Lusus Naturae

by Chris Coppel

A bloodthirsty WWII monster descends on the Kent coastline in Chris Coppel's latest blood-curdling horror

With its brightly painted houses, tucked between narrow, cobbled streets, the sleepy Kentish seaside town of Deal was considered one of the most photogenic places in England.

Little did the population know that, one fateful summer, they would be visited by something far more horrifying than hoards of tourists; something that should never have existed, that craved only one thing…

Human flesh.

Genres: Horror

368 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Chris Coppel was born in California. His family moved to Europe, living in Spain, France, Switzerland and mainly England. He has written numerous screenplays but Far From Burden Dell is his first novel. He taught advanced screenwriting at U.C.L.A.

Chris is also an accomplished drummer and guitarist. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Clare, and their very own scaredy-cat, Samantha.

Reviews

[Theresa Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This was a smart creature feature. I would describe myself more as a psychological horror girlie, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this as I got into it.

Deal is our setting, a small, seaside town in England. Jay and his research colleagues, one of whom happens to be his ex-wife Emma, are there to study a shipwreck, the Lady Lovibond. During the extraction of the wreckage from the sands, they discover a much newer shipwreck, less than a hundred years old, and can't help but investigate while waiting for the Lady Lovibond to be prepared ashore. They discover and extract a stone sarcophagus (secretly) and bring it ashore. Well, the government gets involved, the sarcophagus gets opened, and carnage ensues. The team inadvertently brought back an evil to Deal that had been sunk decades ago.

I found the beginning to be a bit slow with details of marine archaeology. That being said, I really enjoyed the scientific elements included throughout the novel, overall. My other main complaints are minor. I didn't feel like the female main characters were quite as fleshed out as Jay; they were on the backburner for a hunk of the plot. I felt that the secondary plot between Jay and Emma was underdeveloped and therefore the outcome a bit forced.

Once the book got going, I found the pacing to be great. I loved the inclusion of the creature's perspective interspersed throughout. There were some excellent plot twists. It was a fun horror thriller with some historical and sci-fi elements. I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good monster story.

Thank you to Cranthorpe Millner & NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a creature feature that combined historical and monstrous elements in a modern day setting.

Taking place over a short period of time, a team of researchers finds a stone sarcophagus hidden within a sunken WWII trawler. After bringing it ashore, the small seaside town of Deal is put under military lockdown when it is opened. Now, a beast has emerged from its stone tomb to sate its bloody appetite.

This is just the beginning and the story goes into detail on the terror the locals experience as they become food for a being higher up on the food chain.

While I really liked the overall plot, I just got irritated with the ignorance of the characters and their willingness to ignore facts and common sense. At one point, Jay is telling MI6 this isn’t just a canine, as it’s viciously killed people and showed some sentience. Then later on in the story he literally voices out loud  “Does anyone else think that all of this is just a little over the top for a dog attack?”

Similar actions and statements just irked me so much and kind of ruined the characters for the rest of the book for me. I definitely enjoyed the ending though, I wasn’t expecting the final scene at all.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers.

[Norrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Lusus Naturae we follow a group of scientists who liberate a stone sarcophagus from a ship they found while looking for another ship. Jay, Helene and Emma decide to hide this loot from everyone, so you can imagine their surprise when the MI6 shows up and tells them to piss off. But that’s just the beginning. Soon they end up putting an entire, rather cutesy town in lethal danger when they inadvertently release a bloodthirsty monster and people start dropping dead in a gruesome fashion.

The story is fast paced and the deaths are pretty gory. Just when I thought we’ll get bogged down with some scientific detail there was some blood & guts to keep me going. We also get some first person insights directly from Mr. Monster which was a fun touch. Just as well, because I found Jay and the other men moronic and annoying in how they how they treated this entire monster-on-the-loose situation in the beginning and how they behaved with the women. Speaking of which, Emma wasn’t that much better either. She’s basically a 12-year-old boy when it comes to making jokes that were last funny never, and don't get me started on her general snooty attitude.

A slasher with sci-fi elements, Lusus Naturae will appeal to readers who enjoy horrible and bloody murders and a fun twist on werewolf-like creatures.

Book received from the author. Opinions are my own.

[Dimitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lusus Naturae

Firstly,I want to kindly thank the author for providing me the ebook!

I can honestly say that this book felt like Stephen King X Stranger Things together,except that if we had demogorgon and Coppel's monster in a battle,demo would RUN for his life.

Starting,I loved the set up of the story.We are in a small English town during summer time when things started to go down.I find this specific time of the year PERFECT for thrillers,it's just something about this season that matches so well with this genre and it always hits so good!
Also,the characters were🤌🏻 .Particulary,I loved the chemistry that the basic trio had,which made the story much more enjoyable and terryfing,just imagine if we lose one🥹 .
An other aspect that really stunned out,is the naration and specifically that we had the monster's POV here & there.When I say I felt chills down my spine,I MEAN IT.
Getting into the thriller itself,I can surerly say it was so,so scary.Starting this at 2 AM was not a good idea just by itself,but having this vibe and all those murders that were accompanied with pure horror made me wanna check my house if anything was there& every little sound had me on the edge of my bed🥹.All that meaning that it is PERFECT for all the horror fans.

So,If you ask me this is a 100% YES from me and it will be defintely from you too.
4⭐

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading "Lusus Naturae" under the impression it'd be a refreshing new take on standard werewolf lore; a creature feature set in a quiet, English seaside town, with nods to familiar horror tropes and B-movie ideas. Boy, was I wrong! The book soon turned into an extremely intelligent and suspenseful sci-fi horror about old WWII experiments, government conspiracies, and mutant killing machines, going for gore, crazy science, MI6 operations, and small town shenanigans with a light touch of dark humor and witty banter!

I enjoyed it a lot, once I got into its very British spirit: to put it bluntly, almost all characters follow rules and act accordingly, and only when a trio of them decide to violate protocol do they get in trouble! And I mean, the lethal kind of trouble. The group of three responsible for the mess are scientists: marine archaeologists and engineers, soon joined by a scientist from France and later even by an old biologist active in WWII (now retired); their curiosity and passion for science gets them into trouble, and it doesn't take long for the consequences of their actions to threaten innocent lives, as they inadvertedly bring ashore and release a self-healing mutant canine-based entity targetting people for food!

Science is the star of this book, along with the flesh-hungry creature itself. People think rationally, though always bound by rules and protocols, on a need-to-know basis (to the point that they often act dumber than one would expect, but that's realism for you). There are several reveals and twists in the course of the story, the mystery set up, the agencies' actions and the the small town dynamics are always believable and well thought out - and when the scientific background is called upon, it never drowns the story with unnecessary details, instead always being integrally woven into the hunt for the creature (though witnessing a WWII scientist talking about genome splicing and son on was a bit jarring if you know your history of biology).

The author manages to combine Michael Crichton's fast -paced storytelling with a B-movie slasher aesthetic, even including scenes from the creature's perspective. If this was meant to soften a bit the impact of non-stop carnage, well, it failed: the creature was for me an unsymathetic killing machine throughout.

If you enjoy sci-fi thrillers with monsters, you'll love this. Recommended!

P.S. What's with all the author's books starting with "L"? LOL

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! This gave me Dean Koontz vibes in the way the creature is written! I really enjoyed the story and the writing! The beginning was a little slow but when it picked up, it really picked up! Without giving too much away, I will just say Chris made me sympathetic toward the creature at times but I enjoyed the human characters and was still rooting for them! I can’t wait to get into more of Chris’s work! Thank you Chris Coppel for sending me a copy in exchange for a review!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It was fun and exciting. It was a new take on werewolves and I thought it was very imaginative. I liked the setting of the small seaside town. It seemed like a great place, until the werewolf arrived. This is the second book I have read by Chris Coppel, and I like his writing style.

[Marion Over · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lusus Naturae. Chris Coppel.

I'm always impressed with Chris Coppel's books. Dependable authors are always a precious find. Any time I am given one of his books to read, I am thrilled.

This man has a beautifully morbid imagination. His books are creepy, dramatic and keep you hooked.

Lusus Naturae is a bloody romp through a sleepy seaside tourist town. From different viewpoints - even the horror terrorizing this town.

I love that a lot of the people who die are disgusting in some manner. That's not a 100 percent guarantee but I somewhat enjoy it when Coppel adds these people who are not good people and the monster eats them.

This is the book for horror, monster mayhem and gore fans. There's even a surprise bit of woman power in here and some downright funny scenes.

I also have to say it; it would be a great movie.

This is a great book. I recommend it.

[Georgie | The Pink Prose Parlour]

As much as I wanted to love this, I unfortunately had to DNF. The cover and description totally hooked me, and I was genuinely excited to dive in. The first two chapters had me hopeful—but now, 10 days and 52% later (with daily reading!), I just can’t push through anymore.

I think this could really resonate with the right audience under the thriller genre. But as horror, I found myself more bored than creeped out—rarely unsettled, and never left wondering or dreading what was next.

I did enjoy the POV from the monster—it was a cool narrative choice—but I think that also took away a lot of the mystery that makes horror hit harder.

I won’t be rating this one, but I truly appreciate the chance to read it and wish the publication every success

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this but unfortunately the writing just isn't for me. The concept itself is great; it's a Creature Feature set in a small English coastal town where tourist attractions are drawing people in in their droves but the subsequent Big Bad's killing spree causes a lockdown and communications blackout. I love the glimpses into the monster's rampage but for the rest of the POVs the writing feels very mechanical, repetitive and bland and I struggled to get invested in the main trio. I felt like I was reading a screenplay or an action novel more than a horror story.

(ARC received for review from NetGalley)

[Karen Brooks - TheTxLitChic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lusus Naturae

~Chris Coppel

Lusus Naturae was a deep dive into a whole new combination of genres for me. I usually stick to psychological thrillers, paranormal anything, cozy's, and romance – typically in that order of preference. So when Chris Coppel reached out to ask me to read this, I read the blurb and jumped on it – even though historical anything usually bores me.

Now, I've attempted to write my normal style of review on this – scrapping at least five renditions. I kept gravitating to telling more of the story than necessary – I mean, you need to have something to read when you finish the review, right? But every attempt fell short of everything I felt like I really NEEDED to say about this book. So, I am going off script here, and I hope I do justice to the story while giving a solid opinion/review.

Back to the genre thing – I wouldn't classify this to one particular genre because it really is inclusive of so much. You start out touching on historical, swiftly moving into science, then adding into the mix of those two you have horror, thriller, sci-fi, and maybe even a touch of paranormal when it comes to the creature.

The setting: the seaside town of Deal located in southeast of Kent County, England.

You've got the discovery of a wreckage from 1748, Lady Lovibond, that leads to the raising of the schooner that leads to another discovery. The wreckage of a never publicly recorded wreckage of a WWII trawler. Upon that wreckage, a stone box shackled to its hull that scientists decided to forgo bureaucratic red-tape and smuggle ashore under the cover of night. MI6 surprise them, take over the discovery, let curiosity get the better of them, and open the stone box. Surprise is on them as they unleash a creature upon the town and its residents.

It's now up to the scientists originally brought in to study the wreckage of Lady Lovibond, MI6 agents, and an old WWII biologist who is now retired to reveal the origins of the creature.

How many lives will be lost, relationships tested and secrets uncovered before the creature is stopped – if it can even be stopped?

The story gets off to a somewhat slow start, but don't be put off by that. The slower start is NEEDED to build backstory that will propel you forward. Once you get past the initial information dump, the pace is steady, keeping you turning pages to find out what happens next. I will admit that some actions of some of the characters wanted me to reach into the pages and smack them. It was similar to some of the horror movies where you are on the outside looking in, saying WTF are you doing/thinking!!! But we are essentially on the outside reading a story from another person's creative journey.

Coppel intrigued me with the multiple POV's – particularly the creature's PoV. While I am aware the creature was the “bad" entity in the story, I felt such a strong connection to it because of the writing quality by Coppel. I felt Jay was fully fleshed out – we are given emotion and insight into his mind. Yet Emma and Helene, which I felt were his equals in the story, were left a little short. Emma gave me a more immature mentality feeling although she is supposed to be a well-educated scientist – maybe it was intentional based on the relationship between her and Jay being divorced. I could also just be overanalyzing her since I didn't feel as deep a connection with her as I did the creature and Jay.

Moving on to atmospheric presence, it's there! Coppel presents us with an extremely well-thought-out descriptive process when it comes to scenes. From shifting of the tides and sands in the beginning with raising the Lady Lovibond, the small-town dynamics, and through all the science and gore - it's all done masterfully and authentically.

If you are looking for that story with some science, history, gore and a whole bunch of surprises – give Lusus Naturae a read (and let me know what you think of it as well as if my review shift did it justice).

I want to thank Chris Coppel for reaching out and asking if I would like to give Lusus Naturae a read – it was definitely out of my normal wheel-house of reads and something I don't think I would have given an opportunity if I were choosing a book on my own. But I don't regret a moment I spent reading this one, and it will go on to take up space in my brain for a while!

As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the seaside town of Deal, England, this smart creature-feature blends history, science, and suspense across two timelines—WWII and the present day. Jay and his team of marine archaeologists, including his ex-wife Emma, arrive to study the legendary shipwreck of Lady Lovibond. While preparing the site, they stumble upon a much newer wreck and secretly extract a stone sarcophagus. When the government intervenes and the sarcophagus is opened, an ancient evil is unleashed, reigniting the horrors that once plagued Deal decades earlier.

The novel opens with a Michael Crichton type of writing that dives into marine archaeology but then goes into a fast-paced, two-day whirlwind of chaos and carnage. The story really hits its stride once the action begins, and the inclusion of the creature’s perspective adds a unique, if slightly over-explained, layer to the narrative. Some of the best scenes come from the snappy, well-written dialogue.

The book’s strengths lie in its blend of scientific intrigue, historical mystery, and government conspiracy. However, the female characters—particularly Emma—feel underdeveloped compared to Jay, and their subplot lacks the emotional depth it reaches for. That said, there are solid twists and a satisfying (if predictable) ending, complete with a clever callback in the epilogue.

Despite not being a traditional horror reader, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It's more thriller than terrifying, but a fun, smart monster story is all the same. As a fan of creature features this was a lot of fun with a side of sci-fi and conspiracy

[Wen W. (Subjective Daily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 4.5⭐ read for me, rounded up.

The opening carries the same kind of atmosphere I loved in 28 Days Later, and its scientific mystery gave me the same creeping unease I felt with Nick Cutter’s The Deep.

The book is strong in building an eerie, malevolent atmosphere with vivid, gory, sensory details. Combined with the fluid prose and short chapters, it feels like film storyboards, and you can almost see the whole thing playing out in your head.

I especially appreciate that it’s not gory or disgusting just for the sake of it. Instead, both the horror and the bloodshed are grounded in well-developed context, with the monster’s origins and the characters’ stories clearly laid out. This makes it easier to connect with them, root for them, feel nervous for them, and even feel sad for them. It also uniquely offers the perspective of this almost unbeatable monster, which I really enjoyed. How could they possibly survive?

The pace slows a little in the middle, and I almost lost the tension for a bit. But it quickly peaks again toward the end. My personal main takeaway is that some dark secrets are better left unrevealed. Don’t be too curious 👀

If you’re a fan of fast-paced, monster-themed horror with rich sensory and gory details, this book is for you.

Thank you to the author, Chris Coppel, for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Eshal · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ 3.5/5

“What would an ocean be without a monster lurking in the dark?” In Chris Coppel’s Lusus Naturae, that question finds its answer in the quiet seaside town of Deal, where something ancient and hungry awakens beneath the calm.

I’ll admit, it took me a few chapters to really get hooked, but once I did, I enjoyed the ride. The story gave me a wave of nostalgia, reminding me of the Goosebumps series I loved as a kid, only this one was darker, bloodier, and more unsettling.

What really stood out to me was the creeping fear as townsfolk began to vanish, and how the tension grew with each disappearance. That sense of dread kept me turning the pages.

If you love horror stories with small-town settings, eerie atmosphere, and a monster that will haunt your imagination, Lusus Naturae is the perfect read for you!

[Jess Lingwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Chris Coppel for a free copy of this book.

The premise is an interesting one and the book starts strong for those who like horror and gore. I enjoyed the chapters from the creature/monster’s perspective - it was a really refreshing take and brought you a look into the mind of the monster.

However, I did struggle to connect with the main trio. Both women were set up to have much more depth than they actually received - in the main, it felt they were there only for the MC’s expense and were mainly described through appearance rather than any other insight to their character which I found disappointing.

The language at times could be repetitive and I felt parts were over explained.

Overall, I liked the premise but felt it could have been executed better.

[Elsbookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this novel caught my eye and hooked me in. This was my first creature feature and it started STRONG.

Set in the Kent seaside town of Deal, it’s very British. I enjoyed the location as I had previously visited there myself.

It took me a while to get to grips with the characters but once I had my head around who was who I was able to get stuck in.

I enjoyed the gory parts a lot and Coppel didn’t hold back.

Overall a solid book that I would recommend to any lover of horror creatures/ware wolves.

[Grimm Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Coppel slid this one into my DMs on Instagram, and I didn’t hesitate to sink my teeth in. Lusus Naturae is a buffet of familiar horror and sci-fi tropes—werewolves, World War II secrets, monster mayhem—but with just enough unexpected spice to make it stand out. It’s the kind of genre mash-up that scratches all the right itches for fans of creature features and speculative thrillers.

I’ve always had a soft spot for World War II stories, especially the weirder, darker corners—those daring, unhinged what-if scenarios that feel just plausible enough to be unsettling. Coppel taps into that spirit and runs with it. What you get here is a terrifying tale that feels like a lost Universal monster movie collided with The Dirty Dozen and came out bloodied, snarling, and fascinating.

I originally came for the werewolves—and yep, they’re here—but what I got was something more inventive. Coppel brings a fresh angle to the lore, twisting it in ways I didn’t see coming. The book kicks off with an explorer’s vibe that instantly reminded me of Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates (if you know, you know). Gates is the kind of guy who’ll dive into a cursed wreck in some remote stretch of jungle, and that’s exactly the energy this book channels in its opening. Honestly, I started picturing him as one of the characters.

I won’t spoil the plot, but know this: if you like fast-paced horror, imaginative worldbuilding, a dose of pulpy violence, and strange hybrid creatures that push your mental image to the edge, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here. What really hooked me was how well it activated my imagination. More than once I found myself reading a passage, stopping to let the visuals form, then going back to re-read and refine the image in my head. It felt cinematic—and frankly, this book would make a hell of a movie.

Lusus Naturae is gory, grimy, thrilling, and creative in all the right ways. A monster romp with brains behind the blood. I’ve already queued up a few more of Coppel’s titles. If this one’s any indication, I’m in for more howling good times.

[Brya B · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s better than watching a creature feature for spooky season? Reading one! If you’re a fan of things that go bump in the night, you’re going to love Lusus Naturea by Christopher Coppel.

When a group of marine archeologists unearth a submerged sarcophagus, they accidentally let loose a WWII era monster on the sleepy coastal village of Deal, England. MI6 descends upon the town in an attempt to contain the creature. Carnage, chaos, and karma ensue.

I had no idea what to expect when I started this book, because it’s a departure from my typical genre. But let me tell you, it was so FUN. It has all the tropes that I’ve come to expect in the horror genre, but they’re presented with a wink and a nod from the author - fans of the Scream franchise, I think you’ll really appreciate the tone. The characters make some painfully idiotic decisions, which was my one gripe, but it’s all in alignment with the “I’ll go investigate that noise alone” horror staple. There’s romantic tension, strong female characters and a “girl power” message, some seriously funny moments, and of course, lots of gore. It’s a quick read and one I definitely recommend adding to your TBR.

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy - it was a fun ride, and the perfect October read.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my first work by this author and I have come to appreciate his writing skills as a result. The pacing, setting, and story telling are all top notch in this Sci-Fi/Horror thriller and I enjoyed the tension between the various characters. The gore level was about right and the parts told from the monster’s perspective were a nice touch.

I thoroughly enjoy books that transport you to a different world and a rampaging WWII beastie, chowing down on people in an English seaside town fits the bill quite nicely. I did find the strong English sensibility and spellings a tiny bit jarring at times, but in the end this actually added to the charm and authenticity of the book. (As I am from west Texas in the USA, I confess I did have to look up some completely unfamiliar words or concepts. I learned some cool things, however!)

A decent monster book is getting more difficult to find nowadays so look no further if that’s what floats your boat!

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Coppel’s *Lusus Naturae* is a thrilling foray into horror, seamlessly blending the picturesque charm of a quaint Kent seaside town with the grotesque unknown. Set against the backdrop of Deal’s colorful, cobbled streets, the narrative lures readers into a false sense of security, only to subvert their expectations with a chilling tale of primal fear and survival.

From the outset, Coppel paints a vivid picture of Deal. His detailed descriptions of the brightly colored houses and bustling streets create an inviting scene that is almost idyllic. However, this idyllic setting quickly escalates into a nightmare as the story unfolds. When an otherworldly entity descends upon the unsuspecting townsfolk, the contrast between the town’s serene façade and the horrific events that follow becomes one of the book's most striking elements.

Coppel’s characterization is particularly noteworthy. He crafts compelling and relatable characters whose lives are irrevocably altered by the arrival of this malevolent force. Their struggles and fears resonate deeply, making the stakes feel all the more tangible. As the narrative progresses, the tension mounts, drawing readers into a gripping tale that examines not only the horrors of an external threat but also the darker impulses that lurk within humanity itself.

What sets *Lusus Naturae* apart is Coppel’s masterful pacing. He deftly balances moments of chilling suspense with bursts of adrenaline-fueled action, ensuring that readers remain on the edge of their seats. The eerie atmosphere he cultivates, combined with sudden twists and macabre revelations, keeps the pages turning, leaving readers hungry for the next turning point in the story.

Moreover, Coppel explores profound themes of survival, fear, and the fragility of human existence in the face of incomprehensible evil. As the townspeople grapple with their reality, readers are prompted to reflect on their own fears and the lengths they would go to protect their loved ones. The transition from a tranquil summer to a horrifying struggle for survival is expertly depicted, creating a visceral experience that lingers long after the last page is turned.

In conclusion, *Lusus Naturae* is a captivating horror novel that combines vivid imagery with deep psychological insights. Chris Coppel has crafted a story that not only terrifies but also invites contemplation of the human condition. For fans of the genr

[Ann Onimaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read to kick off the summer. Set in a small, touristy coastal town, Lusus Naturae offers a rich blend of history, mystery, gore, and a touch of romance.
What stood out most was how grounded the characters' decisions felt. Their actions made sense, not just in a plot-forward kind of way, but in a human way. The brief but meaningful backstories really helped connect the dots between character, ideology, and choice. Although weaved beautifully in the story, I did notice some inconsistencies in character backgrounds. One in particular stuck with me: a character is described as American in one part of the story, but it's later mentioned they were raised in England. There might’ve just been a detail I missed, but because I enjoyed that character, it stood out to me.
To add to that, the use of academic or professional curiosity to override personal safety, especially in the face of supernatural danger was very divisive. That overconfidence, that blind spot, was portrayed realistically and added depth to the horror. With that being said, some of the technicalities of actions and protocols (or the lack there of) around intelligence services and archaeology pulled me out of the story just a bit. At first, the inconsistencies bothered me, but then I realized that in real life, people often do things differently (sometimes unethically) depending on motivation, personality, personal history, and circumstance. In this case, it was a perfect storm of human flaws and missteps that helped create the horror.
The balance of humor throughout was refreshing. The characters’ wit, both in dialogue and action, made them feel real and likable (or unlikable). The descriptions of setting and character development (including the creature) appealed to all the senses, creating vivid imagery and a strong atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the shifting perspectives between the creature and the human characters, which gave the story more nuance and emotional resonance.
And lastly, I thought it was clever how the creature’s arc subverted the usual trope. Instead of man becoming beast, we got a creature becoming man, struggling to navigate the human world. There were a couple of twist n the story, but this added originality and insight into the horror genre.

[pastiesandpages - Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lusus Naturae by Chris Coppel

Thank you to @cranthorpemillner and @chris.coppel for the advance paperback copy.

This horror thriller is set in Deal, a seaside town in Kent, England. There are celebrations underway due to the discovery of a shipwreck on the Goodwin Sands, the 18th century tri-masted schooner, the Lady Lovibond.
It happens to coincide with the formal opening of a new tourist attraction, an old mine offering an underground experience.

Jay Sallinger and his team have arrived from the Marine Archaeology Trust to study the wreck. The only cause of tension appears to be that he's going to have to share the research with a French team that arrives led by his ex-wife Emma.

The strange discovery of a much newer wreck caught up with Lady Lovibond leads to them recovering a stone sarcophagus. Secretly bringing it ashore and hiding it to be able to study it in peace has disastrous results as they unwittingly unleash a monster in the town. One that dates back to the second world war.

After the build up the pace explodes as carnage ensues. Before they know it Jay and Emma are caught up in a government conspiracy and a desperate fight for survival.

The monster itself, the Lusus Naturae, is truly terrifying and exists for one purpose only. The craving of human flesh.
It's a mix of the supernatural and mad science and before long there are body parts and gore all over town.

Coppel brings us a real page-turning adrenaline ride. Full of excitement and scenes of claret coloured devastation that sear themselves onto your eyeballs.

There's a side plot with Jay & Emma's relationship but what I really liked was the unique way we get shifts to the creature's point of view & hear its thoughts. We understand the monster even as it scares us.

Fast, relentless & horrifying. Highly entertaining.

✨✨✨✨⚡4.5 stars

[Ahdee · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖Book Review📖
Lusus Naturae by Chris Coppel

"All six victims had been found alone in their homes. All six had been viciously attacked by something claw-bearing and of a size that could take down even a strong man. The most horrific aspect of the killings was that the victims had all been disembowelled and their bodies partially consumed."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4)

While I love reading Suspense and Mystery books, I've read just quite a few number of Horror novels. That being said, I'm giving this book a 4 out of 5 stars ☺️

I knew it's a well thought of story, when even though the most relevant information weren't gatekeeped throughout the story, yet, I still get a bit surprised when Chris Coppel dropped certain revalations. I think the phasing of the story is varying enough to keep the readers on their toes. It started on a high note, then turned really slow, but if you keep pushing through, the light is literally at the end of the tunnel! 😂

For me, one of the most refreshing thing about this book is the Creatures PoV. We do got the Villains PoV on other books, yes. But here, we're seeing how a mutated canine animal thinks and, dare I say, feels. The feral urge to consume is dominant, but it's incredible how it consciously scrutinize its surroundings and some situations.

Just to add, I don't consider myself much of a Romance reader either, but goodness, I got so invested on Jay and Emma's "Second Chance" trope, that I get really excited whenever they got interactions. 😂 And while there isn't much of it, I'm glad how Chris left it at the end of the book. ☺️

If you love Horror with a "creature" as, in fact, one of the main characters, doesn't mind gory depictions and where people gets killed like every other chapter 😂 Then you should check out this book from @chriscoppel ! Check out his profile to where you can grab a copy and see his other works too.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the ARC for this book.

During WWII, England, in the small coastal town of Deal, an unknown creature went on a killing spree. Now modern day, a team of archaeologists excavating a sunken ship comes across a sarcophagus. When it is opened, it releases the creature that terrorized the town decades ago. The story takes you on a thrilling tale of the creature's second killing spree.

This story is fast-paced. It takes place over only two days. You just have to get past the first 20 pages that are basically boat jargon. I can tell the author did a lot of research, but it became almost just fact dumps at the beginning of the book.

I really had to push through the beginning of this book because there was a lot of telling and no showing. It was play by plays of characters' actions/moves. It was almost like reading a screenplay. After you get past the setup of the story, the writing becomes normal. The dialogue scenes were the best written in this book.

The monster/creature had its own pov during this book, which was nice, but it did come very predictable. Also, I think the horror part about this book would have been the unknown. Everything got explained, whether in dialogue or the creature's pov.

I would not call this a horror book, more of a thriller. The creature was not the scariest part of this book; it was the government and how they are able to cover things up. The ending was nice, it wrapped everything up, and the epilogue had a nice little callback, but it was predictable.

I enjoyed this book once the pace picked up, but it took me way too long to read because I was not fully invested in it.

[Jess Reads Horror · Rating 4 out of 5]

A diving team responsible for checking out a sunken ship accidentally come across a sealed off sarcophagus in the depths of the ocean. Of course, it could prove to be something of historic significance, so like anyone would, it was hauled back to land. Whatever’s inside though, was about to come back and wreak havoc on the entire town.

This whole book played out like an action movie. You know how that is, sometimes a book is a book, and sometimes you’re thinking, I can definitely see this whole thing play out on the big screen and you start assigning actors to the roles. This is how the book felt for me. That said, it was well written and descriptive enough for me to be able to form moving pictures in my head. The story flowed well and logically for the most part.

I feel like out of all the characters in this book, the strongest connection I felt was with the “villain”. Not because they were my favorite character, but because a lot more information was divulged on them. Everyone else, while some information and background showed up here and there, was not enough for me to feel tied to them. It was mostly surface level, which is another reason why it would totally work as an action movie. While I did not feel a strong connection with most of them, I did find them tolerable and not unreasonable.

There’s a lot of death and gore, which is to be expected when something crawls out of an 80 year old sarcophagus. I didn’t feel like it was over the top, but just right, considering the circumstances. I did enjoy getting the POV from the “villain”. Really makes you wonder what is this thing we call good and evil. Nature or nurture? Who’s to blame?

Definitely recommend this to anyone who is into creature features!

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

The story is set in a small town called Deal in the United Kingdom, resting along the coastline between England and France. Wreckage of a old WWII ship reveals a strange sarcophagus resting on it's grave. A team of archeologist bring it ashore, unaware of the horror inside the ancient tomb.

I would describe this more as a thriller with a paranormal element as opposed to a full horror. There was a lot of telling than showing, which took away from the suspense and fear that you'd want from a typical horror novel.
This came a lot from the inner monologue of the beast that is stalking and killing the residents of deal. I did enjoy the monologue, and the new mythos it gave to an idea of a wolf-human (werewolf-esque) being. But, it did take a some of the tense feeling away from moments as it spoke about what it was doing or going to do. I would have wanted the thoughts maybe a little less to have more fear of the deaths coming in the story.

The introduction of a new character and killing them off nearly instantly did become repetative. It never slowed the fast-paced story down, but it did begin to lessen the urgency when it became more predictable each time it happened.

I did enjoy the banter between the three leads, and the relationship they grew to have, but I did feel that the female characters were quite underdeveloped compared to our male lead. I wish they would have gotten a little more time in the light like Jay.

Overall, I did like the story and would definitely recommend to someone who would want a more paranormal thriller read than a horror read.

[Cat.thebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lusus Naturae is a creature feature that mixes monster horror with some historical and thriller elements, and I enjoyed it overall.

The story starts off at a slower pace, building the atmosphere as a team of researchers arrives in the small seaside town of Deal to study the legendary shipwreck of the Lady Lovibond. While they’re there, they discover a strange stone sarcophagus hidden inside another shipwreck. MI6 agents are sent to recover this discovery and were told by their bosses to secure it and leave it alone, they decide to open it anyway—planning to pin the blame on the researchers if things go wrong...... And boy did things go wrong, because now there’s a monster on the loose, and the town ends up in full military lockdown as this creature starts hunting people to satisfy its bloody appetite.

The book does a great job showing the chaos that follows. The townspeople are no longer in control—they're prey now. I especially liked the parts told from the creature’s point of view, that added a unique touch. The backstory about how the canine-like monster was created—revealed when a retired WWII-era biologist joins the team—was also a really interesting part of the plot.

Jay was probably my favourite character—he felt fully developed and believable. On the other hand, I didn’t connect much with the two main female characters; they just didn’t feel as fleshed out. I also found some of the military characters a bit annoying, especially how they constantly ignored common sense and dismissed Jay’s advice, when they asked him for his expertise later in the story, but I guess that is reality sometimes.

The ending caught me by surprise (in a good way), and it left me wondering if there might be a sequel. Honestly, I could see Lusus Naturae working well as a limited TV series—the setting, the monster, the buildup—it’s all very visual and creepy.

If you’re into creature horror with a twist of science and history, this one’s worth picking up. It takes a little time to get going, but once it does, it delivers some solid horror and tension.

[Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Researchers discover an unlikely shipwreck, from 1940, containing a sarcophagus which they secret away to the picturesque seaside town of Deal to study themselves. Before they can begin, government agents remove them from the site and open the sarcophagus themselves, unleashing a regenerative shape shifting creature whose only goal is to kill and consume human flesh.

Some spoilers ahead, but I've tried to keep it mostly vague.

I really enjoyed this book, as the mystery and history of the Lasus is revealed and we witness the carnage it causes. With a third person narration often switching focus, and some POV chapters from the Lasus exploring its mindset and confusion, we gradually learn more about the people involved, the danger unleashed, and the challenge to stop it. There is a decent amount of kills and gore, and exposition doesn’t bog us down or ruin the thrill.

It had a good pace, though slowed a bit in the middle for me with the rinse and repeat of the Lusus finding and killing a victim whilst everyone else is figuring out what to do, but it quickly picked up again and I was actually saddened by the end (not the final chapter, that was predictable as hell). The characters could've had more depth and distinction, and I questioned the researchers motivations at times. There is a sub plot that two of the researchers are ex's but this was pretty undeveloped and unnecessary.

Maybe the cover was purposefully misleading, but I did somewhat expect the creature to be a vampire, the regenerative and thirsty freaks of nature that they are. Instead we have a weapon designed to hunt and kill unexpectedly resurrected in modern day England, now woefully unprepared for such a threat, and a creature navigating bloodlust in a confusing battlefield. The Lusus predominately takes on the form of a dog, but can become anyone - a plot point that could've been explored further. This, and other details of how big a threat the Lusus is were repeatedly not shared with other characters, which I understand with the government/military keeping it on a need to know basis but the researchers should've been spilling the beans left right and centre to warn the town imo. There was some stupidity and characters purposefully keeping themselves in the dark or opposingly gung-ho. The details of the Lusus's backstory are more harrowing the more you think about them, especially given scientific 'research' at the time of its creation, but I don't want to spoil this reveal.

Various methods are proposed to kill the Lusus, but they have never been tried before as the war machine never saw the battlefield. For a creature that can only heal in the presence of oxygen, just as a fire needs oxygen to continue to burn, I feel this needed exploring more such as why they didn't try cutting off its supply and then using another method mentioned on its ashes. I'd be fine if it failed, but it felt like a glaring omission to not at least properly discuss.

Overall, I really enjoyed this a fun creature feature which would make a great film, with humans and creature both hunting down the other. It's a dog eat dog world, after all.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Franzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: ebook

In the normally sleepy seaside town of Deal, England, fatal curiosity will release a deadly creature. With an innate need to devour humans and with abilities that make it difficult to track, it starts to leave a bloody carnage in its wake.

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This book is such a good introduction into spooky season!

I really didn't know what to expect going into this, but I was hooked from the start! It's about more than just a strange, exceedingly horrific creature that devours humans. It's about the consequences of experimentation and the lengths that the government will go to cover conspiracies.

Having the creature's POV is such a gripping touch! It's chilling to read its thoughts moments before it attacks its victims. I like how the reader is able to see snippets of the personalities - sometimes innocent, sometimes vile - of several of the humans it ends up consuming.

I will say the relationship between two main characters and the background stories of the main characters fell flat for me. But throughout the book, Lusus, the creature, is the only character I really care about. Everyone else takes a back seat to it!

It is so interesting learning about the Lusus’ weaknesses and about the ultimate weapon that would bring it down! Don’t want to give anything away, but wow, so unexpected! And oh my goodness, that ending!

Highly recommend, especially if you want something scary but smart!

Read if you like:
-Creature Features/Horror
-Monster's POV
-Small, Sleepy, Seaside Towns
-Government Conspiracies

TW: death of an animal (lookalike)

I was graciously gifted a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a collection of short stories by the author a few years ago it was good to be able to have something more substantial to sink my teeth into with this new book.

Using the real town of Deal in Kent as a location, evoking images of a quaint seaside town loved by its residents and visiting tourists, Coppel combines historical fact and fiction in this cross-genre story.

A team of marine archaeologists arrive to study the shipwreck of Lady Lovibond but what they don’t realise is what else they have brought to shore and are about to unleash on the unsuspecting town.

The slower paced first half of the book allowed me to really immerse myself in the story. It was interesting to learn about the back story of the characters so that I was invested in their work and connections to each other. This was especially true for Jay who finds himself having to work alongside his ex wife.

I really enjoyed the inclusion of the creature’s POV in this story. It gave an inner voice to its blood thirsty mission and was reminiscent of creature feature favourites like Frankenstein, Dracula and an American Werewolf in London.

Suspense, action, sci-fi and grotesque horror all come together to create a thrilling and satisfying read. Elements of dark humour and funny quips from the characters bring welcome moments of relief.

After reading this I’m not sure a visit to a seaside town will ever have the same relaxed feeling for me ever again.