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!

More often than not, having a family legacy just sucks.

Samantha Harker and Dr. Helena Moriarty would know. It seems neither one can go hardly a day without someone commenting on how Sam reminds people of her mother and wondering if she inherited her mother’s channeling powers, and Helena is constantly under scrutiny and suspicion of being nothing more than her infinitely-mysterious criminal mastermind father’s pawn. Frankly, both are rather sick of it, even if neither of them knows it since they are barely passing acquaintances.

There is a case in Paris, and the victims are all men. Using that fact as a positive, Sam puts in a bid to be assigned to the case as a field agent. There’s something about this case that’s telling her it’s tied to her grandfather’s disappearance ten years prior. The issue is that Dr. Moriarty has already been assigned the case and doesn’t work with a partner anymore; However, Sam has some tricks up her sleeve that help convince Helena to bring her along. All Sam has to do now is do her job and survive it.

Strange Beasts is an extraordinarily good gaslamp fantasy-mystery with a paranormal edge and two LGBTQ main characters. Though being marketed as such, I personally wouldn’t call it a romantasy and it certainly isn’t gothic in nature or tone. (You can put all the Van Helsing and Harker and Moriarty in it you want, that doesn’t make a book gothic.) If anything, I’d almost consider this an urban fantasy, considering over 90% of the story takes place all over Paris.

The fantasy-mystery main plot of this book is definitely the best part of this book, for you cannot disentangle the two without unraveling the whole book. It’s impeccably plotted, using continuous twists, turns, red herrings, injections of new information or disinformation, various other fallacies, and leaning on different characters' weaknesses to produce shifts in the story and in the characters’ behaviors and actions. This book will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

The flaw I found in this book was that it felt slow for me. I felt like the pacing just didn’t match the energy the story warranted. I don’t know if it was just me and my penchant for faster-paced mysteries and thrillers or if others have had the same issue because I didn’t read reviews before starting. I just know I would’ve liked the story to have moved with a bit of a brisker pace.

I was provided a copy of this title by the publisher and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Fantasy/Historical Fantasy/LGBTQ Fantasy/Mystery/Paranormal Mystery

What a wild ride. I really enjoyed this book, especially the look at women in these times, the roles and expectations thrust upon them but also the way that these MCs stand their ground and find their way. Perfect gothic read for this time of year.
All of my thoughts of this reading experience can be found in my dedicated reading vlog where I read all four fall releases of Bindery.

This fantasy book combines familiar characters from the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Dracula but the mystery itself is fresh and fascinating. Samantha Harker is the daughter of Dracula’s killer. Dr. Helena Moriarty is the daughter of Holmes’s infamous nemesis. Together, the women head to Paris to investigate a string of gruesome murders of bureaucratic men. But when demons from the past rear their heads, the mystery becomes even more convoluted. The women realize that their enemy is always one (or more) steps ahead, and they’ll have to outsmart a criminal mastermind to stop the killing spree.

This book has it all – layered characters, double-crossing, back stabbing, magic, mythical beings, love, hate…a dynamic tale that will leave the reader guessing to the end. A wonderful debut novel that deserves a read!

I requested this book because I was hoping for a bit of spooky monster vibes, especially with the gothic theming of the cover and title, AND holy smokes was I blown away by the story I got. I was so excited from page 1 to meet the character, Samantha Harker and the additional characters Hel Moriarty, Jakob Van Helsing, and others.

Along with some familiar-esque names, you are also going to encounter some classic monsters such as possible vampires, werewolves, grindylow, and others that go bump in the night. The atmosphere is definitely, supernatural sleuth on the foggy streets of Paris.

As Sam and Hel team up in a tenuous partnership, where neither fully trusts the other and they are both keeping a level of secrets which could probably help more than hurt the situation, they race along the streets of Paris trying to figure out what or who is killing men and more or less eating their hearts.

It's not so much an enemies to lovers but rather a partners to tentative romance situation, with trust issues. There is a lot of whodunit and supernatural creatures around every turn. I am so glad I requested this book and I really hope there is more in store for this duo. I think the mystery solving was well written and the world building was clever. What a phenomenal debut novel!

3.75⭐️
The description drew me right in with a Sherlock Holmes gender swapped combined with Dracula retelling. What could go wrong?

Ok a few things can go wrong but over all the book kept my attention and was intriguing. So I want to thank Bindery Books for the eARC for free so I can leave my honest opinion of the book.

I’ll mention that I listened to this book very fast as it got approved on publication day and I want to get them up generally before that day but I’m not a witch or wizard so here we are a day late.

One thing I’ll say is that while it takes place in the early 1900’s and there are mentions of things in line with that time frame, it still read like a modern book. For those that like historical fiction it may not fly with them. But for me would isn’t running to grab the next Kristin Hannah, it was not only fine for me but a positive!

I enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes references which I picked up on more readily than the Dracula ones but that’s probably due to my personal familiarity.

As I think about books I have changed my criteria the more I write and have added in the aspect of whether I would read the author again in deciding to round up or down. In this case I absolutely would give them another try!

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

TL;DR Review: Sherlock Holmes meets the League of Extraordinary Gentlewomen. A gothic mystery that sucks you in, with marvelous characters that keep you coming back for more.

Full Review:
Step aside Watson and Holmes; the age of Harker and Moriarty has dawned!
Strange Beasts brings everything I loved about the Sherlock Holmes mysteries (including my old favorite villain, Dr. Moriarty himself) and adds a dash of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The result is something truly spectacular and enjoyable.
Samantha Harker, daughter of Jonathan and Mina Harker, has grown up knowing about and, eventually, wanting to help eradicate monsters. She has joined The Society, a British organization that hunts down, captures, and kills monsters around the globe. She does it to carry on her parents’ legacy, but also hoping she will one day be able to find her grandfather, who vanished mysteriously and left only a sequence of numbers as a message.
When that exact same sequence pops up on the graffiti of a snarling wolf painted over a corpse clearly killed by some monster, Sam ventures out of the safety of her library and into the field to find clues. Her partner is none other than Dr. Moriarty—Dr. Helena Moriarty, daughter to the infamous villain himself.
From their first meeting, we’re treated to a series of deductions that could have been ripped straight out of a Sherlock Holmes novel (this is very much a compliment!), but also the addition of some magic and mysticism that promises fascinating developments as the story evolves.
Together, the two of them set off for Paris to begin their investigation into the mysterious and grisly murders. And inevitably, things go very, very wrong!
I won’t spoil the mystery for you, but suffice it to say, it combines both the Sherlock Holmes-style bizarre-but-real and all the extraordinary arcane and supernatural elements of stories like Dracula, Dorian Gray, and the very first fantasy books ever penned.
The setting is fascinating, too—the story takes place in the glitz and glamor of Paris in the early 1900s, with all the cultural quirks and foibles that characterized that era.
But it’s the characters that make this story truly sing.
Sam Harker is hiding a secret: she is a channel who can see visions from anything she touches that is imprinted with strong memories, such as a blood-covered jewel or a murder victim’s lifeless hand. This secret would get her banned from The Society and hunted down, so she has guarded it carefully. Yet as she’s working with Dr. Moriarty—or Hel—she tries to talk herself around to lowering her guards and trusting her companion. Even though Hel has done nothing (or very little) to earn it, Sam’s optimistic nature makes her want to try it anyways. And when she does, it’s just the thing to break through the walls Hel has built around herself as a defense mechanism against the world that sees her as nothing more than the daughter of Europe’s most notorious villain.
Hel’s story is incredibly fascinating, giving us a Sherlock Holmes character but with all the psychological issues that would stem from being raised by Dr. Moriarty. Sam is just the thing that will bring her out of her shell—albeit very, very slowly.
I loved every minute of this book—from the colorful setting to the fascinating Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery to the development of the characters’ relationship—and can’t wait to be back for more in future installments!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

3.4 stars
A solid supernatural mystery.

The author does a good job of setting up and unravelling the mystery. Not gonna lie, I got a little lost at times, but that may be a me problem, as I don't read mystery novels often.

The world-building is quickly and easily established. Whenever new information about the setting is revealed, it is done so in a way that flows easily with the narrative, without infodumping.

One major problem for me was the romance, or lack thereof. There is basically zero romantic tension between the two leads, so the when they kiss it comes out of nowhere. I appreciate their dynamic, and I was rooting for them from the start, but neither of them express any attraction to each other at all.

The book wraps up for the most part, but the ending is left ambiguous, possibly for a sequel? There are definitely things to be expanded upon, so if a sequel happens, I would look forward to that.

4 stars
——————

I’m struggling to come up with words to describe how good this book is. I’ve never needed a second book quite this badly.

The concept of this book is so unique in such a cool way. This intersection of Sherlock Holmes via Moriarty’s daughter, and Dracula, through his killer’s daughter, this sprinkling of mythical and magical beings. It was gothic, it was atmospheric. The plot was interesting and engaging. I never quite knew where it was going at any point. And while I did sort of suspect the ending, I second-guessed it to the very end.

What this book lacked was sufficient world building. You get thrown into this alternate storyline of a world, with all these new beings and rules, but there is never quite enough background on this world to fully understand what is going on. A lot of important informational background is thrown out there but never fully explored. It made the story a little hard to follow. Which took away from the sheer potential of this one for me. I still had a great time with it, but a little more space to explore could have made this a 5 star read for me.

The characters in this are really cool and pretty well explored. I loved the idea of using Moriarty’s daughter as a key player. Hel is just as intelligent, just as much a mastermind, but her own unique individual. Contrasting her bookwork Sam was such a good choice. I loved them as individual characters, especially how well each character’s background is established and explored. Hel’s issues with her dad, Sam’s ability and its origins. I also loved their chemistry together. I liked the concept of their romance, but wish it had been explored more.

I’m so excited to see what is in store for Sam and Hel on their next adventure.