Monster in the Moonlight by Annelise Ryan
#4 Monster Hunter
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 1.27.26
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5 stars
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Sellers: Amazon
ADD TO: GoodReads
GoodReads Synopsis:
Do werewolves exist? That’s the question skeptical cryptozoologist Morgan Carter has to answer in the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling mystery series.
The discovery of a dead body along Bray Road in Wisconsin sparks rumors of The Beast of Bray Road, a werewolf-like creature that is said to inhabit the area.
The dead woman has been mutilated by some kind of large animal. The community is convinced that the legendary beast is not only real but responsible for this brutal killing. In an effort to prove them wrong, the police bring in cryptozoologist Morgan Carter, who soon finds that the mystery runs considerably deeper than whether or not one mythical predator is on the prowl.
Sophia Rose's Review:
Is there a werewolf out in the woods near Elkhorn, Wisconsin? Is Al Capone’s treasure hidden nearby? Cryptozoologist and cult bookstore owner, Morgan Carter, gets called in once again to investigate a death where a legendary creature might be involved.
Monster in the Moonlight is the fourth of the Monster Hunter Mysteries series. Though the mysteries are standalone, there is an ongoing development of characters and relationships so it works best read in order.
After the events of the previous adventure, Beast of the North Woods, Morgan is still working through Jon’s need to distance himself from her rushing into danger like an adrenaline junkie and that her ex who is still the prime suspect in her parents’ murder recently was in contact. Her life is calm if not content.
But, an odd killing near Elkhorn, Wisconsin sends the local sheriff department detective who approaches her through Jon to come consult on the case. And, the case, people are whispering that a local legend of a werewolf is out in the woods killing animals and now a person.
Morgan arrives in Elkhorn with her big comforting dog, Newt, and joins the investigation. She has a few clues and suspects to pursue and learns there are several potential motives. Meanwhile, Morgan’s surprised when the detective turns out to have a few surprises including his psych degree that he uses on her to analyze how her past is playing into her struggling relationship with Jon. But, other sightings and the danger rising pushes Morgan to get answers.
Monster in the Moonlight had more than one mystery going on between the local werewolf legend, the legend of Al Capone’s treasure, and the investigation into the murdered woman and why she was out in the woods at that hour of the morning.
I really enjoyed seeing Morgan work through her issues and grow personally even as she tries to learn from past mistakes with her gutsy way of doing investigating. I did get irritated when she pulled one of her old stunt of not sharing evidence with the police investigator when that person has invited her into his case. But, she is less impulsive and more open to others.
This was a fun mystery and I loved the moments of suspense. Another solid and satisfying installment in a series that I anticipate each new book. Cozy mystery fans really need to try this series.
Author Bio:
Annelise Ryan is a pseudonym for the Wisconsin-based, USA Today bestselling author of the new Monster Hunter Mystery series featuring cryptozoologist Morgan Carter and her trusty canine sidekick, Newt as they hunt for cryptids like the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, the Hodag, and the Beast of Bray Road. The books so afar include A DEATH IN DOOR COUNTY, DEATH IN THE DARK WOODS, BEAST OF THE NORTH WOODS and MONSTER IN THE MOONLIGHT (pub date 1/27/26). A fifth book is in the works for probable release in 2027.
Annelise also penned the rib-tickling12- book Mattie Winston Mystery series featuring the adventures of a wryly cynical nurse-turned-coroner in a small Wisconsin town and the spin-off Helping Hands Mysteries.
As Allyson K. Abbott, she authored a 6-book series known as the Mack’s Bar Mysteries (a bit of cheeky fun there with the initials on that nom de plume!)
And as Beth Amos, she has written more than 200 published articles, worked as a book reviewer for Barnes & Noble, and written five thrillers, three of which were published by HarperCollins in the late ’90s. She is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is a registered nurse whose past work experience has included everything from birth (obstetrics) to death (hospice). Now retired, she spent her last 20 years working in the ER.
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose
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