Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #3

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #3

by Patrick Horvath

The years have brought change to Woodbrook. The internet is coming online. Big-box stores are opening their doors…and local serial killer Samantha Brown is seemingly relaxing on her prime directive to keep all killing out of Woodbrook. Why would Samantha possibly have brought Monica, a young duck trying to avenge her brother (one of Samantha’s many victims), to her private village paradise? What sinister plans could she have in store for the young duck? Is it possible that Monica will stop Samantha before she can kill her? Is it possible…that’s what Samantha wants? This, and a further peek into Samantha’s early life as a serial killer in the next installment of Patrick Horvath’s smash hit series!

Genres: Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Adult, Fiction, Mystery

Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2025

Reviews

[Kathyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

damn...

[Claire Giannino · Rating 5 out of 5]

ughhh and the next one doesn't come out till November

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Strong is cold!! Horvath weaves themes of aging in with the societal changes he’s been exploring in the first couple issues - Samantha’s hair grays as we get the backstory of her growing up, training to become a killer. The ending was just a bit too abrupt!

[Shayla Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Can't wait for the next issue of this! Such a good series!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

give me mooooore I want moooore

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It’s not a heart attack, Mother. It’s cyanide."

As soon as I let my guard down, something crazy happens. This is getting wilder and wilder. I love it!

[Book Tea 🫖 with Jai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Beneath the Tree Where Nobody Sees Rite of Spring

Author: Patrick Horvath

Genre: Author: Patrick Horvath
Volume 3 of 6
Genre: horror, thriller, mystery, graphic novel
Pages: 144
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the secluded woods where no one can see, the third installment of Rite of Spring begins with Monica rising to a loud knock on her door. Her acquaintance Samantha has arrived, reminding Monica of the offer she had previously proposed. But suddenly, Monica's head starts enlarging, occupying more and more of her physical space until she is startled awake by a piercing scream.

Meanwhile, Samantha is going about her ordinary day at work when she spots Monica strolling through the town. Her eyes are fixed on Monica, knowing that she is on a mission for answers and will not stop until she uncovers the truth.
Desperate for answers, Monica heads to the library and sifts through microfilm reels containing news reports about the murders and how Samantha successfully halted the killer. This leads to flashbacks of Samantha's younger years, where her parents urged her to plan for her future. Eventually, she ends up working at her father's hardware store, where the vast array of supplies sparks her creative imagination.
As Monica delves deeper into Samantha's past, it becomes apparent that she has a dark and insidious history. She reveals her early killings and the realization that she craves more space to explore her twisted thoughts, even if it means poisoning her own parents.

Ultimately, Monica and Samantha find their way to Nigel's former residence, where Samantha has a plan to uncover the truth for Monica. With each revelation, Samantha's complex and twisted mind becomes more intriguing. Some may argue that she kills with the rationalization that she is a predator by nature, but others speculate that she views the hardware store as an artist views a supply store - with endless possibilities and ideas. This only adds to the mystery and unpredictability of Samantha's character.
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite Of Spring #3 offers a captivating glimpse into the mind of a sociopath. It leaves readers wondering when Monica will discover the true nature of her ruthless and cunning acquaintance.


https://www.tumblr.com/thebookteawithjai

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so insanely quick to read. This takes ten minutes or less.

In this issue, we're getting a bunch of backstory about Sam and watching Monica investigate the town and Sam as well. It doesn't surprise me that Sam has the backstory that she does - of course her murderous intent would extend to her family. Rest in peace to Sam's supportive family, but I guess this just goes to show the most dangerous people most hurt the ones that are best to them. They totally set her up with a house and a store and a life and a reputation. And then she kills them. Of course. Sam, you suck.

I'm truly so hardcore rooting for Monica. I know Sam was the main character in the first book and we're rooting for her to catch the town murderer even though she's a murderer herself. Now that we're mostly focused on Monica and bouncing around to other characters, I really don't like Sam. She's calculated and truly just evil. You can't kidnap and kill people without that being a prevalent trait of yours. I'm ready for Monica to bring her to justice and get some answers about her brother. Maybe just beat the actual shit out of her. Love should win out over murderous primal instincts.

[Daniel Freer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this entire series and cant wait to see where this goes!!!

Yeah just an absolute banger!!! The art, the writing, the coloring, everything about this entire series going back to the original Beneath the Trees Where No Body Sees. Its top notch and this next installment ive been waiting for and it has NOT let me down. Crazy how a few pages might change your entire view of this 1 character but thats how amazing this story is. Just great and so well done with the animals again just amazing!!!!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 3rd installment, we get a LOT more of Samantha's backstory (pre-events of the OG series), and it turns out she's even more cold and brutal than she was presented in the original 6 issues.

Monica (the sister of one of Sam's victims) is a determined and formidable opponent. As readers we clearly know Sam is trying to manipulate her (Sam's ultimate end goal, still TBD), but Monica clearly doesn't trust Sam and is highly suspicious (as evidenced by the opening dream sequence).

4.5 stars rounded up.

[RSC_Collecting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeez! This book is chilling. Seeing just how cold and brutal Samantha is. How blunt and direct about everything. She is terrifying. Switching between the friendly neighborhood hardware store owner and ruthless mastermind. Jeez. I have no idea where this series is going, but I can't wait for more. I should be waiting for the trade, but I just HAVE to know what happens! Phenomenal stuff. Another must read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best serial killer comic

Samantha's origin story is told in #3 of this series. And the investigation by the duck woman edges ever closer to Samantha, helped along by Samantha herself. The first series was told from Samantha's POV and she came off as a more sympathetic character. Full of self doubt, she wondered at her existence and place in the world. Eight years has passed and she has become a colder and arrogant at her success. Will pride be her downfall?

[Eliud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #3 is a creepy, confident continuation that leans harder into character study and dread than big plot twists, and it totally works if you’re here for slow-burn psychological horror in a deceptively cute package. It feels less like a “monster of the week” issue and more like being locked in the room with Sam’s interior life while Monica edges closer to a truth she’s not ready for.

[Raaven💖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this issue we get some of Sam’s backstory while Monica does research and interviews townsfolk in order to find out clues of her brother’s disappearance. Sam is getting old and grey and it’s fascinating to see that even psychopaths just age like every day people. This series is so interesting and I’m enjoying the issues coming out!

[VanillaSoup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well now. In this issue we get to see some more of Samantha’s backstory, what makes her tick, and it’s a doozy

One of the issues I had with the original comic was that it felt predictable, but this? This issue had a twist that genuinely took me by surprise. So far, if feels like every critique I had about the first comic has been improved upon in this sequel, and it’s simply wonderful to read

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just the darkest, creepiest, intense, and overall psychologically disturbing comics series (spinoff) and I can't get enough of it. This arc features the family story of Samantha taking over the hardware story and the story of Monica the duck trying to find out about her dead brother.

Obsessed is an understatement.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh, Samantha, you shouldn't have."

Monica & Sam's present selves are on a collision course (to Sam's delight?), & we get a look at the beginning & the true beginning of Sam's hobby.

"This whole place feels stuck. ... I can't explain it, but it feels like if I don't keep moving...I'm going to get stuck here too."

[Emma (littledollreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, interesting. We get a bit more of Sam's backstory in this issue and it is interesting. Her early days, so much the same and yet so different. I also really like what we are setting up for the next volume, it seems very cool.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its heating up.

The tension is just slowly building and burning. And this series just gets better and better. Its like Dexter but with animals. Love this series. A good read that I can share with my small children. They are going to love it during bedtime !

[Angustia⋆Cósmica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam hasn't been holding any punches at all, has she?

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you died?" Damn.

I wish I could say that to MY customers too though. Can't blame her for that.
For many other things, yes, but not that one.

[Humberto V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This whole place feels stuck. It’s like the rest of the world is moving on—but almost nobody’s noticed yet. And I can’t explain it, but it feels like if I don’t keep moving, I’m going to get stuck here too.”

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent peek at Samantha’s origins.

[Ylenia Damiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broooo the plot twist on the origin of the killings is crazy..

[SassieMolassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diabolical!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh Samantha is diabolical. Really love to hate her. Pure evil.

[Kiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

great art style, consider me intrigued!!

[Rebs ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this bear is SICK!

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

*GASPS*
SAMANTHA!
O.o

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Bear is a Natural Born Killers, cold blooded.