Monster in the Moonlight by Annelise Ryan

Release Date: January 27, 2026

Rating: 5 stars

A visitor from Elkhorn, Wisconsin, comes to Morgan's store with an interesting story. A woman was killed on Bray Road - home of the infamous Bray Road Beast - and the circumstances of her death are more than a little mysterious. Local authorities are quick to dismiss the death as nothing more than an unfortunate meeting between man and wild animal but Wyatt isn't so sure. What will Morgan find when she arrives? Evidence to prove the theory of bear attack? Or something far more menacing?

I am kind of obsessed with cryptozoological creatures and the investigations into their existence. Spending a night sitting out in the woods like Morgan has been known to do, waiting for a creature to show its face, is not on my bucket list, but I definitely enjoy hearing and reading about people who do that. Another thing I'm kind of obsessed with is my cozy mysteries. This author has combined the two and (not surprise) I love it!

In this book Morgan goes to investigate the Bray Road Beast and a murder potentially caused by it. But right away there are discrepancies she just can't get past. We have a devoted (perhaps too much so) mother, a son with a variety of challenges who is more than happy to be doted upon by said devoted mother (what child was ever unhappy to be doted on by a loving parent?), a forlorn unrequited love, a super sus caretaker, a police officer who is actually possibly the fishiest one of all of them. So what on earth is actually going on here? I had an inkling, but was still surprised at how it all came together in the end. Oh and things shake out with Jon and you're not going to believe how that ends!

Another thing I love about this series is the covers. The designs remind me of old school movie posters or travel posters. Though the cover of the first book was completely different, I actually really like it too. I know they say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but I do. A nice cover, quality paper, a legible font, they make for a great reading experience and though I read this as an ebook, I still have to rave about the cover.

I realize this review sounds like it was written by the author's mom LOL! But I think this series is great and I think you'll agree.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest (and in this case, glowing) review.