A review by ghostlydreamer
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 by Patrick Horvath

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

When I started this, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. I mean, the cover was intriguing, and it stared at me for weeks on Hoopla before I finally caved and read it. But I had no idea I was going to become so obsessed! As soon as I finished this volume, I went and pre-ordered the physical bindup containing all the volumes, even though it doesn't come out until September. That's how much I adored this.

Funny, because this story is so fucked up. And that's what I loved about it the most. Dark and disturbing don't even begin to cover it. And, in a world where the book market is completely oversaturated with recycled plots and forgettable characters, this book completely stands on its own. It's like a breath of fresh air. Because what really sets this volume apart from the rest is how unique it is, not only with its cute art style, but its story.

This story is set from the eyes of a serial killer, and while this isn't an original idea (I can think of other books and shows that do this), it's everything else that makes it different. Not only is our serial killer a female anthropomorphic bear (which is unique all on its own), she's also worried that her crimes, which are committed smartly in the next town over, will be exposed due to the unforeseen murder in her town that someone else committed. She is determined to find out who the killer is before the investigators accidentally uncover her own plots.

In this small town, everyone knows everybody. On the surface, everyone looks friendly and neighborhly. The art style is actually very cute, and when this is juxtaposed with gruesome imagery of butchered bodies? Oh, it makes you FEEL things. And I love that. The murders are violent. The inner monologue is riveting. The suspense that builds up over the course of thos first volume is immense. I knew I wouldn't be able to read all the volumes right away, but I was do captivated by the story, I immediately jumped into volumes two and three after this.

If I could give this 10 stars, or 100 stars, I would.