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

Could not be better!

I do not usually read horror and cannot tell you why I picked this one up- maybe the cover or a review. All I can say is that it is one of the best I have ever read. The characters, the story, the history, the social commentary, the words..it grabbed me and would not let go. It will not be easy to shake the images from my mind or the words from my heart.
Thank you, Stephen Grahame Jones for creating this story and sharing it with the world.

Read it. You will not regret one minute spent in this world.

A gift to horror fans

A unique and exceptional work of fiction, in all ways. Simply outstanding. Loved it.

Will not disappoint

The story is beautifully written, right where it needs to be.
it's a melancholy ride, but the author handles his readers so gently.
I understand these characters as if they are me, and I them.
The experience of this novel would be a great gift for a free spirited deep thinker, it's much more than aum of it's parts.

Equal Parts Terrifying and Heartbreaking

A sad and beautiful horror novel that's really a series of character studies. I'm hard to scare, especially with words, and the first half creeped me out enough to hide under the covers like a kid. The second half isn't as scary, but it evolves into something else, something interesting and tragic even if you see it coming.

Narration does the story justice, doesn't overdo it with exaggerated voices, allowing the characters to speak for themselves.

Amazing

I wouldn't call this a horror story, but then I don't know what to call it. I found it to be a magical, sad, violent and haunting story. Very well preformed.