
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones is a bone-chilling, literary horror novel that blends cultural trauma, supernatural folklore, and psychological suspense. The story follows four Native American men—Ricky, Lewis, Gabe, and Cassidy—whose youthful transgression during an elk hunt years earlier comes back to haunt them in terrifying ways. As the supernatural force of vengeance, rooted in Elk Head Woman mythology, begins to unravel their lives, each man faces his past, culture, and guilt.
Jones masterfully intertwines Indigenous identity with the horror genre, creating a tale that is both deeply personal and universally unsettling. Through eerie suspense and emotionally raw storytelling, the novel explores themes of memory, masculinity, survival, and the unrelenting grip of ancestral consequences.
Praised for its originality and cultural depth, The Only Good Indians stands as a landmark work in contemporary horror literature. Readers will find themselves immersed in a story where traditional beliefs clash with modern life, where horror is both external and internal, and where redemption may come too late.
If you are a fan of authors like Paul Tremblay, Tananarive Due, or Victor LaValle, this haunting narrative will leave you breathless—and haunted long after the final page.
Property | Value |
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ISBN: | |
Publisher: | Saga Press |
Publication date: | 18/07/2025 |
Pages: | 300 |
Subject: | Horror |
Stephen Graham Jones is a renowned contemporary author known for his compelling and genre-bending storytelling. Born in 1972 in Texas, Jones is a member of the Blackfeet Nation, and much of his work explores themes of identity, culture, and the Native American experience. He earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing from the University of Arizona, where he began to develop his distinctive voice.
Jones has written across a variety of genres, including horror, literary fiction, and crime, often blending elements of each to create unique narratives. His best-known works include "The Only Good Indians" (2020), which received widespread acclaim for its haunting portrayal of Native American life, as well as "Mongrels" (2016), a coming-of-age story about a boy raised in a family of werewolves. Both novels demonstrate Jones' ability to merge the supernatural with poignant social commentary, making his work stand out in the literary world.
His writing often addresses the complexities of modern Native American life, exploring the intersection of cultural heritage and contemporary challenges. With multiple award nominations and a growing fanbase, Stephen Graham Jones continues to cement his place as a leading voice in contemporary literature. Through his work, he challenges readers to think deeply about identity, history, and the human experience, making him an important figure in both Native American and global literature.