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Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #1-6
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26The Eisner-nominated cozy-horror comic series returns in this sequel to the critically acclaimed first volume!
It’s been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck’s family painstakingly sought justice…but this brown bear was smart…she covered her tracks…and in the ’80s, there simply wasn’t a way for the duck’s family to find answers.
But it’s not the ’80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven’t given up the flame of justice.
A reckoning is coming to Woodbrook. Join visionary writer and artist Patrick Horvath as he returns to the hit series that has taken the comic world by storm!
It’s been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck’s family painstakingly sought justice…but this brown bear was smart…she covered her tracks…and in the ’80s, there simply wasn’t a way for the duck’s family to find answers.
But it’s not the ’80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven’t given up the flame of justice.
A reckoning is coming to Woodbrook. Join visionary writer and artist Patrick Horvath as he returns to the hit series that has taken the comic world by storm!
144 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 21, 2026
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April 22, 2026cute woodland animal characters & twisty grisly horror is truly an incomparable combination! one might not expect these disparate elements to work together so well, but horvath balances them brilliantly. it's right up my alley, and i adore it.
this sequel revisits our serial killer bear samantha, still off the hook eight years after the events of beneath the trees where nobody sees. she's a little older, and the townsfolk are a little more jaded as modern developments threaten to touch their old-school small town.
we also learn some dark new elements of samantha's backstory. this series only gets better as it becomes more layered.
impeccable aesthetic, especially the 90s fashions and vintage computer details. there's a touch of nostalgia for the early days of the internet, which is so charming. (A/S/L as age/species/location made me CACKLE!!)
this volume also gives us more context about the distinction between the anthropomorphized animal characters and their non-anthropomorphized counterparts. apparently the latter are considerd "wild animals," and now some of them are encroaching on the city due to habitat destruction. this adds interesting texture to the lore of the universe.
something about the cozy x murder juxtaposition in this series tickles my brain in a wonderful way. i'm hoping for more future installments - and the very end does seem to tease the possibility of a new angle of samantha's story.
oh, and the cover art between issues are bloody samantha-themed reimaginings of classic children's books! such fun!
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
this sequel revisits our serial killer bear samantha, still off the hook eight years after the events of beneath the trees where nobody sees. she's a little older, and the townsfolk are a little more jaded as modern developments threaten to touch their old-school small town.
we also learn some dark new elements of samantha's backstory. this series only gets better as it becomes more layered.
impeccable aesthetic, especially the 90s fashions and vintage computer details. there's a touch of nostalgia for the early days of the internet, which is so charming. (A/S/L as age/species/location made me CACKLE!!)
this volume also gives us more context about the distinction between the anthropomorphized animal characters and their non-anthropomorphized counterparts. apparently the latter are considerd "wild animals," and now some of them are encroaching on the city due to habitat destruction. this adds interesting texture to the lore of the universe.
something about the cozy x murder juxtaposition in this series tickles my brain in a wonderful way. i'm hoping for more future installments - and the very end does seem to tease the possibility of a new angle of samantha's story.
oh, and the cover art between issues are bloody samantha-themed reimaginings of classic children's books! such fun!
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the advanced copy.
4.5*
The sequel to Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (which I gave 5 stars and liked just a liiiittle bit more than Rite of Spring), this book picks up several years after the first and follows the sister of one of Samantha's victims from the first series... in fact, we only really get to Samantha about halfway through, which I thought would bother me but I think we really get just enough, and the addition of the new character was an interesting twist to the storytelling.
I'm surprised by how much Horvath fits into his story, which is like Richard Scarry's Busy Town if they had all the issues we experience here. The main setting is a small town in Vermont, quaint, friendly, idyllic, but it's also the hometown of a prolific serial killer. The first book covers the bulk of that story but we get more of Samantha's origins in this book, as we get to see her when she was younger and still living with her parents.
I don't quite understand Samantha's motivations in doing what she did (not the murders, she is a psychopath) that resulted in the entire second half of the book. I also wish we'd gotten more of her psychology and inner thoughts and a little less of the victim's sister. I do like the townspeople snippets we get though, of these decent folks just trying to survive and live their own lives. They all have their own inner turmoil, which is partially how Samantha gets away with so much. She found a perfect town to hide in... which, again, makes her motivations to do what she did unclear/weird.
But overall I really liked this book. The art, as usual, is absolutely on point and the coloring is gorgeous. I love everything about the visuals. The story-telling had some plot gaps but I wouldn't say I'm unsatisfied with what I read or the ending. I love that there's an opening for another sequel, but that this still feels like an ending if not.
I will forever recommend this series to people who are looking for a decent comic thriller because I really think this is a well-done and even if Horvath hadn't gone with the anthropomorphic animals and just made the cast humans, I still would've been engaged and into this story. But the art really does take it up a notch.
I just love these books lol
4.5*
The sequel to Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (which I gave 5 stars and liked just a liiiittle bit more than Rite of Spring), this book picks up several years after the first and follows the sister of one of Samantha's victims from the first series... in fact, we only really get to Samantha about halfway through, which I thought would bother me but I think we really get just enough, and the addition of the new character was an interesting twist to the storytelling.
I'm surprised by how much Horvath fits into his story, which is like Richard Scarry's Busy Town if they had all the issues we experience here. The main setting is a small town in Vermont, quaint, friendly, idyllic, but it's also the hometown of a prolific serial killer. The first book covers the bulk of that story but we get more of Samantha's origins in this book, as we get to see her when she was younger and still living with her parents.
I don't quite understand Samantha's motivations in doing what she did (not the murders, she is a psychopath) that resulted in the entire second half of the book. I also wish we'd gotten more of her psychology and inner thoughts and a little less of the victim's sister. I do like the townspeople snippets we get though, of these decent folks just trying to survive and live their own lives. They all have their own inner turmoil, which is partially how Samantha gets away with so much. She found a perfect town to hide in... which, again, makes her motivations to do what she did unclear/weird.
But overall I really liked this book. The art, as usual, is absolutely on point and the coloring is gorgeous. I love everything about the visuals. The story-telling had some plot gaps but I wouldn't say I'm unsatisfied with what I read or the ending. I love that there's an opening for another sequel, but that this still feels like an ending if not.
I will forever recommend this series to people who are looking for a decent comic thriller because I really think this is a well-done and even if Horvath hadn't gone with the anthropomorphic animals and just made the cast humans, I still would've been engaged and into this story. But the art really does take it up a notch.
I just love these books lol
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March 26, 2026Samantha Strong is one of the most evil characters to ever grace the pages of a comic book, and, as in the previous series, the dichotomy between the cute storybook designs and the graphic violence only heightens this. If you thought what came before was sickening, wait till you get to the back half of this one. Don't love the sequel tease at the end, but that's mostly because .
March 30, 2026
This graphic is Shady Hollow with the gore of Dexter. Patrick Horvath does a great job at making serial killing and murder cozy? cute? I wouldn't necessarily call this cozy, as the gore is pretty extreme but the setting and characters are whimsical.
I particularly had a great time with the overlaid artwork on to classic children's literature cover themes. Well done Patrick.
Disclosure: I received an e-ARC copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I particularly had a great time with the overlaid artwork on to classic children's literature cover themes. Well done Patrick.
Disclosure: I received an e-ARC copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2026
While I appreciate this sequel took a very different storytelling approach and didn’t rehash ideas from the first series, I didn’t prefer it.
It expanded on lore and provided additional backstory to side characters, and interweaved their plots throughout. This worked at times and there were some nice payoffs to this, but I felt it watered down the main story and split my attention far too often. I also didn’t feel the main storyline was that strong to begin with.
Without going into spoiler territory, I just want to say I really liked the Tarantino-esque final act. Caught me by surprise.
The standout aspect of this book, like the previous, was the artwork, covers, and overall book design. Loved the watercolour art style mixed with the horror tones, makes for some memorable moments.
Thanks IDW and NetGalley for this ARC!
It expanded on lore and provided additional backstory to side characters, and interweaved their plots throughout. This worked at times and there were some nice payoffs to this, but I felt it watered down the main story and split my attention far too often. I also didn’t feel the main storyline was that strong to begin with.
Without going into spoiler territory, I just want to say I really liked the Tarantino-esque final act. Caught me by surprise.
The standout aspect of this book, like the previous, was the artwork, covers, and overall book design. Loved the watercolour art style mixed with the horror tones, makes for some memorable moments.
Thanks IDW and NetGalley for this ARC!
April 14, 2026
Patrick Horvath
's
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
is an outstanding sequel that matches, maybe even tops, the original miniseries with familiar art and fresh, chilling twists.
It's been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck's family painstakingly sought justice... but this brown bear was smart... she covered her tracks... and in the '80s, there simply wasn't a way for the duck's family to find answers.
But it's not the '80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven't given up the flame of justice.
You can never really relive the feeling of reading a story for the first time. When I first picked up Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 , it was a fresh and captivating story with artwork that was the opposite of what you'd expect but worked so well in this format. While the rest of the first volume was fantastic, I never thought I'd feel that spark again from reading the debut issue. I was 100% wrong. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring brought back that magical first-read feeling in the best way.
The original series blend of Dexter -style story with Richard Scarry -esque artwork was truly original and honestly, breathtaking. It hit in such a way that made it standout from the crowd. I couldn't image how Horvath would replicate the lightning in a bottle success while crafting a fresh and gripping continuation. Yet here we are. This sequel not only matches the original series, but in many ways surpasses it. Patrick takes the story eight years forward and delivers a twist I didn't see coming from a mile away.
The time jump in Rite of Spring opens the door for many places for Horvath to take the story. Samantha must not only continue to face her dark past but also contend with the new reality of living in a time when nothing truly stays hidden, thanks to things such as the internet. Not only is there this new found fad, the internet, but Samantha gets close to one of the victims family in a way that makes the story all that more riveting.
Following the first volume, I wanted more, but not if it was going to ruin what we already had. Now, with Rite of Spring I am wanting so much more. I feel Horvath has the skill and ability to craft more stories in Woodbrook that can be just as unique and riveting as these first two books.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring delivers with its signature artwork and engrossing story, Patrick Horvath has truly outdone himself. This sequel has the same engird and suspense of the original series but takes it to a new level that I didn't see coming. Horvath has me wanting to immerse myself in the world of Woodbrook, well not so much Woodbrook, but Samantha all over again! Like with the first series, Rite of Spring is a must-read.
The collected edition of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on July 21, 2026 from IDW Publishing.
It's been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck's family painstakingly sought justice... but this brown bear was smart... she covered her tracks... and in the '80s, there simply wasn't a way for the duck's family to find answers.
But it's not the '80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven't given up the flame of justice.
You can never really relive the feeling of reading a story for the first time. When I first picked up Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 , it was a fresh and captivating story with artwork that was the opposite of what you'd expect but worked so well in this format. While the rest of the first volume was fantastic, I never thought I'd feel that spark again from reading the debut issue. I was 100% wrong. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring brought back that magical first-read feeling in the best way.
The original series blend of Dexter -style story with Richard Scarry -esque artwork was truly original and honestly, breathtaking. It hit in such a way that made it standout from the crowd. I couldn't image how Horvath would replicate the lightning in a bottle success while crafting a fresh and gripping continuation. Yet here we are. This sequel not only matches the original series, but in many ways surpasses it. Patrick takes the story eight years forward and delivers a twist I didn't see coming from a mile away.
The time jump in Rite of Spring opens the door for many places for Horvath to take the story. Samantha must not only continue to face her dark past but also contend with the new reality of living in a time when nothing truly stays hidden, thanks to things such as the internet. Not only is there this new found fad, the internet, but Samantha gets close to one of the victims family in a way that makes the story all that more riveting.
Following the first volume, I wanted more, but not if it was going to ruin what we already had. Now, with Rite of Spring I am wanting so much more. I feel Horvath has the skill and ability to craft more stories in Woodbrook that can be just as unique and riveting as these first two books.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring delivers with its signature artwork and engrossing story, Patrick Horvath has truly outdone himself. This sequel has the same engird and suspense of the original series but takes it to a new level that I didn't see coming. Horvath has me wanting to immerse myself in the world of Woodbrook, well not so much Woodbrook, but Samantha all over again! Like with the first series, Rite of Spring is a must-read.
The collected edition of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on July 21, 2026 from IDW Publishing.
March 27, 2026
The series that asks, "What if a serial killer lived in Busytown?" returns for Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring. Patrick Horvath returns us to Woodbrook eight years after the events of book one, though no one has forgotten what happened.
In fact, that is what fuels this story arc. In the first issue, we're introduced to Monica. She has moved to the city in which her brother used to live, all these years later still desperately searching for what may have happened to her brother. She has no interest in others, a dead end job to pay for her needs and a regular rotation through the police stations and hospitals seeking updates or any sign of her brother. She wants closure, unable to live her own life with this uncertainty. In a strong wink to the AOL discs of old, the internet is now available and Monica spends time pursuing webforums exposing the worst of humanity (wonderfully illustrated in a way to show the absorption one can experience) in cold cases and murder forums. Then one night, a suggestion is made that triggers an impulsive trip and our reintroduction to Samantha Strong and Woodbrook
Where volume 1 felt like a Dexter season 1, but animals!, retread, here in volume two Horvath expands the emotional depth. Strong is still a brutal unfeeling killer, but the rest of the town still shows their scars and the spectrum of emotional responses murder creates.
Rite of Spring gives more of Strong's backstory and can serve to ask wider questions of what does it mean to belong to a community? How much can you truly know another person?
The covers of the series also play with the genre, recreating other classic children's books with the twisted horror bent, included Harold and the Purple Crayon or Corduroy.
Recommended to readers of slasher horror, anthropomorphic stories or sequels that surpass the original.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
In fact, that is what fuels this story arc. In the first issue, we're introduced to Monica. She has moved to the city in which her brother used to live, all these years later still desperately searching for what may have happened to her brother. She has no interest in others, a dead end job to pay for her needs and a regular rotation through the police stations and hospitals seeking updates or any sign of her brother. She wants closure, unable to live her own life with this uncertainty. In a strong wink to the AOL discs of old, the internet is now available and Monica spends time pursuing webforums exposing the worst of humanity (wonderfully illustrated in a way to show the absorption one can experience) in cold cases and murder forums. Then one night, a suggestion is made that triggers an impulsive trip and our reintroduction to Samantha Strong and Woodbrook
Where volume 1 felt like a Dexter season 1, but animals!, retread, here in volume two Horvath expands the emotional depth. Strong is still a brutal unfeeling killer, but the rest of the town still shows their scars and the spectrum of emotional responses murder creates.
Rite of Spring gives more of Strong's backstory and can serve to ask wider questions of what does it mean to belong to a community? How much can you truly know another person?
The covers of the series also play with the genre, recreating other classic children's books with the twisted horror bent, included Harold and the Purple Crayon or Corduroy.
Recommended to readers of slasher horror, anthropomorphic stories or sequels that surpass the original.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
March 4, 2026
5/5 stars! This sequel was so well worth the wait, and I’m biting at the bit for the next installment! So much action, gore, and suspense in packed into a short, deceivingly cutesy box. Samantha is even more menacing and conniving in this series than previously. I loved the introduction of the early internet in the story. It creates a perfect time capsule for this comic. I can’t gush about it enough! I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy.
March 12, 2026
If we get another part please do a complete collection
Review of advance copy
Issue #1: forgot to log
Issue #2: 4 stars read 10/04/2025
Issue #3: 3 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #4: 3.5 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #5: 3.5 stars read 5/3/2025
Issue #6: 4.5 stars read 5/3/2026
Issue #2: 4 stars read 10/04/2025
Issue #3: 3 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #4: 3.5 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #5: 3.5 stars read 5/3/2025
Issue #6: 4.5 stars read 5/3/2026
April 30, 2026
This is the Shady Hollow series if it was written by Thomas Harris. So, right up my alley for weird and Hannibal level gore. What I find odd about this second arc is that given how phenomenal the first volume was I was expecting a long run for this series and instead the two volumes appear to be nothing but bookends and this one lost the plot. Putting aside the complete mindfuck that this is supposedly set in the United States and when Sam said she had "traveled the world" she actually meant Europe, which I so thought would be an arc on its own not a throwaway line at dinner with her parents, by jumping forward in time it lost it's nostalgic vibe. Yes, you can still be nostalgic for the nineties, obviously, but even though the previous arc was set in the eighties it had a timelessness. This arc comes out of the thoughts Sam has with regards to how all the nameless victims she kills all have families coupled with the advancement in true crime, from DNA and internet message boards. So, Sam isn't our star, but Monica. A duck. Which brings in too much Howard the Duck PTSD for me to enjoy. Sam admires Monica, because she has an obsession on the same level of Sam's, giving off some strong protege vibes. Instead she exposes Sam and Sam enacts her doomsday protocol, which is, well, she destroys the whole town with incendiary devices she planted after she was almost caught previously. And then she rides off into the sunset, all of her crimes eventually exposed, and the internet making her a star. So, that's the end of that? Without Sam as the true focus the overall feeling I had while reading this was boredom, which is a feeling you should never have when there's a hunt for a serial killer. Throw in the unnecessary and pointless story about the nursing home and I barely made it through this book. The horror pastiches were cute, especially the nod to Norman Bates dumping Marion's car in the swamp, but the movie posters and the children's book covers just felt too obvious. But the nail in the coffin, much like the nail that Sam used to kill Moncia's brother, is that the digital galley provided by NetGalley was such poor a quality with an obtrusive watermark that I was beyond annoyed. Hovath’s artwork is full of details and clues and to not be able to reveal in it was frustrating and disappointing. In fact I can’t be sure how much of my enjoyment was tainted by the near illegibility. I understand the need to protect the artwork, but you still have to give the reviewers artwork that can be easily looked at. And this was not that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a cozy, dark horror comic set in the early ’90s, featuring anthropomorphic animal characters. It is the six-issue sequel to the limited series Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees and is best enjoyed in order.
Eight years after Nigel’s murders, the small town of Woodbrook is still not the same. The survivors are struggling, and Samantha is restless. When she finds someone searching for one of her victims on this new thing, the “internet” it sparks a new wave of serial killer creativity.
Another stellar installment in the series! It is full of beautiful, cozy watercolor illustrations of the charming town and cute animals, mixed with graphic gore. The issue covers were also a fantastic mix of nods to classic children’s book covers paired with murder. I liked that there was a very specific technology and timeline. I don’t think I fully picked up on the timing when I read the first volume. There was a graveyard with dates, but I didn’t connect the dots, it felt a little more timeless. This book makes it very clear when it’s happening. I loved the layering of stories and the way the events and characters built on each other. I wouldn’t say it’s darker, graphically it may have slightly less shock-value gore, but Sam’s history is explored more, and the events in this book feel morally worse. She’s definitely escalating.
This book has an open-ended conclusion that left me going “oh no, what’s next?” but in the best way. I can’t wait to see what’s coming!
Art: 5+/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5
***I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
This is a cozy, dark horror comic set in the early ’90s, featuring anthropomorphic animal characters. It is the six-issue sequel to the limited series Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees and is best enjoyed in order.
Eight years after Nigel’s murders, the small town of Woodbrook is still not the same. The survivors are struggling, and Samantha is restless. When she finds someone searching for one of her victims on this new thing, the “internet” it sparks a new wave of serial killer creativity.
Another stellar installment in the series! It is full of beautiful, cozy watercolor illustrations of the charming town and cute animals, mixed with graphic gore. The issue covers were also a fantastic mix of nods to classic children’s book covers paired with murder. I liked that there was a very specific technology and timeline. I don’t think I fully picked up on the timing when I read the first volume. There was a graveyard with dates, but I didn’t connect the dots, it felt a little more timeless. This book makes it very clear when it’s happening. I loved the layering of stories and the way the events and characters built on each other. I wouldn’t say it’s darker, graphically it may have slightly less shock-value gore, but Sam’s history is explored more, and the events in this book feel morally worse. She’s definitely escalating.
This book has an open-ended conclusion that left me going “oh no, what’s next?” but in the best way. I can’t wait to see what’s coming!
Art: 5+/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5
***I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s been eight long years since Samantha kidnapped a young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces into the wood. But it’s no longer the 80s and the missing duck’s sister is determined to find what happened to him and the internet is helping her find those answers.
While Samanth shifted the blame from herself at the end of the previous volume, we quickly see that she hasn’t stopped her killing spree. She just has to do more research and go further from Woodbrook to kill. But while we do see a brief glimpse of a new victim, this mainly focuses on her befriending the sister of one of her victims, and trying to “help” her search for her brother. But as you can imagine, it doesn’t go as planned and her secret is revealed again.
I was a bit surprised at the ending of this. Samantha really had some surprises for if her secret came out again and it was so loud for such a quiet killer. It was unexpected and made for a very action packed ending. While I did enjoy this, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one. I think this is because the sister searching for her brother wasn’t as exciting as the previous storyline of a friend uncovering the truth.
Overall, I enjoyed this and it was interesting to see how Samantha was dealing with all the changes in the world and the higher risks of being caught. I will be interested in seeing if the author creates another volume with her in a new place or if this is the end of Samantha’s story.
TW: graphic death; parricide; grief; drug addiction; large fires; gun violence;
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
While Samanth shifted the blame from herself at the end of the previous volume, we quickly see that she hasn’t stopped her killing spree. She just has to do more research and go further from Woodbrook to kill. But while we do see a brief glimpse of a new victim, this mainly focuses on her befriending the sister of one of her victims, and trying to “help” her search for her brother. But as you can imagine, it doesn’t go as planned and her secret is revealed again.
I was a bit surprised at the ending of this. Samantha really had some surprises for if her secret came out again and it was so loud for such a quiet killer. It was unexpected and made for a very action packed ending. While I did enjoy this, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one. I think this is because the sister searching for her brother wasn’t as exciting as the previous storyline of a friend uncovering the truth.
Overall, I enjoyed this and it was interesting to see how Samantha was dealing with all the changes in the world and the higher risks of being caught. I will be interested in seeing if the author creates another volume with her in a new place or if this is the end of Samantha’s story.
TW: graphic death; parricide; grief; drug addiction; large fires; gun violence;
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've started reading the single issues for this one months ago and forgot to finish it, since it either got delayed or intentionally not released monthly.
I really enjoyed the original/previous installment and I think it got a perfect ending and doesn't need any sequel. This has some plot threads connecting to the first one, Monica searching for clues regarding her brother's whereabouts (victim of the first book), while also opening up doors to more sequels in the future... and at this point I'm honestly won't be surprised and won't complain if there's another one. Samantha even cameo'd in the latest DC Comics Event - DC K.O. Boss Battle where she "went against" Lex Luthor.
Back to the book, aside from an origin story from Samantha we also have multiple storylines (a) the main one - Monica's quest to find what happened to her brother, (b) the Burrows family, especially Pauline and Lewis, and (c) Bertie the turtle. Among these I find the Bertie one, a bit unnecessary. I feel it's just there to contrast the bad things happening in the story. Aside from him doing something later in the series, I feel it's just there to say that there's still some goodness in Woodbrook.
This sequel reminds me of Scream 2 rule - where sequels are said to be bloodier. I'll add to that, specially the 2 last issues/chapters - it's way bigger and honestly a bit crazier. I still can't believe what happened in the last pages of issue 5.
While I still prefer the first one, this one is still very enjoyable to read.
I really enjoyed the original/previous installment and I think it got a perfect ending and doesn't need any sequel. This has some plot threads connecting to the first one, Monica searching for clues regarding her brother's whereabouts (victim of the first book), while also opening up doors to more sequels in the future... and at this point I'm honestly won't be surprised and won't complain if there's another one. Samantha even cameo'd in the latest DC Comics Event - DC K.O. Boss Battle where she "went against" Lex Luthor.
Back to the book, aside from an origin story from Samantha we also have multiple storylines (a) the main one - Monica's quest to find what happened to her brother, (b) the Burrows family, especially Pauline and Lewis, and (c) Bertie the turtle. Among these I find the Bertie one, a bit unnecessary. I feel it's just there to contrast the bad things happening in the story. Aside from him doing something later in the series, I feel it's just there to say that there's still some goodness in Woodbrook.
This sequel reminds me of Scream 2 rule - where sequels are said to be bloodier. I'll add to that, specially the 2 last issues/chapters - it's way bigger and honestly a bit crazier. I still can't believe what happened in the last pages of issue 5.
While I still prefer the first one, this one is still very enjoyable to read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the advanced copy in return for an honest review. #idwreviews
I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WILL BE MORE VOLUMES! I'm not ready to let this story end. 🥺
Just like the first set, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring is a masterclass in how to construct a brilliant horror graphic novel by mixing adorable children's book characters with the goriest piece of narrative I've read in a graphic novel. And if you thought the first book was twisted, wait 'til you find out what happens in this one. Sam is back, crazier and more murderous than ever!
I was so happy to also get to know Samantha's backstory and the aftermath of the killings from the first set of volumes. The story about Pauline and her kids after Charlie's death was really interesting, and the fact that it was even touched in here took me by surprise. I also looooved Monica's character!
The inclusion of the internet's first days and globalization was also really smart because it led to conflicts you didn't have in the first part. Now it's not so easy to get away with murder!
The illustration style is immaculate as always, and between chapters/volumes it also changed to portray Sam in different children's cartoon styles. The ending also included movie posters with Samantha as the main (bloody) character. These (apparently simple) touches are the cherry on top of the cake, in my opinion!
Now I just need to get more; I really do think Samantha's story is not over yet!
I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WILL BE MORE VOLUMES! I'm not ready to let this story end. 🥺
Just like the first set, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring is a masterclass in how to construct a brilliant horror graphic novel by mixing adorable children's book characters with the goriest piece of narrative I've read in a graphic novel. And if you thought the first book was twisted, wait 'til you find out what happens in this one. Sam is back, crazier and more murderous than ever!
I was so happy to also get to know Samantha's backstory and the aftermath of the killings from the first set of volumes. The story about Pauline and her kids after Charlie's death was really interesting, and the fact that it was even touched in here took me by surprise. I also looooved Monica's character!
The inclusion of the internet's first days and globalization was also really smart because it led to conflicts you didn't have in the first part. Now it's not so easy to get away with murder!
The illustration style is immaculate as always, and between chapters/volumes it also changed to portray Sam in different children's cartoon styles. The ending also included movie posters with Samantha as the main (bloody) character. These (apparently simple) touches are the cherry on top of the cake, in my opinion!
Now I just need to get more; I really do think Samantha's story is not over yet!
Read
April 3, 2026The Richard Scarry-style serial killer comic returns with a story set at Easter, eight years on from its opening salvo. Which I hadn't even consciously registered as a period piece, simply taking that as part of the cosy anthropomorphic animal aesthetic, but now it's very much the mid-nineties, complete with a recession that seems positively homely compared to the sort we get nowadays, and the dawn of the consumer internet, ditto: gods help me, I even felt a little nostalgic when the credits pages were done as ye olde pop-ups. And the Easter bit, which at first seems like happenstance, is key; this is all about renewal, the old giving way to the new, but, as at the notorious Rite Of Spring from which the title is borrowed, that isn't necessarily a gentle business of chicks and bunnies – though I did feel one or both of those could have played a larger part in the cast. As is, what we get is a duck who lost her brother eight years ago, has never given up seeking closure. And Sam, the bear who of course killed him, finds the grieving sister on an early messageboard, is fascinated, lures her to town, possibly not even knowing at first quite what she has in mind. From which spins off a surprising amount about the impact we have on each other, what matters in life, all that, which could easily have come off as corny if it weren't interspersed with the schemes and reminiscences of a psychotic bear.
(Netgalley ARC)
(Netgalley ARC)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rite of Spring the sequel in the Beneath the Trees where Nobody Sees comic starts off with a bang and brings a reckoning to Woodbrook while still maintaining its cozy horror serial-killer-esque vibe that fans of the series enjoyed.
The pace of the story starts off pretty chill and provides some context for the new plot with a duck trying to seek answers to the disappearance of her family member some eight years ago. Eventually a lead pops up in Woodbrook, Samantha Strong’s hometown, and things rocket into a world of mayhem and chaos from there.
The cover art and illustrations are charming with their soft pastels tones, which creates a deceptively calculated contrast between perceived nostalgia and the horror drenched atmosphere the story actually portrays. Rite of Spring delivers on obsession, plot and crash out to the wildest extent. It is subtle action, thriller, suspense, dark and fantastic in its execution.
Horvath keeps you on the edge of your seat - waiting for something just out of frame, waiting for the residents of Woodbrook to catch on, waiting for the new Duck character in town to wise up, waiting for Samantha to get caught, waiting for Samantha to get away with it - and that suspense is a menacing thread throughout the story.
Thanks NetGalley and IDW Publishing, for this free arc/copy of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring by Patrick Horvath; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The pace of the story starts off pretty chill and provides some context for the new plot with a duck trying to seek answers to the disappearance of her family member some eight years ago. Eventually a lead pops up in Woodbrook, Samantha Strong’s hometown, and things rocket into a world of mayhem and chaos from there.
The cover art and illustrations are charming with their soft pastels tones, which creates a deceptively calculated contrast between perceived nostalgia and the horror drenched atmosphere the story actually portrays. Rite of Spring delivers on obsession, plot and crash out to the wildest extent. It is subtle action, thriller, suspense, dark and fantastic in its execution.
Horvath keeps you on the edge of your seat - waiting for something just out of frame, waiting for the residents of Woodbrook to catch on, waiting for the new Duck character in town to wise up, waiting for Samantha to get caught, waiting for Samantha to get away with it - and that suspense is a menacing thread throughout the story.
Thanks NetGalley and IDW Publishing, for this free arc/copy of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring by Patrick Horvath; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Somehow this sequel is maintaining the cozy-horror tension that made the first volume a breakout hit. While the narrative naturally lacks the initial shock feature that defined the first trip to Woodlore, it more than makes up for it by deepening the lore and the psychological stakes. Horvath proves that the success of the debut wasn't a fluke, delivering a sequel that feels almost as sharp and twice as confident, cementing this series as a modern dark-fable classic.
The highlights of this volume remain its strongest pillars: the excellent pacing and the amazing art. Horvath’s ability to juxtapose storybook aesthetics with stomach turning dread is perfect. Sam remains an excellent main lead, her cold survival instincts make her one of the most compelling and unconventional protagonists in comics today. It's hard to like someone so evil but I do. The story moves with a relentless energy, never lingering too long on fluff, and for that, it should win a fucking award.
As the story reaches its climax, things truly go balls to the walls. The final act is an explosive, chaotic descent that reframes the town's safety and leaves the reader breathless. Even without the element of surprise from the first book, the intensity here is top-notch. I know this can’t be the last of it. The ending practically demands a continuation of Sam's dark journey. This is a visceral, beautifully rendered nightmare that easily earns a 4 out of 5. Give me more!
The highlights of this volume remain its strongest pillars: the excellent pacing and the amazing art. Horvath’s ability to juxtapose storybook aesthetics with stomach turning dread is perfect. Sam remains an excellent main lead, her cold survival instincts make her one of the most compelling and unconventional protagonists in comics today. It's hard to like someone so evil but I do. The story moves with a relentless energy, never lingering too long on fluff, and for that, it should win a fucking award.
As the story reaches its climax, things truly go balls to the walls. The final act is an explosive, chaotic descent that reframes the town's safety and leaves the reader breathless. Even without the element of surprise from the first book, the intensity here is top-notch. I know this can’t be the last of it. The ending practically demands a continuation of Sam's dark journey. This is a visceral, beautifully rendered nightmare that easily earns a 4 out of 5. Give me more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. I don't read many horror graphic novels, but this series offers something unique and makes the horror feel more approachable. Our serial killer main character Samantha is terrible and, even as you root for her to get caught, you realize this would end the series and you would miss this weirdly charming world.
Just like the first volume, the artwork is stunning. The cutesy vibes enhances the unsettling horror elements while making you feel for the characters that you know will likely die. This series is worth reading for the artwork alone.
In this volume, we have many different storylines, all intersecting at the climactic end. Unfortunately, there were too many characters to become truly connected to any, and the side stories kept interrupting the growing tension from the main plotline. I wish we had spent more time with the side characters to appreciate the journey. I found the plotline of our serial killer less developed and complex than the previous volume. This volume could have easily been separated into two volumes, with a more carefully constructed lead-up to the finale. The last 30% felt rushed and became too outrageous.
I did find the weaving of past and present in the beginning artfully done. This series is best when it takes its time to create tension and intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Just like the first volume, the artwork is stunning. The cutesy vibes enhances the unsettling horror elements while making you feel for the characters that you know will likely die. This series is worth reading for the artwork alone.
In this volume, we have many different storylines, all intersecting at the climactic end. Unfortunately, there were too many characters to become truly connected to any, and the side stories kept interrupting the growing tension from the main plotline. I wish we had spent more time with the side characters to appreciate the journey. I found the plotline of our serial killer less developed and complex than the previous volume. This volume could have easily been separated into two volumes, with a more carefully constructed lead-up to the finale. The last 30% felt rushed and became too outrageous.
I did find the weaving of past and present in the beginning artfully done. This series is best when it takes its time to create tension and intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees was just a chilling breeze of fresh air. It's a constant magic trick of combining disarming art and lovable anthropomorphic characters with shocking violence and psychological horror. Patrick Horvath proves with this next chapter (Rite of Spring) that the magic is still there, but has paled just a bit by having seen this trick before.
The story returns to Samantha Strong and her small town, which is still ignorant of her past (and ongoing) deeds. However, the timer starts when a relative of a former victim is tipped off that the answer waits in Samantha's town of Woodbrook.
What transpires is a game of cat and mouse that leaves more shocking carnage in its wake, but the highlight for me was the backstory we get of Samantha and how she planted herself in Woodbrook. The charm is still here, the violence is still shocking when juxtaposed with the storybook, watercolor illustrations. However, I was not as taken with the new cast of characters as I was with the first volume, and the story felt less dire, knowing just how capable and prepared Samantha always is.
That said, it's still a very easy recommendation, and I can't wait to read whatever comes next in Horvath's chilling small towns.
Big thanks to NetGalley and IDW for the advance copy!
The story returns to Samantha Strong and her small town, which is still ignorant of her past (and ongoing) deeds. However, the timer starts when a relative of a former victim is tipped off that the answer waits in Samantha's town of Woodbrook.
What transpires is a game of cat and mouse that leaves more shocking carnage in its wake, but the highlight for me was the backstory we get of Samantha and how she planted herself in Woodbrook. The charm is still here, the violence is still shocking when juxtaposed with the storybook, watercolor illustrations. However, I was not as taken with the new cast of characters as I was with the first volume, and the story felt less dire, knowing just how capable and prepared Samantha always is.
That said, it's still a very easy recommendation, and I can't wait to read whatever comes next in Horvath's chilling small towns.
Big thanks to NetGalley and IDW for the advance copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the e-ARC for review purposes.
This series has been amazing from the start. I am so happy that they continued the story with the Rite of Spring volumes. The art is fantastic and very unique. I love the character designs and the way the town is really brought to life. The story is also very interesting but so grounded in reality that I feel like I'm reading a true story. I really enjoyed how the author used the digital age as a problem for Samantha to face with her serial killings. I think it added a really interesting touch and makes a ton of sense to the story and the setting.
I was devastated through pretty much the whole novel. Samantha really is just going around ruining everyone's lives that she meets and this novel really punctuated that. When you first start reading this series you see things from her point of view more and almost want to justify her wrongdoings. As you continue, the hatred for Samantha grows and you just want to see her fall and all the wonderful families she ruined get justice. I think seeing the crimes from the victims' points of view is really important in this series and I loved the addition of Monica to really get that point across.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and thought this was a fantastic conclusion to the Rite of Spring series.
This series has been amazing from the start. I am so happy that they continued the story with the Rite of Spring volumes. The art is fantastic and very unique. I love the character designs and the way the town is really brought to life. The story is also very interesting but so grounded in reality that I feel like I'm reading a true story. I really enjoyed how the author used the digital age as a problem for Samantha to face with her serial killings. I think it added a really interesting touch and makes a ton of sense to the story and the setting.
I was devastated through pretty much the whole novel. Samantha really is just going around ruining everyone's lives that she meets and this novel really punctuated that. When you first start reading this series you see things from her point of view more and almost want to justify her wrongdoings. As you continue, the hatred for Samantha grows and you just want to see her fall and all the wonderful families she ruined get justice. I think seeing the crimes from the victims' points of view is really important in this series and I loved the addition of Monica to really get that point across.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and thought this was a fantastic conclusion to the Rite of Spring series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If the first round of Beneath the Trees was a proof of concept, this is the author making good on that promise. We get to take the base serial killer story set in an uncannily cute setting that we got in the first series and build something much more complicated.
To start with, there's a killer origin story that helps sketch a deeper understanding of Samatha the serial killer bear. We also get to see the impact on the community and its members who survived the initial round of death. This includes bringing in a character relentlessly seeking justice for her brother's death with a resulting cat and mouse dynamic that is more compelling than the original dueling serial killers. There are also softer impacts like a neighbor's agoraphobia and a survivor's addiction. Running throughout, the presence of non-anthro animals continues to blur lines of what matters about personhood in an eerie kind of way, particularly with invading bears and a charming dog.
The last issue takes the violence and drama up a notch as Samantha establishes herself as an absolute villain in ways I could not have predicted. We are left with an opportunity for another ongoing series, and I would not be disappointed to return to this world yet again.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
To start with, there's a killer origin story that helps sketch a deeper understanding of Samatha the serial killer bear. We also get to see the impact on the community and its members who survived the initial round of death. This includes bringing in a character relentlessly seeking justice for her brother's death with a resulting cat and mouse dynamic that is more compelling than the original dueling serial killers. There are also softer impacts like a neighbor's agoraphobia and a survivor's addiction. Running throughout, the presence of non-anthro animals continues to blur lines of what matters about personhood in an eerie kind of way, particularly with invading bears and a charming dog.
The last issue takes the violence and drama up a notch as Samantha establishes herself as an absolute villain in ways I could not have predicted. We are left with an opportunity for another ongoing series, and I would not be disappointed to return to this world yet again.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Disturbing Cozy Horror that EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ!
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rites of Spring is the kind of cozy horror that everyone needs to read. It feels so normal and mundane that it lulls you into a false sense of safety. But this is a story that quietly wrecks you from the inside out. Patrick Horvath brings whimsy and familiarity, layering soft, storybook aesthetics over something deeply, profoundly wrong, and this is indeed the second full story set in this universe (and I'm BEGGING for more!). The contrast is what makes the reading experience so disturbing, and don't just take my word for it! The horror doesn’t jump out at you; it settles in, creating this constant low‑grade unease that refuses to let go. It is sort of like watching an episode of Dexter. You know you're rooting for the wrong person, but you can't help it. You’re wrapped in comfort while simultaneously feeling watched, unsettled, and suspicious of every gentle moment on the page. It’s creepy in a way that sneaks past your defenses, proving once again that the coziest horrors are often the ones that leave the deepest scars. Don't miss this next adventure and I hope readers are going to be clamoring for more like I am!
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rites of Spring is the kind of cozy horror that everyone needs to read. It feels so normal and mundane that it lulls you into a false sense of safety. But this is a story that quietly wrecks you from the inside out. Patrick Horvath brings whimsy and familiarity, layering soft, storybook aesthetics over something deeply, profoundly wrong, and this is indeed the second full story set in this universe (and I'm BEGGING for more!). The contrast is what makes the reading experience so disturbing, and don't just take my word for it! The horror doesn’t jump out at you; it settles in, creating this constant low‑grade unease that refuses to let go. It is sort of like watching an episode of Dexter. You know you're rooting for the wrong person, but you can't help it. You’re wrapped in comfort while simultaneously feeling watched, unsettled, and suspicious of every gentle moment on the page. It’s creepy in a way that sneaks past your defenses, proving once again that the coziest horrors are often the ones that leave the deepest scars. Don't miss this next adventure and I hope readers are going to be clamoring for more like I am!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4
Release Date: 7/21/2026
My thoughts:
I barely discovered this graphic novel existed a few days ago and absolutely loved the first one, so I'm glad I was able to request this sequel. This truly is Richard Scarry's Busy Town meets Dexter, and I eat it up every time.
While I thought this was a good follow-up, I did not enjoy it quite as much as the first one. I really do love the art style as it manages to be cozy while also being dark and gruesome at the same time. It was interesting coming back to Woodbrook eight years later to see how the events of the first installment affected the town and its residents. It expands on some of the characters while introducing a couple of new ones and I liked that we get a bit of an origin story for Samantha. It does feel disjointed in some areas and the ending was abrupt, but it appears we may end up getting a third installment, which gives fans of the series something to look forward to. Overall, it was a fun and entertaining read. If you are a fan of the first one, you won't want to miss the sequel.
Best for: Readers who enjoy graphic novels, slasher horror, cozy horror
Rating: 4
Release Date: 7/21/2026
My thoughts:
I barely discovered this graphic novel existed a few days ago and absolutely loved the first one, so I'm glad I was able to request this sequel. This truly is Richard Scarry's Busy Town meets Dexter, and I eat it up every time.
While I thought this was a good follow-up, I did not enjoy it quite as much as the first one. I really do love the art style as it manages to be cozy while also being dark and gruesome at the same time. It was interesting coming back to Woodbrook eight years later to see how the events of the first installment affected the town and its residents. It expands on some of the characters while introducing a couple of new ones and I liked that we get a bit of an origin story for Samantha. It does feel disjointed in some areas and the ending was abrupt, but it appears we may end up getting a third installment, which gives fans of the series something to look forward to. Overall, it was a fun and entertaining read. If you are a fan of the first one, you won't want to miss the sequel.
Best for: Readers who enjoy graphic novels, slasher horror, cozy horror
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this return to Woodbrook, our local serial killer is set against her victim's sister, determined for justice and unrelenting. A cat and mouse game begins (or rather bear vs duck), which may affect the whole rural town, still affected by the murders committed 8 years ago.
This being a sequel does not need to dissuade the reader from giving it a try; the setting and conflict are quite clear after the first two chapters. (Just some context was missing regarding some side characters, but it's manageable.)
Even so, I find it a bit difficult to judge if the main character underwent much of an interesting character arc, however, that may be not needed considering she is an emotionless, sociopathic killer - Does she need to be more than that? She is well-balanced given the screen time of her opponent, who is enough to root for, not mentioning even all the innocent citizens just living their lives in the aftermath.
But the art is the real page-turner for me: Comic readers enjoying their horror with a more cutesy and peaceful style will definitely find it to their liking.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC for an honest review!
This being a sequel does not need to dissuade the reader from giving it a try; the setting and conflict are quite clear after the first two chapters. (Just some context was missing regarding some side characters, but it's manageable.)
Even so, I find it a bit difficult to judge if the main character underwent much of an interesting character arc, however, that may be not needed considering she is an emotionless, sociopathic killer - Does she need to be more than that? She is well-balanced given the screen time of her opponent, who is enough to root for, not mentioning even all the innocent citizens just living their lives in the aftermath.
But the art is the real page-turner for me: Comic readers enjoying their horror with a more cutesy and peaceful style will definitely find it to their liking.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am stunned, shocked, aghast. I hadn't read the previous series and did not know what to expect. When I requested this early access copy from Netgalley, I was mostly intrigued by the description and the cover artwork of the bear with seemingly bloody paws. I didn't expect the gore and the intense feeling of dread when reading this.
It is an amazing read! While I did not know the characters before this, it still did not prevent me from experiencing their emotional turmoil and pain after a horrific incident affected their lives.
Samantha Strong is undoubtably a psychopath and the exploration to her past and her thoughts was terrifying. I was genuinely afraid of this evil. Her escalation of her killings reminded me of other psychopath stories where they begin to want to be captured, where they get bored of their routine. While others called this a Dexter kinda story, I felt it was darker than that.
And yes, the contrast with the cutesy cozy art and the darkness of the story made it even more fascinating.
I really liked this and will be purchasing a paperback copy of my own.
It is an amazing read! While I did not know the characters before this, it still did not prevent me from experiencing their emotional turmoil and pain after a horrific incident affected their lives.
Samantha Strong is undoubtably a psychopath and the exploration to her past and her thoughts was terrifying. I was genuinely afraid of this evil. Her escalation of her killings reminded me of other psychopath stories where they begin to want to be captured, where they get bored of their routine. While others called this a Dexter kinda story, I felt it was darker than that.
And yes, the contrast with the cutesy cozy art and the darkness of the story made it even more fascinating.
I really liked this and will be purchasing a paperback copy of my own.
April 18, 2026
Well, this was a bit of a let down.
The first told a really interesting story, but this one is just trying to outdo it, to its own detriment. The first? an at least mildly believable/realistic story about a serial killer.
The second is just the serial killer getting away with everything to an insane degree. It really ruins the grounded feeling of the first series. And it's very disjointed as well. While the first story was more focused and "show but not tell." This series is full of walls of exposition, side characters, and an incredible waste of a new character. Seriously, what was the point of Monica? there was so much potential with her, and we got an inconclusive "no body" end for her.
Unfortunately, this seems to be making the same mistakes as Silence of the Lambs. A serial killer as a main character can be an interesting choice, but many writers seem to get lost in making the serial killer insane levels of invincible, instead of giving them a fascinating flaw that undoes them. Maybe the third series will bring this back around? I'm a little skeptical at this point.
The first told a really interesting story, but this one is just trying to outdo it, to its own detriment. The first? an at least mildly believable/realistic story about a serial killer.
The second is just the serial killer getting away with everything to an insane degree. It really ruins the grounded feeling of the first series. And it's very disjointed as well. While the first story was more focused and "show but not tell." This series is full of walls of exposition, side characters, and an incredible waste of a new character. Seriously, what was the point of Monica? there was so much potential with her, and we got an inconclusive "no body" end for her.
Unfortunately, this seems to be making the same mistakes as Silence of the Lambs. A serial killer as a main character can be an interesting choice, but many writers seem to get lost in making the serial killer insane levels of invincible, instead of giving them a fascinating flaw that undoes them. Maybe the third series will bring this back around? I'm a little skeptical at this point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Zootopia, but it’s about a brown bear serial killer.
It’s been 8 years since the Nigel, the serial killer was killed. Samantha is revered as the town hero after originally being on the run, accused of the murders herself. While Woodbrook may be quiet, it remembers and it won’t be so quiet for much longer.
Monica has been searching for her brother for years. He’s been missing with no leads for 8+ years and in that time, she has harassed every police precinct in the area consistently to the point of anger. She stalks online forums and news boards looking for answers, all with no help from anyone. That is until a message she sends out gets a response… from the quiet little town of Woodbrook.
I really enjoyed the first volume of this series. I thought it was going to be a standalone, which I’m sure is what it was supposed to be. But with the success of it came a sequel and one that is almost as good as its predecessor. But now it’s been left open for more and I’m here to see how much more killing Samantha can get away with before she’s ultimately brought to justice… or killed.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted eARC.
It’s been 8 years since the Nigel, the serial killer was killed. Samantha is revered as the town hero after originally being on the run, accused of the murders herself. While Woodbrook may be quiet, it remembers and it won’t be so quiet for much longer.
Monica has been searching for her brother for years. He’s been missing with no leads for 8+ years and in that time, she has harassed every police precinct in the area consistently to the point of anger. She stalks online forums and news boards looking for answers, all with no help from anyone. That is until a message she sends out gets a response… from the quiet little town of Woodbrook.
I really enjoyed the first volume of this series. I thought it was going to be a standalone, which I’m sure is what it was supposed to be. But with the success of it came a sequel and one that is almost as good as its predecessor. But now it’s been left open for more and I’m here to see how much more killing Samantha can get away with before she’s ultimately brought to justice… or killed.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted eARC.
April 23, 2026
And we’re back for the late 40s serial killer bear part 2! We get to dig a little deeper (pun completely intended) into Samantha’s past while also meeting a product of her serial killer ways. I won’t spoil it for you, but Samantha is off the rails.
This volume takes place eight years after the first one. Some of Woodbrook has gone back to normal, but has changed for the worse. Woodbrook will never be the same sleepy little town it used to be. Even Samantha’s murderous vacations have to be adjusted.
Maybe it’s this shift in perspective that causes Samantha to do a little introspection and think about all the lives she’s ended and family members she’s left behind to wonder about what happened to her victims. However, it comes about. One of those family members comes looking for answers and Samantha finds herself in hot water once again.
This edition was great. No spoilers here, but I do wonder about Samantha’s time abroad. I also can’t wait for the next edition to see what this sociopathic bear has in store next.
Thank you to @idwpublishing for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review. #idwpublishing
This volume takes place eight years after the first one. Some of Woodbrook has gone back to normal, but has changed for the worse. Woodbrook will never be the same sleepy little town it used to be. Even Samantha’s murderous vacations have to be adjusted.
Maybe it’s this shift in perspective that causes Samantha to do a little introspection and think about all the lives she’s ended and family members she’s left behind to wonder about what happened to her victims. However, it comes about. One of those family members comes looking for answers and Samantha finds herself in hot water once again.
This edition was great. No spoilers here, but I do wonder about Samantha’s time abroad. I also can’t wait for the next edition to see what this sociopathic bear has in store next.
Thank you to @idwpublishing for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review. #idwpublishing
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a perfect sequel to the first arc of Beneath the Trees! Rite of Spring picks up with Samantha's naughty pastime activities and follows the sister of one of Samantha's murder victims, who desperately wants to know what happened to her missing sibling ten years after he disappeared.
This is the six-issue series omnibus that follows up the previous full collection of Beneath the Trees, and it is delightful! Samantha's manipulative tendencies and calm, cold personality gave me chills. The author certainly knows how to write a good psychopathic villain!
The art is so beautiful. Imagine if Beatrix Potter went dark side and crafted a bunch of beautiful characters who experience terrible things. Horvath is a wizard who weaves together idyllic scenery with a creepy narrative. Can creepy-cute comics become a mainstream genre, please? I'm obsessed!
It was so good to be back with the residents of Woodbrook, and the ending sets us up for more sequels!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at IDW Publishing for sending me an e-ARC! I can't wait to see what tomfoolery Samantha gets involved in next!
This is the six-issue series omnibus that follows up the previous full collection of Beneath the Trees, and it is delightful! Samantha's manipulative tendencies and calm, cold personality gave me chills. The author certainly knows how to write a good psychopathic villain!
The art is so beautiful. Imagine if Beatrix Potter went dark side and crafted a bunch of beautiful characters who experience terrible things. Horvath is a wizard who weaves together idyllic scenery with a creepy narrative. Can creepy-cute comics become a mainstream genre, please? I'm obsessed!
It was so good to be back with the residents of Woodbrook, and the ending sets us up for more sequels!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at IDW Publishing for sending me an e-ARC! I can't wait to see what tomfoolery Samantha gets involved in next!
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