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Wolfsbane
Once the bayou was thick with wolfsbane. But for years the people of Ducros Parish, Louisiana, have been free of the ancient root--and its ancient evil. But now it has returned, and Ducros Parish will once again be a place of nightmarish terror. Johnstone is the author of Cat's Cradle.
- GenresHorrorWerewolvesMonsters
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
William W. Johnstone
743 books1,247 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 17, 2024
Some crazy 80’s werewolf horror from Johnstone. This is some of the best from that decade- over the top sex, blood and carnage. Grab some popcorn, suspend your disbelief and enjoy the horror show.
June 29, 2023
Outrageous and ridiculous but very entertaining offering by Johnstone for sure. Set largely in Louisiana, bayou country, Johnstone takes a few well worn tropes, adds a dollop of humor, and serves up a treat with Wolfsbane. This could loosely be called a werewolf story, except these werewolves are minions of the devil and also suck their victim's blood dry. Due to some curse/deal with the devil, the Bauterre clan for more than a few hundred years has terrorized the locales where they live; first in France, than Canada, and finally, Louisiana in the 18th century. After an 'event' in 1934, the Bauterres returned to France and now, the youngest of the clan, one Jannette, rich, starts off the novel in Switzerland on vacation, but feels a compulsion to return to her home she shares with her grandmomma in France. Upon returning, however, her grandma is gone, returned to Louisiana; after some trials and tribulations, Jannette sets off for New Orleans.
Meanwhile, Johnstone introduces another protagonist, one Pat Strange, who now resides in South Carolina. Former soldier then mercenary, Pat has returned to his family homestead and for the last 5 years has been drunk. One day, however, we wakes up and decides to return to form, getting in shape and such. After a few months, Jannette shows up at his house. Turns out her husband once served with Pat in 'Nam and she wants him to come with her as her bodyguard back in Louisiana; little does he know that he is the 'chosen one' by God to deal with the devil...
No more on the plotting. Johnstone gives us a wild ride here with lots of sex (some really nasty!), bravado and one liners to keep you entertained as the story unfolds. He also tosses in some voodoo gris-gris along with some 'witches' who live in the swamp just to up the ante. As ever, this could really use a good copy edit and editor in general, but at the pace Johnstone was cranking out books for Zebra in the 80s, I do not think he even gave this a onceover after writing it. Pure splatstick camp, but lots of fun. 3.5 stars, rounding up!
Meanwhile, Johnstone introduces another protagonist, one Pat Strange, who now resides in South Carolina. Former soldier then mercenary, Pat has returned to his family homestead and for the last 5 years has been drunk. One day, however, we wakes up and decides to return to form, getting in shape and such. After a few months, Jannette shows up at his house. Turns out her husband once served with Pat in 'Nam and she wants him to come with her as her bodyguard back in Louisiana; little does he know that he is the 'chosen one' by God to deal with the devil...
No more on the plotting. Johnstone gives us a wild ride here with lots of sex (some really nasty!), bravado and one liners to keep you entertained as the story unfolds. He also tosses in some voodoo gris-gris along with some 'witches' who live in the swamp just to up the ante. As ever, this could really use a good copy edit and editor in general, but at the pace Johnstone was cranking out books for Zebra in the 80s, I do not think he even gave this a onceover after writing it. Pure splatstick camp, but lots of fun. 3.5 stars, rounding up!
December 11, 2020
Yet another compulsively readable, completely insane horror novel by William W. Johnstone. I know this, like his other horror novels, isn't a "good" book. But I had so much fun reading it! As with the other Johnstone horror novels I've read, Johnstone's choices are astonishing and bizarre. This is pure pulp insanity from start to finish. It may not follow the rules of a proper narrative, or even really, the rules of grammar or even the English language, but it is so crazy from beginning to end, and most importantly, never boring or dull. I was impressed by the sheer level of ultra gore and over the topness of the whole thing, it seemed pretty "advanced" for 1982. Pure schlock horror, you've been warned.
January 29, 2012
They say that you never forget your first, and for me this one was a first in two areas. Not only was Wolfsbane my first William W. Johnstone book, but it was also the first book I ever owned from Zebra Books. Published in the late 1980's the book came from a time when Zebra's Horror imprint was on top and nearly every edition had a skull or skeleton in the artwork on the cover. (And as I am sure you know I have a huge skull and skeleton fetish.)
The story was my introduction to the typical Johnstone horror tale, featuring monsters, cults, Satanism, a former war hero/soldier of fortune male lead, salacious sex and graphic violence. Johnstone's horror to many is a cheap man's Stephen King, penny dreadfuls churned out in a hackish, but endearing style. In this story a cult of Satanic werewolves has set up shop in Durcos Parrish, Louisiana, to do the dirty work of the Dark Lord, as well as assorted other naughty things, and it's up to Johnstone's dye-cut, bad ass, hero to take them all down.
I have to admit that William W. Johnstone is one of my favorites, and despite his style and sometimes carbon-copy (plug cliche in here) storytelling and stories, I do count him in as one of my influences because one thing he always was innovative with was coming up with new ways to maim and dismember victims in his stories. Of course, when I speak of William W. Johnstone I do mean the actual William W. Johnstone and not the "continuation" of his western works since his death in 2004 by "J.A. Johnstone" or other ghost writers. Wolfsbane itself is from a time when Johnstone's horror work was beginning to really take off. It is not my favorite Johnstone book, but it did hold my interest enough to make me want to buy more of his works, thus turning me into a rabid Johnstone fan.
I give Wolfsbane by William W. Johnstone Four Stars. If you have never read him before he is well worth the read, and he was a very versatile writer in his time, writing not only horror and westerns, but also men's adventure, post apocalyptic and even contemporary romance. Many of his horror stories are out-of-print, but if you can find one in good condition and at a reasonable price I can assure you that you've found gold. Be sure to keep a lurk out for this blast from the past!
The story was my introduction to the typical Johnstone horror tale, featuring monsters, cults, Satanism, a former war hero/soldier of fortune male lead, salacious sex and graphic violence. Johnstone's horror to many is a cheap man's Stephen King, penny dreadfuls churned out in a hackish, but endearing style. In this story a cult of Satanic werewolves has set up shop in Durcos Parrish, Louisiana, to do the dirty work of the Dark Lord, as well as assorted other naughty things, and it's up to Johnstone's dye-cut, bad ass, hero to take them all down.
I have to admit that William W. Johnstone is one of my favorites, and despite his style and sometimes carbon-copy (plug cliche in here) storytelling and stories, I do count him in as one of my influences because one thing he always was innovative with was coming up with new ways to maim and dismember victims in his stories. Of course, when I speak of William W. Johnstone I do mean the actual William W. Johnstone and not the "continuation" of his western works since his death in 2004 by "J.A. Johnstone" or other ghost writers. Wolfsbane itself is from a time when Johnstone's horror work was beginning to really take off. It is not my favorite Johnstone book, but it did hold my interest enough to make me want to buy more of his works, thus turning me into a rabid Johnstone fan.
I give Wolfsbane by William W. Johnstone Four Stars. If you have never read him before he is well worth the read, and he was a very versatile writer in his time, writing not only horror and westerns, but also men's adventure, post apocalyptic and even contemporary romance. Many of his horror stories are out-of-print, but if you can find one in good condition and at a reasonable price I can assure you that you've found gold. Be sure to keep a lurk out for this blast from the past!
July 13, 2022
Reddened eyes, tuffs of hair on the face, the four legged creature is captured and turns back into a man. He is killed, his ashes put in a steel box and buried in a concrete grave. His wife is run out of the town and promises revenge for her husband. She returns dozens and dozens of years later and the steel box was opened, the concrete crypt crumpled apart. Something had broken out and a man is found, no blood left with multiple bite marks Porphyria a rare disease where a person thinks ks they are a wolf. More people drained of blood and bite marks. An old ugly women, a 1000 years of evil stench, fangs, rides a man with her dry vagina and sucks his dick, biting draining all the blood, draining the life, the women grows stronger. The old lady accepted the devil years ago. She will be shot in the chest with silver bullets and will hit the floor like she is splintered, crashing like a porcelain doll being hurled against a wall. Pretty bonkers and at times hard to follow.
April 15, 2020
A new twist on werewolves
This is a book that takes werewolves and combines them with zombies and vampires. I really loved the storyline that was brought from past years into the present and ended in the future. With all the twists and turns including romps with the devil, I just could not put it down. I am now looking for a sequel as I need to know what happens next. The only thing that bothered me were a few sex scenes that were particularly disturbing and ended up with someone dead. I skimmed over those but if you are particularly sensitive I thought you might need a warning that they are there. With that being said, if you enjoy werewolves and other creatures, you will like this book.
This is a book that takes werewolves and combines them with zombies and vampires. I really loved the storyline that was brought from past years into the present and ended in the future. With all the twists and turns including romps with the devil, I just could not put it down. I am now looking for a sequel as I need to know what happens next. The only thing that bothered me were a few sex scenes that were particularly disturbing and ended up with someone dead. I skimmed over those but if you are particularly sensitive I thought you might need a warning that they are there. With that being said, if you enjoy werewolves and other creatures, you will like this book.
December 10, 2017
A Novel of The Devil and Werewolves
WWJ has written a novel about: What you see? What you feel? What you think? How you react to the supernatural, it's causes and adjustments to the sane people who are Christian and hope what has happened is as bad dream. I read Wolfsbane in 1982 while awaiting for the next "Out of the Ashes" novel. This storyline was far removed from the end of time sequences in the "Out of the Ashes" novels. This novel is an excellent read for this type of genre. However, the reader must know what they have chosen to read.....ER
WWJ has written a novel about: What you see? What you feel? What you think? How you react to the supernatural, it's causes and adjustments to the sane people who are Christian and hope what has happened is as bad dream. I read Wolfsbane in 1982 while awaiting for the next "Out of the Ashes" novel. This storyline was far removed from the end of time sequences in the "Out of the Ashes" novels. This novel is an excellent read for this type of genre. However, the reader must know what they have chosen to read.....ER
April 7, 2020
Entertaining book about werewolves living in Louisiana. Although, I suppose it was more of a cross between wolves and demons. Didn't care for the explicit sex - had to skip over those pages.
The book held my interest and I thoroughly enjoyed the Louisiana southern way of speech. Reminded me of an old coworker who was from there that I constantly struggled with understanding due to his deep drawl.
I give the book a B+ because I didn't like the ending. :-)
The book held my interest and I thoroughly enjoyed the Louisiana southern way of speech. Reminded me of an old coworker who was from there that I constantly struggled with understanding due to his deep drawl.
I give the book a B+ because I didn't like the ending. :-)
July 27, 2022
I first read this book in the late 80s. As a Catholic school girl, it ticked all the boxes. Epic fight against good and evil? Check. Devil sent beasts? Check. God's unsuspecting, foul-mouthed, ass kicking warrior? Check. Bonus for gore, horrifically funny fight scenes, and sex. Right up my alley. If you loved the horror novels of the 80s, don't pass this one up.
March 28, 2020
A truly great read....
A truly great read, love this author's ability to catch one up with just one paragraph and hold your attention leaving you spellbound,his talent knows no boundaries and is proven in his many different styles / categories from his western, horrors, survival series, ashes series, just to mention a few I guarantee you'll really love his books
A truly great read, love this author's ability to catch one up with just one paragraph and hold your attention leaving you spellbound,his talent knows no boundaries and is proven in his many different styles / categories from his western, horrors, survival series, ashes series, just to mention a few I guarantee you'll really love his books
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August 7, 2011If you like being scared in the dark,his books are the ones to read!
November 19, 2017
3.5 stars.
Typical Johnstone pulp. Even his werewolves are satanic. Satan himself makes a appearance at the end. Very sleazy lawyerish. Reminded me of Ted Cruz but that's probably just me.
Typical Johnstone pulp. Even his werewolves are satanic. Satan himself makes a appearance at the end. Very sleazy lawyerish. Reminded me of Ted Cruz but that's probably just me.
March 25, 2021
Holy cow!! What a slam bang roller coaster ride of a book!!
Truthfully, I wound up with this book by accident, as I was looking for William Johnstone "Western" books. My hubby is an avid reader of them and he challenged me to try one. (Thank you, Honey!) In my search I discovered this =amazing book and was hooked from the first page. The characters and action are incredible and it definitely was NOT "my Momma's werewolf tale"! After I finish this review I'm going to the Kindle store and buying the next book in this series!! I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANY LOVER OF THE UNUSUAL!!!!
Truthfully, I wound up with this book by accident, as I was looking for William Johnstone "Western" books. My hubby is an avid reader of them and he challenged me to try one. (Thank you, Honey!) In my search I discovered this =amazing book and was hooked from the first page. The characters and action are incredible and it definitely was NOT "my Momma's werewolf tale"! After I finish this review I'm going to the Kindle store and buying the next book in this series!! I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANY LOVER OF THE UNUSUAL!!!!
September 22, 2023
Wolfsbane.....What can I say about this book? Absurd plot. Great likeable characters all around. Some pretty good writing. Definitely has an 80's horror comedy feel to the whole thing.
It took me a month and a half to fully read. Not the books fault. I read the first 100 pages within 3 days. Took me long to read it, because of my terrible sleeping pattern.
Pretty hard to really come down to a ratings. So I'll go with 3/5. A strong 3/5. Almost a 4.
It took me a month and a half to fully read. Not the books fault. I read the first 100 pages within 3 days. Took me long to read it, because of my terrible sleeping pattern.
Pretty hard to really come down to a ratings. So I'll go with 3/5. A strong 3/5. Almost a 4.
June 1, 2017
Incredible
I miss books like this. Full of Gore real horror and fun to read God I hope he wrote another one to continue the story. I love this author and wish he would have kept writing horror . Just fantastic.
I miss books like this. Full of Gore real horror and fun to read God I hope he wrote another one to continue the story. I love this author and wish he would have kept writing horror . Just fantastic.
August 20, 2018
Still fun
I read this book after graduating high school, camped out with friends. It was a fun read then and still is. Too much vulgarity and several parts don't make sense. But I love that the author brings a champion of God into literature.
I read this book after graduating high school, camped out with friends. It was a fun read then and still is. Too much vulgarity and several parts don't make sense. But I love that the author brings a champion of God into literature.
September 20, 2021
Intense
I had to keep reading “Wolfsbane”. It was well written and kept me engaged. The characters were well drawn and, in some cases, frightening. The ending…well, read the book and draw your own conclusion.
I had to keep reading “Wolfsbane”. It was well written and kept me engaged. The characters were well drawn and, in some cases, frightening. The ending…well, read the book and draw your own conclusion.
Read
March 16, 2022I thought this was a creative storyline for werewolves. There was a lot of development. It made you want to know more about the folklore of werewolves in this world. The ending had you saying “what!?!”.
June 16, 2022
It took me a while to actually finish this, to be honest. It was my first Johnstone book and likely will be my last. While I don't mind explicit sex scenes, it felt like there were more of those than those dealing with the werewolves. And the werewolves were more demons than what I think about when it comes to werewolves.
Overall, not terrible but definitely not what I was expecting.
Overall, not terrible but definitely not what I was expecting.
January 4, 2023
Pretty good. Enjoyed it quite a bit but it had a very strange ending I wasn’t expecting at all. Feel like the twilight zone. Like something is missing but so does the main character. Not a bad ending but strange. Like it couldn’t be happening but another allusion of the devil.
January 6, 2017
Good enough
I give this story four stars instead of five because I think that it is a good story. Good, but not great.
I give this story four stars instead of five because I think that it is a good story. Good, but not great.
August 21, 2017
A another book about good vs. evil. Good horror story!!
September 2, 2018
Aspires to be lurid pulp nonsense, but the writing isn't up to the task.
April 25, 2019
Eye catcher
My attention was kept the whole time. Sex was a little too much. But the whole book is good, like the author's work
My attention was kept the whole time. Sex was a little too much. But the whole book is good, like the author's work
November 14, 2019
Everything you’d expect from a cheesy horror novel written in the early 1980’s.
May 18, 2020
Will we win this time?
An awesome good vs evil read. What more could you ask for? I really just couldn't put it down! Enjoy!
An awesome good vs evil read. What more could you ask for? I really just couldn't put it down! Enjoy!
May 23, 2023
typos and sexual depravity. gross
August 8, 2021
I don't know how I miss this story
W.W. Johnstone, books are the absolute best, no matter the subject. I have Been reading Johnstone stories for 30 years. I still enjoy them. GOOD AND EVIL are always at war. 5 star rating. Now for book 2.
W.W. Johnstone, books are the absolute best, no matter the subject. I have Been reading Johnstone stories for 30 years. I still enjoy them. GOOD AND EVIL are always at war. 5 star rating. Now for book 2.
April 7, 2023
Probably one of my favorite horror books I'm lucky to have a copy of right off the bat. It has that seedy, creepy, yet humorous atmosphere that films like the Ash vrs the Evil Dead has. This is definitely not "child friendly" with multiple sex scenes with bizarre situations and violence that is very gore heavy. The story is one that isn't difficult to follow but still has an element of surprise. I love the writer's ability to catch accents in speach with the way they break words and punctuate their sentences. Probably something I find lacking in a lot of books(authors simply saying "they spoke with a creole accent" but then not showing it in the words they speak)but this author nails it. Also has a few twists that are interesting.
July 3, 2016
Could not put it down.
Great story that kept me on the edge wanting too read more and more. A must read for werewolf followers.
Great story that kept me on the edge wanting too read more and more. A must read for werewolf followers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews