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Be Still My Unbeating Heart
A cozy vampire vacation mystery set in a seaside Italian village, featuring a reformed vampire, his magical talking cat, and a handsome, brooding detective
Bastian may be a vampire, but he doesn’t bite.
Not anymore, at least.
These days, Bastian just wants to live his best undead life: visit charming Italian villages, maybe dance in the square with a cute boy, all with Whitby, his best friend (and magical talking cat) by his side. What he doesn’t want? To stumble across a dead body on the beach, a girl who appears to have been killed by a vampire.
It wasn’t Bastian. He swears—on his own grave.
But the local police chief doesn’t trust Bastian, or any vampire, for that matter, so he assigns detective Nico De Luca to keep an eye on him until his trial. And while Bastian normally wouldn’t complain about having a gorgeous, mysterious man by his side, he has more important things to worry about, because the police chief has called the Vampire Council, and if the real killer is still at large when they arrive, the whole town could be in danger. As more bodies begin to pile up, Bastian, Whitby, and De Luca must get to the bottom of who in Vernazza is framing vampires, before it’s too late.
Charming, twisty, and laugh-out-loud funny, Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning is a delightful romp through a swoon-worthy magical murder mystery.
Bastian may be a vampire, but he doesn’t bite.
Not anymore, at least.
These days, Bastian just wants to live his best undead life: visit charming Italian villages, maybe dance in the square with a cute boy, all with Whitby, his best friend (and magical talking cat) by his side. What he doesn’t want? To stumble across a dead body on the beach, a girl who appears to have been killed by a vampire.
It wasn’t Bastian. He swears—on his own grave.
But the local police chief doesn’t trust Bastian, or any vampire, for that matter, so he assigns detective Nico De Luca to keep an eye on him until his trial. And while Bastian normally wouldn’t complain about having a gorgeous, mysterious man by his side, he has more important things to worry about, because the police chief has called the Vampire Council, and if the real killer is still at large when they arrive, the whole town could be in danger. As more bodies begin to pile up, Bastian, Whitby, and De Luca must get to the bottom of who in Vernazza is framing vampires, before it’s too late.
Charming, twisty, and laugh-out-loud funny, Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning is a delightful romp through a swoon-worthy magical murder mystery.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Josh Winning
6 books340 followersJosh Winning writes popcorn fantasy and horror novels that are full of heart, hope and humour, with a love for 80s movie puppets, 90s slasher flicks and gay Final Girls. He identifies as queer, and believes in the power of positive representation. After growing up in a small Suffolk town and struggling to find LGBTQIA+ characters to relate to, he now writes books filled with queer joy.
Josh has worked as a film journalist for Radio Times and Total Film, interviewing the likes of Miss Piggy and Goldie Hawn, and he is co-host of the Charmed Chat podcast. His books include The Shadow Glass, Burn the Negative (which was long-listed for a Bram Stoker Award), Heads Will Roll, and Be Still My Unbeating Heart. He lives in East Anglia with his partner and their talking cat Penny.
Josh has worked as a film journalist for Radio Times and Total Film, interviewing the likes of Miss Piggy and Goldie Hawn, and he is co-host of the Charmed Chat podcast. His books include The Shadow Glass, Burn the Negative (which was long-listed for a Bram Stoker Award), Heads Will Roll, and Be Still My Unbeating Heart. He lives in East Anglia with his partner and their talking cat Penny.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 31, 2026
I had a great time! It's cozy, it's funny, and it's a great balance of murder mystery and romance, set in a cute Italian small town.
The characters are colourful, and what's not to love about a vegetarian vampire and his talking cat?
It felt like a vacation.
Thank you Putnam for this ARC!
The characters are colourful, and what's not to love about a vegetarian vampire and his talking cat?
It felt like a vacation.
Thank you Putnam for this ARC!
November 20, 2025
I'm really, really proud of this book. I'm giving it 5 stars because it brought me a lot of joy, and I hope it does the same for you.
December 29, 2025
how do I explain that this entire book kinda felt like when Captain Holt praised oatmeal as an analogy for love in Brooklyn 99 without sounding like I've lost my damn mind 🫠 like. it was good? but it was a tad bland? and there was potential? but it always just fell a tad short of reaching it? love Whitby though, talking cats for the win 👌
April 12, 2026
When a reformed vampire stumbles across a dead body while holidaying with his familiar cat sidekick, things don’t exactly look great for him. To clear his name, Bastian has to team up with De Luca, the handsome local detective, to track down the real killer. But with the ruthless Vampire Council on their way to deliver their own brand of justice, it becomes a race against time to clear Bastian’s name and find the true murderer before their victim count grows. As Bastian and De Luca get closer to the truth they also grow closer to each other, although Bastian soon discovers the murderer is not the only one keeping secrets…
Be Still My Beating Heart is an entertaining paranormal rom-com that balances lightness and fun with threads of genuine emotion and tension. It gave me strong Death in Paradise vibes, slightly ridiculous in the best way, but also engaging and oddly comforting!
It’s an easy read with loveable characters that kept me guessing until the end. The mystery has enough peril and drama to keep things interesting while still delivering a cosy atmosphere and satisfying conclusion.
All in all a fun, enjoyable read, perfect if you’re in the mood for something lighter!
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the arc.
Be Still My Beating Heart is an entertaining paranormal rom-com that balances lightness and fun with threads of genuine emotion and tension. It gave me strong Death in Paradise vibes, slightly ridiculous in the best way, but also engaging and oddly comforting!
It’s an easy read with loveable characters that kept me guessing until the end. The mystery has enough peril and drama to keep things interesting while still delivering a cosy atmosphere and satisfying conclusion.
All in all a fun, enjoyable read, perfect if you’re in the mood for something lighter!
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the arc.
April 10, 2026
This was exactly the book I was hoping for and more! I love a silly whodunnit, throw in vampires, some romantic tension and a talking cat and you’ve got a spectacularly good time!!
This was seriously so much fun though and I am really hoping for some possible sequel shenanigans??
Bastian gave big Lestat energy which I loved. The lore, the backstories all the twists were so good ! This was the perfect cosy mystery with just the right amount of bite.
This was seriously so much fun though and I am really hoping for some possible sequel shenanigans??
Bastian gave big Lestat energy which I loved. The lore, the backstories all the twists were so good ! This was the perfect cosy mystery with just the right amount of bite.
March 11, 2026
4☆ A Quirky, Fun Vampire murder mystery!
One of my favourite reads is with vampires. Be still my unbeating heart was such a fun, quirky vampire mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's different from anything I've read with vampires.
Bastian is a vampire on holiday, with Whitby he's familiar with who happens to be a cat! But things are about to become anything but relaxing, when bodies are mounting up and Bastian is at the centre of blame!
However, he's a vamp who only drinks animal blood. He sets off to prove his innocence. Alongside the very brooding and handsome Inspector De Luca. Who is just as keen to find the killer.
But can he prove his innocence, or is there sabotage at play!
This book just kept on giving! With Twists aplenty. It certainly kept me on my toes!
I was rooting for De Luca and Bastian 🫶🏻 the whole way through.
I can't forget to mention Whitby, what a feline supawstar 😻
Be still my unbeating heart is a vampire murder mystery, with quirky characters, plenty of witty humour, and a budding love story.
I really hope there is a second book, as i have a soft spot for Bastian and Whitby, and i need more from this dynamic duo... or should I say trio!?
A big thank you to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for this copy, which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
One of my favourite reads is with vampires. Be still my unbeating heart was such a fun, quirky vampire mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's different from anything I've read with vampires.
Bastian is a vampire on holiday, with Whitby he's familiar with who happens to be a cat! But things are about to become anything but relaxing, when bodies are mounting up and Bastian is at the centre of blame!
However, he's a vamp who only drinks animal blood. He sets off to prove his innocence. Alongside the very brooding and handsome Inspector De Luca. Who is just as keen to find the killer.
But can he prove his innocence, or is there sabotage at play!
This book just kept on giving! With Twists aplenty. It certainly kept me on my toes!
I was rooting for De Luca and Bastian 🫶🏻 the whole way through.
I can't forget to mention Whitby, what a feline supawstar 😻
Be still my unbeating heart is a vampire murder mystery, with quirky characters, plenty of witty humour, and a budding love story.
I really hope there is a second book, as i have a soft spot for Bastian and Whitby, and i need more from this dynamic duo... or should I say trio!?
A big thank you to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for this copy, which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
November 6, 2025
Really enjoyed this one! Felt like a really fun and charming episode of Buffy, except even queerer. The characters and world building were nicely done, as was the Italian setting. In many of the horror/mystery/romance mashups I’ve read in the past, usually I feel like none of the genres shine - but here it was a true mystery, a charming romance, and a horror(lite) vampire saga (with some truly unique world building elements) so truly each genre got to shine. My only nitpicky criticism are some of the interesting bits (the Obliterati) didn’t feel explore to their full potential - but hey here’s hoping for a sequel to dive deeper (in the meantime added the author’s back catalogue to my TBR)!
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the very early ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the very early ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2026
I wish i could say i enjoyed this, but I did not :( normally i love me some silly gay vampires but this was too silly, even for me. I found myself annoyed instead of endeared. This never took itself seriously, at any point, and although ill allow my books to be silly, i do need them to eventually say something more than just "haha funny". So yeah, not my vibe, im glad to be done with this.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
February 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning is an enjoyable spooky mystery with some supernatural flair and elements of horror. Bastian, a vegetarian vampire, and his talking feline companion, Whitby, are on vacation in Italy, but Bastian’s plans for a relaxing getaway are soon destroyed when he is accused of murder. Will Bastian be able to prove his innocence with help from Whitby and the enigmatic Inspector de Luca, or will he pay the ultimate price for a crime he did not commit? Read it to find out!
Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning is an enjoyable spooky mystery with some supernatural flair and elements of horror. Bastian, a vegetarian vampire, and his talking feline companion, Whitby, are on vacation in Italy, but Bastian’s plans for a relaxing getaway are soon destroyed when he is accused of murder. Will Bastian be able to prove his innocence with help from Whitby and the enigmatic Inspector de Luca, or will he pay the ultimate price for a crime he did not commit? Read it to find out!
Read
March 5, 2026I blurbed this one!
"Be Still My Unbeating Heart is a heartwarming delight in which every page is infused with queer joy. If there is one cosy mystery you pick up this year, make it this one!"
"Be Still My Unbeating Heart is a heartwarming delight in which every page is infused with queer joy. If there is one cosy mystery you pick up this year, make it this one!"
kindle-tbr
July 14, 2025The way I’m hoping this is an upcoming release 😍🤞
January 28, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning was the perfect, slightly spooky murder mystery novel set with the lovely backdrop of Vernazza. One of the best parts of this novel was the talking cat, Whitby, who was the sassiest and most entertaining wanna be witch cat. If you were debating whether there was a need for a talking cat, rest assured, there were many needs for this feline throughout the novel. Another strong element of the novel was the chemistry between Bastian and Nico, as their tension and headbutting were inevitable and entertaining. From the sassy, sharp lines from Bastian to the quick, blunt comebacks from Nico. I was almost constantly laughing at the thought of their conversations in real life. My only negative for the novel was that the murder mystery at times was hard to follow, as it felt impossible to solve in some aspects, and the last twenty percent of the novel felt like a wrong accusation after a wrong accusation. However, the novel kept me entertained by the witty banter and the beauty of the Italian village and its nosy neighbors. Overall, 3.5/5 stars rounded up due to the lovely MM romance and a delightful murder mystery, and I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of more sassy cats in their books.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning was the perfect, slightly spooky murder mystery novel set with the lovely backdrop of Vernazza. One of the best parts of this novel was the talking cat, Whitby, who was the sassiest and most entertaining wanna be witch cat. If you were debating whether there was a need for a talking cat, rest assured, there were many needs for this feline throughout the novel. Another strong element of the novel was the chemistry between Bastian and Nico, as their tension and headbutting were inevitable and entertaining. From the sassy, sharp lines from Bastian to the quick, blunt comebacks from Nico. I was almost constantly laughing at the thought of their conversations in real life. My only negative for the novel was that the murder mystery at times was hard to follow, as it felt impossible to solve in some aspects, and the last twenty percent of the novel felt like a wrong accusation after a wrong accusation. However, the novel kept me entertained by the witty banter and the beauty of the Italian village and its nosy neighbors. Overall, 3.5/5 stars rounded up due to the lovely MM romance and a delightful murder mystery, and I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of more sassy cats in their books.
November 15, 2025
A MM vampire/human- cozy-sleuth- romance that conquered my heart since page one. Set in the beautiful Vernazza -Cinque Terre - Italy ( please, go to Google images and check the place, it is beautiful), our undead hero, Bastian, and his magical, smart-ass speaking cat, Whitby, decide to spend their well-deserved vacation in the paradisiacal place.
However, things get a little complicated when a body is found on the beach and Bastian is seen as the main suspect. Our friend does not feed on human blood, as he went through a painful "detox," and he needs to prove his innocence before the Vampire league arrives and he is met with his true death.
He meets the handsome Italian police officer, Nico, and things go from bad to worse as they slowly and (Nico reluctantly) fall in love with each other. The vampire theme is nothing new, but the author managed to bring something fresh to the story. The reference to 80s pop music is a constant (from Bronski Beat - Small town boy to Kate Bush and a lot of great icons in between), and it will make you run to Spotify and listen to them as you read.
Whitby is a scene-stealer, as she delivers the comic relief to this roller-coaster of adventure. The perfect summer read for the Brazilian hot days :)
However, things get a little complicated when a body is found on the beach and Bastian is seen as the main suspect. Our friend does not feed on human blood, as he went through a painful "detox," and he needs to prove his innocence before the Vampire league arrives and he is met with his true death.
He meets the handsome Italian police officer, Nico, and things go from bad to worse as they slowly and (Nico reluctantly) fall in love with each other. The vampire theme is nothing new, but the author managed to bring something fresh to the story. The reference to 80s pop music is a constant (from Bronski Beat - Small town boy to Kate Bush and a lot of great icons in between), and it will make you run to Spotify and listen to them as you read.
Whitby is a scene-stealer, as she delivers the comic relief to this roller-coaster of adventure. The perfect summer read for the Brazilian hot days :)
March 18, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book
This cozy read started really strong and for about half the book I was completely invested in the story, but somewhere in the second half I got bored with the overused formula (a body appears, Bastian is accused, he kind of proves he's innocent, another body appears, Bastian is accused, etc.) and the random twists. I liked Bastian and De Luca as individual characters, but I think they had very little chemistry as a couple. I found Bastian's realtionship with Whitby a lot more interesting and better developed, it definitely was the highlight of the book imo. So not a total success for me, but definitely entertaining and worth your time this summer.
This cozy read started really strong and for about half the book I was completely invested in the story, but somewhere in the second half I got bored with the overused formula (a body appears, Bastian is accused, he kind of proves he's innocent, another body appears, Bastian is accused, etc.) and the random twists. I liked Bastian and De Luca as individual characters, but I think they had very little chemistry as a couple. I found Bastian's realtionship with Whitby a lot more interesting and better developed, it definitely was the highlight of the book imo. So not a total success for me, but definitely entertaining and worth your time this summer.
January 29, 2026
thank you to NetGalley and Josh Winning for the ARC of this book!
Are you looking for a cozy mystery, mm romance, with a little bit of vampire fun and set in Vernazza Italy? if so, then this is the book for you! the adventures and of course the cat, were so much fun and definitely full of whimsy!
Are you looking for a cozy mystery, mm romance, with a little bit of vampire fun and set in Vernazza Italy? if so, then this is the book for you! the adventures and of course the cat, were so much fun and definitely full of whimsy!
May 10, 2026
This was so fun. Part rom-com part murder mystery with a reformed vampire at the centre of it all. I had a bloody good time reading it. Fangtastic stuff!
March 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.
4.5⭐️ rounded up!
This book was such a fun time! Bastian (world’s goodest reformed vampire) is just looking to take a relaxing vacation in Vernazza, Italy with his cat/best friend/blood sobriety sponsor Whitby. Unfortunately, they discover a body of a woman on the beach that seems to have been killed by a vampire, and now he is being framed for her death! Oh, if only there was an eager young (and hot) poliziotto willing to aid him (begrudgingly) in his attempt to clear his name!
Bastian is such a flirt and I love that for him. The banter between Bastian and literally any other character (but especially De Luca) is top tier. I was trying to guess who the killer was the whole time, and I love being faked out time and time again in stories like this! Whitby is my favorite character in this story and then BOOM, I get hit with an emotional backstory?! I was not prepared! I cannot wait for this book to come out so I can get my hands on a physical copy.
4.5⭐️ rounded up!
This book was such a fun time! Bastian (world’s goodest reformed vampire) is just looking to take a relaxing vacation in Vernazza, Italy with his cat/best friend/blood sobriety sponsor Whitby. Unfortunately, they discover a body of a woman on the beach that seems to have been killed by a vampire, and now he is being framed for her death! Oh, if only there was an eager young (and hot) poliziotto willing to aid him (begrudgingly) in his attempt to clear his name!
Bastian is such a flirt and I love that for him. The banter between Bastian and literally any other character (but especially De Luca) is top tier. I was trying to guess who the killer was the whole time, and I love being faked out time and time again in stories like this! Whitby is my favorite character in this story and then BOOM, I get hit with an emotional backstory?! I was not prepared! I cannot wait for this book to come out so I can get my hands on a physical copy.
November 9, 2025
I had such a good time with this! Great for fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but make it a cosy gay mystery romance. Fun, fun, fun!
February 24, 2026
If gothic horror and emotional damage had a beautifully haunted love child, it would be Be Still My Unbeating Heart.
Josh Winning delivers a story that is dark, theatrical, and dripping in atmosphere. This isn’t just horror for the sake of jump scares it’s layered, moody, and deeply personal. There’s a pulse of grief running through the pages (ironically for a book about unbeating hearts), and it gives the supernatural elements real weight.
The setting feels cinematic you can practically see the shadows stretching across the walls. Winning leans into gothic aesthetics, obsession, longing, and the messy places where love and death blur together. It’s dramatic in the best way like velvet curtains, candlelight, and secrets whispered after midnight.
What really stands out is the emotional core. Beneath the eerie vibes and unsettling moments is a story about loss and what we’re willing to risk to hold on to the people we love. The horror works because the feelings are real.
Is it subtle? Not always. Is it atmospheric and unapologetically dramatic? Absolutely. And honestly, that’s part of the charm.
Josh Winning delivers a story that is dark, theatrical, and dripping in atmosphere. This isn’t just horror for the sake of jump scares it’s layered, moody, and deeply personal. There’s a pulse of grief running through the pages (ironically for a book about unbeating hearts), and it gives the supernatural elements real weight.
The setting feels cinematic you can practically see the shadows stretching across the walls. Winning leans into gothic aesthetics, obsession, longing, and the messy places where love and death blur together. It’s dramatic in the best way like velvet curtains, candlelight, and secrets whispered after midnight.
What really stands out is the emotional core. Beneath the eerie vibes and unsettling moments is a story about loss and what we’re willing to risk to hold on to the people we love. The horror works because the feelings are real.
Is it subtle? Not always. Is it atmospheric and unapologetically dramatic? Absolutely. And honestly, that’s part of the charm.
April 23, 2026
Heads Will Roll
is one of my favorite stories of the past five years, so reading
Josh Winning
's latest book was a no-brainer. While it's definitely different,
Be Still My Unbeating Heart
still felt like a Winning book (pun-intended) with a lighthearted, funny, and even romantic, yet horrifying and a little disturbing. A mix I never knew I needed.
Bastian may be a vampire, but he doesn’t bite...Not anymore, at least.
These days, Bastian just wants to live his best undead life: visit charming Italian villages, maybe dance in the square with a cute boy, all with Whitby, his best friend (and magical talking cat) by his side. What he doesn’t want? To stumble across a dead body on the beach, a girl who appears to have been killed by a vampire.
It wasn’t Bastian. He swears—on his own grave.
But the local police chief doesn’t trust Bastian, or any vampire, for that matter, so he assigns detective Nico De Luca to keep an eye on him until his trial. And while Bastian normally wouldn’t complain about having a gorgeous, mysterious man by his side, he has more important things to worry about, because the police chief has called the Vampire Council, and if the real killer is still at large when they arrive, the whole town could be in danger. As more bodies begin to pile up, Bastian, Whitby, and De Luca must get to the bottom of who in Vernazza is framing vampires, before it’s too late.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart is a wonderful blend of murder mystery with a campy vampire romance story. Bastian is a charming and witty vegetarian vampire with Whitby a talking sidekick cat. Yes, the most surprising part of that sentence was that Bastian is a vegetarian and not that his cat talks. This campy horror was what made the story so enjoyable to read. I love my slasher, bloody, and gory stories, but sometimes this mix of campy horror with romance takes a bit of the edge off and gives a different type of enjoyment.
Winning crafts a story with plenty of mystery, red herrings, and twists that keeps you guessing and on your feet throughout. Again, another way to set this story apart for the crowd. What made it special was how I never really got confused, even with all the turns and surprises. It was a breezy, enjoyable, and mysterious read that surprised me from the outset. Not what I was expecting from Winning, but in the best possible way.
Not surprising to fans of Winning, but Josh scripts a story with great queer representation and joyful LGBTQ+ romance, which I thought would be difficult in a vampire horror story, but done so well here. The representation comes from a heartfelt place, allowing for it to feel organic and part of the story and not just added for effect. It's meaningful and beautiful.
Having waited a few years for the next book from Winning, I had hoped for another slasher like Heads Will Roll , but got this campy vampire romance horror instead. That might sound like a let down, but is honestly the opposite. I was so glad that Winning came out swinging with a different type of tale that had me guessing and surprised from the beginning. What a joy and horror at the same time.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning completely won me over. It's odd, fun, romantic, and just the right amount of horrifying, loving every minute of it. The book may not have been what I was expecting from Winning as a followup to Heads Will Roll, but is exactly the style of tale that stays with you. A campy and clever vampire murder mystery.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart hits bookstores everywhere on August 4, 2026 from G.P. Putnam's Sons. The audiobook, narrated by George Weightman, is available for preorder via Libro.fm!
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Be Still My Unbeating Heart from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
Bastian may be a vampire, but he doesn’t bite...Not anymore, at least.
These days, Bastian just wants to live his best undead life: visit charming Italian villages, maybe dance in the square with a cute boy, all with Whitby, his best friend (and magical talking cat) by his side. What he doesn’t want? To stumble across a dead body on the beach, a girl who appears to have been killed by a vampire.
It wasn’t Bastian. He swears—on his own grave.
But the local police chief doesn’t trust Bastian, or any vampire, for that matter, so he assigns detective Nico De Luca to keep an eye on him until his trial. And while Bastian normally wouldn’t complain about having a gorgeous, mysterious man by his side, he has more important things to worry about, because the police chief has called the Vampire Council, and if the real killer is still at large when they arrive, the whole town could be in danger. As more bodies begin to pile up, Bastian, Whitby, and De Luca must get to the bottom of who in Vernazza is framing vampires, before it’s too late.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart is a wonderful blend of murder mystery with a campy vampire romance story. Bastian is a charming and witty vegetarian vampire with Whitby a talking sidekick cat. Yes, the most surprising part of that sentence was that Bastian is a vegetarian and not that his cat talks. This campy horror was what made the story so enjoyable to read. I love my slasher, bloody, and gory stories, but sometimes this mix of campy horror with romance takes a bit of the edge off and gives a different type of enjoyment.
Winning crafts a story with plenty of mystery, red herrings, and twists that keeps you guessing and on your feet throughout. Again, another way to set this story apart for the crowd. What made it special was how I never really got confused, even with all the turns and surprises. It was a breezy, enjoyable, and mysterious read that surprised me from the outset. Not what I was expecting from Winning, but in the best possible way.
Not surprising to fans of Winning, but Josh scripts a story with great queer representation and joyful LGBTQ+ romance, which I thought would be difficult in a vampire horror story, but done so well here. The representation comes from a heartfelt place, allowing for it to feel organic and part of the story and not just added for effect. It's meaningful and beautiful.
Having waited a few years for the next book from Winning, I had hoped for another slasher like Heads Will Roll , but got this campy vampire romance horror instead. That might sound like a let down, but is honestly the opposite. I was so glad that Winning came out swinging with a different type of tale that had me guessing and surprised from the beginning. What a joy and horror at the same time.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning completely won me over. It's odd, fun, romantic, and just the right amount of horrifying, loving every minute of it. The book may not have been what I was expecting from Winning as a followup to Heads Will Roll, but is exactly the style of tale that stays with you. A campy and clever vampire murder mystery.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart hits bookstores everywhere on August 4, 2026 from G.P. Putnam's Sons. The audiobook, narrated by George Weightman, is available for preorder via Libro.fm!
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Be Still My Unbeating Heart from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
November 18, 2025
When flamboyant vampire Bastian decides to celebrate 5 years of being human-blood-sober by visiting a small coastal Italian village, the last thing he expects is to be accused of murder on the very first day. Lucky for him, the keys to the cell in the comissaría are missing, so Bastian is sentenced to house arrest with the broodingly handsome police officer Nico De Luca. But leaving things to Nico's boss (aka the bigoted chief of police) isn’t an option, especially when the man has called the murderous Vampire Council. Bastian and Whitby (his talking/magical cat bestie) convince De Luca to let them investigate to clear Bastian’s name. Then a second murder happens and it becomes clear Bastian is being framed…
This vampire vacation murder mystery keeps you hooked on Bastian’s personality, Whitby’s hilariously failed incantations, and an investigation that keeps you guessing until the very last moment.
I really enjoyed the
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery with lighthearted and heartfelt moments, yet I wouldn’t call this a 100% cozy due to some gruesome descriptions and the horrific vampire council transformations.
This vampire vacation murder mystery keeps you hooked on Bastian’s personality, Whitby’s hilariously failed incantations, and an investigation that keeps you guessing until the very last moment.
I really enjoyed the
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery with lighthearted and heartfelt moments, yet I wouldn’t call this a 100% cozy due to some gruesome descriptions and the horrific vampire council transformations.
January 4, 2026
Listen. Does this book publish in eight months? Yes. Did I feel even a little bit like waiting that long to read it? Absolutely not.
An insouciant gay vampire on vacation with his best friend, a talking cat named Whitby, on the southern coast of Italy? Has there ever been a more Crystal-coded concept? No. And I loved it.
Bastian and Whitby are celebrating Bastian finally kicking the human blood habit. Well, Bastian is celebrating. Whitby is warning him of all the things that could go wrong. And will ya look at that? They’ve just stumbled over a dead body on the beach- one that appears to have had its throat torn open by a vampire. Shiiiit.
Bastian is immediately taken into custody by a very prejudiced police chief who has also summoned the legendary vampire council. What the police chief doesn’t understand is why the council is so legendary. Now Bastian has to not only save himself but a whole town.
He’s in luck though! Detective Nico De Luca has been placed in charge of him. It only takes a tiny banana print robe and some logical thinking to get De Luca on his side.
As these three investigate the first murder, Bastian and De Luca find they have a lot in common and of course, sexy feelings begin to develop. They don’t have much time to figure things out including who the real murderer is. We’re along with them for the fast-paced adventure and longing looks.
Highly recommended for fans of British new wave music, magical talking cats, heated tension with a vampire and human, and a trip through small town Italy. I found this book and especially Bastian and Whitby’s relationship absolutely delightful.
I received this eARC via @netgalley and @putnambooks. All thoughts are mine alone.
contemporary romance | gay romance | novels | books | reading | bookstagram | Josh Winning | Be Still My Unbeating Heart | book recs | recommendations | book reviews
An insouciant gay vampire on vacation with his best friend, a talking cat named Whitby, on the southern coast of Italy? Has there ever been a more Crystal-coded concept? No. And I loved it.
Bastian and Whitby are celebrating Bastian finally kicking the human blood habit. Well, Bastian is celebrating. Whitby is warning him of all the things that could go wrong. And will ya look at that? They’ve just stumbled over a dead body on the beach- one that appears to have had its throat torn open by a vampire. Shiiiit.
Bastian is immediately taken into custody by a very prejudiced police chief who has also summoned the legendary vampire council. What the police chief doesn’t understand is why the council is so legendary. Now Bastian has to not only save himself but a whole town.
He’s in luck though! Detective Nico De Luca has been placed in charge of him. It only takes a tiny banana print robe and some logical thinking to get De Luca on his side.
As these three investigate the first murder, Bastian and De Luca find they have a lot in common and of course, sexy feelings begin to develop. They don’t have much time to figure things out including who the real murderer is. We’re along with them for the fast-paced adventure and longing looks.
Highly recommended for fans of British new wave music, magical talking cats, heated tension with a vampire and human, and a trip through small town Italy. I found this book and especially Bastian and Whitby’s relationship absolutely delightful.
I received this eARC via @netgalley and @putnambooks. All thoughts are mine alone.
contemporary romance | gay romance | novels | books | reading | bookstagram | Josh Winning | Be Still My Unbeating Heart | book recs | recommendations | book reviews
February 12, 2026
What an absolute joy to read! I laughed out loud a ridiculous amount of times. The pacing is lightning fast and I could not put it down. I love a good paranormal murder mystery with a side of rom-com level steam. Now, I repeatedly expected Bastian to nibble on De Luca. Just a lil nip? No? They were in obvious peril enough times that I thought for SURE…but that’s the beauty of this. It’s not formulaic. It’s a unique and new way to depict a vampire love interest and I greatly enjoyed that. The talking cat is also one of the most colorful side characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading in a rom com. She’s witty, sincere, and sassy. She makes the whole story even more delightful.
When I say I couldn’t tell how this was going to end, I really couldn’t. I did not have it sorted out until it happened on the page, which I love because what’s the point of a mystery if you can feel the ending coming a mile off? I am going to sit here with my fingers crossed that we get a sequel out of these three because I would LOVE to see where life takes them next. There’s definitely more meat on the bone of these characters and I would gladly consume it all.
And in a more serious note, the subtext flowing throughout the book about prejudice and bigotry is so important to see in the timeline we’re currently living in. A reminder of what the queer community went through decades ago, and what we continue to experience today and commonalities in those experiences that tie us all together. It’s a beautiful subplot in which these men accept and validate their anger, while also choosing not to let it consume them. A reminder to live for the joy.
I cannot wait to recommend this to my reader friends and stay tuned for a future episode of the Romance and Ruin podcast in which we’ll talk more about this book!
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title!
When I say I couldn’t tell how this was going to end, I really couldn’t. I did not have it sorted out until it happened on the page, which I love because what’s the point of a mystery if you can feel the ending coming a mile off? I am going to sit here with my fingers crossed that we get a sequel out of these three because I would LOVE to see where life takes them next. There’s definitely more meat on the bone of these characters and I would gladly consume it all.
And in a more serious note, the subtext flowing throughout the book about prejudice and bigotry is so important to see in the timeline we’re currently living in. A reminder of what the queer community went through decades ago, and what we continue to experience today and commonalities in those experiences that tie us all together. It’s a beautiful subplot in which these men accept and validate their anger, while also choosing not to let it consume them. A reminder to live for the joy.
I cannot wait to recommend this to my reader friends and stay tuned for a future episode of the Romance and Ruin podcast in which we’ll talk more about this book!
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title!
February 22, 2026
vampires and a murder mystery? sign.me.up...
i wanted a silly little vampire mystery read, but this felt too silly. at one point it felt like the mystery was there just to further the plot because it felt like a secondary character instead of the main attraction
the problem with the mystery not being the main focus, is that you have to focus on the characters a bit more, and this was a problem for me because i couldn't really connect with any of them, and when you can't really connect with charcaters as induvidual people, it's even more difficult to get invested in the romanic relationship you hope they have, which is what happened to me (i just could not find the chemistry between them)
the dialogue was too cheesy in my opinion, too many darlings, too little substance
and don't get me started on the cat, i could not stand the talking cat
many thanks to Putnam Books, and the author Josh Winning for the opportunity to read the arc of be still my unbeating heart
i wanted a silly little vampire mystery read, but this felt too silly. at one point it felt like the mystery was there just to further the plot because it felt like a secondary character instead of the main attraction
the problem with the mystery not being the main focus, is that you have to focus on the characters a bit more, and this was a problem for me because i couldn't really connect with any of them, and when you can't really connect with charcaters as induvidual people, it's even more difficult to get invested in the romanic relationship you hope they have, which is what happened to me (i just could not find the chemistry between them)
the dialogue was too cheesy in my opinion, too many darlings, too little substance
and don't get me started on the cat, i could not stand the talking cat
many thanks to Putnam Books, and the author Josh Winning for the opportunity to read the arc of be still my unbeating heart
March 8, 2026
First off, this book is fun - know that for a fact. I've met many people like Bastian over the years, and love that he's a vampire happily stuck in the 80s that he loves, living his best life!
My frustration with the book is that so much else seemd rather two-dimensional. The villainous chief of police, the dopey cop, even the townspeople - everyone seemed like an NPC in a cartoonish mystery. The whodunnit aspect of the story and the forced tension of the vampire council was far less interesting to me than the holiday Bastian and Whitby had planned; I'd much rather see them roaming around Europe enjoying themselves!
Great potential, could've been better. More Bastian and Whitby though, definitely.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
My frustration with the book is that so much else seemd rather two-dimensional. The villainous chief of police, the dopey cop, even the townspeople - everyone seemed like an NPC in a cartoonish mystery. The whodunnit aspect of the story and the forced tension of the vampire council was far less interesting to me than the holiday Bastian and Whitby had planned; I'd much rather see them roaming around Europe enjoying themselves!
Great potential, could've been better. More Bastian and Whitby though, definitely.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
March 25, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for sending me this arc!
Be Still My Unbeating Heart started off strong and fast paced, but unfortunately I struggled with the middle section of the book. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters, nor did I feel the chemistry between Bastian and De Luca.
I felt like for a 64 year old, Bastian was naive and acted like he was truly only 23. Unless this is a vampire situation where you never grow up mentally past the age you were turned, it just didn't work for me and annoyed me slightly. He was very aware of sun sickness, and he still ignored the symptoms and ended up in precarious situations.
I enjoyed Whitby as a sidekick, and her backstory was very interesting.
This wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't for me. 2.5 stars rounded up.
Be Still My Unbeating Heart started off strong and fast paced, but unfortunately I struggled with the middle section of the book. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters, nor did I feel the chemistry between Bastian and De Luca.
I felt like for a 64 year old, Bastian was naive and acted like he was truly only 23. Unless this is a vampire situation where you never grow up mentally past the age you were turned, it just didn't work for me and annoyed me slightly. He was very aware of sun sickness, and he still ignored the symptoms and ended up in precarious situations.
I enjoyed Whitby as a sidekick, and her backstory was very interesting.
This wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't for me. 2.5 stars rounded up.
December 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & Putnam Books for the ARC!
This whole project was a delight from start to finish, as I'm often used to vampires, murders, and mysteries being done in a....different....format. The charisma of Bastion mixed with the personalities of the rest of the characters made it an enjoyable read whether I was predicting the next set of events correctly or not. And to my surprise, I was not always predicting correctly!.
A total rating of 4.3 stars, I found some points a tad rougher to circle my head around or enjoy, but I would recommend for anybody who wants a fresh mystery with supernatural airs.
This whole project was a delight from start to finish, as I'm often used to vampires, murders, and mysteries being done in a....different....format. The charisma of Bastion mixed with the personalities of the rest of the characters made it an enjoyable read whether I was predicting the next set of events correctly or not. And to my surprise, I was not always predicting correctly!.
A total rating of 4.3 stars, I found some points a tad rougher to circle my head around or enjoy, but I would recommend for anybody who wants a fresh mystery with supernatural airs.
January 26, 2026
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC.
5 stars for me means I loved it so much I want to read it over and over.
Bastian and his cat, Whitby, are in Italy on vacation and find a dead body. Since Bastian is a vampire, of course he's the prime suspect. Unfortunately, he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when another body is discovered.
I love that I only briefly considered the killer before dismissing the idea. I strongly suspected at least 2 others and was wrong. I hate when it's too obvious.
I loved Bastian's flamboyance and carefree attitude and how it compliments De Luca's serious demeanor.
Whitby is an amazing character herself. I love talking cats anyway, but one chanting Latin and trying to do spells all the time is endearing.
The cover art is incredible too.
5 stars for me means I loved it so much I want to read it over and over.
Bastian and his cat, Whitby, are in Italy on vacation and find a dead body. Since Bastian is a vampire, of course he's the prime suspect. Unfortunately, he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when another body is discovered.
I love that I only briefly considered the killer before dismissing the idea. I strongly suspected at least 2 others and was wrong. I hate when it's too obvious.
I loved Bastian's flamboyance and carefree attitude and how it compliments De Luca's serious demeanor.
Whitby is an amazing character herself. I love talking cats anyway, but one chanting Latin and trying to do spells all the time is endearing.
The cover art is incredible too.
November 30, 2025
What a fun read! I loved the setting in Italy and the entire cast of zany characters (thought Whitby was definitely my favorite.) De Luca & Bastian’s attempt to solve the case together is an interesting journey which I am hoping is the first of many (please make this a series!)
This is a fast paced, murder mystery, with a quirky vampire, his slightly cranky & incredibly witty cat side kick, & a very cute romance woven in between. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it!
Thank you to NetGalley & Putnam Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
This is a fast paced, murder mystery, with a quirky vampire, his slightly cranky & incredibly witty cat side kick, & a very cute romance woven in between. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it!
Thank you to NetGalley & Putnam Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
December 24, 2025
Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning was fun, quick, and very entertaining. I really enjoyed how fast-paced it was and how easy it was to get through. There were a few moments that made me pause and wonder why certain choices were made, but they didn’t take away from the overall experience. Still a great, engaging read.
Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for this ARC.
Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for this ARC.
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