The Roo by Alan Baxter
I’ve learned something about myself that I never realized until this year. I am a total gore horror enthusiast! I hadn’t yet given in to this until I read The Roo, and it did not disappoint! I picked up this story for a few reasons.
I am a total Alan Baxter fan! I have loved everything I’ve read of his so far, and I have even more of his work in my TBR pile.
The cover alone made me want to grab this book! I mean, look at it! Those eyes!
Alan Baxter talked about the terror of kangaroo feet. The moment I Googled an image of them, I was desperate to open the book and get started! Look them up for yourself! It’s the stuff of nightmares - not that I’m complaining!
This story came about from a Twitter situation regarding a news article about an Australian town being terrorized by a muscular kangaroo attacking people and eating gardens. Alan and a handful of other creative people took the idea and ran with it. Author and cover designer Kealan Patrick Burke sketched a cover which inspired Alan Baxter even more. Once he decided to write The Roo, Kealan polished up the cover, and today we have a fantastic, fun, horrific, and cheeky story along with a fearsome photo of the beast.
Alan Baxter creates a hulking, beast of a roo that terrorizes the small, remote town of Morgan Creek. The body count is on the rise, and it’s up to the community to band together and figure out what is hunting and killing everyone. This is not a story for the weak-stomached reader, but if you are a fan of gore horror, you are going to cheer as you turn the pages. This horror tale is thrilling with a taste of humor and an underlying message. Who’d have thought a killer roo story could also hit you in the feels just a little bit? I love Alan’s portrayal of strong women and his ability to show his respect for women in his writing.
This novella is action packed from start to finish. Alan made the decision to include all of the people who were originally in on the Twitter conversation about the article in his story, though he gave them alternative personas to fit the narrative. There are a lot of characters, which can be a little confusing at first, but the main characters really shine throughout. The interactions between them all was quite enjoyable. I found myself rooting for some as well as rooting against some, too, which I think was Baxter’s plan! Also, I loved the fact that there is a glossary for all of the amazing Aussie lingo you are going to be reading! I think the authenticity of the words and phrases made it an ever better read, because I felt submerged in the story and the culture of the outback.
The Roo made its way onto the Listopia Best Horror Stories of 2020 list, and it warmed my heart to see it listed with other books that we have reviewed on the Unsettling Reads podcast, as well, such as The Sun Down Motel, Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre, The Loop, The Chill, and The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home. The Roo deserves its place in the top 100 amongst these great works.
This book could be paired nicely with The Cavern by Alister Hodge as well as another book I will be reviewing entitled The Lost Sea by Toby J. Nichols. Both happen to be by Aussie authors, as well. I am coming to the realization that if you want gore horror with monstrous creatures and thrills, head Down Under. The authors there are as awesome as the monsters they bring to life.
Hungry for more Alan Baxter? Check out my review of his anthology of short stories entitled Crow Shine as well as our podcast review of his short story anthology Served Cold on Unsettling Reads. My co-host Dair Brown and I had the immense pleasure of interviewing Alan Baxter, and we have that available for you, as well. Click here to listen as Alan explains why he refers to himself as a '“whisky-soaked swear monkey” along with a lot of interesting information about him and his writing.
If you are so inclined, I am including a link to the article that started it all. Click here to read about the Australian town that was terrorized by a muscular kangaroo attacking people as well as eating gardens. Sometimes truth is truly better than fiction, but at least Alan Baxter harnessed the essence of this menacing roo to bring us another excellent story.
