Wayward Souls
by Susan J. Morris
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Pub Date Mar 17 2026 | Archive Date Not set
Bindery Books | Inky Phoenix Press
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Description
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 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 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.
Advance Praise
Praise for Strange Beasts, book 1 of the Harker & Moriarity novels
“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
Marketing Plan
- Social campaign with over 5M direct reach plus paid promotions
- National print, broadcast, and online media campaign including radio and podcast interviews
- Extensive review copy mailings to booksellers, media, and influencers
- Netgalley and Goodreads promotions
- NYC launch event with broad influencer and media attendance
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781967967032 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
