witch hunt, its victim, perversely, poor Paige. Old Ted, enduring an intensifying waking nightmare that would have broken a lesser man, rises to the occasion and fights for his ward, for his blood grandchild, against all comers. What’s the result of the conflict? That I’ll leave for the reader to find. But, be assured, this being a Blood Bound Book, the good guys don’t come out winners.
“Shepherd of the Black Sheep” by Kristopher Triana: (blood Bound Books) if you’re a fan of horror that isn’t stuffed full of ghosts and ghouls and mumbo jumbo this is one you’ll enjoy. I have to award it five black stars. No choice in the matter at all.
D. A. Barker, (author of “Killing for Christmas,” “What am I” and, in composition, “Suzanne.”)
August 15, 2018
Shepherd of the Black Sheep is a dark and disturbing look into the relationship of a dedicated grandfather and his peculiar young granddaughter. It takes readers along a psychological journey that explores family loyalty and small town relationships. Set aside a few hours, because once you start this book you won’t be able to put it down.
Tom Hardgrave’s good intentions lead him into a tangle of lies. His goal is simple, to protect and care for his granddaughter Paige. Except he wasn’t the best father, so he has no idea how to be a grandfather. When Paige’s best friend is murdered, the small-town bans together to support and help her and Tom. But tensions rise, suspicions surface, and Tom must come face-to-face with his past regrets while doing his best to keep his keep Paige safe. This story deliberately burns slow to build tension while giving the reader lots of mystery and intrigue to keep the stakes high.
There are no small characters in this book. Each plays a pivotal role in the progression of the plot while staying true to their core beliefs and values. It’s these convictions that often lead them into hot water, but there is a realism to them that is both endearing and frustrating.
Some readers, especially those in the LGBTQ community, may find a small portion of this book problematic due to stereotypical small town attitudes towards sexual diversity. I had a problem with this portion myself, but I continued reading and judging this book as a whole for the review. And there truly are many things to love about this book.
It flips conventional psychological thrillers upside down and will leave you wondering about your own values and loyalty. Get your friends to read it also. You’ll want to have someone to discuss the ending with!
Tom Hardgrave’s good intentions lead him into a tangle of lies. His goal is simple, to protect and care for his granddaughter Paige. Except he wasn’t the best father, so he has no idea how to be a grandfather. When Paige’s best friend is murdered, the small-town bans together to support and help her and Tom. But tensions rise, suspicions surface, and Tom must come face-to-face with his past regrets while doing his best to keep his keep Paige safe. This story deliberately burns slow to build tension while giving the reader lots of mystery and intrigue to keep the stakes high.
There are no small characters in this book. Each plays a pivotal role in the progression of the plot while staying true to their core beliefs and values. It’s these convictions that often lead them into hot water, but there is a realism to them that is both endearing and frustrating.
Some readers, especially those in the LGBTQ community, may find a small portion of this book problematic due to stereotypical small town attitudes towards sexual diversity. I had a problem with this portion myself, but I continued reading and judging this book as a whole for the review. And there truly are many things to love about this book.
It flips conventional psychological thrillers upside down and will leave you wondering about your own values and loyalty. Get your friends to read it also. You’ll want to have someone to discuss the ending with!
October 8, 2020
Here is a book I wasn't sure that I would like. I had a stack of books to review and my weekend was running short so I took a chance with this smallish 170-page dark piece of fiction. I instantly liked Tom Hardgrave. He is hardworking and struggling to his small Vermont ranch open in a time of large mega-corporations. He and I share a respect for the older days:
"Sometimes it seemed like America’s authenticity had been replaced by shiny plastic and easily-replaced gizmos, all of it cheap and uninspired, soulless and without heart."
At 65, I like his connection to the past. Ten-year-old kids should be outside playing and not spending all day on their phones. Tom Finds out what ten-year-old wants to do nowadays after taking custody of his ten-year-old granddaughter, Paige.
Paige is a quiet and seemingly withdrawn child. Paige has one close friend Alice. If the trauma of losing her parents were not enough for Paige, would soon experience the loss of her only friend. Paige and Alice created a world of stories in the land of Sopheria. It is a land of good and evil and perhaps akin to games or worlds like Dungeons and Dragons or a fantasy series.
Life goes on fairly normal, all things considered, until Alice is violently killed in front of Paige. There is a slow but steady implosion of the town and with it Tom Hargraves world. Suddenly, Tom Hardgrave's world crumbles around him.
The story runs on several levels and the characters create levels or pieces in the overall picture. Age, psychology, business, and small-town life all combine and in a story that is difficult to put down. The shortness of the novel is not an indicator of the size of the story. Extremely well done and definitely worth the read.
"Sometimes it seemed like America’s authenticity had been replaced by shiny plastic and easily-replaced gizmos, all of it cheap and uninspired, soulless and without heart."
At 65, I like his connection to the past. Ten-year-old kids should be outside playing and not spending all day on their phones. Tom Finds out what ten-year-old wants to do nowadays after taking custody of his ten-year-old granddaughter, Paige.
Paige is a quiet and seemingly withdrawn child. Paige has one close friend Alice. If the trauma of losing her parents were not enough for Paige, would soon experience the loss of her only friend. Paige and Alice created a world of stories in the land of Sopheria. It is a land of good and evil and perhaps akin to games or worlds like Dungeons and Dragons or a fantasy series.
Life goes on fairly normal, all things considered, until Alice is violently killed in front of Paige. There is a slow but steady implosion of the town and with it Tom Hargraves world. Suddenly, Tom Hardgrave's world crumbles around him.
The story runs on several levels and the characters create levels or pieces in the overall picture. Age, psychology, business, and small-town life all combine and in a story that is difficult to put down. The shortness of the novel is not an indicator of the size of the story. Extremely well done and definitely worth the read.
September 19, 2018
After a woman inherits a home she'd abandoned years ago, thanks to an awful father, she realizes has to go back to see him put into the ground, not to rest. The terrible thing is, he's been waiting for her to come back and he's not happy. Not one bit, but neither is something else...
When I began this audiobook, I didn't imagine feeling a bit empty at the end. Most haunted house stories have similar endings: either there isn't one or the monster never truly dies. I knew how this one would end. I saw what was taking place and I saw how things changed, like most classic hauntings of demonic nature. It's very hard to change; you have to be truly original and work in subtleties that haven't been seen before. That didn't happen in The Demonic.
The story carries the spook-factor but was it one of the best? Nah. I kept it in my audio library though, so that says something. I'll listen to it again one day. maybe my mind will shift. I also plan to listen to another book by Mountford to see if things get better.
Check The Demonic out for yourself; I'm moving on to the next read. Cheers!
The Demonic
Lee Mountford
Narrated by Hannibal Hills
Published by Createspace
274-pages
Released August 2017
www.areneehunt.com
When I began this audiobook, I didn't imagine feeling a bit empty at the end. Most haunted house stories have similar endings: either there isn't one or the monster never truly dies. I knew how this one would end. I saw what was taking place and I saw how things changed, like most classic hauntings of demonic nature. It's very hard to change; you have to be truly original and work in subtleties that haven't been seen before. That didn't happen in The Demonic.
The story carries the spook-factor but was it one of the best? Nah. I kept it in my audio library though, so that says something. I'll listen to it again one day. maybe my mind will shift. I also plan to listen to another book by Mountford to see if things get better.
Check The Demonic out for yourself; I'm moving on to the next read. Cheers!
The Demonic
Lee Mountford
Narrated by Hannibal Hills
Published by Createspace
274-pages
Released August 2017
www.areneehunt.com
September 4, 2018
Tom Hardgrave and his granddaughter Paige live on a ranch. Tom tries very hard to protect Paige and keep his ranch afloat. But when Paige's best friend Alice is murdered on Tom's property things take a turn for the worse. People don't believe that Paige is innocent and blame Tom in the process. Tom is feeling the pressure from everyone. What kind of pressure does Tom face? Whose responsible for Alice's murder? Is Paige really innocent? Your answers await you in The Shepherd of the Black Sheep.
This intriguing story represents a good thriller and mystery book. The characters and story were real, raw, complicated, complex, and fascinating. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
This intriguing story represents a good thriller and mystery book. The characters and story were real, raw, complicated, complex, and fascinating. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
July 9, 2020
A solid four stars from me. Great writing, and some of the scenes were absolute knock out. The fire scene for one. Jeez. Seriously it's worth your time for that alone. Well I think so, anyway.
Hopefully that doesn't count as a spoiler.
Anyway, I'm going to refrain from saying a certain word here, because it did let it down a bit, just a wee bit, and I also feel the ending of the book would have benefited with being pushed a little further, but of course that's just a person feel, and I don't think too many readers would really mind.
It's a great read, came very close to being five stars.
Recommended reading for horror / crime/ thriller fans. Absolutely.
Again. Solid four stars.
Buy it!
Hopefully that doesn't count as a spoiler.
Anyway, I'm going to refrain from saying a certain word here, because it did let it down a bit, just a wee bit, and I also feel the ending of the book would have benefited with being pushed a little further, but of course that's just a person feel, and I don't think too many readers would really mind.
It's a great read, came very close to being five stars.
Recommended reading for horror / crime/ thriller fans. Absolutely.
Again. Solid four stars.
Buy it!
August 31, 2022
I loved the premise. Disappointing ending.
July 21, 2023
Shepherd Of The Black Sheep juxtaposes (what I've read of) Kristopher's typical work. Just teetering on the edge of extreme horror, this is an EXCELLENT slow-burn, mainly psychological horror. It seems that as you turn the page, the grip that this will have on you becomes tighter and tighter until you simply can't put it down. This is gritty and depressing and miserable. Triana quickly presents us readers with a harsh truth, and we find the denial and turmoil we see in the protagonist reflected in ourselves. It's immersive, it's raw and it's brutal.
First, Tom lost his wife Betty. This staggering loss was quickly followed by the deaths of his daughter (Dawn) and her husband. Perhaps, had the circumstances been different he would have reverted to old habits and drunk himself into stupor, but now with his grieving 10 year old grand-daughter Paige to look after... he has to step up. His concern for his grand-daughter (who lost her parents in a car accident) intensifies dramatically when whilst playing with her friend Alice, the pair are threatened by a mysterious man- and only Paige makes it out alive.
Ultimately, Triana provides us with a poignant study on sacrifice and family, that will definitely hit home. There's an impressively wide cast of characters for such a short (but sharp) book, all of which were developed and three dimensional. Both the characters of Tom and Paige are incredibly intriguing, and I really felt for them at points. Triana creates such an interesting narrative without constant action and brutality, and clearly has an excellent range. Kristopher is one of biggest names in modern horror, and I understand why.
First, Tom lost his wife Betty. This staggering loss was quickly followed by the deaths of his daughter (Dawn) and her husband. Perhaps, had the circumstances been different he would have reverted to old habits and drunk himself into stupor, but now with his grieving 10 year old grand-daughter Paige to look after... he has to step up. His concern for his grand-daughter (who lost her parents in a car accident) intensifies dramatically when whilst playing with her friend Alice, the pair are threatened by a mysterious man- and only Paige makes it out alive.
Ultimately, Triana provides us with a poignant study on sacrifice and family, that will definitely hit home. There's an impressively wide cast of characters for such a short (but sharp) book, all of which were developed and three dimensional. Both the characters of Tom and Paige are incredibly intriguing, and I really felt for them at points. Triana creates such an interesting narrative without constant action and brutality, and clearly has an excellent range. Kristopher is one of biggest names in modern horror, and I understand why.
November 26, 2024
Do you need a dark psychological thriller? Then look no further!
We all know Triana and his amazing work in the extreme horror genre, but he also writes amazing dark thrillers so don't sleep on them!
This is a slow burn psychological thriller that gets darker and darker with each page turn. Paige is a 10 year old who now lives with her grandfather, Tom, after the death of her parents. Shortly after arriving, her friend is murdered and the cops come to question her. Tom is fiercely protective of Paige. After all, she's been through a lot and he just wants to make it all better for her. While Paige deals with her trauma, Tom has his own to deal with. I may not have agreed with every decision that he made but I sure did understand them!
Triana has a way of making you truly feel for the characters in his stories. Weirdly enough, I was more concerned with Essie than with anything else but you'll have to read the story to know why. ;) Our main character, Tom, is a good man who is dealing with some very big issues and just wants to do right by everyone. But "a promise is a promise" and family is everything.
At a little under 300 pages, there's a lot to unpack. I'd like to say a lot more but for fear of spoiling it for anyone, I'll keep this short and just tell you to add this to your TBR. It's atmospheric, haunting and if it won't break your heart, it will surely crack it. I did find it predictable, but the journey getting there will keep you glued to the pages. Try not to bleed too much while you attempt to tear away from this book and hold your family members a little bit tighter.
We all know Triana and his amazing work in the extreme horror genre, but he also writes amazing dark thrillers so don't sleep on them!
This is a slow burn psychological thriller that gets darker and darker with each page turn. Paige is a 10 year old who now lives with her grandfather, Tom, after the death of her parents. Shortly after arriving, her friend is murdered and the cops come to question her. Tom is fiercely protective of Paige. After all, she's been through a lot and he just wants to make it all better for her. While Paige deals with her trauma, Tom has his own to deal with. I may not have agreed with every decision that he made but I sure did understand them!
Triana has a way of making you truly feel for the characters in his stories. Weirdly enough, I was more concerned with Essie than with anything else but you'll have to read the story to know why. ;) Our main character, Tom, is a good man who is dealing with some very big issues and just wants to do right by everyone. But "a promise is a promise" and family is everything.
At a little under 300 pages, there's a lot to unpack. I'd like to say a lot more but for fear of spoiling it for anyone, I'll keep this short and just tell you to add this to your TBR. It's atmospheric, haunting and if it won't break your heart, it will surely crack it. I did find it predictable, but the journey getting there will keep you glued to the pages. Try not to bleed too much while you attempt to tear away from this book and hold your family members a little bit tighter.
June 22, 2025
Compared to other Kristopher Triana books, this one is pretty mild—given the fact that it’s about a 10-year-old psychopath who kills very easily. I think the most disappointing aspect of the book is that he gave away the big clue too soon. Like how Paige’s eyes are described as hollow when her grandpa looks at her, or how she’s unresponsive to all the tragedy she faces. Some readers might take this as a sign of a kid dealing with grief—detaching from reality after losing her parents.
It’s just that... this aspect of her character is mentioned too often. The twist is basically in the beginning, from my perspective at least. That kind of spoiled the storytelling for me.
Even so, I finished the book. It’s just not the strongest story in Kristopher Triana’s work, in my opinion. Maybe it's because I’ve read too many horror thrillers by now, or maybe I had high expectations for Triana’s books.
Especially because the first book I read by Kristopher Triana was The 13th Koyote, which completely blew my mind. It was one of the best splatter westerns I’ve ever read. That beginning really set a high standard for me when it comes to his work.
It’s just that... this aspect of her character is mentioned too often. The twist is basically in the beginning, from my perspective at least. That kind of spoiled the storytelling for me.
Even so, I finished the book. It’s just not the strongest story in Kristopher Triana’s work, in my opinion. Maybe it's because I’ve read too many horror thrillers by now, or maybe I had high expectations for Triana’s books.
Especially because the first book I read by Kristopher Triana was The 13th Koyote, which completely blew my mind. It was one of the best splatter westerns I’ve ever read. That beginning really set a high standard for me when it comes to his work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2019
Kristopher Triana’s Shepherd of the Black Sheep was an unexpected pleasure, one of many random books to appear with little fanfare on a book reviewer’s desktop, but once opened was exceptionally difficult to put down. It’s not a horror novel as such, more of a dark mystery thriller heavy with the pain and uncertainties life can bring. However, there’s much to admire in this tight well-written story, with sympathetic characters and a few scenes with the emotional kick of a sledgehammer. Sometimes the horror lies in the manner in which the tale is told, and that is certainly the case with Shepherd of the Black Sheep.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
April 25, 2025
I picked this up as a last-minute purchase to kill 5 hours of a road trip that my wife and I needed to fill after another book. It was a book of Triana’s that I was unfamiliar with and hadn’t heard much about. Since I’ve enjoyed everything he has written, I figured I would give it a chance. I loved it. It was a very unique take on the evil child trope. It was not exactly extreme horror, and it even had a little bit of a thriller vibe. I’d recommend it to thriller and horror readers alike. The narrator could’ve been better, but sometimes it takes a few tries to find a great narrator.
July 16, 2023
A compelling and brutal examination of human darkness. The literary style is rough and poetic, drawing you into a world where morality blurs and motivations collide. The characters are complex and imperfect, which makes them relatable and interesting. The plot unfolds with suspense and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. It confronts themes of redemption and the nature of evil with brutal honesty, creating a lasting impression.
February 4, 2023
Absolutely loved it. I was really attached to Tom and Paige so the story really hit me. This is probably one of the best novellas I’ve read and Kristopher Triana has such an amazing voice. His stories are always so unique and the twists are top tier and never seem cheap. This is probably tied with They All Died Screaming as the best book I’ve read from him.
January 14, 2024
More of a thriller and not nearly as splatterpunk and gruesome as usual and I felt like I had figured out what was happening early on, but I did not expect that many twists and turns. If you read strictly the more grotesque this is probably not for you, bur if you just enjoy triana story's he once again knocks it out of the park.
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