Noose: A Rory Daggett story by Brennan LaFaro is more than just your average Western novel. This book brings together a Western-style novel and gives readers supernatural and horror elements that will keep you page-turning to the end. It will all begin on a train, but the question is, where and how will it end? Well, that is something you’ll have to discover for yourself.
Noose has a unique cover that draws the eye of readers. The title of the book is depicted written in rope with the second “o” a noose. You’ll understand the meaning of the name as you read the book. Don’t worry, author LaFaro won’t leave you in suspense on that element. The background is orange and red depicting a fiery sky with the sun blazing.
Center stage of the cover beneath the title is five characters standing tall and proud. The man in the middle with his head bowed? Yeah, that’s the head honcho. The big baddie himself…Noose. The four fanning out behind him? Well, you will learn more about those as Rory’s story unfolds.
Noose is a supernatural horror western novel. It is the story of young Rory Daggett. In 1872, in Arizona he and his parents were on an ill-fated train ride. Rory goes through a harrowing ordeal as the infamous Noose Holcomb boards the Buzzard’s Edge train and rains down unspeakable terror and death. Rory survives the horrors of that day but bears the mental and emotional scars.
He was made an orphan, but he found a second family who took him in. Noose let him live to deliver a message and Rory has clung to that dark reminder every day since. Now, there are rumblings of some of Noose’s gang making movements. For Rory, this is his chance to get revenge for what happened all those years ago and cost him so much.
Noose is a story in the Buzzard’s Edge universe. Rory’s story is a wild one that begins with Rory as an eight-year-old little boy. He has no idea of the danger that he finds himself in when Noose boards that fateful train, but author LaFaro is ready and eager to whip out more than a little drama and danger for readers quickly into the story.
Author LaFaro brings the twists and surprises in Noose. There will be some predictable elements, but this story will still keep readers on their toes.
Initially, you get the sense that it’s just Noose himself that Rory is looking for, but Rory has done his homework. Noose is far from being a one-man show and when Rory gets wind of one of Noose’s crew lurking in the area he knows this is his chance.
Noose is a quick-moving novel. While we are introduced to Rory at a young age, author LaFaro doesn’t focus a lot of time on Rory’s youth. Instead, we fast forward to Rory now a grown young man. Readers will see that he’s lived a pretty good life overall. He’s still experienced some recent losses, but nothing like that fateful day.
As Noose unfolds author LaFaro will introduce readers to the remaining players in this game of Noose’s. Each of these characters brings something unique to the table. They all have their specific talents. These elements of the story will keep readers engaged and eager for more of Rory’s story.
Readers will appreciate how author LaFaro blends the supernatural and horror elements into this Western novel.
Rory is an interesting character. Author LaFaro could have had him go the dark route and become embittered because of what he went through. But since he gets a second chance at a good family, he grows up to be a decent guy.
Noose is an engaging story with just the right amount of details and drama to keep readers engaged in the book. You get a dynamic cast of characters who each bring something unique to the storyline. Author LaFaro makes sure to bring a twisted surprise that readers won’t see coming.
At the end of Noose is a short “prequel” that gives readers some insight into Noose the character, and one of the characters who becomes one of his henchmen. It’s a nice little addition to the story that provides readers with a little backstory on Noose.
Readers who enjoy Western novels will not want to miss out on this story. Just the right amount of horror and supernatural that goes perfectly with the spooky season. You’ll be looking forward to more stories centered in the Buzzard’s Edge universe.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Unique characters
- Twists and surprise elements
- Nice balance of supernatural and horror without detracting from the Western aspect of the story.
- Page-turner
Cons:
- None of merit
Scribble's Worth 
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