Legendary Families and Blood

Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris (2024) The daughters of two legendary figures join forces to investigate several terrible murders in turn of the century Paris. Samantha Harker is the daughter of Jonathan Harker, who killed Dracula. She forms an unlikely partnership with Dr. Helena Moriarty, the daughter of Sherlock Holmes’ greatest foe. Their pasts are both their greatest assets and the source of many of their challenges.

Why I Liked It – Love the idea of the next generation of iconic character’s families finding their own ways. It’s a mystery that draws me in.

Susan Morris is another author who not only comes up with a great, novel concept for a book, but then does a wonderful job of getting onto the pages. The daughters are not carbon copies of their fathers, but they both struggle with aspects of those lineages that linger into their current lives. That it’s a debut offering from Morris is even sweeter. Since this book’s arrival, a sequel has launched, which I haven’t read.

The story is a blend of history, detective story, and fantasy elements that creates a story with depths of flavor. Samantha brings a secret that she must hide at all costs. Helena has ongoing family issues of a particularly nasty sort because she comes from a decidedly nasty bloodline. They begin as involuntary partners, become friends, and may be headed toward a more profound relationship. In their way lies the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, which employs them both. There’s the unfortunate history of Dr. Moriarty’s partners, and a violent killer called “The Beast” that is leaving a trail of blood. Their pursuit of the killer will take them into the legendary catacombs beneath the City of Lights and to glittering nightclubs.

Morris was an editor and writing advice columnist before stepping out with this one. She shows a delicate touch as a storyteller here. I wonder about the relationship between an editor turned author and their own editor. Just one of those thoughts that make me go, “Hmmm….”

Here, the end result is a very readable story with its own unique twist on some older ideas. What more could a reader want?

Rating – **** Recommended