From brilliant debut writer L J Weller, and narrated by Sex Education's Tanya Reynolds, meet Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter. Buckle up: there's a new slayer in town.
Three months ago, twenty-eight-year-old Tansy Bloom quit monster hunting. Since then, she’s been trying to live a normal life (whatever that means), but ending up single, unemployed, and living on a boat outside her godfather’s pub definitely wasn’t part of the plan. So, when Tansy’s ex-husband – fellow monster hunter Rex Barclay – turns up like a bad penny and asks for her help with his latest investigation, Tansy reluctantly agrees.
At first, the job appears to be a straightforward monster hunt – following a spate of large creature sightings, Rex believes a werewolf is on the loose in Norfolk, and he intends to capture it. But Tansy’s not convinced. For one thing, the mysterious black dog Rex is hunting is able to vanish into thin air. For another, everyone who’s encountered the black dog is dying in a series of freak accidents. Bad news for Tansy, who’s just come face-to-face with the creature herself.
It's my pleasure to be sharing my review of Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter by L.J. Weller today. Many thanks to Henrietta Richardson from Midas PR for sending me an audio file of the book.
As the title of this Audible Originals novel makes clear, Tansy Bloom is a monster hunter. Except, at the start of the book, she has been trying to leave a normal life after making a momentous decision which compromised the Humans First rule of monster hunting, causing a deep rift with her mother. Nevertheless, and despite her mother's doubts, the pursuit of monsters is in her blood and so she can't resist still indulging in a little hunting. In the amusingly dark introduction, she comes face-to-face with a smooth talking charmer at a speed dating event but although she quickly dispatches this particular adversary, her life is about to become far more precarious.
Tansy is a complex, likeable, if frequently infuriating protagonist but she has so much to figure out here, and so it makes sense for her to be so vacillatory in both her personal and professional life – particularly when the werewolf she agrees to help her ex-husband, Rex track down turns out to be a different, more deadly challenge. Rex doesn't make a great impression at first and it's initially hard to see why she ever married somebody who appears to be a clichéd bad boy. However, L.J. Weller gradually develops his character as the novel progresses and while his constant referring to her as 'Buttercup' continued to grate, I did slowly warm to him.
The supernatural and folkloric elements of Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter are inevitably the most compelling parts of the book. The legend of Black Shuck, the ghostly black dog said to roam East Anglia forms the background to the story and in LJ. Weller's hands, is a terrifying and apparently inescapable portent of doom for those unlucky to set eyes upon its monstrous form. Meanwhile the references to her previous encounters with various mythological creatures; most notably the beautiful, enigmatic selkie, Niamh and her sisters are fascinating and an integral part of the engaging storyline. Tansy is also joined by another creature, although in this case, not a supernatural entity; Herbert the grey heron is full of character and sure to be a favourite with everyone.
The death count soon rises as the afflicted meet their ends in a series of gruesomely freak accidents. Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter revels in its black humour but it is also genuinely tense, especially as Tansy and her friends face a desperate, dangerous race against time to stop the curse before it's too late. As well as the aforementioned Rex, Tansy is helped by her forthright, dependable godfather, Hale and a pair of keen amateur monster enthusiasts, Seth and Eden. However, as more people become afflicted, it's evident that trying to protect others is a heavy burden to bear, even if she could be accused of being reckless with her own life.
The rich history of folklore in Norfolk makes for an atmospheric setting, while the chilly reception given to strangers in Hale's pub and the very definite distinction locals draw between Wroxham and Hoveton, ensures the sense of place is vividly realised throughout. Tanya Reynolds' narration is a pleasure to listen to, despite some of the accents – most notably Hale's – not quite hitting the mark, and she distinguishes between the appealingly vibrant cast of characters well.
Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter is a thoroughly enjoyable supernatural mystery; the juxtaposition between the lighter humorous or romantic moments and the suspense-filled, dramatic scenes is impressive, and as Tansy's past and present come together, there are some moving emotional points too. I look forward to more from L.J. Weller.
Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter is an audible original. It can be purchased here.
About the Author
Her debut novel, Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter, is a Norfolk-set supernatural mystery inspired by her lifelong interest in folktales, ghost stories and urban legends. An Audible Original, it will be released exclusively on Audible and Amazon from 27th June 2024.
About the Narrator
Tanya Reynolds landed her first major role as a series regular on the Sky 1 comedy-drama Delicious. She is also well known for playing Lily Iglehart in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education where she was a part of the main cast in the first three seasons. Other credits include Outlanders, Death in Paradise, Emma, Dodger, The Baby, I Hate You and The Decameron.
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