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The Navajo Nightmare
Saddle up for twice the terror in
THE NAVAJO NIGHTMARE!
Charles Andersson is a killer. Or at least, he was, once. Now he lives a quiet life with his family, until a gang of crooks take everything from him and Charles must make a diabolical pact.
His soul, in exchange for vengeance!
Tanner Williams has been tasked with an impossible job — to track and kill the bloodthirsty abomination that stalks the plains. Haunted by his dark past, Tanner must learn the horrifying secret of…
THE NAVAJO NIGHTMARE!
From the twisted minds of David Sodergren (The Forgotten Island) and Steve Stred (Ritual) comes a gripping, blood-soaked horror western that will leave you breathless.
THE NAVAJO NIGHTMARE!
Charles Andersson is a killer. Or at least, he was, once. Now he lives a quiet life with his family, until a gang of crooks take everything from him and Charles must make a diabolical pact.
His soul, in exchange for vengeance!
Tanner Williams has been tasked with an impossible job — to track and kill the bloodthirsty abomination that stalks the plains. Haunted by his dark past, Tanner must learn the horrifying secret of…
THE NAVAJO NIGHTMARE!
From the twisted minds of David Sodergren (The Forgotten Island) and Steve Stred (Ritual) comes a gripping, blood-soaked horror western that will leave you breathless.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2021
53 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
David Sodergren
21 books2,904 followersDavid Sodergren lives in Scotland with his wife Heather and his best friend, Boris the Pug.
Growing up, he was the kind of kid who collected rubber skeletons and lived for horror movies. Not much has changed since then.
His best known books include the gory and romantic fairy tale The Haar, the blood-drenched folk-horror Maggie’s Grave, and the analog-horror fever dream Rotten Tommy. David also writes under the pseudonym Carl John Lee, publishing splatterpunk
novels such as Psychic Teenage Bloodbath and Cannibal Vengeance.
Growing up, he was the kind of kid who collected rubber skeletons and lived for horror movies. Not much has changed since then.
His best known books include the gory and romantic fairy tale The Haar, the blood-drenched folk-horror Maggie’s Grave, and the analog-horror fever dream Rotten Tommy. David also writes under the pseudonym Carl John Lee, publishing splatterpunk
novels such as Psychic Teenage Bloodbath and Cannibal Vengeance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
April 15, 2021
4.5 stars. No surprise this was pretty fantastic!!! Now I need to read some more western horror. Full review to come.
May 8, 2021
Charles Andersson is making a new life for himself and his new wife and young son in the growing community of Packer’s Mill. A former outlaw and prolific murderer, his chance encounter with a prostitute whose life he saves has made him see the error of his ways and he is now dedicated to living out his days peacefully with his new family.
His peace is soon shattered when a pair of men visit Packer’s Mill, threatening both Charles and his wife. Although he tries to resist reverting back to his old, violent ways, a chain of events is set into motion that will see Charles take on a new moniker, that of the Navajo Nightmare; a seemingly unstoppable gunslinger whose legend is soon known across the country. Tales of his unquenchable thirst for blood and ties to the Devil himself run rampant and a group of individuals, led by an aging lawman and a bereaved woman whose husband is among the Nightmares victims, have taken it upon themselves to end his reign of terror once and for all.
Written in two parts (one by each author), The Navajo Nightmare tells two decidedly different, but inextricably linked tales of Charles Andersson and how he became known as The Navajo Nightmare. The first tale is of his origin, and begins with Charles leading a peaceful life, having long since sworn off violence as he raises his three-year-old son alongside his loving wife. They attend church and are in the process of building their first home together. Without spoiling anything that follows, it is a familiar set-up and, this being a horror story, one with a fairly obvious conclusion. The fact that this story is a well-worn one, however, does nothing to diminish the joy taken from the telling. Original it may not be, but a familiar story told well is far more engaging than an original story told without skill or passion, and The Navajo Nightmare has both in plentiful supply.
Charles is a fascinating character, stoic and anti-social, but mellowed and loving when with his wife and son, he is depicted from the start as, if not likeable, then at least relatable, which makes what follows all the more tragic. The villains are suitably despicable, and a lot of the horror comes from their hands, in what is often violence that is as impressively inventive as it is demented.
This opening half of the novel does a lot of work in making Charles a sympathetic character, which is important for what follows, as the second half switches focus, instead making a disparate band of vigilantes the story’s focus and making Charles the antagonist. From this point Charles is rarely seen, but often spoken about and his presence is, if anything, felt more keenly, as the events of the first half have become a legend, a scary story told to warn people of this unstoppable gunslinger from hell. It’s a very interesting choice, after having spent over half the book making us care about Charles, but it works so well and, anytime he does make an appearance, there is a good mix of scares and sympathy.
The new characters are a likeable and eclectic ensemble, with a grizzled and experienced lawman, and a young, somewhat naive man he has taken under his wing. He is hired by a woman to track down the Navajo Nightmare to kill him to avenge her husband’s death, and she is depicted as brave and capable, as she joins the hunt herself. They meet with a former slave and an indigenous skinwalker as they head out into the inhospitable landscape of the wild west to track down a monster we first met as a man.
This part of the tale is far more unpredictable, but no less skilfully woven, as the lines between the good guys and the bad guys have become blurred, and the real villain behind the scenes seemingly untouchable. This tale is no less action packed than the first, but is an unexpected (but welcome) change to the narrative that delivers a satisfying and unexpected resolution.
Comparisons against the current Splatter Western line are inevitable. They have, after all, almost single-handedly popularised the horror western genre over the last year. While the gore and violence is not the focus of ‘The Navajo Nightmare’, rest assured that the horror element of the horror western is very well catered for, with an impressive body count, a genuinely shocking scene in the opening tale, and plenty of body horror once things get going. This is just a bonus, however, an addition to the skilfully woven, tense and ultimately tragic story that the two authors are telling. While this may not be a Splatter Western entry, it certainly deserves the recognition that that line gets.
The Navajo Nightmare starts as a seemingly well-worn story of vengeance, but the books’ unusual structure and bold about-turn at the midway point delivers surprises, excitement and plenty of horror in a fun and memorable story anchored by strong writing, an immersive setting, and a killer lead character. Let’s hope that neither author considers this their final word in the horror western genre, as I would love to read more from this team.
This review was initially written for and published by Horroroasis.com
Check our their site for horror book and movie reviews, articles, giveaways and more.
His peace is soon shattered when a pair of men visit Packer’s Mill, threatening both Charles and his wife. Although he tries to resist reverting back to his old, violent ways, a chain of events is set into motion that will see Charles take on a new moniker, that of the Navajo Nightmare; a seemingly unstoppable gunslinger whose legend is soon known across the country. Tales of his unquenchable thirst for blood and ties to the Devil himself run rampant and a group of individuals, led by an aging lawman and a bereaved woman whose husband is among the Nightmares victims, have taken it upon themselves to end his reign of terror once and for all.
Written in two parts (one by each author), The Navajo Nightmare tells two decidedly different, but inextricably linked tales of Charles Andersson and how he became known as The Navajo Nightmare. The first tale is of his origin, and begins with Charles leading a peaceful life, having long since sworn off violence as he raises his three-year-old son alongside his loving wife. They attend church and are in the process of building their first home together. Without spoiling anything that follows, it is a familiar set-up and, this being a horror story, one with a fairly obvious conclusion. The fact that this story is a well-worn one, however, does nothing to diminish the joy taken from the telling. Original it may not be, but a familiar story told well is far more engaging than an original story told without skill or passion, and The Navajo Nightmare has both in plentiful supply.
Charles is a fascinating character, stoic and anti-social, but mellowed and loving when with his wife and son, he is depicted from the start as, if not likeable, then at least relatable, which makes what follows all the more tragic. The villains are suitably despicable, and a lot of the horror comes from their hands, in what is often violence that is as impressively inventive as it is demented.
This opening half of the novel does a lot of work in making Charles a sympathetic character, which is important for what follows, as the second half switches focus, instead making a disparate band of vigilantes the story’s focus and making Charles the antagonist. From this point Charles is rarely seen, but often spoken about and his presence is, if anything, felt more keenly, as the events of the first half have become a legend, a scary story told to warn people of this unstoppable gunslinger from hell. It’s a very interesting choice, after having spent over half the book making us care about Charles, but it works so well and, anytime he does make an appearance, there is a good mix of scares and sympathy.
The new characters are a likeable and eclectic ensemble, with a grizzled and experienced lawman, and a young, somewhat naive man he has taken under his wing. He is hired by a woman to track down the Navajo Nightmare to kill him to avenge her husband’s death, and she is depicted as brave and capable, as she joins the hunt herself. They meet with a former slave and an indigenous skinwalker as they head out into the inhospitable landscape of the wild west to track down a monster we first met as a man.
This part of the tale is far more unpredictable, but no less skilfully woven, as the lines between the good guys and the bad guys have become blurred, and the real villain behind the scenes seemingly untouchable. This tale is no less action packed than the first, but is an unexpected (but welcome) change to the narrative that delivers a satisfying and unexpected resolution.
Comparisons against the current Splatter Western line are inevitable. They have, after all, almost single-handedly popularised the horror western genre over the last year. While the gore and violence is not the focus of ‘The Navajo Nightmare’, rest assured that the horror element of the horror western is very well catered for, with an impressive body count, a genuinely shocking scene in the opening tale, and plenty of body horror once things get going. This is just a bonus, however, an addition to the skilfully woven, tense and ultimately tragic story that the two authors are telling. While this may not be a Splatter Western entry, it certainly deserves the recognition that that line gets.
The Navajo Nightmare starts as a seemingly well-worn story of vengeance, but the books’ unusual structure and bold about-turn at the midway point delivers surprises, excitement and plenty of horror in a fun and memorable story anchored by strong writing, an immersive setting, and a killer lead character. Let’s hope that neither author considers this their final word in the horror western genre, as I would love to read more from this team.
This review was initially written for and published by Horroroasis.com
Check our their site for horror book and movie reviews, articles, giveaways and more.
June 19, 2023
Everything I love about Sodergren but with a western setting: Gory, fast paced, intense, vivid imagery. I also enjoyed Streds contributions to the story and will be checking out more of his stuff!
November 13, 2021
Authors David Sodergren and Steve Stred ride right into the thick of a suddenly increasingly crowded genre with their horror western, The Navajo Nightmare. It's been great to see the horror western enjoying a resurgence of late (a field that will no doubt grow even stronger with the inclusion of queer and indigenous voices like Hailey Piper and Shane Hawk, respectively, with their splatter westerns slated for release in the near-future), and The Navajo Nightmare is a great example of why this genre mashup works so damn well.
The Old West and the age of American expansion is the perfect setting for scares with its uncharted wilderness, natural horrors, and Native American mythologies running headlong into White Christendom, male brutality, and the search for riches alongside territorial (and more often than not, human) conquests. It was a brutal time that has been romanticized and softened with age, but the horrors of a good, scary western remind us just how unforgiving things were then. Life was ruled by the gun, and guns always rule by fear.
Charles Andersson is a man who knows a thing or two about fear. As an ex-killer, he's certainly made plenty of people fear him. And after his wife and child are brutally murdered, he's going to make their killers absolutely terrified, even if it comes at great expense to his own well-being.
David Sodergren introduces us to Andersson in the book's first half, and good lord is it ever the perfect distillation of what western horror is meant to be. "Before" is absolutely, positively brutal and Sodergren spares no effort in reminding us just how ghastly, sadistic, and depraved these outlaws and killers can be. Given the fates of his family, it's hard not to root for Andersson, even as he descends deeper into a madness not entirely of his own making. We get introduced to the supernatural elements driving The Navajo Nightmare fairly early, but even then Sodergren keeps things pretty well grounded, even as the cycle of violence grows ever more torrential.
Steve Stred takes a slower tack in the books second half, penning "After," which follows a lawman hired to avenge a wife's murdered husband, a victim of the titular Navajo Nightmare. Given the authors different styles, splitting up the book and writing duties into two parts was a smart move, and while "Before" and "After" are tonally very different, Sodergren and Stred complement each other quite nicely. "After" is a bit slower, particularly in comparison to the frenetic onslaught of violence that came in "Before," but fitting given the aged, and bored stature, of lawman Tanner Williams. While Sodergren leaned heavily into the violence of the Old West, Stred takes a more somber look at the racial and misogynistic components of life in the 1800s. Hulking former-slave Hank's backstory, for instance, is particularly brutal and a tragic reminder of just how vicious life was back then, especially as some modern-day figures try to sell these bygone eras as "the good old days."
If you're unfamiliar with the western horror genre but curious to see what all the fuss is about, The Navajo Nightmare is a perfect starting point with its shades of Unforgiven by way of Tales from the Crypt. Sodergren and Stred clearly have a lot of affection for these types of period pieces and are obviously having a blast crafting their own bloody, dusty horse opera. You can practically hear the Ennio Morricone score thumping and trilling behind all the revolvers firing, and that's more than enough for me to hope for a few more Nightmares from these guys.
For more on The Navajo Nightmare, listen to our spoiler-filled talk about this book on Staring Into The Abyss. Authors David Sodergren and Steve Stred join us to discuss their collaborative horror western, their writing process as a team, and the importance of picking whose name goes first on the cover. You can find Staring Into The Abyss wherever you listen to podcasts, or stream it directly from https://staringintotheabyss.libsyn.co....
The Old West and the age of American expansion is the perfect setting for scares with its uncharted wilderness, natural horrors, and Native American mythologies running headlong into White Christendom, male brutality, and the search for riches alongside territorial (and more often than not, human) conquests. It was a brutal time that has been romanticized and softened with age, but the horrors of a good, scary western remind us just how unforgiving things were then. Life was ruled by the gun, and guns always rule by fear.
Charles Andersson is a man who knows a thing or two about fear. As an ex-killer, he's certainly made plenty of people fear him. And after his wife and child are brutally murdered, he's going to make their killers absolutely terrified, even if it comes at great expense to his own well-being.
David Sodergren introduces us to Andersson in the book's first half, and good lord is it ever the perfect distillation of what western horror is meant to be. "Before" is absolutely, positively brutal and Sodergren spares no effort in reminding us just how ghastly, sadistic, and depraved these outlaws and killers can be. Given the fates of his family, it's hard not to root for Andersson, even as he descends deeper into a madness not entirely of his own making. We get introduced to the supernatural elements driving The Navajo Nightmare fairly early, but even then Sodergren keeps things pretty well grounded, even as the cycle of violence grows ever more torrential.
Steve Stred takes a slower tack in the books second half, penning "After," which follows a lawman hired to avenge a wife's murdered husband, a victim of the titular Navajo Nightmare. Given the authors different styles, splitting up the book and writing duties into two parts was a smart move, and while "Before" and "After" are tonally very different, Sodergren and Stred complement each other quite nicely. "After" is a bit slower, particularly in comparison to the frenetic onslaught of violence that came in "Before," but fitting given the aged, and bored stature, of lawman Tanner Williams. While Sodergren leaned heavily into the violence of the Old West, Stred takes a more somber look at the racial and misogynistic components of life in the 1800s. Hulking former-slave Hank's backstory, for instance, is particularly brutal and a tragic reminder of just how vicious life was back then, especially as some modern-day figures try to sell these bygone eras as "the good old days."
If you're unfamiliar with the western horror genre but curious to see what all the fuss is about, The Navajo Nightmare is a perfect starting point with its shades of Unforgiven by way of Tales from the Crypt. Sodergren and Stred clearly have a lot of affection for these types of period pieces and are obviously having a blast crafting their own bloody, dusty horse opera. You can practically hear the Ennio Morricone score thumping and trilling behind all the revolvers firing, and that's more than enough for me to hope for a few more Nightmares from these guys.
For more on The Navajo Nightmare, listen to our spoiler-filled talk about this book on Staring Into The Abyss. Authors David Sodergren and Steve Stred join us to discuss their collaborative horror western, their writing process as a team, and the importance of picking whose name goes first on the cover. You can find Staring Into The Abyss wherever you listen to podcasts, or stream it directly from https://staringintotheabyss.libsyn.co....
May 15, 2021
This fast-paced, gory, romp through the wild west was a blast to read! I blazed through each tale in a single sitting with a satisfied grin on my face. Stred's and Sodergren's smooth writing styles are distinguishable but still flow together seamlessly, and I hope the two team up for another western horror in the future.
July 29, 2024
"He screamed, and screamed, and screamed, more roots tearing from the earth as the fire burned its unnatural glow across the landscape, which cast no shadows, for even the shadows know evil when they see it."
The book is divided in two, the origin story and the aftermath of an indigenous monster, the Navajo Nightmare. Having never read a western horror, this was a unique perspective to those living out in the Wild West and what monsters come and how to even prove that they exist?
The book was written by two different authors and it definitely added two different perspective to the same haunting spirit. Sad beginning, gory and full of suspense of what happens next!
The book is divided in two, the origin story and the aftermath of an indigenous monster, the Navajo Nightmare. Having never read a western horror, this was a unique perspective to those living out in the Wild West and what monsters come and how to even prove that they exist?
The book was written by two different authors and it definitely added two different perspective to the same haunting spirit. Sad beginning, gory and full of suspense of what happens next!
April 10, 2021
"We ain't that far. Revenge is never that far."
Well well well, wasn't this a crazy romp through the wild west full of bandits, prostitutes with hearts of gold, bloody shootouts, shapeshifters, and the devil himself. Steve Stred and David Sodergren give us a bloody, gory, dusty, dirty story of revenge, but also redemption, hope, forgiveness, and undying love. That may be hard to believe from a book called The Navajo Nightmare, but I promise it's not just slaughter for slaughter's sake. From the opening pages I fell in love with Charles and Mary and Jack and only wanted a happy ending for them all. Haha. Steve and David don't hold back, they know how to play with your emotions. They get you invested then rip your heart out and feed it to the vultures.
A huge thank you to Steve Stred for sending an ebook ARC my way. I can't wait until it's released so I can get a physical copy. Just look at that cover!
Well well well, wasn't this a crazy romp through the wild west full of bandits, prostitutes with hearts of gold, bloody shootouts, shapeshifters, and the devil himself. Steve Stred and David Sodergren give us a bloody, gory, dusty, dirty story of revenge, but also redemption, hope, forgiveness, and undying love. That may be hard to believe from a book called The Navajo Nightmare, but I promise it's not just slaughter for slaughter's sake. From the opening pages I fell in love with Charles and Mary and Jack and only wanted a happy ending for them all. Haha. Steve and David don't hold back, they know how to play with your emotions. They get you invested then rip your heart out and feed it to the vultures.
A huge thank you to Steve Stred for sending an ebook ARC my way. I can't wait until it's released so I can get a physical copy. Just look at that cover!
June 27, 2021
What an achievement by Sodergren and Stred. This book is fantastic. Caveat: I love westerns and horror, so that guides my opinion. Regardless, the writing is top notch. Good bloody fun!
April 27, 2022
I’d read and loved 4 stories by David Sodergren and recently discovered a love for western horror so when I saw The Navajo Nightmare I was super excited to read it. He did not disappoint. The first part, ‘Before’, was our introduction to Charles Anderson. It was brutal. It was brilliant. I absolutely loved it.
•
Unfortunately, the second part of the book didn’t have the same cohesiveness. Steve’s writing style differs from David’s, so that took some getting used to and I found the plot in ‘After’ to be a bit confusing and disjointed.
•
Overall, this was a fun read with plenty of gore and great characters, I just wish the second half were more polished.
•
Unfortunately, the second part of the book didn’t have the same cohesiveness. Steve’s writing style differs from David’s, so that took some getting used to and I found the plot in ‘After’ to be a bit confusing and disjointed.
•
Overall, this was a fun read with plenty of gore and great characters, I just wish the second half were more polished.
May 11, 2021
First, I want to thank the authors for their patience on such a late review. Being sick with COVID-19 in March set me back about 3 weeks. At least though I had this fantastic story to read.
Charles Andersson is a killer, married man and a father. All he wants to do now is too put his past behind him and live a simple life.
Then fate has it that he is confronted with a group of thieves that want to take his horses and happy to generally harass him and his family, the strangers unaware of who Charles is.
It doesn’t take long for a shooting to take place in a fit of bloody violence though Charles was only protecting his family.
The incident considered settled, Charles later decides to head in to the larger town to apply for a loan to help him with his homestead and farm, leaving Mary and his son behind.
What happens next sets Charles life in motion as he struggles to understand why, losing the only things in the world he cared about and ends up in the local church in a fit of grief.
There is someone is there, someone willing to help him not only bring back Mary and his son but a promise of all things set right.
Never make a deal with the devil.
Western Horror at its absolute best will not only keep the horror fans happy but with the western story readers out there, it has all the elements. The hunt, the chase, the revenge and gunfights. Supernatural elements seem to blend in perfectly and not perceived as distracting. This new genre is getting some speed to so get on the wagon now and don’t miss out. The talent of these two authors can not be ignored, read everything they have written immediately. This book is highly recommended! Enjoy!
Charles Andersson is a killer, married man and a father. All he wants to do now is too put his past behind him and live a simple life.
Then fate has it that he is confronted with a group of thieves that want to take his horses and happy to generally harass him and his family, the strangers unaware of who Charles is.
It doesn’t take long for a shooting to take place in a fit of bloody violence though Charles was only protecting his family.
The incident considered settled, Charles later decides to head in to the larger town to apply for a loan to help him with his homestead and farm, leaving Mary and his son behind.
What happens next sets Charles life in motion as he struggles to understand why, losing the only things in the world he cared about and ends up in the local church in a fit of grief.
There is someone is there, someone willing to help him not only bring back Mary and his son but a promise of all things set right.
Never make a deal with the devil.
Western Horror at its absolute best will not only keep the horror fans happy but with the western story readers out there, it has all the elements. The hunt, the chase, the revenge and gunfights. Supernatural elements seem to blend in perfectly and not perceived as distracting. This new genre is getting some speed to so get on the wagon now and don’t miss out. The talent of these two authors can not be ignored, read everything they have written immediately. This book is highly recommended! Enjoy!
May 13, 2021
Do you want a western horror full of action and blood? Scenes that will make you gasp in terror and make you thankful you (probably) won't ever have a fate so gruesome? A Faustian revenge tale turned legend that thirsts for death? Then you have to read THE NAVAJO NIGHTMARE by David Sodergren and Steve Stred. This book has ALL those things and more! There is a great cast of characters crafted and they all interact so wonderfully. You can't help but feel the heat of the sun and smell... ALL the things... when reading this book. Like me, you might even start to get parched, thirsting for water - either because of the indirect association with being out west or maybe your mouth agape in fear, wonder, and anticipation. When all is said and done, you can tell these two had a complete blast writing this story... and it's one that I can't wait to see other peoples' reactions to reading. The Navajo Nightmare knocks it out of the park for me!
February 20, 2022
2022 Horror Reading Challenge: Western
The old west is one of those time periods, that I romanticize. I just don’t think there are many things cooler than old school cowboys and outlaws. The Navajo Nightmare started off so strong. The novela is split into two parts, each part written by a different author. David Sodegren wrote the first part and Steve Shred wrote the second. I wish David wrote the whole thing, because his part, in every way, outshines Steve’s. The first half feels more fleshed out, the characters way more developed, and even the violence carries much more weight. The story is cool, it’s the story of a man, Charles, who looses everything he loves and needs revenge. The devil approaches him with an offer to receive the ability to wreck havoc on his enemies, and the Navajo Nightmare is born.
This could have easily been a 4-5 star book with David solely behind the helm, but as is, it just doesn’t pack the punch I desired.
The old west is one of those time periods, that I romanticize. I just don’t think there are many things cooler than old school cowboys and outlaws. The Navajo Nightmare started off so strong. The novela is split into two parts, each part written by a different author. David Sodegren wrote the first part and Steve Shred wrote the second. I wish David wrote the whole thing, because his part, in every way, outshines Steve’s. The first half feels more fleshed out, the characters way more developed, and even the violence carries much more weight. The story is cool, it’s the story of a man, Charles, who looses everything he loves and needs revenge. The devil approaches him with an offer to receive the ability to wreck havoc on his enemies, and the Navajo Nightmare is born.
This could have easily been a 4-5 star book with David solely behind the helm, but as is, it just doesn’t pack the punch I desired.
May 4, 2021
Awesome! Great mashup of horror and western.
September 18, 2021
This book is broken into two parts, with David penning the "Before" section and Steve the "After". Westerns aren't generally my thing, but I'd read Dead Girl Blues last year so I knew I was likely in for a bloody good show.
A bloody good show is exactly what I got. This is now the second book this year that had me making this 😬 face more than once, with even a few "YIKES" spoken allowed 🤣.
I'm not a gore hound when it comes to movies but I enjoy reading it, and both of these guys effectively gave me the heebie jeebies during this read.
If you're looking for a fun, quick summer read that gives you the old school horror vibes while thrusting you into the Wild, Wild West, check this book out!
A bloody good show is exactly what I got. This is now the second book this year that had me making this 😬 face more than once, with even a few "YIKES" spoken allowed 🤣.
I'm not a gore hound when it comes to movies but I enjoy reading it, and both of these guys effectively gave me the heebie jeebies during this read.
If you're looking for a fun, quick summer read that gives you the old school horror vibes while thrusting you into the Wild, Wild West, check this book out!
June 4, 2021
The book is split into two sections - before, and after. One written by David, one written by Steve. Both serve different sides of a story that involve a killer-turned-civilian named Charles Andersson. During the second half of the book, the different sides collide in a blood soaked conclusion. I felt for Charles, i really did.
This is my second "western horror" that i've read this year and im becoming a fan of it.
I really enjoyed this book. It's well written by both writers. Would definitely recommend to any horror fan.
Oh, and top marks to David for the cover!
This is my second "western horror" that i've read this year and im becoming a fan of it.
I really enjoyed this book. It's well written by both writers. Would definitely recommend to any horror fan.
Oh, and top marks to David for the cover!
January 26, 2025
2.5 stars rounded down.
Sodergren’s half is fast paced, focused, and propulsive. Stred’s? Not so much. It gets a bit lost in fleshing out backstories and the last minute twist—or rather the hidden truth—detracts from the strength of the central focus of the first half, the story of Charles. These may have worked better if they were flipped, give us the Navajo Nightmare, hide his backstory, then fill in for the second half.
Mostly, it was pulpy fun and I don’t regret reading it. I’ll try out Stred again and I’ll keep reading Sodergren.
Read on paperback.
Sodergren’s half is fast paced, focused, and propulsive. Stred’s? Not so much. It gets a bit lost in fleshing out backstories and the last minute twist—or rather the hidden truth—detracts from the strength of the central focus of the first half, the story of Charles. These may have worked better if they were flipped, give us the Navajo Nightmare, hide his backstory, then fill in for the second half.
Mostly, it was pulpy fun and I don’t regret reading it. I’ll try out Stred again and I’ll keep reading Sodergren.
Read on paperback.
May 10, 2022
Sodergren does it again. This time, with the help of Steve Stred and one hell of a gun slinging legend. The Navajo Nightmare hit all the right buttons for me. Revenge filled, gore infested folklore all wrapped up in a horror infused Wild West Bow. Five stars from me, as anything Sodergren touches turns to gold.
April 14, 2025
I would say Part 1 was probably the best part of the book. It was gory and exciting. However, Part 2 was slow and boring until the very last chapter. I really do think the story could have ended after Part 1 but I get why they wanted to explain the idea of the Navajo Nightmare in Part 2. 3/5 ⭐️’s for me. I will probably read more books from both author’s though.
May 8, 2021
A bloody good horror Western
I really enjoyed reading The Navajo Nightmare. It's full of damned and doomed characters looking for vengeance. Revenge comes with a heavy price though. Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed reading The Navajo Nightmare. It's full of damned and doomed characters looking for vengeance. Revenge comes with a heavy price though. Highly recommended.
January 23, 2022
Klassisk western story om hämnd men med övernaturliga inslag. Givetvis våldsamt!
Western-skräck är verkligen en genre som det borde finnas mer av.
Western-skräck är verkligen en genre som det borde finnas mer av.
April 8, 2021
Take a trip in the Delorean back in time Wild West style, with this Clint Eastwood tinged, horror-western mashup dripping in murderous revenge.
They say love will change a man, and that is exactly what happens to Charles Andersson when he comes across a girl named Mary. Together they decide to walk the path of the straight and narrow. Charles stops killing and builds a new life with his new family. While out of town, the Jackson’s seeks revenge on Charles from a recent run in, and instead they find Charles gone; his wife and child alone. What Charles returns home to is more horrific than you can imagine, and Charles decides then and there that he WILL kill again.
Torn apart by the loss of his family, Charles makes a deal with the devil, giving his soul in exchange for exacting his revenge.
Meanwhile, a lawman named Tanner takes a deal to hunt down and kill the Navajo Nightmare, a crazed killer that has been terrorizing towns and murdering all that stand in his way. Together with his 3 sidekicks he sets out across the plains, to face his past, and ready to accept his future.
This one started off with a bang. I immediately got draw into this dusty, dirty little tale, rollin thru the pages like a tumbleweed. It was my first horror-western experience and I must say, it was a blast!
The depth of each of these characters was impressive considering the length of the story and they defiantly left an impression. I loved the idea of the skin changer, and the description of each characters backstory.
Overall I quite enjoyed this one and I give it 4.25/5 stars.
The paperback drops May 1st but the ebook preorder is live! Check it out!
They say love will change a man, and that is exactly what happens to Charles Andersson when he comes across a girl named Mary. Together they decide to walk the path of the straight and narrow. Charles stops killing and builds a new life with his new family. While out of town, the Jackson’s seeks revenge on Charles from a recent run in, and instead they find Charles gone; his wife and child alone. What Charles returns home to is more horrific than you can imagine, and Charles decides then and there that he WILL kill again.
Torn apart by the loss of his family, Charles makes a deal with the devil, giving his soul in exchange for exacting his revenge.
Meanwhile, a lawman named Tanner takes a deal to hunt down and kill the Navajo Nightmare, a crazed killer that has been terrorizing towns and murdering all that stand in his way. Together with his 3 sidekicks he sets out across the plains, to face his past, and ready to accept his future.
This one started off with a bang. I immediately got draw into this dusty, dirty little tale, rollin thru the pages like a tumbleweed. It was my first horror-western experience and I must say, it was a blast!
The depth of each of these characters was impressive considering the length of the story and they defiantly left an impression. I loved the idea of the skin changer, and the description of each characters backstory.
Overall I quite enjoyed this one and I give it 4.25/5 stars.
The paperback drops May 1st but the ebook preorder is live! Check it out!
August 16, 2023
Welcome to the world of the horror western.
Anyone who hasn’t tried this genre mash-up before should be pleased to know that the two themes mix extremely well. There’s something about the dusty town, with its saloons and gunslingers that blend naturally with horror. Then again, I think a lot of that is down to the flexibility of horror in general and in truth, horror can be woven into any other genre or timeline. After all, horror is everywhere, and people will always be scared by something.
Either way, The Navajo Nightmare is a mixture of horror and western that fulfils its task of blending the two themes with a compelling story.
To sum this book up would be to say that I loved every minute of it. Reading it was addictive, the words on the page proving to give a drug-like dependency that I just had to keep sampling.
If you like horror, then give this a read. Even if you’re not a fan of the Western genre, it’s still worth trying just for how well written and entertaining it is. Hell, if you like Westerns but aren’t that into horror, give it a go, as it mixes both genres perfectly.
Anyone who hasn’t tried this genre mash-up before should be pleased to know that the two themes mix extremely well. There’s something about the dusty town, with its saloons and gunslingers that blend naturally with horror. Then again, I think a lot of that is down to the flexibility of horror in general and in truth, horror can be woven into any other genre or timeline. After all, horror is everywhere, and people will always be scared by something.
Either way, The Navajo Nightmare is a mixture of horror and western that fulfils its task of blending the two themes with a compelling story.
To sum this book up would be to say that I loved every minute of it. Reading it was addictive, the words on the page proving to give a drug-like dependency that I just had to keep sampling.
If you like horror, then give this a read. Even if you’re not a fan of the Western genre, it’s still worth trying just for how well written and entertaining it is. Hell, if you like Westerns but aren’t that into horror, give it a go, as it mixes both genres perfectly.
September 23, 2021
The Navajo Nightmare is what you could call a "splatter western", a mash-up of horror and western genres, a gritty weird west tale about vengeance and a deal with the devil gone wrong. The storytelling is reminiscent of Joe R. Lansdale. The first half of the book is the origin story of the Nightmare written by David Sodergren, and the second half is the hunt for the Nightmare written by Steve Stred. Each half is consistently written to make a complete book that is fun from beginning to end. There are some standard western revenge tropes at play here, and I feel like some of the elements of the story have been done before (see my earlier reference to Joe R. Lansdale above), but it's done well in a new way all its own. I swear I could hear Sam Elliott's voice in my head whenever I read Tanner's dialog. I really enjoyed this book.
May 31, 2023
This is a novel with two parts. The first was written by David Sodogren, who I am loving more and more as I make it through his work, and the second by Steve Stred. Sodergren’s portion is the origin story of The Navajo Nightmare, or Charles as we find him at the beginning of the story. Stred’s portion (the back half of the book) introduces new characters who are seeking to end the reign of terror The Navajo Nightmare has inflicted on the land.
Part one was a solid origin story. An easy 4 ⭐️’s. It was brutal, and had me rooting for a character clearly headed down a bad path. Part two lost me. The chapters were all short, but the second half’s plot felt choppy. It felt like there was backstory I was missing that would have connected the stories more. Both parts were less than 100 pages, and are a good example of how sometimes short stories feel complete and sometimes they don’t.
Part one was a solid origin story. An easy 4 ⭐️’s. It was brutal, and had me rooting for a character clearly headed down a bad path. Part two lost me. The chapters were all short, but the second half’s plot felt choppy. It felt like there was backstory I was missing that would have connected the stories more. Both parts were less than 100 pages, and are a good example of how sometimes short stories feel complete and sometimes they don’t.
January 1, 2023
From the time I first started on Twitter I followed both these authors. I have followed both their writing careers, trying to keep up, reading most everything they’ve put out. I’ve also come to enjoy reading the SplatterPunk Westerns that are out there. These two authors, western theme, add horror and you have a recipe for a great story!
May 5, 2021
So much fun! This was like reading what I imagine a spaghetti western would be like if Tarantino and del Toro teamed up. Fast, brutal, gory and cool. Love when paranormal and horror crash into westerns. Always a good time.
May 13, 2021
Horror and westerns make for such a great marriage, and David and Steve are the perfect matchmakers. Loved this one! Highly recommended.
November 15, 2021
Great read!
Well done! I love westerns and gore, and this delivered nicely. Very GoT with the characters. I would definitely recommend!
Well done! I love westerns and gore, and this delivered nicely. Very GoT with the characters. I would definitely recommend!
May 3, 2022
Review to come!
Still Pondering
Still Pondering
September 10, 2023
I'm definitely a fan of David Sodergren, and western horror is one of my favorite genres. It's unfortunate that western horror doesn't have as many books to choose from as it should. This story is short, and co-authored with Steve Stred, who I was not previously familiar with.
I could tell there was a little bit of a disconnect with the culture of westerns, it really shows in some of the dialogue. In the end though, as international authors, I was able to set this aside and enjoy the variety of what these two have to offer, which is a complex short story filled with emotion, western stereotypes (the good kind) and lots of blood.
Highly recommended, great for train rides or flights to pass the time.
I could tell there was a little bit of a disconnect with the culture of westerns, it really shows in some of the dialogue. In the end though, as international authors, I was able to set this aside and enjoy the variety of what these two have to offer, which is a complex short story filled with emotion, western stereotypes (the good kind) and lots of blood.
Highly recommended, great for train rides or flights to pass the time.
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