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Cryptid Killers
When a man is slaughtered on the slopes of a new ski-resort, his violent death catches the attention of Agent Rylan of the Cryptid Investigation Unit. Unbeknownst to staff and tourists, the resort’s built inside the territory of a savage beast, a predator with hundreds of years hunting experience.
Decorated soldier Eoin Carter is new to Rylan’s team. Jaded and scarred from years of war, he will be introduced to an entirely different battle. As the creatures emerge from hibernation hungry and ready to feed, Rylan will divulge a secret, one that might turn the art of war on its head if leaked.
As the slopes run red with bloody carnage, Agents Rylan and Carter will be in a fight for their lives.
Decorated soldier Eoin Carter is new to Rylan’s team. Jaded and scarred from years of war, he will be introduced to an entirely different battle. As the creatures emerge from hibernation hungry and ready to feed, Rylan will divulge a secret, one that might turn the art of war on its head if leaked.
As the slopes run red with bloody carnage, Agents Rylan and Carter will be in a fight for their lives.
- GenresHorror
Audible Audio
Published July 22, 2022
182 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 13, 2025
I've been yearning for a good creature feature and this delivered. Tons of action and gore, insane looking creatures, and a couple of special agents that are as funny as they are engaging. Carter and Rylan, our leads, are there to break neck and cash checks. No funny business. And what better place that a newly opened ski resort with underground Soul Feeders eating the patrons. So we have the agents trying to control the death count, while other factors are at play, desperately attempting to study the ancient beings for financial benefit, and things just get crazy. The pace was solid, the writing was good, the creatures were unique, and this kept me entertained from start to finish. Not sure that I've seen anything from Alister Hodge yet, but he is on my radar now. Keep these coming!
June 24, 2022
While I was looking for a good sci-fi read sadly this was not it. I found this book to go from semi interesting to absolutely ridiculous in a few chapters. Luckily the book reads quick but there’s a lot that makes little sense and never gets an explanation. Also while reading it felt like a losing battle as left and right everything went wrong. Still love how humans manage to prove we’re still worse than any monster smh. The end was ok but I didn’t love the Dr escaping or the illusion to bigger problems that we know nothing about…..
August 6, 2021
This was a middle of the road read for me, some parts i liked and others i didnt.
I thought i recognised the cryptids in this book and looking through my library i found that they are the same creatures from the story "The Three Brothers" in a collection of stories called "Aberrations" - this isn't a bad thing, i just picked up on it and began to build a world in my head where they exist.
As with another book of Alister's i've read, i felt the reveal of the creature(s) was too early- that's just a personal preference though, i like a bit of mystery to allow the creep factor to escalate. That didnt happen here. The creatures appear and then the next minute a specialist team arrive to contain the situation. It's all action after that with a few twists along the way. Speaking of the team - something happens to the leader, Rylan, which i actually found laughable and took me right out of the reading experience. I won't reveal it here but it could have been missed out, i didnt feel it was necessary at all - it will probably be part of a bigger picture as by the end of the book, it's clear that there is a new case for the Cryptid Killers on the horizon.
Although i wasnt overly impressed with this book, it was still enjoyable. Nothing wrong with the writing itself, i was just expecting more from the story. I would certainly be interested in more stories in what's looks like a new series for the team. I do love a cryptid!
I thought i recognised the cryptids in this book and looking through my library i found that they are the same creatures from the story "The Three Brothers" in a collection of stories called "Aberrations" - this isn't a bad thing, i just picked up on it and began to build a world in my head where they exist.
As with another book of Alister's i've read, i felt the reveal of the creature(s) was too early- that's just a personal preference though, i like a bit of mystery to allow the creep factor to escalate. That didnt happen here. The creatures appear and then the next minute a specialist team arrive to contain the situation. It's all action after that with a few twists along the way. Speaking of the team - something happens to the leader, Rylan, which i actually found laughable and took me right out of the reading experience. I won't reveal it here but it could have been missed out, i didnt feel it was necessary at all - it will probably be part of a bigger picture as by the end of the book, it's clear that there is a new case for the Cryptid Killers on the horizon.
Although i wasnt overly impressed with this book, it was still enjoyable. Nothing wrong with the writing itself, i was just expecting more from the story. I would certainly be interested in more stories in what's looks like a new series for the team. I do love a cryptid!
September 17, 2023
I loved the narration of Harry Roger Williams III.. who brings out the action and suspense. Perfect
When people are found brutally killed in the Australian alps investigators are called in. The action begins from the and never lets up until the very end. A new resort, is built inside the territory of a savage beast, a predator with hundreds of years hunting experience
Eoin Carter is new to Rylan’s team. who is scarred from years of war, he is now introduced to an entirely different battle. As the creatures emerge from hibernation hungry and ready to feed.
When people are found brutally killed in the Australian alps investigators are called in. The action begins from the and never lets up until the very end. A new resort, is built inside the territory of a savage beast, a predator with hundreds of years hunting experience
Eoin Carter is new to Rylan’s team. who is scarred from years of war, he is now introduced to an entirely different battle. As the creatures emerge from hibernation hungry and ready to feed.
September 24, 2021
5 Stars
Good book. Kept my interest all the way. Cryptids wasn't what I expected I was looking for the Australian version of bigfoot. But the giant Bugs worked fine. Hope there is more books with Agent's Rylan and Carter.
Good book. Kept my interest all the way. Cryptids wasn't what I expected I was looking for the Australian version of bigfoot. But the giant Bugs worked fine. Hope there is more books with Agent's Rylan and Carter.
August 25, 2021
Great Monster Story!
This is the 2nd novel I've read by this author. The first was good and si is this one. Storyline is well thought out and characters well defined and developed. Starts out fast and ends at break neck speed. Tons of graphic violence, action, suspense and gore. Definitely recommend it to monster story lovers!
This is the 2nd novel I've read by this author. The first was good and si is this one. Storyline is well thought out and characters well defined and developed. Starts out fast and ends at break neck speed. Tons of graphic violence, action, suspense and gore. Definitely recommend it to monster story lovers!
September 13, 2021
Some jobs are just more exciting than others
This was a quick but exciting read. I loved the cryptids that were taking over a ski lodge but I was thrilled at the "bonus" cryptid that was thrown into the mix. I certainly hope that this will become a series.
This was a quick but exciting read. I loved the cryptids that were taking over a ski lodge but I was thrilled at the "bonus" cryptid that was thrown into the mix. I certainly hope that this will become a series.
September 16, 2021
Monsters and mayhem
And that's just the fun part. Seriously tales from the Cryptid. Get it? Seriously good book. Lots of twists and turns. Action too.
And that's just the fun part. Seriously tales from the Cryptid. Get it? Seriously good book. Lots of twists and turns. Action too.
February 6, 2023
I borrowed a copy of this book from Kindle Unlimited and am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I see the name Alister Hodge on the cover of a book, I will probably read it. I didn't learn about this one until I saw it come across my Facebook feed recently. I was looking for something a little different and decided to take this one on.
Cryptid Killers is a short and fast-paced story set at a ski resort somewhere in Australia. When I say fast paced, I mean reading this book is a lot like hopping a ride on a roller coaster in motion. The action begins on the opening pages and never lets up until the very end. It has a pair of great characters as heroes, as well as a pair of nefarious characters who are so buried in their own self-interest, they cannot see the danger they are unleashing to the resort's guests, who have paid a large premium to have a holiday.
At 149 pages, I was impressed by how Al crammed so much story into such a small space.
Cryptid Killers is a story that could cause one nightmares. The monsters in this tale are vicious and relentless, and there are too many to count. Al's descriptions of the horror caused by these creatures may be a trigger point to some readers, but for those who can take descriptions of injury and dismemberment, it is an entertaining read that might have one sleeping with the lights on.
I enjoyed this book, as I have everything I've read from Al Hodge, and I continue to look forward to his future work as an author.
When a skier is lost at a resort, Agent Rylan of the Cryptid Investigation Unit and her new partner, Eoin Carter, find themselves in a battle for their lives against an army of creatures who are rapidly emerging from hibernation. When they appear, they are ruthless, murderous, and very, very hungry.
As Rylan and Carter do their best to keep the resorts guest from becoming a hot meal in the frozen tundra, they also have to fight against the resort’s greedy owner and his henchman, who harbor ulterior motives.
One of Al's major strengths as an author is the characters he writes. While there wasn't a lot of background information given in this story, there is enough to help one become invested in their successes.
Agent Rylan knows her business. She is intense about her work, and she knows how to get the job done. I will not go into too much detail and spoil a plot twist. I want to know more about this character. Hopefully, there will be future books.
Eoin Carter is a former soldier who has seen his share of violence and death. He is pretty good at keeping his cool while he assesses and acts in situations. I don't think he was prepared for what he found on the mountain above the resort. Carter is a well-trained, tough ex-soldier. He and Ryland butt heads occasionally, but they actually work well together and are a great team.
Jacob Freidman is the villain of the tale. He, along with his henchman, make things miserable for Rylan, Carter, and just about everyone else on the mountain for their holiday. He is very rich and powerful; he has an ulterior motive and the consequences to others be damned.
My favorite plot point is also a major spoiler, and the thing about the story that makes me want more. It is also a major spoiler, so I will leave it by saying Agent Rylan has a lot of experience with cryptozoology.
My takeaway from Cryptid Killers is to warn others to be wary of things that come in pretty packages, like the ultra-modern resort. Sometimes those who are in the business of providing amazing experiences may have amazing ambitions and are willing to spend huge amounts of money to make even more money.
I have never been disappointed by anything I've read from Alister Hodge. He is an amazing writer who, through his characters, spins tales that are the stuff of nightmares. If you are looking for something that will thrill and give you the heebie jeebies, this is the book for you! Cryptid Killers is a story that runs at breakneck speed, don't blink, or you might miss something. Al includes things he has experienced in his profession working in the emergency room, and sometimes the reality of his descriptions can make one cringe. If you cannot handle such scenes, this might be one to avoid. But if you like horror with graphic scenes of mayhem, this is one you might want to dive into.
Highest Recommendations for a shorter read that moves.
When I see the name Alister Hodge on the cover of a book, I will probably read it. I didn't learn about this one until I saw it come across my Facebook feed recently. I was looking for something a little different and decided to take this one on.
Cryptid Killers is a short and fast-paced story set at a ski resort somewhere in Australia. When I say fast paced, I mean reading this book is a lot like hopping a ride on a roller coaster in motion. The action begins on the opening pages and never lets up until the very end. It has a pair of great characters as heroes, as well as a pair of nefarious characters who are so buried in their own self-interest, they cannot see the danger they are unleashing to the resort's guests, who have paid a large premium to have a holiday.
At 149 pages, I was impressed by how Al crammed so much story into such a small space.
Cryptid Killers is a story that could cause one nightmares. The monsters in this tale are vicious and relentless, and there are too many to count. Al's descriptions of the horror caused by these creatures may be a trigger point to some readers, but for those who can take descriptions of injury and dismemberment, it is an entertaining read that might have one sleeping with the lights on.
I enjoyed this book, as I have everything I've read from Al Hodge, and I continue to look forward to his future work as an author.
When a skier is lost at a resort, Agent Rylan of the Cryptid Investigation Unit and her new partner, Eoin Carter, find themselves in a battle for their lives against an army of creatures who are rapidly emerging from hibernation. When they appear, they are ruthless, murderous, and very, very hungry.
As Rylan and Carter do their best to keep the resorts guest from becoming a hot meal in the frozen tundra, they also have to fight against the resort’s greedy owner and his henchman, who harbor ulterior motives.
One of Al's major strengths as an author is the characters he writes. While there wasn't a lot of background information given in this story, there is enough to help one become invested in their successes.
Agent Rylan knows her business. She is intense about her work, and she knows how to get the job done. I will not go into too much detail and spoil a plot twist. I want to know more about this character. Hopefully, there will be future books.
Eoin Carter is a former soldier who has seen his share of violence and death. He is pretty good at keeping his cool while he assesses and acts in situations. I don't think he was prepared for what he found on the mountain above the resort. Carter is a well-trained, tough ex-soldier. He and Ryland butt heads occasionally, but they actually work well together and are a great team.
Jacob Freidman is the villain of the tale. He, along with his henchman, make things miserable for Rylan, Carter, and just about everyone else on the mountain for their holiday. He is very rich and powerful; he has an ulterior motive and the consequences to others be damned.
My favorite plot point is also a major spoiler, and the thing about the story that makes me want more. It is also a major spoiler, so I will leave it by saying Agent Rylan has a lot of experience with cryptozoology.
My takeaway from Cryptid Killers is to warn others to be wary of things that come in pretty packages, like the ultra-modern resort. Sometimes those who are in the business of providing amazing experiences may have amazing ambitions and are willing to spend huge amounts of money to make even more money.
I have never been disappointed by anything I've read from Alister Hodge. He is an amazing writer who, through his characters, spins tales that are the stuff of nightmares. If you are looking for something that will thrill and give you the heebie jeebies, this is the book for you! Cryptid Killers is a story that runs at breakneck speed, don't blink, or you might miss something. Al includes things he has experienced in his profession working in the emergency room, and sometimes the reality of his descriptions can make one cringe. If you cannot handle such scenes, this might be one to avoid. But if you like horror with graphic scenes of mayhem, this is one you might want to dive into.
Highest Recommendations for a shorter read that moves.
December 19, 2023
This adventure novel set in Australia was nonstop action from start to finish. Two government operatives come to a ski lodge where a man has just been horribly mutilated to death. A little research has told them that this is an "every thirty-year phenomenon" and they want to find out why it's happening. They get a lot more than they (or I would be the reader) counted on. I was expecting some bigfoot style monster, but it was much more terrifying and dangerous than that as an insectoid monster threatens the whole lodge.
But great stories in this genre don't just have the monster to worry about. As the Walking Dead taught us, the greatest villains are often other human beings. And in this case, the billionaire owner of the lodge is a nasty customer indeed. After all, there are profits to be made. What do the lives of a few dozen skiers matter when billions of dollars are on the line?
But Hodge isn't done with us, because one of his government agents has some serious secrets that I suspect the reader will be exploring for many novels to come. This is a great series opener.
But great stories in this genre don't just have the monster to worry about. As the Walking Dead taught us, the greatest villains are often other human beings. And in this case, the billionaire owner of the lodge is a nasty customer indeed. After all, there are profits to be made. What do the lives of a few dozen skiers matter when billions of dollars are on the line?
But Hodge isn't done with us, because one of his government agents has some serious secrets that I suspect the reader will be exploring for many novels to come. This is a great series opener.
August 1, 2022
I enjoyed this story. When people are found brutally killed in the Australian alps investigators are called in. The story is suitable bloody with excellent creatures, I must admit I was expecting a yeti type but these worked really well although I would have liked a later reveal, I thought the suspense could have been built up a bit longer. The characters are good Alister Hodge threw in a twist that I definitely did not see coming. Harry Roger Williams III does a good job with the narration, although there is a slight roboticness to the performance but he still kept me listening. Overall a good read. I received a complimentary copy from the narrator and am leaving a honest voluntary review
November 17, 2023
Excellent book by Alistar, fast-paced action and easy to read. The plot had some interesting twists and the characters were excellent. You want blood and gore you got it this is a blood splattered read from start to finish. Just when you think the action calms down it doesn't. These government agents from the No name of such we don't speak agency battle unnerving cryptids with a bloody history called Soul takers by the natives. These are wicked creatures but they are creatures probably not quite as wicked as a few other humans in the story.
June 26, 2024
"Cryptid Killers" by Alister Hodge (2022) is a thrilling monsterfest novella about a male and female private soldier sent to investigate strange deaths at a ski resort about to open in Australia. Agents Rylan and Carter discover the emergence of a swarm of human-sized, carnivorous insect-like monsters unleashed on the unsuspecting tourists. The action and a plot twist with one of the agents keep this story moving along. The many deaths of innocents left a bad taste in my mouth and Harry Roger Williams III’s narration sounds a little too robotic. Still, solidly recommended.
May 27, 2023
Solid Creature Feature
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I expected a standard SyFy movie adaptation. Monster eats people. Special Forces move in, take some hits, and then save the day. Then I was surprised when one of the main characters was killed. Wow, didn't see that coming. But instead of staying dead, they regenerate and add a whole new layer to the story. Really excited to learn more about them and how they have this ability.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I expected a standard SyFy movie adaptation. Monster eats people. Special Forces move in, take some hits, and then save the day. Then I was surprised when one of the main characters was killed. Wow, didn't see that coming. But instead of staying dead, they regenerate and add a whole new layer to the story. Really excited to learn more about them and how they have this ability.
June 25, 2023
Agent Rylan has to break in a new partner, Agent Carter, to the Cryptid squad. Called to a new skiing resort, after a series of murders, they discover a nest of creatures that come out to hunt every thirty years. Good story that moves at a nice pace, good main characters, will be interesting to find out more about Rylan's past.
February 24, 2024
lots of 4 star reviews, so I am swimming against the tide here. .. .I couldn't even finish the kindle sample.
Thing is... although people would say "Then why would you start reading this.. it's clearly not your cup of tea"... these kinds of books actually ARE. In a world where you have books like Preston Child Relic etc. it just didn't do it for me
Thing is... although people would say "Then why would you start reading this.. it's clearly not your cup of tea"... these kinds of books actually ARE. In a world where you have books like Preston Child Relic etc. it just didn't do it for me
November 11, 2021
Enjoyed a cryptid story from Australia
This story was certainly a change of pace from the usual ones I have been reading. Fast paced and with good characters. I can't wait to see where the author goes with this story line.
This story was certainly a change of pace from the usual ones I have been reading. Fast paced and with good characters. I can't wait to see where the author goes with this story line.
July 24, 2023
Decent - will read book 2
Was interesting enough that I'll read the 2nd in the series. Interested to learn the origin of agent Rylan.
Can't help but make comparisons to the Monster Hunters International series by Larry Correia - which in my opinion is significantly better.
Was interesting enough that I'll read the 2nd in the series. Interested to learn the origin of agent Rylan.
Can't help but make comparisons to the Monster Hunters International series by Larry Correia - which in my opinion is significantly better.
November 10, 2021
lots of editing needs to be done. great story
November 17, 2021
Not a bad story, I just didn't really like the creature choice that much.
November 10, 2023
Well… there’s 45 minutes of my life that I will never get back. So there’s that.
January 21, 2024
MONSTERS
Enjoyable read ! (why do you have to have minimum # of words to post review) y y y y !!!
Enjoyable read ! (why do you have to have minimum # of words to post review) y y y y !!!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews