The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

Stephen Graham Jones

Genres: Historical Fiction, Horror, Indigenous

Normally, this part of each edition will cover a book that I am currently in the middle of enjoying.

But, thanks to my dear friend, Aleisa, I have been put on to an author and a novel that has yet to be published, but I felt the need to talk about it anyway!

Through a series of journal entries written by a Lutheran priest in 1912, we learn of Good Stab, a Blackfeet vampire seeking to avenge his people while simultaneously offering his story as confessionals to the priest in question.

The moment I heard “supernatural horror” and “revenge plot” I was sold.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter will be released on March 18th, 2025, and hopefully, NetGalley will approve my ARC request in the meantime!

Dearest Crone,

I’m writing a D&D campaign. I’m debating who to kill off first.

The dog or the cat?

My campaign starts out in a jail so no one has morals.

I need something for them to rally behind excluding money.

There’s none of that in jail I fear.

Demonically,

Evil DM

Dear Evil,

Jesus fuck on toast, my condolences to your play group.

I will suggest the cat, as such a situation is enough to put me on the warpath to fold a bloodline, but more than likely, the dog will engender more of a reaction.

Maybe it can be some cosmic thing? Your players must choose by virtue of a spell or some such thing.

And the dog and cat belong to someone/thing, which will impact their relationship with that NPC.

Lord have mercy,

The Crone

Dear Crone (and Daniel),

I am recently engaged to my longtime partner and we are very excited!

I proposed to him on new years and thought all was well until the second when our mutual roommate exploded on us saying that we should have warned him (we've been talking about getting engaged for months) and that he didn't sign up to live with a engaged couple.

In addition he stated that his third wheel syndrome is now near unbearable.

Basically AITA or is this just a man child.

Sincerely,

Ringbearer

Dear Ringbearer,

Mazel tov on your engagement!

I’m going to suggest that your roommate’s response is not in regard to this event but perhaps a blowup due to a combination of circumstances.

Now, it is entirely his job to be upfront about the problems he is experiencing, but if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt, you can ask if there are other issues.

It’s quite understandable that he feels left out, especially with this new stage in your relationship, but you can hold him to adult standards regarding communication and behavior.

It may be time to have a serious sit-down discussion among the three of you; outline the future of your living situation and make sure that you are as good a housemate as you are a fiancee.

NAH,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

I’ve had a complicated friendship for five years.

My friend creates constant crises—usually self-made—and involves me, even asking me to pray mid-argument with her boyfriend while he’s standing there.

She expects me to co-sign her opinions, and any comment feels like a slight to her.

I care about her and want to be supportive, but it’s draining, and I’m exhausted.

With a 1-year-old, I don’t have the capacity.

Should I explain why I’m stepping back, or is ghosting better?

Exhausted and at Capacity

Dear EaaC,

I can’t help but feel that regardless of your decision, your friend will interpret it as a slight and repeat the common behaviors you have been dealing with.

If you want to be clear about why, be sure to phrase it as how you feel instead of an accusation.

Your statements should reflect your mental state and your desire to prioritize yourself. They should not focus on her actions (“I’m feeling overwhelmed” vs. “I don’t like when you do X”) as she will likely deny them in the first place.

Alternatively, I can’t help but feel you won’t lose much going ghost.

Up to you.

Ectoplasmically,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

How do I tell my upstairs neighbour that she needs to leave her husband or they need to go to marriage counselling without embarrassing her?

I can hear their frequent fighting (no physical violence, just words)

Curiously,

Nosey Neighbor

Dear Neighbor,

DO NOT DO THIS.

There is a timeless art of minding your business.

You have no way, as a complete stranger, to approach someone and give them relationship advice.

You also have no idea if that’s simply the way they communicate, a form of foreplay, or literally any number of a hundred other options.

Do not get involved.

Honestly,

The Crone

PS, If you hear a physical altercation, call the cops and/or introduce him to your friends Smith & Wesson

Dear Crone,

I met a girl in a bar and got her insta.

A couple days later we went out for coffee and i had a great time.

Unfortunately the next day I had to leave for my last semester of college.

I’m trying to keep in touch cause I really want to see her again but im so bad at texting because i never know what to say.

I’m better at talking in person but thats not an option right now.

How can I make sure I don’t lose this connection?

Sincerely,

Anonymous

Dear Anon,

At the risk of sounding like a Gen BC, phones are capable of additional functions such as calling a person.

In some instances, these devices are also capable of video calling.

If you don’t feel all that confident in your texting, use it to organize times when you two can call each other.

Hopefully a face-to-face video will be a little bit easier than trying to figure out what you want to say.

Put in the effort, and you’ll maintain that connection until you can see her again.

You can also tell her, “texting isn’t my strong suit, but I’d love to call and catch up,” and anything else to that effect.

Communicatively,

The Crone