Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris is a veritable smörgåsbord of dark and nerdy references. It's a bit of Sherlock Holmes, a bit of Dracula, a bit of Supernatural, a bit of feminism, and a lot of fun!

When a monstrous Beast is wreaking havoc among rich, powerful men in Paris, the city turns to the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena for aid. What they don't expect is being sent researcher Samantha Harker (yes, that Harker), who usually prefers the company of books to that of people; and Dr Helena Moriarty (yes, that Moriarty), who is one of the Society's best, but usually works alone, since her partners have a nasty habit of dying on the job. The two women must now learn to trust one another with their deepest, darkest secrets, and try to work together in order to solve the murders.

When I first started reading Strange Beasts, I thought I'd stumbled upon a piece of fan fiction, but this book is so much more than that! I was immediately drawn into the plot and fell in love with the main characters in their struggles against early 1900's misogynist views (many of which live on to this day). Sam and Hel are in many ways quite relatable and it was easy getting involved in their story.

Throughout this book, I also got to visit some of my favourite places of Paris, like the dark mines and catacombs, as well as a haunted opera house. Combined with the glamour of the Belle Époque, it is the perfect setting for a story this intense.

I usually don't go for murder mysteries, since most of them have a pretty obvious solution and don't really get interesting until the last 100 or so pages, but Strange Beasts had me hooked from start to finish! If you enjoy dark, tense, queer stories and appreciate references as much as I do, you're going to love this book.

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Huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for making this book available through NetGalley. An even bigger thank you to Susan J. Morris for writing it.
All opinions are my own.

A star rating because I have to. I lasted about 30% into this book. Love the premise and parts of the backstories invented for Moriarty but I suspect the mystery is the strongest part of it. The relationship between the MC qnd Moriarty is something that moves awfully fast given the context, I couldn't read beyond a point.

This book is a meeting of Sam, an ordinary librarian, and Hel, simply a hunter of "strange beasts". Assuming that is that being a librarian for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Beasts and being the daughter of Dracula's killer is "ordinary". Equally, while Hel is simply the hunter of these Abnormal Beasts, she is actually the daughter of the infamous Professor Moriaty…!! Sam, not a field agent, wants to go on a case in Paris allocated to Hel (also known as Lady M). However Hel doesn't want partners as they all seem to die. Scene set!

This is the world in 1903 with some very odd and dangerous beasts in it - they are nearly killed by a Grindylow who attacks their coach while they are heading to the ferry to France. I guess more accurately Sam is nearly killed. Anyway, this follows the investigation into a series of particularly nasty murders in Paris. Sam wants to be there as she feels there may be a connection with her grandfather (who she thinks is dead) but there is something about the case that seems to connect with her grandfather's love of morse and radiotelegraphy.

Woven into this story are some interesting real places and ideas. I hadn't come across midinettes but the idea was well used. The Paris catacombs feature well too. The concept of wolfssengers is introduced which does seem to have some slight history as well. All in all a nice range of ideas and settings. Paris of the early 1900s makes a very good location for the main part of this book.

The pace and tension here is very good. Never a dull moments certainly sums it up and it proved to be a book that was far easier to keep reading than to stop. I liked the main characters and a number of the more peripheral ones were pretty good too. The general story line worked well and - without giving anything much away - there is clearly the plan for another book. I for one will be reading that. 4.5/5

As a librarian Sam finds that real life is more complicated than in books!

Set in a world where monsters are real and literary characters really exist, "Strange Beasts" explores a society of monster hunters who aim to put an end to a series of murders, beast like in nature.

Filled with monsters both mythical and whose we all know a love from classics, Susan J. Morris has created a world sure to capture your attention. The early 1900's time period was perfection and the appearance of figures such as Van Helsing and Moriarty really helped to build on my understanding of the world.

If you love a mystery filled with twists with a flair of the supernatural Strange Beasts is sure to be for you!

With a super slow burn romance, a detective partnership featuring a character who usually spends her time in libraries where the dangers are always far away and its monsters, Strange Beast's will keep you gripped to the pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars rating from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in Strange Beast with relatable, likable characters. Loved every single second reading it.

Very thrilling book to read.
Having been out of practice with my gothic/murder mystery style books I was worried I’d be out of my depth but after the first few pages I wrapped my head around the writing style and didn’t look back.
I loved the exploration of the paranormal throughout and really liked the characters and the sapphic romance.
I enjoy any book with a gothic historical feel to it and this was just that.
The ties between the MC’s and other popular literature were great.
Dark and gritty.
I really enjoyed this one,
Thankyou for giving me the chance to give an honest review.

Part historical fantasy, part paranormal mystery, this is a must read for those who want gas lamps with their monsters. Set in turn of the century Paris with an engaging heroine, this was a fun read with a great premise.

Susan J. Morris' Strange Beasts is a captivating historical fantasy that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the shadowy underbelly of turn-of-the-century Paris. This novel expertly blends elements of mystery, horror, and romance, creating a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
At the heart of the story is Samantha Harker, a woman with a unique ability to see into the minds of monsters. As a researcher for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, Sam finds herself embroiled in a dangerous investigation involving a series of gruesome murders. With the help of the enigmatic Dr. Helena Moriarty, Sam must navigate a world of hidden secrets, ancient magics, and deadly creatures to uncover the truth.
Morris' writing is both evocative and atmospheric, painting vivid pictures of Paris' opulent boulevards and its dark, hidden corners. The characters are well-developed and engaging, with Sam and Hel forming a compelling partnership that is both professional and deeply personal. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Strange Beasts is its exploration of the supernatural. Morris skillfully weaves together elements of mythology and folklore, creating a world that is both familiar and fantastical. The creatures that inhabit this world are both terrifying and fascinating, adding a layer of horror and suspense to the story.
Strange Beasts is a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and mystery. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and thrilling plot, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.

A well crafted and enjoyable story which I would highly recommend. The characters are well drawn. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

This was a lot of fun. It had a great premise. I however struggled a lot with connecting with the writing style and characters. It had a lot of potential, it just was not for me.