Interviewing The Vampire

Stephen Graham Jones' upcoming novel takes no prisoners

Shocker … I’m talking about SGJ AGAIN. Will I ever cease? Nope, because I don’t want to. I love the things I love and make no apologies for that. So, let’s talk about it.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, at its very basic structure, is an epistolary historical fiction set in the very early 1900s. A Lutheran Pastor, Arthur Beaucarne is conducting a series of interviews, transcribing the life of a vampire, named Good Stab.

We also get pieces of the novel set in 2012, with Etsy Beaucarne, great-great granddaughter of Arthur. His journal is discovered in a hidden wall, the one that holds the entries from Good Stab’s confessions.

During his confessions, Good Stab, a Blackfeet (Niitsitapi), tells Arthur about a series of atrocities and events that set in motion his transformation into a vampire. This book is steeped in historical facts, weaved into fiction, and the result is a flawless tapestry.

The destruction of over 200 Blackfeet in the Marias Massacre DID happen. Buffalo WERE hunted to damn near extinction, causing the Pikuni to starve. The forcing of Native Americans onto reservations by the U.S. government was a tragic event in history and not something to be forgotten. The inclusion of these events is important.

The horror elements in this story are exceptional. I had moments where I audibly gasped. It is visceral and immersive and oh so bloody. The take on the “vampire” is so unique and effective. It is dark and bleak and messy.

Did I love this story? You bet I did. As a person of Indigenous heritage, I tend to feel seen by Stephen’s writing. There are times he writes little dribs and drabs of “Indian humor” in his books and they always make me laugh. He also, very clearly, writes with his heart. You can tell how much he loves his stories and characters, which makes the story that much better.

One thing I will say is that there is a lot to infer here, as is common with SGJ. He never gives us the details on a platter or spoon feeds them to us. We have to pay attention, we have to work for it. I am aware not everyone is a fan of that, but I am. There are also quite a bit of Native American terms throughout. I was fine with this because I can understand enough but it may take some context clues for those who are not familiar. For my experience, it felt more authentic this way.

My last note is that there is something that pops up near the end of the book that only Stephen could pull off. (IYKYK). It was wonderful hehe. Thank you so much to Saga Press Books for sending me a manuscript copy last year. As always, you spoil me. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter publishes March 18, 2025 and preorder is available wherever you buy your books.