I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris is a third person-POV Queer historical paranormal mystery. Samantha Harker, the daughter of Jonathan and Mina Harker of Dracula fame, is tasked by The Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena with solving a series of murders in Paris that appear to be linked to werewolves. Her assigned partner is Helen Moriarty, the daughter of Sherlock Holmes’ old nemesis and is every bit as unusual as her father and his rival.

Drawing from classic British literature and folklore, the worldbuilding has grindylow, allusions to events that happened in Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, and carries that further with the Parisian setting and utilizing the catacombs. Because she was conceived in Dracula’s castle, Sam is a channel, someone who can see into the minds of monsters. In a lot of ways the story felt like a love letter to classic literature but also updated with Sam’s POV and her and Hel’s relationship.

One of the things I really liked was how Sam was both a researcher and someone interested in feminine things. She pays attention to fashion and make-up and the different shades that the midinettes (Parisian shop girls and seamstresses who were also the mistresses of powerful men in Parisian society) wear after one of the most fashionable in their group is seen wearing it. An interest in feminine things is given value as a possible clue when looking for suspects.

Hel and Sam’s relationship is something of a slowburn, as Hel comes to grips with her feelings a lot earlier based on little hints of jealousy threaded throughout but Sam isn’t really paying attention. It’s subtle, but it is definitely there. Hel also does try to kind and understanding but it doesn’t always come across well, which can lead to some tension between her and Sam.

I would recommend this to fans of classic British literature and mysteries, readers looking for a Sapphic mystery set around the time of Sherlock Holmes, and those looking for a paranormal historical mystery with female leads

Think Sherlock Holmes X fantastic beasts X supernatural with a sprinkle of van helsing.

Where do I begin, I loved this book! I would love a second... or even better, a TV series!
I didn't predict the ending which is a first for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery unravelling with a trail of clues.
I loved the characters and honestly just want to know more about them, perhaps more romance in a second book? 🙏🏻

I would've loved more creatures/monsters and a touch more gore but I'm not complaining.

Fast paced, wonderfully descriptive writing, it was like a TV show playing in my head I could picture it so well.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Susan J Morris for gifting this book in exchange for an honest review, I've already pre-ordered a copy 🖤

I will definitely purchase the book once its out because it has basically everything I love in a book plus a gorgeous Cover!

As an avid fan of Arthur Conan Doyle and everything related to Sherlock Holmes I really enjoyed this read and I'm glad I also read Dracula before to appreciate all the mentions of Sams family and Van Helsing.

I enjoy a good fantasy mystery and even though I had my suspicions the suspense was still well delivered.
The end felt a bit rushed so I could definitely see a potential sequel in the future but it could also very well function as a stand alone (but as a nosy person I would love to read more about their adventures in this world).

Over all a great debut novel!

This novel did feel like a Sherlock based story, but I wish we would have used the other elements that made this book a little more unique than the rest out there. I wish the powers by mc would have been used more instead of only after 70% and added more dimension to the atmosphere. I did like the secret societies, easy understanding them and the involvement of creatures in this novel. I would say if you enjoy Veronica Speedwell but want some fantasy to it with horror elements this might work for you.

To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. This novel was such a fun read that I read it three times! The monsters were great, the mystery was even better and the ending punched me in the gut! Loved Every Second of it!

Sam & Hel were just fantastic. I loved the mix of mystery and Sherlock Holmes with Monsters! My heart for this novel!

This book has everything you want from historical fiction, and a perfumer to just die for! Like I need all these perfumes!
Truly enjoyed every word! Phenomenal job.

Strange Beasts was an adventurous story with enjoyable characters. I loved the supernatural vibes and the mysterious plot. I would recommend Strange Beasts to my friends! I'm looking forward to reading other works by Susan J. Morris.

If you have ever thought "I want Sherlock Holmes and Dracula to have a baby, and the writing style to be like St. Gibson" then this book is for you. I was hooked since page one and really vibed with the whole book. If you love gaslamp fantasy and Gibson and Kingfisher style prose, I think you'll like this.

“Strange Beasts” – gosh, what an exercise in frustration this was. There was so much to enjoy about this one, starting out – great set up, intriguing mystery, and a promised sapphic romance? Yes please! Why wouldn’t I want to read about the murder-mystery-solving adventures of Helena Moriarty and Samantha Harker?

Having done so, the most I can say about it is... "well, it wasn't bad".

It felt very much like the first novel in a series - some strengths and some weaknesses, nothing too offensive, but nothing glowingly fascinating, either. The murder mystery was interesting and eerie, the world building incredibly pastel (why were the British investigating a French series of murders?) and the characters initially charming but ultimately a little bland. In fact, I think my greatest irritation is that neither of the characters felt very connected to their canon beyond the initial premise of who they are: Sam did not feel like a daughter of Mina and Jonathan, nor a product of her time. Neither did Hel. Both are modern (as in 2024) women of certain sensibilities and ways of expressing themselves in what SHOULD be a repressive Victorian society, and instead it kind of felt... fanfic-y? Certainly not *accurate* to that time period.

I enjoyed it, I'll forget it in a few months.

A deliciously detailed gothic murder mystery where Dracula meets Sherlock Holmes? Sign me up.

The case - In Paris in 1903, men are being gruesomely murdered by a beast in elite clubs, catacombs and the opera but the police are at a dead end with no leads.

The daughters of Dracula's killer (Samantha Harker) and Professor Moriarty (Dr Hel Moriarty) are by far the best female main characters I've read in awhile, oh and to top it off they work for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena.

Strange Beasts is exactly what it says on the tin but the beasts Sam and Hels are on the hunt for might not be the only ones they uncover. A dark yet fun mystery of the societal constrains and assumptions on women in the 1900's, Morris manages to weave in the story of two women who are chasing after truths, a chance to prove they are more than their gender and a passion of the occult and extraordinary.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the blurb, I was very very excited for the book, but it didn't really catch me as I would have hoped. I couldn't get into the book at all, though it was fairly easy to read, I just didn't get sucked into the book as I'd hoped.

First off, I want to say thank you to Net Galley and Susan for providing me with the opportunity to read this book. I love a good gothic fantasy, especially one with unique elements I have not read.

Things that I liked:
- two strong female lead characters
- murder mystery meets fantasy
- a unique concept of turning women into killers through alchemy

Things that fell short:
- There were numerous unanswered questions. At times, it felt like some elements, such as what happened to her mother and the mysterious numbers, might be left unresolved. This gave the impression that the book might be setting up a sequel. However, I haven't found any confirmation that this is intended to be a series. If it is a stand-alone, it would have been preferable to have a more complete resolution. If it is part of a series, a few more hints or a clearer connection to subplots would have been appreciated

📚 Book Review 📚

Strange Beasts tells the tale of Dr. Helen Moriarty, the daughter of the infamous arch enemy of Sherlock Holmes and Samantha Harker, the daughter of Jonathon Harker and the love of Dracula’s life, Mina.

The pair are united in the search for the killer of a number of men in Paris, who are found horribly murdered. The gothic backdrop to the beautiful setting of the city of Paris, glimmers seductively in the background against the horrifying events which unfold.

The mystery of finding out the identity of the killer is good to read and has a number of twists and turns along the way. The paranormal elements are good too and it’s exciting to read. The inclusion of famous literary characters throughout history is a nice touch.

There is a lot of plot to this though, which ended up being a bit confusing at times and there are a lot of characters. At one point, I lost my way a bit; there were just too many options about potential killers and so many characters, I didn’t feel there was a great deal of depth. If it was more of a mystery I think the story would have been more exciting. Having said this though, I still enjoyed the read and would want to read another by this author or in this series.

I’d like to thank Bindery Books, NetGalley and the author for the arc and the fantastic opportunity, in exchange for my honest feedback 😊

Book released on 15th October 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so good I can’t believe it’s a debut novel!

The story followed Sam and Hel on a journey to investigate a killing rampage caused by a beast in France in the early 1900s.
There were supernatural creatures and set in the gothic setting.
The book was very well written, fast paced and easy to understand.

The characters were very likeable.
Sam was smart, sensible and empathic. Hel was broody and aloof but determined and possessive. I can’t think of anyone else better fitted for them!
I loved seeing how Sam and Hel’s relationship progressed slowly through the book! Witty banters and the slow burn!

Also I just want to say that I really like the US cover. I think it is well designed and well done. It has captured the story very well.

Early 20th century London and Paris. Samantha Harker is the daughter of the famous couple that helped to bring about Dracula's downfall, Jonathan and Mina Harker. Sam works as a researcher for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena and she loves her job. But the abrupt disappearance of her beloved grandfather and subsequent cryptic message left behind by him force her out of the comforts of her familiar library and into the field. She is paired up with none other than Dr. Helena Moriarty - daughter of the INfamous, diabolically genius James Moriarty. The problem is, Sam has absolutely zero know-how when it comes to field work, and her new partner, though brilliant and capable, has had a bad habit of getting all her previous partners killed.

I was completely charmed by this book and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out. Sam and Hel are wonderfully complementary and I caught myself smiling now and again during their interactions. I enjoyed that each of the MCs was distinctly unique while not being over-the-top, gritty heroines. (Morris wisely has Sam balk at violence and use of weapons because Sam's expertise is in books after all; Hel is tough and aloof but it fits with her upbringing, and while she rescues Sam a fair amount of the time, she doesn't hold her hand and act the cringy, hyper protective guardian.)

I loved the intricate mystery and the number of folkloric creatures woven throughout, although for the level of complexity I do wish some scenes and explanations had been more coherent. I was also a bit thrown by some of the character development. For instance, Sam's abrupt decision to trust Hel with a potentially deadly secret she had been keeping all her life after only knowing her a short amount of time. But hey, go with your gut.

This book checked all the boxes for me: Victorian-era setting, monsters, mystery, and some Sapphic will they / won't they. Highly recommend to any of my fellow readers.

Thank you to Susan J. Morris, Bindery Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Strange Beasts will be published and available on October 15th.

OMG, this was fun. It was a unique idea to do a mystery-horror classic mashup. The daughter of Mina Harker (think Wionna Ryder from Bram Stroker's Dracula) and the daughter of Professor Mortiary (think Sherlock's Andrew Scott) work together to solve the mystery of the Monster Murders. Sam Harker is a researcher from the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena. She finds that she can channel the monsters. Van Helsing is a character as a member of the same society. Dr. Helena Moriatrty (Hel) is a detective, but your days are numbered if you are her partner.

The story is undoubtedly a creature feature with all your favorites. Set at the dawn of the twentieth century in Paris, the story has compelling characters and intricate plot—the narrative moves from the elite clubs to the dark, eerie catacombs for mystery and action. Sam and Hel have great chemistry. Hel is a distrusting and mysterious woman, the opposite of Sam. They both carry the weight of their families' legacy and reputation. They encounter several monsters and spirits responsible for their challenges. The investigation forces them to navigate a world of men with hidden agendas. Readers enjoy an action-packed, creepy mystery and will be hooked from beginning to end.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Bindery Books.

4.75 stars

I loved this book! The story was wonderful and the characters were great. Im going to be honest and say I have not read Sherlock Holmes or Dracula but loved seeing the familiar names in tis story. I loved all of the different lores on the supernatural creatures Sam and Hel encountered.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story and the fact that they got to go all over Paris. Bringing Sam and Hel together because they each have family involved in these murders. I also really enjoy the relationship that developed between Hel and Sam.

I am excited to see the next step in this story. I did not realize this was a debut novel for the author, and I loved it from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!!

I really enjoyed this! I’m not usually one for period books but the mystery and character development and action made up for all of it! This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and I loved it!!

This was DELISH.

Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes nor have books that reference him ever been my cup of tea, but Strange Beast's beautiful cover and promise of a sapphic romance pulled me in and didn't let me go. Unsurprisingly to all, I actually do like Holmes-inspired mysteries now, and it's because of this book.

Morris is a debut novelist to watch out for. Her prose is evocative and her worldbuilding is stellar. It's always such a pleasure to come across a well researched novel, and I was blown away at how seamlessly monster mythos was woven into early 20th century France. You could feel the passion for these topics and themes on each page, and it made the reading experience ten times better than it already was.

On top of that, Sam and Hel were such fascinating characters and I loved watching their dynamic shift and develop as they uncovered new clues -- both about the case and each other. I would have killed to have a few POV chapters from Hel, but I'm really looking forward to the potential of getting that in what I assume is going to be a second book. As someone who really loves the Cassandra myth, I couldn't help but enjoy the (albeit sometimes tragic) parallels between everyone's favorite oracle and Sam. Feminine rage is always something that I'll enjoy within a book, and Sam delivered by the end of it.

At its core, Strange Beasts is a novel about gender, what constitutes a monster, and the empowerment of the self. In less words: it's an absolute gem.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Where do you start when attempting to review a book such as this?
<takes a deep breath and wipes brow>

This was an amazingly clever read that kept me guessing right until the end.

There is so much to take in as you journey through the story with Sam and Hel, and I admit to reading it a second time and noticing things I hadn't seen during my first read! (Would YOU follow the wills-o'-the-wisps as they appear throughout the book?)

The historical accuracy of the portrayal of England and Paris at the start of the 1900s is amazing, and I enjoyed being immersed in this turn of the century, "New World" feel that Europe faced as the Victorian era ended. This was a time of exploration and experimentation, of discovery and advancement.

'Strange Beasts' is a story of daughters striving to walk their own paths, escaping the weight of their family's legacies and the weight of the patriarchal world around them. It's a story of hunting and conquering beasts, both within and without. It's a story of women claiming both feminine and masculine power from their misogynistic working environment and socially assigned gender roles.

Sam Harker, the daughter of Mina and Jonathan Harker, is assigned by 'The Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena' to work with Helena 'Hel' Moriarty... the daughter of <i>that</i> Dr Moriarty. Given this premise, the main characters could have been predictable and extremely surface-level. Thankfully, they are not. Both Sam and Hel are women who have fears, doubts, and scars to heal. Their relationship is adorable as they lean into their masculine and feminine power, learn how to trust, and allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other as they work to solve their case.

The only reason I dropped a star from my review is because this is the first book in a series, and whilst there is a conclusion... there are many unanswered questions that I'm hoping will be answered in the next book(s).

*I received an advanced review copy via Netgalley, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.*

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

The premise of this book through me at first because all of the main characters are the children of characters from classical novels. The main character, Sam, is the daughter of Jonathan Harker from Dracula while her partner Helena, is the daughter of Moriarty from Sherlock, for seemingly no reason until around half way through the book.

But once I had gotten over that hurdle I found myself really enjoying this book. It's fast paced and really intriguing with red herrings at every turn, no one is how they first seem and its great.

I believe, well I hope, that this book gets a sequel because there are definitely some unresovled ploots points but overall this book was a good time.