I didn’t realize that this book was second in the Monster Hunter Mystery series until after I had received the ARC. While I am bummed I didn’t have all the background information from the first book - this read so well as a standalone and I couldn’t put it down! I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the series, A Death In Door County.

I love cryptids and I especially love when cryptozoology is treated more as a hard science and facts are used to hash out sightings of mysterious creatures. This book was perfect for me because the MC, Morgan, is a cryptid hunter with a background in biology and zoology. She often uses the term “plausible existability,” which basically says we can’t rule anything out (until we can.)

Death In The Dark Woods finds Morgan (and her amazing dog, Newt,) deep in the dark woods of Wisconsin. They are helping local authorities investigate multiple deaths, believed to be caused by Bigfoot.

While this book did have a lot of gore and some darker themes - I found it to be a cozy mystery!! The characters are cute and I really became invested in Morgan, Newt, and Jon. Even some of the minor characters were adorable and people that I wanted to get to know better.

I have to say I hated the ending of this one, but only because it’s not the ending that I wanted/needed. My only other complain and the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars - Morgan being so scientific and analytical increased my skepticism of cryptids, which kept me from embracing the supernatural and spooky elements involved.

Overall, I enjoyed this one as a quick murder mystery! Check this one out if you like light horror, thrillers, mysteries, the supernatural, and amazing dog sidekicks!

I can't resist a mystery set in Wisconsin, and Annelise Ryan does an incredible job with the setting in this series. While I'm not a believer in Bigfoot, I thought that this story was interesting, with great character backstories, and I was really intrigued by the reveal in this story (I was eager to read the author's note to find out how accurate it could be).

#DeathintheDarkWoods⁣
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Big thanks to @berkleypub and @prhaudio my gifted copies [partner]⁣
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I am upset that I started this book, fell in love, the found out this was a series and I was a whole book behind! Number 2 in the Monster Hunter Mystery series, I really enjoyed this book. For all my Alice Henderson fans (y’all know I loved the Alex Carter series) this is definitely a little pivot for you to make and enjoy. ⁣
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This had all the vibes of a cozy, but without the cozy. It was like a fluffy thriller. There’s gore and death, but the story itself isn’t gritty? It’s fluffy. ⁣
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The audio portion wasn’t my favorite. There were several male characters and the reader gave several of them deep voices. It reminded me when I would try to mimic my dad. I wish it would have just been one voice throughout the book. ⁣
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Overall, a really thrilling read about Bigfoot and beyond. I really enjoyed this one and definitely need to go back to book one and check it out!⁣
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Out 12/12! ⁣
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QOTD: Favorite mythical creature?

Read this as an enjoyable cozy with a twist- that Morgan is a cryptid hunter. Charlie, a game warden, pulls her into the investigation of the murder of two men by....Bigfoot? Luckily, Morgan is a skeptical person and she's dealt with fakers in the past so she's less inclined than some might be to believe what appears on the surface to be evidence of a yeti type creature killing in the Wisconsin woods. She's got her dog Newt (love Newt) and her romantic interest Jon, a law enforcement officer, with her as well. The actual answer to the mystery is highly implausible but no spoilers from me. I liked the characters and the humor. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is the second in the series (I missed the first) and it's just fine as a standalone. A good read.

Annelise Ryan's latest release, "Death in the Dark Woods," falls tragically short of the promises made by its marketing. In my many years of avid reading, I've encountered my fair share of letdowns, but this one takes the cake. The anticipation built around a tale of mystery and horror is shattered by an inexplicably lazy conclusion to the Bigfoot storyline.

The marketing led me to expect a spine-chilling and enigmatic experience, but reality couldn't be more different. The unraveling of the Bigfoot mystery, a focal point of the narrative, is shockingly simplistic. A single Google search is all it took to expose the frailty of the plot, leaving me utterly disappointed with the lack of depth and creativity.

< spoiler >The author's attempt to resolve the central mystery is where the narrative truly falters. The introduction of escaped chimpanzees as a resolution feels like a desperate grasp at straws. The sudden inclusion of chimpanzees in the woods of Wisconsin during winter is not only implausible but also absurd. As a Wisconsin resident who barely survives the harsh winters, the idea of escaped chimps thriving in a national forest for over 50 years is downright ludicrous.< / spoiler >

The sheer disbelief I felt at this narrative twist left me questioning the author's motives. Why choose such an outlandish resolution to a plot that held so much potential? The disconnect between the expected and the delivered narrative is baffling, and I am left perplexed as to why such a creative misstep was taken.

The frustration stems from the apparent lack of consideration for reader intelligence and the abandonment of a promising premise. The question of "Why?" lingers, and it's a query that remains unanswered, further adding to the dissatisfaction.

Living in Wisconsin, I hoped for a story that would resonate with the local landscape and weather. Instead, "Death in the Dark Woods" veers off into the realm of implausible fantasy, leaving me wondering why such a departure was deemed necessary.

In conclusion, I cannot bring myself to recommend this book. Annelise Ryan's "Death in the Dark Woods" is a testament to wasted potential, with a conclusion that defies reason and leaves readers with more questions than answers. Instead of a satisfying mystery, we are served an absurd narrative that crumbles under even the slightest scrutiny. Consider this a warning to those expecting a captivating and logical tale – steer clear of this disappointment.

I am so thankful to Berkley Pub, Annelise Ryan, Netgalley, and PRH Audio for granting me advanced access to this baby before it hits shelves on December 12, 2023. I didn' even realize that this one was apart of series, because i haven't read it predecessor, but I really enjoyed it for its cozy mystery qualities.

I am enjoying this cozy cryptid series. I will say, I did enjoy this one a bit more going in because, well everyone knows about Bigfoot-type creatures right? I really need more in this world because I am enjoying the balance that Annelise Ryan brings to these stories.

This is the second book in a new mystery series following a cryptozoologist investigating possible sightings tied to murders. The cryptozoologist, Morgan, also has a fabulous dog and a fascinating bookstore. In this entry in the series, Morgan is called in to investigate some brutal attacks that some have attributed to Bigfoot.

I am really enjoying this series. The books are a little darker than a cozy mystery, but still much lighter fare than a psychological thriller. Morgan is a great, strong character with a complex background, and the supporting characters are strong as well. I am especially enjoying the hint of romance sprinkled throughout. It’s also fascinating to have a cryptozoologist as a main character and learn about that world. I would recommend this book and this series.

** “Something about the woods felt eerie, off, wrong somehow.” **

Annelise Ryan once again offers a fun murder mystery with a cryptozoology twist — this time centering around the elusive Bigfoot — in “Death in the Dark Woods.”

When Washington Island Police Chief Jon Flanders once again approaches Morgan Carter, whose parents were acclaimed cryptozoologists, with a new case where Bigfoot may or may not have killed two people in the Chequamegon National Forest in Wisconsin, she takes on her belief in “plausible existability” again to look into the two brutal deaths.

With the help of Conservation Warden Charlie Aberdeen, who also believes she once saw Bigfoot as a child, Morgan works through the clues to determine what or who caused the deaths.

Once again, Ryan offers a fun and zany tale filled with twists and turns and just a little touch of romance. She creates great characters, including Morgan and Jon who both have painful pasts, as well as Morgan’s quirky employees Devon and Rita, her delightful rescue dog Newt and a mummified corpse named Henry. She also takes the reader on an exciting and intriguing adventure, all while reminding us to never give up on our beliefs and to always seek the truth.

Fans of cozy mysteries and stories about cryptic creatures will love “Death in the Dark Woods,” which is due out Dec. 12.

This book does contain some occasional mild curse words.

Five stars out of five.

Berkley provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I really loved the first book in this series so I have been anxiously awaiting this second one, which might be why it feel a bit flat for me.

I still love the concept of a cryptozoologist who ends up accidentally solving murders instead, and I love that they take place in the upper Midwest. But for this book I don't know why but I had a harder time connecting with the story and characters. I think partly because this one we didn't get as much of Morgan's background - it was just dropped in since it was explored more in the first one - so it was harder for me to connect with Morgan and there was no one really around that she wasn't suspicious of to see her interact more. I also feel like this one walked the border of horror genre more than the previous book, and I personally don't enjoy horror books, so I was left trying to push through the book to get to the parts that weren't as horror filled.

I would still read more in this series, and I am interested to see what American cryptids will show up next.

"A potential Bigfoot sighting is linked to a vicious murder, but skeptical cryptozoologist Morgan Carter is on the case in this new Monster Hunter Mystery by USA Today bestselling author Annelise Ryan.

Business has been booming since Morgan Carter solved the case of the monster living in Lake Michigan. The Odds and Ends bookstore is thriving, of course, but Morgan is most excited by the doors that were opened for her as a cryptid hunter.

Recently, there have been numerous sightings of a Bigfoot-type creature in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest area of Bayfield County, Wisconsin. After a man is found dead from a vicious throat injury in the forest, the conservation warden asks Morgan to investigate.

When Morgan and her dog, Newt, go there to investigate, they uncover a trail of lies, deception, and murder. It seems a mysterious creature is indeed living in the forest, and Morgan might be its next target."

Going up North! Seriously, I love that this series in set in Wisconsin and more importantly, set where I vacationed as a kid.

cryptozoologist, cryptids, suspense, mysterious-character, mystery, thriller, Wisconsin, Northern Wisconsin, Northwoods, law-enforcement*****

Morgan is a cryptozoologist ably assisted by her best pal (probably a Newfoundland mix) Newfie. They go from the top of the Door peninsula in Wisconsin to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest area of Bayfield County, Wisconsin up near Lake Superior. This comes at the behest of law enforcement because of the horrific maulings of a couple of hunter in that area. Ah, the joys of the Northwoods! The story is good but the scenery and Newfie are rock stars. Very enjoyable to this Wisconsinite.
I requested and received an EARC from Berkley Publishing Group/Berkley via NetGalley. Thank you

I haven’t had a chance to read the first book in this installment, but after reading this one, I think I might go back and start it! I currently work at a bookstore in a small tourist town on a lake, so I could really relate to this book, well minus the whole Big Foot part! Haha! I like the way this author mixes cryptids with mystery. It feels like a cozier version of Supernatural! This is something I will definitely be recommending this to the customers that come into my bookstore.

Thank you to Annelise Ryan, Berkley, and NetGalley for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first book in this series, A Death In Door County, and have been looking forward to reading this second book since finishing the last page of the first one! This installment has all of the elements that I loved about the previous book: beautiful descriptions of the Wisconsin landscape, characters to love and hate, red herrings, a love interest, and - of course! - the possibility of a legendary mythical creature! The mystery is centered on solving two deaths in the woods that might have been caused by a Bigfoot attack. The main character is a cryptozoologist and is called in as a consultant. She manages to get to the bottom of the strange happenings and sightings with a great deal of personal risk. I love the main character's strengths and vulnerabilities and her bravery. I also love her deep relationship with her large dog, Newt.

I would recommend this to reader's of Nevada Barr's books because there is a similar love of wild American landscapes in both series. After reading this, I felt as though I'd been on a mini-vacation to Wisconsin!

Morgan Carter has had no shortage of business since she solved the case of the monster living in Lake Michigan. Her bookstore is thriving, but she’s mostly excited about the doors that have opened for her as a cryptid hunter.

There have been sightings of a bigfoot creature, and after a man is found dead, the conservation warden asks for Morgan’s help. When Morgan and her faithful dog Newt arrive, they end up uncovering a trail of lies, deception, and murder.

This was an interesting cozy mystery. Going into this one I wasn’t expecting a cozy mystery, so that took a while to get my head around. I was super excited to read about a cryptozoologist. Living in the PNW I’m no stranger to Bigfoot. We are constantly hearing about Bigfoot sightings etc, so I thought this one would tie in a lot of references. However, I was disappointed with how it turned out. I guess I just wanted something different than what was presented. I do tend to struggle with the pacing on cozy mysteries, and that was the case here. However, if you are a fan of cozy mysteries and enjoy them, then I definitely think that you should check this one out as it was good. I didn’t read the fist book in this series, but this one can be read as a standalone, you just won’t get quite the backstory on the main character. But it did work for me. Overall, I did find this one enjoyable, just not everything I wanted it to be.

If you are looking for a cozy mystery with some monster hunting, then check this one out.

Thank you so much to Berkley Pub, @BerkleyPub and Netgalley, @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up from me.

This is the second in the Monster Hunter Mystery Series. I highly anticipated this release after reading the first book - A Death in Door County. I did give that first book five stars because I enjoyed it so much. The concept of a cryptozoologist solving a murder mystery was intriguing. For whatever reason, I didn't get the same feeling while reading this book. The first book, I questioned whether there was something mysterious going on. In this one, Morgan Carter never gave me the feeling that it was a possibility. I do like this author's writing style, her characters are interesting and very individual. The plot was twisty but I think it lost me a little when the focus turned to the second murder. I think I wanted that not knowing to go on longer in the story. I would definitely read more from this author and since I love the creepy storyline, I will be watching for the next book in the series. To me this series should be a mix between mystery and horror. I hope to see a little more horror next time. To clarify, a three star review is still a good read. It may have missed pulling me into the story and not letting go.

I didn't read book 1 in this series, but this book works great as a standalone. I love the idea of a monster hunter who's a skeptic, who's not out to scam people. When Morgan goes to investigate two possible Bigfoot murders, she runs into a slew of interesting characters--from a classic con man to an investigator who's a little too interested in Morgan's own...friend? The plotting here is thorough, with everything paying off at the satisfying ending. The writing is clever and Morgan is smart and generous. I'm going back to read book 1!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm really loving the unique premise of this series. I enjoyed diving back into this series with Morgan, Newt, Devon, Rita, and Jon.

I liked that everyone's characterization stayed consistent from the first book but we also saw some growth with Morgan or at least seeing her being written to try and move forward as a character.

I love that this somewhere between a normal mystery and a cozy mystery. My only complaint is that I don't get enough of the clues written out .. too many times Morgan is written to understand what's happening or discover what's actually in the woods and we have to wait until she tells someone, usually the next chapter. I love reading mysteries because I get to discover clues alongside the MC and I don't really get that with this series so far.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next one though!

Death in the Dark Woods is book 2 in the Monster Hunter Mystery series by Annelise Ryan.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Morgan and her dog, Newt.
I love that she is fearless, determined and outgoing.
The characters were great, fun, interesting people living in a tourist town on a lake.
The mystery was as cozy and captivating as I'd hoped and it was really just fun to read.
I could easily picture the settings of the story which was super fun.
The story is unique and intriguing and Annelise Ryan takes us on an an exciting adventure.
An engaging mystery that kept me hooked till the very end.
I'll be reading and keeping an eye out for the next book in this series.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Berkley for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Death in the Dark Woods is an enjoyable second installment of Annelise Ryan's Monster Hunter series. This time Morgan Carter and her dog Newt are on the hunt for Bigfoot (Bigfeet? Bigfoots?) in the forests of northern Wisconsin. But is the elusive cryptid really to blame for the recent murders in the area?

If you've read the first book in the series, A Death in Door County, you probably already know what to expect with this one since they follow a pretty similar formula. And, like in the previous installment, the mystery in this one isn't really all that complicated. There are no Agatha Christie-esque twists and turns, just a straightforward but entertaining who(what?)dunit.

I think I actually enjoyed this one a bit more than the first book – there's less romance and more cryptid hunting, which is a win-win situation as far as I'm concerned. Ol' Flatfoot Flanders is still the love interest, but he's not around quite as much this time … but don't worry, because when he is, he and Morgan are just as awkward with each other as ever.

Newt, of course, is still the star of the show. If Newt were a real dog, I'd totally take a trip to Door County just to pet him.

Basically, if you liked A Death in Door County, you'll probably enjoy this one, too. If you haven't read the previous book in the series, maybe go back and read that one first? While this one might work okay as a stand-alone if you really want it to, you'll miss out on a lot of the backstory.

Final rating: 4.25 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.