4.75/5 stars I'm so glad I read this book. I went in kind of "iffy", not knowing what to expect. A family drama? A woodsy (perhaps dangerous) adventure? The truth is it contained both of those things with some added depth that made it linger with me after I'd finished reading it. The author did a good job with the descriptive writing regarding the location which is set off the grid in the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains just on the cusp of Yellowstone. I easily visualized the rural cabin and surrounding woods as well as the activities the brothers (Thad and Hazen) must accomplish to survive while also trying to pay overdue bills since their father's death. Thad (the eldest) and Hazen were the main focus for me, and their interactions, both good and bad, were the meat of the story. This is not a fast-paced story (though it is on the shorter side). It's a dysfunctional family drama revolving around the relationship dynamics between the brothers, their similarities and differences and a little delving into their basically non-existent relationship with their mother who makes a sudden appearance during the story. This is one of those settle back and savor sort of books. Beautiful writing, poignant story, some laughing and perhaps some crying. The ending was a bit cryptic, but also understandable as it went with the feel of the story itself. Very nicely done. My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau for providing the free early arc of Beartooth for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

An astounding novel. Callan Wink writes beautifully, in spare and controlled prose, about two brothers following the loss of their father (who remains present in every thought and gesture throughout). Wink does an excellent job at presenting the violence, beauty and desperation paralleled in nature and relationships. The book ends exactly where it needs to, but before you’re ready to leave the backcountry behind. Perfect if you loved The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver or Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward.

There’s a deep contrast between the stark beauty of Callan Wink’s writing and the visceral nature of what he describes at times in his sublime new novel Beartooth. A literary rural noir centred on the (mis)adventures of a pair of backwoods brothers, we initially meet Thad, the relative brains of the duo, and younger Hazen, the intuitive one, as they’re elbows deep in an eviscerated bear. Freshly poached, emitting smells “with a flavour of nightmare”; the brothers are willing to get bloody as they grasp for the golf-ball sized gall bladders that can bring in as much cash as ten truckloads of firewood. But how much would they risk in order to preserve their family home and way of life? Initially Thad doesn’t entertain the notion put forward by their menacing buyer, ‘the Scot’ to surreptitiously enter Yellowstone National Park to harvest elk antler sheds. Federal land and felony crimes = big time prison time. But as things worsen, Thad and Hazen must make some tough choices, that could have deadly consequences. Those who enjoy ‘grit lit’ are likely to love Beartooth. It’s an atmospheric, vivid and finely crafted tale of family relationships, desperation and death set against a ruggedly magnificent backdrop. Wink, a fly-fishing guide in Montana as well as literary starlet, expertly soaks readers in “nature, red in tooth and claw”. Compact and powerful. This review was first written for publication in Good Reading magazine, in Australia

Beartooth by Callan Wink is a gripping tale of survival and brotherhood, set against the raw and rugged backdrop of the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains on the edge of Yellowstone. In a timber house hand-built by their grandfather, two brothers, Thad and Hazen, are struggling to stay afloat after their father's death, weighed down by debt and isolation. Living off the land, far from society, they face mounting pressures—from unpaid medical bills to a looming tax lien on their home. Thad, the more pragmatic of the two, takes charge of these burdens, while Hazen is more at one with the wilderness, guided by instinct rather than practicality. The brothers' already precarious existence is pushed to the brink when a shadowy outsider presents them with a dangerous proposition that promises money but comes with profound consequences. Wink’s writing is evocative, vividly bringing to life the grandeur of the American West and capturing the brothers’ struggles in an unforgiving world. The tension between survival and morality pulses through the pages, and the bond between the two brothers, though fraught, is deeply compelling. There are moments of unexpected poignancy that balance the hard-edged narrative, making this book as emotionally resonant as it is fast-paced. Fans of Cormac McCarthy and Donald Ray Pollock will find much to appreciate in Beartooth. It’s a masterful exploration of desperation, revenge, and the unbreakable ties of family. The vivid scene setting and the development of both plot and characters kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended for those drawn to gritty, atmospheric tales of survival. Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

Thad and Hazen are two brothers who live in the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains, just outside Yellowstone Park. Money is tight and life is hard in this remote part of the state, they are barely surviving. Until they are offered a deal that could change their lives, but it’s illegal and fraught with danger. When the job goes awry their priorities change, and the brothers have to find their own way to survive in such a harsh environment. This journey will define their future and their relationship and change everything in their lives forever. An incredibly poignant and powerful piece of writing, a novel that has deep emotions and a fine elegance about it. I found myself intoxicated in its beauty. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long while. If you like James Lee Burke or C.J. Box you will absolutely love this. It’s truly outstanding.