Annette Klein is in her late 20s and lives with her husband Frank on their ranch in New Mexico in 1882. Even though Annette’s heart and desires belong elsewhere, they have a mutual understanding and she truly cares about her husband. But one night their lives are turned upside-down when a naked, very pregnant young woman with a saber approaches their property. Annette and Frank try to help her, but soon a bloodbath ensues when the woman kills Frank. Annette flees, only for a mad preacher named Balthazar Wilcox to attack her. She survives, but she’s not in the clear – and she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be safe again. Cruel Angels Past Sundown by Hailey Piper is a “splatter western” horror novel that follows Annette’s terrifying night of bloodshed as she questions everything she’s ever known. 

Balthazar and “Saber” follow Annette to the nearby town of Low’s Bend. Annette seeks care and shelter in the familiar Slim’s Respite, a tavern/boarding house. At the time, a barkeep, two patrons, and two boarding house ladies help Annette recover. While doing so, they hear her unbelievable and frightening tale of the danger that lurks. Annette is also hoping that her lover Gloria will turn up soon to help. When the two attackers show up, the tavern companions join Annette in her self-defense. But the numbers don’t prove to be an advantage, and the night of bloodshed continues for the townsfolk. 

Confused, hurt, and horror-stricken, Annette and her companions try to work together to defeat Balthazar, the larger threat. She tries to talk to him to find out who he is. Why he is wreaking havoc on the town? What is his connection, if any, to Saber? Saber’s backstory is also a huge mystery – where did she come from? When is she due? Where is the father? Even so, visions of Frank continue to haunt Annette. She experiences internal conflict as to what she must become in order to survive and overcome the threats. 

Piper doesn’t shy away from gore and horror in Cruel Angels Past Sundown. Her descriptive storytelling and world-building ensure readers will feel terrified yet inquisitive, as Annette does. And with less than 200 pages, readers will surely get sucked in and finish the book before they know it. The story also challenges notions of self-righteousness delivered by religious zealots. Readers will also note themes of gender equality and choosing your own path. My only gripes are that while the author is descriptive in her storytelling, it slows down the pace when you consider the bigger picture. The story occurs in the span of less than 12 hours, so it can definitely seem like it moves slowly. And the ending is confusing; I won’t spoil it, but there’s a chance I missed some religious connections that would have made it more powerful. Even so, I wanted to know what the heck was the deal with these two murderers and how Annette would handle the terrifying situation. 

Cruel Angels Past Sundown is available now.