Who Killed Nessie?: The Mystery of the Loch Ness Monster

by Paul Cornell, Rachael Smith (Illustrator)

The Loch Ness Monster has been murdered . . . it’s Lyndsay’s first day on the job, but it’s up to her to solve the crime!

It’s Lyndsay Grockle’s first day as the manager of the Lakeview Hotel. Her boss has handed her the keys and departed for vacation. And then the convention attendees start showing up, each more peculiar than the last. Lyndsay’s a confirmed sceptic—so she’s surprised to be woken up in the middle of the night by her convention attendees, telling her that there’s been a murder. . . of the Loch Ness Monster. The guests at the hotel are all cryptids from around the world, and now one of them is dead. Which means that one of them must be the murderer.

And it’s up to Lyndsay to solve the case!

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels

Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2025

About the author

Paul Cornell is a British writer of science fiction and fantasy prose, comics and television. He's been Hugo Award-nominated for all three media, and has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, and the Eagle Award for his comics. He's the writer of Saucer Country for Vertigo, Demon Knights for DC, and has written for the Doctor Who TV series. His new urban fantasy novel is London Falling, out from Tor on December 6th.

via Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cor...

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!! I am a huge Nessie fan, so the title alone was emotionally devastating and an irresistible hook. This book is deeply funny, with gorgeous art and a wide array of cryptids to admire. Such fun.

[Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little graphic novel whose premise is entirely conveyed by the title. Nessie has been murdered at a cryptid convention, and it's up to the lone human staff member at the hotel to work out whodunnit. Lyndsay has her own problems, having taken this job far away from home to try to get over a bad breakup and, along with her sort of Watson Bob (aka the Beast of Bodmin Moor), tries her best to solve the murder, while trying to get over her lingering suspicion that these creatures don't really exist.

The art is distinctive and cartoony and suits the story well. Some of the characters are really fun, including a very judgemental unicorn and the orang pendek, who wants to be seen as real, not a cryptid.

It definitely feels like a Paul Cornell story, with a lot of humour, but also a lot of humanity. Recommended.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/who-killed-nessie-by-paul-cornell-and-rachael-smith/

A story of a murder at a convention for cryptos and mythical creatures, solved by plucky heroine Lyndsay Grockle who is getting over a breakup and has been left in charge of the convention hotel for the weekend. Paul Cornell’s humane text combines with Rachael Smith’s unambiguous ligne claire style to make a short sweet tale.

[Stuart McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic fun from the pen of Paul Cornell and beautifully illustrated in her inimitable style by Rachael Smith. I'm probably not the target audience/age for this whimsical mystery set in a remote hotel, where the international monsters convention has to deal with murder.

Cue some clever scenes and cracking drawing from masters of their craft. If you've got younger kids, they're going to love this, I'm sure (and there will be days of fun rabbit hole hunting for Mongolian Death worms, Kraken et al as you fill in the space between rereads.)

Perfectly pitched, I just hope the duo do another!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When unexperienced Lyndsay is left running a hotel during a convention for supernaturals, she ends up investigating the murder of the Loch Ness monster.

3.5 stars - this was fun with cartoonish art that captured the mood well. I smiled at the inclusion of the Slender Man, the 'new guy' that the faeries, mythic creatures, Bigfoot, etc. were getting to know.

[Ian Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully whimsical tale of a weekend at a hotel, the special guests who stay there, and the one member of staff who has to solve a mystery. The artwork is lovely and the dialogue perfectly suited, with great characterisation.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recent Reads: Who Killed Nessie? Paul Cornell and Rachael Smith's graphic novel is a convention mystery; only the attendees are all cryptids. The only human left in the hotel is called to help solve the murder of the Loch Ness Monster, and she's a skeptic. A delightful cozy mystery that works well!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this quirky cozy murder mystery set at a convention of mythical creatures! It was fun and funny throughout, and it had a lovely ending. I'd be happy to read many more stories in this setting!

[Harvey Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming murder mystery with a fantastic protagonist's journey woven in. I loved the variety of creatures, from the mythic to Slenderman, all so vibrantly brought to life! Perfect for fans of cryptids, conventions, mysteries and cutesy art!

[Jessica Maison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is not to love about woman trying to find herself, a hotel full of cryptids and a murder mystery? This book had heart and was a ton of fun.