Across Turtle Island, Indigenous horror is doing something truly spectacular. These writers aren’t just telling great stories; they’re using their talents to do something truly unique. They combine both supernatural and very real lived realities to tell stories that highlight Indigenous experiences across the continent. These authors often tackle major themes like ancestral and inherited grief and resilience in the face of the horrors of ongoing colonial violence. These stories are well-crafted gems, terrifying in the best possible way. Combine them with a talented narrator, and you have a thrilling audiobook perfect for autumn listening. Here are a few to get you started.
Bad Cree by Jessica Johns, Narrated by Tanis Parenteau
Tanis Parenteau brilliantly performs this debut novel that is one part horror and one part family story. It begins one morning when Mackenzie wakes up from a nightmare with a dead crow’s head in her hands. She decides to go home and consult with the elders in her community to try to figure out why these dreams keep haunting her. This decision sets off a series of events that will force Mackenzie to confront the grief she’s been carrying for far too long. Parenteau’s performance captures the tension created by Mackenzie’s anxiety and fear of the supernatural occurrences around her. Her voice allows the horror to creep up on the listener. I was terrified in the best way possible.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, Narrated by Shane Ghostkeeper, Marin Ireland, Owen Teale
Since its release, everyone has been talking about The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Blackfeet author Stephen Graham Jones. For good reason—this novel is one of the best vampire stories ever told. The audiobook is performed by a trio of phenomenal narrators. Shane Ghostkeeper’s performance of the mysterious Blackfeet man highlights his range and deep understanding of his viewpoint character in the novel. The tone and emotional depth of his narration mark him as a talent to watch.
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliot, Narrated by Cheri Maracle and Jenna Clause
Alicia Elliot, a Tuscarora author from Six Nations of the Grand River, writes about Alice, a young Mohawk writer trying to write a novel about her people’s creation story while also caring for her young daughter. Alice’s husband, an academic, specializes in studying Mohawk culture. But as the story moves forward, he’s not everything he seems to be. Cheri Maracle and Jenna Clause perform the viewpoint characters (the second one is a spoiler!) with such attention to detail. Their narration teases out each unique feature in the protagonists’ voices. But if you pick this up, be prepared to be on the edge of your seat the whole way through.
For more Indigenous horror, here’s a list of great horror by Native American authors.
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