The second book in this series finds Morgan Carter investigating another bigfoot sighting. At first she's skeptical, but as she investigates finds that there might be a very real murder even if bigfoot's involvement is a bit murky. As she works with a local detective, she finds herself being targeted. Overall, this reads more along the lines of a cozy mystery. There's also a slight romance plot between Morgan and Charlie.

Death in the Dark Woods is the 2nd-installment to Annelise Ryan's Monster Hunter Cozy Mystery series. This series features cryptozoologist and specialty bookstore owner, Morgan Carter, who helps investigate mysteries that may be linked to potential cryptid activity. The beauty of this series is that it combines two of my very favorite things: creepy vibes and cozy mysteries.

I really enjoyed the 1st-book, A Death in Door County, when I read it last year and was looking forward to going on more adventures with Morgan and her lovable dog, Newt. While that first story featured a potential lake monster, in this one, Morgan travels a little farther from home to help investigate possible Bigfoot sightings.

Specifically, the Bigfoot sightings have occurred around the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest area of Bayfield County, Wisconsin. When a man is found dead, with an injury to his throat not thought to be cause by a human, a local warden, Charlie, calls Morgan for help.
Morgan is excited that her cyptid hunter business is finally getting some traction after gaining notoriety following the lake monster case. She's more than happy to assist Charlie. Nevertheless, Morgan is a skeptic at heart, so it's gonna take solid proof for her to claim a Bigfoot is responsible for the fatal attack they're investigating.

Morgan and Newt travel there and meet up with Charlie, who introduces them to their comfortable temporary lodgings, and then they get straight to work. Morgan immerses herself in the small town, questioning numerous people about their experiences and opinions when it comes to the area's Bigfoot legends.

It's true that some claim to have seen Bigfoot type creatures, but that's not the only thing Morgan uncovers. She reveals a trail of secrets and lies that could end up having more to do with the recent murder than anyone seems to be suspecting. As the pressure starts to build, will Morgan and Newt be able to sniff out the killer before they strike again, or could Morgan end up being the next victim?

I had so much fun with this. I actually enjoyed it even more than the 1st-book. I loved that Morgan was traveling away from home, and that she was sort of inserting herself into this new place and digging around, trying to figure out whatever she could. I loved learning about the local area along with her and meeting the various colorful characters of the small town.

Jon Flanders, the Police Chief, who asked for Morgan's assistance in the 1st-book, appears in this one as well, as their relationship has continued to grow. There have been some sparks between them and I love the way the chemistry is continuing to build. They both have some traumas in their past, so I like that it's moving slowly, at a pace that seems realistic. It makes sense.

I also liked the dynamic between Morgan and Charlie. Charlie, as the local girl, has her own very strong opinions on the Bigfoot legends and I liked how Morgan didn't let Charlie really sway her one way or another.

The highlight for me though is definitely the relationship between Morgan and Newt. I absolutely adore and appreciate the way that Ryan writes their connection. As a Dog Mom, who frequently spends the majority of a book worrying about any doggie characters who may be involved, it was so nice to just sit back and enjoy the fact that Newt got to participate in pretty much everything Morgan does. And I never worried about him! You can tell that Annelise Ryan is a dog person, and I just knew that she wouldn't take it anywhere uncomfortable. It was freaking great!

At this point, I'm not sure what the long-term plans are for this series, but I really hoping for more books. There's so much left to explore with Morgan, both as far as potential cryptid mysteries, but also with her personal life. I am properly attached to Morgan, Newt and even Jon. Keeping my fingers crossed that we'll be getting news of a 3rd-book soon!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I recommend this to Cozy Mystery fans. It's a unique series and a lot of fun. I've never read anything quite like it!

The second in the Monster Hunter series! Morgan is back and is once again being asked to help investigate a potential cryptid sighting in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. This time She’s called in to search for evidence of a Bigfoot type creature that is being accused of multiple murders. With the help of her dog Newt, Morgan heads to uncover the truth.

While I didn’t love the first book in the series, I adjusted my expectations and went in knowing this would have more Cozy Mystery vibes. I was hopeful that with the adjustment I’d really love the second book. Unfortunately, while I found the story to be intriguing, I never felt compelled to figure out the mystery and at less than 350pages the story itself felt much longer. The relationship between Jon and Morgan felt flat and while I understand taking it slow, the glacier pace between the two is rough.

I did like this one more than the first, but it still wasn’t amazing. Ryan’s writing while great at capturing the atmosphere of the wilderness lacks a certain spunk, I’d expect from a mystery series focused on cryptozoology. This is probably great for big Cozy Mystery readers, but not if you’re looking for a fast-paced mystery.

Death in the Dark Woods is out now! Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books

I didn't love the first book in this series, but I was intrigued enough by Morgan's story to give the sequel a try, but I just don't think these books are for me. I didn't really vibe with the writing style so I ended up DNFing the book.

Death in the Dark Woods is a perfect second installment to Annelise Ryan's Monster Hunter mystery series! Road-tripping from picturesque Door County to the shores of Lake Superior and the splendor of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Bayfield, Cryptozoologist and curio shop owner Morgan Carter is called in to consult on two mysterious deaths. Were they animal attacks or the work of Bigfoot?

As someone who grew up in Wisconsin, it's a thrill to read a mystery that has such familiar locations and landmarks in its settings. But I can't even fully put it into words how fun and quirky it is to have an amateur sleuth who investigates the existence of legendary cryptids. Ryan shines in the development she puts into her colorful cast of characters and their backstories, creating folks you care for and want to know about. I am counting the days until the 3rd book comes out!

Such a fun follow up in this fun series! The midwestern in me loves the casual conversation and the descriptive settings, a fun adventure to follow along in!

3.5 Stars

Morgan Carter owns a bookstore/oddities shop in Door County, Wisconsin. Morgan loves her shop, but also has an unusual part-time hobby. She is a cryptozoologist and searches for “cryptids”, which are creatures thought to exist even though there is no proof, such as the Loch Ness Monster. Morgan’s friend Jon Flanders is a police chief and lets her know about a strange case in a nearby national forest. A hunter has been killed in the woods, but his injuries don’t look like they were made by a human – his death looks like it was caused by a Bigfoot-type creature. Morgan can’t resist looking into this case, even when she becomes a target.

This is one of the most unique premises for a mystery series I’ve ever seen! Morgan’s search for the creature is handled in a logical, scientific way, so it comes across very believable. I didn’t read the prior book in the series, but the author provides the necessary background information about Morgan. She has had tragedy in her life, but is trying to move on. She and Jon have a mutual attraction, but he is also recovering from terrible events in his past, so they are taking things very slow. This doesn’t stop Morgan from being jealous when the Department of Natural Resources warden, Charlotte “Charlie” Aberdeen, who asks for Morgan’s help with the hunter’s death, takes an interest in Jon.

Charlie is almost obsessed with Bigfoot because of an event in her childhood and she may be a capable warden, but she is immature. She asks Morgan for her help, but then doesn’t hesitate to flirt with Jon right in front of her. She also sulks and pouts when Morgan finds any evidence that contradicts the theory that the hunter was killed by “Bigfoot”. Sometimes she seems to be working with Morgan, but other times she doesn’t come across as someone who can be trusted. Unfortunately, Charlie is a part of the story from the beginning to end which lessened my enjoyment of the book overall.

The solution to the hunter’s death, in addition to another one that seems to be related, is mostly wrapped up by the end of the book. I thought there were a couple of loose ends, but most of the questions were answered. The mystery surrounding Bigfoot is resolved in an unexpected, but satisfying way. This unique series has the potential to grow into something great.

~ Christine

I absolutely devour anything by Annelise Ryan. She writes such a fabulous array of topics within the cozy genre. I’m always excited to see what she produces next!

Morgan Carter is following in her parents footsteps, looking for Bigfoot and other cryptids in the Wisconsin wilderness. In the second book in the series, Morgan is asked to the Chequamengon-Nicolet National Forest in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. She and Newt, her faithful companion pack up and head out to investigate the death of a local hunter, with the suspicion being that he was murdered by none other than Bigfoot

I appreciate Morgan’s scientific approach, but I still always kind of hope there is some chance of an actual cryptid sighting. I enjoy the characters, especially Morgan’s colorful crew working at her shop.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

It is so exciting to find a fresh take on the cozy mystery genre and this series by Annelise Ryan delivers. In Annelise Ryan’s Monster Hunter Mystery series, a cryptozoologist is called in to assist on mysteries that seem to involve animals whose existence is unsubstantiated but whose lore looms over the community where the crime occurs.

These books feel like a Scooby Doo for grown-ups in the best way, where an expert is called in to investigate a mystery that appears to link to a mythical creature, and her job is partly to determine if the creature could be involved and unmask the hoax if not. It does hurt if she unmasks the murderer while she’s at it! In Death in the Dark Woods, Morgan Carter’s expertise comes in handy investigating two deaths that are believed to be committed by Bigfoot.

About the Book | Death in the Dark Woods

Set in Door County, Wisconsin—Morgan Carter is a cryptozoologist and owner of a shop called Odds and Ends that is part mystery book store, part oddities vender. She inherited the shop from her late parents who were murdered by her ex-fiancé (a shocking backstory that is alluded to but isn’t discussed in any great detail).

Morgan has a slowly developing relationship with Jon Flanders, who is the Chief of Police on Washington Island in Door County. They haven’t progressed with their romantic feelings due to the tragic loss of Morgan’s parents and Jon’s wife and child several years earlier. However, the two have a clear affection and respect for one another.

Jon asks Morgan to assist a woman named Charlie Aberdeen, who is a warden for the Department of National Resources, with a case involving Bigfoot sightings and two mysterious deaths in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. A man was found dead from a mysterious throat wound and the evidence points away from a traditional animal attack, but also from a human one. With both deaths, witnesses reported sightings of human-like primates that are unlike any species known in the area.

Morgan brings her dog Newt to go investigate, but after arriving it becomes clear the case is even more complicated than she first imagined. The witness testimony is unreliable at best, and the physical evidence is conflicting—some pointing towards and animal, others pointing towards a cryptid, and other pointing towards a human’s involvement.

Morgan will need to use all of her intellect, scientific background, and wits to solve this mysterious case and determine what caused the two deaths and how the trail of deceit and lies ties to what is happening in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Review | Death in the Dark Woods

This cozy mystery series feels unique for several reasons. The first and most obvious is the theme of “monster hunting” and an expert in cryptozoology. While other cozy mystery series may dabble into the lore of a cryptid here and there, I haven’t experienced a series that focuses on them quite like this one. I found the concept fun and fresh.

The second is the leading character Morgan and the way she interacts within the series. Morgan is analytical and scientific. While her store and her link to the lore of figures like Bigfoot seems whimsical, Morgan as a character is analytical, skeptical while still being open minded and methodical. She doesn’t necessarily believe that these mythical creatures exist, but she maintains believe in the possibility they could exist. She separates herself from others who flood her field, looking to prey on true believers. She approaches her work as a true scientist, and this makes her much less quirky and emotional than most cozy mystery leads.

The third is that the mysteries are less of a deductive whodunnit and more of a serious take on the Scooby Doo gang unmasking the person behind a hoax. There are a lot of pieces that come together, including who and/or what is responsible for the murders, what is happening with the Bigfoot sightings in the area, and parsing out what pieces are associated with different lines of inquiry.

Finally, the deaths are somewhat more gruesome than is typical in a cozy mystery series, though they aren’t gory or overly graphic. The series will still be safe for those with a squeamish stomach when it comes to gore, but the deaths aren’t the usual “pushed down a flight or stairs” or “quietly poisoned” sort that is common in cozy mysteries.

The science behind the Bigfoot-like creature and the attacks was presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow. This allows the reader to follow the same logical steps that Morgan takes to dismantle whatever is happening. The reader can tell why the clues suggest a cryptid versus an animal versus a human. The mystery comes in because the clues are conflicting. At times it seems impossible to draw any other conclusion other than a Bigfoot-like creature being responsible for the attacks.

The mystery comes together in a surprising and satisfactory way. I liked that the author included a lot of elements from Wisconsin history (make sure to read the author’s note at the end to learn more about what was fact, what was based on fact, and what was fiction). The location was perfect—a small community on the edge of the national forest.

Charlie was a compelling character to bring the mystery to Morgan. She’s beautiful but her behavior verges on cool at times. I couldn’t decide whether she actually liked Morgan or not. Morgan often suspects Charlie of being interested in Jon, which added to the pressure for Morgan and Jon to actually decide if they are going to move forward. The relationship between Jon and Morgan is moving slower than molasses, but I enjoyed how direct they are with one another that feelings are there, but timing may not be right yet. You’ll have to read and find out!

A fun and unique cozy mystery!

I really enjoyed the first installment in this series, but this sophomore novel was bland. The prologue was excellent but it went downhill quickly from there.

The independently wealthy Morgan Carter runs a shop featuring books and curiosities in Door County, Wisconsin, but her real calling is far more intriguing, both to the idly curious and to those who, like a certain famed fictional FBI agent, want to believe:

QUOTE
I didn’t hide the fact that I was a cryptozoologist available for hire, but I didn’t advertise it either. Cryptozoology attracts its share of nutjobs simply by its nature. Add in all the con men like Baumann who are looking to make a buck off naive, vulnerable people, and you have the perfect recipe for a conspiracy hullabaloo. My parents were the reason I was drawn to the field. They had traveled far and often while I was growing up, dragging me along with them, hoping to find proof any of these intriguing, mysterious creatures existed. Any oddities they happened to come across along the way were just extras to help fill out the store shelves.
END QUOTE

With degrees in both biology and zoology, Morgan approaches her work with a healthy skepticism, looking first for a reasonable explanation while leaving room for the possibility of the truly unknown. In this she’s ably assisted by the two other employees of Odds And Ends: computer whiz Devon Thibodeaux and retired librarian Rita Bosworth. When cases take her on the road, they provide support from home while looking after the store for her.

Morgan’s latest case is brought to her attention by Washington Island Chief of Police Jon Flanders, her slow burn love interest. He’s been contacted by another member of law enforcement, Department of Natural Resources Warden Charlie Aberdeen, who’s investigating two suspicious deaths in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, several hours drive away. The sole witness to the first death claims that the dead man was attacked by Bigfoot. There were no witnesses to the second death, but the pattern of damage closely matches what happened to the first victim. More intriguingly, an oversized humanoid footprint was found near the second corpse.

The Bayfield sheriff’s department wants to quickly close the cases, writing them off as bear attacks. Bigfoot sightings are all well and good for the tourist trade, but Bigfoot murders are something else altogether. One of Morgan’s first tasks when she arrives is to eliminate for sure the possibility that the deaths were attributable to local wildlife. To her surprise, Charlie is more than ready to blow past this step, believing already in a cryptozoological answer.

The more Morgan investigates, the more uneasy she gets about what’s going on in this seemingly bucolic area. With a host of people getting in the way of her scientific inquiries, perhaps the most surprising revelation she uncovers is one that the first unfortunate victim, a bow hunter, learns the hard way:

QUOTE
The animal was at his back waging a frenzied, relentless attack and, weakened from blood loss, Bodie fell to his knees and then onto his back in a last-ditch act of desperation. It didn’t work. The creature had incredible strength, and it flipped Bodie’s body over like he was a ragdoll.

Bodie’s mind took a strange detour then, his thoughts oddly calm and detached as he puzzled over the fact that he hadn’t seen his bolt anywhere in the creature’s body. Had he missed it, or had the animal pulled it out? Then he remembered how this creature had come from a different direction than where he’d shot.

<i>Good God, is there more than one of them?</i>
END QUOTE

I love how Morgan meets all these questions with reason and intellect, and how well those qualities serve her when her own life comes into significant peril. Death In The Dark Woods isn’t just a well-built murder mystery: it’s also a terrific deep dive into the history of both Bigfoot and that particular forested stretch of Wisconsin. Some of the solutions did feel more obvious than others, but it was an absolute delight to go back and recontextualize what I’d read previously in the book once Morgan figured out its mysteries. With a little romance, a lot of atmosphere, and an utterly charming dog named Newt, this novel is a can’t miss for anyone with an interest in cryptozoology.

Death in the Dark Woods was a spooky seasonal murder mystery that sent shivers up my spine while keeping the cozy levels high. I wasn’t expecting the violence of the introduction, but once the story settled down a bit it fell into more of the rhythm that I expected. That is - a cozy mystery/adventure story with a cryptid edge.

I grew up obsessed with Cryptid Hunters and loved the research and attention to detail that clearly went into this book. Ryan did her work to make sure all parts of the mystery check out. It’s almost fair play (expect that some critical info is left out till the end, moving it more towards “cozy adventure”) but still quite the fun puzzle. Pacing wise, some of the early elements could have gone faster - I wasn’t sure how many Cheri-spotters we really needed to spend time with.

I did wish she’d spent a bit more time on the characters and their actions - there were a lot of allusions to deep-rooted trauma, but they mostly showed themselves in romantic moments (which seemed limited). Still, a very pleasant and atmospheric read - one I’d recommend to anyone looking for a bit of fall or winter chill.

Morgan Carteris a shop owner with a second career as a cryptozoologist. Her biology and zoology degrees, along with the decades she spent with her monster hunter parents and their adventures, has made her a smart, savvy stalker of creatures that may or may not actually exist. So when a couple of men were possibly killed by a Bigfoot near Lake Michigan, she was the person to go to for answers.

A local Warden with the Department of Natural Resources, a young woman named Charlie, contacted Morgan to investigate. Charlie tells Morgan all about the two men who were killed in the woods as well as couple of other local sightings. Charlie herself had seen a Bigfoot when she was a young teenager, out in the woods when she was hunting with her dad, so she had become the go-to person for the all the Bigfoot reports. But no one had been attacked by a Bigfoot before. This was new.

When Morgan saw the police reports, the Medical examiner’s notes, and the very graphic photos of the attacks, she could tell that something terrible had happened in the woods. But her scientific background meant that she was focused on finding evidence, not just relying on the rumors of Bigfoot and the stories that people told, since a lot of that was also tied into the tourist economy that kept so many of the local businesses running. And the more she looked, the more evidence Morgan compiled. It all started to add up. But did it add up to Bigfoot being a killer? And maybe more important, if the killer wasn’t Bigfoot, then who was it?

Death in the Dark Woods is the second book in Annelise Ryan’s Monster Hunter Mystery Series. In the first one, Morgan investigates a Loch Ness-type monster in Door County (and I’m not sure how I missed that one, as I love a Nessie, Believe me, it’s on my TBR now). In this second book, it’s all about Bigfoot, the truths and the lies, the rumors and the the potential scientific realities. And the truths in these woods are full of surprises, right to the end of this story.

I loved Death in the Dark Woods. I thought it was smart and fascinating, a well-rounded look at how we think about cryptids like Bigfoot, from the people who print the funny t-shirts and keep the rumors alive to bring in the tourists, to those whose sightings live in their memories for life, to those who exploit others in the name of finding the truth. And then, when Morgan figures out exactly what is happening in those dark woods, it made the story even more interesting. I love this book, and I am so looking forward to what Ryan comes up with next. I am all in on the Monster Hunter!

Egalleys for Death in the Dark Woods were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I requested this and started reading it for the All the Books podcast. The writing was too descriptive for me, but what made me DNF the book was two separate casually racist lines about Indigenous people (one was about being "low on the totem pole" and another talked about the sounds Indians make in cowboy movies...)

I really loved the first book in this somewhat grittier cozy mystery series with an added twist of monster hunting. In this book Morgan is looking for Bigfoot in an isolated area in Wisconsin where two violent deaths have already occurred. Morgan is away from her usual hunting grounds and away from her support system. Charlie, the conservation warden, that got Morgan pulled into this has her own motivations and Morgan isn't quite sure just how far she can trust her. The townspeople are of two minds on the existence of Bigfoot and even the believers aren't quite sure that Morgan isn't a fraud. Add in an actual fraud inserting himself into the investigation and Morgan has an uphill battle in front of her when it comes to figuring out the truth.

I really like Morgan. She's not exactly a believer but isn't an unbeliever either. She's had an incredibly difficult past that she is still struggling to heal from and get past. She's building her found family and has a fantastic dog which I can't help but appreciate.

That said the pacing on this book felt a bit slower than the first book. There's more setup and the investigation feels like it is in the early stages well into halfway through the book. I really enjoy the author's writing style so it never felt like a slow read but it definitely isn't a blinding pace. The mystery is really intriguing and I really had no idea how everything was going to wrap up until right before it did.

This is an entertaining read with a unique premise and a likable main character. Definitely a great read if you're looking for something different but still want a cozy-ish read! There is some rather gruesome descriptions but they aren't too graphic and for the most part are kept to a minimum.

Morgan Carter is busy running her Odds and Ends shop which, not only has books but some very strange items as well. Running the shop isn’t Morgan’s only job, though. She’s also a cryptozoologist. When she gets a job offer at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin, she’s excited to jump right in.

Two men are dead and the citizens believe it was due to a Bigfoot. Morgan isn’t sure she’s buying into that theory, but she’s more than a little interested in doing some digging. Along with her trusty canine companion, Newt, Morgan delves into the mystery. It’s not long before she discovers something really horrifying is happening in this Wisconsin town.

This is the second book in the Monster Hunter Mystery series. It’s “edge-of-your-seat” reading with this one. The author does a wonderful job of painting a dark scenario which made this reader feel as if she was right in the middle of the story.

I enjoyed the first book very much and this one did not disappoint. The mystery is contained in this one book, but knowing the background information from the first book always makes it more enjoyable. The author does sprinkle background information throughout the book, though.

Morgan is a strong, yet vulnerable character. There’s a potential romance, but they are taking it slow, and it really works well doing that. The mystery always takes center stage in this book.

From page one until the end, I was captivated. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen, but I was good and did not peek ahead. This would make an excellent movie. I look forward to more adventures in this series.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was entertaining! I enjoyed the first book in this series so I was eager to pick up this installment. I love a good mystery and the fact that these mysteries deal with possible cryptid situations only added to the appeal. I was hooked by this mystery early in the story and couldn’t wait to see if Bigfoot was really what was responsible for the murders in the small Wisconsin town asking Morgan for her help.

Morgan is called to help out on a case once again, but this time she is looking for Bigfoot. I have to admit that I kind of wanted to see her find the creature but I like that she tends to look for other possible explanations. I enjoyed Morgan’s approach to investigation and was impressed that the story kept me guessing until the very end. The fact that Morgan always has her dog, Newt, with her only adds to the appeal of this story.

I listened to the audiobook and thought that Susan Bennett did a wonderful job with the story. I liked the various voices that she used in the narration of this story and thought that she brought a lot of life to the story through her reading. I found her voice to be very pleasant and had no problems listening to this book for hours at a stretch. I am certain that her performance added to my overall enjoyment of this book.

I would recommend this book to others. This book could work as a stand-alone since the mystery is contained in this volume but I would recommend reading the series in order if possible. I found this installment to be very entertaining and must admit that I liked it a bit more than the first book. I was very satisfied with how things worked out in the end and look forward to the next installment.

I received a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House Audio.

Death in the Dark Woods by Annelise Ryan is the second book in A Monster Hunter Mysteries. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. Morgan Carter is a cryptozoologist, which I find to be an interesting and unique career. I had trouble getting through this story because of the author’s writing style and the long, detailed descriptions (the story moved slower than a snail on a hot, July day in Florida). I found Odds and Ends to be an unusual shop (there were some interesting pieces in the shop). After Morgan’s upbringing, I can see why it appeals to her along with her work as a cryptozoologist. I was expecting suspense, a touch of terror, and a puzzling mystery. I found the main mystery to be a letdown. The solution seemed implausible (there were different factors that seemed unrealistic). The secondary mystery was easy to solve. A Monster Hunter Mysteries is not a series for me. Death in the Dark Woods left me feeling frustrated, annoyed, and disappointed.

I didn’t realize that this book was second in the Monster Hunter Mystery series until after I had received the ARC. While I am bummed I didn’t have all the background information from the first book - this read so well as a standalone and I couldn’t put it down! I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the series, A Death In Door County.

I love cryptids and I especially love when cryptozoology is treated more as a hard science and facts are used to hash out sightings of mysterious creatures. This book was perfect for me because the MC, Morgan, is a cryptid hunter with a background in biology and zoology. She often uses the term “plausible existability,” which basically says we can’t rule anything out (until we can.)

Death In The Dark Woods finds Morgan (and her amazing dog, Newt,) deep in the dark woods of Wisconsin. They are helping local authorities investigate multiple deaths, believed to be caused by Bigfoot.

While this book did have a lot of gore and some darker themes - I found it to be a cozy mystery!! The characters are cute and I really became invested in Morgan, Newt, and Jon. Even some of the minor characters were adorable and people that I wanted to get to know better.

I have to say I hated the ending of this one, but only because it’s not the ending that I wanted/needed. My only other complain and the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars - Morgan being so scientific and analytical increased my skepticism of cryptids, which kept me from embracing the supernatural and spooky elements involved.

Overall, I enjoyed this one as a quick murder mystery! Check this one out if you like light horror, thrillers, mysteries, the supernatural, and amazing dog sidekicks!

I can't resist a mystery set in Wisconsin, and Annelise Ryan does an incredible job with the setting in this series. While I'm not a believer in Bigfoot, I thought that this story was interesting, with great character backstories, and I was really intrigued by the reveal in this story (I was eager to read the author's note to find out how accurate it could be).