# Strange Beasts **Susan J. Morris** *October 14, 2024* ## Synopsis About The Inky Phoenix **In this fresh-yet-familiar gothic tale—part historical fantasy, part puzzle-box mystery—the worlds of _Dracula_ and _Sherlock Holmes_ collide in a thrilling exploration of feminine power.** At the dawn of the twentieth century in Paris, _Samantha Harker_, daughter of Dracula’s killer, works as a researcher for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena. But no one realizes how abnormal she is. _Sam_ is a channel into the minds of monsters: a power that could help her solve the gruesome deaths plaguing turn-of-the-century Paris—or have her thrown into an asylum. _Sam_ finds herself assigned to a case with _Dr. Helena Moriarty_, daughter of the criminal mastermind and famed nemesis of _Sherlock Holmes_ and a notorious detective whom no one wants to work with on account of her previous partners’ mysterious murders. Ranging from the elite clubs of Paris to the dark underbelly of the catacombs, their investigation sweeps them into a race to stop a Beast from its killing rampage, as _Hel_ and _Sam_ are pitted against men, monsters, and even each other. But beneath their tenuous trust, an unmistakable attraction brews. Is trusting _Hel_ the key to solving the murder, or is _Sam_ yet another pawn in _Hel_’s game? They say it takes a village, but here at Inky Phoenix Press, we know it takes a coven to create magic. Our picks and publications celebrate LGBTQ+ voices and magic in all forms, and we now invite you to help us bring new and exciting voices to life. [Learn more about The Inky Phoenix](https://inkyphoenix.binderybooks.com/) --- **Bindery Exclusive Edition** $39.95 $19.98 --- **Buy Direct** [Exclusive Edition](https://indiepubs-us-refresh.myshopify.com/cart?isbn=9781959411918&publishername=bindery-books) [Paperback](https://indiepubs-us-refresh.myshopify.com/cart?isbn=9781959411642&publishername=bindery-books) [eBook](https://indiepubs-us-refresh.myshopify.com/cart?isbn=9781959411659&publishername=bindery-books) [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/95339/9781959411642) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1959411640?tag=theinkyphoeni-20) 100% of affiliate revenue supports The Inky Phoenix ## About the Author and Tastemaker **Susan J. Morris** Susan J. Morris is a fantasy author and editor best known for a writing-advice column featured on Amazon’s Omnivoracious blog (which TIME magazine online once called “clever,” and which she henceforth has never let anyone forget), and her work editing Forgotten Realms novels. Susan delights in running workshops for Clarion West and in moderating panels for writing symposiums. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her partner; her cats, Adora and Kitava; and entirely too many plants. _Strange Beasts_ is her debut novel. Find her online at [susanjmorris.com](http://susanjmorris.com). **Kathryn Budig** Kathryn Budig is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher, author, and founder of the community Haus of Phoenix and The Inky Phoenix book club, with a quarter million followers on Instagram and Facebook. With nearly two decades of experience in her field, Budig co-hosted the WebAward-nominated podcast, Free Cookies, served as the yoga editor to Women’s Health magazine for five years, contributed recipes and sat on the Yahoo Health Advisory Board, and regularly contributed to YogaJournal and MindBodyGreen. She is the creator of the Aim True Yoga DVD, author of The Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga, and bestselling Aim True. She lives in Charleston, SC with her wife, Kate Fagan, and their dog, Ragnar. ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why create hardcover exclusive editions only available on Bindery? - Who benefits when I buy an exclusive edition? - Are discounts available? - What is IndiePubs? - Where do you ship? - Will you create these for all future Bindery titles? ### Why create hardcover exclusive editions only available on Bindery? We publish original paperbacks, which are available at bookstores nationwide, so that our stories are as accessible and affordable as possible to any reader who wants to enjoy them, from anywhere they prefer to shop. Booksellers prefer to stock only one format, but we also want to honor the singularity of these books with a beautiful hardcover edition. So we made these editions available for purchase exclusively on Bindery.