FEATURED CREATURE: Ivan the Werewolf




Can anyone blend horror and humor in a novel better than Jeff Strand? With his latest, the fast-paced and gory Wolf Hunt, Strand proves he is the undisputed King of the horror comedy. Just like Ed Lee is the master of the extreme, Strand is the master of wit; his brand of sarcastic humor and edge-of-your-seat terror/suspense go together like chocolate and a good glass of wine. Simply put, no one does it better than him.

In Wolf Hunt, he quickly sets up the (ridiculously enjoyable) premise with glee: two mobsters, George and Lou, (although they prefer not to be called that, that's really what their job description comes down to) have to transport a werewolf (though he prefers not to be acknowledged as one, because he's an innocent human being led to his death) across Florida. Why? Because (go figure) some crazy person wants to be bitten by a werewolf, therefore being turned into one. Why that person wants to do that is beyond George, Lou, and Ivan, as is the fact that Ivan REALLY IS a murderous werewolf. (Well, that fact isn't really beyond Ivan.) Ivan quickly escapes the mobster's clutches, and the bloody rampage begins. Ivan can shift into werewolf mode whenever he pleases, and can even make dogs in his radius blood-thirsty monsters, causing some serious problems pretty rapidly for George and Lou. (Early on in the novel, Strand gives readers the best viscous dog attack this side of Cujo; he makes Resident Evil's zombie Dobermans look like puppies!) The body count mounts, and soon George and Lou are following a trail of blood trying to stop the beast...

Although Strand starts the action rather early, he sets up characterization with a pro's eye, breathing life into every character though a series of witty conversations. Seriously, if Tarantino is the master of screenwriting dialogue, Strand is the master of fictional dialogue. Each piece is funny and thoughtful; Strand cuts no corners when it comes to character sayings. An example:

"Watch the potty mouth," said George. "My partner doesn't appreciate foul language around women."

[Ivan] "Yeah, well your partner can go f*** a duck-f***ed pony from F***sville."

[George] "I don't even know what that means, but I'm going to quote it every chance I get."


The writing itself is always darkly funny too; Strand pushes the limits of humor in horror in every Wolf Hunt. And no, that is not a bad thing!

The man screamed.

Ivan laughed at him, a low, sexy growl of a laugh that the ladies found ever so alluring.


Wolf Hunt, though over three-hundred pages, is literally always moving; every time the novel appears to be loosing focus Strand throws another obstacle at George and Lou. Though I don't think I've ever read a novel faster-paced than this, therein lies my only complaint about the novel: it does become a tad bit repetitive. On more than one occasion George and Lou are trapped in one location facing off against Ivan, and after seeing Strand be so incredibly creative with his dialogue and characters, you can't help think he could do better than throw our favorite mobsters in yet another werewolf face-off situation. Though every one is exciting, had the novel been trimmed a little, it could have been the perfect rampaging beast it wants to be. But for now, Strand will have to settle for nearly perfect.


GRADE: A-


NOTE: WOLF HUNT is Highly Recommended! But sadly Leisure Books, who were originally going to publish the book to the masses it so deserves to be acknowledged to, aren't in the publishing business anymore. (That's a whole 'nother story though...) You can pick up an eBook version for cheap, or order a Trade Paperback from small press Dark Regions!

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