Strange Beasts

Harker & Moriarty, Book 1

By: Susan J. Morris

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

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?

©2024 Susan J. Morris (P)2024 Podium Audio

Critic reviews

“A magnificent book . . . of gas lamps and murders, of Paris, of secrets and love, and of finding yourself and trust. I treasure this tale. I hope it’s the first of many, and until those many start appearing, I’ll reread this one. Often.”—Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms

“A riveting gas-lamp fantasy that’s equal parts bloody mystery and flat-out supernatural romp. Morris deftly weaves existing lore—from both the classic literature her characters are born of and a taxonomy handbook’s worth of supernatural creatures—into a vivid feminist tale where the pages fly. A delightful debut bursting with affection for its magical world.”—Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

"In Strange Beasts, Susan J. Morris gives readers a subtle alchemy of beauty, poetry, suspense, and horror, nestled perfectly in Paris during the belle epoque . . . Hel and Sam are a stunning pair, fighting monsters in the darkest catacombs, while at the same time fighting against a world that would make monsters of them. A delightfully wicked read.”—Jaleigh Johnson, The New York Times bestselling author of The Mark of the Dragonfly

Engaging with fantastic characters

The world is interesting, the characters feel well defined, the mysteries are fascinating, and I can’t wait for more of the story!

So much promise

If you were a female that struggles with insecurity and feeling out of place. You may really connect with this book. So I acknowledge that it has an appeal. I will also say that it may just be the narration and the way the character was red. However, I felt like the main character spent most of the book, second-guessing, whining, and saying "What was I ever thinking?" The story had a lot of promise. There were some high points, but there was so much dithering with the main character that it became hard to listen. I did finish it, but I noticed that it seemed like it took a very long time, even though it wasn't any longer than any of the other books I've been reading. Maybe the author will make some corrections and the second book will be much better.

Clever premise but too many annoying tics

Purchased on the strength of enthusiastic reviews, I finally got through on the second try. Everything is over-explained as if the reader can't grasp the obvious. In a supposedly action scene, Samantha and Helena argue about what to do while a monster outside their carriage picks off each horse and then the driver. But hey, who cares about innocent lives? This after Sam was convinced that Hel is about to shoot her when it's obvious she's not. It's manufactured drama.

Buildings of Paris 1903 are described well, and there are plenty of monsters and weird societies. Sam learns she's cleverer and more emotionally strong than she thought (but does she have to have muscles like spaghetti?). However, she bites her lip so much that it ought to be bleeding, and I thought that if I heard "I'm sorry" one more time, I'd scream. She frequently apologizes with "I'm sorry" but also uses it to mean "I didn't quite hear that" and "I didn't understand that," both of which happen constantly. She wears white, which she finally realizes at the end of the book, isn't a practical color for travel. Does anyone NOT know that? Hel wears black, of course, but every time her tan coat is mentioned, it's swirling around behind her. Gee, I've seen coats like that in too many movies.

The premise and story held my interest as long as I could ignore the repeated tics and tamp down my exasperation with Samantha, who never thinks before she speaks, something used to serve the author's intentions. But there's hope! This was the author's first novel, though she's an experienced editor, and I have confidence the next will be better.

Loved all of it

It was amazing, loved the writing, loved the banter, polar opposites attract and new found love interest. I hope that their will be more to come from Hel and Sam

classic horror/mystery mashup

What's not to love about an alternate history supernatural thriller featuring a team up between daughter of Mina and Jonathan Harker (ala Dracula) with the daughter of Professor Moriarty (ala Sherlock Holmes)?