Mister Slaughter by Robert McCammon is a historical fiction novel set in the 1700s. It combines elements of the Western genre with horror overtones. Mister Slaughter is the third book in the Matthew Corbett series. The book combines three components, a Jack the Ripper-like criminal in Mister Slaughter who is both menacing and charming. The plot feels like a Western first it is a quest for gold that turns bad. The plot introduces Indians, which reminded me a lot of The Last of the Mohicans. McCammon is known for his blending of genres. In my review of The Wolf’s Hour, I compared it to a Werewolf story crossed with a James Bond plot. The Matthew Corbett series so far has had every book be a different genre. Speaks the Nightbird is a trial about a witch. It is part courtroom drama and part horror. And in The Queen of Bedlam, the story is a psychological thriller about a lost identity. In Queen of Bedlam, Matthew Corbett has a chilling run-in with Mister Slaughter who is confined in a mental institution. That chilling exchange made an impression and in this book, he has to haul him back to New York. Mister Slaughter is one of the most tense books that I have read. The tensity reminded me of the movie The Hateful Eight. You know something is going to go bad. But when is the question? McCammon makes you squirm during a tense dinner scene. The book has a lot of action and it is described so well that is easy to follow. The pacing of Mister Slaughter is great. It has a couple of moments that slow down. These provide the reader a breather after an intense action scene. Both the characters and the reader need a break. The dialogue is written so well there are 20 characters that all feel and sound different. The ending is satisfying. The plot has many shocking moments that play out very well. Mister Slaughter was first published on January 1, 2010.

Plot Summary: Matthew is becoming known as a regular celebrity since some of his adventures have been published. Matthew returns to the mansion that acted as a hideout. He finds it has been scraped over, but many books are uncovered. He stumbles on what he thought was a book that was really a safe. He opens it and finds riches, he also finds a secret cave that explains how most of the group escaped. The money is a problem. Hudson Greathouse wants to recruit Zed, a slave who works for the mortuary. Hudson thinks this will be a simple transaction. He soon discovers Zed is only rented out to the mortuary. Zed is owned by another who demands a great sum. One that Matthew now has but doesn’t know if he wants to part with it. Hudson tests Zed’s skills by inviting him to one of the rowdiest bars that will not take his appearance well. Zed manages to deflect the violence instead of starting it. The constable that breaks up the fight lets them go but Matthew and Hudson owe him. The favor comes fast. They need to escort Mister Slaughter from a Philadelphia insane asylum back to New York. Hudson and Matthew have met Mister Slaughter before during their last case and have been asked for by name. Mister Slaughter is to be tried for multiple murders. Mister Slaughter is shackled on his wrist and legs all connected to a cannonball of lead. Mister Slaughter was arrested for highway robbery. He talks about his hidden stash. He will give it up to be set free. Hudson is thinking about the slave he wants to work with and set free. He seems to be considering the deal. However, the intention is not to free him but to take the loot. Matthew can see Hudson consider this, but can’t give it up. Hudson and Corbett are at a fork in the road. Do they choose a wobbly path with bad overhead weather? Or do they choose a smooth path with no extra money?

What I Liked: The tension that McCammon creates with words is so powerful. Even though Mister Slaughter is heavily shackled every movement he makes is a possible threat. I did love the match-up of Hudson and Mister Slaughter you’re tense but believe Hudson Greathouse can take him. I loved the Indian involvement in the story. The backstory on the Walker of Two Worlds was great writing and character study. I love that Walker’s demons were the progress of man. He saw this progress when he was in England. He knows time will erase his people. Mister Slaughter’s story at the dinner table when he tells the pastor what true suffering is. I do like the follow-up to the story. The pastor tries to comfort him, and Slaughter replies it’s just a story. He asks, “Do you think I would do that to my father?” It made Hudson so angry about the lack of respect. I love the scene at the dinner table. The pastor asks for Mister Slaughter’s shackles to be removed. The scene becomes tense after that. Lizzie and Faith’s story is heartbreaking what an ending to their storyline. I like that heroes and villains alike get injured, and it is not a quick fix. The action was written very well and easy to follow. Mister Slaughter the character was fascinating. McCammon wrote three scenes with characters in disguises. He provides clues to identify them. Side characters are written well and have great scenes. Every character is memorable and unique. Now that I know the last book is called Leviathan. I’m seeing all the signs that are pointing to Leviathan throughout Mister Slaughter.

What I Disliked: I liked the action in Zed’s first scene but things could have gone so wrong. I would like to have had more purpose to the scene than going to a bar where racists will react. The final scene leads into the next book. But, I wanted more questions answered in this book.

Recommendation: Mister Slaughter is a fantastic read. The pace was amazing, and every slowdown was deliberate so the reader could breathe. The action is top-notch. The characters feel alive. The dialogue is unique to every character. There are many fun twists and turns. McCammon is my favorite working author. He has just finished the Matthew Corbett series which has 10 books. You cannot read this book out of order. Mister Slaughter just starts and it hints at previous events. I can see a reader easily getting lost. I recommend my followers read Mister Slaughter and the rest of the Matthew Corbett series. I have all the books in the series and will be reading The Providence Rider next.

Rating: Mister Slaughter by Robert McCammon I rated 4.6 out of 5.

Ranking: I will rank the 3 books in the Matthew Corbett series. After that, I will rank all 5 Robert McCammon books I have read and reviewed. Matthew Corbett’s books ranked in order from favorite to least favorite: 1) Speaks the Nightbird, 2) Mister Slaughter, and 3) The Queen of Bedlam. Robert McCammon’s books total ranked from favorite to least favorite: 1) The Wolf’s Hour, 2) Speaks the Nightbird, 3) Mister Slaughter, 4) The Queen of Bedlam, and 5) Stinger.