For fans of historical mysteries laced with fantasy will find much to love in the plot twists, the rich setting, and the formidable heroines at the center of Strange Beasts. Samantha’s journey is not just about tracking a monster; it's about navigating a world where women like her and Helena carve out their own spaces in a male-dominated society. This book is a tribute to all women who dare to step into the unknown in pursuit of their truths.

On the day Samantha Harker’s grandfather disappeared, a set of numbers was broadcasted from his radiotelegraph, and she has ruminated on their meaning for a decade. In hopes of finding answers, she became a researcher at the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomenon. When those numbers show up in a newspaper photo of graffiti at a gruesome crime scene in Paris, Sam is desperate to investigate and finagles permission from the Society director. However, the case has already been assigned to Dr. Helena Moriarty, daughter of the notorious Professor Moriarty—murderer of the great Sherlock Holmes and a criminal mastermind who bends the world to his whim from the shadows. As a channel, Sam receives visions and uses her ability to convince Hel of her usefulness, and they set off to hunt an elusive beast ripping apart men of the Parisian elite.

Though a brilliant chemist and field agent, Hel’s background and aloofness cause wariness, and the death of all three of her partners makes her persona non grata within the Society. However, they cannot prove foul play nor argue with her results. Instead, they adopt a “keep your enemies close” policy and ask Sam to spy on Hel. Hel is well aware of her reputation as a dangerous loner and uses the leeway it provides for her own personal mission.

As the hunt takes them from boudoirs to the catacombs, the mystery entangles them in a web of simmering resentments, machinations, and the monsters of men. Sam is also being hunted by her childhood friend, Jakob Van Helsing, who has sworn to put her down if he thinks she’s channeling. However, Sam has been channeling constantly to find the beast and clues about her grandfather, and to avoid Jakob’s suspicions and solve the mystery, Sam needs her partnership with Hel. However, Hel’s frequent solo excursions and secrets make it hard to trust her. . . something Sam may regret doing.

Strange Beasts is an engaging paranormal gothic mystery following a plucky researcher with a feared ability and her enigmatic and secretive new partner. The world building is pretty straightforward, but solid. It’s an alternate universe where popular Victorian characters’ stories are real and it uses interesting monsters and mythology. The writing style is compelling and the pacing generally fluid, despite hitting thematic beats a bit too frequently. Morris adeptly balances the descriptive, sometimes poetic language used to create the atmosphere and the world with the sleuthing, action, and ghastliness of the crimes and Sam’s visions.

From a young age, the danger of being a channel was drummed into Sam. Visions are believed to come from monsters and that the connection influences a channel to do terrible things. Mina Harker was pregnant when she was under Dracula’s thrall, so Sam’s parents and Abraham Van Helsing believe Sam is more susceptible to evil. However, Sam is in as much danger from hunters as she is the senders of her visions, so she hides her ability for fear of being cast into an asylum or killed. Hunters see channels as barely better than monsters, and Van Helsing hammered into his son this belief, his uncompromising black and white view of monsters, and the responsibility of keeping Sam safe from her power to avoid needing to commit or kill her. Now, Sam’s former friend dogs her heels, but Jakob’s disdain and angry interference contains echoes of their closeness and deeply buried worry about the danger from Hel, monsters, and Sam’s power.

Despite their differences, Hel and Sam are a well-matched pair with a good rapport. Though Sam is more open and trusting, both women hide pieces of themselves and inhabit the assumptions of others to misdirect those who seek to dictate their lives. They are equally intelligent, and their disparate strengths complement each other. Sam’s visions provide several leads, but Hel is there to pull Sam back when she goes too deep, counter Sam’s naïveté, keep a cool head, and teach Sam the ugly truths of being a hunter. Sam has a very Holmesian bearing, sometimes outpacing Hel, and her encyclopedic knowledge, quick thinking, and intuition compensate for lack of experience. Hel is bold, confident, and exceedingly capable, and underneath her aloof demeanor is a deep wound and vulnerability. Surviving being a Moriarty keeps her constantly on edge, unable to trust and isolated. She is secretive and intense about the case in a way that Sam questions, but Sam chooses to believe in the woman, not the beliefs of others. She trusts Hel and refuses to spy on her, despite being frustrated and hurt that Hel doesn’t reciprocate.

The mechanics of the mystery are fascinating. The beast’s modis operandi and its aftermath are horrible, the clues often obtuse, and the resolution unexpected, although the villain is not. The high stakes, time constraints, and Hel’s evasiveness create solid tension. The social commentary revolves around the harm of hierarchical power and the devaluation of woman—their repression, the hypocritical scrutiny that exists concurrently with invisibility, and external and acquired patriarchal prejudices. These motifs appear often, as they are intrinsic to the case and the characters’ experiences, but they aren’t overwhelmingly on the nose. Though the Society allows female agents, Hel and Sam are still subjected to patriarchal infantilization (especially Sam) and the double standards of how men and women’s sexuality, intelligence, and ambitions are treated.

As for the romance, it’s less slow burn, more someone picked up a briquette from a dead fire and dropped it in my lap with a ribbon attached that said “Ta-da! Romance!” My skepticism arises from the portrayal of Sam’s romantic interest in some of the men versus with Hel. Morris is skilled at showing instead of telling, and in this instance, it works against her. When Sam engages the men, she blushes prettily, while quickly being beguiled by Darcy eyes or smooth voices “making her feel things.” In her second meeting with one of them, she admits being besotted. Yet, there is nothing like this for Hel. No brushing of hands, no subtle looks that spark a reaction in Sam, no seeming awareness of Hel on a more intimate level. I would say that Sam is blind to her own and Hel’s non-platonic affections because Hel is a woman, if not for Sam’s non-reaction to The Kiss. Towards the end, Sam suddenly has an epiphany that Hel cares for her because Hel rescues her and wants to protect her. Then she boldly kisses Hel out of the blue, with no apparent emotions attached to this same sex kiss, implying Sam has no issues/hesitation in seeing Hel as a romantic partner. It feels like I’m being told Sam is attracted to Hel, rather than seeing it. It can be argued that Sam’s focus on equal partnership is somehow romantic in nature, but to me, it’s a reach. Hel’s behavior is also easily interpreted as friendship and protectiveness of her naïve charge. The only unambiguous indication of Hel’s romantic interest is a few lines from the men Sam is attracted to telling Sam this information. I have no problem with very slow burns or multiple romantic options so long as the MC conveys interest in all of them. It feels like the story suddenly remembered it’s not a heterosexual pairing. Had I not been primed for a sapphic relationship, I would have seen Hel’s actions as those of a long-suffering friend who has seen her girl fall for every charming, slick man that smiles at her; they definitely give, “oh they really *are* just roommates” vibes.

Strange Beasts is a thoroughly enjoyable and harrowing adventure. It’s sprinkled with riddles, loose ends, and questions, so I hope there will be more books in their journey.

Supernatural murder mystery, gaslamp gothic setting, the daughter of Johnathan Harker and the daughter of Professor James Moriarty teaming up. Yes yes yes and yes please. This book was a little outside of my usual reads, but if this is what gaslamp fantasy is then I will take them all please. The atmosphere in this book is lush and the world building is beautifully done. It was so easy to be pulled in and never come back up for air, so much so I read this book in one day because I could not put it down. I love how tangible the catacombs, the city, and the asylum all felt. The characters I think were brilliant, both in the choice of who they were but also in the way that they developed and interacted with one another. Sam was a fun character , at first I was a little put off by her naivety but it became clear that it was really part of her charm. Her inner dialogs were a great and It really made her character relatable and feel genuine. Hel took me a little longer to pin down but in the end I loved her and I absolutely love the two of them paired up and fighting supernatural evil! I will say that in the end I think my love for Van Helsing took a little bit of a hit. I loved the murder mystery plot and really found myself surprised and some of the twists and turns that the investigation took. A lot of that for me was that the writing was able to keep me so much in the moment of the book that I didn't find myself wandering in thought trying to figure it out. This was an absolutely delightful read and I cannot wait to see what is next from Morris.

The idea for this is brilliant!
Every page there were new twists and turns I was not expecting.
The fantasy steampunk vibe was immaculate!

Thank you to NetGalley and Inky Phoenix Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was easily one of my favorite reads of 2024. I loved the layered characters, intricate world-building, and the exploration of women’s roles, especially intelligent or gifted women.

Though there were some predictable moments and a touch of handholding, the story’s unfolding details kept me intrigued. I echo the sentiment of a few other reviewers that some untranslated French may be challenging for some readers, but it didn’t detract for me. I hope to see more of Sam and Hel’s world in the future.

“In a world filled with mysteries and monsters, Sam was a hunter. ”
Here are reasons to read the Fantasy book:

Sherlock & Dracula - Taking place in a world that includes the characters of both Sherlock and Dracula
Generations - we follow the daughters of Mina Harker and Dr Moriarty
Society - as they work for a Society of Abnormal Phenomena
Werewolf - they travel to Paris to investigate a werewolf who has been killing wealthy men

This is the second book I have read from this past month’s releases from Bindery Press. It was probably my favorite book of the month. The characters were fun and the story moves fast. There are puzzles and villains and some of it takes place in the Paris Catacombs. If you like classic literature and a good easter egg, OR if you just like a fantamystery (that’s fantasy and mystery together), then give this book a try!

I tried so had to enjoy this book but I had to throw in the towel at 50%. The story wasn’t holding my attention, it felt like a chore to read and at times it gave fan fiction vibes. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind fan fiction at all but I just couldn’t look past it. Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. Thank you NetGally and the publishers for the ARC for my honest review.

This book was such a fun read. Having the main characters connected to both Dracula and Sherlock Holmes gave me the background I needed to be invested right away. I thought the character development and their connection were very well done and I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the story. The mystery was super interesting and well done. I was able to partly figure it out but there were still surprises along the way. Having the magical elements as a part of our regular world works really well. I assume this will be the first in a series and I would happily continue to read about these characters.

3,5⭐️

Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris is an adult historical mystery gothic tale with supernatural elements.

I absolutely loved Sam and Hel, and I would have appreciated reading Hel’s POV as well, but I understand why the author chose not to include it. Hopefully, we’ll see that perspective in the next book, as the ending suggests there will be one.

I found the first part of the book a bit slow for my taste, but I flew through the second half. I also thought the mystery was somewhat predictable, and although it’s marketed as an adult novel, I personally feel it leans closer to YA.

Nonetheless, the setting and the numerous references to classic literature made Strange Beasts a pretty enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery books for the ARC.

This was absolutely one of my favorite reads of 2024. This author brought the character, or more the constant presence, of Moriarty to life in such a true-to-origin way. I loved the exploration of this world in which monsters exist and they aren't a secret. I really enjoyed the development of the main characters. I loved the mystery and the subtle, unexpected romance. I also really enjoyed the exploration of the status of women, particularly smart or talented women. I very much hope that we can expect more to come from the world of Sam and Hel.

I really struggled to finish this, with the world being so intricate, it kept my interest but the plot was just moving so incredibly slowly that I could only read so much in a day.

While I do think this was such an interesting premise, this might just not be the book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inky Phoenix Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The first thing that I did after finishing Strange Beasts was go to the authors page to see if a second novel had already been announced! (There hasn't at the time of this review but I will be checking monthly moving forward.)

This is a really well written book with complex characters, a secret society that hunts monsters and a romance that is not the main focus of the novel. It was full of suspense and twists and turns. I could not put it down. It was such a fast paced novel and a perfect one to read during fall or Halloween.

The novel follows Sam, the daughter of Johnathan and Mina Harker, as she teams up with Helena, Dr. Moriartys' only daughter to track down a mystery serial killer in Paris. I really loved the use of classic horror characters such as Johnathan and Mina Harder, Moriarty and even Van Helping and how all of the characters add to the novel without being the main focus. It felt refreshing to see how Hel and Sam take on their parents legacy to make it something of their own.

I forgot to give feedback for this one, but I really love the cover, and I can't wait to read it when my TBR gets less unwieldy!

I loved this so much!

It was immediately compelling, pulled me right in and didn't let go. Sam and Hel are fantastic characters. I could read them and their push-pull dynamic forever. The evolution of their partnership felt so organic and seamless, just . . . chef's kiss*.

The world and the events unfolded at exactly the right pace. We're given just enough bread crumbs to tease and hint and make you think you have it figured out and then it twists around a corner. You can't help but follow where it leads. The magic and monsters felt both realistic and otherworldly.

Side note: I've never read any of Sherlock's stories and I'm not well-versed in Dracula lore. I know bits and pieces from pop culture but not enough to truly grasp the relationships at play in Sam and Hel's ancestry. BUT, I never felt lost. I didn't need a deep knowledge to enjoy this story and I think that's brilliant.

I can't wait to read more of their adventures!

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, Bindery Books, Inky Phoenix Press, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

It's, sadly, a no from me.
I hit a few stumbling blocks early on with this book and never recovered.
The characters:
I'm not sure why they needed to be the daughters of characters from Dracula and Sherlock Holmes - apart from it being a bit fun? Decisions like this should, in my opinion, be essential to the story you're going to tell. I feel like we could have swapped the two MCs out for original characters and could have had the same story without much tweaking.
The characterisation also didn't land for me, as I felt I was being hit over the head with it a little and being told instead of shown aspects of these characters.
The mystery:
I LOVE a mystery. I doubly love a fantasy mystery. Alas, I feel like this story didn't stick closely enough to the usual mystery beats to feel like a satisfying mystery, and it's also difficult to pull off a mystery where the investigators either just know useful information (how convenient!), or are able to get the information through magic without expending much effort themselves. It makes the progress feel a bit unearned.
Compare this to the Tainted Cup, where the MC's magic assists him in solving the mystery but does not reveal anything to him that an attentive reader couldn't have also picked up on.
The prose and voice:
There was nothing wrong with the prose on a technical level. It was all written competently and had obviously been proofed. However (and this is something I found with House of Frank too, which is interesting), there's a quality in the voice that made it difficult for me to connect. I'm struggling to pin down exactly what this is. At best, I can describe it as a slightly immature feeling in the voice. It's possible that it's due to both these books being debuts, and Bindery being a newly established publishing house. Perhaps the authors and editing team are still finding their way. Or, perhaps it's just me! Based on the ratings, plenty of people enjoyed this book.
Thanks to Bindery and NetGalley for the arc.

Welcome to a new chapter in the sagas started in Bram Stoker’s Dracula & Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series.

It’s 1903 & Samantha Harker & Dr. Helena Moriarty live their lives focused on the monsters of the world. Thus far Sam’s specialty has been the library within the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, but now she’s been assigned to follow Hel from London to Paris to stop a murderous beast that’s terrorizing the city…

The premise of this story is wildly creative, & I definitely want to read a follow-up because I love the dynamic between these two women! The different groups they encounter during their investigations & the vastly varying locations they find themselves in make for a captivating ride; plus the supernatural aspects of the tale were just right.

Thank you very much to NetGalley & Bindery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

There's definitely an audience for this book, I just think I am not the ideal one. I think I would've enjoyed this more if it weren't relying on combining the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. The story was strong, but I found I was annoyed that everything hinged on Professor Moriarty being "responsible" for everything that happened. It cheapened everything. If this had been an independent world, which it very easily could've been, it would've been much more unique to me. I liked the characters themselves and the twists and turns of the story, I just could've done without the whining about their parents and how their experiences shaped the protagonists.

A thrilling mash-up of all of your favorite mystery and mystical stories, Strange Beasts is intriguing and keeps readers holding on until the very end!

Really enjoyed this read and felt it was really original by including the descendants of known mystery characters. Would recommend to anyone looking for a mystery with some LGBTQ representation
This book delves into the challenges of family legacy through:
- Samantha Harker, often compared to her mother and questioned about her channeling powers.
- Dr. Helena Moriarty, scrutinized as a pawn of her mysterious criminal father.

What I liked:
- the characters felt real and relateable
- LGBTQ representation
- Intricately woven plot with continuous twists and turns.
- Skillful use of red herrings and character-driven shifts that keep readers guessing until the end.

What I didnt like:
- The pace felt slow and didn’t match the energy of the story. A brisker tempo could have enhanced the overall experience.

3⭐️

For a debut, this was so good! The world was so interesting with a gothic sherlockian vibes. And the main murder mystery was captivating. At some points, the mystery was convoluted and it was hard to follow the story at parts. But overall this was quite enjoyable.