A harrowing story of greed and violence on the US-Mexico border, inspired by historical events that took place in the mid-1800s. The story follows a character simply referred to as “the kid,” who joins a ragtag group led by John Joel Glanton hired by Mexican authorities (first in Chihuahua, then in Sonora) to hunt and kill Apaches.

McCarthy’s command of the English language and his grasp of the physical lay of the land in the Southwest is on full display in this work. Many times throughout I found myself rereading sentences or looking up certain plants, animals, or locations mentioned. Readers are truly immersed in the world of the characters, and it’s a book that I think I’ll return to again. It’s a slow read, and there are many paragraphs packed with vivid descriptions or philosophical musings (usually the musings of the Judge, the story’s unnerving antagonist). As a result, it can be easy to lose the plot sometimes. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to a first-time McCarthy reader, especially since there is a decent amount of graphic violence throughout, which may deter some readers. But for anyone who’s enjoyed other works by McCarthy, then this book is a must-read.