Vaughn C. Hardacker

It's not exactly the "Ghost Story Junkie's" usual fare...but it was well worth my time to read. It's one of those books that once you pick it up you just can't bring yourself to put it down. The author, Vaughn Hardacker, is new to me but I believe we may become "good old friends". He has created a background for his story of northern Maine in winter...a frigid, bitter environment that is home to the relentless, savage wendigo...a creature that stalks humans as its primary food source. The creatures diet bears a curse though, seems that the more the wendigo eats, the more it craves. John Bear, a lone wildlife warden and, a Canadian Algonquin Indian, knows and understands the truth as well as the fiction of the creature. As the torn, ravaged bodies begin to pile up, the warden seeks a means to stop the slaughter. It's a chilling supernatural thriller. A scary tale of legend and myth, with the grim realities, graphic violence, and a game warden facing his greatest fear. The Maine woods are full of stories like this especially when you read about all those hikers that have disappeared there. Fun story to read at night with the lights on and the doors tightly locked, but you may not want to take it with you on your next camping trip.… (mer)

When I first saw this book about the legendary Wendigo, I knew I had to give it a shot. Seeing authors branch out beyond the typical monsters and legends is refreshing. I found Hardacker’s story to have a good flow and it kept my interest. There were a few little quirks to the writing, such as repeating how dry the air was inside a building (a couple times will do) and a few small editing issues. But following the hunt for a mythical creature - when no one would believe the Native American investigator about what the murderer actually is – was a lot of fun to follow. It’s a chilling story and setting, so have some hot tea or coffee on hand!… (mer)