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The Real Monster
Some monsters wear masks. Others wear your name.
When Detective Emily Parker is called to the scene of a ritualistic murder, she expects blood. She doesn’t expect the voice of the dead whispering in her ear—or the symbols carved into the victim’s skin to match those in her sister’s unsolved case.
What begins as a hunt for a serial killer becomes a descent into ancient darkness. With the help of a mysterious historian named Van Helsing, Emily unearths a hidden war waged across centuries… and finds herself at its center.
But the truth is more terrifying than any myth.
Dracula was real.
And he was only the beginning.
The Real Monster is the first novel in The Mortal Coil Multiverse, a gripping fusion of psychological horror, supernatural mystery, and cosmic dread.
This is not just a story about vampires.
This is about what’s waiting after them.
When Detective Emily Parker is called to the scene of a ritualistic murder, she expects blood. She doesn’t expect the voice of the dead whispering in her ear—or the symbols carved into the victim’s skin to match those in her sister’s unsolved case.
What begins as a hunt for a serial killer becomes a descent into ancient darkness. With the help of a mysterious historian named Van Helsing, Emily unearths a hidden war waged across centuries… and finds herself at its center.
But the truth is more terrifying than any myth.
Dracula was real.
And he was only the beginning.
The Real Monster is the first novel in The Mortal Coil Multiverse, a gripping fusion of psychological horror, supernatural mystery, and cosmic dread.
This is not just a story about vampires.
This is about what’s waiting after them.
- GenresHorror
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Angel R. Sánchez
6 books37 followersAngel R. Sánchez is a passionate storyteller who weaves mystery, adventure, and emotion into every page. Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, his love for ancient legends and stories of human resilience inspired him to dream of worlds where courage and hope defy the limits of the possible.
After publishing his first works in Spanish, Linajes (2014), the poetry collection Katharsis, and the anthology Coleccionando Cuentos, co-written with his best friend, Víctor L. Miranda, life took him on a long detour away from writing. For years, he stepped back from his passion, balancing work and family while carrying stories quietly within him.
In 2025, Angel returned to the page with renewed purpose, making his English-language debut with The Real Monster. This novel not only reignited his literary journey but also launched his shared horror universe, The Mortal Coil.
Through vivid storytelling and emotional depth, Ángel invites readers to cross invisible thresholds, confront the unknown, and discover pieces of themselves within each tale. His inspiration springs from everyday life, myths hidden in plain sight, and his firm belief that imagination knows no boundaries.
Above all, Angel is a husband and the proud father of an amazing autistic daughter. Beyond the books, he’s a regular guy who works as an industrial machine operator and, like so many others, does his best every day to keep his family strong and cared for.
Prepare to lose yourself in unforgettable adventures... and perhaps, to find yourself along the way.
After publishing his first works in Spanish, Linajes (2014), the poetry collection Katharsis, and the anthology Coleccionando Cuentos, co-written with his best friend, Víctor L. Miranda, life took him on a long detour away from writing. For years, he stepped back from his passion, balancing work and family while carrying stories quietly within him.
In 2025, Angel returned to the page with renewed purpose, making his English-language debut with The Real Monster. This novel not only reignited his literary journey but also launched his shared horror universe, The Mortal Coil.
Through vivid storytelling and emotional depth, Ángel invites readers to cross invisible thresholds, confront the unknown, and discover pieces of themselves within each tale. His inspiration springs from everyday life, myths hidden in plain sight, and his firm belief that imagination knows no boundaries.
Above all, Angel is a husband and the proud father of an amazing autistic daughter. Beyond the books, he’s a regular guy who works as an industrial machine operator and, like so many others, does his best every day to keep his family strong and cared for.
Prepare to lose yourself in unforgettable adventures... and perhaps, to find yourself along the way.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 28, 2025
Angel R. Sanchez is a new author for me, but this won't be the last book I read from him. When one opens the book, there's not much of a slow burn. The action gets started right away when Emily investigates a murder while at the same time being haunted by her sister's death. She has no idea what her sister actually knew about these 'murders'.
The Real Monster tackles the classic trope of vampires, but adds a psychological horror element that takes the book to another level beyond just another vampire novel. Emily is more than just a detective; she feels guilt about her sister. Also, she realizes what she has walked into is well beyond her comprehension or anyone's, for that matter. I don't want to spoil much, but a classic folktale is about to take one heck of a twist.
If you enjoy vampire/folk horror with a nice twist, you'll want to read this one. I also hear Angel has another book in the grapevine.
I give this a 4.5/5 (rounded up) stars. Great way to start a new author!
The Real Monster tackles the classic trope of vampires, but adds a psychological horror element that takes the book to another level beyond just another vampire novel. Emily is more than just a detective; she feels guilt about her sister. Also, she realizes what she has walked into is well beyond her comprehension or anyone's, for that matter. I don't want to spoil much, but a classic folktale is about to take one heck of a twist.
If you enjoy vampire/folk horror with a nice twist, you'll want to read this one. I also hear Angel has another book in the grapevine.
I give this a 4.5/5 (rounded up) stars. Great way to start a new author!
December 29, 2025
As an avid vampire lover, I really enjoyed Angel’s take on Dracula. I am intrigued by this book’s storyline and curious to see where this series goes from here.
November 9, 2025
Entertaining from the opening line on !!! I enjoyed The pace and the writing style and format quite refreshing.
I look forward to reading this author
I look forward to reading this author
January 22, 2026
I don’t like vampires. I don’t care for the aloof bloodsuckers that elegantly strife through the night. I don’t like the theme, the style, the lust. And this is a book about vampires in all its forms: “Feral beasts that moved on all fours, pale aristocrats with golden eyes, ragged corpses with long nails and gaping maws.” Even Dracula himself and his arch enemy Van Helsing have their appearance as well as a set of ritualistic gothic-like relics.
And then there is blood. First and foremost there is blood. Blood in circles, blood in puddles, blood in bathtubs, blood in vials. Blood that is spilled, gulped, drunken, warm. If there is one thing, it is blood.
The plot is completely centered around this theme as well. Yes Emily, our protagonist has a bit of a back story and there is a cosmic horror element involved, but the story is very much focused on vampirism. And that might actually be my only criticism of the book: the plot is too focused and very straight forward. There is not much going on beside a set of brutal murders. There is no actual investigation or character building going on. This is barely missed though as the multi perspective approach to the murder scenes and the core vein of the plot is compelling enough. In other words, when it comes to vampires, this book offers the whole shefang!
It’s fair to say that this book would usually not made it on my shelf and would qualify for a book that I set aside after some chapters. Still, I sucked this book up, barely putting it aside. This says a lot and is utterly thanks to the authors writing style. He is able to paint clear and evoking pictures in my head that make this book an immersive page turner. His writing is quick and clear as it is deep and powerful and never let me down. I’m honestly impressed and immediately planned on reading volume 2 and 3 of the mortal coil series. If an author is able to pull me in with a topic I don’t even like, I can only wonder what happens, when it comes to topics I actually like. I guess he will be an author that I will always come back to reading. Thanks for the experience!
And then there is blood. First and foremost there is blood. Blood in circles, blood in puddles, blood in bathtubs, blood in vials. Blood that is spilled, gulped, drunken, warm. If there is one thing, it is blood.
The plot is completely centered around this theme as well. Yes Emily, our protagonist has a bit of a back story and there is a cosmic horror element involved, but the story is very much focused on vampirism. And that might actually be my only criticism of the book: the plot is too focused and very straight forward. There is not much going on beside a set of brutal murders. There is no actual investigation or character building going on. This is barely missed though as the multi perspective approach to the murder scenes and the core vein of the plot is compelling enough. In other words, when it comes to vampires, this book offers the whole shefang!
It’s fair to say that this book would usually not made it on my shelf and would qualify for a book that I set aside after some chapters. Still, I sucked this book up, barely putting it aside. This says a lot and is utterly thanks to the authors writing style. He is able to paint clear and evoking pictures in my head that make this book an immersive page turner. His writing is quick and clear as it is deep and powerful and never let me down. I’m honestly impressed and immediately planned on reading volume 2 and 3 of the mortal coil series. If an author is able to pull me in with a topic I don’t even like, I can only wonder what happens, when it comes to topics I actually like. I guess he will be an author that I will always come back to reading. Thanks for the experience!
June 30, 2025
The Real Monster (The Mortal Coil Universe, Book 1)
By Mr. Angel R. Sanchez
Publisher: BetterWay Stories
Publication Date: June 1, 2025
218 Pages
ISBN-13: 979-83192588762
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dread Factor: 💀💀
Trigger Warnings: Murder, blood rituals, grief, sibling death, supernatural horror
What Did I Just Walk Into?
Ritualistic murder? Check. A detective haunted by her sister’s death? Check. Blood that acts alive and whispers your name through shadows? Double check and also—NOPE. The Real Monster isn’t just flirting with vampire lore, it’s raw-dogging psychological horror and cosmic dread while doing donuts in a graveyard. Dracula exists, but surprise! He’s just the tip of the fanged iceberg.
Here’s What Slapped:
Mr. Sanchez doesn’t waste time. Detective Emily Parker is sharp, grieving, and psychic-adjacent—basically the emotional and supernatural equivalent of walking into a haunted crime scene with a gun, a grudge, and unresolved trauma. The pacing? Tight. The vibes? Cultish. The blood? Glows. The twist? There’s a historian named Van Helsing and a literal diagram of seven ritual anchors. (And yes, one of them is a crown. Another is a mirror. Let the ancient evil treasure hunt begin.)
Best of all? You feel this book. Emily’s memories of finding her sister’s body, her guilt, her creeping realization that she’s part of something much older than she signed up for—it’s layered horror done right.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly? I wouldn’t say no to a few more answers on the sigils and the seven-pointed crown lore. But let’s be real—I’m here for the descent, not the clarity. Let the multiverse unravel.
📖 Perfect for Readers Who Love:
📖 Detective horror with supernatural threads
📖 Ritualistic vampire-adjacent murder cults
📖 Dark fantasy meets modern procedural
📖 Stories where “the blood is life” isn’t just flavor text—it’s a plot point
📖 Characters who walk straight into the dark, flashlights be damned
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
By Mr. Angel R. Sanchez
Publisher: BetterWay Stories
Publication Date: June 1, 2025
218 Pages
ISBN-13: 979-83192588762
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dread Factor: 💀💀
Trigger Warnings: Murder, blood rituals, grief, sibling death, supernatural horror
What Did I Just Walk Into?
Ritualistic murder? Check. A detective haunted by her sister’s death? Check. Blood that acts alive and whispers your name through shadows? Double check and also—NOPE. The Real Monster isn’t just flirting with vampire lore, it’s raw-dogging psychological horror and cosmic dread while doing donuts in a graveyard. Dracula exists, but surprise! He’s just the tip of the fanged iceberg.
Here’s What Slapped:
Mr. Sanchez doesn’t waste time. Detective Emily Parker is sharp, grieving, and psychic-adjacent—basically the emotional and supernatural equivalent of walking into a haunted crime scene with a gun, a grudge, and unresolved trauma. The pacing? Tight. The vibes? Cultish. The blood? Glows. The twist? There’s a historian named Van Helsing and a literal diagram of seven ritual anchors. (And yes, one of them is a crown. Another is a mirror. Let the ancient evil treasure hunt begin.)
Best of all? You feel this book. Emily’s memories of finding her sister’s body, her guilt, her creeping realization that she’s part of something much older than she signed up for—it’s layered horror done right.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly? I wouldn’t say no to a few more answers on the sigils and the seven-pointed crown lore. But let’s be real—I’m here for the descent, not the clarity. Let the multiverse unravel.
📖 Perfect for Readers Who Love:
📖 Detective horror with supernatural threads
📖 Ritualistic vampire-adjacent murder cults
📖 Dark fantasy meets modern procedural
📖 Stories where “the blood is life” isn’t just flavor text—it’s a plot point
📖 Characters who walk straight into the dark, flashlights be damned
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
July 27, 2025
I didn’t write The Real Monster to scare people. I wrote it because I made a promise — and because I was grieving.
This story was born from loss. From a silence that stayed after the worst kind of goodbye. It became my way of making sense of the pain, not to escape it, but to walk through it.
Yes, it’s a horror story. But beneath the blood and shadows, it’s about memory, identity, and the fear that what hurts us never truly leaves.
It was never meant to be perfect. Just honest.
If you read it, I hope you felt something.
Thank you for giving it your time.
Thank you for letting it breathe.
The beginning of The Mortal Coil Universe.
Available now.
– Angel R. Sánchez
This story was born from loss. From a silence that stayed after the worst kind of goodbye. It became my way of making sense of the pain, not to escape it, but to walk through it.
Yes, it’s a horror story. But beneath the blood and shadows, it’s about memory, identity, and the fear that what hurts us never truly leaves.
It was never meant to be perfect. Just honest.
If you read it, I hope you felt something.
Thank you for giving it your time.
Thank you for letting it breathe.
The beginning of The Mortal Coil Universe.
Available now.
– Angel R. Sánchez
October 13, 2025
The Real Monster - The Mortal Coil Universe- Book 1 - By Angel R. Sanchez is a beautifully written in a way you feel as if you are right there with Emily feeling and seeing the things she does. Where everything is starting to blur together and you question what is what. I absolutely loved this book and also love the second book The Pale Hunger in this series as well. Sanchez is an author to sit up and take notice.
June 27, 2025
When I started reading this, I fell for Emily Parker. The serial killer angle mixed with monsters is fresh, and it reads well. Looking forward to the next connection in this universe.
December 30, 2025
This was a fun introduction to the Mortal Coil universe. Action packed. It had all of the classic vampire characters, all while being completely new!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews