This was such an enjoyable book: the Paris setting, the brilliant daughters of characters from Dracula and Sherlock Holmes working together, all the lush and lovely historical details. It's the perfect gothic story to lose yourself in on a gloomy autumn day.

Samantha Harker works as a researcher for the Royal Society of the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, while hiding her ability as a channel into the minds of monsters. She jumps at the chance to be assigned to a field case with Dr. Helena Moriarity, even though none of her previous partners have survived their case investigations. Their investigation ranges from the Catacombs of Paris to the opera, barely evading tragic outcomes and struggling with both their doubts in trusting each other and an underlying slow-burn attraction.

I loved the historic details of this story, the chemistry between the characters and the development of their working relationship. It's fast-paced and will keep you guessing until the end. If you are looking for a spooky season read, I highly recommend this one!

Thank you so much to Bindery Books and Netgalley for this book!

Such unique historical fiction with likable characters that so easy to fall in love with! I enjoyed every bit of it!

The daughter of a villain and the daughter of two heroes team up to solve a series of grizzly murders in Paris. This book had me right from the beginning. I really liked the pacing and the characters, and I wanted to know where it was all going. The story felt like it unfolded quite naturally. Nothing felt forced. I will say the writing felt a bit YA, but it didn’t bother me.

Overall, I really liked the book. Good story, interesting characters. The daughter of two heroes from legend and the daughter of a notorious villain team up to try to solve murders in Paris. I will say it read more like a YA book not necessarily in terms of content but through the writing. That might just be because it’s a debut novel. I also didn’t find the reveal of the villain to be all that surprising. I guess it probably about a third of the way through but at that point was kind of thinking it would be too obvious. It was still enjoyable to see it all unfold, and there were some moments that surprised me. The ending leaves it open for a sequel which I would definitely read.


SLIGHT SPOILER

My biggest issue with this book is that it actually classifies itself as a queer/lesbian story because it takes away from the drama towards the end! There’s a moment of doubt/confusion/“was everything I know a lie?” and I feel like by knowing it’s a queer love story, the moment has less gravity. Don’t guarantee me romance in the description if you’re going to try to make me doubt it in the book because I just won’t.

DNF at 30%. The description of this book sounded very interesting, but the book itself felt kind of cookie cutter to me. I felt like I’d read it before, I think incorporating well known characters without an element of whimsy was the problem for me.

A queer, gothic murder mystery featuring the daughter of *Dracula’s* Jonathan and Mina Harker working alongside the daughter of *Sherlock’s* Professor Moriarty? I was sold.

When Samantha Harker, a researcher for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, sees a clue only her disappeared grandfather could have left behind at a crime scene, she convinces her boss to let her step out of the library and into the field. The catch? She’s partnered with the notorious Dr. Helena Moriarty—who, in addition to being the daughter of one of the world’s most dangerous criminals, has never had a partner survive working a case with her. Sam knows both she and Hel have secrets to keep, but as they head to Paris and start their investigation, Sam has to decide how much she can trust Hel if she wants to solve the mystery and make it out alive.
❤️ What I loved: This book was everything I wanted it to be—an adventurous mystery full of creepy, gothic settings and monstrous characters. I thought this was such a fun and unique way to bring together some classic characters and stories. Though it was a smaller side plot, watching Sam and Hel’s relationship develop throughout the story was surprisingly sweet. The only thing the book left me wanting was more!
I highly recommend this book to fans of paranormal and gothic mystery. I would love to see more adventures of Sam and Hel, so I hope Susan J. Morris considers turning this into a series!

**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4.5-5)**

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Susan J. Morris, and Bindery Books, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

I absolutely loved this! I was a little concerned when some classic characters were name-dropped, worried that the book would rely on them too much but it absolutely wasn’t the case. It just added to the vibe and overall atmosphere. You absolutely do not need to have read any classics to enjoy this book but there’s little Easter eggs, if you have. The way the Sam and Hel’s backstories tie in beautifully with the literature of the time was just so fun.

This is a Victorian era fantasy, set in Paris, with underground societies, monsters, alchemy and murder! One of my favourite films is Moulin Rouge and I felt like I was living in that world of decadence and despair.

I really loved Sam, our underestimated FMC but the real star, for me, was Hel. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud at her quips. Can’t wait for more!

I'm torn, the setup is fantastic with this historical fiction retelling mashup of classics, th slow-burn sapphic story, and the amazing characters. Yet, on the other hand, it just felt slow. I put this story down several times just to take a break from rereading whole pages sometimes. The writing overall is strong but there are frequent sections that could benefit from a closer copy edit.

I think I may get a copy of this for my shelf and attempt to read it again.

i'm really sad about this i really hoped to love this one. following two daughters of characters in classic novels (Dracula and Sherlock Holmes two of which i've not read so i felt in the dark about some of the insider knowledge) teaming up together to solve a murder mystery in 1930s ish paris, sounds like a grand time! similar premise to The Forgotten Phantom with a society of monster hunters just without the smut lmao.
this entire story was lacking, in characters, in character relationships, and in mystery plot. i never understood why i should care about sam's missing grandfather story or hel's ongoing challenge with her father. i never understood why these two characters remotely liked each other let alone should be together in the end? and that's maybe most disappointing of all tbh. also, i don't care about a monster killing rich men in paris so that also kept me quite bored throughout.
i think this author has promise, i won't likely read more in this series but not oppose to watching out for another book in a few years from this author. i didn't hate the writing or atmosphere i just kept wanting more from this story that i wasn't finding and instead i didn't want to pick up this book.

I adored this book!! A part of me is annoyed with myself for taking so long to start what has become one of my favorite new releases of the year. Another part of me is glad I waited until it was the proper season to read it. This was a perfect fall read for me. It's got a little bit of everything: 1900's Paris socialites, secret societies, a monster mystery whodunnit, two stellar leading ladies, and connections to several classics!

I won't say too much, but I really liked the author's setup and execution of the murder mystery. It was so obvious and yet left me in doubt at several turns. The climax- and everything that followed- had me audibly reacting.

The dynamic between Sam and Hel is so fun, and the cast of characters around them adds even more entertainment. I need more stat!!!

REVIEW
cw: misogyny, violence, horror elements

Samantha Harker, a researcher from The Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena in London is desperate to work on a case plaguing turn-of-the-century Paris. The daughter of Mina Harker (Dracula's killer), she's also a channel, who can see into monster's minds. It's a unique talent that might just help the person currently tasked to solve the puzzle of who, or what is causing the gruesome deaths. But if revealed, it could also land her in an asylum.
When Sam meets her fellow investigator, Dr Helena Moriarty, she's initially fearful for her safety. Hel is the daughter of the infamous nemesis of Sherlock Holmes and almost as feared amongst her peers on account of her previous partners’ mysterious murders. But as their investigation takes them on a journey through Paris, despite being pitted against each other, their attraction to each other simmers.

I don't want to accidentally spoil anything in this delightfully atmospheric debut novel by Susan J. Morris, so I apologise in advance for my review being a little bit vague. But trust me when I say this was a LOT of fun if, by fun, you enjoy a good gothic murder mystery escapade mixed with a sliver of sapphic romance.
It was clear from the first pages that the author had spent much time and effort researching the era, and this translated exceptionally well to the storyline. She perfectly captured the seedy underbelly of Parisian society, as well as the blatant misogyny of the period. All of her descriptions were evocative, and I particularly enjoyed all of the little nods and references to other literary works and folklore. I'm still a little in awe of how she mixed in characters based on some of my favourite pieces of literature. It was a nice touch to add in another fictional offspring, but again, I won't spoil who. All I will say is that they were EXACTLY as you would expect them to be.
I loved Sam from the second she read Mr Wright so perfectly in the opening chapter. Her channelling added a really interesting touch, and I loved her resourcefulness. As for Hel, I liked her merely from Sam's description of her, and I loved her more as the story unfolded, especially when she allowed herself to be more vulnerable. Her alchemy skills were also a fun touch. Hel and Sam were adorable together once the initial wariness fell away. Their chemistry felt natural and I enjoyed their slow-burn romance. I'd have loved a little more of the romance, but honestly, there were a lot of other things going on, so I can understand it not being their main focus, and I appreciated their strength and resilience in fighting against a common cause: the patriarchal constraints of their society.
The mystery was well constructed, with just enough red herrings dotted throughout to keep me guessing along the way. The classist struggles of the majority of the Parisiens were well-observed, and the descriptions of the darker underbelly of the city and the macabre crimes felt visceral. I enjoyed that this was a story where monsters were a well-known part of everyone's life, not merely myths and legends. In doing so, it offered Sam and Hel a veritable smorgasbord of potential threats, and consequently lots of thrills for the reader. I also think there was scope to make this into a wonderful series, so I hope to see more of this duo in the future.
A lot of fun.

Overall Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Rounded up: 2.5 stars

Buoyed by the superlative reviews, I really, really wanted to like this one. Plus, historical fantasy with a slow-burn lesbian romance—this seems made for me. However, I've been really, really struggling with it. Everything's great—the setup, the characters (descendents of Dracula and Holmes's nemesis Moriarty), the world—but writing does not flow smoothly for me. I keep having to reread sections to figure out what's happening, and it is slooow, despite the monsters around every corner.

I'm thinking of DNF-in at 55% but might persevere because I can't believe I'm the only person who hasn't liked it!

(Review copy from NetGalley)

Lovely yet thrilling who done it novel, especially love the descriptors, sapphic romance and gothic vibes. Overall a great read! Thank you for this opportunity!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for providing an ARC for review.

This book was tough. The writing is strong, but the pacing is so glacial. It does too much plotwise, where you’re desperately trying to keep track of what is happening. It’s hard to differentiate Sam’s visions from what is actually occurring in the narrative, and these portions of the book routinely feel messy. At the same time, it takes ages for plot development to happen. There are so many red herrings, and the story is so convoluted. This wasn’t for me.

I wanted to love this so much. The premise and set up for the story was awesome. Once I got to actually reading the story, it felt soooo slow and I had such a hard time coming back to the title to finish it. I'm sad it didn't work out, but this book was just not for me and it was too much of a slow burn with little to no crumbs in the first half of the book.

Strange Beasts is a fantasy murder-mystery set in a 1900s Paris filled with monstrous creatures…and monstrous men.

Samantha Harker, the daughter of Dracula’s killer and a channel (someone who can see into the minds of monsters), teams up with Dr. Helena Moriarty, a detective who is infamous for the fact that all her partners meet mysterious ends. The two travel to Paris to stop a monster known as “The Beast” before it can continue its murdeous rampage.

I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. You have the secretive Dr. Moriarty: always dressed in a suit, incapable of charming anyone, and most comfortable with a weapon in her hands. Then there is Miss Harker: resplendent in her fashionable gowns, a scholar who prefers libraries and research to action and danger. Will they be able to work together to catch a monster?

The historic aspects of this fantasy were so much fun! Visit the glittering Palais Garnier, enter the dark Parisian catacombs, and rub shoulders with the who’s who of Tout-Paris. I thought this was delightful and a perfect read as seasons change and days get darker.

The only major issue I had with this book was the author’s propensity to show AND tell (which I suppose is better than telling instead of showing). I wonder if her editors were worried readers wouldn’t pick up on small the details and hints if they weren’t explicitly pointed out. But this did not do much to detract from my enjoyment of the book. I would love to read a sequel!

A book about monsters, and how thin the line is between woman and beast when you dare embrace your power.

'Strange Beasts' sounded like the historical fantasy crossover of my dreams (as a former BBC Sherlock fan and a Dracula enjoyer), and it delivered! The plot, the setting, the poetic and mythology-infused prose, the description of the characters outfits (I'm a sucker for good fashion in books!), and of course, the characters themselves–everything was absolutely exquisite and atmospheric.

Sam and Hel grew on me so fast, I loved their banter and I adored watching their relationship evolve and take turns. They're both deep characters full of complexities and they were written perfectly.
I never knew where the plot was going next, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Letting myself be strung along (I'm very much not the kind of person to try and solve the case as I read) for the wild ride that this book is was so much fun.

If you're on the search for a historical fiction with the perfect mix of fantasy and mystery, a dark atmosphere, a story that will surprise you and well developed characters–all lightly sprinkled with sapphic romance–look no further: 'Strange Beasts' is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for providing me with an e-arc!

A fun gothic take on a murder mystery featuring Mina Harker's daughter and the daughter of Moriarty as they learn to trust one another and solve crime. Samantha Harker is the daughter of Dracula's killer and works for a group of individuals who fight against paranormal creatures who are evil. She is a researcher and enjoys spending her time in libraries... yet she is also hiding a secret, she is a channel an has the ability to go into the minds of monsters. Sam's powers would help her solve the gruesome deaths happening... or they could get her thrown into an asylum. When she is assigned to work the case the last thing she expects is to be partnered up with the infamous Dr. Helena Moriarty, daughter of the criminal mastermind who was the famous nemesis of Sherlock Holmes. Helena has a reputation for being both extremely brilliant... and for having all three of her last partners murdered. Sam and Hel must learn to trust one another and work together if they want to solve the murders... but can they survive being pitted against men, monsters, and one another? This was a fun gothic murder mystery featuring a new spin on our favorite classic characters. I loved the relationship between Hel and Sam and the very light and subtle romance hint dropped (I need more and would love for their relationship to grow in the second book if there is one). The story ends in a way that could lead to many more possible books and I absolutely would read them if the author makes them. The story was a fun read and I loved the way the mystery was worked out throughout. It's definitely a book I'd recommend for fans of the classic monsters and characters who want a new historical fantasy murder mystery!

Release Date: October 15,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Bindery Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I have been holding off writing this review, but I really should now that the book is out.

This book was a weird combination of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. Sam is the daughter of Jonathan and Mina Harker, and she works for the society that investigates supernatural creatures as an archivist. She has the ability to connect with monsters from her mother, but is forbidden from using this as it's considered dangerous as she might end up under a monster's control.
She sets out to investigate a series of strange murders in France alongside Helena Moriarty, the daughter of Jim Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes. In this universe, Sherlock did actually die during that fall, so he's not around to stop Moriarty, and lots of people distrust Helena because of the connection.

Sam is hesitant about Helena too at first, especially since all her previous partners have died, and Helena doesn't seem to trust her during the investigation.

I liked the mystery aspect, they're investigating several bloody murders that look like they were committed by werewolves, except werewolves are extinct, and through signs the murderer leaves behind, Sam finds a connection between this case and the disappearance of her grandfather. The later half was definitely easier to get through.

It's first in a series, and the plot involving Moriarty is definitely not yet finished, but the main plot of investigating the murders in Paris does get resolved.

It has a little bit of romance between Helena and Sam too, but that is also still in development.

Would recommend it to fans of gothic stories, historical fantasy and murder mysteries

[received an advanced copy from netgalley and bindery books, thank you!]

a fun romp through 1900s france! i really enjoyed the atmosphere of this book, it was probably my favorite aspect overall. the world is a very cool, open space, and i'd like to see where this author takes it in the future if there are sequels on the way. the presence of previous literary characters is a touch that i thought wouldn't work well, but it lent the book a feeling of history that was very nice, in my opinion. i thought the mystery itself was a bit meh and some things were a little too on the nose, but the style and charm of the book swept all of that under the rug. 3.5/5!