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Wolf Hunt #1
Wolf Hunt
Two thugs. One innocent woman. And one VICIOUS frickin' werewolf.
Meet George and Lou, thugs for hire. The kind of intimidating-yet-friendly guys who will break your thumbs, but be polite about it. Their latest assignment is to drive across Florida to deliver some precious cargo to a crime lord. The cargo: a man in a cage. Though Ivan seems perfectly human, they're warned that he is, in fact, a bloodthirsty werewolf.
George and Lou don't believe in the supernatural, but even if they did, it's daytime and tonight isn't the full moon. Their instructions are straightforward: Do not open the cage. Do not reach into the cage. Do not throw anything into the cage. And they don't.
Unfortunately, Ivan doesn't play by the usual werewolf rules, and the thugs find themselves suddenly responsible for a ferocious escaped beast. One who can transform at will. One who enjoys killing in human form as much as he enjoys killing as a monster.
If George and Lou want to save their careers, dozens of people, and their own lives, they need to recapture him. Because Ivan the werewolf is in the mood for a murder spree...
From Jeff Strand, the three-time Bram Stoker Award nominated author of Pressure, comes 75,000 words of action-packed, blood-soaked werewolf terror!
Meet George and Lou, thugs for hire. The kind of intimidating-yet-friendly guys who will break your thumbs, but be polite about it. Their latest assignment is to drive across Florida to deliver some precious cargo to a crime lord. The cargo: a man in a cage. Though Ivan seems perfectly human, they're warned that he is, in fact, a bloodthirsty werewolf.
George and Lou don't believe in the supernatural, but even if they did, it's daytime and tonight isn't the full moon. Their instructions are straightforward: Do not open the cage. Do not reach into the cage. Do not throw anything into the cage. And they don't.
Unfortunately, Ivan doesn't play by the usual werewolf rules, and the thugs find themselves suddenly responsible for a ferocious escaped beast. One who can transform at will. One who enjoys killing in human form as much as he enjoys killing as a monster.
If George and Lou want to save their careers, dozens of people, and their own lives, they need to recapture him. Because Ivan the werewolf is in the mood for a murder spree...
From Jeff Strand, the three-time Bram Stoker Award nominated author of Pressure, comes 75,000 words of action-packed, blood-soaked werewolf terror!
282 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
229 people are currently reading
2307 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Strand
225 books2,167 followersBram Stoker Award-winning author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS, AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER, MY PRETTIES, the official novelization of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and lots of others!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
November 14, 2020
Do you know HERO by Mariah Carey?
And then a werewolf comes along
Who is very fucking strong
He escaped during the drive
The thugs are glad to be alive
So never mention cats and fleas
And get rid of that damn leash
By the end you’ll know the truth
That this werewolf is a douche”
I used to do that a lot when I was young. Channel my inner ‘Weird Al’ and mess up some songs. How I miss those days…
When I was reading this, SpongeBob SquarePants popped into my head – the way I started with the parody – and I was thinking along the lines of:
I-van-Were-wolf! (His name is Ivan, if you missed that).
The only problem is I have no idea how that theme song ends. See, my son is not really a fan, so I was spared at least that. I can Swashbuckle with the best of them, though.
But I chose the Mariah Carey song just to class it up a little.
So, George and Lou are thugs for hire, but not really too bad despite the job. Let’s call them Thugs-with-Heart. They get an assignment to transport a werewolf, which they accept even though they don’t believe it.
But when the shit hits the fan, they will become believers real quick. And now they are in a race to either recapture the werewolf for the bad man they were taking him to, or kill the werewolf as he slaughters innocent people along the way.
And then there’s the girl who accidentally got swept up in the chaos…
Anyway, I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I love animals and, because animals are truly innocent, I usually can’t help but to root just a little for the werewolf when I read this kind of story.
‘Woo’s de wittew doggie woo scares de nasty people den?
You are a bad doggie. Yes you are…yes you are.’
However, Strand managed to write a story that is dark, funny and, surprisingly, brutal to the point where this werewolf had absolutely no redeeming features. Yes, I wanted that fucker dead!
I haven’t read a lot of werewolf stories, but this is easily the most entertaining of them all. Highly recommended for horror fans.
And then a werewolf comes along
Who is very fucking strong
He escaped during the drive
The thugs are glad to be alive
So never mention cats and fleas
And get rid of that damn leash
By the end you’ll know the truth
That this werewolf is a douche”
I used to do that a lot when I was young. Channel my inner ‘Weird Al’ and mess up some songs. How I miss those days…
When I was reading this, SpongeBob SquarePants popped into my head – the way I started with the parody – and I was thinking along the lines of:
I-van-Were-wolf! (His name is Ivan, if you missed that).
The only problem is I have no idea how that theme song ends. See, my son is not really a fan, so I was spared at least that. I can Swashbuckle with the best of them, though.
But I chose the Mariah Carey song just to class it up a little.
So, George and Lou are thugs for hire, but not really too bad despite the job. Let’s call them Thugs-with-Heart. They get an assignment to transport a werewolf, which they accept even though they don’t believe it.
But when the shit hits the fan, they will become believers real quick. And now they are in a race to either recapture the werewolf for the bad man they were taking him to, or kill the werewolf as he slaughters innocent people along the way.
And then there’s the girl who accidentally got swept up in the chaos…
Anyway, I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I love animals and, because animals are truly innocent, I usually can’t help but to root just a little for the werewolf when I read this kind of story.
‘Woo’s de wittew doggie woo scares de nasty people den?
You are a bad doggie. Yes you are…yes you are.’
However, Strand managed to write a story that is dark, funny and, surprisingly, brutal to the point where this werewolf had absolutely no redeeming features. Yes, I wanted that fucker dead!
I haven’t read a lot of werewolf stories, but this is easily the most entertaining of them all. Highly recommended for horror fans.
September 5, 2024
Self proclaimed thugs, Lou and George have been hired to perform their most unique job to date. Their boss has just informed them that they are to transport a man/werewolf (named Ivan) to a very determined and powerful buyer who will not take failure to deliver lightly ...
Lou and George are told implicitly and emphatically not to speak, engage or let Ivan out of the cage in which he is being confined to for travel - under ANY circumstances.
Unfortunately, they don't heed these orders and that's when all hell breaks out... And what a riotous and gruesome ride it is.
Wolf Hunt is a truly stellar combination of humor and extreme horror. Looking forward to reading the whole series ASAP. Highly recommend.
Lou and George are told implicitly and emphatically not to speak, engage or let Ivan out of the cage in which he is being confined to for travel - under ANY circumstances.
Unfortunately, they don't heed these orders and that's when all hell breaks out... And what a riotous and gruesome ride it is.
Wolf Hunt is a truly stellar combination of humor and extreme horror. Looking forward to reading the whole series ASAP. Highly recommend.
September 23, 2024
The Beginning of the Series.
George and Lou are going to be rich. They have been tasked with delivering a werewolf to Tampa Bay, Florida.
The werewolf is in human form and he insists he is not a werewolf and they believe him.
What they don’t know is that the man is a pathological liar and he is evil. He is a werewolf. Really.
The story is about as hilarious as it can be. The werewolf and George are both so funny and they are both utterly ridiculous.
They take an instant dislike to each other. And Ivan, the werewolf, makes George so angry that he does something stupid and lets the werewolf free.
This is the most hilarious book that I’ve read in a long time. The werewolf and George and his friend Lou, are in for a roller coaster ride.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
George and Lou are going to be rich. They have been tasked with delivering a werewolf to Tampa Bay, Florida.
The werewolf is in human form and he insists he is not a werewolf and they believe him.
What they don’t know is that the man is a pathological liar and he is evil. He is a werewolf. Really.
The story is about as hilarious as it can be. The werewolf and George are both so funny and they are both utterly ridiculous.
They take an instant dislike to each other. And Ivan, the werewolf, makes George so angry that he does something stupid and lets the werewolf free.
This is the most hilarious book that I’ve read in a long time. The werewolf and George and his friend Lou, are in for a roller coaster ride.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
August 9, 2014
When thugs George and Lou are hired to transport a man in a cage, it sounds like a gravy job. Only the man is actually a psychotic werewolf just waiting to go on a rampage...
This is the eighteenth book in my Kindle Unlimited Experiment. For the 30 day trial, I'm only reading books that are part of the program and keeping track what the total cost of the books would have been.
As far as classic monsters are concerned, werewolves often get the short end of the stick. How many really good werewolf movies or books can you name? That's what I thought. From now on, though, Wolf Hunt is going to be the first book I think of when people mention werewolves.
While Wolf Hunt has more than its share of gore and general werewolf carnage, I'd say it's more of a dark comedy. The violence is tempered with grim humor. For instance "He was pretty sure the first female orgasm he ever witnessed was when his grandmother found an antique coffee table."
Ivan the werewolf makes a great foil for professional lowlifes Lou and George, a psychotic killer driven by his base desires. George and Lou just keep plugging along, trying to recapture him so they don't end up sleeping with the fishes. Hostage Michelle throws a wrench in the works but proved she wasn't just bait or an available orifice for the main characters.
Wolf Hunt has a lot of things going for it; gunplay, comedy, gore, and car chases. It's almost like Smoky and the Bandit with a werewolf in it at times and is even more fun than it sounds. Four furry howling stars!
Current Kindle Unlimited Savings Total: $104.41.
This is the eighteenth book in my Kindle Unlimited Experiment. For the 30 day trial, I'm only reading books that are part of the program and keeping track what the total cost of the books would have been.
As far as classic monsters are concerned, werewolves often get the short end of the stick. How many really good werewolf movies or books can you name? That's what I thought. From now on, though, Wolf Hunt is going to be the first book I think of when people mention werewolves.
While Wolf Hunt has more than its share of gore and general werewolf carnage, I'd say it's more of a dark comedy. The violence is tempered with grim humor. For instance "He was pretty sure the first female orgasm he ever witnessed was when his grandmother found an antique coffee table."
Ivan the werewolf makes a great foil for professional lowlifes Lou and George, a psychotic killer driven by his base desires. George and Lou just keep plugging along, trying to recapture him so they don't end up sleeping with the fishes. Hostage Michelle throws a wrench in the works but proved she wasn't just bait or an available orifice for the main characters.
Wolf Hunt has a lot of things going for it; gunplay, comedy, gore, and car chases. It's almost like Smoky and the Bandit with a werewolf in it at times and is even more fun than it sounds. Four furry howling stars!
Current Kindle Unlimited Savings Total: $104.41.
April 24, 2025
What a wild and bloody ride!
The story is pretty straightforward, two criminals hunt down a murderous werewolf across Florida after they let him escape.
There is a lot of action, violence and body horror, which I love, but to me the best part of the book was the relationship between Lou and George.
It was so great to have the two brawny protagonist being in a supportive and caring relationship, and it was a fantastic foil to the sadistic and crazed werewolf.
I had a really good time.
The story is pretty straightforward, two criminals hunt down a murderous werewolf across Florida after they let him escape.
There is a lot of action, violence and body horror, which I love, but to me the best part of the book was the relationship between Lou and George.
It was so great to have the two brawny protagonist being in a supportive and caring relationship, and it was a fantastic foil to the sadistic and crazed werewolf.
I had a really good time.
March 9, 2024
Flying Fur Fun!
Small backstory:
George and Lou do odd jobs as criminals, so picking up a cage with a wild animal inside is just another job, however when they both learn that the animal is maybe a werewolf named Ivan they hesitate slightly as they do not know what is in store for them. They know that all they have to do is deliver the cage to a crime lord and they are not supposed to tamper with anything. Get in the van and transport the cage - that is it - how hard can it be?
That is about all I can hand out with a small taste without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This story was crazy wild right off the bat as the story moves fast in the first chapter and keeps on building up speed throughout the rest of the book! There were tons of funny quips throughout this story as the author is known for writing horror comedy and I was laughing out loud along with some chuckles too with all the things that were happening in this book.
The things that the characters George and Lou go through with the werewolf Ivan was just hilarious and I had a hard time putting this book down! There are three books in this series and I am looking forward to reading the other two books soon! Giving this book four "Wicked & Wild Werewolf" stars!
Small backstory:
George and Lou do odd jobs as criminals, so picking up a cage with a wild animal inside is just another job, however when they both learn that the animal is maybe a werewolf named Ivan they hesitate slightly as they do not know what is in store for them. They know that all they have to do is deliver the cage to a crime lord and they are not supposed to tamper with anything. Get in the van and transport the cage - that is it - how hard can it be?
That is about all I can hand out with a small taste without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This story was crazy wild right off the bat as the story moves fast in the first chapter and keeps on building up speed throughout the rest of the book! There were tons of funny quips throughout this story as the author is known for writing horror comedy and I was laughing out loud along with some chuckles too with all the things that were happening in this book.
The things that the characters George and Lou go through with the werewolf Ivan was just hilarious and I had a hard time putting this book down! There are three books in this series and I am looking forward to reading the other two books soon! Giving this book four "Wicked & Wild Werewolf" stars!
October 9, 2020
My alma mater's pride and joy (other than yours truly, of course, and a very fine cafeteria soup/salad bar) is a big ol' pipe organ featuring 18-foot tall pipes that tower majestically over the stage of Centennial Hall and is played every Sunday for poorly-attended Lutheran services and also for better-attended special occasions like graduation, freshman orientation, and the like. Installed in 1959, it is modelled after classic Swiss design and can only be handled—let alone played—by highly trained specialists.
Warren Zevon was an American rock musician who saw middling success towards the end of the 1970s but whose catalog of music has begun fading from cultural memory save for one really big hit you'll still hear on Classic Rock stations: "Werewolves of London," Zevon's only Top 40 single.
For reasons unknown, at some point in the mid 90's Zevon was invited to play a show at my college. He shared the stage with that towering organ and, I assume, was instructed like everybody else who gets up there: don't touch.
But Zevon was a rock star, and rock stars do as they please. During the instrumental break of his beloved "Werewolves of You-Know-Where," Zevon not only touched but CLIMBED the organ to belt out the final chorus. Awooooooooo! Administrative onlookers were horrified. Student attendees were delighted. Zevon was not invited back to campus.
I can find no photographic evidence but I like to imagine that his hair was perfect.
Anyway, that's my only werewolf-related story. It's not as exciting as Wolf Hunt but I figured I'd share while we're on the subject.
As for this book: 3 stars. It's a whole lot of silly fun, the way gory B-movies and doing things you aren't supposed to do can be.
Warren Zevon was an American rock musician who saw middling success towards the end of the 1970s but whose catalog of music has begun fading from cultural memory save for one really big hit you'll still hear on Classic Rock stations: "Werewolves of London," Zevon's only Top 40 single.
For reasons unknown, at some point in the mid 90's Zevon was invited to play a show at my college. He shared the stage with that towering organ and, I assume, was instructed like everybody else who gets up there: don't touch.
But Zevon was a rock star, and rock stars do as they please. During the instrumental break of his beloved "Werewolves of You-Know-Where," Zevon not only touched but CLIMBED the organ to belt out the final chorus. Awooooooooo! Administrative onlookers were horrified. Student attendees were delighted. Zevon was not invited back to campus.
I can find no photographic evidence but I like to imagine that his hair was perfect.
Anyway, that's my only werewolf-related story. It's not as exciting as Wolf Hunt but I figured I'd share while we're on the subject.
As for this book: 3 stars. It's a whole lot of silly fun, the way gory B-movies and doing things you aren't supposed to do can be.
November 17, 2020
Good thriller but not spooky.
Some bad language.
Wolf Hunt is a pretty good, exciting and tense thriller with a dose of humor. What it isn't is scary. No slow, atmospheric buildup to a realization that there really is a werewolf. This isn't H.P. Lovecraft. The werewolf just jumps right out and slaps the reader in the face with its bloodlusting existence. The werewolf itself and its seemingly unstoppable homicide spree, complete with buckets of blood and gore, is the horror. There is revulsion at the werewolf's sadistic torture killings but no skin crawling, cold chills, look-over-your-shoulder while reading horror. Just a bulletproof, sadistic, psychopathic serial killer with fur and long teeth and claws. Here is an example:
"Rustling in the bushes.
'I think he’s coming back,' George said.
A dark shape, like a basketball, flew into the air from amidst the trees. George realized that it was Prescott’s severed head about two seconds before it splattered against the hood of the van. It rolled off and fell to the ground. Damn it. That wasn’t the action of a sufficiently tranquilized werewolf. Something else flew into the air. Half of an arm. It sailed right through the broken windshield and landed on the seat next to George. He recoiled in horror. A leg followed. This one came up a few feet short and landed on the dirt path in front of the van. The second leg struck the front hood, only a couple of inches from where the head landed. It remained there. 'Stop it, you son of a bitch!' George shouted. Oh, nice one, dumb-ass. As if Ivan would cease his grotesque attack based on George’s request. The rest of the first arm missed the van. The second arm, thrown in its entirety, hit the roof. Michele screamed. Where in the world was Angie? Ivan was out there throwing body parts at them. How could she not find him? The next wave was a volley of internal organs, flung quickly, one after the other. And, finally, Prescott’s bloody and shredded jumpsuit. George just stared at the carnage in a state of disbelief. Even having seen Ivan’s malicious thrill-killing ways up close, it was still hard to imagine that he’d tear somebody into pieces and pelt a frickin’ van with them! He wondered what happened to the ribcage and spinal column. Ivan stepped onto the path, still fully transformed as a wolfman. He wasn’t holding Prescott’s ribcage—that was presumably a mystery never to be solved."
Well that scene was pretty gross, intense even but not really bone-chilling horror. If this were a movie it would be much closer to a blood and gore slasher flick than to Alfred Hitchcock.
I read this book because of a review by my Goodreads friend, Gilbert Stack. I read the review hurriedly and was surprised, after I finished the book, to find that he thought more of the book than did I. So I reread the review more carefully and discovered that he didn't read the book. He listened to an apparently very well done audible version. I understand now. I believe this book is probably much better to listen to if read well. It also has the potential to be a good movie.
Four stars because while this isn't scary and spooky, it is a decent thriller with a couple of bumbling, semi-comic, if not loveable main characters.
Some bad language.
Wolf Hunt is a pretty good, exciting and tense thriller with a dose of humor. What it isn't is scary. No slow, atmospheric buildup to a realization that there really is a werewolf. This isn't H.P. Lovecraft. The werewolf just jumps right out and slaps the reader in the face with its bloodlusting existence. The werewolf itself and its seemingly unstoppable homicide spree, complete with buckets of blood and gore, is the horror. There is revulsion at the werewolf's sadistic torture killings but no skin crawling, cold chills, look-over-your-shoulder while reading horror. Just a bulletproof, sadistic, psychopathic serial killer with fur and long teeth and claws. Here is an example:
"Rustling in the bushes.
'I think he’s coming back,' George said.
A dark shape, like a basketball, flew into the air from amidst the trees. George realized that it was Prescott’s severed head about two seconds before it splattered against the hood of the van. It rolled off and fell to the ground. Damn it. That wasn’t the action of a sufficiently tranquilized werewolf. Something else flew into the air. Half of an arm. It sailed right through the broken windshield and landed on the seat next to George. He recoiled in horror. A leg followed. This one came up a few feet short and landed on the dirt path in front of the van. The second leg struck the front hood, only a couple of inches from where the head landed. It remained there. 'Stop it, you son of a bitch!' George shouted. Oh, nice one, dumb-ass. As if Ivan would cease his grotesque attack based on George’s request. The rest of the first arm missed the van. The second arm, thrown in its entirety, hit the roof. Michele screamed. Where in the world was Angie? Ivan was out there throwing body parts at them. How could she not find him? The next wave was a volley of internal organs, flung quickly, one after the other. And, finally, Prescott’s bloody and shredded jumpsuit. George just stared at the carnage in a state of disbelief. Even having seen Ivan’s malicious thrill-killing ways up close, it was still hard to imagine that he’d tear somebody into pieces and pelt a frickin’ van with them! He wondered what happened to the ribcage and spinal column. Ivan stepped onto the path, still fully transformed as a wolfman. He wasn’t holding Prescott’s ribcage—that was presumably a mystery never to be solved."
Well that scene was pretty gross, intense even but not really bone-chilling horror. If this were a movie it would be much closer to a blood and gore slasher flick than to Alfred Hitchcock.
I read this book because of a review by my Goodreads friend, Gilbert Stack. I read the review hurriedly and was surprised, after I finished the book, to find that he thought more of the book than did I. So I reread the review more carefully and discovered that he didn't read the book. He listened to an apparently very well done audible version. I understand now. I believe this book is probably much better to listen to if read well. It also has the potential to be a good movie.
Four stars because while this isn't scary and spooky, it is a decent thriller with a couple of bumbling, semi-comic, if not loveable main characters.
July 19, 2016
Audio available for review via Audio Book Blast. Check it out here!
Two wise cracking lower level thugs take on the job of transporting a so-called werewolf named Ivan to a wealthy weirdo who wants him for nefarious purposes. The two figure it’ll be easy money. There’s no such thing as a real werewolf, right?
Things go awry, as they will. This is a novel written by Jeff Strand after all. Blood is shed and sarcasm is spewed hither and fro (along with a few body parts) as our tenacious thugs make one dumb move after another. It’s funny, they reminded me a little of those loveable nitwits from Home Alone at points, but it’s also brutal. This is a black comedy and I’m still not over an early scene involving dogs and probably never will be.
But that’s my problem.
Anyway, despite my sadness about a particular scene, the writing and the spectacular narration had an insidious power over me and I kept going, even when it took me to places I didn’t particularly want to visit. The story was nuts and the narration one of the best I’ve listened to in a good long while. He gave each character their own distinctive voice, didn’t go all fake falsetto on the women characters and really brought the scenes to life. Even when the story dragged here and there, I never found myself dozing and I credit that to the narrator.
I’d give the story a three and the narration a five. Guess I’ll have to settle for a four.
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
Two wise cracking lower level thugs take on the job of transporting a so-called werewolf named Ivan to a wealthy weirdo who wants him for nefarious purposes. The two figure it’ll be easy money. There’s no such thing as a real werewolf, right?
Things go awry, as they will. This is a novel written by Jeff Strand after all. Blood is shed and sarcasm is spewed hither and fro (along with a few body parts) as our tenacious thugs make one dumb move after another. It’s funny, they reminded me a little of those loveable nitwits from Home Alone at points, but it’s also brutal. This is a black comedy and I’m still not over an early scene involving dogs and probably never will be.
But that’s my problem.
Anyway, despite my sadness about a particular scene, the writing and the spectacular narration had an insidious power over me and I kept going, even when it took me to places I didn’t particularly want to visit. The story was nuts and the narration one of the best I’ve listened to in a good long while. He gave each character their own distinctive voice, didn’t go all fake falsetto on the women characters and really brought the scenes to life. Even when the story dragged here and there, I never found myself dozing and I credit that to the narrator.
I’d give the story a three and the narration a five. Guess I’ll have to settle for a four.
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
October 21, 2017
Gotta love me some horror/humor!
I can totally see myself watching this as a low-budget horror! Two thugs, a hapless girl, and a truly monstrous werewolf. Make it a road trip. Add tons of cool quips and sassy dialogue and make sure everything that can go wrong, does.
Simple? Hell yeah. Trashy? Hell yeah. But I should point out that it's also funny as hell and when it gets bloody, it's just as delicious. I can't believe that Ivan the Werewolf can be so damn evil! Like, utterly nasty. Such a relief from Team Jacob. (Of which there was a reference.) :)
*hoooooooowl*
Why haven't I ever read Strand before? It takes a certain kind of genius to write B-Movie madness so well off the screen. This novel zipped by real quick, dirty, and fun. :) Total mindcandy. I mean, what else can you expect when you throw two idiot bounty hunters at a werewolf? They're completely unprepared!
Time to claw out some eyeballs for fun! :) Truly delightful. :)
I can totally see myself watching this as a low-budget horror! Two thugs, a hapless girl, and a truly monstrous werewolf. Make it a road trip. Add tons of cool quips and sassy dialogue and make sure everything that can go wrong, does.
Simple? Hell yeah. Trashy? Hell yeah. But I should point out that it's also funny as hell and when it gets bloody, it's just as delicious. I can't believe that Ivan the Werewolf can be so damn evil! Like, utterly nasty. Such a relief from Team Jacob. (Of which there was a reference.) :)
*hoooooooowl*
Why haven't I ever read Strand before? It takes a certain kind of genius to write B-Movie madness so well off the screen. This novel zipped by real quick, dirty, and fun. :) Total mindcandy. I mean, what else can you expect when you throw two idiot bounty hunters at a werewolf? They're completely unprepared!
Time to claw out some eyeballs for fun! :) Truly delightful. :)
October 20, 2021
"We're not mobsters. We perform unpleasant tasks that are usually illegal, but we don't have any mafia connections."
George and Lou are a pair of guys who'll do just about anything for a buck, so escorting a so-called werewolf to Florida is a gig that's right up their alley. After the requisite howlin'-at-the-moon jokes, they head off with their "lycanthrope" in a cage in the back of a van. But, things start getting mighty strange before long at all when mild-mannered, domesticated dogs start going nuts and attacking the van . . . and its occupants.
Strand tempers his horror with a healthy dose of humor, something I certainly appreciate, so I'll go four stars for this hairy tale.
George and Lou are a pair of guys who'll do just about anything for a buck, so escorting a so-called werewolf to Florida is a gig that's right up their alley. After the requisite howlin'-at-the-moon jokes, they head off with their "lycanthrope" in a cage in the back of a van. But, things start getting mighty strange before long at all when mild-mannered, domesticated dogs start going nuts and attacking the van . . . and its occupants.
Strand tempers his horror with a healthy dose of humor, something I certainly appreciate, so I'll go four stars for this hairy tale.
March 3, 2012
This is a story about a caged werewolf in human form and the two men who are charged with taking him on a 5 hour drive.
Sounds simple, right? Especially if you don't believe in werewolves.
Of course, all hell, and the werewolf, breaks loose.
This book had some gore and a completely psychotic werewolf, even when he was in human form.
The two drivers were hilarious and with all the action going on, it was very hard to put this book down.
Highly recommended for those with a twisted sense of humor and a love of the horror genre.
Sounds simple, right? Especially if you don't believe in werewolves.
Of course, all hell, and the werewolf, breaks loose.
This book had some gore and a completely psychotic werewolf, even when he was in human form.
The two drivers were hilarious and with all the action going on, it was very hard to put this book down.
Highly recommended for those with a twisted sense of humor and a love of the horror genre.
March 14, 2017
This fun, demented little book concerns two semi-friendly thugs who have to transport a man trapped in a cage four hours away to Florida. The man in question, Ivan, is reputed to be a werewolf, which of course George and Lon don't believe. As long as they get paid, games on, until Ivan shows how much he enjoys mentally screwing with the men.
The characters rocked for Wolf Hunt. George and Lon are constantly indulging in silly conversations that border on ridiculous. They reminded me of a pair you'd see in a cheesy comedy movie, but it works here. I can tell Ivan is amused by the duo, which I would also be, but Ivan is amused by general by people, especially when he sets out to kill them. Apparently Ivan didn't need the werewolf reputation because he's always been a serial killer. Enter a plot twist.
Knock aside the funny times that left me seriously grinning with their dialogue and amusing situations, and you see this book is also filled with plenty of violence. The death count is mega when Ivan goes on a killing spree. Jeff Strand is clearly talented, especially with the ironic situations and coming up with how everything can go wrong for poor George and Lon. The steady dialogue is what fills most of the book, and it's a breeze to read through.
I really need to read more werewolf fiction that's horror-focused, it's a back-burner plan this year, and Wolf Hunt was a fun visit into the furry fiction. It's not like other shifter fiction I've read.
The characters rocked for Wolf Hunt. George and Lon are constantly indulging in silly conversations that border on ridiculous. They reminded me of a pair you'd see in a cheesy comedy movie, but it works here. I can tell Ivan is amused by the duo, which I would also be, but Ivan is amused by general by people, especially when he sets out to kill them. Apparently Ivan didn't need the werewolf reputation because he's always been a serial killer. Enter a plot twist.
Knock aside the funny times that left me seriously grinning with their dialogue and amusing situations, and you see this book is also filled with plenty of violence. The death count is mega when Ivan goes on a killing spree. Jeff Strand is clearly talented, especially with the ironic situations and coming up with how everything can go wrong for poor George and Lon. The steady dialogue is what fills most of the book, and it's a breeze to read through.
I really need to read more werewolf fiction that's horror-focused, it's a back-burner plan this year, and Wolf Hunt was a fun visit into the furry fiction. It's not like other shifter fiction I've read.
April 18, 2018
If you're looking for a wild ride, you've come to the right place! Author Jeff Strand is known for his outrageous and bizarre horror comedy and this book is one of the best examples of what he can do. It follows two thumbbreaker thugs on an epic adventure through Florida as they try to transport a werewolf to a mysterious client.
George and Lou are great protagonists, who start out as your usual dickish thugs but quickly become lovable and memorable heroes that are trying to do what's right. And what's right is stopping a damn werewolf from slaughtering innocent people. Their constant bickering and increasingly apparent moral code really make them a pair to root for. You especially want to stand on their side when you see the crazy shit they're up against. The werewolf is one of the most nasty and sadistic villains I've read in a long time; unpredictable and ruthless, making any scene with him crackle with intensity.
And a Jeff Strand book is anything but boring. He writes with a manic urgency and a lightning pace that makes it hard to look away. One thing I'm always worried about when I start a book like this is that the comedy would weaken the impact of the horrific. But that's not the case here. Strand impressively finds the perfect balance, where I genuinely laughed out loud at times but it didn't lessen the discomforting shock I felt at certain sequences, scenes that I'll remember for a while.
If you're looking for an ultra fast-paced, action-packed novel written by a natural, I would highly recommend this one!
George and Lou are great protagonists, who start out as your usual dickish thugs but quickly become lovable and memorable heroes that are trying to do what's right. And what's right is stopping a damn werewolf from slaughtering innocent people. Their constant bickering and increasingly apparent moral code really make them a pair to root for. You especially want to stand on their side when you see the crazy shit they're up against. The werewolf is one of the most nasty and sadistic villains I've read in a long time; unpredictable and ruthless, making any scene with him crackle with intensity.
And a Jeff Strand book is anything but boring. He writes with a manic urgency and a lightning pace that makes it hard to look away. One thing I'm always worried about when I start a book like this is that the comedy would weaken the impact of the horrific. But that's not the case here. Strand impressively finds the perfect balance, where I genuinely laughed out loud at times but it didn't lessen the discomforting shock I felt at certain sequences, scenes that I'll remember for a while.
If you're looking for an ultra fast-paced, action-packed novel written by a natural, I would highly recommend this one!
December 27, 2021
So what would happen if you put the two hitmen from Pulp Fiction (Travolta and Sam Jackson) up against a serial killer who can turn into a werewolf without the help of a full moon? You got this crazy, comedic bloodfest.
Dark comedy, quirky dialogue, fast but steady pace, relentless thrills, and a very sadistic werewolf, this is one of the best horror stories I’ve read in a long time and it’s just begging to be made into a movie. Seriously Hollywood we don’t need another Star Wars movie!
The comedy reminds me of The Lost Boys, where it’s not full of one liners or splapstick, the comedy comes from the funny reactions of the two “protagonists” when faced with a powerful werewolf, kind of like Corey Haim and the Frog Brothers’ hilarious reactions to vampires.
Werewolves are the coolest monsters in fiction and we need more of them!
And yes... this wolfman does have nards!
Dark comedy, quirky dialogue, fast but steady pace, relentless thrills, and a very sadistic werewolf, this is one of the best horror stories I’ve read in a long time and it’s just begging to be made into a movie. Seriously Hollywood we don’t need another Star Wars movie!
The comedy reminds me of The Lost Boys, where it’s not full of one liners or splapstick, the comedy comes from the funny reactions of the two “protagonists” when faced with a powerful werewolf, kind of like Corey Haim and the Frog Brothers’ hilarious reactions to vampires.
Werewolves are the coolest monsters in fiction and we need more of them!
And yes... this wolfman does have nards!
October 23, 2017
This is a fun little story of two thugs getting a new job - to transport a supposed werewolf, a guy named Ivan, from one place to another. Easy peasy. Until the guy gets loose and there is a chase through a number of towns in Florida, leaving a bloody trail behind.
George and Lou, the two thugs mentioned above, are not really bad guys though they do break some people's fingers sometimes. They aren't the smartest guys either, but somehow they are very likeable. Especially since they stumble from one situation to the next, completely out of their element, realizing werewolves are real, getting almost-killed a couple of times and in the end just go after the wolf to save lives.
The banter is the best part in this novel though their clumsiness is just as funny. They made me laugh every other minute until I hurt all over.
Make no mistake, this is the literary equivalent of a B-movie at best, but an endearing B-movie with a legitimate monster, lots of things that go BOOM, two great MCs and lots of humour.
August 24, 2014
Jeff Strand's Wolf Hunt was a fine bit of breezy, gory horror. I like humor mixed with my horror, and Mr. Strand is quickly becoming a go-to guy for me when I'm in the mood for something smart, snappy, and soaked with blood.
For a while now, I've been searching for a good take on the werewolf story, and, while this story doesn't bring much new to the werewolf myth, it served as a pleasant enough distraction. However, I did find the two protagonists virtually interchangeable, and the plot was too simplistic. Don't get me wrong, I think a simple plot is a good idea for a humorous piece like this. Complicated plots can get in the way of the laughs. But, in this case, at the very least, a more sharply delineated three act structure would have helped a great deal. As is, I felt the story grew a bit repetitious and flat, and there never really was a grand twist or awesome reveal that propelled this book out of the merely really darn good territory.
Oh, and the ending seemed rushed.
3.14159 stars!
For a while now, I've been searching for a good take on the werewolf story, and, while this story doesn't bring much new to the werewolf myth, it served as a pleasant enough distraction. However, I did find the two protagonists virtually interchangeable, and the plot was too simplistic. Don't get me wrong, I think a simple plot is a good idea for a humorous piece like this. Complicated plots can get in the way of the laughs. But, in this case, at the very least, a more sharply delineated three act structure would have helped a great deal. As is, I felt the story grew a bit repetitious and flat, and there never really was a grand twist or awesome reveal that propelled this book out of the merely really darn good territory.
Oh, and the ending seemed rushed.
3.14159 stars!
December 17, 2020
George and Liu are your regular run of the mill criminals. Usually their breaking small limbs of folks who owe debts but on this occasion they are tasked with moving a werewolf across their country. That werewolf likes to maim people to death.
I really enjoyed this. It was a simple read with great characters who you root for the entire time. I rated down because my motivation to listen to it dropped off after awhile and it began to feel repetitive. Is that entirely a bad thing? No I loved the banter between friends and enemies, it was fun. In fact I enjoyed it so much I've got the whole trilogy just waiting for me on audio book. But it was a lot of chase, murder, death, chase, maim, bark, chase. And there are only so many duels between one werewolf and two errand boys a guy can take before he needs a break. I recommend this to anyone needing something funny who likes dark comedy.
There it is and there you have it.
I really enjoyed this. It was a simple read with great characters who you root for the entire time. I rated down because my motivation to listen to it dropped off after awhile and it began to feel repetitive. Is that entirely a bad thing? No I loved the banter between friends and enemies, it was fun. In fact I enjoyed it so much I've got the whole trilogy just waiting for me on audio book. But it was a lot of chase, murder, death, chase, maim, bark, chase. And there are only so many duels between one werewolf and two errand boys a guy can take before he needs a break. I recommend this to anyone needing something funny who likes dark comedy.
There it is and there you have it.
November 29, 2021
You know that excellent and often hilarious back and forth banter between the hitmen in Pulp Fiction that you love so much? Well, imagine that instead of trying to recover a briefcase, those two thugs for hire were chasing after an escaped homicidal werewolf with zero respect for human life, who is a compulsive liar and can take more damage than the Wet Bandits in Home Alone. Welcome to the batshit crazy world of Wolf Hunt! If you don’t find this story insanely fun, I’m not sure you have a pulse. Come for the hilarious dialogue, stay for the non-stop action and buckets of blood.
5 stars and one full moon.
5 stars and one full moon.
March 25, 2024
Jeff Strand’s Wolf Hunt has been described to me as a horror comedy. Well, I don’t like horror comedies. With me it’s either or. Therefore, my first instinct was to pass over Jeff Strand’s Offering. But then I remembered having enjoyed reading Strand’s “Blisters” and decided to give this a chance. Within minutes I was hooked. Its comedic elements are delicate and well placed witticisms owned by the characters themselves; fortunately, the plot itself is kept free of parody or satire. From start to end, the protagonists, a duo of charming thugs, crank out a cornucopia of taunting remarks towards each other and their supernatural antagonist who skillfully returns the favor with character fitting ripostes of the macabre kind that are no less funny. For all of this, the author doesn’t forget to inject the plot with just the right amount of deadly seriousness. After all, our thuggish yet lovable heroes have to make it their business to hunt a werewolf whose razor-sharp claws and quips are equally vicious.Summa summarum, this is a solid hands-on werewolf story sans over the top fantasy elements that so often plague the genre; its noir-style dry humor only adds to it. Recommended
April 8, 2012
It is obvious from the title and cover, that Wolf Hunt by Jeff Strand is a werewolf novel. What I didn't expect was the equivalent of a buddy movie. George Orton and Lou Flynn are long-time partners in thumb-breaking and other dirty deeds for organized criminal types. They are polite thugs and very loyal to each other. Their bond is in no way frivolous and is tested severely in this non-stop action story. They are given the task of transport a werewolf to some kind of mob boss. Of course they do not believe the skinny smart-ass in the cage is a werewolf and since there is no full moon, that he is dangerous. They are wrong.
So that's the set-up which the author plays to the hilt. I thoroughly enjoyed this as a light horror read and really liked the pair of George and Lou. I saw them as the equivalent of Dale and Tucker from the film Dale and Tucker vs. Evil although not as red-neck and not as sweet...but just as likable. To do that, the author had to revert to the silliness in characterization that prevails in stories about hero thugs. George and Lou have no problem breaking thumbs but will not take jobs that involve women or children nor will they murder anyone. Yeah, right. This is more unbelievable than the existence of werewolves. But if you can get through that leap of faith, you will find Wolf Hunt to be one of the better werewolf tales out there. Three and a half stars.
So that's the set-up which the author plays to the hilt. I thoroughly enjoyed this as a light horror read and really liked the pair of George and Lou. I saw them as the equivalent of Dale and Tucker from the film Dale and Tucker vs. Evil although not as red-neck and not as sweet...but just as likable. To do that, the author had to revert to the silliness in characterization that prevails in stories about hero thugs. George and Lou have no problem breaking thumbs but will not take jobs that involve women or children nor will they murder anyone. Yeah, right. This is more unbelievable than the existence of werewolves. But if you can get through that leap of faith, you will find Wolf Hunt to be one of the better werewolf tales out there. Three and a half stars.
February 26, 2022
"He didn't outsmart us. You outdumbed him."
George and Lou are fantastic characters, and Ivan is wolfy and hilarious. This is a truly fun story. I've actually already started Wolf Hunt 2 (I'm a little behind on my book reviews), and I'm enjoying it just as much so far.
The only reason this book didn't get five stars from me is because there are doggy deaths. If that's a trigger for you, this book may not be your best choice.
Otherwise, I was all in! This book is fast-paced, whacky, and action-packed! Jeff Strand books make my heart happy.
Available on Amazon!
George and Lou are fantastic characters, and Ivan is wolfy and hilarious. This is a truly fun story. I've actually already started Wolf Hunt 2 (I'm a little behind on my book reviews), and I'm enjoying it just as much so far.
The only reason this book didn't get five stars from me is because there are doggy deaths. If that's a trigger for you, this book may not be your best choice.
Otherwise, I was all in! This book is fast-paced, whacky, and action-packed! Jeff Strand books make my heart happy.
Available on Amazon!
May 20, 2025
Hairy situations make for the best stories.
Soooo...Mr Wolfie McWolf must be delivered to his future owner by delivery van! He's suitably restrained in a cage of course. Two bumbling, and mildly criminal goons are sent to be the transport drivers....but only after they've politely broken a delinquent payer's thumbs. Things do not go according to plan...mwaaahhhahahahahaaaaa.
Strand has created the most scary werewolf, but also, in human form, the most detestable bad guy (Okay-antagonist, villain...whatever). I just wanted to whack him in the head with a super sharp samurai sword...silver plated of course. BAD BOY Wolfie!
The two other brilliant Strand characters (brilliantly created, not brilliantly clever), George and Lou, are our transport drivers and reminded me strongly of those two immortal creations of John Steinbeck, George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men. Good job, Mr Strand.
The dialogue is humorous and definitely raised a few giggles. Mr McWolf performs some outrageously gruesome acts, requiring a strong stomach. The only annoying part is, that despite the fact that Wolfie inflicts serious, life-threatening injuries on poor George and Lou, they keep bouncing back like nothing's happened. Made me wonder just who had the powers of healing here. Just leave your belief at the door and you'll be fine.
I loved this and I'm defs gonna read the next instalment.
Soooo...Mr Wolfie McWolf must be delivered to his future owner by delivery van! He's suitably restrained in a cage of course. Two bumbling, and mildly criminal goons are sent to be the transport drivers....but only after they've politely broken a delinquent payer's thumbs. Things do not go according to plan...mwaaahhhahahahahaaaaa.
Strand has created the most scary werewolf, but also, in human form, the most detestable bad guy (Okay-antagonist, villain...whatever). I just wanted to whack him in the head with a super sharp samurai sword...silver plated of course. BAD BOY Wolfie!
The two other brilliant Strand characters (brilliantly created, not brilliantly clever), George and Lou, are our transport drivers and reminded me strongly of those two immortal creations of John Steinbeck, George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men. Good job, Mr Strand.
The dialogue is humorous and definitely raised a few giggles. Mr McWolf performs some outrageously gruesome acts, requiring a strong stomach. The only annoying part is, that despite the fact that Wolfie inflicts serious, life-threatening injuries on poor George and Lou, they keep bouncing back like nothing's happened. Made me wonder just who had the powers of healing here. Just leave your belief at the door and you'll be fine.
I loved this and I'm defs gonna read the next instalment.
January 18, 2024
Let me start out by saying, I really enjoy Jeff STrands version of horror comedy. I know this is not for everyone, but I really enjoy his writing.
This book is an action packed book with two wonderful anti-heroes, George and Lou, two independent leg breakers. They are contacted by Rickey, their "manager" to complete a job in Florida delivering a werewolf across the state. It's an easy payday. Mostly because everyone knows werewolves are not real. Things go sideways when George and Lou find out they might not have all the info on this job.
This was a nonstop action chase book. I found myself wanting to Just. Read. One. More. Page. This is the first book in a series and since I really enjoyed the antics for George an Lou, I will be reading the other books at some point.
This book is an action packed book with two wonderful anti-heroes, George and Lou, two independent leg breakers. They are contacted by Rickey, their "manager" to complete a job in Florida delivering a werewolf across the state. It's an easy payday. Mostly because everyone knows werewolves are not real. Things go sideways when George and Lou find out they might not have all the info on this job.
This was a nonstop action chase book. I found myself wanting to Just. Read. One. More. Page. This is the first book in a series and since I really enjoyed the antics for George an Lou, I will be reading the other books at some point.
February 14, 2016
I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for a honest review.
This book was funny and horrifying at the same times.
This book was funny and horrifying at the same times.
June 7, 2011
It's official. Jeff Strand has replaced Edward Lee on my list of favorite authors. Not to compare the two since they both have very different writing styles but I needed to find a replacement and Mr. Strand is it.
I fell in love with George and Lou and kept my fingers crossed as they battled Ivan - the thought of losing either of them made me sick to my stomach. The witty verbal exchanges between these two had me laughing out loud several times. There couldn't be a pair of more endearing "bad guys".
Ivan was just...evil. It's one thing to kill with a motive but to kill just for the sake of killing? Well, that's not very nice. And he takes the term "cocky smart @ss" to a whole new level. Which makes Ivan the perfect villain.
I gave this book four stars instead of five because I found myself tiring of the chase towards the end of the book. I was literally just wanting it to be over. I don't blame this on the author one bit. As a child, I literally HATED the RoadRunner and Coyote cartoons because the Coyote could never get one up on RoadRunner and for once I just wanted to see the Coyote sitting somewhere with roasted RoadRunner on a silver platter in front of him! What was the point of making me watch that stupid cartoon for all those years and he never even gets the bird?! ARE YOU INTENTIONALLY MESSING WITH MY EMOTIONS?!!! Suffice it to say, I have banned this particular cartoon from my home.
The ending was one of the best I've read. No jaw-dropping moment, no secret twist revealed - it was just....coooool. *smile
All in all, Wolf Hunt was a great read and I look forward to reading many more titles by this talented author.
I fell in love with George and Lou and kept my fingers crossed as they battled Ivan - the thought of losing either of them made me sick to my stomach. The witty verbal exchanges between these two had me laughing out loud several times. There couldn't be a pair of more endearing "bad guys".
Ivan was just...evil. It's one thing to kill with a motive but to kill just for the sake of killing? Well, that's not very nice. And he takes the term "cocky smart @ss" to a whole new level. Which makes Ivan the perfect villain.
I gave this book four stars instead of five because I found myself tiring of the chase towards the end of the book. I was literally just wanting it to be over. I don't blame this on the author one bit. As a child, I literally HATED the RoadRunner and Coyote cartoons because the Coyote could never get one up on RoadRunner and for once I just wanted to see the Coyote sitting somewhere with roasted RoadRunner on a silver platter in front of him! What was the point of making me watch that stupid cartoon for all those years and he never even gets the bird?! ARE YOU INTENTIONALLY MESSING WITH MY EMOTIONS?!!! Suffice it to say, I have banned this particular cartoon from my home.
The ending was one of the best I've read. No jaw-dropping moment, no secret twist revealed - it was just....coooool. *smile
All in all, Wolf Hunt was a great read and I look forward to reading many more titles by this talented author.
April 3, 2014
Loved this book! What a rollicking good time... Great mixture of horror and comedy. As I've mentioned in my comments, any author that quotes the 'Monster Squad' (80s movie) rules!
February 29, 2024
Jeff Strand does comedic horror very, very well, and "Wolf Hunt" is a prime example of dark humor, witty banter, crazy antics, and a werewolf chase across the swampy backways of south Florida. I love that the ending left me wanting more of the awesome friendship that is the pair of criminally minded enforcer thugs, Lou and George.
My reading this coincided with the latest full moon, the Full Snow Moon of February 24, 2024, and was a buddy read with some fine folk over at Castle Terror. Thanks, ya'all!
My reading this coincided with the latest full moon, the Full Snow Moon of February 24, 2024, and was a buddy read with some fine folk over at Castle Terror. Thanks, ya'all!
July 13, 2016
My original WOLF HUNT audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
I imagine Jeff Strand’s elevator pitch for Wolf Hunt being along the lines of ‘The Sopranos Meet The Wolfman.’ If this intrigues you, then it’s really about all that needs to be said of Strand’s funny, bloody werewolf romp. Frankly, it’s all I would have needed to be hooked straightaway. If this does not intrigue you, then I’m afraid I can’t help you.
George and Lou are not exactly made guys, and deny even being mobsters at all, but they are clearly some well-connected thugs who have little problem breaking thumbs over debts owed to their bosses. They’re tasked with transporting a bad dude named Ivan across Florida to a crime lord, with Ivan locked in a cage. Strand sets up his story in a fun way, with a lot of dispute over Ivan’s credentials as a werewolf and plenty of is-he or isn’t-he back and forth (George and Lou aren’t buying it, and Ivan has fun stringing them along). Things quickly go south, and after saving and accidentally kidnapping Michelle, the thugs are in a race to stop Ivan before he can wreak all kinds of carnage across the Sunshine State.
Strand does a beautiful job balancing wit with werewolf violence, and one early scene in particular stands out as being a gruesomely effective showcase to Ivan’s psychopathy, while also solidifying the bloody courtship between he and George. Although Wolf Hunt has a number of gory instances, there’s a certain lightness to the work as a whole thanks to a lot of humorous banter and a handful of characters that are actually fun to spend seven hours with.
Besides Stand’s quirkiness, a lot of this fun is owed to narrator Scott Thomas, who seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit and effortlessly brings the material to life. He provides each character with a distinct voice and speech pattern, which makes it easy to discern who is saying what during stretches of dialogue, and keeps the listen fresh throughout. Thomas hits all the right notes and delivers an excellent performance. The production values are fine, too, and Thomas’ work comes through without a hitch.
If you’re looking for a genuinely fun and comedic horror listen, Wolf Hunt definitely stands out from the pack.
[Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com]
I imagine Jeff Strand’s elevator pitch for Wolf Hunt being along the lines of ‘The Sopranos Meet The Wolfman.’ If this intrigues you, then it’s really about all that needs to be said of Strand’s funny, bloody werewolf romp. Frankly, it’s all I would have needed to be hooked straightaway. If this does not intrigue you, then I’m afraid I can’t help you.
George and Lou are not exactly made guys, and deny even being mobsters at all, but they are clearly some well-connected thugs who have little problem breaking thumbs over debts owed to their bosses. They’re tasked with transporting a bad dude named Ivan across Florida to a crime lord, with Ivan locked in a cage. Strand sets up his story in a fun way, with a lot of dispute over Ivan’s credentials as a werewolf and plenty of is-he or isn’t-he back and forth (George and Lou aren’t buying it, and Ivan has fun stringing them along). Things quickly go south, and after saving and accidentally kidnapping Michelle, the thugs are in a race to stop Ivan before he can wreak all kinds of carnage across the Sunshine State.
Strand does a beautiful job balancing wit with werewolf violence, and one early scene in particular stands out as being a gruesomely effective showcase to Ivan’s psychopathy, while also solidifying the bloody courtship between he and George. Although Wolf Hunt has a number of gory instances, there’s a certain lightness to the work as a whole thanks to a lot of humorous banter and a handful of characters that are actually fun to spend seven hours with.
Besides Stand’s quirkiness, a lot of this fun is owed to narrator Scott Thomas, who seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit and effortlessly brings the material to life. He provides each character with a distinct voice and speech pattern, which makes it easy to discern who is saying what during stretches of dialogue, and keeps the listen fresh throughout. Thomas hits all the right notes and delivers an excellent performance. The production values are fine, too, and Thomas’ work comes through without a hitch.
If you’re looking for a genuinely fun and comedic horror listen, Wolf Hunt definitely stands out from the pack.
[Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com]
July 30, 2013
Wolf Hunt is a blast. With classic Strand characters and dialog this one moves fast on a rollercoaster of chaos! A rocket ride thru bloodly body parts and mayhem.
George and Lou are hired for a simple transport job. At least until they find out that they will be driving a werewolf named Ivan across Florida. Easy cheesy! Ok, not so much…all hell breaks loose in this one and it’s a race to see if George and Lou can get the situation under control before Ivan runs amok and kills them both…or worse.
Solid 4+ Stars! Highly Recommended!
George and Lou are hired for a simple transport job. At least until they find out that they will be driving a werewolf named Ivan across Florida. Easy cheesy! Ok, not so much…all hell breaks loose in this one and it’s a race to see if George and Lou can get the situation under control before Ivan runs amok and kills them both…or worse.
Solid 4+ Stars! Highly Recommended!
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