Strange Beast is a fantasy that transports us to the 1900s to accompany Samantha and Helena to the streets of Paris to solve the mysterious deaths of different men at the hands of a beast.

Over the course of the story we will be able to learn about the origins of both protagonists, which add more magic and intrigue to the plot.
I mean, who doesn't jump out of their seats when they see that Helena is the daughter of the infamous Dr. Moriarty or that Samantha is the daughter of Dracula's assassin?

So it was definitely a book that stood out for its ingenuity with its main characters, an attractive but easy-to-follow mystery and a dream-like setting.
Also, I love the message of empowering the protagonists in a world full of sexism.

However, there were also things that I did not like, such as the fact that their families do not have great relevance in the story other than to introduce us to the prejudices that society has regarding them.
And finally, the fact that I was expecting a romance and... in my point of view it felt very forced because throughout the plot there are no indications that that feeling exists between the two.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC and much success to the author :)

Summary: In this fresh-yet-familiar gothic tale—part historical fantasy, part puzzle-box mystery—the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes collide in a thrilling exploration of feminine power.

At the dawn of the twentieth century in Paris, Samantha Harker, daughter of Dracula’s killer, works as a researcher for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena. But no one realizes how abnormal she is. Sam is a channel into the minds of monsters: a power that could help her solve the gruesome deaths plaguing turn-of-the-century Paris—or have her thrown into an asylum. Sam finds herself assigned to a case with Dr. Helena Moriarty, daughter of the criminal mastermind and famed nemesis of Sherlock Holmes and a notorious detective whom no one wants to work with on account of her previous partners’ mysterious murders. Ranging from the elite clubs of Paris to the dark underbelly of the catacombs, their investigation sweeps them into a race to stop a Beast from its killing rampage, as Hel and Sam are pitted against men, monsters, and even each other. But beneath their tenuous trust, an unmistakable attraction brews. Is trusting Hel the key to solving the murder, or is Sam yet another pawn in Hel’s game?

Review: Found the historical background, not exciting at all. Also we are seeing too many books with this same setting. Reads quite young.

I really enjoyed the characterisation as well as the setting of the book. The pacing was also good.

Did not particularly enjoy this book, found it too boring to get into. The historical background was not as exciting as I had hoped.

This was surprisingly good. And once you factor in that it's a debut? Really bloody good. I'm definitely looking forward to future installments in the series (because no way we don't get to see their next adventure).

Vibes:
This is an era of gaslights and trillbys and women needing permission from the local governing body to be allowed to wear pants in public. The primary setting is Paris and while it flirts with the beautiful dresses and fancy perfumes and dazzling stages, it spends much more honest time with the poor on the street or deep in the catacombs with the monsters and the grime.

As such, there's a fair amount of class warfare and social commentary-- though particularly as it pertains to women: virtuous wives vs vile seductresses, mousy researchers who are underestimated, masking to appease the powerful men so they can see exactly what they expect, and finally the liberation of knowing and embracing oneself despite society's rules.

Characters:
Our two main leads are an heir of Van Helsing with inherited magic (channeling) that she got from her mother. She's very much Evie from The Mummy type, but with the lingering threat that her channeling could allow the demons to someday take control of her-- essentially a powder keg (in the minds of the men in her family, anyway).

And then there's Hel, daughter of the notorious Moriarty. She's got some neurodivergent tendencies, not a single spoon leftover to play into the expectations and niceties of society, and one metric fuckton of baggage from her abusive and manipulative father.

Though they very rarely have a moment of rest to share in banter (their lives are quite often under threat), I really enjoyed the way these two characters played off each other and challenged each other throughout the book. Not to mention that it's so rare to see women supporting women storylines in a way that's both understated and yet more impactful and true.

There's also a host of other background characters, some stronger than others, who make a lively setting. And damn if Cyprien isn't the suavest motherfucker. That dude has some lines.

Moriarty:
I think that Moriarty presents an interesting and sinister threat to the series. Because of his famed intellect, many things can be attributed to him in a game of 4D chess where if you haven't planned your next step 17 years ago, then you're already behind-- that type of villain where y0u almost have to be impressed and give him a nod for the forethought and subtle manipulation he's employed.

I look forward to seeing his machinations in further installments, and only hope he's never fully explained so he can maintain his enigmatic air.

Magic & Monsters:
The canon of monsters here is very European but not from the common S tier. Grindylows and wills-o-wisp and werewolves (or are they?) and alchemists. Not to mention the channeling of the primary protagonist (mostly involving feelings and premonitions from touching objects).

I think they manage to be interspersed enough that it constantly feels like you're reading a Fantasy novel in a Fantasy world, while still being off the beaten path enough that it can be set in our world following its normal historic trajectory. But it also allows for a moody and dark atmosphere-- some of the descriptions are quite macabre.

Overall:
I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed this one. And because I don't have anywhere else to put it: GIVE ME MORE HEATHCLIFF IN ALL HIS MANY ITERATIONS. and also give him all the cheese because he deserves it :3

Strange Beasts is a gothic mystery set in the early nineteen hundreds, recreating a world of murder and monsters with characters from classic books such as Dracula and the Sherlock Holmes series.

I enjoyed the grit of this book, from the plot to the main characters, and fantasy elements were intertwined with the world Morris created. The nods to Stoker’s Dracula throughout the story were also fun.

This book was somewhat marketed as a sapphic romance, but when reading I picked up on little to no attraction between the two female main characters. The romantic interactions they had at the end of the book felt like a second thought. Although the story was gruesome and very serious at times, a bit of banter or some kind of flirtation between Sam and Hel would have gone a long way in developing the believability of their relationship. There was also a lot of ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ at times, making some parts of the story wordy and repetitive.

Overall an enjoyable read with good pacing, especially the rollercoaster of an ending. It left off in a great place for a sequel. Thank you to Netgalley and Blindery Books for the eARC.

A fast-paced mystery, chock full of monsters and secret societies. The descriptions were gorgeous, but the characters fell a bit flat for me.

A really impressive debut novel. This had the perfect mix of murder mystery, gothic horror, fantasy and historical fiction. I really enjoyed the main character duo Samantha Harker and Dr. Helena Moriarty and found their dynamic really entertaining. Honestly I'm ready for a whole series of them investigating murders and supernatural phenomena.

3.5 Off to a Good Start Stars

Admittedly, I have a penchant for anything related to Sherlock Holmes so when the blurb stated such, I was immediately intrigued.

This starts off with Samantha Harker, daughter of the infamous Jonathan and Mina Harker who faced off and killed Dracula, and it’s no surprise that her interests involve all things that go bump in the night, inevitably finding herself as a researcher for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena. What many don’t know is that she’s also a channel, a touch sensitive to objects associated with monsters, and she has a personal stake in a series of grisly murders plaguing Paris. When Sam worms her way into being the newest partner of hunter Dr Helena Moriarty, estranged daughter of notorious criminal mastermind of the same name, both must learn to trust each other amidst subterfuge, secrets, and mortal danger.

This is a world full of all the creepy creatures you could want ranging from grindylows to giant snail monsters to shifters, not to mention social inequality and underground terrorists that are intricately tied to the supernatural murders of the French elite that Sam and Helena are investigating.

This had a distinct atmospheric feel to its historic gothic setting along with a hint of sapphic leanings threaded throughout a mystery containing a good amount of gore and horror. The darkness is not too mired down in the macabre due to the sunshiny outlook of Sam as she pursues her personal mission while trying to figure out if partner Helena is a friend or foe.

Again, I like any association with Sherlock Holmes no matter how remote, and the mashup of other literary characters (Harker, Van Helsing, Moriarty) gave a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (minus the gentlemen) vibe.

Overall, a promising start and should the author continue Sam and Helena’s adventures, I’d be more than willing to go along with them!

Thank you to Bindery Books via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review posted to GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6782853470?book_show_action=false

From the moment I finished the first page, I knew this was a book I wouldn’t want to put down.

Strange Beasts transports you to 20th century Paris, where a Beast is ravaging the city, murdering the elite and stirring rumours of the return of the lycanthropes. Only one woman can stop this savagery, Dr Helena Moriarty. Oh, and her perfume obsessed partner, Samantha Harker, the daughter of Dracula’s killer, with a secret of her own that might be the key to solving this case. Hel isn’t used to working with partners, her last three were mysteriously murdered - will Sam be the exception?

With thrilling chases through catacombs and the streets of Paris, and unmistakeable sapphic undertones, Strange Beasts had me on the edge of my seat. I felt immersed in the 20th century monster-filled world that Susan J. Morris has built. I really enjoyed learning about the monsters that call this world their home, but are the monsters really that much worse than the men?

I’m usually a slow reader but managed to finish Strange Beasts in just two days. Easily my favourite read of 2024 so far, I’d pick up another book following Hel and Sam in a heartbeat.

Exhilarating, grisly, and irresistibly atmospheric, this turn-of-the-twentieth-century, gothic vibing, sapphic DEBUT NOVEL blew my socks right off, in a very quick and commanding way.

I’ll be honest and admit the synopsis for this story had me immediately at “the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes collide”—and it was just a bonus that the author absolutely delivered on that arc-divergent promise, creating a very masterfully written, paranormally-tinged, murder-mystery story, set across (and under) the streets of Paris in 1903.

I loved, loved, loved how the backstories and identities of the two female MCs—bookish Samantha Harker and monster hunter Dr. Helena Moriarty—cleverly tied in with famous literary characters and events of multiple classic novels of that time (again, Dracula and the Sherlock Holmes series, for those unaware of the Harker and Moriarty names). It was a very crafty character and story concept, building off the beloved in a unique and revitalising way.

I won’t go into plot details because it was so rewarding going into a virtually mysterious plot, but I was delighted by how quickly and entirely I was drawn into this story and the world of these keenly drawn characters. I’m no expert in folklore or mythology, but I find myself often obsessed and riveted by stories of this kind—one’s that mix the supernatural with a whodunnit-type crime-hunting narrative, especially when they’re historical set and have strong queer representation.

The story itself is kind of darker and grittier than I expected, honestly, but if you enjoy/can handle a little captivatingly macabre, gothic storytelling, you’ll be just fine. Think novels written by the likes of Jordan L. Hawk or K.J. Charles and you’ll get this whole vibe and what to expect.

I can only begin to hope this story finds its audience, and in a big way, because I’m already crossing my fingers and toes that we get a sequel, pretty keen am I to continuing the monster-hunting adventures of Sam Harker and Hel Moriarty.


***A special thanks to Bindery Books (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Bindery and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

With an unique way of evocating the soul of Paris during 1903. We follow the journey of Samantha Harker (Sam for friends) a young researcher of the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena and Lady Helena Moriarty, Lady M or Hel (last one reserved only for those who don't get killed before they reach the place of the murders mind you) who will venture deep into the French capital to uncover the killer behind a brutal set of murders known as the Beast.

Morris really knows what she was writing when she went all out while describing the Parisian soil at that time. For the historical terms to the very garments the madams used while going around. And I won't even start talking about the Catacombs.

The murders were funny innovative, mixing that pinch of magical fantasy dark creature that made the book even better, each monster we encountered gave me shivers by how real it felt.

What didn't make this a 5 star was how the original worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes were intertwined. Not saying it wasn't good, just that I thought that it would have been more taken into consideration as both main characters and another recurring one were officially bornfrom those universes. I do hope that we'll have more answers in book 2, because there has to be book two after that ending.

TW:
-Gore, detailed gore.
-Blood
-Dark thoughts
- Mentions of mentally unstable woman patients with hysteria.
-Mentions of sex (indirect. but still present).

4.25 ⭐️ 0🌶️

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.