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Cryptids
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Kevin J. Kennedy
156 books336 followersKevin J. Kennedy is a Scottish horror author known for his fast-paced storytelling, dark humor, and unforgettable characters. He is also the curator of the bestselling The Horror Collection and Classic Monsters anthology series.
When he’s not writing tales of blood-soaked chaos, Kevin champions indie horror, supports fellow authors, and dreams up new ways to keep readers sleeping with the lights on.
When he’s not writing tales of blood-soaked chaos, Kevin champions indie horror, supports fellow authors, and dreams up new ways to keep readers sleeping with the lights on.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 13, 2026
I felt so lucky to ARC read this book! Seeing some authors I love had contributed sweetened the pot as well. We have classic Cryptid stories, but I also found out about some I’ve never heard of before; Champ, the Woodwose, & White Thang were all new to me. A few creatures were pure fiction I think-I couldn’t find anything else out about Old Scratch or the Skudda.
Very interesting collection, especially as I’ve camped in “Big Foot” territory, and swam in Ogopogo’s lake! If you can, bring this book camping with you to add to the eeriness!
Very interesting collection, especially as I’ve camped in “Big Foot” territory, and swam in Ogopogo’s lake! If you can, bring this book camping with you to add to the eeriness!
May 29, 2026
Classic Monsters Book 8 has arrived and the theme is Crypids.
Cryptozoology is a pseudo - science, though some of the creatures that were once thought of as legendary are now real, such as:
The Okapi: Long dismissed as an African myth resembling a zebra-giraffe hybrid, the Okapi was officially confirmed by science in the early 1900s.
Giant Squid: Once the inspiration for the terrifying sea monster the Kraken, these massive deep-sea cephalopods were largely dismissed as myth until the first live footage of one was captured in the wild.
Komodo Dragon: Rumors of "land crocodiles" in Indonesia were treated as sailors' tales until specimens were brought to Europe in the early 20th century.
Coelacanth: Thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs roughly 66 million years ago, this "extinct" prehistoric fish was discovered alive off the coast of South Africa in 1938.
Mountain Gorilla: Regarded as a myth or a terrifying beast until 1902, these primates were confirmed to exist due to discoveries in the Virunga Mountains.
However, you will encounter none of these creatures in the stories that follow, but the ones that still can't be proven to this day. Perhaps one day there will be undisputed evidence of Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, The Mothman, Spring- Heeled Jack, Champ, and the others, but for now sit back and enjoy these tales of terror that transport you into worlds where these creatures live and breathe the very air that you do.
Bigfoot aka Sasquatch is a large, hairy, mythical humanoid said to inhabit the forests in the Pacific Northwest.
In Sherwood Peak, the creature isn't only carnivorous, but hunts humans in packs. The Shape in the Treeline, refers to it as Sasquatch and resides in the Clatsop State forest, in Ashes On the Current the creature called Big Hairy in the Wildrose's Gift, it is the Wildman of the Woods and in Eyeshine, the dark shaggy mass was none other than Bigfoot.
The Chupacabra aka Goat Sucker, is described by some as a reptilian creature the size of a small bear with a row of spines reaching from the neck to the base of the tail and by others as more dog-like. It attacks and drinks the blood of livestock including goats.
You will encounter it in the story, Goat-sucker and see that it doesn't limit its prey to only animals
Te-chum’ mah, or ground people, are diminutive, invisible dwarfs, inhabiting the more heavily-timbered peaks and summit ranges of the Cascade Mountains, especially around Lake Keechelas.
In The Last Alliance of Men and Beast, a tree creature known as the Watcher, forms an army of men and beasts to battle these cryptid. .
The Beast of Bodmin Moor is described as a large, panther-like creature with black fur and glowing eyes, it is frequently blamed for livestock mutilations.
It shows up as a were-cat in the tale, Blue Moon.
Champ is a giant serpent-like aquatic creature living in Lake Champlain and predates Nessie.
In The Monster Below, The Monster Above, Champ is used as a means to eliminate an undesirable individual.
The White Thang is a large wooly cryptid that alternates between walking on two or four legs. It is often described as having a sheep-like or dog-like head, sometimes with goat-like horns, long fanged jaws, and sharp claws.
In the story White Thang, the creature battles a Wendigo to protect humans.
The call of the Whippoorwill has been viewed as a dark omen. New England folklore suggested it could sense a departing soul and capture it as it fled into the night. Some believe that if a Whippoorwill sings outside your door or window, someone is going to die.
In, What Sound Does A Whippoorwill Make at Night, the song might sound like Whippoorwill but in fact it is a shapeshifting monster who want to eliminate the human race and replace it with its own kind.
The Beast of Busco is a legendary giant alligator snapping turtle said to inhabit 7-acre Lake Fulk in Churubusco.
In Old Scratch, the lesson is given that when you search for a cryptid, it is best not to find it.
Cryptozoology is a pseudo - science, though some of the creatures that were once thought of as legendary are now real, such as:
The Okapi: Long dismissed as an African myth resembling a zebra-giraffe hybrid, the Okapi was officially confirmed by science in the early 1900s.
Giant Squid: Once the inspiration for the terrifying sea monster the Kraken, these massive deep-sea cephalopods were largely dismissed as myth until the first live footage of one was captured in the wild.
Komodo Dragon: Rumors of "land crocodiles" in Indonesia were treated as sailors' tales until specimens were brought to Europe in the early 20th century.
Coelacanth: Thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs roughly 66 million years ago, this "extinct" prehistoric fish was discovered alive off the coast of South Africa in 1938.
Mountain Gorilla: Regarded as a myth or a terrifying beast until 1902, these primates were confirmed to exist due to discoveries in the Virunga Mountains.
However, you will encounter none of these creatures in the stories that follow, but the ones that still can't be proven to this day. Perhaps one day there will be undisputed evidence of Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, The Mothman, Spring- Heeled Jack, Champ, and the others, but for now sit back and enjoy these tales of terror that transport you into worlds where these creatures live and breathe the very air that you do.
Bigfoot aka Sasquatch is a large, hairy, mythical humanoid said to inhabit the forests in the Pacific Northwest.
In Sherwood Peak, the creature isn't only carnivorous, but hunts humans in packs. The Shape in the Treeline, refers to it as Sasquatch and resides in the Clatsop State forest, in Ashes On the Current the creature called Big Hairy in the Wildrose's Gift, it is the Wildman of the Woods and in Eyeshine, the dark shaggy mass was none other than Bigfoot.
The Chupacabra aka Goat Sucker, is described by some as a reptilian creature the size of a small bear with a row of spines reaching from the neck to the base of the tail and by others as more dog-like. It attacks and drinks the blood of livestock including goats.
You will encounter it in the story, Goat-sucker and see that it doesn't limit its prey to only animals
Te-chum’ mah, or ground people, are diminutive, invisible dwarfs, inhabiting the more heavily-timbered peaks and summit ranges of the Cascade Mountains, especially around Lake Keechelas.
In The Last Alliance of Men and Beast, a tree creature known as the Watcher, forms an army of men and beasts to battle these cryptid. .
The Beast of Bodmin Moor is described as a large, panther-like creature with black fur and glowing eyes, it is frequently blamed for livestock mutilations.
It shows up as a were-cat in the tale, Blue Moon.
Champ is a giant serpent-like aquatic creature living in Lake Champlain and predates Nessie.
In The Monster Below, The Monster Above, Champ is used as a means to eliminate an undesirable individual.
The White Thang is a large wooly cryptid that alternates between walking on two or four legs. It is often described as having a sheep-like or dog-like head, sometimes with goat-like horns, long fanged jaws, and sharp claws.
In the story White Thang, the creature battles a Wendigo to protect humans.
The call of the Whippoorwill has been viewed as a dark omen. New England folklore suggested it could sense a departing soul and capture it as it fled into the night. Some believe that if a Whippoorwill sings outside your door or window, someone is going to die.
In, What Sound Does A Whippoorwill Make at Night, the song might sound like Whippoorwill but in fact it is a shapeshifting monster who want to eliminate the human race and replace it with its own kind.
The Beast of Busco is a legendary giant alligator snapping turtle said to inhabit 7-acre Lake Fulk in Churubusco.
In Old Scratch, the lesson is given that when you search for a cryptid, it is best not to find it.
June 1, 2026
This was a cracker of a read. I knew I would enjoy this collection as creatures are my favourite trope. This did not disappoint. Yes some of these stories are very violent, but some really pull at your heart strings too. I enjoyed all of these tales but I must admit that "Goatsucker and The Last Alliance of Men and Beast" were my absolute favourites for very different reasons. If you like monsters, you will love this collection.
June 28, 2026
This is a wonderful compilation of stories about many different types of cryptids. Some of the creatures portrayed I had never heard of before and that made this book really exciting.
The stories were brilliantly horrifying and in some cases brutally gruesome! All of the authors did a fantastic job setting up their scenes and creating that nervous tension that makes the reader need to find out what happens next. Here are a few of my favorites.
“The Last Alliance of Men and Beast” by Jack Finn is a tale that harkens back to Native American legend. A retired US Army Ranger is struggling to get by post military life. He decides a little time in the woods might do him some good to help clear his head. He begins to hear the sound of a steady drum playing from somewhere outside his apartment. What is that? Is he hearing things, or being called to his next assignment?
“Blue Moon” by James Yates is a tale of an encounter with a Viking cryptid that I had never heard of. Josh has been obsessed with this Beast of Bodmin that it’s put a strain on his career, home life, and marriage. Can Josh prove the beast is real and not just his imagination?
“The Monster Below, The Monster Above” by Ian Gielen is a creepy tale of what you cannot see, can hurt you! Alex and Ben are best of friends. Ben is always the one dragging Alex along just so he can get what he wants.. usually the girl. But people have been going missing in the Adirondacks and no one knows why. Ben wants to go check out this mysterious lake but Alex isn’t enthused. Will they find this mysterious lake monster?
“Eight Pole Protection” by Stephen Barnard is a story about a family traveling through the Scottish Highlands. They find a peculiar settlement with several cabins situated on the property that are available for staying. They get a rude welcome from the receptionist giving them the option to find another place to stay and keep moving. But the family is on a budget and these accommodations will work. Strangely, they are warned never stay out past the property curfew and stay inside their assigned 8 pole protection. What does that mean?
“Ashes on the Current” by M.P. Norman is a horrifying thriller about a group of friend trying to do right by a friend that has died. They have instructions by the deceased friend to take his ashes to a special place in the deep wilderness. These friends have known each other since college but not everyone is thrilled with this last wish. All seems to be going according to plan until strange sounds start occurring in the woods. Can they complete this last wish for their friend?
All of the stories were great, but these stuck out to me. This one is one for my shelf for sure! Go check it out!
The stories were brilliantly horrifying and in some cases brutally gruesome! All of the authors did a fantastic job setting up their scenes and creating that nervous tension that makes the reader need to find out what happens next. Here are a few of my favorites.
“The Last Alliance of Men and Beast” by Jack Finn is a tale that harkens back to Native American legend. A retired US Army Ranger is struggling to get by post military life. He decides a little time in the woods might do him some good to help clear his head. He begins to hear the sound of a steady drum playing from somewhere outside his apartment. What is that? Is he hearing things, or being called to his next assignment?
“Blue Moon” by James Yates is a tale of an encounter with a Viking cryptid that I had never heard of. Josh has been obsessed with this Beast of Bodmin that it’s put a strain on his career, home life, and marriage. Can Josh prove the beast is real and not just his imagination?
“The Monster Below, The Monster Above” by Ian Gielen is a creepy tale of what you cannot see, can hurt you! Alex and Ben are best of friends. Ben is always the one dragging Alex along just so he can get what he wants.. usually the girl. But people have been going missing in the Adirondacks and no one knows why. Ben wants to go check out this mysterious lake but Alex isn’t enthused. Will they find this mysterious lake monster?
“Eight Pole Protection” by Stephen Barnard is a story about a family traveling through the Scottish Highlands. They find a peculiar settlement with several cabins situated on the property that are available for staying. They get a rude welcome from the receptionist giving them the option to find another place to stay and keep moving. But the family is on a budget and these accommodations will work. Strangely, they are warned never stay out past the property curfew and stay inside their assigned 8 pole protection. What does that mean?
“Ashes on the Current” by M.P. Norman is a horrifying thriller about a group of friend trying to do right by a friend that has died. They have instructions by the deceased friend to take his ashes to a special place in the deep wilderness. These friends have known each other since college but not everyone is thrilled with this last wish. All seems to be going according to plan until strange sounds start occurring in the woods. Can they complete this last wish for their friend?
All of the stories were great, but these stuck out to me. This one is one for my shelf for sure! Go check it out!
May 30, 2026
This definitely was an interesting read. The book was something new for me in this series and it's definitely well written.
July 10, 2026
Cryptids is book 8 in Kevin J Kennedy’s Classic Monsters anthology series, and fans of cryptids and creatures do not want to miss it. The subjects of these stories range from the well-known classics to the obscure, and there were even a couple I’d never heard of, which was really fun.
This is a fantastic assemblage of authors and stories, and among those that particularly stood out for me is “Goat-Sucker” by C.W. Stevenson, a suspenseful and compelling tale of the legendary chupacabra with an immersive folklore feel and evocative subtext on family.
I was happy to find a story about Champ included, who is so often overlooked. But “The Monster Below, the Monster Above” by Ian Gielen isn’t only a suspenseful and gruesome take on that enigmatic legend of the lake; it’s also an intense character-driven tale about friendship and (oops! no spoilers) with a shocking twist and chilling ending.
“Eight Pole Protection” is also character driven but is a very different story and centers on a cryptid I hadn’t before heard of. The intrigue is fantastic, and author Stephen Barnard skillfully employs classic horror elements in foreshadowing and characterization without losing any of the story’s originality. The wicked climax and conclusion are incredibly messed-up in the best possible way.
There are 17 stories in all, and I could go on and on about every one of them. The diversity of cryptids, stories, and styles makes for a creepy and fun reading experience. Highly recommended reading.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2026/07/10/cryptids/
This is a fantastic assemblage of authors and stories, and among those that particularly stood out for me is “Goat-Sucker” by C.W. Stevenson, a suspenseful and compelling tale of the legendary chupacabra with an immersive folklore feel and evocative subtext on family.
I was happy to find a story about Champ included, who is so often overlooked. But “The Monster Below, the Monster Above” by Ian Gielen isn’t only a suspenseful and gruesome take on that enigmatic legend of the lake; it’s also an intense character-driven tale about friendship and (oops! no spoilers) with a shocking twist and chilling ending.
“Eight Pole Protection” is also character driven but is a very different story and centers on a cryptid I hadn’t before heard of. The intrigue is fantastic, and author Stephen Barnard skillfully employs classic horror elements in foreshadowing and characterization without losing any of the story’s originality. The wicked climax and conclusion are incredibly messed-up in the best possible way.
There are 17 stories in all, and I could go on and on about every one of them. The diversity of cryptids, stories, and styles makes for a creepy and fun reading experience. Highly recommended reading.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2026/07/10/cryptids/
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews