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Something of a Calling
From the brilliant Zoje Stage, Bram Stoker Award finalist and author of Baby Teeth, Something of a Calling is an unsettling look at a woman—and a world—on the brink of change. This gorgeous hardcover edition includes sprayed edges.
Detective Andy Cooper is about to retire. She isn’t sure what’s next … perhaps traveling in the RV she has yet to buy, with a dog she doesn’t currently own. Perhaps gardening near the ever-shrinking patch of woods behind her house—once the cable company’s backhoe is removed.
She’ll need to do something, if only to distract herself from how empty her life has become. After the murder of her young daughter by a drunk driver. After the divorce. After the realization that all she has is her job and that she’s about to lose that, too.
Everything changes when bodies begin to turn up. Murdered, but how? Not by knife, gun, or any obvious weapon. teeth marks. Chunks missing. Like they’d been chewed on. And not by humans.
As she’s struggling to solve her final case, an unexpected new friendship seems like just what Andy needs. Where she is detached from life, Fiona embraces it. Where she is a homebody, Fiona roams. Yet the women are drawn together by a shared love of nature and wildlife. Until Andy learns the dark truth behind Fiona’s smile. A secret that threatens to unravel the world as she knows it.
Detective Andy Cooper is about to retire. She isn’t sure what’s next … perhaps traveling in the RV she has yet to buy, with a dog she doesn’t currently own. Perhaps gardening near the ever-shrinking patch of woods behind her house—once the cable company’s backhoe is removed.
She’ll need to do something, if only to distract herself from how empty her life has become. After the murder of her young daughter by a drunk driver. After the divorce. After the realization that all she has is her job and that she’s about to lose that, too.
Everything changes when bodies begin to turn up. Murdered, but how? Not by knife, gun, or any obvious weapon. teeth marks. Chunks missing. Like they’d been chewed on. And not by humans.
As she’s struggling to solve her final case, an unexpected new friendship seems like just what Andy needs. Where she is detached from life, Fiona embraces it. Where she is a homebody, Fiona roams. Yet the women are drawn together by a shared love of nature and wildlife. Until Andy learns the dark truth behind Fiona’s smile. A secret that threatens to unravel the world as she knows it.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2026
About the author
Zoje Stage
21 books2,901 followersZoje Stage is a USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers (Baby Teeth, Dear Hanna, Getaway), psychological horror (Wonderland, Mothered), and offbeat books of dark whimsy (My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast, The Girl Who Outgrew the World). She's been a "Book of the Week" author in People magazine, and a Bram Stoker award nominee. Her books have been named "best of the year" by Forbes Magazine, Library Journal, PopSugar, Barnes & Noble, Book Riot, BookPage, Bloody Disgusting, and more. She lives in Pittsburgh with her cats.
(She is also the author of #AUTHORLIFE, written under the penname Joe Zagets.)
(She is also the author of #AUTHORLIFE, written under the penname Joe Zagets.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Since moving into my house in 2020, I have fallen in love with my animal neighbors and I frequently see squirrels, deer, groundhogs, cardinals, blue jays, chipmunks, raccoons... I've discovered that they all love black oil sunflower seeds, and I feel honored when they stop by for snacks. Really, this book exists because of my proximity to these animals and my wish that we'd made a better world for them.
September 21, 2026
4 stars - Liked this one - and it's MC, Andy, an about to retire detective and older woman. I would definitely classify this as "social horror" with perhaps more focus on the "social" part. I also appreciated that it's very fast-paced. If you too think that animals are here for more than eating them, and care about the earth, then give this title a try!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is an example of a book I read months ago and still hadn’t reviewed. First, this is not a horror book. Do not expect to go into this one thinking that.
At first, I was really into this story about animals turning on humans. It really made me think. However, towards the end…. It just became a little silly with the turn of events. I wished the author would have come up with a completely different ending.
This is a perfect example of a mismarketed book. I really wished they would stop that.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Blackstone Pub for my gifted copy.
At first, I was really into this story about animals turning on humans. It really made me think. However, towards the end…. It just became a little silly with the turn of events. I wished the author would have come up with a completely different ending.
This is a perfect example of a mismarketed book. I really wished they would stop that.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Blackstone Pub for my gifted copy.
June 24, 2026
I have read and enjoyed this author before, but unfortunately this one was not on par with the others. It started off interesting and ended up just so ridiculous that I couldn’t take it seriously.
Andy was a well rounded character, even if she did seem way too trusting for a Homicide Detective. The fact that she’s mere weeks from retirement could also explain some of that, but I was questioning her behavior. Later in the story, though, I wasn’t really on board with anything that was happening and I was just trying to solve the mystery of what was going on, and I ended up very disappointed.
I think my other big issue with the book was that the overall tone could be very preachy at times, even though I agreed with the “save the animals” messaging. The symbolism was heavy handed and the dialogue almost had me rolling my eyes in places. There was also a long explanation/series of monologues at the end (a personal pet peeve!) that were so silly and over the top.
I think there was a good idea in here but the way it was handled just wasn’t for me. I would recommend “Mothered” or “Baby Teeth” by this author instead.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
TW: Animal death, Child death, Misogyny
Andy was a well rounded character, even if she did seem way too trusting for a Homicide Detective. The fact that she’s mere weeks from retirement could also explain some of that, but I was questioning her behavior. Later in the story, though, I wasn’t really on board with anything that was happening and I was just trying to solve the mystery of what was going on, and I ended up very disappointed.
I think my other big issue with the book was that the overall tone could be very preachy at times, even though I agreed with the “save the animals” messaging. The symbolism was heavy handed and the dialogue almost had me rolling my eyes in places. There was also a long explanation/series of monologues at the end (a personal pet peeve!) that were so silly and over the top.
I think there was a good idea in here but the way it was handled just wasn’t for me. I would recommend “Mothered” or “Baby Teeth” by this author instead.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
TW: Animal death, Child death, Misogyny
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September 4, 2026I had so much fun with BABY TEETH, so I was excited to request this when I saw it on NetGalley.
Premise - Detective Andy Cooper is on the cusp of retirement, divorced, and mourning the murder of her daughter by a drunk driver. Her life is empty. Enter: the bodies.
They’re murder victims, yes, but they arrive looking like chew toys. Whoever’s killing them isn’t doing it in a usual way.
Now Detective Cooper is working on her last case and, even better, she’s making a new friend, Fiona, who shares her love of the outdoors and seems to make up for the traits she lacks. But this friendship has teeth…
I thought this was an interesting subversion of the classic werewolf story I was expecting. It felt very different from Baby Teeth and overall felt like a quieter, sadder(?) read. It grapples with late life reflections, the environmental crisis, and nature's revolt.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jenn Lee. She has a very soothing voice and reading style, making this an easy background listen while accomplishing tasks around town.
Thanks, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Premise - Detective Andy Cooper is on the cusp of retirement, divorced, and mourning the murder of her daughter by a drunk driver. Her life is empty. Enter: the bodies.
They’re murder victims, yes, but they arrive looking like chew toys. Whoever’s killing them isn’t doing it in a usual way.
Now Detective Cooper is working on her last case and, even better, she’s making a new friend, Fiona, who shares her love of the outdoors and seems to make up for the traits she lacks. But this friendship has teeth…
I thought this was an interesting subversion of the classic werewolf story I was expecting. It felt very different from Baby Teeth and overall felt like a quieter, sadder(?) read. It grapples with late life reflections, the environmental crisis, and nature's revolt.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jenn Lee. She has a very soothing voice and reading style, making this an easy background listen while accomplishing tasks around town.
Thanks, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2026
I flew through this so fast, and even though I predicted everything except the main character's choice at the end, I still think it deserves 5 stars for the eco-horror commentary. I wish it had more character development, gore, and delved into obsession more, but I still had a great time overall. Highly recommend watching The Last House on Netflix if you enjoy this one or vice versa!
September 29, 2026
A haunting blend of eco-horror and speculative fiction. This book is for the animal lovers and for those who cringe at the thought of the rapid and ongoing destruction of animal habitats. As someone who lives in the country and regularly sees deer, coyotes, hawks, crows, herons, raccoons, opossums, turtles, and frogs, I was a huge fan of animals evolving into weapons. I loved our MC, Andy, a woman detective on the brink of retirement. The way she leans into nature to heal her is a powerful theme throughout and she's an extremely likeable protagonist. And the ending? Pure fun!
November 5, 2026
Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage
I listened to the ALC copy of this one via Libro.fm
Themes and tropes: Eco horror, detective stories, social horror, asexual representation, ageing, and grief.
This story started out STRONG—a dark opening with a grisly body being found. Then another one turns up, just as mutilated. The story centers on nature taking back what is rightfully theirs. My biggest complaint was it didn't let the story itself do the talking. It was said more than implied. By the end, I could predict most of the turns the story took. That's not a bad thing, but I wanted a little more variation
See my full review on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AshsSpookyCor...
I listened to the ALC copy of this one via Libro.fm
Themes and tropes: Eco horror, detective stories, social horror, asexual representation, ageing, and grief.
This story started out STRONG—a dark opening with a grisly body being found. Then another one turns up, just as mutilated. The story centers on nature taking back what is rightfully theirs. My biggest complaint was it didn't let the story itself do the talking. It was said more than implied. By the end, I could predict most of the turns the story took. That's not a bad thing, but I wanted a little more variation
See my full review on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AshsSpookyCor...
September 20, 2026
A compelling, almost mesmerising read. It's not horror; it's speculative fiction at its best.
The intent here isn't to frighten or repulse, but to engender empathy, consider the possibilities and costs of change, and reflect on what each of us is willing to take responsibility for.
The story is initially structured as a police procedural, focused on extraordinary events seen through the eyes of a days-from-retirement police detective whose life is in a period of transition that challenges her to consider who she is and who she wants to be.
Despite the trappings of a mystery, this is less about solving a puzzle than it is about a process of discovery aimed at a paradigm shift, a reassessment of how the main character sees the world and her place in it.
The intent here isn't to frighten or repulse, but to engender empathy, consider the possibilities and costs of change, and reflect on what each of us is willing to take responsibility for.
The story is initially structured as a police procedural, focused on extraordinary events seen through the eyes of a days-from-retirement police detective whose life is in a period of transition that challenges her to consider who she is and who she wants to be.
Despite the trappings of a mystery, this is less about solving a puzzle than it is about a process of discovery aimed at a paradigm shift, a reassessment of how the main character sees the world and her place in it.
September 27, 2026
This is such an interesting book. It starts with a detective Andy Cooper investigating a murder. A very unique murder because these types of animals don't do that 👀 As Andy struggles with life's challenges and the grief of her daughters passing she meets Fiona a free spirited woman who is a nomad and lives in her van. Would Fiona somehow help her not just in life but on her case also? Read the book to find out!
August 27, 2026
Thank you Net gallery for the ALC! I listened to this audiobook and I loved it! It was my first ecological horror book that I have read. I enjoyed the main character Andy because she was a great detective on solving the mysteries surrounding the murders happening in the woods. I think this was a prefect read for the spooky season and I’m so grateful I got an ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
Police Detective Andy Cooper is just days from retirement.
While kayaking on her pwn time she discovers a body in the lake, one that looks like it's been repeatedly bitten, but not by the usual predatory species Even more confusing is possible evidence that a person was there, though how they could assist an animal attack is another mystery. Soon after, a golfer is found mauled on a golf course, but again by a group of animals not known to attack humans that way. Meanwhile, escalated animal attacks across the globe appear in the news. While pondering the cases and what to do with herself after retirement, she meets Fiona, a nomadic retiree who roams the country in her van. They strike up an instant friendship, Fiona's free spirit sounding appealing to Andy. But Fiona may hold answers not just to Andy's future, but her cases as well.
The whole "when animals attack' angle immediately reminded me of the TV show and novel Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, though it goes in very different directions.
It was a book that could have been longer, but ultimately would only have been dragging the plot out before coming to the same conclusion. While a fairly light read and reasonably entertaining, the plot did go off in such odd directions, and Andy went through such a makeover of her character, you kind of have to read the story at face value and not think too hard about it or you'll see the cracks in the veneer But if you simply go with the flow of the narrative it's an interesting concept. 3.5/5*
Police Detective Andy Cooper is just days from retirement.
While kayaking on her pwn time she discovers a body in the lake, one that looks like it's been repeatedly bitten, but not by the usual predatory species Even more confusing is possible evidence that a person was there, though how they could assist an animal attack is another mystery. Soon after, a golfer is found mauled on a golf course, but again by a group of animals not known to attack humans that way. Meanwhile, escalated animal attacks across the globe appear in the news. While pondering the cases and what to do with herself after retirement, she meets Fiona, a nomadic retiree who roams the country in her van. They strike up an instant friendship, Fiona's free spirit sounding appealing to Andy. But Fiona may hold answers not just to Andy's future, but her cases as well.
The whole "when animals attack' angle immediately reminded me of the TV show and novel Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, though it goes in very different directions.
It was a book that could have been longer, but ultimately would only have been dragging the plot out before coming to the same conclusion. While a fairly light read and reasonably entertaining, the plot did go off in such odd directions, and Andy went through such a makeover of her character, you kind of have to read the story at face value and not think too hard about it or you'll see the cracks in the veneer But if you simply go with the flow of the narrative it's an interesting concept. 3.5/5*
September 7, 2026
“Something of a Calling” - “Weird Sh*t With Animals?”
★★★☆☆ (3,5)
This novel feels very fitting for this day and age and with everything thats going on in the world.
It has a clear message and while it might be less of a horror in the graphic kind of way, it’s scary to think what the future holds everyone involved in this story.
While this tale holds an element of predictability, it’s still an interesting, enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley for the Audiobook. I leave this review voluntarily.
★★★☆☆ (3,5)
This novel feels very fitting for this day and age and with everything thats going on in the world.
It has a clear message and while it might be less of a horror in the graphic kind of way, it’s scary to think what the future holds everyone involved in this story.
While this tale holds an element of predictability, it’s still an interesting, enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley for the Audiobook. I leave this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5⭐️ rounded-up.
🦌 Nature Strikes Back
💚 Eco Horror
🦌 Detective FMC
💚 Apocalyptic Dread
🦌 Grief + Identity
This wasn't a bad read. But it wasn't a good one either. I understand what the author was trying to do—but it just didn't work for me. I didn't feel connected to the characters or the story, and the messaging is too heavy-handed, making it feel preachy.
•
Andy is preparing to retire as a detective from the police force and figure out what to do with the rest of her simple life. That is, until she is kayaking and comes across a dead body, setting off a chain of events where bodies appear in odd places with bite marks and chunks taken from their flesh. As she tries to unravel what’s happening, she must confront her own grief and the possibility that her newfound friend Fiona is hiding something.
•
So this was a very quick read. I liked the concept, although there is hardly any real suspense or dread. On one hand, I think this story could have been better if it was more fully developed; on the other, I'm not so sure because it felt like it was missing oomph, particularly in how it ended—and more of this exact story might have felt tedious. I'm not sure if the author was trying to build suspense, but I never felt that what was happening felt like a mystery; the background to the string of murders was pretty obvious from the start. Beyond the predictability, there was also an element of preachiness—only *bad people* were getting killed, which made the cause lack nuance for us to side with Andy, and I just… didn't.
More nuance in supporting motives and underlying themes could have made me more interested in the message, but when it feels like the author is forcing me to support their point of view through the story, I tend to rebel a little—even when I agree with the message, implicitly.
Overall, I think this book just lacks range; while we see that the MC struggles with grief, it's hard to feel sorry for her when her entire life is immersed in bitterness towards others. She is also distrustful and bitter towards everyone she meets *except* Fiona, and that inconsistency in character didn't work for me, especially when Fiona appears out of nowhere with a very suspicious demeanour. I also don't know how to discuss what is and isn’t a spoiler for this book because, again, the lack of suspense means there’s no real question about where the story is heading.
While I read this quickly and didn't *hate it*, I am left feeling very indifferent overall.
•
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and feedback contained within this review are my own.
🦌 Nature Strikes Back
💚 Eco Horror
🦌 Detective FMC
💚 Apocalyptic Dread
🦌 Grief + Identity
This wasn't a bad read. But it wasn't a good one either. I understand what the author was trying to do—but it just didn't work for me. I didn't feel connected to the characters or the story, and the messaging is too heavy-handed, making it feel preachy.
•
Andy is preparing to retire as a detective from the police force and figure out what to do with the rest of her simple life. That is, until she is kayaking and comes across a dead body, setting off a chain of events where bodies appear in odd places with bite marks and chunks taken from their flesh. As she tries to unravel what’s happening, she must confront her own grief and the possibility that her newfound friend Fiona is hiding something.
•
So this was a very quick read. I liked the concept, although there is hardly any real suspense or dread. On one hand, I think this story could have been better if it was more fully developed; on the other, I'm not so sure because it felt like it was missing oomph, particularly in how it ended—and more of this exact story might have felt tedious. I'm not sure if the author was trying to build suspense, but I never felt that what was happening felt like a mystery; the background to the string of murders was pretty obvious from the start. Beyond the predictability, there was also an element of preachiness—only *bad people* were getting killed, which made the cause lack nuance for us to side with Andy, and I just… didn't.
More nuance in supporting motives and underlying themes could have made me more interested in the message, but when it feels like the author is forcing me to support their point of view through the story, I tend to rebel a little—even when I agree with the message, implicitly.
Overall, I think this book just lacks range; while we see that the MC struggles with grief, it's hard to feel sorry for her when her entire life is immersed in bitterness towards others. She is also distrustful and bitter towards everyone she meets *except* Fiona, and that inconsistency in character didn't work for me, especially when Fiona appears out of nowhere with a very suspicious demeanour. I also don't know how to discuss what is and isn’t a spoiler for this book because, again, the lack of suspense means there’s no real question about where the story is heading.
While I read this quickly and didn't *hate it*, I am left feeling very indifferent overall.
•
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and feedback contained within this review are my own.
October 28, 2026
this one was neither here or there for me personally - it was an easy read and the concept was done really well but unfortunately i just found that i didnt feel too attached to our main character?? it sometimes felt like she was being purposefully obtuse with regards to the case and it just kind of made her fall flat to me...
the narrator was great - they did a great job of helping me feel like i was really experiencing the book while also keeping it easy to follow along with! definitely will be checking out any more of their current and future works!
thank you to netgalley and blackstone publishing for providing me with thisi audiobook! this review has been written voluntarily and contains my honest thoughts
the narrator was great - they did a great job of helping me feel like i was really experiencing the book while also keeping it easy to follow along with! definitely will be checking out any more of their current and future works!
thank you to netgalley and blackstone publishing for providing me with thisi audiobook! this review has been written voluntarily and contains my honest thoughts
October 15, 2026
Something of a Calling is the first novel I've read by Zoje Stage and it was enjoyable, I'm looking forward to reading other of her books! The novel follows a detective about to retire, Andy, as she starts investigating a series of grisly murders with victims that look... chewed up, at a time when animals are acting strangely but deliberately violently all around the world. This is more of a dark mystery book featuring commentary on animal rights while also taking an anticapitalist and anticonsumerist stance.
I was expecting it to lean more into the horror genre than it actually did, but I didn't dislike the introspective mystery that it ended up being. I liked Andy, and I was interested in her story and how losing her daughter shaped her life.
Despite the story being sort of sad, it was fast-paced and kept me hooked throughout. I'll say that, as much as I enjoyed it, I wasn't wowed. As much as I agree with what it says about animal rights, the commentary was very on the nose, and the story/mystery ended up being a little too over the top.
Anyways, definitely read this if you're passionate about animal rights. It was a little too much for me, but I do want to pick up her other books because this was fast-paced and easy to read, with grounded characters.
*ARC received for free, this hasn't impacted my rating.
I was expecting it to lean more into the horror genre than it actually did, but I didn't dislike the introspective mystery that it ended up being. I liked Andy, and I was interested in her story and how losing her daughter shaped her life.
Despite the story being sort of sad, it was fast-paced and kept me hooked throughout. I'll say that, as much as I enjoyed it, I wasn't wowed. As much as I agree with what it says about animal rights, the commentary was very on the nose, and the story/mystery ended up being a little too over the top.
Anyways, definitely read this if you're passionate about animal rights. It was a little too much for me, but I do want to pick up her other books because this was fast-paced and easy to read, with grounded characters.
*ARC received for free, this hasn't impacted my rating.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love Zoje Stage’s writing so was excited to hear of this new book. It was a departure from the previous books I’ve read in that it’s a much shorter read. But the excellent writing is still evident and the strong plot carried the story forward. I enjoyed the animal perspective and it’s an interesting plot to think about. I do recommend this if you’re a fan of her work!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 2, 2026
Something of a Calling is my first read from Stage, and I had an okay time with it. The audiobook is a really quick listen that I finished over the course of 24 hours, and Jenn Lee’s performance served the story well enough, though I didn’t find the narration to be particularly notworthy.
The story itself was interesting in that I haven’t read anything that combines eco-literature and crime fiction in this manner. I will say that it read more like an eco-mystery than an eco-horror, so readers who go into it expecting prominent horror elements will likely be disappointed.
I think there’s a version of this story that could have done something more inventive with the premise or implemented more descriptive, literary prose, but that’s not what this is. It’s a fairly basic execution of a story that had the potential to be extraordinary.
Overall, Something of a Calling was an entertaining read in the moment, and it was good for what it was, but it’s not a book I’ll think about beyond my very short time with it.
Readers who enjoyed The Devil Knows Her Name by C.N. Vair and Hemlock by Melissa Faliveno may also enjoy this read.
The story itself was interesting in that I haven’t read anything that combines eco-literature and crime fiction in this manner. I will say that it read more like an eco-mystery than an eco-horror, so readers who go into it expecting prominent horror elements will likely be disappointed.
I think there’s a version of this story that could have done something more inventive with the premise or implemented more descriptive, literary prose, but that’s not what this is. It’s a fairly basic execution of a story that had the potential to be extraordinary.
Overall, Something of a Calling was an entertaining read in the moment, and it was good for what it was, but it’s not a book I’ll think about beyond my very short time with it.
Readers who enjoyed The Devil Knows Her Name by C.N. Vair and Hemlock by Melissa Faliveno may also enjoy this read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 15, 2026
Genre: Horror, Fiction
Synopsis: Detective Andy Cooper is about to retire. She isn’t sure what’s next …but she needs to do something to distract herself from what her life has become. After the murder of her young daughter by a drunk driver. After the divorce. After the realization that all she has is her job and that she’s about to lose that, too.Everything changes when bodies begin to turn up. Bodies with chunks missing from their flesh with teeth marks, like they'd be chewed on. And not by humans. As she’s struggling to solve her final case, an unexpected new friendship seems like just what Andy needs. Until Andy learns the dark truth behind Fiona’s smile. A secret that threatens to unravel the world as she knows it.
Overall: This is a very different story than Stage's previous novels, but it's really more of a novella, so it's hard to draw comparisons. Short, sweet and utterly scary, "Something of a Calling" has a hauntingly realistic component that will leave readers thinking about humanity's impact on the planet. This is a story where readers will empathize with and understand the motivations of the "killers", and might even cheer for them. Well written and a quick read, Stage's new story is a twist on the horror genre.
Expected publication date: Sept. 15, 2026
Genre: Horror, Fiction
Synopsis: Detective Andy Cooper is about to retire. She isn’t sure what’s next …but she needs to do something to distract herself from what her life has become. After the murder of her young daughter by a drunk driver. After the divorce. After the realization that all she has is her job and that she’s about to lose that, too.Everything changes when bodies begin to turn up. Bodies with chunks missing from their flesh with teeth marks, like they'd be chewed on. And not by humans. As she’s struggling to solve her final case, an unexpected new friendship seems like just what Andy needs. Until Andy learns the dark truth behind Fiona’s smile. A secret that threatens to unravel the world as she knows it.
Overall: This is a very different story than Stage's previous novels, but it's really more of a novella, so it's hard to draw comparisons. Short, sweet and utterly scary, "Something of a Calling" has a hauntingly realistic component that will leave readers thinking about humanity's impact on the planet. This is a story where readers will empathize with and understand the motivations of the "killers", and might even cheer for them. Well written and a quick read, Stage's new story is a twist on the horror genre.
September 16, 2026
Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage is being touted as a horror/mystery novel about the behavioural change of animals.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Blackstone Publishing, and the author (Zoje Stage), for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Okay, I'll have to go back and find more of her books. This was really good. A little out there, but good.
The book looked at how the world has treated the animal kingdom, and the environment in which we all live together. It looked at a change in the dynamics.
Andy was a great character, with enough depth that the reader can relate to her. I loved her.
This was a some-what unsettling book, not really scary, but really making you think. It wasn't horror, but I guess eco-terror? Not really sure the genre. It doesn't really matter. Overall, it is a fast read, and it will stay with me for a bit.
Anyway, until next time ...
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
October 27, 2026
Zoje Stage is the greatest horror, suspense, drama author I have ever known. This novel adds to her list. Read all of them!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 28, 2026
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this advanced copy for my honest review
This was my first eco-horror book and definitely won’t be my last. The book was short and sweet but really packed a punch. It really makes you think about how we interact and disregard the animals we share the world with. It was nice to see them fighting back.
This was my first eco-horror book and definitely won’t be my last. The book was short and sweet but really packed a punch. It really makes you think about how we interact and disregard the animals we share the world with. It was nice to see them fighting back.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
First things first, I am not currently vegan or vegetarian, but I have spent a significant portion of my life not eating meat and I still endeavour to source what meat and animal products I do consume from more ethical sources. I do not support the meat industry, nor the devastation wrought on the environment by capitalism, and were there to be an actually coordinated movement to boycott the meat industry, I would be all about it.
I say the above so you have a better understanding of where I'm coming from when i say, fuuuuuuuuuucking hell this is a long fucking walk for very, very little. This reads like something commissioned by PETA, the only people more likely to kill your dog than the filth - speaking of the rozzers, this book also reads as copaganda. I say commissioned because the premise is unbelievably on the nose and some of the language genuinely offensive, but Stage can actually write, so this is far more actually readable than the drivel PETA produces.
Humans are doing terrible things to this planet and each other. Most of us agree about this. I don't believe being an omnivorous species makes us evil. The meat industry is evil. I don't believe earing meat is intrinsically evil. Animals that omnivorous or carnivorous are not evil. Prey animals don't spontaneously evolve the means to kill their predators. Murdering random people or being an accomplice to murder is wrong.
I feel like this would have been a much more interesting short story and from a different perspective.
This is so stupid.
Annihilation this is not.
Jenn Lee's narration is fine.
First things first, I am not currently vegan or vegetarian, but I have spent a significant portion of my life not eating meat and I still endeavour to source what meat and animal products I do consume from more ethical sources. I do not support the meat industry, nor the devastation wrought on the environment by capitalism, and were there to be an actually coordinated movement to boycott the meat industry, I would be all about it.
I say the above so you have a better understanding of where I'm coming from when i say, fuuuuuuuuuucking hell this is a long fucking walk for very, very little. This reads like something commissioned by PETA, the only people more likely to kill your dog than the filth - speaking of the rozzers, this book also reads as copaganda. I say commissioned because the premise is unbelievably on the nose and some of the language genuinely offensive, but Stage can actually write, so this is far more actually readable than the drivel PETA produces.
Humans are doing terrible things to this planet and each other. Most of us agree about this. I don't believe being an omnivorous species makes us evil. The meat industry is evil. I don't believe earing meat is intrinsically evil. Animals that omnivorous or carnivorous are not evil. Prey animals don't spontaneously evolve the means to kill their predators. Murdering random people or being an accomplice to murder is wrong.
I feel like this would have been a much more interesting short story and from a different perspective.
This is so stupid.
Annihilation this is not.
Jenn Lee's narration is fine.
November 10, 2026
*Thank you to Blackstone for a complimentary alc of Something of a Calling. All opinions expressed are my own.*
The synopsis for Something of a Calling gave me a glimpse of something ominous lurking beneath the surface, and while it certainly managed to spark my curiosity, it was also rather vague about what I was actually getting myself into.
What the synopsis didn’t tell me, but what I will tell you, is that the subject at the heart of this story is one that feels particularly important and relevant to the world we live in today.
While I wouldn’t necessarily describe this as horror, I think environmental mystery might be a more fitting label. Once I let go of my expectations of being genuinely spooked, I found myself appreciating the message behind the story far more than I initially anticipated. Stage takes a topic that deserves attention and makes it the driving force behind a mystery that asks us to look beyond our own species and consider the other inhabitants of our planet.
With its shorter page count, this is a fast-paced story that can easily be devoured in one sitting. I also appreciated having a senior woman as the lead character, with Andy Cooper navigating the uncertainty of what retirement will bring. It’s a perspective that I don’t think gets explored nearly enough in fiction, and it added a layer of depth to the story that I found myself appreciating more than expected.
The audiobook itself was another highlight. Jenn Lee’s narration immediately drew me in, and there was something about her voice and storytelling that brought Andy to life in a way that made it incredibly easy to become immersed in the experience.
Although there’s a murder mystery woven into the plot, you quickly realise that this isn’t really a story you’re reading to figure out who committed the crime. Normally, taking away that particular kind of suspense would leave me struggling to stay invested, but here I appreciated the decision. The mystery serves a different purpose, shifting the focus towards the larger message and the consequences of how humanity treats the environment and the creatures we share it with.
That said, while I found plenty to enjoy and appreciate in the story, I was still missing that final connection that would have made me properly invested in the characters beyond Andy. I also felt that the short runtime didn’t quite give the story enough room to develop the kind of suspense that might have kept me glued to the pages if I hadn’t been able to finish it in one sitting.
Still, I think there’s something important to be found here. If you enjoy stories where the environment and ecosystem begin to push back against humanity and the way we treat our planet, this is one worth considering. It’s a subject that isn’t losing any relevance, and perhaps that’s precisely why this story deserves to be read.
The synopsis for Something of a Calling gave me a glimpse of something ominous lurking beneath the surface, and while it certainly managed to spark my curiosity, it was also rather vague about what I was actually getting myself into.
What the synopsis didn’t tell me, but what I will tell you, is that the subject at the heart of this story is one that feels particularly important and relevant to the world we live in today.
While I wouldn’t necessarily describe this as horror, I think environmental mystery might be a more fitting label. Once I let go of my expectations of being genuinely spooked, I found myself appreciating the message behind the story far more than I initially anticipated. Stage takes a topic that deserves attention and makes it the driving force behind a mystery that asks us to look beyond our own species and consider the other inhabitants of our planet.
With its shorter page count, this is a fast-paced story that can easily be devoured in one sitting. I also appreciated having a senior woman as the lead character, with Andy Cooper navigating the uncertainty of what retirement will bring. It’s a perspective that I don’t think gets explored nearly enough in fiction, and it added a layer of depth to the story that I found myself appreciating more than expected.
The audiobook itself was another highlight. Jenn Lee’s narration immediately drew me in, and there was something about her voice and storytelling that brought Andy to life in a way that made it incredibly easy to become immersed in the experience.
Although there’s a murder mystery woven into the plot, you quickly realise that this isn’t really a story you’re reading to figure out who committed the crime. Normally, taking away that particular kind of suspense would leave me struggling to stay invested, but here I appreciated the decision. The mystery serves a different purpose, shifting the focus towards the larger message and the consequences of how humanity treats the environment and the creatures we share it with.
That said, while I found plenty to enjoy and appreciate in the story, I was still missing that final connection that would have made me properly invested in the characters beyond Andy. I also felt that the short runtime didn’t quite give the story enough room to develop the kind of suspense that might have kept me glued to the pages if I hadn’t been able to finish it in one sitting.
Still, I think there’s something important to be found here. If you enjoy stories where the environment and ecosystem begin to push back against humanity and the way we treat our planet, this is one worth considering. It’s a subject that isn’t losing any relevance, and perhaps that’s precisely why this story deserves to be read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🖋️ Author: Zoje Stage
📖 Title: Something of a Calling
🎙️ Narrator(s): Jenn Lee
📅 Pub Day: November 17, 2026
💌 Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🏷️ ISBN: 9798228497078
⏱️ Length: 4h 34m
📌 Genre(s): Horror, Mystery/Thriller, Eco Horror
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Something of a Calling hit much different than I expected. Andy's a detective who's lost pretty much everything, her daughter, her marriage, and now she's about to lose her job and coworkers too since she's retiring. Not exactly the retirement she pictured, and then bodies start showing up with bite marks like something's been chewing on them.
Then Fiona enters the picture and things get so much more interesting. Their friendship comes together over a shared love of nature and wildlife, and it adds this whole other layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
I listened to this one as an audiobook and Jenn Lee absolutely nailed it. You know within the first couple sentences when a narrator is going to be good, and this was one of those moments. She carried the tone perfectly the whole way through.
It's gory, it's got teeth (literally), and even though it's a shorter read I found it well paced and never felt rushed. There's a lot going on for such a short book, but it never felt like too much. Zoje Stage packed a lot into a small space and it worked.
Really solid read if you want something quick, gory and a little wild.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ nature horror
✔️ animal attacks
✔️ gory mysteries
✔️ unlikely friendships
✔️ retiring detectives
✔️ short eco horror
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Zoje Stage, and Blackstone Publishing for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
📖 Title: Something of a Calling
🎙️ Narrator(s): Jenn Lee
📅 Pub Day: November 17, 2026
💌 Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🏷️ ISBN: 9798228497078
⏱️ Length: 4h 34m
📌 Genre(s): Horror, Mystery/Thriller, Eco Horror
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Something of a Calling hit much different than I expected. Andy's a detective who's lost pretty much everything, her daughter, her marriage, and now she's about to lose her job and coworkers too since she's retiring. Not exactly the retirement she pictured, and then bodies start showing up with bite marks like something's been chewing on them.
Then Fiona enters the picture and things get so much more interesting. Their friendship comes together over a shared love of nature and wildlife, and it adds this whole other layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
I listened to this one as an audiobook and Jenn Lee absolutely nailed it. You know within the first couple sentences when a narrator is going to be good, and this was one of those moments. She carried the tone perfectly the whole way through.
It's gory, it's got teeth (literally), and even though it's a shorter read I found it well paced and never felt rushed. There's a lot going on for such a short book, but it never felt like too much. Zoje Stage packed a lot into a small space and it worked.
Really solid read if you want something quick, gory and a little wild.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ nature horror
✔️ animal attacks
✔️ gory mysteries
✔️ unlikely friendships
✔️ retiring detectives
✔️ short eco horror
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Zoje Stage, and Blackstone Publishing for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
October 16, 2026
Something of a Calling is marketed as a police procedural meets eco-horror. Coming in under 300 pages, I picked this up hoping for a quick spooky season read.
The story follows Detective Andy Cooper, your classic worn-down "lady cop" nearing retirement. After traumatically losing her young daughter and divorcing her husband in the aftermath, Andy pours whatever life she has left into her job.
Just days before her retirement, Andy is pulled onto an unusual homicide case. A man is found dead in a lake, and while there’s evidence of human foul play, there are also clear signs of animal interference. Things get weirder as more bodies turn up with obvious signs of wildlife involvement.
Up until this point, I was genuinely invested in the mystery plotline. However, a late-game turn completely shifted the book's genre classification in a way that I did not like.
As is often the case with police procedurals, the characters feel flat. Andy has little personality beyond her trauma and her careers. She's the type of gal who wears the same pair of slacks every day.
Ultimately, while I picked this up expecting a true horror novel, it ended up reading more like speculative fiction with heavy paranormal elements. It delivers a very loud, in-your-face narrative about nature fighting back - a commentary on how animals aggressively retaliate as humans destroy their habitats and displace wildlife.
Thank you to Blackstone for providing an early copy for review! All opinions are my own.
The story follows Detective Andy Cooper, your classic worn-down "lady cop" nearing retirement. After traumatically losing her young daughter and divorcing her husband in the aftermath, Andy pours whatever life she has left into her job.
Just days before her retirement, Andy is pulled onto an unusual homicide case. A man is found dead in a lake, and while there’s evidence of human foul play, there are also clear signs of animal interference. Things get weirder as more bodies turn up with obvious signs of wildlife involvement.
Up until this point, I was genuinely invested in the mystery plotline. However, a late-game turn completely shifted the book's genre classification in a way that I did not like.
As is often the case with police procedurals, the characters feel flat. Andy has little personality beyond her trauma and her careers. She's the type of gal who wears the same pair of slacks every day.
Ultimately, while I picked this up expecting a true horror novel, it ended up reading more like speculative fiction with heavy paranormal elements. It delivers a very loud, in-your-face narrative about nature fighting back - a commentary on how animals aggressively retaliate as humans destroy their habitats and displace wildlife.
Thank you to Blackstone for providing an early copy for review! All opinions are my own.
August 28, 2026
This short book follows a series of murders that seem to be coming from the animals? Our FMC is a police officer on the verge of retirement. Her last few weeks are spent trying to solve the case while also preparing for her next phase of life.
I really loved how this immediately drew me into the mystery of the deaths. How and why are these usual peaceful animals now killing people? Such a wild and fun time. I loved how the focus was on the animals in the end, how we treat them and act as if this world is just for us.
Overall a really good book. It’s fast paced and the writing style is straightforward, making it easy to focus in on the story.
The audio for this was amazing. I loved the narration, it was clear and I felt the emotion from the story relayed through her.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advanced Audio Book.
I really loved how this immediately drew me into the mystery of the deaths. How and why are these usual peaceful animals now killing people? Such a wild and fun time. I loved how the focus was on the animals in the end, how we treat them and act as if this world is just for us.
Overall a really good book. It’s fast paced and the writing style is straightforward, making it easy to focus in on the story.
The audio for this was amazing. I loved the narration, it was clear and I felt the emotion from the story relayed through her.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advanced Audio Book.
September 21, 2026
"Too many of them. Not enough of us." That's a fox, sizing up six people drinking beer on a deck, and it's the exact moment I figured out what kind of book I was in. The setup is solid: a detective two weeks from retirement goes kayaking and finds a body with a lasso around its neck and its legs chewed to the bone, then catches a golfer who got eaten on the fourth hole, and by chapter six the medical examiner is saying "raccoons" like it's a goddamn diagnosis. Animals getting sick of our shit and organizing is a premise with teeth. What I didn't sign up for is Andy stopping every few pages to remind me that money is the root of all crime and big-box stores look like prisons, while a guy on a street corner with a sandwich board about boiling lobsters alive turns out to be the wisest man in town. None of that's a spoiler. She's off on it by page ten.
It's also a horror novel where nobody stays scared for more than a page. The kills run about two pages each: someone hears a noise, cut to black, next chapter Andy's eating a banana. The mystery has as many suspects as a game of Guess Who with one card left, and Andy, thirty years on the job, spends a long time not noticing things I noticed from the couch. The big emotional monologue is about a shrew. I'm not kidding. Stage can write a scene (the morgue that smells like a hundred skunks is great, and a dead fawn on the highway got me for a second), but the whole thing is maybe 35,000 words chopped into thirty-four chapters, some shorter than this review, plus a nightmare sequence about hermit crabs wearing laundry detergent caps that I think was supposed to break my heart and mostly made me want a snack. Somewhere in here is a mean little short story about a lonely cop and a lady who lives in a van, and it'd be a hell of a lot scarier if the book had ever once considered that the animals might not have a point.
It's also a horror novel where nobody stays scared for more than a page. The kills run about two pages each: someone hears a noise, cut to black, next chapter Andy's eating a banana. The mystery has as many suspects as a game of Guess Who with one card left, and Andy, thirty years on the job, spends a long time not noticing things I noticed from the couch. The big emotional monologue is about a shrew. I'm not kidding. Stage can write a scene (the morgue that smells like a hundred skunks is great, and a dead fawn on the highway got me for a second), but the whole thing is maybe 35,000 words chopped into thirty-four chapters, some shorter than this review, plus a nightmare sequence about hermit crabs wearing laundry detergent caps that I think was supposed to break my heart and mostly made me want a snack. Somewhere in here is a mean little short story about a lonely cop and a lady who lives in a van, and it'd be a hell of a lot scarier if the book had ever once considered that the animals might not have a point.
October 27, 2026
Every animal lover should read this 🦌
October 4, 2026
“I just can’t shake this sorrow, this terrible sense that we’ve ruined . . . everything. We destroy everything.”
Maybe this just hit me at the right time, but I loved it. I seem to echo Andy’s sentiments almost daily.
Maybe this just hit me at the right time, but I loved it. I seem to echo Andy’s sentiments almost daily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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