Ed Kurtz

Book source ~ Audible

Boonsri Angchuan and Edward Splettstoesser. That’s a mouthful of names. Boon saved Edward from a lynching and he’s been traveling with her ever since. Her mission? To find her father and kill him. Well, he didn’t have anything better to do, so why not?

It’s the Old West, the Civil War is over, and Boon is riding around the country searching for the father who sold her and her mom into slavery. While following a lead, she happens upon Edward and saves his life, so he just tags along. The story is told from his POV.

I picked this up back in 2020. I think it was on sale and sounded interesting. Otherwise I don’t know why I grabbed it. I had no idea what I was getting into. LOL It’s an entertaining and gory book about one woman’s revenge. Boon is ruthless. For the most part. And a crack shot. She doesn’t appear to be afraid of anything and she gives zero fucks about what people think of her. Considering her past, I can see why. Edward is a drunk, but a mostly decent fellow. If the Old West was half as bad as what they come across on her search, then yikes. Honestly? It was probably much worse.

This story is raw, violent, and gory. It’s also got heart. It’s a tale worth telling and I enjoyed it. Hmmm, I’m not sure enjoyed is the correct word. Let’s just say, I lived it and survived.… (mehr)

This review originally appeared on my blog: http://www.gimmethatbook.com/sawbones-by-ed-kurtz/
Thanks to NetGalley and Crossroad Press for this review copy!

SAWBONES is quite the unusual read. The author creates a sympathetic character in Septimus Whitehall as he travels from New York City to the Dakota Territory, seeking to murder those who are on his “list” of victims. Whitehall is avenging the death of his only love by taking the lives of those who were involved in her death, either directly or indirectly. There is wonderful detail in the author’s descriptions of Five Points in the 1800’s, as well as the Civil War, and the unsettled West. As I read, I felt as if I were there, seeing, hearing and smelling the same things Septimus was.

Another curious and fascinating thing about SAWBONES is the author’s use of language. I consider myself to be quite familiar with the English language; yet there were many words that I needed to look up. As I read the definitions I felt as if I had struck gold. I became familiar with words such as effigial, pantophagy, and raillery. As I’ve said before, any book that makes me look up definitions is always a winner.

Septimus is at times a complete gentleman and then a murderer. He stalks his prey yet remains courteous to others. He is clearly an intelligent man with deep emotions but with a singular goal; eliminate those on his macabre list. During his journey he encounters many roadblocks, skirting his own death all the while. He is a solitary man with one purpose in life, and it is easy to cheer him on as he searches for his victims.

This is definitely a violent and gory read, but the balance of gore and period detail are perfectly blended. As I kept reading, I wondered when the book would draw to a close – it is actually quite long. However, the author kept me interested by throwing in some action just as the book bordered on dull/too much description. That being said, I totally loved SAWBONES. It’s a quirky, intelligent read that will stay with you long after you are done reading. I would love to see a sequel to see what Septimus is up to now.… (mehr)

Graham Woodard is hired to restore part of a previously lost silent movie; Angel of the Abyss starring the rising star Grace Baron that mysteriously disappears after the film had premiered. What he didn't count on was that his little work trip to L.A would result in several murders.  Together with his friend Jake Maitland must he now find out who is willing to kill people for an old lost silent movie and perhaps even find out what happened to Grace Baron.



I knew I wanted to read this book when I saw this on NetGalley. I mean love old Hollywood movies and Darkfuse books. What a perfect combination. The book was good, the story intriguing, Graham was a good and likable main character, Jake was a bit annoying first, but I started to warm up to him when the book shifted focus to him. Also, I enjoyed that the book shifted between 2013 and 1926 so that we both followed Graham and Jakes pursuit after answers in the present and Grace Baron in the past acting in Angel of the Abyss and everything that happened around the movie. 

But and this is for me a big BUT, I was expecting a horror novel, not a mystery/ crime novel. All the time I read the book I just waited for the story to turn horrific. But it never did. As a mystery/crime novel is it great, but I was disappointed never less. Because I really was looking forward to something weird, not an ordinary crime novel.

But if you are into mystery/crime novels, or/and have a fondness for old silent movies or just looking for a good book this is the one. But if it is horror novel you are after then pick another Darkfuse novel like Sunblind or Blackout!



Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!… (mehr)

Graham Woodard is hired to restore part of a previously lost silent movie; Angel of the Abyss starring the rising star Grace Baron that mysteriously disappears after the film had premiered. What he didn't count on was that his little work trip to L.A would result in several murders.  Together with his friend Jake Maitland must he now find out who is willing to kill people for an old lost silent movie and perhaps even find out what happened to Grace Baron.



I knew I wanted to read this book when I saw this on NetGalley. I mean love old Hollywood movies and Darkfuse books. What a perfect combination. The book was good, the story intriguing, Graham was a good and likable main character, Jake was a bit annoying first, but I started to warm up to him when the book shifted focus to him. Also, I enjoyed that the book shifted between 2013 and 1926 so that we both followed Graham and Jakes pursuit after answers in the present and Grace Baron in the past acting in Angel of the Abyss and everything that happened around the movie. 

But and this is for me a big BUT, I was expecting a horror novel, not a mystery/ crime novel. All the time I read the book I just waited for the story to turn horrific. But it never did. As a mystery/crime novel is it great, but I was disappointed never less. Because I really was looking forward to something weird, not an ordinary crime novel.

But if you are into mystery/crime novels, or/and have a fondness for old silent movies or just looking for a good book this is the one. But if it is horror novel you are after then pick another Darkfuse novel like Sunblind or Blackout!



Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!… (mehr)