This week's reviews (yes! 2!) couldn't be more different, and I highly recommend both. In all honesty, I struggled to read last year, so in 2025 I wanted to read a bit differently genre-wise and while still dark, I'm finding comfort in some less extreme options this year.
DEATH IN THE DARK WOODS by Annelise Ryan
1. This is not what you’re used to seeing me read; it’s not super gory or creepy. I’d categorize this as more cozy monster mystery with thriller-esq darkness. Also, it’s the 2nd in a series, and in true ‘I am a hot mess disaster’ fashion, I read this before the first book. I will be going back to read the first, because I enjoyed this one so much. While there are quite a few references to the first book in the series, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read it first.
2. Our MC is a weirdo. Actually, the whole book is full of weirdos, and I say that with so much affection. Their personalities and quirks really drew me in and made me wish I was a part of this merry band of nerds.
3. Morgan and her dog Newt own a horror and oddities bookshop in Door County, Wi. (Sadly, the store does not actually exist – huge disappointment for someone who spends a lot of time in Door County). Morgan’s parents were cryptozoologists so she grew up with tons of experience monster-hunting and debunking sightings. When a series of bigfoot related deaths are reported in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, she gets called in for her monster hunting expertise. The main question is: is she being hunted by the very being she’s tasked with finding?
4. I absolutely loved the characters! I’ll admit that some of the writing was a little cookie cutter, but I found it comforting. Something about the combination of odd people and cozy writing really just hit for me. I say cozy, but there are also dark and tense moments; it’s just quite a bit less than what I typically read. Either way, I really enjoyed this book!
Find it here: Death in the Dark Woods (Monster Hunter Mysteries Book 2) - Kindle edition by Ryan, Annelise. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
VENUS by Candace Nola
At 38 pages, there’s not much I can say without giving too much away. I’ve been really loving female rage stories and this hit the spot in a very good way. If you’re wanting a story where women win in a creatively different way, this one is for you!
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