Wayward Souls

Harker & Moriarty #2

by Susan J. Morris

"Such an absolute joy to read. Highly recommended" TJ Klune

Monsters are rising in Ireland-and the only ones who can stop them are two women who might be more dangerous than the beasts they fight...

Samantha Harker and Dr. Helena Moriarty might have solved the Paris case, but that doesn't mean the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena trusts them. Sam's power to see into the minds of monsters is a slippery slope to corruption. Worse, Hel's uncanny habit of turning up wherever her notorious father's hand is felt has the Society questioning whether he exists at all . . . or whether it's been Hel all along.

So when Special Branch requests aid in Ireland, the heart of Professor Moriarty's hidden empire, they send another agent to monitor them: Van Helsing, who is perpetually suspicious of Sam and a bit of an arse.

Their investigation takes them from ancient ruins to the clandestine clubs of the rich and powerful, untangling the mysteries of magic, monsters, and men. But even as Sam and Hel fall deeper into each other's orbit, the secrets between them multiply. Things Hel can't bear to confess; things Sam doesn't dare confide. Things which not only put Sam in terrible danger from Van Helsing, but leave her haunted by death omens, mysterious black feathers, and a song no one else can seem to hear. And, as ever, Professor Moriarty lurks in the shadows, waiting to make his next move . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Gothic, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Paranormal

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 17, 2026

About the author

Susan J. Morris is a fantasy author best known for her Harker & Moriarty novels, including Strange Beasts and its sequel, Wayward Souls. Before succumbing to books entirely, Susan worked as a novels editor at Wizards of the Coast, ran workshops for Clarion West, and penned a popular writing-advice column—all of which, she is coming to realize, are more or less books. Susan makes her home in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her partner, her cats, and entirely too many plants. Find her online at susanjmorris.com.

Content warnings available on her website.

Reviews

[Kaitlyn Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Harker is a researcher at the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena in London, England. All her life she had been conditioned to believe she was especially susceptible to evil because of her supernatural channeling ability--- she can see into the minds of monsters. To offset the risk of merely existing, she must not use her gifts for fear of corruption, like what happened to her mother under Dracula’s enthrallment. Sam is convinced she is a weakness, a liability, and a potential danger to everyone around her. Hel is the daughter of Sherlock Holmes’ notorious nemesis, Professor Moriarty, and her time at the Royal Society as one of the top field agents has earned her a confounding reputation as sterling as it is tarnished. She’s brilliant, but ominously, her partners always end up dead. With just a week away from Samhain, these two women will be dispatched to look into the perplexing disappearances of multiple field agents in Dublin, Ireland. To complicate things even further, the Royal Society has also assigned Jakob Van Helsing as head babysitter for the two women, ratcheting the stakes even higher: should Sam give in to her supernatural abilities or Hel fail to prove her father’s existence, their fates would be held in his hands. Unlocking the truth will become the heart of the matter for both the investigation and for Sam and Hel’s tenuous relationship as partners. Sam and Hel still struggle to trust each other; however, hesitating to do so will swiftly lock them inside a deadly game filled with monstrous secrets, shifting shadows, and masterful subterfuge. This book is powerfully propulsive, an irresistible page-turner, and I couldn’t look away as the chemistry and the mystery deepened. Hel and Sam will face insurmountable odds to exorcise evil, apprehend a killer (or killers), and outmaneuver Death itself!

Susan J. Morris has brilliantly alchimised a darkly atmospheric Victorian fantasy world packed with supernatural phenomena, secret underground societies, perilous puzzles, and thrilling monster and mouse investigations in her debut book series, Harker & Moriarty! The second installment to Morris’ series, Wayward Souls, is penned with great affection for the classically horrific and with great appreciation for a good detective novel. She skillfully sutures the two genres together with an exacting eye, transplanting terrifying villains and beloved characters from these worlds into a plot already rife with exciting exploits and other-worldly danger following Hel and Sam on their thrilling adventures!

I adore Hel & Sam together. Their initial chemistry was undeniable and totally addictive, but now it’s electric & the sapphic longing is absolutely scrumptious! I’m beyond excited that they now have their own series! Just like the first book, there is a continuing thematic presence of feminine strength & resilience in open rebellion against the systemic & prolific patriarchy of the time, which is profoundly satisfactory. Maybe it’s because I have been on a gothic horror novel dive recently, but this time around I also noticed clever connections from the genre including themes of unchecked ambition expanding far beyond defined ethical bounds & the questioning of what really defines monstrosity from humanity (both from Frankenstein), the literal & figurative grappling of good vs evil & our inexplicable obsession with female sexuality (these from Dracula). Morris’ writing is incredible, innovative, and intriguing. She has galvanized new life into long-dead, stodgy tales from the past, successfully giving rise to her very own Promethean creation!

I can’t recommend these books enough since I can guarantee you’ll be in store for a monstrously good time! Thank you so much Net Galley and Bindery Books/Inky Pheonix for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own.

[Me, My Shelf, & I · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second installment in the series and was so pleased to see it continue to develop in the ways I most hoped. Definitely pick up Strange Beasts if you haven't yet, because Wayward Souls really builds off the events of that book.

My only criticism is that there was a particular reveal that was such a cool and unique idea that it made me jealous I hadn't thought of it first.

Oh! And we better see more of the kitten in the next book.... or else. >:)

I guess if you're the kind of person who hears it's International Women's Day and your response is to ask when International Men's Day is, then this is not the book for you. But for everyone else I had a blast and this is one of my fav reads of 2025!

Does the ~dog die?:
both Heathcliff and the kitty are absolutely unharmed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam and Hel (the daughters of Jonathan and Mina Harker from Dracula and Professor Moriarty, the nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, respectively) are off on another adventure in this sequel to Strange Beasts. This time London's Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena have sent them to Ireland with Jakob Van Helsing accompanying to keep an eye on things, as they don't quite trust Hel's loyalties or Sam's abilities.

Like its predecessor, the vibes in this book are perfectly on point! Steeped in the darker aspects of Celtic mythology and folklore, this story is perfect for spooky season reading. People in Ireland are disappearing in ways that smack of the supernatural and it's up to our team of field agents to figure out who or what is behind it all, preferably before the night of Samhain, when the veil between worlds is thinnest and dangers from the Otherworld are at their peak.

A theme of this installment is that no one is only one thing - all good or all bad. Characters who were midlevel villains of the last book have the opportunity here to show that they have another side. Our heroines have to learn to allow themselves as much grace as they do the monsters they confront in their line of work, who are sometimes made the way they are by monstrous acts committed against them.

I hadn't recalled from the first book that the story is all told with third person POV from Sam's perspective, so readers can only really get an idea of Hel and Van Helsing's thoughts and feelings through their interactions with her. I do think a reread of that one would have been beneficial, as I couldn't recall much about the situation with Sam's grandfather, which comes into play as a fairly major plot thread here.

One complaint I have with this book is the same one I had for the first in the series - I couldn't always follow the characters' reasoning when they came to conclusions about things in their investigation. The answers and explanations here were a bit convoluted, with a lot going on. I kind of had to just enjoy the ride and accept the characters' determinations without fully appreciating how they arrived at them.

Still, this was overall a fun story and perfect fit for my October reading, and I am grateful to NetGalley, Bindery Books, and Inky Phoenix Press for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Nico bookreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bindery Books and Netgalley for this ARC.
My honest opinion is that this book is really good, and I love all the mysteries and the growth of each character! I love how Sam gets to discover more about herself and about the people she has in her life, Hel does some underground work here and we see more of Jakob too which fills my heart as I love these three so much.
The mystery, the research, the Irish folklore that goes deep within the roots of Ireland and the despise they have for the English, which is still true, lol.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I hope it gets into your hands and hearts and you may all enjoy a good reading.

[Thomas Edmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morris' first book in this series, Strange Beasts was one of my favourites of 2025, so I was pretty excited to get hold of the sequel's ARC copy too. For a quick recap these books are set in an 'everything exists' universe and our MCs are descendants of the villain Moriarty, and Dracula's Mina Harker, and Van Helsing.

While Wayward Souls is a strong piece, I do diagnose a little bit of sequelitis. A major appeal of Strange Beasts was the frenemies dynamic between the main characters, but after being somewhat resolved in that book, the story of Wayward Souls feels like it stretches a bit to create some more drama between the main trio also there is a bit of a tear between the "monster of the week" plot and building ongoing tension for the big-bad. Basically I enjoyed the heck out of anything Moriarty related, which did make the main murder mystery type plot feel a bit like a distraction.

But that's all the negatives out of the way, Morris' writing is still some of the best urban fantasy out there. I continue to admire the way Morris is able to draw together to many mythical and supernatural elements without coming across as try-hard or just creating complete chaos. There is a good balance of intrigue and outright (and quite brutal action) scenes throughout the story and snuck between all that is decent social commentary which does some heavy lifting (as its kinda hard to do good social commentary when your fictional universe is full of magic and monsters).

All in all, my massive fanning over these books continue and I'm immediately hanging out for the next one, can't wait.

[Vavo ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this even more than the first. Not only I am obsessed with Sam and Hel and their relationship but I also loved the Irish setting. The historical background of the Seperatist movement and the industrial revolution, the idea that the country resisted against the English, the folk and the ghosts and all the creatures and of course the mystery were all woven together in the most satisfying way possible.
Sam and her struggles both as a woman and as a channel make her one of my favorite characters and my crush on Hel is still alive and well. It's a bummer she only has eyes for Sam. Never been more sad by a closed door scene btw.

[Heather | Nerdy By Nature Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Samantha Harker and Dr. Helena Moriarty may come from illustrious families, but they've made names for themselves working at the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena. Sam is more fond of the research side of things, but got a taste of field work while assisting Hel on a previous case. It also led to the Society distrusting the pair, but they've been given another chance to prove their loyalties when they're assigned a case in Ireland to uncover the mysterious disappearance of two fellow agents. Only this time, the pair will be accompanied by Jakob Van Helsing to oversee them. Their investigation takes them all over Ireland, and as Sam and Hel's connection grows deeper, so do the secrets between them. Hel is haunted by the sins she committed in her father's name, while Sam is plagued by death omens that mark her as the next victim. Can Sam and Hel uncover the truth before it's too late?

One of my favorite aspects of the previous book was its atmosphere, and Morris continued to nail it here. It has all the Gothic, spooky vibes you could want, plus it blends historical mystery and fantasy together in such a cool way. It also has a 'monster-of-the-week' feel that I love. I enjoyed learning more about our two MCs, Sam and Hel, and seeing their relationship develop (it's one for the slow-burn fans.) I liked how Morris incorporated Celtic myth and folklore into the plot. You could tell how much research must've gone into the work to get the story just so. However, it didn't capture my attention as fully as I'd hoped, but I still liked seeing Morris bring it all together. It's not a new favorite, but I would still recommend checking out the series.

[Milda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What really worked for me in this book was the mystery. I loved that the investigation leaned into more Sherlock-style thinking 🧠—careful observation, clever deductions, and outsmarting the antagonist rather than relying purely on action. And Heathcliff the rat 🐀 absolutely stole the show for me. He felt like a true member of the team, fully involved in the adventure and investigation, not just a quirky side detail.

That said, while the romance was clearly with Hel, I couldn’t help but notice the tension between Van Helsing and Samantha 👀. It didn’t ruin the story for me, but it did pull my attention away from the central relationship at times and left me slightly conflicted about where my emotional investment was supposed to land.

Would I recommend it?
Yes. If you enjoy supernatural mysteries with smart problem-solving, a strong investigative thread, and memorable side characters (especially the animal kind 🐾), this is a solid and enjoyable read.

#WaywardSouls #NetGalley

[Ana Beatriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After Strange Beasts ended up on my favorites of 2024, I was both excited and scared when I found out about the sequel. I’m very glad (and relieved) to report that Wayward Souls held up to the very high standards Susan J. Morris established with the first book.

One of my favorite things about this series is the setting. I love the way the author seamlessly weaves together historical events (in this case, we had a lot about Irish Separatism, the Gaelic Revival movement, and the Second Industrial Revolution) and figures with local mythology and famous literary characters and lore. As a reader, you can really tell how much effort she put into researching all of these elements.

Of course, we have our main characters, Samantha Harker and Helena Moriarty, this time accompanied by Jakob Van Helsing, drawing from Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, but I love how there were nods to other stories, as well as more elements of these two (I loved the introduction of Sam’s “aunt”, to keep this review spoiler-free).

I really enjoyed the inclusion of Van Helsing in the main group, both because it was interesting to see how his presence changed Sam’s dynamic with Hel (and with her own powers) for the development of his character and backstory. Learning about his past makes us understand his actions and his complicated relationship with Sam.

I love how much nuance Morris brings to basically all aspects of the book: family dynamics, character relationships, what makes a “monster”, and so on. Nothing is black and white, and it’s incredible how she does this in a way that is not overwhelming or confusing.

Now, I really enjoyed this novel, but there were two things that ended up a bit confusing . The first one being about the mystery. There were too many suspects (both humans and “monsters”), and I often found myself having to reread passages to make sure I understood and wasn’t mixing up any of the characters. I also wish there was more explanation regarding the mythology. I’m personally not familiar with Irish folklore, and obviously, there was a lot of it in this book. We did get information about some of the figures, but for others (and ones that were quite significant to the story) I feel like the author expected the reader to have some previous knowledge of, which I didn’t.

In the end, I settled for a solid 4-star rating. The writing, atmosphere, characters, and relationship dynamics are the highlights of this series and were really well constructed, and even with the issues I had while reading, I do think the mystery overall was good as well.

Personally, I liked Strange Beasts better than Wayward Souls, but that’s mostly due to my taste and experiences. I’ve been to Paris multiple times and love any time it is used as a setting, especially during this time period. On the other hand, I haven’t been to Ireland (yet) and am not familiar with Celtic myths, so I wasn’t as immersed this time around.

This book can be read and understood by itself, but I would highly suggest picking up Strange Beasts beforehand to get more context on the world and characters. This series is incredible and I really, really hope we get many more installments following Sam and Hel solving mysteries all over the world.

[Sarah Ingerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 Stars*

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Bindery for the eARC.

No sophomore slump here—Susan J. Morris delivers again. Strange Beasts was one of my favorite reads of 2025, and its sequel, Wayward Souls, is a worthy follow-up.

I especially loved the development of the relationship between Sam and Jakob Van Helsing. In this book, you get a stronger sense of who Van Helsing is, and it adds some heartbreaking context to his character. As always, I also loved the dynamic between Hel and Sam. Hel is exactly the kind of prickly love interest I always fall for in books. I also appreciated the new nods to Dracula and Frankenstein—fingers crossed Frankenstein himself shows up in a future installment. As a gothic fiction fan, these literary crossovers are part of what makes this series so compelling for me.

That said, I did find Wayward Souls slightly less successful than Strange Beasts. The writing didn’t feel quite as crisp. For example, there’s a scene where Sam and Hel are joking about how the conversation should be taking place somewhere else—but I didn’t even realize where they were until well after that comment, which pulled me out of the moment. There are a few instances like this where I had to reread to get my bearings. Some of the folklore references could also use more context; creature names were sometimes mentioned without explanation, and I found myself having to look them up to fully understand their significance.

Still, I really enjoyed this book (hence the high rating), but I’m tempted to reread it just to make sure I didn’t miss anything the first time around.

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved getting to check out the sequel, so thank you for that!
I snagged this off Netgalley.

Usually I have some reservations about sequels, but this one I was actually excited for and it did not disappoint, so safe to say, if you liked the first one, you will totally love this one, I did.

I am obsessed with Sam and Hel ( spoiler alert but not really a spoiler in that sense but Sam is the kid of Mina and Johnathan Harper ( screaming) and Hel is the kid of Professor Moriarty ( super screaming) I am a long time fan of all things in that realm so you can imagine.

There are so many little Easter eggs for people like me that I am not going to spoil, but if you are a Sherlock or Dracula fan, its too fun.

This book isn’t all adventure and romance of course, it’s a sordid tale of what I think is, when is a monster a monster?
When is what you are doing for good, really going to far..
Power corrupts but its also what you make of it..

This story was excellent…

I need more Sherlock vibes with a Sapphic twist please!

[Chewable Orb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wayward Souls (Harker & Moriarty #2) by Susan J. Morris
4🔮🔮🔮🔮orbs
Est. Pub. Date: March 17, 2026
Bindery Books/Inky Phoenix Press

Beyond the veil of Irish folklore….

💡 Orbs Prologue: I have been summoned. Detective Orb, pipe in hand, my gunmetal grey tweed suit immaculately pressed. Sitting on a dark mahogany chair, I listen to Mr. Wright, the director for the Royal Society for the Study of the Abnormal Phenomena, prattle on about being a mediator. A glorified babysitter of grown adults, more like. Samantha Harker, Helena Moriarty, and Jakob Van Helsing, detectives in their own rights, need supervision. During the debriefing, it has come to our attention that field agents have gone missing in Ireland, and “our team,” if one could call us that, is tasked with investigating the whereabouts of our comrades. Shifting uncomfortably, I sigh, for this could end up being a complete disaster. There is no love lost between some of these individuals. Van Helsing, as the name suggests, is great at rectifying “creature” problems, yet his ego remains larger than ever. Harker is a channel, and while handy with the more supernatural side of things, her actual on-hand fieldwork is lacking. May I also disclose a “hidden” relationship between Harker and Moriarty, who herself is trying to escape the various accusations due to her ties with her infamous father, he of numerous nefarious acts? I expect this to go as smoothly as a plane entering a stormy jet stream. Ireland…. On an old wrought-iron bench, I people-watch through the lens of a grizzled veteran. The landscape of a lush green park, stirring with activity, consumes our attention. In a suddenness of change, if one looked closely, a thin film of smoke-like abstraction began to hover, smearing the beauty… for this is where our fellow brethren had disappeared…

🧐 A small glimpse: In another installment in the Harker & Moriarty series, our detectives go searching for information as to the whereabouts of missing coworkers. This time, with Jakob Van Helsing in tow, author Susan J. Morris has planned a mystery soaked in Irish folklore and a group called the Vespertine. The Verspertine are your average wealthy individuals looking to harness powers through a more cult-like nature, mystical seances, where creepy animal masks are part of the evening attire. As Samhain arrives, the veil between humans and the spirit world becomes its thinnest, thus firmly placing select individuals to meet their untimely deaths. As Sam’s “visions” increase, she attempts to hide their ferocity from Moriarty & Van Helsing in an attempt to prove her worth. This unique ability has proven to be extremely helpful but has come with the dangerous caveat of putting Sam in harm's way. The ghosts loom restless, attacking apparent random persons. Why? What is the cause of these provocations? Who is the person pulling the marionette strings?

👍 Orbs Pros: Paranormal mysteriousness!! Visions, creating chaos and mayhem…stirring the ghostly pot. An unsettling feeling rushes over me, as if having 9 out of 10 photos of a crime scene, yet the one missing one holds the key to cracking the case. Strong Characters!! There is enough bravado to go around with the likes of Moriarty and Van Helsing around. In this story, Harker comes of age as a detective and discovers her worth to her peers. The Lore!! I found the Irish folklore to be fascinating. The story of Samhain, which sees ghosts seeping through, exacting their terrors on unsuspecting people, was both fascinating and frightening in equal measures.

👎 Orbs Cons: Slowly plodded along!! Strangely, if I compare this book with the first in Morris’ Harker & Moriarty series, I found this one a bit slower. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I felt passages needed to be read for more clarity. I wouldn’t say the writing was clunky by any means, but it required more concentration on my part, which ended up breaking my immersion at times.

Recommended! If you have read the first novel in this series, then reading this is a no-brainer. The outcome was satisfying, and I look forward to continuing the series. I can recommend this to anyone who loves that paranormal vibe, steeped strongly in flashes of clues hidden in visions to point the reader in the right direction. This group has a deep-rooted history, and as such, there are always a certain number of trust issues that surface, bringing even more emotions to the table.

💡 Orbs Epilogue: Crows!! The murder of crows' black feathers shimmer, beaks opening and closing in intermittent cawing. For a minute, they seem almost human. In a fit of anger, Harker turns to me and blurts out what she has seen. Rendering her helpless, the entity stalks her nighttime hours in an attempt to speak words that come out as nothing more than silence. Harker remains perplexed. A warning? A haunting? Moriarty is feeling out of her depth. Time is difficult for one who is guarded with her emotions, and really, who can blame her for dealing with an almost psychopathic genius for a father? Moriarty, on multiple occasions, has leaned on my shoulder for a good cry, but I am not to tell anyone of this! Van Helsing…like father, like son. The epitome of a manly man, never one to back down from a fight. And yet, I have seen an innate tenderness within that clearly differentiates him from his old man. How am I through all this, you might ask? Orb is old and fearful. For I see a patchwork of darkness arising from thin air, a trellis of onyx wings, with just enough slivers of light to see through to the other side, where an illumination of golden symbols resembling a satanic type of worship attempts to prosper in a place that should be well enough left alone. Whispy tattered ghosts flutter by, evil creatures biding their time until Samhain…until Samhain…

Many thanks to Bindery Books/Inky Phoenix Press for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

[AmEricaNo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for providing a copy of this ARC.

In recent years, I—like many other readers—have developed a small phobia surrounding sequels. We’re all aware of famous authors missing their deadlines and leaving fans languishing for years on broken promises. And even if the sequel to the book you love does come out, there’s no guarantee that it’ll live up to your lofty expectations. Worse, what if the second book fails to live up to your lofty expectations and retroactively makes you like the first book less? These are the questions that made me nervous about picking up Wayward Souls, the sequel to Strange Beasts, one of my favorite books of 2024.

Sam and Hel’s story picks up a month after the events of the first book, when they’re thrown into their next mystery case involving the mysterious disappearance of two Society field agents in Ireland. Amidst speculations of Hel’s deceit concerning her father’s crimes, Sam’s childhood friend and modern-day adversary Jakob Van Helsing is sent to accompany—and more importantly—keep an eye on them. Their investigations will take them to Professor Moriarty’s home court, where Hel must revisit the sight of the sins she’s committed as her father’s pawn and Sam must resist the temptations of Ireland’s untamed wilds.

Strange Beasts and Wayward Souls are what I imagine the Sherlock Holmes novels could be like if they were updated for modern readers with 21st-century bones and twentieth-century skin—and of course, the supernatural and righteous feminist anger. I adore how Susan J. Morris isn’t afraid to excavate familiar gothic tales and go through them with a fine-tooth comb, uncovering the buried stories of women and monsters wronged (for women, as we all know, are often framed as monsters so long as they resist men’s control). It’s like finally being able to relive the stories we loved so uncritically as children, but whose flaws and limits we couldn’t look away from or excuse as adults.

Outside of the mystery, which Morris nails once again in the sequel, I was most excited (and nervous) about the progression of Sam and Hel’s relationship. In Strange Beasts, Sam and Hel were often separated for long periods at a time, so I was hoping for them to get more interaction together in the sequel, seeing as they were partners. In Wayward Souls, I am loving how open and unapologetic Sam is about her feelings for Hel in her internal monologue. This girl can get feral. Unfortunately, Morris almost seems scared to keep Sam and Hel on-screen for too long at a time, lest they explode with the sheer amount of chemistry they have with each other. I also can’t help but pity Jakob as the unfortunate third wheel to their whole situation.

Wayward Souls suffers from many of the same flaws as Strange Beasts—flaws that I was willing to overlook because of how exhilarating a time I had reading the first book, but that become more difficult to overtly ignore on a second visit. While I can follow the broad trajectory of the narrative and piece together how the ending occurred, Wayward Souls nevertheless shares similarities with Strange Beasts in how difficult it can be to follow the individual details: There’s such a dizzying amount of locations, character names, and connections that I’m tempted to pull out a whiteboard for my next read.

By the same token, Wayward Souls pulls an emotional explosion in the third act that reminds me a little too much of the first book, down to when it occurs in the narrative. And like the first book, I was left feeling like the resulting aftermath needed more time for the characters to process in a way that felt true to themselves. I wanted more from the conclusion. I wanted to know where the characters stand with each other. But, once again, we’re left waiting for the sequel. In some ways, how similar Wayward Souls ended up being to Strange Beasts made me love the sequel less—yet my overall feelings for the series remain the same.

If you’re a fan of slow-burn, you’re going to love how much this series is cooking.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to reread Lockwood & Co. and rewatch The Irregulars.

Wayward Souls is the second book in the Harker & Moriarty series, and it's a historical fantasy/mystery that explores Irish folklore in a way that made me actually enjoy the supernatural. I'm not always a huge fan of monster hunter and paranormal plots in books, but I think I enjoy them more when the settings are more historical, so I appreciate the aesthetics of this series. I want to note briefly that I did not reread book 1 before I read this one; I had some notes from my read-through, but they were vague, and I do think a reread is necessary to truly enjoy this if you're someone like me who forgets books just a few weeks after you read them.

After two Society agents go missing in Ireland, Sam and Hel are sent to investigate their disappearances...only this time they're to be supervised by Jakob Van Helsing. Everything takes a turn for the worse when it is revealed that the victims were all being haunted, and so is Sam. If Sam wants to live, she'll have to solve the mystery of the disappearances without revealing her true nature to Van Helsing. I liked the mystery aspect of the plot, though it did feel a little overwhelming at times. I felt like I didn't have a good enough grasp on any of the subjects to truly formulate any theories, so I was kind of along for the ride. I didn't really predict any of the plot twists, but like I said, I felt a bit disoriented and couldn't quite find my footing within the mystery. There was a fair amount of action, so I did appreciate the quick pacing. Admittedly, the suspense aspect didn't hit right for me. I'm not sure what it was, given that Sam was in danger pretty much the whole book. Another review pointed out that she acted a bit damsel-like for the majority of the story, and that might have been what didn't work for me. I liked the ending, and I'm excited to see where the plot goes in potential future books, but I do think I enjoyed book 1 more than this one.

Does Van Helsing know he's third wheeling? Someone should tell him...but also, his ignorance is entertaining. Like I said earlier, Sam got on my nerves a bit with the self-pity, but she also continuously got involved in the mystery despite her fears, so I didn't dislike her. I almost wish this book were dual-POV because I think switching between Sam and Hel's minds might help with getting tired of one narrator. Hel is fun; I like her boldness and how her independence comes back to haunt her at times. I still think the dynamic between them is great and they complement each other well, but the fake-enemies trope they had going on annoyed me at times. I understand its importance, but that doesn't mean I like it. Van Helsing was an entertaining addition to the team. It's clear that he cares about Sam, which makes him good to have around, but he's also so stupid sometimes. I didn't care much for any of the side characters; again, I feel like I struggled to remember them at times, and I didn't know much about them to truly create any opinions. Not to worry, though, because Sam and Hel's dynamics can carry the story when side characters can't.

Wayward Souls is the sequel to Strange Beasts, a historical fantasy/mystery series perfect for fans of Lockwood & Co., The Irregulars, and Ordinary Monsters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

3.5/5

[Siobhan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Bindery Books & NetGalley for granting me advance access to this incredible second instalment in the Harker & Moriarty series, following on from ‘Strange Beasts’. This is a book I’ve been really looking forward to from the minute I finished its predecessor last year! I will try to keep this review free of any major spoilers for both books, beyond content warnings at the bottom of this review.

On which note, I would say you DO need to have read ‘Strange Beasts’ before embarking on this sequel - not only due to the multiple major plot spoilers for book 1 contained in book 2, but to adequately understand the groundwork of the main characters’ relationships (with each other, and with other important off-page characters).

Above all else, this book pays so much respect to the mesmerising stories of Irish folklore and brings them to life in such a beautiful & atmospheric way, while not detracting from the ongoing character development for our three MCs who I absolutely adore. The growth of their relationships was everything I’d been hoping for after the foundations were laid in the first book.

I also love how much of the original Dracula/Holmes stories (as well as brief mention of some other gothic classics!) are still being woven into this series, it’s a lot of fun spotting the references - but also perfectly enjoyable to read even without any in-depth knowledge of those stories.

Susan J Morris has such a way with words, and an excellent sense of humour even when handling some dark subjects (this is a book set in the early 1900s, of course we’re going to encounter some pretty dark aspects of the treatment of women, among other things!). The pacing was variable but good, and I really enjoy the mystery elements of her books; this book felt more like it has multiple mysteries to solve concurrently (therefore with slightly less focus on each of them at various points) than in the first book when I felt I was only ever focused on one.

Overall, I highly recommend this wonderful book to any fans of gaslamp fantasy, sapphic romance, Irish folklore and/or supernatural mystery.

I will now include a list of Content Warnings for anyone who finds them helpful - if that’s not you, then fair warning to STOP READING HERE TO AVOID MINOR SPOILERS!:

———————-

Content Warnings:

- abusive/manipulative parent-child relationship
- alcohol use
- bereavement, including loss of a friend & partner/spouse
- bigotry - chauvinism & GBV, classism, homophobia
- domestic violence (briefly mentioned, not described in detail)
- engagement
- mental health - audio/visual hallucinations, dissociative amnesia
- police intimidation & incarceration
- sexual content (briefly alluded/mentioned, not described in detail)
- sexual harassment
- violence, torture, blood, gore - including brief descriptions of skin/teeth/intestine removal (on living person) & corpse mutilation - death/murder, explosions and war/civil unrest

[Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing with an eARC!

To say I was excited to delve back into this world is an understatement. I cherished my reading experience with the first book. The characters of Hel and Sam were immediately endearing to read about. The world of monsters and magic were fascinating and well thought out. Unravelling the personal secrets and the larger mystery kept me awake the whole night. I LOVED Strange Beasts.

All this to say, Wayward Souls had a lot to live up to.

I liked it even more than the first.

Sam and Hel's relationship is deliciously complicated, made even more so by their own decisions--all which feel understandable and real given the circumstances. I loved seeing the characters open up more, to see different facets of them. They both care about each other so much, but neither of them are used to opening up. It felt real and vulnerable and romantic, even when it was to their detriment.

Sam's powers are so interesting to me, and so is her struggle with what using them means for her. How in choosing not to rely on them, she has to actively accept that she is not only capable, but exceedingly successful at being a field agent. I really loved seeing that growth for her.

As with the first novel, I loved how Susan J. Morris explores the monstrous, and contrasts it against morality, good and evil, and the cost-worth of saving something that might be dangerous down the line. How does one justify monstrous behaviour? What makes a monster? Where does culpability hang-on the thing that does the killing, or the one who is directing it? Pairing that with some searing commentary on gender roles, Susan J. Morris's second book in this series is both more challenging, and more daring as it faces these topics. It is not a comfortable read all the time, but it is so worth it to see the narrative payoff.

Between unearthing old family secrets, exploring dark magic, and beginning to mend platonic fences, Wayward Souls also serves a tale of leaving the past behind, and growing beyond what defines your childhood. Seeing the complexitites in family and friends, and learning to accept it, rather than cringe away.

TLDR; Wayward Souls is a fantastic sequel to Strange Beasts, expanding the world and building off the character foundations from the first novel. 10/10 would recommend. Please read it when you get the chance.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an advance copy of Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris. I loved Strange Beasts and was thrilled to be invited to review this sequel (that I was crossing my fingers for)!

It’s just before Samhain, and it’s time for the dynamic duo of Samantha Harker and Dr. Hel Mariarty to head back out into the field to address a very mysterious and complicated case that is causing chaos in Ireland, including the disappearance of other field agents who were sent out before them. To ensure they don’t get up to too many antics, and keep the mission forefront, Van Helsing is sent as a third member of the team. Once in Ireland, Hel begins to come face-to-face with some of the darker secrets of her past and her history with her father, while Sam is challenged by hauntings, omens, and a mysterious and powerful song that is calling for her. Will they be able to solve the mystery before Samhain, or will they die trying?

While Sam and Hel do what they do best, using their unique strengths to explore the mystery ahead of them, they also need to navigate their deepening relationship, and the role that Van Helsing is playing in their journey. Sam begins to wonder if she will ever be able to connect with her childhood friend Jakob again, or if he is gone forever.

Susan J. Morris artfully navigates both the mystery at hand, and the complicated web of relationships she started to build in the first novel of the series, Strange Beasts. She continues the thread of questions related to Hel’s father, and Sam’s grandfather, as those mysteries also deepen and intertwine with current events. I enjoyed many aspects of this story. It was well-written and creative just like Strange Beasts. One of my critiques of the first novel, the unclear Sam/Hel dynamic, was more clarified in this novel. There was also more development of Van Helsing’s background and relationship with Sam which I enjoyed. I did find some parts to be more of a slow burn, and it took me a little longer to get into this book as compared to the last one but I don’t think I ended up enjoying the story any less in the end. A great blend of mystery and fantasy with a dash of literary history and romance. Highly recommend!

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping and immersive read—even without reading Book One

Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris is an engaging, emotionally layered fantasy that drew me in right from the start—even though I haven’t read the first book in the series. To the author’s credit, the story stands well on its own, offering enough context to follow along without ever feeling lost, while still sparking my curiosity about what came before.

Morris’s writing is confident and vivid, with a clear talent for world-building and character dynamics. The setting feels fully realized without overwhelming the reader, and the plot balances action, emotion, and introspection in a satisfying way. There’s a weight to the story that speaks to deeper themes—identity, belonging, and resilience—without sacrificing pace or engagement.

The characters are undoubtedly one of the strongest aspects of the novel. They’re complex, morally gray at times, and easy to connect with. I found myself especially invested in the relationships and the emotional undercurrents that shaped them. Even without prior knowledge of their full histories, their motivations and struggles felt real and compelling.

One small critique is that, as someone coming in mid-series, I could sense there were emotional beats and subtle references that would likely carry more impact for returning readers. There’s clearly a rich backstory, and while I didn’t feel excluded, I did feel like I was missing some of the emotional weight behind certain moments. That said, it never detracted from my overall enjoyment—if anything, it made me want to go back and read Book One!

Overall, Wayward Souls is a strong, emotionally resonant fantasy novel that works surprisingly well as a starting point, even for newcomers. It’s a thoughtful, character-driven story with enough action and mystery to keep the pages turning. I’m glad I picked it up—and I’ll definitely be returning to the beginning to experience the full journey.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, a note to Susan J. Morris: please keep this series coming--and frequently. I need more Hel and Sam!

This story takes place maybe a few weeks after the events of the first novel, and the latest Otherworld murder mystery takes them to Ireland...with Van Helsing. Sooooo, here's my issue with that: it's like sitting down to watch the next episode of Xena only to realize it's a Joxer episode. I know he's important to the Dracula lore and provides a foil to Sam, but at the same time, he doesn't really "spark" on the page. His presence also means that Hel and Sam are kept apart, so their interaction for a good chunk of the book is limited. I was looking forward to more teamwork between them here, but it felt like a step back to the first novel, where we're entirely in Sam's head while she's investigating on her own or doubting herself and her gifts. I was hoping we could move into some new territory, and while eventually that seemed to happen, there was a lot of re-tread to the Sam of book 1.

I'm also not entirely sure I fully grasped the plot or its resolution. I loved all of the lore, but with all of the red herrings and new characters, I was confused a few times as to how our heroes made the investigative leap to each of their whodunnit conclusions. There is a lot going on here with the plot, sub-plots, and character evolution that I feel like there may have been some loose threads and didn't necessarily get the satisfaction from the actual resolution. Luckily, the pacing of the story is running at a sprint at the end, and we get a taste of what the next book could offer with the final showdown--and a few other contemporary "monster" hints earlier.

This may not have been my favorite of the two (so far) novels, but it has only made me want more, more, more! Strange Beasts set an impossibly high bar, but I trust Susan J Morris to surpass that in the next novel. Cannot wait for the third installment!

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC

[Aliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC.

Wayward Souls by Susan J. Morris is a supernatural sapphic sequel that goes deeper into a world inspired by Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, this time set in Ireland, days before Samhain, focusing on brutal murders linked with occult societies.

I liked the worldbuilding in this novel, with the focus on the Otherworld in Ireland portrayed through incredible imagery and supposedly monstrous creatures, and the character of James Moriarty, as the main villain of the novel. The Vespertine society was incredibly dark and well-developed, and seeing how their secrets are revealed was satisfying to read. I also enjoyed Sam's dilemma with being a channel, like in the first novel, but further delved into. The commentary of this novel through feminist themes, along with the 'good' vs 'evil' debate, really enriches the plot and the characters, the main mystery unravelling through these themes.

Hel and Sam's relationship was my favourite in the novel; the development felt genuine and nuanced, their dynamic realistically complicated, but still having hints of romance and vulnerability. Van Helsing's development here creates a morally grey character with a complicated relationship with Sam that is riveting to read as the plot delves deeper into their past, seeing a side of him that makes him more likeable compared to the first novel. I feel like the characters of this novel are its strong point, the relationships they have with each other, and the flaws they have feel realistic. My only issue is that I would have liked the main 'monster' to have more development.

Wayward Souls is an exciting sequel, just as complex as the first book, and I look forward to the third novel to see more of these intriguing characters and gothic mysteries.

[melania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Thank you Bindery Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the series and it dives even deeper into a very Victorian world where women basically cannot exist without men. They’re treated like accessoires to men instead of people and some of the quotes really stuck with me.

Stuff like that hit hard and made the book feel really grounded in the time period, which can still be relatable in our time period too.

Where I struggled: Sam felt too much like a damsel. I know her arc is about learning to believe in herself, but after the fifth time she needed to be rescued, it got frustrating. Also, the trio sometimes came off way too childish for supposedly being trained agents. A lot of their problems could have been solved if they just talked to each other, and that made the drama feel a little forced.

On the romance side of things, it was pretty tame, but I think that’s just because of the era it’s written in. The yearning was there, and I loved that, but I would have liked more actual romance. Hel is by far my favorite character. She’s ice cold to the world, but then you see these tiny moments of softness for Sam and it just works so well. I wish I could have read more about her complex character.

The mystery itself had so many suspects and side plots that it got confusing. The last couple chapters especially felt rushed and like they belonged in a different book. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by Jakob’s character and ended up liking him by the end.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the character's development and the gothic/victorian vibe throughout was strong enough to keep me reading. It wasn’t a perfect sequel, but it had some really good moments.

[Lucy Worsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Netgalley and Bindery Books in exchange for my honest review.
This was just excellent, truly a must read for anyone who has already read Strange Beasts or who like the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. It was a really delightful blend of mystery, folklore, and the gothic.
Samantha Harker and Dr. Helena Moriarty are sent on another case given to by the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, this time in Ireland. Jakob Van Helsing is sent with them by the Society, to keep an eye on Hel and Sam. I don’t think he quite realises that he spends the whole case third wheeling them! As men disappear and die in the days before Samhain, Sam, Hel, and Van Helsing race against the clock to solve the mystery of their disappearances and deaths. Hauntings, ghosts, the supernatural, and the folk are abound throughout, creating an eerie, slightly unsettling atmosphere.
The relationship between Sam and Hel is easily one of my favourite parts of the book, I just love their dynamic so much. The tension between them is palpable. I’m rooting for them, always.
I loved how often Heathcliff the rat showed up and how much personality he has. The fact that Hel just carries him around all the time on her shoulder is everything to me.
Lucy Westenra is one my absolute favourite characters of all time, I love any mention of her, so I was very happy with the mentions of her throughout!
I really appreciate that, like in Strange Beast, the victims are all men, instead of women like is often the case in many mysteries. It’s refreshing to read. I also really enjoyed the constant driving home of the message that men, especially wealthy men, are the real monsters in this world, their greed, entitlement, and violence damaging everything and everyone around them.

[Keturah Sergeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging, adventurous investigative tale, with tension, action, mythology and angst. A constantly shifting narrative of mystery and myth, with an MC insecure in her position and relationships, a researcher in the field, a haunted woman, her power a supposed danger to her and others. Her two field partners, a once-friend quick to violence but secretly protective and a new lover distancing herself for the MC's sake, but trust is hard to hold in the face of increasing danger and twisting plots. The MC faces her fears alone, haunting and nightmares and pain suppressed, uncertain of her role, of her friendships and the truth of the situation. Secrets are uncovered, societies and individuals confronted, relationships puzzled out and communication finally forced but even the truth is not wholly satisfying, each mystery leads to more, suspicion builds and the true villain will never face responsibility...

This world is fun, if dependent on prior knowledge of Sherlock, Moriarty and Frankenstein, of folklore and myth. The action is tense and well drawn out, the confrontations connecting to one another to develop the world, the characters and the overarching plot. I enjoyed the use of photography throughout, the idea of fixed tangible evidence even in the midst of a supernatural crime. The significance of watchers and messengers, as birds, as ghosts, as pets, was interesting and intertwined with the MC's background as well as the case which was intriguing and well-done.

The end of the case was tense, action-packed and satisfying, the character development clear, the team work silent and solid, the conclusion quiet but right. The aftermath and final conclusion was slightly more lacklustre, the threat remains and the myth lives on, her lover clear for now, her own position still unclear. There is more to come...

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't tell you how much I adored the first book in this series, Strange Beasts, and I had high hopes for this second one. The cover of the version I read is as stunning as the first book too (again appearing to be a face from afar, comprised of characters and elements from the story the closer you look.)

For some reason this cover isn't pictured here on Goodreads. I hope the publishers have the good sense to use the "mushrooms+stairs skull one" in the end.

But it pains me to say that, while I found Strange Beasts to be magical, this second outing was simply...well...kinda boring for me, personally. All of the same cool elements are here. I love Sam and Hel (who have a plausible reason for needing to keep their relationship hidden.) I liked the supernatural quest they're sent on. But, from the beginning, I just could NOT get into this one.

As with Strange Beasts, there are some standout scenes in this book. Morris has a cinematic writing style that make many scenes leap off the page. I think, for me, the problem was the connective tissue linking these scenes felt a little messy. The missions come fast and furious and there are many characters coming and going. But all this action sometimes came at the expense of character development.

For example, I felt like we saw just a tiny glimmer more of who Van Helsing is a person in this book. But then the story quickly moves on, reducing him again to "third wheel with jingly spurs, who saves everyone at the last minute."

However, ultimately this is still a cool series with a nice feminist bent (e.g. "Men throw women into asylums for the crime of having too inconvenient of an emotion.") Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[moka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harker and Moriarty are back again in the sequel to Strange Beasts, solving murders, battling creatures, and trying to fight their personal demons at the same time. All whilst being hovered over by an annoying one-dimensional Dutchman.

Following something as great as the first book in this series was going to be tough and the author almost pulls it off. The character development dives more into each protagonist’s personal minefield while at the same time creating a new battlefield in the middle of their relationship. All while they are on the clock to solve the spooky things happening to people around them and to themselves as well.

* LGBTQIAP+ representation
* Irish culture & mythology
* Critique of controlling/belief systems (ehem patriarchy)
* Feminist?
* Secrets, ghosts, dark creatures of old legend

I REALLY enjoyed the elements of this book that involved atmosphere, setting, creatures, action, danger, etc. It draws on Ireland’s history, myths, and magic and seemed to mash all the creatures and gods together. Morris weaves a delightful spooky adventure.

What I didn’t enjoy were the relationship dynamics that border on toxic and controlling and extending very little autonomy over decision making. There was so much back and forth it became frustrating. This may be considered character development but it went on too long and became waffling instead. The arcs weren’t satisfying and I finished the book annoyed in a way about this.

Other than that, it’s a great book and I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a spooky murder mystery involving creatures of myth and legend.

Thank you to Inky Phoenix Press & Bindery Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irish folklore and monster hunters from Helsing himself – yes – that is what gravitated me to this narrative. This is a fast-paced thriller fantasy narrative that takes several elements of Irish folklore. The Irish landscape was described beautifully alongside the monsters and myth that have haunted Ireland for centuries. I loved the ways that the monster hunters interacted with their monstrous discoveries in Ireland. It is clear that Morris researched a lot about the intricacies of Irish folklore before writing this. However, my issue with the narrative is how The Morrigan was characterized. The Morrigan is a complex goddess across several texts.
The Morrigan is a complicated goddess to write about and there is several conflicting literatures that discuss her origins. However – the outright evil portrayal of the Morrigan did not sit well with me. It gives this idea that the characters were concerned with all mythology and lore lurking around Ireland is inherently evil. The duality between good and evil felt too simple and with Morris writing I expected it to be a bit more complex. I have not read the first in this series to compare the two. I was hoping for more depth for both the characters and the way monsters are approached in this. There were several mentions of the lores and monster and not enough exploration of the famous and infamous lurkers across Ireland. Thank you Susan J. Morris, Bindery Books, and Netgalley for this digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read more recommendations, ARC impressions, and reviews onhttps://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So grateful to snag an ARC from Netgalley! This series is a breath of fresh air. Always a heady mystery, dashing adventure and layers of psychological nuance. I fear I can’t always follow the logic behind the conclusions (I think it’s one step ahead of my wee brain) but a certainly RACE to find out what happens next.

I love these characters. Sam with her intelligent strength, Hel with her enigmatic heart and Jakob with his himbo stubbornness to do what’s “right” (yes, I naively long for he and Sam to be the besties of childhood once more). They challenge one another to be better versions of themselves and Sam is entirely the heart of the story. The tension was palpable between ALL characters and there were so many emotional, sometimes heartbreaking revelations. But there was also an abundance of hope and finding trust, which is what I long for in a good book.

There was also an abundance of secret societies, “monsters” and supernatural wonder, and per usual: humans did not fail to be worse than any fantastical creature we encountered. The commentary of what makes a monster and what is beyond redemption is always a thoughtful discourse. Also, who gets to decide? The ruling powers that be…or those who take the time to understand?

I love this alternate version of England and Ireland. It is brimming with danger and intrigue to discover by gaslamp or will O wisp. Such a satisfying atmospheric blend of the nuances of the era and the mythical arcane. One of the best characters is the setting itself. Never fails to draw me in and wonder what we will encounter around the next cornerstone. Cannot wait for the next installment!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a beautiful addition to the Harker & Moriarty series, comes another lusciously atmospheric adventure. Wayward Souls is a perfect follow-up to Strange Beasts and continues the adventures of Sam & Hel.
To say that I was blown away by this book... that would be putting it way too simple. Susan J. Morris has done it again.
To begin, I love the way that Sam & Hel interact with each other. Being able to feel their emotions, their interactions and their relationship...to the way they open up... Morris has a way of making characters beautifully complex and being able to relate to even the smallest struggles that they feel as the story unfolds. Even if you have no prior knowledge of their full histories, Morris crafts her words in a way that makes what they struggle with feel real and relatable.
Mix that with a hearty dose of fantasy, beautiful spinoffs of classic tales such as Dracula, then weaving it in with additional tales of legends, and fantastical monsters. Morris has a way of allowing us to explore the good, the evil, and of leaving the past behind as you grow yourself. Of learning to accept oneself for who you are, and not for standards that people hold you to.
Wayward Souls was a fantastical tale I thoroughly enjoyed, and I am looking forward to returning to this fantastical world time and time again.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bindery Books, and the fantastical Susan J. Morris for this copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....

[Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this one, and the idea of a mystery following the offspring of two characters from the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes seemed irresistable. Alas, WAYWARD SOULS is a book that just didn't do it for me, and I suspect that may be because this is aimed at a young adult audience who are likely to care less about realism and world-building than I did. I should also note that I haven't read the first in the series, although I doubt it would make a difference to my opinion of this one.

First off, the premise is a solid one. Ireland is a country steeped in folklore and the author does well to create a world in which numerous magical creatures co-exist with humanity. The pacing here is whip-fast and the story features elements of multiple genres, including romance, action, and mystery. Unfortunately for me, I think the author spreads her narrative too thinly. In trying to cram too much in, the end result feels superficial. Of the two protagonists, Sam is too often cast as a stock damsel-in-distress while Hel remains cold and distant throughout. The sapphic romance is merely hinted at and never has a chance to go anywhere, while the action feels so brisk as to be rushed. Most of all, there's far too much dialogue here, with not enough room for scene-setting, plot development, or description as a result. WAYWARD SOULS is a book that shows plenty of imaginative promise and I would like the author to build upon the series' potential for the next instalment in the series.

(Advance review copy supplied by Netgalley)

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to have a hard time reviewing this one, just like the previous novel in the series (this is book 2, FYI). Summary: its good.

This novel is very well written, which is the biggest takeaway for me. Its detailed and layered and also flows very well. Its clever, which is something I appreciate a lot in a story. I will probably read as many sequels as the author is willing to write.

There is just so much going on in this novel. This is a great mystery, and also a wonderful blend of fantasy and reality that I think is hard to achieve yet this author does. There is a mishmash of so many different elements of folklore and classic literature (Sherlock Holmes meets Dracula meets all things supernatural chilling in the real world) that you think it would go overboard but it doesn’t! Add in a small amount of romance; I want much more than this, but I suppose ill have to read the next 20 books to get development on that front.

I liked how this was a sequel yet for the most part you didn’t need to read the first book. I read it long enough ago that my memory is spotty and thankfully the important details are reviewed well enough that you won’t feel lost if you dive into this one first. I DO think it would be best to read the books in order, but I strongly appreciate the ability to read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.