Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1

Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #1

by Patrick Horvath

Don’t. Murder. The locals. This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. After all, there’s a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm décor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie…the last thing you want is to disturb the peace. So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise—and you wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree. Live, laugh, shed blood. “Dexter” meets Richard Scarry’s Busy Town in writer-artist Patrick Horvath’s twisted debut of BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime

29 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2023

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

When violence shocks a cozy and cute community its up to…*checks notes* the local serial killer to set things right. And in Patrick Hovarth’s delightfully dark and murderous Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees comic series this serial killer also happens to be an adorable cuddly looking bear. Let me back up, I need you to understand when I say “cozy and cute community” I mean the literal coziest and cutest community this side of Richard Scarry’s Busytown (forget zodiac signs and enneagrams [Gemini, 7w6], would you drive the apple, the banana, or the pencil car through Busytown?). Set your eyes on this fine sight:


I love how the narration boxes looks like they are written on the sort of wide ruled lined paper for learning handwriting in grade school and how soft the color are. Surely a ghastly string of horrifically violent murders couldn’t happen here, right?
WRONG



Imagine if you played Dexter with Calico Critters and you’ve got Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees—an outstanding title, I must say—where we have cute cuddly bear serial killer desperately seeking the identity of another serial killer before the blame lands on her because cozy Woodbrook ain’t big enough for the two of them. And the serial killer is onto her.

This is a WILD ride. With wild animals. Not just anthropomorphic wild animals but also regular wild animals which doesn’t always make much sense but theres sort of a purpose beyond seeing a good bear fight:


Dripping in dread and a whole lot of blood, this is an intense good time that turns up the tension with every flip of the page. A bizarre little book that sometimes takes you out into the wilderness and gets trippy as hell and I’m thrilled to have read even if the ending is a bit predictable, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is a good time full of cute cozy carnage. Which is a line I didn’t think I would ever write. Check it out!

4/5

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you kidding me? This is like playing "Serial Killer" with Calico Critters. I'm obsessed. LOVE IT--does not hold back so if you don't think you can handle Richard Scary "cartoonish) animals--as actually SCARY and victims of heinous violence, this isn't for you--but if you want to see the sweetness of Animal Crossing splashed in red...this is totally for you.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoooo wtf did I just read?!?

What an interesting start to a new series that definitely has a feel of Richard Scarry and Dexter. I don’t know that this was what I was expecting from the series, but I’m glad I decided to dive in. Please be mindful of picking this one up if it bothers you to see animals harmed. Granted, it’s the animals harming each but still….it gets gruesome.

[Bradford Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I gotta say, I'm pretty disappointed. Only idiots who don't know what they're doing use a gun."

I absolutely love this crazy blend of children's cartoon artwork and serial killer drama. It’s like The Berenstain Bears meets Dexter, and it works wonderfully.

Speaking of bears, Samantha Strong, the ursine protagonist, has a dark secret that she harbors all-too-well. Her secret trips to the big city scratch a certain... itch, but she’s incredibly careful never to bring her homicidal handiwork back home. Woodbrook is that idyllic, cozy small town that everyone hopes to find one day. Well, until its residents start dying in grisly (no pun intended) manners. Suddenly, Sam has another killer to contend with—one who is seriously mucking up her perfect cover as Woodbrook's friendly, helpful hardware store owner.

This comic was a remarkably quick read, but it provided an excellent, chilling glimpse into the mind of a killer. Populating the story with anthropomorphic animals offers this comforting nostalgia of old-school cartoons, but the pitch-black subject matter contrasts it in a way that is oddly, brilliantly enjoyable. Or, you know, maybe I just have issues.

Either way, if you're looking for a bizarre, unforgettable standalone comic unlike anything else on the shelves, you absolutely have to try this one out.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a horse of a different color as they say. I went into this as a complete blank slate. Haven't heard anyone talking about it or seen it anywhere, just scrolling through hoopla's selection. Wow. I had no idea it would be as graphic as it was - not to be too on the nose. It's Gilmore Girls meets Dexter - animal version. The color scheme and introduction to the town sort of lulls you into a false sense of cozy cottage core. It's a small town, everbody knows everybody - there's even a hardware store and the coffe/tea shop. I can't reveal more without spoiling the entire thing but I will be reading Issue #2! A disturbingly entertaining read (fast too).

[Francisco Cesar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck it, 5 stars. One of the best debut comics I've read in recent memory. Bought this based on the cover art alone, went in completely blind and just LOVED it.

Idk how it manages to pull off the art style with the mature content of the story but it never feels gimmicky and it totally works. Can't wait for issue 2.

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, how can this be so dark and cuddly at the same time?

Samantha is a brown bear in a town filled with other loveable animals. She's kind and sweet, and also sometimes kidnaps people and murderers them in the forest. Simple life, right? But one day someone else is starting to kill, and it's in town, which starts to make people suspicious. It becomes almost a cat and mouse game, even when the killer is found out, Samantha must figure a way to outsmart them if she's gonna survive this. Overall fun and exciting, huge dexter vibes, but also adorable cute art. I really want more from this series, and hope we get a follow up of some sort.

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can ALREADY TELL this is gonna be one of my favorite books of the year y'all. Beautiful watercolor art. Really crazy story. Anthropomorphic animals live in this small town, where everyone knows everyone. The Bear seems sweet and helpful, but when she goes to the city where she is unknown... Trouble is a foot. Serial killers meets Calico Critters. I'm obsessed.

[Gab · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay I'm sorry but this is waaay to negative for me. I liked the art, it's pretty and the fact that all the characters are animals is so lovely but our main character is a serial killer?! And we're rooting for them?? And it's not Xue Yang style...maybe just a little but it's a no from me. 😅

[Shadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everything neat, and everything tidy."

WTF!!! 😯

Loved the artwork! ❤️

[taylor ⛅️ ann wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the BEST graphic novel I’ve read. The story was compelling, the art was stunning, the gore/violence was (in my opinion) tastefully done. Jarring enough to be disturbed but not turned off entirely from the story.

I knew I would like this… but LOVE it?!
The premise sounded incredible. A murderous bear with Dexter vibes solving murders in her own town?

If you enjoyed Dexter, are interested in serial killers or morally grey (let’s be honest— sociopathic) main characters. This is a graphic novel for you.

5⭐️ (hands down)

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Busy,Busy Town meets Dexter. I’m not a huge graphic novel fan, but the idea of cutie anthropomorphic animals getting murdery in a small town seemed fun, and it was. The art is great and tinged with a bit of morbid humor. Be warned they didn’t skimp on the blood and violence, these adorable critters get nasty. I did think the story and dialogue were a little too slim. I would LOVE to see this turned into a cartoon series.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a review. :)

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was crazy. The art style and town is so cute and cozy, but it’s about a serial killer. I’m interested to see where this goes because this first volume was really good and it ended on a cliff hanger.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was adorable and *deeply* disturbing. It did what it did really well, but I cannot understate just how disturbing it was. If you like slashers and horror, you'll probably like this. As for me, I need to go read something uplifting now to cleanse my brain.

[Bogdan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn`t like this first number at all!!

And I had a little hunch just looking at the cover!!!! Where you have the little "surprise" reveal in all it`s glory!!!

Oh, well, I saw that other readers liked this kind of stuff and I`m in minority here

In the same time, the artwork is great, top notch for me, I`m a big, Big, fan of this kind of stuff!!

But I`m not being fooled by a Dexter like plot with a female bear (!..!!!! female, oh man!!) just for the sake of the extreme situation, and I`m not a "puritan", I like very well other crime-thrillers anthropomorphic novels, like this one wants to be .

A big miss for me!

Hope for better in the future, because the artist has a lot of potential!

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This is the definition of a "what the eff did I just read" item. Interesting concept that goes way off its rocker. Someone else compared it to Dexter meets Gilmore Girls and I agree. The other comparisons to killer Calico Critters or an excessively dark Richard Scarry are also on point.

When I started my reading list for this year did I think that murderous anthropomorphic animals would be on my list? No. Am I completely intrigued and going to binge the remaining five installments when volume 1 is released later this month? Yep.

Sometimes a completely random pick just works out I guess...even when you find yourself horribly disturbed and questioning your own sanity throughout the entire read.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the cutest, serial killer thing I’ve ever read hahaha

[Serge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dexter meeting Winnie the Pooh. Accounts of serial killer done in the style of children book published by Hallmark. Sounds weirds isn’t it?
And yet, that’s a pretty accurate description of Patrick Horvath’s new graphic novel.
Sam is a bear who works at a hardware store and, in her free time, dismembers her fellow woodland creatures with the detached precision of a surgeon. Her one rule of honor? Don’t shit where you eat. Her small town idyll is a violence-free zone — or was, until a new player enters the game. Suddenly, bodies start turning up all over town, and Sam realizes this town ain’t big enough for the both of them.

[Zaidee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oof, this one definitely creeped me out. I knew it would be dark, but the illustrations of the murders were more grisly than I anticipated. I think I was expecting a higher contrast between the cuteness of a town of animals and the serial killer plot, but it was more so about small town familiarity. It was interesting how the identity of a carnivore played a part in the story. Beneath the Trees was a surprisingly quick read, and ultimately it felt a little rushed at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Neon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of 'Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees' by Patrick Horvath.

Five out of five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I need to buy an 'in the hand' copy of this as soon as possible. I absolutely adored this graphic novel. It's as dark as my little ole soul.

Welcome to your average but perfect tiny town where everyone knows everyone else's name and your neighbor is a serial killer.

100% I would recommend this to anyone with a love for Dexter and/or serial killer documentaries before bed.

[Nick Topakas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist!

Loving this really mellow vibed, beautiful world of partially anamorphic animals just getting on.

The murdering stuff might be more than I’m after, but I’m open to it all and it worked really well, we’ll see how it continues.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Love this cover, love this art. It's watercolor, dreamy animal folk + serial killer v serial killer (?) Very promising start.

Edit to add: Now that I have finished the series, highly recommend if this is your vibe.

[Mik Cope · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing combination of funny animal comic and serial killer story, this is a grisly little tale well painted by Horvath. There are twists and turns as a typical small town is turned on its head by tragedy.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this one is calling to you, definitely check it out. This one doesn't rest on it's premise of "serial killer in Richard Scary-like animal town", but has a compelling story as well. Pitch black cuddliness ensues.

[Lauren Crutchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very bizarre and disturbing story about a serial killer anthropomorphic bear. I did not know what to expect of this, but found myself enjoying it. Now I’m intrigued as to what the rest of the books entail

[Krystyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I AM DISTURBED.

[Garth · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 - The 52 Book Club Challenge

Week 42: Author debut in second half of 2024

[Mee Too · Rating 4 out of 5]

aghhhhh ... I'm going to have to binge all three issues right now. This is a classic serial killer story with berenstain bears artwork. what an ingenious combination!

[Annalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is creepy. I like it. Looking forward to the next.

[Kim Lockhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG. This comic will freaking surprise you. Holy crap.