The Unkillable Frank Lightning

The Unkillable Frank Lightning by Josh Rountree is a modern pulp Western novel with a weird twist. Frankenstein meets the Wild West in this bizarre tale featuring the occult and a traveling Wild West show. Like any good western, one can expect rugged landscapes, hardened characters, shootouts, and a few saloons. Rountree adds elements of horror and tops it all off with the most outlandish cast of individuals to venture out into the wilds. Like the Dime Store Novels of the late 19th century, Rountree’s tale is full of the adventure of the West, romance, and mystery. But in true Rountree fashion, this novel is a dark, fantastical look at Americana.

The Unkillable Frank Lighting follows Catherine Coldbridge as she tries to undo the horror that she created. As a doctor and occultist, Catherine brought her husband back to life, who was killed in an attack. Rountree alternates between timelines, switching between the creation of his undead monster and the hunt for Frank Lightning. Much like Mary Shelly’s classic, Rountree scrutinizes what it means to be human. Combining genres of horror and weird westerns and adding unforgettable characters makes Rountree’s novel a darkly entertaining read.