The Roo

Something is wrong in the small outback town of Morgan Creek.

A farmer goes missing after a blue in the pub. A teenage couple fail to show up for work. When Patrick and Sheila McDonough investigate, they discover the missing persons list is growing. Before they realise what’s happening, the residents of the remote town find themselves in a fight for their lives against a foe they would never have suspected.

And the dry red earth will run with blood.

Novella available in paperback and ebook wherever books are sold.

Paperback ISBN: 9780980578263
Ebook ISBN: 9781393147671

“Trust me, you’ve never read anything like this. Deranged, delirious, diabolical, it just begs to be a film, and when it is, I’ll be first in line to see it. The Roo is a fucking riot.”
Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award-Winning author of Kin and Sour Candy

Ditmar Awards 2021 Finalist Best Novella

PRAISE FOR THE ROO

“Pulpy, violent, and fun.” – Ellen Datlow

The Roo is an Australian cult classic!” – Dr Kate Forsyth, bestselling author of Bitter Greens

“Sometimes, a book comes along that grabs me from the start and leaves me struggling to put it down. The Roo is one such book.” – reelhorrorshow.co.uk

“Trust me, you’ve never read anything like this. Deranged, delirious, diabolical, it just begs to be a film, and when it is, I’ll be first in line to see it. The Roo is a fucking riot.” – Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award-Winning author of Kin and Sour Candy

One long continuous gore-fest, for real. It was THE ROO by Alan Baxter and it was actually very entertaining if you haven’t had lunch yet.” – Gail Simone, best-selling author of DC’s Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman, and more

The Roo has some of the most unique death scenes I’ve ever read. I hope this novella is picked up and turned into a movie… I give this book an A.” – Dead Head Reviews (Patrick R. McDonough)

“The Roo was an extremely entertaining read. I had so much fun with this book. Lots of creature feature coolness that also had several strong messages within. You really can’t ask for more!” – Creature From the Book Lagoon

“Baxter’s creature feature has some of the most bizarre and gruesome kills that I have ever read in a book. Lemme tell you, it was an absolute blast from start-to-finish… I much prefer my horror filled with humor, gore & insanity. The Roo 100% ticks all of these boxes”Dead Head Reviews (Becca Futrell)

The Roo is gripping from the first page, with characters you can’t help but feel sympathy for. Baxter is masterful in balancing the gore and tension with Aussie humour and just a few of the cheesier horror tropes, creating a delightfully dark and blood-spattered vision of small town life turned upside down.” – Reviewers of Oz

“…all I can say is …wow! Yes it’s a bizarre concept, and of course there’s a grindhouse feel to it. Lots of macabre violence and insanity, but at the core this book is about the people, not the crazy roo, and deals with some heavy emotional issues. It’s at times heartbreaking, terrifying and even hilarious. Alan has written a unique novella that will no doubt stay with you long after you’ve read it! You’re in for a ride.” – Michael Evan, Fantasy Focus

“Even with all the monster mayhem, there are moments of raw emotion as The Roo’s origin is revealed, and some tragic choices have to be made before the end. So should you buy it? Damn Skippy.” – Kendall Reviews

The Roo is really fun, high-octane, vintage creature feature straight out of the Australian Outback… Baxter wound up really delivering the goods with this one… This is some grade-A monster horror, and it’s a wild time… The Roo is a fantastic bit of fun and a truly splendid way to kill an hour or two. It’s quick, it’s violent, and it’s funny. If you liked the Kevin Bacon flick, Tremors, you’ll love The Roo!” – High Fever Books

“…this is one heck of a creature feature.” – Let’s Get Galactic

“There’s over-the-top humour in this novella, which adds to the enjoyment of reading such an unusual horror story. The dialogue is relentless and hilarious Aussie slang, densely confusing to outsiders and, probably, to anyone born after 1980. The plot hangs with absurd wit off the Australian outback preference for BIG things—the Big Pineapple, The Big Prawn, The Big Mango… This is the Big Kangaroo and it’s coming to eat you.” – Clare Rhoden in Aurealis Magazine