Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #2

Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #2

by Patrick Horvath

Horrified to learn that she’s not the only serial killer in Woodbrook—and insulted, frankly, by the rookie’s flare for the dramatic—Samantha hits the pavement to silence the competition before they ruin her quiet, perfectly curated life. But the insufferable latte-chugging local busybody Cherry Gherkins is poisoning the town with her own theories about the murder, and things are about to get messy. Grab a cup of cocoa and curl up with the second chapter of Patrick Horvath’s twisted tale of a cozy animal community in crisis!

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

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2023

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all]]

This series of anthropomorphic animals unwittingly headed towards a serial killer vs serial killer scenario continues to be a hoot. I really enjoy the way the soft and cutesy art really clashes with the dark themes, making the moments of extreme violence all the more jarring and dramatic. But it also works as an excellent commentary on how the whole mythos of “nice small towns” is mostly an aesthetic facade of innocence that avoids the darkness underneath. I suspect as this series progresses all the saccharine scenes are going to start unveiling a darker tone that nobody is as perfect and cute as they make themselves out to be, but for now I’m really enjoying how this is practically Calico Critters and happy town scenes out of shows for toddlers that are suddenly interrupted by extreme violence. Our main character needs to figure out who is behind the murder(s) before she starts looking suspicious and her own history of murdering gets dredged up, and the newest death is likely to make her a prime suspect…
Can’t wait for more!

[Bookishrealm]

Please tell me I’m not the only one who doesn’t necessarily feel sorry for the pig lol I mean damn it was gruesome but she was a complete bitch and wanted to boss up when there’s a serial killer on the loose.

This series is definitely shaping up to be something completely and totally unexpected but I’m enjoying the hell out of it.

[Amy]

Only two issues in and can already tell it’s going to be a favorite!

Zootopia meets Dexter vibes

[Shadow]

"HEAD OF THE CLASS" 🐷

[Zuli]

THIS IS MY DESIGN,
animal's version

[Benjamin Uke]

essentially, you have a "realistic" serial killer in the methodical, cold, experienced Samantha, and a slasher movie serial killer in the impulsive. She has to catch the killer before she is caught in turn
Okay, starting to see some pathos and intrigue.

3/5
On think I really like is how perfect the art style is. Many "unassuming" horror/gorey stories usually have an eerie look to their cute characters. Which isn't a bad thing but I love it when the art style could legitimately pass for (in this case) a normal children's book/comic.

[Sadie Hartmann]

With two serial killers operating in Woodbrook, all the cute animals are freaking out! Except for the local "Karen" who makes everything about her
I love how our original killer, Sam, is now on the prowl for the other one--very Dexter meets PBS cartoons Franklin or Arthur--wait, was Franklin Nickelodeon? Anyhoodles
I'm off to read the next one now

[ɧơƖƖყ ཞơʂɛ]

The gore galore and I adore it. Who’s the culprit is the real question.. 🐻🔪🐷

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ)]

What the heck?

[Angustia⋆Cósmica]

"This town's not big enough for two psycopaths, not to mention one so reckless."

The good thing about short comics is that my own short fuse doesn't have to put up with annoying characters for long.
Good riddance.

Love how the author does gory death scenes without it being a splatterpunk mess; as the local wuss I greatly appreciate how the scenes are succint without spilling more blood than needed.

The story manages to move along nicely in only a brief bout of pages, I'm completely hooked.

[Skittles Jones]

Jumped right into this one since I wanted to know what happened next.

Cherry f*cking Gherkins. Poor woman. She was brave, I’d give her that.

I am so invested in this quaint town filled with talking animals and not one, but two serial killers. 🥹

[Annalisa]

This is getting really interesting! I'm so curious what is going on. I like the dynamics of the town in dealing with all that is happening. I really like this so far.

[Stephanie]

4.5⭐️

[Jenny]

This series is amazing. I’m loving it! Humorous. Suspenseful. I can’t wait to read more and find out who killed poor Martin and Cherry Fucking Gherkins!

[Caitlin]

This second installment was well paced and really connected the reader to feelings about various characters, similarly to a slasher film. The art is so detailed, even in the background, and contrasts so well with the subject matter. Plus, we get more gore action scenes in this one than the first!

[Kasie]

this is not for kids

[Ana]

4

[Mindy]

Damn Cherry...

[Yana]

Zootopia on steroids

[Brooke]

This is such a fun and interesting story. I just love how you think it’s going to be all cute and light, but it’s actually quite dark. Love the artwork as well.

[Book Tea 🫖 with Jai]

In this issue of Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, Sam takes on the role of a detective by talking to Bertie, the owner of the float where the murder victim was discovered. Despite sporting a black eye given to him by an unnamed town resident, Bertie reveals some valuable information about the night before the body was found. As the story unfolds, readers are presented with some key clues. Author Patrick Horvath continues to lead readers down a dark path as the small town of Woodbrook grapples with a gruesome murder that has been publicly displayed. The entire town is on edge, as evidenced by the presence of the sheriff at a town meeting where he announces a curfew and urges caution among the residents. However, the meeting is abruptly interrupted by the town bully, Cherry Gherkins, who is portrayed as an unlikable character. Unlike the previous story, which focused on a hardware store owner defending herself against a rival killer who had discovered her secret, this new story takes place eight years in the future and is set in the 1990s. The introduction of the Internet and suburban development adds a new layer of complexity to the world of the charming yet deadly serial killer.


https://www.tumblr.com/thebookteawithjai

[Stephen West]

"Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #2" continues to enchant with Patrick Horvath's evocative storytelling and mesmerizing artwork. This second installment earns a resounding 5 stars for its deeper dive into the lush, secretive world first explored in its predecessor.

Horvath's mastery as a storyteller and artist shines brighter than ever, with a narrative that effortlessly intertwines the whimsical and the profound. The character development is exceptional, revealing layers and nuances that were only hinted at in the first volume. The artwork captivates with its vibrant detail, each panel bursting with color and life, demanding the reader's attention and holding it captive.

This graphic novel is a celebration of the unseen magic that thrives in the heart of nature, told through a tapestry of images that are as poignant as they are striking. "Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #2" is not just a continuation; it is an elevation of the series to new heights, promising an adventure that will be treasured by fans and newcomers alike. It's a triumphant sequel that cements the series' place as a must-read in the world of graphic novels.

[Alicia]

Gah! I need them all now.

In the second issue, a murder has actually happened in the idyllic Woodbrook, a small town of animals who are pleasant and do the right things. It's the reason that Samantha, the bear, goes into the city every few months to murder because she has a rule to never murder the locals. No one remembers the last time there was a tragedy like this and as the parade moves through Woodbrook, it's revealed that the goat is hanging dead from the mast of the ship float and poor turtle, who doesn't seem to have anything to do with it is the talk of the town while speculation ramps up when pig Gherkins starts making harassing and rude statements to everyone. Then, something sinister happens to her now too. There is certainly a dark cloud hanging over the town.

The visuals are on point. The dark undercurrent is atmospheric without trying hard. It speaks for itself and I can see why it was nominated for best new series.

[Andrew Dittmar]

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Issue #2

Yeah, this was one where I was just not the target audience.

I admired the premise and the execution. The story made me feel super icky.


Reading history:
Normally I keep this in my private notes section, but I'm moving it. Yay!

Reading history was not added on Goodreads, but was instead kept on a post-it note with the book.


Started October 29th, 2025.
Finished October 29th, 2025.


October 29th, 2025: read issue #2 in physical compilation of all six issues.

[Rahul Nadella]

4.5 stars - Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 takes a surprising turn as the story shifts from a serial killer's inner monologue-driven horror tale into a detective narrative. I honestly can't stress how much I'm enjoying this series. It works mainly because the mystery of who the killer is tantalizes with key clues dropped left and right. This is a can't miss and has us excited to read more in 2024.

[David Miles]

Upon finding out there are two serial killers in town, Samantha begins searching for the second killer. But first we must deal with this insufferable latte drinking "Karen". Again the juxtaposition of the anthropomorphic pig-lady Cherry Gherkins starting the the butcher window with a severed animal-pig head is perfect.

The great Sadie Hartmann (aka Mother Horror) puts it best: this is Dexter meets a PBS cartoon.

[Denise]

Raise hands if you knew Cherry was gonna get it?! Excellenct sequel to the first and can't wait to read the next in this series of hilariously dark and gorey forest animals/barnyard animals Gilmore Girls meets Dexter series. And the bonus is how short they are so there's no boring parts just gore & story. Sam was right though, their town is not big enough for two psychopaths.

[Kayla Smith]

3.5 stars

This continues to be pretty gory and disturbing for a series about anthropomorphic animals living in a cozy small town. I can't say that I was too sad about who the next victim of the killer was but this has definitely kept me intrigued.

Content Warning: murder, gore, assault, desecration of a body

[Saunter Saunter]

shaping up to be one of my favorite series

The balance of mystery, horror, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a pure delight. And to think I almost didn’t read this because I thought it was for children.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. This has all the makings of my future favorite series.

[Daniel Freer]

Love it, wish it was longer but that's my only complaint lol

Just great,love the setting, the story, the characters, all of it. Like the old school kids book feeling it has and then this violence outta nowhere and it doesn't fit but it does. Just a great and I think this is his debut, Patrick Horvath so keep it up please.