I can’t decide if I devoured this book or if it devoured me! Harker and Moriarty are back at it again in the sequel to Strange Beasts and the creatures are better than ever. I was blown away by the improvement of Morris’s writing even just between two novels (and it was already astounding). Wayward Souls gives us more sapphic heat and Daddy Mororiarty alongside a fantastic mystery. Morris’s dedication to the deep research she puts into her novels does not go unnoticed. I am a major fan, and will of course be eagerly awaiting for more from our dynamic duo. Wayward Souls is a MUST add to the tbr!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bindery Publishing, and Inky Phoenix press for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a strong sequel in the Harker & Moriarty series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from previous works from Susan J. Morris. It uses the supernatural mystery element in a way that I was expecting and enjoyed in this world. I enjoyed that the two main characters were related to famous literary characters and how it was used in this storyline. It continued the storyline perfectly and was glad it was everything that I wanted. I enjoyed getting to read this and look forward to more from the author.

Oh I just loved this! Strange Beasts was a favourite read of mine last fall, and I was thrilled to spend more time with Sam and Hel. Another gothic, supernatural mystery, and more of Susan’s sharp and intelligent writing, but also more of a romance at the heart of the thing this time. Would say start with Strange Beasts if you’re new to the characters, so you can see the story unfold from the beginning. Loved that this one focused on myths and folklore of Ireland. Can’t wait to see where this goes next.

This was just as spectacular as the first book! Like the first, the real strength here is the worldbuilding, which is so rich, complex, and spooky while drawing on so much historical and cultural context. The mystery is twisty and fun and the prose is lovely and immersive.

To say I was excited to delve back into this world is an understatement. I cherished my reading experience with the first book. The characters of Hel and Sam were immediately endearing to read about. The world of monsters and magic were fascinating and well thought out. Unravelling the personal secrets and the larger mystery kept me awake the whole night. I LOVED Strange Beasts.

All this to say, Wayward Souls had a lot to live up to.

I liked it even more than the first.

Sam and Hel's relationship is deliciously complicated, made even more so by their own decisions--all which feel understandable and real given the circumstances. I loved seeing the characters open up more, to see different facets of them. They both care about each other so much, but neither of them are used to opening up. It felt real and vulnerable and romantic, even when it was to their detriment.

Sam's powers are so interesting to me, and so is her struggle with what using them means for her. How in choosing not to rely on them, she has to actively accept that she is not only capable, but exceedingly successful at being a field agent. I really loved seeing that growth for her.

As with the first novel, I loved how Susan J. Morris explores the monstrous, and contrasts it against morality, good and evil, and the cost-worth of saving something that might be dangerous down the line. How does one justify monstrous behaviour? What makes a monster? Where does culpability hang-on the thing that does the killing, or the one who is directing it? Pairing that with some searing commentary on gender roles, Susan J. Morris's second book in this series is both more challenging, and more daring as it faces these topics. It is not a comfortable read all the time, but it is so worth it to see the narrative payoff.

Between unearthing old family secrets, exploring dark magic, and beginning to mend platonic fences, Wayward Souls also serves a tale of leaving the past behind, and growing beyond what defines your childhood. Seeing the complexitites in family and friends, and learning to accept it, rather than cringe away.

TLDR; Wayward Souls is a fantastic sequel to Strange Beasts, expanding the world and building off the character foundations from the first novel. 10/10 would recommend. Please read it when you get the chance.

*4.5 Stars*

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Bindery for the eARC.

No sophomore slump here—Susan J. Morris delivers again. Strange Beasts was one of my favorite reads of 2025, and its sequel, Wayward Souls, is a worthy follow-up.

I especially loved the development of the relationship between Sam and Jakob Van Helsing. In this book, you get a stronger sense of who Van Helsing is, and it adds some heartbreaking context to his character. As always, I also loved the dynamic between Hel and Sam. Hel is exactly the kind of prickly love interest I always fall for in books. I also appreciated the new nods to Dracula and Frankenstein—fingers crossed Frankenstein himself shows up in a future installment. As a gothic fiction fan, these literary crossovers are part of what makes this series so compelling for me.

That said, I did find Wayward Souls slightly less successful than Strange Beasts. The writing didn’t feel quite as crisp. For example, there’s a scene where Sam and Hel are joking about how the conversation should be taking place somewhere else—but I didn’t even realize where they were until well after that comment, which pulled me out of the moment. There are a few instances like this where I had to reread to get my bearings. Some of the folklore references could also use more context; creature names were sometimes mentioned without explanation, and I found myself having to look them up to fully understand their significance.

Still, I really enjoyed this book (hence the high rating), but I’m tempted to reread it just to make sure I didn’t miss anything the first time around.

Having devoured the first in this series 'strange beasts', I was overjoyed to be approached for early access for its sequel and to get back into the world of hel and samantha, both for their personal relationship development and for the next mystery the society will send them to investigate.

This time, our team is taken to the shores of ireland, to help resolve a case in which men seem to be dissapearing, and two of their best who were sent to investigate originally have followed suit. In this sequel we get to explore a lot more about relationships that are present, from historical ones between van helsing and samantha, as well as between hel and her family - the infamous moriartys, to the more emotionally intricate situation between sam and hel.

Though I haven't always been a fan of books that take inspiration others, susan takes golden age classics such as dracula and sherlock and makes a tale that though inspired is entirely her own and a masterpiece in its own right. I particularly enjoyed how the focus of the paranormal in this tie back to the land it is set in, providing amazing representation to native mythology that isnt as commonly seen in fantasy as opposed to the popularised greek and roman myths.

overall, I enjoyed this as much as the first and was happily surprised by how the ending left me wanting more.

Still loving the characters, Sam and Hel. I like the edwardian magic and Irish folklore. The Irish landscape was described amazing aswell, felt like I could see it.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future

I loved getting to check out the sequel, so thank you for that!
I snagged this off Netgalley.

Usually I have some reservations about sequels, but this one I was actually excited for and it did not disappoint, so safe to say, if you liked the first one, you will totally love this one, I did.

I am obsessed with Sam and Hel ( spoiler alert but not really a spoiler in that sense but Sam is the kid of Mina and Johnathan Harper ( screaming) and Hel is the kid of Professor Moriarty ( super screaming) I am a long time fan of all things in that realm so you can imagine.

There are so many little Easter eggs for people like me that I am not going to spoil, but if you are a Sherlock or Dracula fan, its too fun.

This book isn’t all adventure and romance of course, it’s a sordid tale of what I think is, when is a monster a monster?
When is what you are doing for good, really going to far..
Power corrupts but its also what you make of it..

This story was excellent…

I need more Sherlock vibes with a Sapphic twist please!

In a beautiful addition to the Harker & Moriarty series, comes another lusciously atmospheric adventure. Wayward Souls is a perfect follow-up to Strange Beasts and continues the adventures of Sam & Hel.
To say that I was blown away by this book... that would be putting it way too simple. Susan J. Morris has done it again.
To begin, I love the way that Sam & Hel interact with each other. Being able to feel their emotions, their interactions and their relationship...to the way they open up... Morris has a way of making characters beautifully complex and being able to relate to even the smallest struggles that they feel as the story unfolds. Even if you have no prior knowledge of their full histories, Morris crafts her words in a way that makes what they struggle with feel real and relatable.
Mix that with a hearty dose of fantasy, beautiful spinoffs of classic tales such as Dracula, then weaving it in with additional tales of legends, and fantastical monsters. Morris has a way of allowing us to explore the good, the evil, and of leaving the past behind as you grow yourself. Of learning to accept oneself for who you are, and not for standards that people hold you to.
Wayward Souls was a fantastical tale I thoroughly enjoyed, and I am looking forward to returning to this fantastical world time and time again.

I loved Strange Beasts and I love love this second installment! Susan J Morris brings the mystery and intrigue once more and y’all it’s to die for!
If you love Sherlock Holmes vibes with Sapphic love you’ll adore these novels! Give me Sam & Hel everyday and I’ll be happy forever!

After I got the book (thank you netgalley), I realised it's the second book in the series. So, I had to read the first book for better experience, which was a good thing. But even if you hadn't read the first one, you'll get the gist or a good idea about the first book while reading this one. And I liked this one better. The protagonists are amazing qnd the character development is better here I feel. This book is a nux of dark, romance and folklore in it which I surprisingly liked better than I thought I would. So this was worth it for me.

Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris
⅘
Thank you NetGAlley for my ARC.
I have made a mistake of not reading book one, I feel like I missed some of the relationships made. But Wayward Souls was everything it promised to be. Enjoyed the characters with infamous relatives that were their own people. The story was well put together with the mysteries and building of suspense. I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it

arc review netgalley

Loved the first book and this one did not disappoint. I really hope there are more cause this has become one of my favorite series. The mystery is engaging and keeps you locked in. Of course loved the chemistry between Sam and Hel but was a surprised was how much I ended up liking the character of Jakob. Susan creates an amazing world that is gothic and mysterious but still has so much focus on the characters and their relationship towards each other. Hopefully this one also gets a special edition would love to add next to the first one.

I really liked the first and was absolutely not surprised to like the second just as well! I love the characters and their paths (the addition of Van Helsing was so fun) and the plot was captivating- delightfully dark and mysterious with just enough romance and suspense. Cannot wait for the next!

Another fun, spooky adventure with Hel and Sam! This time, they're off to the moors of Ireland. Once again, the writing in this is so vivid and really plays with the gothic nature of both the book and the setting in a fun way. Although he's still not my favorite, I did appreciate getting a more nuanced look at Van Helsing. He seemed kind of one-note in the first book and I'm glad there was more of his and Sam's past friendship to build on and make him more of an established character.

As always, Sam and Hel are electric. I really love their dynamic and I loved the added tension of them tip-toeing around what happened at the end of book 1 and how that shifts their relationship even more. Plus, there's always a little levity injected into the book when the two of them play off one another so that things don't get too grim.

I will say that I didn't quite love it as much as book 1, plot-wise. I feel like there were a lot of things going on that didn't entirely get explained in a satisfying way. Whereas I felt like book 1's plot all tied back in nicely together and made a fair bit of sense. There's a lot going on both plot and character-wise and I think there was definitely a bit too much focus on the character part. In a way that felt a little repetitive at times (re: Sam waffling about using her power and Sam and Hel's arguments taking on a bit of the same tone throughout). I understand the drama and the necessity of the conflict, but I think the way it came about so often felt like rehashes of the same conversation.

Overall, though, I really enjoy this series and I'm very interested to see what the author has in store for these characters next.

I’m going to have a hard time reviewing this one, just like the previous novel in the series (this is book 2, FYI). Summary: its good.

This novel is very well written, which is the biggest takeaway for me. Its detailed and layered and also flows very well. Its clever, which is something I appreciate a lot in a story. I will probably read as many sequels as the author is willing to write.

There is just so much going on in this novel. This is a great mystery, and also a wonderful blend of fantasy and reality that I think is hard to achieve yet this author does. There is a mishmash of so many different elements of folklore and classic literature (Sherlock Holmes meets Dracula meets all things supernatural chilling in the real world) that you think it would go overboard but it doesn’t! Add in a small amount of romance; I want much more than this, but I suppose ill have to read the next 20 books to get development on that front.

I liked how this was a sequel yet for the most part you didn’t need to read the first book. I read it long enough ago that my memory is spotty and thankfully the important details are reviewed well enough that you won’t feel lost if you dive into this one first. I DO think it would be best to read the books in order, but I strongly appreciate the ability to read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out next year. I'm absolutely obsessed with this sapphic series and I don't think that obsession will soon stop. Part 2 was even better. The way the series folds in characters of existing books, and mythes is interesting. I am intrigued to see what's next.

First, a note to Susan J. Morris: please keep this series coming--and frequently. I need more Hel and Sam!

This story takes place maybe a few weeks after the events of the first novel, and the latest Otherworld murder mystery takes them to Ireland...with Van Helsing. Sooooo, here's my issue with that: it's like sitting down to watch the next episode of Xena only to realize it's a Joxer episode. I know he's important to the Dracula lore and provides a foil to Sam, but at the same time, he doesn't really "spark" on the page. His presence also means that Hel and Sam are kept apart, so their interaction for a good chunk of the book is limited. I was looking forward to more teamwork between them here, but it felt like a step back to the first novel, where we're entirely in Sam's head while she's investigating on her own or doubting herself and her gifts. I was hoping we could move into some new territory, and while eventually that seemed to happen, there was a lot of re-tread to the Sam of book 1.

I'm also not entirely sure I fully grasped the plot or its resolution. I loved all of the lore, but with all of the red herrings and new characters, I was confused a few times as to how our heroes made the investigative leap to each of their whodunnit conclusions. There is a lot going on here with the plot, sub-plots, and character evolution that I feel like there may have been some loose threads and didn't necessarily get the satisfaction from the actual resolution. Luckily, the pacing of the story is running at a sprint at the end, and we get a taste of what the next book could offer with the final showdown--and a few other contemporary "monster" hints earlier.

This may not have been my favorite of the two (so far) novels, but it has only made me want more, more, more! Strange Beasts set an impossibly high bar, but I trust Susan J Morris to surpass that in the next novel. Cannot wait for the third installment!

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC

I was absolutely enamored with this book, It was gripping and spooky and has all the perfect mysterious vibes for fall. cant wait for more.

When a first book is as exquisite in world building and lore as Strange Beasts was, I alway enter into the second with equal amounts of excitement and trepidation. Wayward Souls feels like the progression of a relationship - going from the instant infatuation (Strange Beasts) to a deeper, more complex evolution of feelings and eventually the foundation of love. Wayward Souls delivers all the mysterious, spooky, puzzle-box twisty elements I’ve come to love with Susan J. Morris’ writing while evolving the relationships our two beloved protagonists hold with one another as well as those around them. It’s deep, it’s rich, it’s beautiful, it’s fun, and it’s satiating. Similar to Strange Beasts without remotely being a carbon copy, Wayward Souls checks all the boxes and then some. My only frustration is that I have to wait for a third book.

This installment continues the adventures of Samantha Harker, daughter of Dracula's killer, and Helena "Hel" Moriarty, daughter of the infamous Sherlock Holmes villain. As paranormal investigators, they are sent to Hel's homeland of Ireland to investigate mysterious disappearances, along with their boisterous frenemy Van Helsing. As the mystery progresses, new questions arise about the source of Sam's power, Hel's troubling past, and what it truly means to be a monster.

It takes off pretty quickly after the first book, but there was enough exposition to help me orient myself even though I hadn't read it in a while. Overall I really enjoyed the pacing, the mystery, and the new setting in Ireland, where we learn more about Hel and Sam's grandfather's backgrounds. The slow burn of Sam and Hel's relationship is also very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC.

Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris is a supernatural sapphic sequel that goes deeper into a world inspired by Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, this time set in Ireland, days before Samhain, focusing on brutal murders linked with occult societies.

I liked the worldbuilding in this novel, with the focus on the Otherworld in Ireland portrayed through incredible imagery and supposedly monstrous creatures, and the character of James Moriarty, as the main villain of the novel. The Vespertine society was incredibly dark and well-developed, and seeing how their secrets are revealed was satisfying to read. I also enjoyed Sam's dilemma with being a channel, like in the first novel, but further delved into. The commentary of this novel through feminist themes, along with the 'good' vs 'evil' debate, really enriches the plot and the characters, the main mystery unravelling through these themes.

Hel and Sam's relationship was my favourite in the novel; the development felt genuine and nuanced, their dynamic realistically complicated, but still having hints of romance and vulnerability. Van Helsing's development here creates a morally grey character with a complicated relationship with Sam that is riveting to read as the plot delves deeper into their past, seeing a side of him that makes him more likeable compared to the first novel. I feel like the characters of this novel are its strong point, the relationships they have with each other, and the flaws they have feel realistic. My only issue is that I would have liked the main 'monster' to have more development.

Wayward Souls is an exciting sequel, just as complex as the first book, and I look forward to the third novel to see more of these intriguing characters and gothic mysteries.

Amazing book. Purely and simply....a fun and excellent read. Character-driven with a diverse cast of characters, mixing magic and old world with modernism and industry. A wonderful continuation of the Sherlock Holmes stories, in a new way with new faces.

Nice, now give me twenty more!

This book was everything I hoped for after reading Book 1 and I had to stop several times while reading because I didn't want it to end.

It encompasses "Why do Men?" and female rage so well and I love this so much, there were so many passages I wanted to highlight because I couldn't agree more with Sam's thoughts,

Jakob did grew on me though, I really liked him being a more active role in Book 2 and hope he comes along for further adventures!

I really would've liked a pronunciation guide at the end of the book (because of possible spoilers) because I feel like I butchered every Irish word in my head xD

The pacing really picked up around the halfway mark and it was really hard to not finish it in one setting but I really wanted to savor it because who knows when and if the next book will come out.

As a big Sherlock and Dracula fan I just eat the books up and I love the cover for book 2 so much!! It was even better than book 1 and that was already stunning in my opinion.

I really want a book about the Viscount and the Duke now though, they gave me KJ Charles vibes, one of my favorite queer romance authors!

Susan J. does it again! Sam and Hel are back with their trusty sidekick Jakob in another adventure! (I hope this series never ends!) More mystery, more gore, monsters (but isn't society the monster?) and adorable familiars! I am absolutely in awe of her descriptions too. This story takes place primarily in Dublin but also throughout the Irish countryside and event though it's' set ages before my last trip, I could clearly conjure some of the locations. (And I added a few more to my itinerary for my next Ireland trip!)

PS. Thank you for Chapter 17.

A huge thank you to Bindery and NetGalley for this EARC.

Wayward Souls is the gripping second novel in Susan J. Morris’ Harker & Moriarty series. Full of yearning, murderous ghosts, and complicated plans, it’s the perfect follow up to Strange Beasts. There’s so much intrigue in these books! And it keeps getting deeper and deeper! Sam and Hel figure things out just to be thrust into the mysterious dark once again! More seriously: I really love the way that these novels can be a tidy packet: you don’t necessarily have to read the first novel in the series to get the way of things, and you can read them purely for the monster of the week mystery that plays out. It’s absolutely more fulfilling if you’ve read the first one, though; the arc of the story is getting deeper and more complicated: Sam and Hel are keeping secrets and we’re learning more about what makes them tick. The addition of Van Helsing as a more forefront character in this novel is interesting— it added an extra layer of secrecy to things, and it gives us more information about Sam’s childhood and her channeling. It also helps complicate Van Helsing! He’s not just a grouchy antagonist anymore. These novels really feel like they’re working themselves into something fabulous, and I’m excited to see where they go next! Many thanks to NetGalley and to Bindery Books for this ARC!

I CANNOT tell you how much I waited to be back with Sam and Hel in this world full of paranormal entities!!!
I'm so glad we got a better glimpse of Van Helsing in this book, as we can better understand him and his actions. Sam and Hel are still my favourites tho and I'll keep calling them my daughters. That's it.
It also keep building on the lore we got in Strange Beasts, especially regarding the Society. I also really enjoyed seeing more recurring characters from book one (no spoilers on this one as it's a pretty big thing).
Also the writing keeps getting better and more vivid as we progress, I'm really in love with this series!!

And now I'll patiently sit back waiting for the third book.

Overall, excellently written and engaging, though not necessarily exactly my cup of tea. Well-grounded Victorian-set fantasy, but I would have liked a little more emphasis on the romance beyond yearning glances and hope. The main trio has somewhat inconsistent behavior as far as being supposedly agents and therefore functionally professionals. Again, well written but would have liked more consistency in characterization and on-page romance.

After Strange Beasts ended up on my favorites of 2024, I was both excited and scared when I found out about the sequel. I’m very glad (and relieved) to report that Wayward Souls held up to the very high standards Susan J. Morris established with the first book.

One of my favorite things about this series is the setting. I love the way the author seamlessly weaves together historical events (in this case, we had a lot about Irish Separatism, the Gaelic Revival movement, and the Second Industrial Revolution) and figures with local mythology and famous literary characters and lore. As a reader, you can really tell how much effort she put into researching all of these elements.

Of course, we have our main characters, Samantha Harker and Helena Moriarty, this time accompanied by Jakob Van Helsing, drawing from Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, but I love how there were nods to other stories, as well as more elements of these two (I loved the introduction of Sam’s “aunt”, to keep this review spoiler-free).

I really enjoyed the inclusion of Van Helsing in the main group, both because it was interesting to see how his presence changed Sam’s dynamic with Hel (and with her own powers) for the development of his character and backstory. Learning about his past makes us understand his actions and his complicated relationship with Sam.

I love how much nuance Morris brings to basically all aspects of the book: family dynamics, character relationships, what makes a “monster”, and so on. Nothing is black and white, and it’s incredible how she does this in a way that is not overwhelming or confusing.

Now, I really enjoyed this novel, but there were two things that ended up a bit confusing . The first one being about the mystery. There were too many suspects (both humans and “monsters”), and I often found myself having to reread passages to make sure I understood and wasn’t mixing up any of the characters. I also wish there was more explanation regarding the mythology. I’m personally not familiar with Irish folklore, and obviously, there was a lot of it in this book. We did get information about some of the figures, but for others (and ones that were quite significant to the story) I feel like the author expected the reader to have some previous knowledge of, which I didn’t.

In the end, I settled for a solid 4-star rating. The writing, atmosphere, characters, and relationship dynamics are the highlights of this series and were really well constructed, and even with the issues I had while reading, I do think the mystery overall was good as well.

Personally, I liked Strange Beasts better than Wayward Souls, but that’s mostly due to my taste and experiences. I’ve been to Paris multiple times and love any time it is used as a setting, especially during this time period. On the other hand, I haven’t been to Ireland (yet) and am not familiar with Celtic myths, so I wasn’t as immersed this time around.

This book can be read and understood by itself, but I would highly suggest picking up Strange Beasts beforehand to get more context on the world and characters. This series is incredible and I really, really hope we get many more installments following Sam and Hel solving mysteries all over the world.

I was so lucky to get an ARC of this and I devoured it immediately. I had gotten an ARC of the first one and kept my eye on NetGalley in hopes of getting this one too. I really loved the storyline of this one, as well as learning more about all of our main characters. There is a lot more to them than they appeared. This is such a character forward story while still managing to have SO MUCH rich plot as well. I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books/Inky Phoenix Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While I absolutely ADORED Strange Beasts and admittedly squealed when I saw I got the opportunity to read Wayward Souls... this fell a bit short. I did enjoy this book but not as much as the first. I thought this was again well written and does a beautiful job at building a vintage gothic theme.

Morris' first book in this series, Strange Beasts was one of my favourites of 2025, so I was pretty excited to get hold of the sequel's ARC copy too. For a quick recap these books are set in an 'everything exists' universe and our MCs are descendants of the villain Moriarty, and Dracula's Mina Harker, and Van Helsing.

While Wayward Souls is a strong piece, I do diagnose a little bit of sequelitis. A major appeal of Strange Beasts was the frenemies dynamic between the main characters, but after being somewhat resolved in that book, the story of Wayward Souls feels like it stretches a bit to create some more drama between the main trio also there is a bit of a tear between the "monster of the week" plot and building ongoing tension for the big-bad. Basically I enjoyed the heck out of anything Moriarty related, which did make the main murder mystery type plot feel a bit like a distraction.

But that's all the negatives out of the way, Morris' writing is still some of the best urban fantasy out there. I continue to admire the way Morris is able to draw together to many mythical and supernatural elements without coming across as try-hard or just creating complete chaos. There is a good balance of intrigue and outright (and quite brutal action) scenes throughout the story and snuck between all that is decent social commentary which does some heavy lifting (as its kinda hard to do good social commentary when your fictional universe is full of magic and monsters).

All in all, my massive fanning over these books continue and I'm immediately hanging out for the next one, can't wait.

I was beyond thrilled to receive an ARC of Wayward Souls. After reading Strange Beasts I had a severe book hangover that nothing would cure. I craved to know what would happen next in the world of Harker & Moriarty, ugh and Van Helsing too. Morris delivers with her 2nd entry into the series (with unlimited more I hope). Wayward Souls is like a delightfully dark Emily Wilde. A suspenseful, puzzle box of criminal masterminds, the Otherworld, and England/Ireland politics. We see the dual nature of humans (and monsters) and a sprinkling of sexual tension. I cannot WAIT for what Morris graces us with next.

Thank you Bindery Books and Netgalley for this ARC.
My honest opinion is that this book is really good, and I love all the mysteries and the growth of each character! I love how Sam gets to discover more about herself and about the people she has in her life, Hel does some underground work here and we see more of Jakob too which fills my heart as I love these three so much.
The mystery, the research, the Irish folklore that goes deep within the roots of Ireland and the despise they have for the English, which is still true, lol.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I hope it gets into your hands and hearts and you may all enjoy a good reading.

I loved Strange Beasts, and I loved this sequel too! The world was built on more and I feel that added an extra layer, and the characters truly established their personalities.

I loved this even more than the first. Not only I am obsessed with Sam and Hel and their relationship but I also loved the Irish setting. The historical background of the Seperatist movement and the industrial revolution, the idea that the country resisted against the English, the folk and the ghosts and all the creatures and of course the mystery were all woven together in the most satisfying way possible.
Sam and her struggles both as a woman and as a channel make her one of my favorite characters and my crush on Hel is still alive and well. It's a bummer she only has eyes for Sam. Never been more sad by a closed door scene btw.

The Sapphic daughters of well known historical men? SIGN ME UP!!! This is the second book from Susan J. Morris is really great and feeds off of the first book perfectly! These books almost feel like setting up for a series of detective-esque stories, and I am HERE FOR IT! I'll read any of the books in this series. Also, just how beautiful is this cover?!

I have missed Sam and Hel so I was delighted to be invited to read the arc of the sequel.

Susan J Morris has such an enticing way of drawing you in with her story telling.
This was a dark gothic mystery, following our characters to an investigation in Ireland. Together they must solve and find whoever is doing these mysterious murders.

I have found that the sequel focused more on the plots than getting to know the characters, but that was exactly what I needed for Halloween! I also surprisingly found a liking to Van Helsing. I love their banters hahah

Some of my highlights:
- “Turn back,” Hel growled, her eyes dark. “I’m going to murder him.” Sam shot Hel a scandalized look. “Hel!” But Hel was unrepentant. “I’m going to pull the veins out of his throat and strangle him with them.”

- “Am I meant to be the baby manticore in this metaphor?” she asked. How Sam had fallen from Hel’s queen to pigs and manticores.

- A cat. Soaking wet with holy water, but still. He hadn’t killed it; he’d exorcised it. “Here,” Jakob said, thrusting the cat at Sam like an unwanted dishrag, as if it were her fault, which she supposed it was.


(I feel like we’ll see more of Hel and Sam, and hopefully Jakob 👀)

Wayward Souls hits the ground running, both in terms of Sam and Hel’s relationship as well as the Society action. I groaned when Van Helsing was added to the mission, but he gets a lot more development this time around.
Includes a great critique of England’s colonization of Ireland, told with folkloric creatures.

I am extremely excited to be writing this review because I am a huge fan of the first book Strange Beasts. I love the historical fiction genre already, but make it sapphic?! Im there! This is not just any sapphic historical romance though, it is also a fantasy with monsters, a mysterious plot, secrets, murder, folklore, rivals to lovers, feminine rage… I mean it has everything you could possibly want and more.

If you haven’t read the first book yet then let me convince you, Samantha Harker is the descendant of Johnathan and Wilhelmina Harker… you know the ones who killed Dracula. And Hel is Professor Moriarty’s daughter (Sherlock Holmes adversary). Sam is a researcher but wants to get into the field of the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, but due to her being a woman, a feminine and fashionable one at that, the men there think her weak and not able. Also she is a channel, meaning she has powers that they are afraid of where she can get into the minds of monsters. Hel is an outcast due to her evil father’s machinations and the mysterious deaths that befell all of her previous partners, but she is brilliant, fierce and they can’t deny she’s an asset. The two women form an unlikely team and are thrust together to solve a monster mystery in Paris whilst avoiding Hels father who everyone thinks to be dead and Van Helsing who is keeping a close eye on Sam.

We left off the last book on somewhat of a cliffhanger, Sam and Hel working together to find Sams grandfather whilst avoiding Hel’s father. The Society still doesn’t trust either of them so sends Van Helsing to keep an eye on them. I really couldn’t predict where this story would go, the mystery was just really well written and the way it’s so interwoven with folklore and different monsters and magic is so interesting. I really liked the character development in this book between all of the characters but especially the relationship between Sam and Hel as they are learning to trust one another. It’s a slow burn, forced proximity - slow to build trust partnership that we get to experience and the tender feelings that are flourishing. It was just really entertaining, it kept me so engrossed throughout and I can’t wait to see what happens next, it’s the kind of series you just never want to end.

Honestly everything about this was just amazing, the mystery kept you guessing, there was the inclusion of folklore which I always love, a beautiful burgeoning romance. Secrets, plot twists, found family and all the charm of the time period. I will always recommend these as they are some of my favourites.

Susan J. Morris returns with a triumphant sequel in *Wayward Souls*, the second installment of the Harker & Moriarty series. This gothic historical fantasy is a genre-blending gem—equal parts supernatural mystery, queer romance, and literary homage to the worlds of *Dracula* and *Sherlock Holmes*.

Set just days before Samhain, when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, the novel follows Samantha Harker and Dr. Helena Moriarty as they investigate the disappearance of two Royal Society agents in the haunted wilds of Ireland. With Jakob Van Helsing watching their every move, the stakes are higher than ever. Sam’s ability to slip into the minds of monsters is both a gift and a curse, and Hel’s past as her father’s pawn continues to cast a long shadow. Morris masterfully balances eerie atmosphere with emotional depth. The chemistry between Sam and Hel crackles with tension and tenderness, and their evolving relationship is one of the novel’s most compelling threads. The prose is lush and evocative, steeped in fog, folklore, and the ache of secrets long buried. What makes *Wayward Souls* shine is its ability to be both a thrilling mystery and a deeply human story about identity, redemption, and the ghosts—literal and metaphorical—that haunt us. Even readers new to the series will find this a satisfying entry point, thanks to Morris’s careful world-building and character development.

Verdict: A gorgeously written, emotionally rich, and delightfully spooky tale. Fans of Genevieve Cogman, Theodora Goss, and Freya Marske will find much to love. Don’t miss this one.

I was -as it seems to happen with everything the author writes- hooked from minute one. The atmosphere, the characters the plot… it all converges it what feels like a time/space capsule able to transport you to that precise spot.
This felt magical aswell as tense, I loved every part of it.

Susan J. Morris, please don’t stop writing!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

This series keeps getting better and better. I loved the first book and this one might have topped it. huge fan.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an eARC of Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris. I have to start off by saying as the sequel to Strange Beasts, the novel absolutely does not disappoint in the slightest. For this sequel you get more Sam and Hel, a fantastic mystery, and another beautiful historical setting. If you loved the first book and just want more, then Wayward Souls is highly recommended, as it evolves the characters and the world around them beautifully.

I found Wayward Souls darkly immersive and beautifully strange. The gothic atmosphere pulled me in, and I loved the uneasy blend of folklore, mystery, and horror. Sam and Hel’s bond felt intense and compelling, though the layered plot demanded patience. It’s moody, haunting, and deeply absorbing.

4⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What really worked for me in this book was the mystery. I loved that the investigation leaned into more Sherlock-style thinking 🧠—careful observation, clever deductions, and outsmarting the antagonist rather than relying purely on action. And Heathcliff the rat 🐀 absolutely stole the show for me. He felt like a true member of the team, fully involved in the adventure and investigation, not just a quirky side detail.

That said, while the romance was clearly with Hel, I couldn’t help but notice the tension between Van Helsing and Samantha 👀. It didn’t ruin the story for me, but it did pull my attention away from the central relationship at times and left me slightly conflicted about where my emotional investment was supposed to land.

Would I recommend it?
Yes. If you enjoy supernatural mysteries with smart problem-solving, a strong investigative thread, and memorable side characters (especially the animal kind 🐾), this is a solid and enjoyable read.

#WaywardSouls #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an advance copy of Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris. I loved Strange Beasts and was thrilled to be invited to review this sequel (that I was crossing my fingers for)!

It’s just before Samhain, and it’s time for the dynamic duo of Samantha Harker and Dr. Hel Mariarty to head back out into the field to address a very mysterious and complicated case that is causing chaos in Ireland, including the disappearance of other field agents who were sent out before them. To ensure they don’t get up to too many antics, and keep the mission forefront, Van Helsing is sent as a third member of the team. Once in Ireland, Hel begins to come face-to-face with some of the darker secrets of her past and her history with her father, while Sam is challenged by hauntings, omens, and a mysterious and powerful song that is calling for her. Will they be able to solve the mystery before Samhain, or will they die trying?

While Sam and Hel do what they do best, using their unique strengths to explore the mystery ahead of them, they also need to navigate their deepening relationship, and the role that Van Helsing is playing in their journey. Sam begins to wonder if she will ever be able to connect with her childhood friend Jakob again, or if he is gone forever.

Susan J. Morris artfully navigates both the mystery at hand, and the complicated web of relationships she started to build in the first novel of the series, Strange Beasts. She continues the thread of questions related to Hel’s father, and Sam’s grandfather, as those mysteries also deepen and intertwine with current events. I enjoyed many aspects of this story. It was well-written and creative just like Strange Beasts. One of my critiques of the first novel, the unclear Sam/Hel dynamic, was more clarified in this novel. There was also more development of Van Helsing’s background and relationship with Sam which I enjoyed. I did find some parts to be more of a slow burn, and it took me a little longer to get into this book as compared to the last one but I don’t think I ended up enjoying the story any less in the end. A great blend of mystery and fantasy with a dash of literary history and romance. Highly recommend!

Sam and Hel are sent to Ireland in this sequel to Strange Beasts and the story continues from there so it is wise to read the other book to fully enjoy this second installment.
Our heroines are accompanied by Jakob Van Helsing this time and needless to say distrust is high.

Given this story takes place in Ireland, we get to know the darker aspects of Celtic folklore as people disappear and the clock is ticking for our two protagonists and their shadow to solve the mystery before Samhain...

I adore how in this book noone is truly good or bad, sometimes we are the monsters others turned us into.

Wayward Souls is another amazing book by Susan J. Morris and I hope there are many more stories to share of Harker & Moriarty. Because this team is amazing!

Thank you to Bindery Books and Netgalley for this eARC!

Wayward Souls by Susan Morris is a moody, unsettling read that leans into atmosphere and emotional weight rather than big scares. I really liked the slow-burn tension and the way grief and inner darkness are woven into the story, it felt thoughtful and intentionally paced. While it’s quieter than traditional horror, I thought that restraint made the unease linger longer. Overall, it left a strong impression and stayed with me after I finished.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and Bindery Books in exchange for my honest review.

This was just excellent, truly a must read for anyone who has already read Strange Beasts or who like the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. It was a really delightful blend of mystery, folklore, and the gothic.

Samantha Harker and Dr. Helena Moriarty are sent on another case given to by the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, this time in Ireland. Jakob Van Helsing is sent with them by the Society, to keep an eye on Hel and Sam. I don’t think he quite realises that he spends the whole case third wheeling them! As men disappear and die in the days before Samhain, Sam, Hel, and Van Helsing race against the clock to solve the mystery of their disappearances and deaths. Hauntings, ghosts, the supernatural, and the folk are abound throughout, creating an eerie, slightly unsettling atmosphere.

The relationship between Sam and Hel is easily one of my favourite parts of the book, I just love their dynamic so much. The tension between them is palpable. I’m rooting for them, always.

I loved how often Heathcliff the rat showed up and how much personality he has. The fact that Hel just carries him around all the time on her shoulder is everything to me.

Lucy Westenra is one my absolute favourite characters of all time, I love any mention of her, so I was very happy with the mentions of her throughout!

I really appreciate that, like in Strange Beast, the victims are all men, instead of women like is often the case in many mysteries. It’s refreshing to read. I also really enjoyed the constant driving home of the message that men, especially wealthy men, are the real monsters in this world, their greed, entitlement, and violence damaging everything and everyone around them.