Sting in the Tail

Carnival of Mysteries

by T.A. Moore

The Carnival of Mysteries just arrived in Sutton County. They say if you cross the fortune teller’s palm with silver she can read your future like a map. Right now all Ledger Conroy wants to know is if he has a future. Back in Sutton after over a decade, Ledger’s plan had been to bury his father--recently deceased convicted serial killer and less-well known warlock, Bell Conroy--clear the property, and then finally wash his hands of being a Conroy. Instead there’s a cured human heart in the larder, a pissed off pretty boy who is definitely not human at the door, and a debt to the devil that Ledger’s just inherited. Devil. Monster. Something like that. He’d not asked for its pedigree Whatever it was, it's given Ledger a week to fulfill the terms of his father’s contract. Or else he’s never going to leave Sutton again. With pretty-boy Wren at his heels, more to make sure Ledger doesn’t skip town than to provide assistance, Ledger tries to track his father’s sins across Sutton. The problem is there’s so many of them. Ledger is faced with old grudges, a Sheriff that thinks Ledger knows more about his father’s crimes than he’s ever said (and isn’t wrong), and a dead man with a book shop. Not to mention the on-going distraction of Wren, who can't decide whether to be a hindrance, a help, or just hot. Luckily Ledger has a nose for this sort of work.

Sting in the Tail is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame's Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it's on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a dealer in dark collectibles, a man who's NOT people, and a monster with a debt it expects to be paid.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Monsters, Contemporary

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2023

About the author

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide. As her grandmother always said, ‘she’d laugh at a bad thing that one’, mind you, that was the pot calling the kettle black. TA Moore studied History, Irish mythology, English at University, mostly because she has always loved a good story. She has worked as a journalist, a finance manager, and in the arts sectors before she finally gave in to a lifelong desire to write.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

Website: www.nevertobetold.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TA.Moores
Twitter: @tammy_moore

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

I'd all but given up on this series, but I've read and generally enjoyed this author's works in the past so I decided I'd give this one a go, and I enjoyed it on the whole! Interesting premise, and it's quite gritty and dark compared to some of the other entries, which definitely tracks for this author even if this was a bit closer to horror than I personally generally enjoy. I really liked Ledger and the chemistry between him and Wren was excellent. I did find the world-building a little lacking/confusing at times--we don't ever actually learn what Wren is, though I suspect he may be literal animated bird bones, which is... weird--and while the ending was perhaps realistic (for a given value of realism give the genre) it was a bit more bleak than I tend to prefer. The characters are together and happy with each other, but the events surrounding it made it hard for me to really feel 'happy' with the ending. I did think this was a solid read and enjoyable over all, despite the issues.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has strong horror elements, so if you can't deal with icky creepy things, beware. The worldbuilding and the characters are top notch, and the mystery's buried with a lot of bodies and is hard and painful for our MC to extract against the ticking clock of a timeline. Nothing is over-explained. I enjoyed this one very much, hence all the stars.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really complicated horror story with lots of dark supernatural elements. Sometimes it could even have been a bit too complicated. The world building was outstanding and it's very different from other books I have read in this series, or by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

August 2025
Kindle edition

Ooh I liked this one. Had to pay for it but worth it. Wren and Ledger were cool, the relationship smooth-ish going with only one wrinkle in the way. Felt slow despite the axe hanging over Ledger's head. Some grim stuff with Earl and his making bodysuits. The cop didn't surprise me and the carnival tied in nicely. Probably problems in the future but for now HEA.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly spectacular storytelling, dark and fabulous

Rating:5+🌈

TA Moore, what a story! I love this so much! Although I feel I should put a titch of a warning out there for anyone looking for a feel good, cozy hearted romantic tale that they won’t get the book they’re looking for here.

A whopping fabulous story that has huge elements of horror, murder, mystery, and the paranormal. A bittersweetness and just plain bitterness, yes. All so beautifully written. But warm and fuzzy? Uh no.

But you kind of have to figure that goes hand in hand with a story who’s centered around a dead serial killer and his son who has to deal with the ramifications of the father’s debts. Not that his son isn’t as morally ambiguous a figure as dear old dad. He’s just not a serial killer.

Not in the entirety of this collection or in any recent books I’ve read have I met as intriguing and layered a character as Ledger Conroy. Moore could write legions of stories about him and Wren and never be done.

Ledger, son of convicted killer, Bell Conroy, returned to dispose of the old family house and the ghastly things that his dad might have left hidden inside. Why? Because , considering what they are, they would bring a profit. Ledger’s in the business of selling darkness, in the form of items, to people and beings who can use them. Yes, magic is real. And dear old dad dealt with the worst.

Every paragraph, every page adds depth and clarity of purpose to our character and history. Even as we get more information, I begrudge the the space the author isn’t able to give to the small elements introduced to fill out Ledger’s backstory. I need to know more about that sister!

Then there’s Wren, an otherworldly figure in service to a truly horrifying creature. I’ll leave Earl to the book. Make no mistake, Earl is one of the scarier nightmares to haunt any narrative.

Wren is a very complex being. One whose relationship with Ledger grows them emotionally in an unexpected manner , but doesn’t change what or who they are fundamentally just as it doesn’t Ledger.

This aspect of the story is probably the most interesting part about this. Moore stays true to her creations, neither of them becoming something they’re not but continuing to act /or emotionally maneuver within their respective personalities.

The plot is fantastic, a hunt for an object that belongs to Earl. Plus a short timetable and a horrific bargain that was made by Ledger. During this process, the Carnival of Mysteries is introduced and employed in a perfect way that not only is important to the game but has a profound impact on the outcome. Another exemplary usage of the overall theme.

There are several different storylines woven into the main theme of that have compelling endings, almost endings. There’s a tenuous quality to them, a vagueness that’s so satisfying and horrifying because, that’s what this tale calls for. You wish it wasn’t so but how else would it end?

Ledger and Wren have made it clear of the present danger. That’s the only spoiler I’ll give.

But what wouldn’t I give for Moore to send Ledger and Wren off on more murderous magical missions. Horror awaits. I hope the author is listening.

I’m highly recommending this to lovers of dark fiction and paranormal romance. I only wish I could rate it higher.

Spectacular cover. This collection’s artwork is amazing.

Carnival of Mysteries series:
- [x] Crow's Fate by Kim Fielding❤️
- [x] Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
- [x] Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️
- [x] Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
- [x] Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark❤️
- [x] Roustabout by Morgan Brice❤️
- [x] Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell❤️
- [x] Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ❤️
- [x] The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky
- [x] Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver
- [x] You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill♥️
- [x] Sting in the Tail by TA Moore ♥️♥️
- [x] The Black Robe of Flanders by Sara Ellis
- [ ] Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella - October 25

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bell Conroy was serving time in prison for murder. Having cancer he was released early and now dead by his own hand. With his death, after fifteen years, his son Ledger has returned to a hateful Sutton County, Ohio. He’s now inherited the run down house, he knew as a child. Ledger moved far away from Sutton County and lived a good life in Ithaca, New York. He has his own business with Dandy Lion Collectibles, cursed letters, old murder weapons, and curiosities.

Troubles already abound, Benjy Hark is waiting outside the house and claiming he’s already made a trade with the owner. Not so, since Ledger never made the deal. Hark get’s Ledger caught up in a bad trade and now scarecrow Earl holds all the cards. Earl wants to die, but he can’t find what he’s looking for. Now it’s up to Ledger to put all the puzzle pieces together or he faces certain death.

Even when Ledger, as a young boy told Sheriff Syder, what he saw, he was admitted to a mental facility. But the Sheriff want’s something, too. There’s also the mystery of the old deed and the books that Ledger returns to the Unnaturals Cryptids book shop.

What of the tempting Wren Bones who shows up at the house? Ledger tries to be cautious, he knows nothing about this Wren or what he is, but there is an attraction.

Time is running out for Ledger as the Equinox get’s closer. At the Carnival of Mysteries will the taro cards tell him of his fate?

T.A. Moore adds a horror filled, dark paranormal, tale to the “Carnival of Mysteries” anthology. “Sting in the Tail” is descriptive with the grit and gore of a chilling, intense filled, bargaining of souls and/or parts, that could give someone extended life, type of eerie tale. As always, the author brings those characters that are flawed and have rough edges. Ledger and Wren’s connection is filled with snarky banter and a steamy romance.

“Sting in the Tail” is scarily entertaining and worth the read!

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the darkest of the Carnival of Mysteries books that I have read, shading into horror at times, though it has a HFN ending. Lester is the son of Bell Conroy, local mass murderer who just died after his release from prison. What most of the town doesn't know is that Bell wasn't just a serial killer - he traded in pain, death, and body parts with monsters and demons, for life and power. Until the deal ran out, and Bell died. Lester tried to tell people about that, back when, and ended up in a mental hospital for his pains. He's not making that mistake again.

Lester's in town to make sure his father's remains are cremated and scattered, and potentially to burn the murder house he lived in as a child. He makes a living finding and selling occult artifacts, but he wants nothing to do with his father's blood-steeped relics, even if there'd be good money in them. Unfortunately for him, the unclean monsters Bell dealt with did not go away with his death, and one of them - Earl - thinks Lester owes it a boon, and something his father held. If Lester can't find what he owes and pay up, his death will be very slow and painful, and perhaps only partial.

He meets Wren, a hot cowboy-type who turns out to be something less than human, or perhaps more. Wren is a lackey for Earl, but also an individual person under his orders and compulsions. Not a human, as shown by his indiscriminate eating habits (don't read this book over a meal, for more than one reason) but still interesting, sexy, clever, and deeply attractive to Lester in the way a treat you know is awful for you can be. They begin with sex, but move on to something more.

The carnival is a minor player here, but provides a vital clue. There is more paranormal horror plot than romance, but the men do find a HFN. This is well-written and compelling, if you like reading on the darker side of paranormal.

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wild ride from start to finish.
It had a little bit of everything
a creepy carnival with an even more bizarre crew
a mysterious dealer
a monster(?) with a debt to collect
a whole lot of really strange and/or just plain high on the creepy vibe-giving scale supporting characters
a lot of clues each opening a new box of pandora nightmares
a romance that's as steamy as it is dangerous
It's the kind of book that will keep you up late at night, turning pages until you find out what happens next.

Ledger returns to his hometown after the death of his infamous father. Ledger wants to put the past behind him and move on with his life, but he soon finds himself chatting with a scarecrow and making a deal to save his life.
Turns out Dad had a little more going on than just un-aliving people.
What should have been a simple recovery turns into a dark and dangerous mystery involving a traveling carnival, some very strange characters, some dark collectibles, and monsters, one with a debt to collect.

This was packed with creative characters.
From the uniquely creepy to the oh-so-cuddly
This had a bit of everything. Great world-building!
The banter and smexual tension between these two was hot as hades and so believable.
The plot is full of twists and turns, and there are some genuinely breath-holding, heart heart-pounding moments.
Also plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as well.

So if you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, make your heart race, and make you laugh out loud all at the same time, then this is the book for you.

This is a standalone that takes place in the Carnival of Mysteries collection

[EQUUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the son of a serial killer, paying off his father's debt and a hot guy in leather meet? Well, the sparks fly. The problem is that the hot guy isn't human...
I'm a fan of TA Moore's writing for years but I must admit that when she chooses to cross to the dark side of paranormal it's sometimes difficult to follow her train of thought - not the scenes per se - they are more than clear enough - it's just where she's leading us with the story and the plot, not to mention her wild imagination. So many clues, so many hidden answers on the go. Don't worry it all clears up gradually and most definitely at the end. Not to mention the amount of gore - it's usually movie, or Stepen King worthy and definitely not for everyone - but I'm okay with it, because her writing is exceptional. This is probably the darkest book from this author and I've read them all. Just don't expect very likable characters, but I promise they will grow on you. The devil is in the details and I can promise she's the master of detail and clues, no matter if it's character or story development - you just need to pay attention. The details make her characters and scenes so very much alive -but honestly sometimes I wish she would keep some details contained... Not really, lol, just a heads up. Why four stars instead of five you might ask. Because I feel that the ending (epilogue) was a bit abrupt and left some answers to your imagination. I know this is a part of multi-author anthology and it's a standalone but I wish for a second book sometime in the future.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ledger has enough issues dealing with his infamous fathers death. He has lived with demons, monsters, and things that go bump in the night forever. Inheriting his fathers debt makes him about done with the whole mess. Wren is part of the unknown debt and since he isn’t even human Ledger really shouldn’t want to kiss him. The Carnival has something in store for Ledger, he just needs to figure it out before he starts losing his bones.

I liked that Ledger kept trying to distance himself from his truly evil father. Trying to get out of a debt that shouldn’t of been his to begin with. Trying to forget a tragic past and the possibility of no future. Trying to not fall for a mysterious non human man(?). Trying to get out of a dead end town, alive and whole. Always trying to escape the demon that has controlled his life for so long, even after he’s dead.

Of the books that I’ve read in the series, this is by far the strangest and darkest in the Carnival of Mysteries universe. I would love to see more of Ledger and Wren. Just to find out what Wren is.

I like this author. Her books always entertain.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.

[Elaine Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ledger is having difficulty dealing with the aftermath of his father's death, who had a notorious reputation for his wrongdoings. Ledger has confronted various demons, monsters, and supernatural beings throughout his life, but inheriting his father's debt has pushed him to his limits. One of the unexpected consequences of this debt is that it connects him to Wren, a non-human entity, making Ledger's attraction to him unconventional. The mysterious Carnival plays a significant role in Ledger's fate, but he must unravel its secrets before it consumes him completely. Ledger is determined to distance himself from his devious father, escape an unjust debt, and bury his tragic past. However, he also faces the enigma of falling for a non-human character. Sting in the Tail had my attention from the first to the last page and it will keep you guessing from start to finish.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sting in the Tail

Another in the “Carnival of Mysteries “ series. A mystery can be something wonderful to be discovered or sometimes it can be so horrifying that it raises bile in your throat, a terrible feeling of unspeakable dread, that constant itch that someone or something is behind you and getting closer and closer, a foul stinking breath on the back of your neck.
This mystery is just that, the second, it contains vile creatures of both the human and the unnatural kind tied together by the past to Ledger Conroy son of a very recently deceased serial killer who returns home to settle his father’s estate.
An undertaking that turns out to be far more complicated than he could imagine.
He encounters Wren Bird an appealingly human looking unnatural who complicates his mission and not always in a helpful way.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm torn on the rating for this book. It was very much not the book for me—and not for the usual reasons. (Kids. Kids are the usual reasons.) This was waaaaaaaay farther into horror than I like to go, and I don't think that was clear from the description. I also felt as if there were too many unanswered questions at the end. Part of that might be because I'm unwilling to go back and reread to pick up more clues, but I think part of it is simply that things are left unclear.

On the other hand, the writing is excellent, and the MCs are intriguing (though again, I wanted MORE ANSWERS). For that reason, I'm giving this four stars rather than three.

My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story weaves together elements of horror, suspense, romance and the paranormal into a compelling narrative that’s anchored by even more compelling characters. Wren is a mesmerizing mystery of a character and Ledger, contending with the legacy of a truly evil parent, a ton of messes he didn’t deserve to have to clean up and some truly long odds to fight against, is incredibly easy to care about and root for. I loved the overall vibe of the story so much: it’s got darkness and peril and hope and perseverance and somehow it all balances nicely. Well worth a read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Teresa]

DNF and no rating: I stopped reading at 41% and then decided to tried again a few weeks later and got a little further, but in the end, this book just isn’t for me. The author does a fantastic job of creating atmosphere and tension. This is definitely more horror than any thing, and I don’t generally like horror… I can do a bit of gore if I like the MCs and the relationship but I only marginally liked Ledger (I did feel bad for him though) and didn’t buy the relationship with Wren. That added to the amount of gory detail and the overall feeling of evil that permeated the story I just can’t finish it.

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ledger returns home to bury his dad, a serial killer hated by all the town… but there are more secrets at Sutton County that he’d never imagined, and he soon finds himself in a race against time to save his life and, maybe, his soul. He’ll have to avoid dangerous enemies, both human and supernatural, and won’t make the best decisions when it comes to trust…
Sooo… It is dark, it is gritty, it is hard and painful.. but it is also really engrossing and strangely fascinating, I simply could not put it down.
I loved it
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review

[Mari Cardenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

This was a very plot-driven story and is probably the darkest in the Carnival of Mysteries universe. 

Ledger and Wren had amazing chemistry, and while we don't discover what Wren really is due to the book being in Ledger's POV, one thing is certain, these two belong together. 

This was a very well-written book, entertaining, angsty, and steamy, a bit too plot-heavy/complicated for my taste, but the world-building and Ledger and Wren more than made up for it. Recommendable! 

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read like an episode of Supernatural, just with more sexy times. Ledger's trouble should have ended with his father's death but that was just the beginning. The sins of the father hit hard and they felk on Ledger like a ton of bricks. He and Wren cut it so close it's a miracle anyone made out alive, or aliveish. A fantastic addition to this multi-author series, filled with dark family secrets and debts to be paid.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*

[Raichaelj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is classic TA Moore here! 

While we never actually are told what the main players in this story actually are, it doesn't much matter. The storyline is not quite a love story as such - or at least, not one where both characters go off into the sunset. But what they do have seems more profound. 

There's a mystery to be solved, one that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. 

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sting in the Tail

Action-packed and exciting! A supernatural horrorish story filled with suspense, romance, mystery, and so much thrills and chills it had me glued to the pages. I really enjoyed this story and hope maybe the author will write more with these characters in the future!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely put this in the horror rather than romance category. There were a few sex scenes but more horror / gore.
I did perserve with the book because at times I wasn't really sure what was happening or indeed what the characters actually were. Not sure either the carnival really fitted in, seemed it was there just because there had to be a carnival connection.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horror mostly, with a dash of —romance? Sex, certainly… I finished it but it was a slog, as I don’t like horror. And there seemed like a lot of background explanation missing… and I had to re-read some sentences multiple times to understand them, so the writing wasn’t all that great in places. Also, way too many “he”’s used without clarifying which MC was being referred to, got very confusing at times

[T.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

What an interesting book. Not just for the fact the the main character’s father was a serial killer but the mystery of who helped the killer and the monsters.

I loved it, I wonder if the author will write a sequel. I’d read it!

[Miriam]

T A Moore is an exceptional writer. Her stories tend to more horror than my usual fare, but despite all the darkness and death her characters and scenes are so vividly drawn and alive that I come back time and again.

For those of you who enjoyed this story, I recommend her Babylon Boy series.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

This is another good story in this multi-author series. It was very interesting and kept me hooked through to the end.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Averin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-crafted world building (a little too much at times). Interesting MCs. An absolute horror of an antagonist. A strange, offbeat MM almost romance.

[Lynn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

so unique

A great story that kept me guessing until the very end. Very well written and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Tex Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Dense, Convoluted Horror For Me

[Jerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written with great characters. It fits in well with the Carnival of Mysteries series. The alternating scenes of hope and horror kept me guessing. Ledger never stopped fighting. even in the face of his increasingly hopeless future.
Wren was a fascinating being. He seemed far more human than wanted to be at times. Was he unapologetically evil, a victim of evil, or a fallen angel?
If I had realized how much horror was in this one, I probably would have skipped it. I'm a lightweight these days!

[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, story line, and characters. Well written, l would recommend to those who like dark Paranormal romance. The author really knows how to write scary and unusual stories, with a twist. Ledger is left high and dry by his incredibly evil father, Bell Conroy. With the help of Wren (great character), he overcomes the monumental clusterfuck his father has left him with, and defeats death . A good ending, things partly worked out for our guys, and we got a HFN. Part of a really good series, I'd definitely recommend it (Carnival of Mysteries), the stories I've read so far have been well written and entertaining. 4.5 stars.