The Only Good Indians

By: Stephen Graham Jones

Narrated by: Shaun Taylor-Corbett

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From Stephen Graham Jones, the master of modern horror and New York Times bestselling author of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, a novel of revenge and identity hailed by Stephen King as “thrilling, literate, scary, immersive” that is equal parts psychological horror and cutting sociopolitical commentary about the American Indian experience.

From New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones comes a novel that is equal parts psychological horror and cutting social commentary on identity politics and the American Indian experience. Fans of Sylvia Moreno Garcia and Tommy Orange will love this story as it follows the lives of four American Indian men and their families, all haunted by a disturbing, deadly event that took place in their youth. Years later, they find themselves tracked by an entity bent on revenge, totally helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.

In this “thrilling, literate, scary, [and] immersive” (Stephen King) tale, Jones blends his signature storytelling style with a haunting narrative that masterfully intertwines revenge, cultural identity, and tradition.

Critic reviews

"This story of young Blackfeet Indian men who believe they are being tormented by the spirit of a pregnant elk they killed is destined to be a classic in the miniscule genre of Native American horror fiction. The frightening tone of the audiobook is enhanced by the narration of Shaun Taylor–Corbett, who, like the author, is Native American. His flat, unemotional recitation of the horrible events makes them even more intense. As the story marries authentic Native American life with what is either a vengeful spirit or a psychotic breakdown, Taylor–Corbett gives nothing away. The protagonist learned long ago that killing is a part of life, but killing an elk in a sacred place has shattered his beliefs, causing him to spiral into madness—or to become a victim of the supernatural."

“Thrilling, literate, scary, immersive. Bonus: The most terrifying one-on-one basketball contest ever. Makes that kid and the devil fighting for a golden fiddle look tame.”—Stephen King , #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“The Only Good Indians is scary good. Stephen Graham Jones is one of our most talented and prolific living writers. The book is full of humor and bone chilling images. It’s got love and revenge, blood and basketball. More than I could have asked for in a novel. It also both reveals and subverts ideas about contemporary Native life and identity. Novels can do some much to render actual and possible lives lived. Stephen Graham Jones truly knows how to do this, and how to move us through a story at breakneck (literally) speed. I’ll never see an elk or hunting, or what a horror novel can do the same way again.”

—Tommy Orange, Pulitzer Prize finalist of There There

"I like stories where nobody escapes their pasts because it's what I fear most."—Terese Marie Mailhot, New York Times bestselling author of Heart Berries

“A heartbreakingly beautiful story about hope and survival, grappling with themes of cultural identity, family, and traditions.” —Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“This novel works both as a terrifying chiller and as biting commentary on the existential crisis of indigenous peoples adapting to a culture that is bent on eradicating theirs.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“Subtly funny and wry at turns, this novel will give you nightmares. The good kind, of course.”—Buzzfeed

Starts off good and then loses it.

Really liked how it started off but towards the middle it just loses it and doesn't really make much sense. Felt like it went on too long.

A Masterpiece

This story spans ten years but also all of the history of our characters and their families, it's horrific, poetic, wrenching, shocking and beautiful. The narrator is sheer perfection and the tale is mesmerizing. I'm disappointed that this is the first I've heard of the author and am excited to read more of his work. This isn't a helpful review but I think you'll appreciate knowing less of the story going in so that you can experience the surprises. Give yourself a present and get this book.

Extraordinary

It is going to take me a while to navigate my feelings in the wake of such a superb story read by the absolute perfect reader. It moved the boundaries of horror while embracing beloved tropes (final girls, avenging spirit, etc...) I cried and hugged my child, but I am not broken. But I am changed by it. This was new, and it will stay with me, always.

What The Hell

I finished it, strictly because I was holding out hope for the ending, but a pick-up game of basketball s between a teenaged girl and and the Elk Head Woman was not what I was expecting. I feel like this novel could’ve been so much mor. The good parts were great, but the bad parts were horrible.

Stomach Turning at Points

I adore how Stephen Graham Jones writes horror. I wish I had half stars. I would rate this book a 4.5. For context in my review I am Alaskan Native. I noticed on the reviews on google that a lot of white woman didn't find this book scary and I think for good reason. Graham Jones writes books for indigenous readers and this book truly terrified me at points. Worth a read of a listen but might not be for everyone.