Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was not my typical genre but I loved it all the same. Very great world building and excellent writing. I connected with the mood of the book and could the change in the characters as they navigated this adventure. I highly recommend if you're looking for a darker broody vibe of mystery and a twist on classic characters. Will keep an eye out for future releases from this author!

i just really couldn't get into this - felt like fanfiction taking itself too seriously and didn't do enough to establish character or build the magic system.

This was an interesting take on the family of very high class detectives. The turns with the monsters and the dark scenery make for a very atmospheric read.

Very atmospheric and engaging. Like a gothic (or extra gothic) Sherlock Holmes. I would be very interested in reading any future works by this author.

Prepare for me to gush about this book. I love Victorian novels and to be honest, I was doubtful about the collision of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, but it was delightful. While the novel is not a "light" one, I appreciated the romance, the fun details, and the somewhat familiar characters. This felt like a comparison that actually worked. I enjoyed every moment of this book and it did not feel contrived or like putting a new hat on the same old story. Bravo!

Hearing that this book was dracula mixed with Holmes, I knew this book would be a winner for me. I was immediately intrigued by the premise and the gorgeous and disturbing cover. While it took some time to get into the story itself, I'm glad I gave it a shot because I was soon after lost in the gothic setting and the mysterious cast of characters. It took a dark turn I didn't expect but loved and I was unable to put it down.

This was a really fun historical mystery. I loved all the literary connections and the plot pulled me in right away. It was a little slow at times, but I liked both of the main characters and their relationship. It doesn't absolutely need a sequel, but I definitely wouldn't mind reading more stories in this universe.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris is an extraordinary, imaginative adventure that will captivate readers from start to finish. The world-building is unique and richly detailed, blending elements of fantasy and mythology with modern storytelling. The characters are vibrant and multi-dimensional, making their journeys both compelling and deeply emotional. Morris’s writing is both lyrical and accessible, with an engaging plot that keeps you hooked until the very last page. The twists and turns are expertly crafted, making this a must-read for fans of immersive, original fiction. An easy 5 stars for this unforgettable tale!

Strange Beasts by Susan is a delightful combination of mystery and mystical that drew me in with its macabre cover and kept me hooked with its splendid characters. I will be recommending this title in our local library and nominating it for our store's book club pick this October.

Thank You NetGalley for this book!

If you love Sherlock Holmes and a Slow Burn Romance this book is definitely for you!

I loved getting to know Sam and Hels throughout this book and seeing their relationship develop. This book kept me on my toes and Susan Morris was in her element!

Who'd have thought that pairing the daughters of Mina and Johnathan Harker and Dr James Moriarty would be such a win but here we are this book was such a joy from start to finish. I could have done with slightly more of the Sapphic romance but that is very much personal preference and does not take away from the rest of the story in the least, I am just a sucker for a bit of enemies to lovers romance thrown in to pretty much everything!

I love the setting of a dark Victorian era fantasy/horror. The homage paid to literary characters this story was inspired from provided a nice touch. The story and character development was interesting, the FMC made the story with their dynamics and chemistry. This a fast-paced and enjoyable debut.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I absolutely adored this book! Who wouldn’t love a 1900s romantic whodunit packed with mystical creatures and major Sherlock Holmes vibes? It had everything—beautifully written, a storyline that was both haunting and captivating (totally my thing), and characters I couldn’t get enough of.

The story follows Sam and Hels, affiliates of the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomenon in London, as they’re sent to Paris to investigate a string of gruesome murders. The victims? Wealthy men. The motive? Definitely not robbery. And the culprit? Clearly not human. But what is it? Both Sam and Hels are no strangers to the strange—Sam has secrets of her own, and Hels comes with a reputation for losing every partner she’s ever worked with. The mystery keeps you guessing: Who or what is behind these killings, and why?

Sam and Hels made the perfect sleuthing duo. I loved the slow-burn romance, but the real standout for me was the gritty, compelling mystery of solving these brutal murders.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

What a debut novel!

Strange Beasts is a sapphic Victorian era supernatural whodunnit that brings together the offspring of Mina Harker (Dracula) and Professor Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes). Fans of either of these classic books will love this story, although you don’t need to be a die-hard fan to appreciate this book.

I’m very excited to read whatever Susan J. Morris releases next as this was an incredible story. The gothic vibes were just immaculate and the cover…the cover is so beautiful!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC.

From the very first page, the setting and concept of this story pulled me in like a magnet! Set in the mesmerizing early 1900s in Paris, it offers a rich, atmospheric backdrop brimming with mystery and intrigue—what a nod to the legendary Sherlock Holmes! I absolutely adored the strong, independent female protagonists who embodied the spirit of the time, showcasing resilience and grit.

That said, I found myself craving more when it came to character development. The interactions felt a bit too sparse, leaving the characters feeling somewhat flat and one-dimensional. I yearned for deeper connections that would allow me to fully invest in their journeys. Nevertheless, my excitement for the next book in the series is palpable! I can't wait to delve deeper into the lives of these intriguing characters and experience a more intense emotional journey.

By the way, I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and it’s ignited my anticipation!

Sherlocks meets Dracula in this updated fantasy mystery. I was excited for the murder mystery and sapphic romance angle and this one did not disappoint. Thank you for the advance copy.

Thanks to Bindery Books / The Inky Phoenix for an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

DNF'd at 18%! Despite the ease of the writing style and my intrigue in the mystery, I had to put this book down. Sam and Hel are not fully realized characters and the pacing is weird. The story feels like we are going a little too fast, especially in the romance department. I don't understand the attraction or chemistry between them. I was initially intrigued to see how the author could blend Dracula and Sherlock Holmes together, but it was not balanced. Also, Sam was a little naive to me and it didn't feel endearing either. I couldn't quite understand how Sam's power worked or why Hel and her father are beefing either. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me.

Such a fun sapphic mystery! I was afraid Strange Beasts would rely too much on knowledge of original IP (in this case, Sherlock Holmes and Dracula), but Morris does an excellent job making sure the daughters of Moriarty and the Harkers stand well on their own. I really enjoyed it.

I found this book quite hard to get into but there was a good plot line with interesting character dynamics.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Bindery Books for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot, I do wish there'd been more vampires in it (especially considering the connection to Dracula) as that was what appealed to me at first. While the pacing was a little off in parts, it worked well.