🩸 Horror Fiction

Blood Trail

✍️ Matt Query
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$30.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A former poacher hunts a supernatural cult in rural Montana.

Clark Rickert transitions from prolific hunter to diligent law officer after personal tragedy. His new role brings him face-to-face with a dangerous cult in Montana. Visions plague him as he investigates disappearances, revealing a sinister plot. The story combines the rugged landscape of the Rocky Mountains with supernatural dread. Query uses Clark’s dual past to add depth to the investigation. The narrative focuses on psychological tension and the unknown forces at play. Readers follow Clark as he confronts both human evil and something far worse. The tale relies on atmosphere and character interiority rather than action sequences alone.

Key Themes
supernatural cult rural Montana game warden
Literary Context

The novel is set in rural Montana and the Rocky Mountain west, drawing on American Gothic traditions of isolation and nature’s menace. It reflects contemporary concerns about law enforcement and community safety while integrating supernatural horror elements into a realistic procedural framework.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Douglas Preston · Tananarive Due · Dean Koontz
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Atria Books 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781668024232

📝 Description: Blood Trail

Matt Query delivers a suspenseful narrative centered on Clark Rickert, a former big game poacher who now serves as a highly successful game warden in rural Montana. After losing his wife and son, Clark abandoned hunting to enforce the very laws he once violated. His expertise leads to his selection for a task force investigating a series of disappearances linked to a violent, mysterious cult. As Clark works to uncover the truth behind these crimes, he begins experiencing disturbing visions that suggest a deeper purpose to his assignment. The story draws on the American Gothic tradition and the rugged setting of the Rocky Mountain west, blending elements of supernatural horror with procedural thriller mechanics. The narrative structure follows Clark’s investigation as he realizes the cult’s intentions are far more terrifying than initially apparent. This book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers with supernatural undertones and complex protagonists grappling with past trauma. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted adventure or purely realistic crime fiction without eerie elements. The prose is noted for its sterling quality, creating an unnerving atmosphere that sinks its teeth into the reader.

💎 Our verdict on Blood Trail

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Matt Query crafts a suspenseful narrative centered on Clark Rickert, a former poacher turned game warden investigating disappearances linked to a violent cult. The story effectively blends supernatural horror with procedural thriller mechanics, drawing heavily on the American Gothic tradition. Query’s prose is noted for its sterling quality, creating an unnerving atmosphere that prioritizes psychological tension and character interiority over action sequences alone. The rugged setting of the Rocky Mountain west enhances the sense of dread, while Clark’s dual past adds necessary depth to the investigation. This book best suits readers who enjoy atmospheric tales with eerie elements and complex protagonists. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted adventure or purely realistic crime fiction without supernatural components.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric thrillers with supernatural undertones will find this narrative compelling. The book offers a deep dive into character interiority, following Clark Rickert as he confronts both human evil and sinister unknown forces. Those drawn to complex protagonists grappling with past trauma and the blend of procedural thriller mechanics with eerie elements will gain significantly from this story. It is particularly suited for fans of the American Gothic tradition who enjoy psychological tension over mere action sequences. The sterling prose creates an unnerving atmosphere that sinks its teeth into the reader, making it a rewarding experience for those seeking depth and dread in rural settings.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Matt Query crafts a suspenseful narrative centered on Clark Rickert, a former poacher turned game warden investigating disappearances linked to a violent cult. The story effectively blends supernatural horror with procedural thriller mechanics, drawing heavily on the American Gothic tradition. Query’s prose is noted for its sterling quality, creating an unnerving atmosphere that prioritizes psychological tension and character interiority over action sequences alone. The rugged setting of the Rocky Mountain west enhances the sense of dread, while Clark’s dual past adds necessary depth to the investigation. This book best suits readers who enjoy atmospheric tales with eerie elements and complex protagonists. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted adventure or purely realistic crime fiction without supernatural components.

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