Something of a Calling

by Zoje Stage

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.

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. teethmarks. 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.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 15, 2026

About the author

Zoje 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.

Reviews

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Stacy (Gotham City Librarian) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Katye · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jarrahlee Hurrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Leah Cherokee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Cooper lives a solitary life in Longdan, Pennsylvania. A quiet house, brushing the edge of the quiet forest, encasing an overall quiet life. With only 2 weeks left until retirement as a detective, Andy doesn't expect much excitement anymore. She finds beauty in solitude when she can, enjoys company when she has it, and otherwise tries to keep memories of the past at bay.

When a shocking murder turns up expectedly in Andy's territory, however, that sense of solitude departs. Bodies are turning up in strange places, with strange markings, and a nomadic woman's turned up on Andy's street. Connected or not, something's stirring in the air in Longdan, and Detective Andy Cooper is racing against a 2 week clock to find out what.

"Something of a Calling" is the kind of novella you should go into blind so you can fully enjoy the ride. As someone who's read Zoje Stage's past novels (which are arguably much darker), I fell into her comfortable, transportive writing style easily. What I will say about this gem of a story is that it's for the animal girlies: no, the real animal girlies. If young Leah had read this, let's just say that her life would've probably taken a drastically different path.

*Many thanks to NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing for my advanced review copy!*

[Lizeth A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage was an easy five star read for me. I was completely pulled in from the very first page and ended up finishing it in a single sitting, it’s that engaging.

The story follows Andy Cooper, a detective on the verge of retirement, who becomes involved in a deeply unsettling case. What stood out to me the most was Andy herself. She felt incredibly real and grounded, and I found myself fully invested in her perspective as the story unfolded.

Having previously read and loved Baby Teeth, I had high expectations going into this novella, and it absolutely delivered. Zoje Stage’s writing is accessible and easy to follow while still maintaining a strong sense of tension and atmosphere.

This novella blends psychological and ecological horror in a way that feels both terrifying and thought-provoking. Beneath the surface, it explores the idea of humanity’s impact on the natural world, raising unsettling questions about whether humans themselves are becoming an invasive force.

Overall, this was a sharp, haunting, and impactful read that lingered with me after I finished. I would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy horror with deeper thematic elements.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the premise for this book and the building sense of dread in the first portion. A quick spooky summer read. I would classify this as eco horror. I just wished the reveal hadn’t been so soon, a lot of the tension drops off quickly. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the author’s next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[ritα (ig: thrillswithritα) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nature will get her revenge!

What a great read. It was short, but impactful. If you are an animal lover and care about the environment this is definitely the book for you.

I wouldn’t say it’s a gruesome book, but more like a mystery/policial investigations type of book.
I definitely recommend it if these topics are or your interest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC of this book in return for a honest review.

[Sean S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something of a Calling is a shadowy murder mystery novel that follows Andy, a detective nearing retirement who stumbles upon the strangest case she’s ever encountered. Someone or something is lurking within the earthy confines of her home town of Longdan.

I really enjoyed how this book slowly unveils the layers of its mystery to the reader. The author does a fantastic job at making you care about the main character and her heartbreaking past. The book also paints a poignant vision about human interaction with nature and the balance between their coexistence.

My thanks to the publisher and the author for sending me an Advance Reader Copy of this book. It was provided to me through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Everything stated in my review is my own opinion written in my own words.

[jordan 🩵 · Rating 2 out of 5]

All thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book!

Well..that was a lot of words. I honestly am not entirely sure how to feel about this book. There’s a very obvious, somewhat preachy message that’s pretty obvious as soon as you get a few pages in. Which at 149 pages isn’t all that long, and somehow felt even longer. We don’t really get a picture of the main character Andy beyond a few simple facts and Andy is really chill about a lot of things in a way that makes me think Andy has some screws loose. I went into the book thinking I was getting a horror story and I guess there’s some gruesome moments but it’s downplayed by the sheer lack of plot. The interactions between Fiona and Andy were strange at best and given Andy’s life as a detective she’s extremely quick to accept the situation happening around her. I dunno. This was weird, and almost not in a good way.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded upwards

When I started collecting books, and really got into reading, I picked up one or two by author Zoje Stage, who had been talked about a lot at the time. I assumed she was a horror author, and saw genre listings that confirmed that, but have recently seen those books listed as thrillers, which is also fine. Either way, I haven’t gotten to them yet because I bought and borrowed way too many books, as I tend to do when I get into things.

The other day, I noticed that a new novel from this author was about to release (in September) of this year. It was available for request, so I took a shot, and figured I’d see what all the fuss was about this particular writer, whose book — Baby Teeth — was talked about a lot. This new release is called Something of a Calling, and it was both short and not what I expected. Even more than a day removed from finishing it, I’m still thinking about how I felt about it. I liked it, but it was very different from anything I’d expected,

Here’s the gist of the book’s storyline:

Things begin on a sunny July day, during which Detective Andy Cooper of the Major Crimes Division of the small city of Langdon, Pennsylvania, is out kayaking. Days away from retirement, the mid-50s cop is hoping to sail through her remaining days, but is unsure of what her life will look like afterwards. Divorced, long single and having lost her only child due to an accident at 6 years of age, she’s a lone wolf who doesn’t really have any friends outside of work.

All of a sudden, this thirty year law enforcement officer spots what seems to be a dead body floating near the shore. When she goes to investigate, that intuition is proven, and she notes that it’s missing some features — as if it’s been chewed on. Then, she calls in the cavalry, and ends up working on the case.

Not long after, another strange murder occurs on a golf course. A man looks to have been chewed on, but there’s evidence of a human having been there.

At the same time as all this happens, Andy’s untrustworthy neighbour spots someone living in a van across from her house, which ends in a forested area. The detective eventually goes to check, and makes friends with the homeless lady living in it, and even invites her in to shower, eat, watch TV and talk. Hell, she spends the night.

There’s something strange about the woman, and this situation, but Andy is desperate for a connection and a friend. She’s lost. However, she’s still got a job to do, and it’s looking like the killer isn’t human.

Something of a Calling is a strange book, the likes of which I’d never read before. It starts as a typical police procedural featuring a serial killer, which could morph into a horror story quite easily. However, it isn’t scary at all. Not even a little.

Over the course of its two hundred pages, or just shy of that I guess, this novel went places I never expected. It almost felt like eco-horror-lite, or something that someone who loves nature, is a vegan or volunteers with animal rescue organizations would write. It’s got that eco warrior tilt to it, and the end came out of left field.

Despite how unexpected it all was, I did finish this narrative in 3-4 hours, during an overnight when I was simply unable to sleep before a worrying appointment. When I started it, I really liked it and had a hard time putting it down. Then, I tried to sleep more, but ended up picking my eReader back up twice. It’s a cozy, easy to get into and enjoyable read, but it’s also different from most of what I read, and really surprised me with its latter half. The ending, especially.

It’s rather well written, easy to read and very easy to follow. Part of the twist was also easy to figure out early on, but not all of it.

Even now, I’m still not exactly sure of how to feel about this book or how to effectively rate it. It’s good, but the ending made me question if the main character would actually do what she did. It’s also one of the strangest books I’ve read. Still, Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage gripped me on a rough night, and was hard to put down. I kept wanting to learn more, and really liked its main character, Andy.

This review is based on a copy of the book that we were provided with.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Something of a Calling” by Zoje Stage is one of those quick, eerie reads that hooks you immediately and then slowly spirals into something much bigger and honestly kind of unsettling to think about.

The book opens with Detective Andy Cooper, who’s literally about to retire and pretty cynical about the world, stumbling across a dead body that’s been chewed. Clearly not a normal murder. It’s gruesome right from the start, with some pretty vivid gore, and it only gets weirder from there. People aren’t just dying; they’re being eaten by all sorts of wild animals. And not in a clean, “animal attack” kind of way either. There’s something off about it.

Andy is a really strong main character. She’s tired, a little lost, and dealing with a lot with her daughter’s death, a failed marriage, and the looming question of what her life even looks like after retirement. She’s not overly dramatic about it, just quietly worn down, which makes her feel very real. And even though she could just walk away from this case, she can’t help but dig deeper.

As the story goes on, the mystery expands way beyond a single case. These bizarre deaths are happening everywhere, and they all point to something unnatural with animals acting aggressively, intelligently, and in ways they absolutely shouldn’t. There are even chapters from victims’ perspectives (which really help set the tone of the book) and, more interestingly, from the animals themselves. The animals are definitely changing. They’re getting smarter, more coordinated, and even herbivores are turning into predators.

The concept is super unique and kind of terrifying when you really think about it. It leans heavily into environmental themes with basically the idea that nature is fighting back against humans, and while that message can feel a little on-the-nose at times, it’s also what gives the story its deeper meaning. Essentially like “The Birds” but with all animals.

There’s also a side plot with Fiona, a woman Andy befriends who seems to represent everything Andy feels like she’s lost, like connection, curiosity, and a love for the natural world. Their friendship is nice and feels genuine, but it does develop pretty quickly and could’ve used more time to really hit.

That’s kind of the main downside of the book overall; it’s short. Like, easily a one-sitting read. The pacing is fast, which keeps you engaged, but it also means some parts feel rushed, especially when the story starts explaining what’s actually going on. There’s a bit of an info-dump near the end, and you might wish the concept had been explored more deeply.

Still, for a horror story, it has a surprisingly thoughtful and even hopeful ending. It shifts from pure dread to something more reflective about balance, nature, and humanity’s place in the world, which is not what you’d expect after all the chaos and gore.

Overall, “Something of a Calling” is a creepy, thought-provoking novella that mixes horror with environmental commentary in a really unique way. This book is definitely memorable, and it might make you look at the natural world a little differently afterward.

[BiblioPeeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's not new—or news—that animal species are running out of room as humans move in and take up too much space."

A quick and easy-to-read book, this little love letter to nature and animals was quite enjoyable! Detective Andy Cooper is mere days away from retirement when she gets pulled into one last case. Bodies are turning up with bite marks—and they aren't human—though there are indications at least one person may be involved.

Andy is likeable and relatable in many ways. She struggles with long-lasting grief from losing her young daughter and then subsequently losing her marriage as well. Over the years work became her focus—she has no friends outside of the job. Once she retires, she's unsure of her path. To her surprise, she meets a new friend in eccentric Fiona—a woman not much older than herself and a fellow nature lover—who is a wanderer traveling in an RV, the perfect sunshine to Andy's grumpy.

While this is considered eco-horror, and it does fit under that umbrella, it's not scary or gruesome and only a tad gory. It leans more on the police procedural and mystery aspects with some found family thrown in.

It's evident that ZOJE STAGE is a huge nature and animal lover—I'm right there with her. Within these pages there's a very clear message—one might even say it's a cautionary tale—about humans overstepping to the detriment of other life on our shared planet, therefore causing nature to strike back.

If you're a wildlife advocate—like animals more than people—and a fan of murder investigations, quirky characters, and morally gray dilemmas, then you'll have a great time with SOMETHING OF A CALLING!
____

This was a fun buddy ready with the lovely Nikki Lee @nikkileethrillseeker, so be sure to check out her review also!

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 reasonable entertaining, the plot did go such directions, and And y went through such 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*

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Andy Cooper is nearing retirement, but the future isn’t exactly brimming with possibility. Maybe she’ll travel the country in an RV she hasn’t bought yet. Maybe she’ll finally get a dog. Maybe she’ll spend her days gardening beside the shrinking patch of woods behind her house. Truth is, Andy isn’t sure what comes next—and after losing her daughter to a drunk driver and watching her marriage fall apart, the quiet that waits on the other side of retirement feels more like an abyss than a reward.
Then the bodies start appearing.
The victims haven’t been stabbed or shot. Instead, they look like they’ve been chewed. Torn apart by teeth. Not human teeth. As Andy works what may be her final case, she forms an unlikely friendship with Fiona—a woman who seems to embody everything Andy has lost: energy, curiosity, a love of nature and the wild world outside town. But beneath Fiona’s easy smile is a secret that could shatter everything Andy thinks she understands.
This was just a fun read. Andy is a great character—world-weary without being cynical, sharp but quietly wounded—and I would happily follow her into another book. The central mystery is creepy in a wonderfully unsettling way, and the idea behind it is genuinely terrifying once it sinks in. My only real complaint is that the book is too short. The concept here is strong enough that it could have been expanded quite a bit, and the ending ends up feeling a little rushed because of it. Still, the small-town setting gives the story a nice, grounded vibe that makes the horror hit a little harder. So close to a five-star read that I could almost taste it. Even so, this is easily the best book I’ve read so far this year.

[unstable.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoje Stage's Something of a Calling takes a very unique idea and gives it life. I will keep this as spoiler free as possible. Detective Andy Cooper is preparing for retirement when a gruesome series of deaths lands directly in her path, each victim bearing injuries that defy easy explanation. Bodies have been mauled, some partially consumed, but the evidence points somewhere far stranger than an ordinary attack. As Andy investigates what is likely the final case of her career, she finds herself confronting something much larger than a killer. Stage grounds the escalating mystery and horror in Andy herself. She is a woman who has already lost so much that retirement seems to be just one more door closing on her. The grief she carries gives the story some emotional current beneath the bloodier moments, while her determination to understand the increasingly impossible makes her an easy protagonist to root for. The premise is where Something of a Calling sinks its claws in. Stage taps into the uncomfortable truth that humanity has always been awful at sharing the planet, then pushes that fact toward a terrifying extreme. The result is an ecological horror with an apocalyptic edge, made all the more effective by the story's willingness to paint nature as more than passive scenery. The novel moves quickly, but its brevity works here, creating a propulsive sense that these events are accelerating beyond anyone's ability to control them. Grisly, strange, and thoughtful, Something of a Calling is a sharp nightmare of what may happen when the natural world finally decides its had enough of us. Thank you Blackstone Publishing for sending me an early copy for review. You can pick this up September 15, 2026 wherever you buy your books!

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release: Sept 15, 2026
Author: Zoje Stage
Publisher: Blackstone

Rating: 3.75 ★ 

Your Thoughts:
Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage is an eerie and immersive psychological thriller that blends detective work with existential dread. Detective Andy Cooper’s journey, on the verge of retirement, becomes an unexpectedly harrowing exploration of grief, isolation, and secrets. The discovery of bodies with strange bite marks is disturbing, but the tension really builds when Andy uncovers the unsettling connection with her new friend Fiona. I was gripped by the mounting sense of dread that Stage so skillfully weaves into the narrative. The eerie tone and the slow unravelling of hidden truths made this a page-turner.

This book suits someone in the mood for something: emotional, tense
Pace: slow-burn
Plot or Character Driven?: character-driven
Strong Character Development?: yes
Loveable Characters?: no
Diverse Cast?: no
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
grief, isolation, betrayal, new friendships, murder mystery, strange phenomena, nature

Synopsis:
Detective Andy Cooper, on the brink of retirement, is reeling from the tragic loss of her daughter and the dissolution of her marriage. As she tries to make sense of her life, a series of unusual murders—where victims are found with chunks missing from their bodies—pull her back into one final investigation. As Andy works to uncover the killer, a new friendship with Fiona, a nature-loving free spirit, leads to chilling revelations about Fiona’s hidden past. The dark secrets Andy uncovers may shatter her entire reality.

Favorite Quote:
“The world isn’t ending. It’s correcting itself.”

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I became a huge fan of this author's when _Baby Teeth_ released, and I have enjoyed all of Stage's books since. This is no exception, and because of my own personal connections, it's already made its way to my favorites list. This short read packs a punch.

Andy is on the verge of retiring as a detective, and we all know what that means in literature; she's about to come across some lifechanging case that makes the end of her career a true epiphany. In Andy's case, this all begins with a series of strange deaths. These deaths don't totally make sense at first, but as Andy begins to uncover the unexpected truth behind what's happening, she realizes that my longterm assumptions are somehow correct. Animals, which are better than people, are simply not going to take it any more! Yes! I want you to hear Twisted Sister and imagine all of the animals rage partying to it!

In this house, the people are vegan and the four-legged members have priority over the two-legged. I know EXACTLY where I'd fall in the world of this book. I'm ready.

What's fun about this one is that there are many layers of horror here. Those that many will peg as the villains? Well, I'm not so sure. There are a lot of different ways to consider the characters' choices, behaviors, and outcomes, and that really adds to the magic for me.

I really enjoy Stage's twisted books, and I cannot wait for the next one. I especially enjoyed the audio version.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Jason Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage. This novel will be published on September 15, 2026.

Detective Andy Cooper is days from retirement. Years prior, her daughter, Daisy, was tragically killed in a drunk driving incident and her marriage fell apart. And before she can ask what’s next in her empty life, there is a gruesome murder case that lands on her desk.

This felt like a Mitch Albom novel. It was a well written, quick novel that can be read in a single afternoon. The chapters are short and the story is straight to the point and easy to follow. It was a fast-paced, page turner. Whereas Mitch writes heart-warming, tear-jerkers of a story, this story contained more bodies. Dead bodies. But a dead body can still be warm, right? And the murder weapon… Let’s just say that the murder weapon is a collection of many different things.

Immediately loved Andy as the FMC. She was relatable, grounded and level headed as a character and people in the same circumstances as her would probably make the same decisions. I think that the book was predictable given the clues provided but it was still enjoyable read. Decisions made could have gone either way and I do appreciate the direction that was taken.

The social-political commentary regarding the state of our current environment is obvious. Some readers may appreciate that and others may not. As for what side of the fence I’m on, well, ask me about my cats and that would probably tell you.

Zoje Stage absolutely made me a fan today.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some horrors don’t come from monsters… they come from what we’ve done to the world.

This book completely pulled me under.
What starts as a final case for Detective Andy Cooper quickly becomes something so much bigger...something unsettling, almost otherworldly, and deeply rooted in the idea that maybe humanity isn’t as untouchable as we think.

Andy is such a strong, grounded main character. She’s carrying grief, exhaustion, and years of seeing the worst of people, and you can feel how worn down she is by it all. Watching her step into something she can’t fully explain but somehow understands on a deeper level was both eerie and emotional.

The atmosphere is where this book really shines. The quiet lake, the small-town isolation, the sense that something is shifting just beneath the surface… it creates this constant feeling of unease that builds with every chapter.

And the eco-horror element? So well done.
It’s subtle, creeping, and almost… justified in a way that makes you uncomfortable.

The story really leans into that idea of nature pushing back, of consequences catching up, and it makes you question where the line between horror and truth actually is.

There’s also this underlying emotional thread about grief, loneliness, and what comes after a life defined by loss and duty. It gives the story so much depth beyond just the mystery.

By the end, I was completely immersed and honestly a little shaken.


Thank you so much Blackstone Publishing, Zoje Stage, & NetGalley for the #gifted earc.
All opinions are my own 🖤

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful Ecological Horror!

Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage is such a quietly powerful take on ecological horror. The kind that sneaks up on you, soft and unassuming, before tightening its grip in ways you don’t expect. Take the cover for example, it is seemlingly simple, but it contains LAYERS that add to the story and I found myself getting lost in it as I continued to devour the story. There’s this gentle, almost meditative quality to the story at first, rooted in grief, loss, and the aching need to reconnect with something larger than yourself while also entering into a new stage of life (retirement). Stage lets those themes breathe, building an emotional foundation that feels real and grounded before anything overtly terrifying even begins to surface. And then, slowly, that unease starts to creep in. The body count rises, and it becomes this echoing shout as everything comes to life.

Once the horror arrives, it lingers, it seeps, it settles into the bones of the story and turns something natural into something deeply unsettling. That contrast, between the quiet emotional core and the growing, almost inevitable sense of dread, makes the terror hit so much harder. Not to mention the horror of this story might not be the scariest to readers, but the more it sits with you, the scarier it becomes. Nature will never be the same. It’s eerie, it’s thoughtful, and it proves that sometimes the most effective horror doesn’t need to shout to leave a lasting mark.

[Brandy Dougan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something of a Calling is a unique and beautiful story with some gruesome and macabre twists. I went into this book expecting horror but I wouldn’t quite describe it as such.

In this book Zoje Stage takes us along the last days of Andy’s life before retiring after being a detective for 30 years. She keeps happening upon strange murder scenes where the answers are not clear. The bodies appear to be eaten by animals, but what animals and also why is it happening so closely together. We follow as Andy uncovers new evidence that may point to some the ing completely impossible.

The other storyline in the is book is Andy and Fiona’s instant friendship and the immediate way that we sometimes just connect with people. Their friendship felt like they had known eachother their whole lives and not only a few days. I loved the way the both felt like their lives had been connected by an invisible string and like it was fate. I really enjoyed reading about their kinship and the “squish” they had for eachother.

I highly recommend Zoje Stage’s book Something of a Calling to anyone who is an animal lover and sees all of the injustices that every species suffers through in our world. Maybe one day they will finally get their revenge lol

Thank you to Zoje Stage, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A police procedural mystery that morphs into a eco-horror story - though not a scary one - as a soon-to-be retired detective comes upon a series of murders.

Detective Andy Cooper is the head of the Major Crimes division in the small town of Langdon, Pennsylvania. She is close to retiring after thirty years but is dealing with a lot of life loses: her daughter’s death and her divorce. While kayaking on Lake Langdon she finds a decomposing body. Soon more bodies show up with unnatural marks that don’t appear to be human. She may be looking for a serial killer - but what kind? When Andy befriends Fiona she soon finds that there could be something more terrifying than the murders.

This is a strange book but with an interesting theme in today’s times: man’s destroying nature puts nature on the defensive. Andy is fighting for nature. I liked her and her beliefs. It’s a short read - more of a novella - it’s well written, easy to read and follow. There’s a twist that might be easy to figure out - unless you’re me - but not all it.

Overall I didn’t dislike the book but I don’t think it resonated with me. I world have liked more of the mystery and less of the eco-horror which really wasn’t horror. But readers familiar with this author (this is the first book I’ve read by this author) should enjoy it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for granting me access to this book.

[Jacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something of a Calling is a bite-sized, poignant story that will sink its teeth into you (literally). A ‘good for her’ tale, but the ‘her’ is a conglomerate of earth’s creatures working towards leveling the playing field against human tyrants that have long destroyed endless environments and lives. Stage has some really interesting ideas in here and while it is an incredibly quick read, the gruesome moments and messaging will stick with readers. As someone who often has strong emotional reactions seeing animals in the wild, this was a visceral experience that had me cringing and nodding my head in equal measure. I was left wanting more which always feels like an indicator of the quality of a novella. You can feel the passion from the author in this story which heightens the emotional quality. I think this book could be a jumping off point for some really interesting conversations, the chapters from perspectives other than Andy’s leave room for interpretation and a lot of questions. Who is truly innocent? Is violence ever warranted? Who deserves mercy?

A really unique read. Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC!

[Karli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage had an interesting premise and delivered a quick, unsettling horror read, but it did not fully reach its potential for me. The story follows Andy Cooper, a detective nearing retirement who becomes involved in a disturbing case involving unusual animal attacks and mysterious deaths. Andy was the strongest part of the book. She felt like a realistic, complicated character, and I appreciated the way the story explored her grief, regrets, and uncertainty about the next stage of her life.

The first half of the novella did a great job building tension and creating a sense of dread. The eco-horror elements were unique, and the idea of nature pushing back against humanity was both creepy and thought-provoking. However, I felt the reveal came a little too early, which caused some of the suspense to fade. The shorter length also meant that some character relationships and ideas could have used more development.

Overall, this was a memorable and atmospheric read with a strong concept and meaningful themes. While I enjoyed the direction it took, I wanted more depth and a slower exploration of the mystery. A solid three-star horror novella.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Detective Andy Cooper reaches her retirement week, she finds a dead body- and a dead end list of possibilities of what to do with her time afterward, when she is faced with unending options and time. Since this is a woman who has lost her daughter to a drunk driver, and a husband/ divorce, her retirement poses more question and daunting end than exciting landscape of possibility, so who can blame her for chewing her lip in consternation? The dead body brings with it the idea of animals who are "taking back what is rightfully theirs", fed up perhaps with being treated like scum by selfish human beings who take shortcuts rather than appreciate wildlife the majority of the time. This novella was hauntingly beautiful, with a powerful and evocative message. The women displayed here were so strong and courageous- I couldn't help but admire how gentle yet also how tough they ALL were. Stage blew me away, and with so few pages! Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[dnrizm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something of a Calling.

Bambi meets Jurassic Park.

Because birds and deer and woodland creatures terrorize humans. Because nature finds a way.

Andy is a grieving mother, a divorcee and days away from retirement from the local PD. But she finds herself in the middle of investigations of not one, but two bodies–both appearing to have been mutilated by animals.

I live in a suburban area right on the edge of rural. I have many of the woodland creatures in my yard and my wife insists on making sure it's hospitable for those little guys. And I'm trying to make an enjoyable habitat, I have grown to adore our little backyard friends.

I don't know if I could be on board with those backyard buddies becoming murderous horses though. But I also don't want to end up being eaten by a ravenous surfeit of skunks.

I loved Baby Teeth. Thoroughly enjoyed Dear Hanna. And this is the third book I've read by Zoje Stage. Very different from the other two books but very enjoyable. 

It really did feel like Michael Crichton working on a fairytale.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage. Thanks to blackstone for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Detective Andy Cooper is about to retire when an odd case comes up. Murders, by bite, claws, stomping- seemingly not by humans.

Nature and horror lovers, here’s one for you! This is a short read, under 200 pages, but it really packs the punches in it. I loved the main character; a police officer about to retire who loves nature and is grieving an unimaginable loss decades ago. Some of the animal portions were upsetting to me but I loved how it all was about balance between man and nature. The ending and explanation for everything was a hint more vague than I prefer. I am the type the needs endings wrapped up in a neat bow but I still really enjoyed the story.

“How do we live with the holocaust we’ve committed? We’re not the only sentient creatures on this earth - how do we live with ourselves? Knowing what we’ve done?”

Read if you like:
-Man vs. Nature
-Murder mystery stories
-Animals and nature
-Unusual investigations

Something of a Calling comes out 9/15.

[sarah panic · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If humanity was guided by the hearts of children, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”


When I saw that Zoje Stage had a new book coming out, I was excited. I love their writing and the books that they put out are always different and contain something unexpected. Something of a Calling was just that.

Stage created a connection to the earth and the creatures that are forgotten. She set a stage where they are allowed to take back and reclaim this land as their own again.

Through the main character you get to see the struggles between what is exposed to Andy in their job, in their life and why that has so precisely worn them down. Due to this experience Stage sets up the scene so that the reader can get a glimpse of why it is such an essential need towards the end for Andy to listen to the animals around her, to tune in.

Thank you NetGalley for this advance copy and I am leaving the review voluntarily.