This was the sweetest Weird Western horror book I've ever read...and I say this knowing that bad things happen to a lot of people in this story (not to mention one really bad and sad thing happening very early on!). How else to describe this warm feeling though, overwhelming me when I reached the ending? This should not be taken to imply a happy ending - the story is far more complex and twisty than that, no black and white morals here, nor any easy answers available about any character! This is a Western, after all, and don't mind the cryptids, the ghosts, or the painful experiences of clairvoyance. Stick to the gunshots, the saloons, and even the first hints of romance!

"Song Dogs" (the title is explained fully inside) picks up right where we last saw Rory and his mute adopted daughter Alice - in Buzzard's Edge, Rory's hometown. This time, however, we're right in the middle of things, we're dropped right into the action: a saloon that burned down, the beginnings of an investigation about what happened, a super-smart sheriff, a corrupted mayor, and of course Rory - who has all the luck to stumble upon a flesh-hungry cryptid! Building on this awesome first scene, everything that follows just gets weirder and weirder! Typical LaFaro, that is.

Similar to previous stories and novellas, this is another very rich and densely plotted entry in the Buzzard's Edge Saga. It's not a standalone; nor a direct sequel (one can catch up by reading the other books afterwards). It's full of easter eggs, sure, but the writing makes it easy to follow everything without any real trouble. The action scenes are spectacular, the characterization stellar, the story always interesting and compelling. Once again, I finished a LaFaro book in one sitting, guiltily enjoying myself too much to stop and do my chores lol

"Song Dogs" is definitely the whole package, and it has so many sweet moments (Rory really wants to be a stand-up father, and this raises several issues when your 9 year old is a gunslinger!), plus another 'lagnape' like the collection did -a brief story added in the end of the book, a warm hug of sorts, a heartfelt goodbye, see you next book kind of thing- it's really the 2025 Western Horror must-read! Highly recommended!

Brennan LaFaro says he loves writing these stories set in Buzzard's Edge and I believe him. Each book in this series settles in your mind, draws you into its hypnotic blend of western and horror, and gets you emotionally invested in the characters. As much as he likes writing them, I love reading them.

If you haven't read the three previous books in the series, not to worry. They can all be read as standalones. But you'll get so much more from them taken as they should be read.

At the horrific and blood spattered heart are Rory and Alice, one of the best pairings of characters you'll find in a book series. Their father/daughter type relationship is full of heart, action, and even sadness as they fight the monsters (both supernatural and human) together.

In this book, a gaggle of supernatural creatures of myth seem to be unleashed on Buzzard's Edge leaving a body trail along the way. With the help of the sheriff, the trio has to find the source and figure it out quick before the town becomes monster food.

With a mayoral election coming, a snake of a business owner trying to bully his way to that position, and a new love interest of sorts for Rory, things will get out of control for him and Alice. But it's a ride you'll be happy to take. Filled with those western vibes and goosebump inducing creatures, this is one you don't want to miss. I highly recommend it.