Wayward Souls Susan J. Morris 9781967967025

The delightfully dark sequel to the gothic supernatural mystery Strange Beasts.

Six days before Samhain-the night when the veil between worlds is thinnest-Samantha Harker, daughter of Dracula's killer, and Dr. Helena Moriarty, daughter of the famed criminal mastermind, are thrown into their next case: the mysterious disappearance of two Society field agents in Ireland. Only this time, the Royal Society is sending Jakob Van Helsing to keep an eye on them.

Sam and Hel may have solved the Paris case, but that doesn't mean the Society trusts them. Sam has the power to slip into the minds of monsters, and Van Helsing has sworn to kill her at the first sign of corruption. And if Hel can't prove her father's existence, she'll soon go down for his crimes.

Their investigation takes them from the crumbling ruins of Ireland's untamed wilds to the occult societies of the rich and powerful. The connection between the Sam and Hel is electric, but as they fall deeper into each other's orbit, their secrets only multiply. For Hel, it's the sins she committed when she was her father's pawn. For Sam, it's a plague of death omens, mysterious black feathers, and a siren song no one else can hear. And then comes a chilling revelation that is poised to shatter everything: The agents who disappeared were each haunted by a ghost. And so, it seems, is Sam.

With characters drawn from the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, Wayward Souls is a twisty puzzle box of a historical fantasy-perfect for fans of Genevieve Cogman, Theodora Goss, Freya Marske, T. Kingfisher, and Gail Carriger.

"Wayward Souls is a genre-blending knockout! A richly detailed historical fantasy, cloaked in spooky, Gothic vibes, infused with a pulse-pounding, twisty paranormal/mystery, and lightly sweetened by a swoony romance-it is one addictive ride. Hands down, one of my favorite reads of the year-historical fantasy fans, do not sleep on this one!" -Sadie Hartmann, Bram Stoker Awards-winning author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered

"While the novel's world is based on well-known Dracula lore, Morris delivers a fresh, unique tale that will delight mystery, fantasy, and horror readers alike. Give it to fans of C. L. Polk, Alix E. Harrow, and T. Kingfisher." -Library Journal

"Strange Beasts is filled with the sensual, lush prose that is the mark of a dynamic writer-but with mystery, murder, and monsters on top. Such an absolute joy to read. Highly recommended." -TJ Klune, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea

"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

"Strange Beasts offers us fantastic and fresh new stories about old monsters and legends. Morris displays exceptional skill with her prose and storytelling as she leads readers through the dark and atmospheric underbelly of gothic Victorian Paris. Sam and Hel are a great team up and will make you want to know what happens next well after you reach the last page. It's going to be a terrible crime to have to wait for the sequel!" -Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the War Arts Saga series

"What a luscious and fantastical treat! With virtuoso world-building, Morris effortlessly transported me to an enchanting realm teeming with monsters, mysticism, and the paranormal. Prepare to be utterly absorbed. Strange Beasts is a magical debut!" -Emily Habeck, USA Today bestselling author of Shark Heart: A Love Story

"A whip-smart, lusciously atmospheric adventure through the dazzling theaters and chilling catacombs of turn-of-the-century Paris." -Frances White, Sunday Times bestselling author of Voyage of the Damned

"In Strange Beasts, author Susan J. Morris has fun gender-mining classic tales by pairing off Samantha Harker (the daughter of Dracula's killer) with Dr. Helena Moriarty (the daughter of that criminal mastermind and nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty) to solve some gruesome murders plaguing turn-of-the-century Paris of the 1900s." -Parade

"What makes Strange Beasts so excellent is that it takes three different genres (romance, Gothic mystery, paranormal action-adventure) and blends them together perfectly . . . This was easily my favorite book so far this year." -Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

"A propulsive collision of historical fiction and fantasy, all tied together with an opulent gothic bow. A terrifying delight." -Signe Pike, author of The Lost Queen series

"Engaging and delightful, Strange Beasts draws the reader into a gothic setting that seems all too real. I was at once intrigued and a little spooked by all the familiar names, especially when I began to realize just how effectively Susan J. Morris has used our own nightmarish archetypes to trap us in her tale." -Troy Denning, New York Times bestselling author of more than forty science fiction and fantasy novels

"Morris cleverly weaves together historical, literary, and mythological threads to create the endlessly rich world for her supernatural sleuths in this gripping mystery. With gorgeous prose and an unforgettable pair of heroines, Strange Beasts romps through the opulence and intrigue of turn-of-the-century Paris, offering an exploration of femininity, power, and the nature of monsters-as well as a thrilling adventure full of wit and heart. I can't wait for the sequel." -Kate Alice Marshall, USA Today bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods and Rules for Vanishing

"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, New York Times bestselling author of The Mark of the Dragonfly

"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

"Deftly blending literary homage, gothic mystery, and supernatural adventure, Strange Beasts takes readers on a thrilling journey through the dark underbelly of belle epoque Paris. Inventive, engaging, and terrific fun." -H. G. Parry, author of The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door and the Shadow Histories duology

"Author Susan J. Morris checks all the boxes in the wonderful Strange Beasts. Engaging characters, true suspense, well-played horror, great storyline-but where she really shines above is in her ability to paint such a vivid picture. Morris puts you right there in England around the turn of the twentieth century, with enough familiarity to the sister horror novels written in and about that same time frame. You recognize the names, you see the terrain unfold before you, you know enough of the horrors, and so you are carried along on this adventure as if you, too, have much to lose. Now that's a thriller!" -R.A. Salvatore, New York Times bestselling author of the Demon Wars and the Legend of Drizzt series

"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." -FanFiAddict

"Imagine the daughter of Mina Harker, the daughter of Dr. Moriarty, teaming up to solve supernatural crime, murder mystery in Paris, beautiful fashions, lesbian romance, and again, a super-smart murder mystery. Oh, I love one where I can't tell what is going to go down. It's so good." -Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award-winning author of the Lady Astronaut series