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Cryptids #2
Destroy All Cryptids
The Facility is gone. The cryptids being studied there are dead. Now the monsters are out in the open, changing the world forever.
Dr Borm is on the run with Cryptid Nine, desperate to survive for the sake of the hybrid child his beloved ‘Nina’ carries.
Shaw and Captain Case have become uneasy allies, both mutating after their encounter with the Wendigo, neither werewolf nor human.
Detective Leonard and cryptid-hunter Dandy are tracking a vicious pack of ghouls, whose savagery has sparked public terror.
And behind them all, a powerful conspiracy plans to return cryptids to dominance over humanity…
Dr Borm is on the run with Cryptid Nine, desperate to survive for the sake of the hybrid child his beloved ‘Nina’ carries.
Shaw and Captain Case have become uneasy allies, both mutating after their encounter with the Wendigo, neither werewolf nor human.
Detective Leonard and cryptid-hunter Dandy are tracking a vicious pack of ghouls, whose savagery has sparked public terror.
And behind them all, a powerful conspiracy plans to return cryptids to dominance over humanity…
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2021
27 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
David Haynes
27 books214 followersWhen 12 year-old David Haynes picked up a battered copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, he never looked back.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 14, 2025
Electric.
Please, please, please release book number three in audio soon. After listening to narrator Jeff Harding bring the first two books to life in spectacular form it would be too difficult to switch formats this late in the game. His phenomenal performances have hooked me.
Please, please, please release book number three in audio soon. After listening to narrator Jeff Harding bring the first two books to life in spectacular form it would be too difficult to switch formats this late in the game. His phenomenal performances have hooked me.
November 7, 2021
The sequel was just as great as the first book!
A small backstory:
Shaw and his companion dog (Girl) have teamed up with Captain Case as now they both have the Wendigo blood running through their veins and they need to stay together to get some answers that they both seek. While they are on the run, Dr. Borm along with Cryptid Nine a/k/a Nina are trying to stay away from anyone that wants to do them harm as they have an unborn child to worry about. Though this time there are worse things out in the world that they all have to try and stay away from which are ghouls that are now in the mix with other cryptid monsters that are running free along with hunters tracking everyone down!
Thoughts:
There is more blood, gore and action in this book, plus more intense situations with everyone having their own agenda while they are on the run and this book was just as fast paced as the first book. I will be curious to see what happens in the third book as I want to know what happens to all these characters and what happens to the cryptid monsters. Giving this one five "Maniac Monsters" stars.
For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
A small backstory:
Shaw and his companion dog (Girl) have teamed up with Captain Case as now they both have the Wendigo blood running through their veins and they need to stay together to get some answers that they both seek. While they are on the run, Dr. Borm along with Cryptid Nine a/k/a Nina are trying to stay away from anyone that wants to do them harm as they have an unborn child to worry about. Though this time there are worse things out in the world that they all have to try and stay away from which are ghouls that are now in the mix with other cryptid monsters that are running free along with hunters tracking everyone down!
Thoughts:
There is more blood, gore and action in this book, plus more intense situations with everyone having their own agenda while they are on the run and this book was just as fast paced as the first book. I will be curious to see what happens in the third book as I want to know what happens to all these characters and what happens to the cryptid monsters. Giving this one five "Maniac Monsters" stars.
For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
April 6, 2024
Cryptids continue causing chaos.
Okay...the plot was a bit messy, but I managed to follow it, more or less. I was having trouble keeping track of the various characters and a few new ones have been introduced too. A few months ago, I didn't know what a cryptid was. Now - I'm not a fan, but I'm coming around.
If you have a delicate stomach, you better read this with a chunder bucket handy, because there's lots of folks having bits of them ripped off and eaten. Lots and lots of gory action. The characters are pretty well described and I did find myself thinking, "No. Don't die Nina," or "Borm, you useless piece of dingo dung." If there is one fault, they are interbreeding and biting each other and now we don't have pure Werewolfies; we've got a whole bunch of other "things" blended in. It's a veritable pot full of mongrels...or ghouls as the author calls them. I guess this book is at least as good as the first, so I gave it a similar rating...and I suppose I'll have to read the third in the series.
Okay...the plot was a bit messy, but I managed to follow it, more or less. I was having trouble keeping track of the various characters and a few new ones have been introduced too. A few months ago, I didn't know what a cryptid was. Now - I'm not a fan, but I'm coming around.
If you have a delicate stomach, you better read this with a chunder bucket handy, because there's lots of folks having bits of them ripped off and eaten. Lots and lots of gory action. The characters are pretty well described and I did find myself thinking, "No. Don't die Nina," or "Borm, you useless piece of dingo dung." If there is one fault, they are interbreeding and biting each other and now we don't have pure Werewolfies; we've got a whole bunch of other "things" blended in. It's a veritable pot full of mongrels...or ghouls as the author calls them. I guess this book is at least as good as the first, so I gave it a similar rating...and I suppose I'll have to read the third in the series.
September 9, 2021
Awesome book
This is definitely worth your time, I really liked the character's. I can't wait until the next book. This author is really good.
This is definitely worth your time, I really liked the character's. I can't wait until the next book. This author is really good.
July 4, 2021
This is the second in the Cryptids series. I always look forward to a David Haynes novel and he never disappoints. Cryptids are ‘hidden creatures’ – monsters, we might say, like Sasquatch, Bigfoot, were-creatures, for example. After Book 1 we have groups living off the grid, some trying to get back to the Facility where they were caged, for revenge. The author manages to make me side with monsters! I hope this series goes from strength to strength as a new character, Rose, has me intrigued. If you love horror, give this series a go. The first is ‘Cryptids’ and they’re both 5* reads for me.
July 5, 2021
Great read
I read this in one sitting. Non stop action. All kinds of cryptids. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I read this in one sitting. Non stop action. All kinds of cryptids. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 11, 2024
We have all types of creatures in this one.
October 29, 2024
DNF 30% I usually love David Haynes books but this one was just too much cannibalism for me!! To gorey, bloody and so detailed in the gorging on human bodies!! The first book in this series was great! For gore lovers TUCK IN!! lol
December 23, 2021
The second book in an ongoing horror series continues to be a must read for me.
New characters are introduced and characters we met in the first book are more fleshed out, are no longer quite what we expected from their actions in book one. Nothing in this book is quite so black and white as in the first. I read a lot of horror and rarely do I come across characters who when forced by circumstances change so much in response to new challenges. Of course, the series is not over and how permanent those changes are is still up in the air. I definitely feel David Haynes is an author more people should be reading, he has a strong back catalogue, his books are visceral, fast paced and very affordable on kindle. He's also producing some of the most readable horror I've come across in recent years. I eagerly await book three.
New characters are introduced and characters we met in the first book are more fleshed out, are no longer quite what we expected from their actions in book one. Nothing in this book is quite so black and white as in the first. I read a lot of horror and rarely do I come across characters who when forced by circumstances change so much in response to new challenges. Of course, the series is not over and how permanent those changes are is still up in the air. I definitely feel David Haynes is an author more people should be reading, he has a strong back catalogue, his books are visceral, fast paced and very affordable on kindle. He's also producing some of the most readable horror I've come across in recent years. I eagerly await book three.
September 17, 2021
A great follow up to the first book. Follows the same characters on their journey with a few others added in. FYI i love Dandy and Lenny - i think some side mission books with these two would be brilliant.
My only slight on the book is there aren't all that many cryptids in it. Personally i would have liked a bit more variety but hey, that's just me. I still loved the book and the characters.
Book 3 please, Mr. Haynes!
My only slight on the book is there aren't all that many cryptids in it. Personally i would have liked a bit more variety but hey, that's just me. I still loved the book and the characters.
Book 3 please, Mr. Haynes!
December 1, 2024
They want chaos. They were born from it and they want it back. They want the realization of a new order.
5 stars, write it down in ink! Oh how delicious! I refused to budge from my comfy reading chair today at all until I had the chance to utterly consume this book! David Haynes's second book in his "Cryptids" series, namely, "Destroy All Cryptids" strikes a perfect balance between continuing the story we were introduced to in Book 1 while also developing new aspects to drive the action forward at a breakneck pace! And not only that but we're introduced to new 'participants' on all sides of the equation along with a couple of new monsters that will leave you howling at the moon with joy and not just a subtle hint of hunger for more! Honestly? I just want to get this review done as quickly as possible for no other reason than to be able to dive into Book 3 at once!
His wails formed the screeching guitar solo to the morbid melody his mind was toying with.
But fear not: the proceeding bits are not just thrown away all willy-nilly. Of our previous cast, we spend quite a good time with Borm, Nina, and Case from the now defunct Facility, as well as Shaw. However two of these players are not doing well, as the poison they absorbed from the Wendigo is slowly but surely changing them into something, well, diseased and "other". Much of Case's bravado is missing as his illness grows and Shaw finds himself stuck somewhere between wolf, man… and a horror that he thought his kind had long put behind them. At least Girl seems to be in good shape! So for those of you that hate to see the dog get killed - and then reborn again - well, she continues to hold her own.
Deep inside him, a fight was taking place; his will against the Wendigo’s death rattle.
However, a much more complex mystery is waiting in the wings, which Haynes springs on us with just the right amount of disclosure but still with a ton of WTFness left to solve! And I'm not just talking about the apparent escape of the pseudo-Sasquatch nor the werebear, both of whom survived the destruction of the old base. No, this time it takes David Kirby aka Director One to start us off on this part of the journey as he's called in to report about the whole Facility destruction-slash-clusterfuck to who(m) he assumes are his immediate - and in many ways well-known (read: bribeable) - superiors. However, he horrifyingly learns only too quickly that there is another power at play besides the US Government in all of this. Or maybe they're actual US Government but just not in any way that could have been foreseen! No, these new "superiors" have a much more nefarious plan for not only him but for the citizens of the United States and possibly the world. It seems the time for hiding is over and that there are plans to reorder the top of the food chain. After all, for centuries now, humans have proven themselves to be heartless, callous creatures who believed they were gods. Well, maybe it's for new gods! (yes, you may cue the evil laughter now if you'd like)
The chaotic ruin that this country would become would be felt for a very long time.
From here we go on and see some truly gruesome but top-notch cryptidesque action, getting to know soon-to-be-retired Detective Dominic Leonard - "Lenny" to everyone else - along the way. This fine, upstanding member of the Oracle PD - who I swear I kept hearing mumble "I'm too old for this shit" - finds himself quickly out of his league with the new, nightmarish threats that brutally (underline that!) kill far too many people for anyone's comfort. In fact, he would have met his ultimate fate at the hands of these new manufactured demons if not for the timely appearance of one machete-wielding, hard-drinking fella by the name of Dandy. Seems ol' Dandy has more than just a little experience dealing with cryptids. Not to mention he's a connoisseur of the finest food in every dive joint and greasy diner along the way. So yeah, next thing you know, Lenny takes slightly early retirement so that the two of them can get on the road chasing down leads to finding all kinds of the folks we met before - along with some new t(h)reats, too. But at least they help save the baby… oops, I've said too much, haven't I? Yeah, trust me, it's a hell of a lot of fun getting to that point in the story, assuming you don't mind watching the body count add up along the way!
Monsters are real. They like scaring people and they like killing people.
So again, top-notch writing, excellent pacing, and a host of characters that just leap off the page (or over your house, your call) and burrow right into your occipital lobe! This is not only cryptid-based horror at its absolute finest, this is excellent story-telling! Just seeing how we've now progressed from point A to B and are set up so perfectly for whatever the hell is going to happen at point C is amazing. And there is just no way I could have imagined so much of what happens nor to decipher all of the surprises that pop up throughout this particular chapter! Great stuff, gotta run, see you after "Rose" (where I know to whom this title is referring)! Just be careful of her thorns, they'll scratch! Oh and before I forget: my guess about chupacabras was totally wrong. You'll see…
5 stars, write it down in ink! Oh how delicious! I refused to budge from my comfy reading chair today at all until I had the chance to utterly consume this book! David Haynes's second book in his "Cryptids" series, namely, "Destroy All Cryptids" strikes a perfect balance between continuing the story we were introduced to in Book 1 while also developing new aspects to drive the action forward at a breakneck pace! And not only that but we're introduced to new 'participants' on all sides of the equation along with a couple of new monsters that will leave you howling at the moon with joy and not just a subtle hint of hunger for more! Honestly? I just want to get this review done as quickly as possible for no other reason than to be able to dive into Book 3 at once!
His wails formed the screeching guitar solo to the morbid melody his mind was toying with.
But fear not: the proceeding bits are not just thrown away all willy-nilly. Of our previous cast, we spend quite a good time with Borm, Nina, and Case from the now defunct Facility, as well as Shaw. However two of these players are not doing well, as the poison they absorbed from the Wendigo is slowly but surely changing them into something, well, diseased and "other". Much of Case's bravado is missing as his illness grows and Shaw finds himself stuck somewhere between wolf, man… and a horror that he thought his kind had long put behind them. At least Girl seems to be in good shape! So for those of you that hate to see the dog get killed - and then reborn again - well, she continues to hold her own.
Deep inside him, a fight was taking place; his will against the Wendigo’s death rattle.
However, a much more complex mystery is waiting in the wings, which Haynes springs on us with just the right amount of disclosure but still with a ton of WTFness left to solve! And I'm not just talking about the apparent escape of the pseudo-Sasquatch nor the werebear, both of whom survived the destruction of the old base. No, this time it takes David Kirby aka Director One to start us off on this part of the journey as he's called in to report about the whole Facility destruction-slash-clusterfuck to who(m) he assumes are his immediate - and in many ways well-known (read: bribeable) - superiors. However, he horrifyingly learns only too quickly that there is another power at play besides the US Government in all of this. Or maybe they're actual US Government but just not in any way that could have been foreseen! No, these new "superiors" have a much more nefarious plan for not only him but for the citizens of the United States and possibly the world. It seems the time for hiding is over and that there are plans to reorder the top of the food chain. After all, for centuries now, humans have proven themselves to be heartless, callous creatures who believed they were gods. Well, maybe it's for new gods! (yes, you may cue the evil laughter now if you'd like)
The chaotic ruin that this country would become would be felt for a very long time.
From here we go on and see some truly gruesome but top-notch cryptidesque action, getting to know soon-to-be-retired Detective Dominic Leonard - "Lenny" to everyone else - along the way. This fine, upstanding member of the Oracle PD - who I swear I kept hearing mumble "I'm too old for this shit" - finds himself quickly out of his league with the new, nightmarish threats that brutally (underline that!) kill far too many people for anyone's comfort. In fact, he would have met his ultimate fate at the hands of these new manufactured demons if not for the timely appearance of one machete-wielding, hard-drinking fella by the name of Dandy. Seems ol' Dandy has more than just a little experience dealing with cryptids. Not to mention he's a connoisseur of the finest food in every dive joint and greasy diner along the way. So yeah, next thing you know, Lenny takes slightly early retirement so that the two of them can get on the road chasing down leads to finding all kinds of the folks we met before - along with some new t(h)reats, too. But at least they help save the baby… oops, I've said too much, haven't I? Yeah, trust me, it's a hell of a lot of fun getting to that point in the story, assuming you don't mind watching the body count add up along the way!
Monsters are real. They like scaring people and they like killing people.
So again, top-notch writing, excellent pacing, and a host of characters that just leap off the page (or over your house, your call) and burrow right into your occipital lobe! This is not only cryptid-based horror at its absolute finest, this is excellent story-telling! Just seeing how we've now progressed from point A to B and are set up so perfectly for whatever the hell is going to happen at point C is amazing. And there is just no way I could have imagined so much of what happens nor to decipher all of the surprises that pop up throughout this particular chapter! Great stuff, gotta run, see you after "Rose" (where I know to whom this title is referring)! Just be careful of her thorns, they'll scratch! Oh and before I forget: my guess about chupacabras was totally wrong. You'll see…
July 24, 2021
Ok I'm hooked
I thought th in s would be the end ok how wrong I was. I'm now hooked and I need to to what happens to Rose Shaw Girl Case and all the rest. I like this story its different and moves through the plot well. So now I am waiting for book 3.
I thought th in s would be the end ok how wrong I was. I'm now hooked and I need to to what happens to Rose Shaw Girl Case and all the rest. I like this story its different and moves through the plot well. So now I am waiting for book 3.
April 22, 2022
Gained altitude fast.
My last review discussed how impressed I was with the first book in the series and its ability to paint such a intriguing picture with only two theaters of action. In this next installment of the series, it seems like the authors expanded the universe and characters in a manner that might be a little too fast as a result of such a narrow scope. Still a good read. Still great cryptid story. It just suffers from a little whiplash
My last review discussed how impressed I was with the first book in the series and its ability to paint such a intriguing picture with only two theaters of action. In this next installment of the series, it seems like the authors expanded the universe and characters in a manner that might be a little too fast as a result of such a narrow scope. Still a good read. Still great cryptid story. It just suffers from a little whiplash
March 31, 2025
This creature feature has everything from a one-armed retired cop to a redneck brawler. That's just the new human characters in Destroy All Cryptids. Our old pals from Cryptids, Shaw, Nina, and Borm are back too. There are also ghouls! THere's also an insane fight or two! THere's also much more that I can't say because I like to keep these reviews spoiler free. But you can bet your ass I'm reading the third one! That's it. That's my review.
August 1, 2024
I need book 3 in my life.
Fantastic story of monsters and thriller, all bearing down on a gorey murder spree.
I wasn't expecting such a world-building story but what a crazy brutal one that's been made. Go read the first one and I'll meet you as we go onto the third book.
Fantastic story of monsters and thriller, all bearing down on a gorey murder spree.
I wasn't expecting such a world-building story but what a crazy brutal one that's been made. Go read the first one and I'll meet you as we go onto the third book.
December 30, 2024
Book number two got a little weird for me. The focus on the relationship between Nina and the Dr got to be much but that is just me.
I did like the evolution of the other char. as he finds out more about his abilities and what he is capable of.
I did like the evolution of the other char. as he finds out more about his abilities and what he is capable of.
September 25, 2021
Soooooo many typos though. Too bad.
May 5, 2023
Good story so far
Good story so far. We will see how the next book shapes up. Lot of loose threads to tie up.
Good story so far. We will see how the next book shapes up. Lot of loose threads to tie up.
March 2, 2024
if you like cryptid horror read this series
Cryptid horror is usually hit or miss but this series knocks it out of the park! It’s horrifying and gross but oh so fun to read
Cryptid horror is usually hit or miss but this series knocks it out of the park! It’s horrifying and gross but oh so fun to read
June 4, 2024
Free with audible membership, 2nd book in the series. Great expansion on the characters from the 1st book and improved storyline.
July 5, 2025
Worthy follow up to the brilluant 1st novel, David Haynes books are like pringles, once you pop, you cant stop. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews