The Inky Phoenix | Wayward Souls

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Wayward Souls

Susan J. Morris

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The delightfully dark sequel to the gothic supernatural mystery Strange Beasts.

Six days before Samhain—the night when the veil between worlds is thinnest—Samantha Harker, daughter of Dracula’s killer, and Dr. Helena Moriarty, daughter of the famed criminal mastermind, are thrown into their next case: the mysterious disappearance of two Society field agents in Ireland. Only this time, the Royal Society is sending Jakob Van Helsing to keep an eye on them.

Sam and Hel may have solved the Paris case, but that doesn’t mean the Society trusts them. Sam has the power to slip into the minds of monsters, and Van Helsing has sworn to kill her at the first sign of corruption. And if Hel can’t prove her father’s existence, she’ll soon go down for his crimes.

Their investigation takes them from the crumbling ruins of Ireland’s untamed wilds to the occult societies of the rich and powerful. The connection between Sam and Hel is electric, but as they fall deeper into each other’s orbit, their secrets only multiply. For Hel, it’s the sins she committed when she was her father’s pawn. For Sam, it’s a plague of death omens, mysterious black feathers, and a siren song no one else can hear. And then comes a chilling revelation that is poised to shatter everything:

The agents who disappeared were each haunted by a ghost. And so, it seems, is Sam.

With characters drawn from the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, Wayward Souls is a twisty puzzle box of a historical fantasy—perfect for fans of Genevieve Cogman, Theodora Goss, Freya Marske, T. Kingfisher, and Gail Carriger.

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Posts about this title from The Inky Phoenix

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jul 24

“I Hate Your Taste In Books”

This hits close to home.

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jul 9

Discount Code for YOU!

25% off THIS IS NOT A TEST and WAYWARD SOULS through the 13th!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jun 7

The Truth Behind Making Content

You see the finished product. This is what it's actually like. Oy.

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jun 5

Happy Pride from The Inky Phoenix! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Some of our favorite LGBTQ+ books and authors

16 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 24

Don't sleep on this ...

And a heartfelt thank you 💜

7 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 23

WAYWARD SOULS Inky Phoenix Zoom Discussion recording with Susan J. Morris

For those of you who missed our monthly book club featuring Susan J. Morris!

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 22

Sherlock Holmes is 167 today!

And we're celebrating with a giveaway!

6 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 20

🥳BIG DAY🥳

lemme upgrade ya!

7 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 15

[LINK TO JOIN FOR MAY 21st at 7pm EDT \ \ Join our Inky Phoenix Book Club discussion of WAYWARD SOULS w/ Susan J. Morris popping in to answer questions on the last half!\ \

Mark Your Calendar!

It's time to discuss WAYWARD SOULS.

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 14

I love this trend ...

but need some help!

4 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 2

A treat for you 🍭

Because you’ve supported us!

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 28

Hot Ones Wayward Souls Challenge with Kathryn and Susan

We survived!!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 27

Wayward Souls e-book sale!

for just $3.99. Grab your copy today!

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 9

Mwahahahaha!

GIVEAWAY for a VIP WAYWARD SOULS trunk box!

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 7

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! 🔥

(oh the things I will do for my authors 🥵.)

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 6

Poll:\ \ Join Hot Ones: The Wayward Souls Edition with Susan J. Morris and Kathryn Budig\ \ \ \ You’ve seen your favorite celebrities go on Hot Ones and almost die (or hardly break a sweat) and now you get to experience it Inky Phoenix Style! Vote below on when Susan and I should go LIVE on Zoom with our full set of Hot Ones hot sauces as we talk all things WAYWARD SOULS.

Want to see us sweat?

Wayward Souls is about to get HOT!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 1

Can you guess our April pick? 👀

Set upon Irish soil …

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 27

Inky Phoenix Presents: March Edition

For your weekend viewing pleasure!

3 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 24

Dearest Inky Phoenix Fam,\ \ \ \ We have a special treat for y'all as a thank you for being the absolute best! Susan put together these amazing companion pieces to WAYWARD SOULS ranging from bonus essays to fascinating research on the book. Enjoy!\ \ ACCESS BONUS CONTENT HERE\ \ password: waywardsouls

Member Exclusive!

curated for YOU from Susan J. Morris

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 22

Remember when we published our FIRST BOOK?

Oh how time flies!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 19

A deeper look at our WAYWARD SOULS cover art 👀

The devil is in the details ...

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 18

Miss our WAYWARD SOULS Eve Celebration?

All good because we're still celebrating!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 17

LAUNCH DAY, FAM!

The whole Inky Phoenix Press Fam is ready to celebrate!

5 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 16

Previously on Strange Beasts …

TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 15

Hot off the press from Parade Magazine 🔥

Perfect for ‘Penny Dreadful’ Fans”

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 10

ONE WEEK AWAY.

Our girls are almost back.

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 6

Who’s your daddy? 😌

Join our giveaway!

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 4

JOIN US HERE: Zoom link for March 16th @7pm EST \ \ Ring in the publication of Susan J. Morris' WAYWARD SOULS, the eagerly anticipated sequel to STRANGE BEASTS, with the Inky Phoenix family! Bring your favorite snacks and bevvies, and if you haven't read WS yet, try to before the call (also, if you haven't reviewed it online, please please do so!).\ \ Can't wait to see you all and celebrate Susan!!

You're invited to our Wayward Souls Eve Celebration Party!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Mar 3

Something very mysterious showed up on my doorstep!

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Feb 25

Featured in The LA Times

5 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Feb 24

SPECIAL FOR YOU! \ \ If you recall, we joked about making Daddy Moirarty hats WAY back (keep in mind that HEL is Daddy, not her daddy), and yes, yes — I did the damn thing. And as a thank you to our top tier members (YOU!) I'd love to ship you one for free to get you in the WAYWARD SOULS spirit!\ \ If you'd like a hat, please comment on this post and make sure your shipping address is updated here:\ \ https://binderybooks.com/settings/account/\ \ I'll start shipping once I get your request. (And I'll add some other Inky goodies in the package!)\ \ And this will be for US shipping only. I am so very sorry about that, but with the state of our country and tariffs, it's just not manageable at the moment.

A special treat for our Inky Inner Circle

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Feb 20

Our beautiful Inky Phoenix Press children.

💀🥂🧟‍♀️

4 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Feb 16

[ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE \ \ And don't forget to share with friends (and that the copy will be signed!!).\ \

Goodreads giveaway for WAYWARD SOULS

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Feb 7

That’s a sexy duo!

Hel might even call it elementary…

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Feb 2

Can we offer you an amuse-BOOK?

Quotes to whet your appetite for Bindery Spring 2026 season!

5 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jan 27

They could be monsters together …

Preorder now. From an independent bookstore, because that is the act of rebellion Sam and Hel would expect of you.

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jan 5

Susan J. Morris would die for an oat milk latte ...

Who wants to go through the end of the world without an oat milk latte!?

3 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Dec 20 2025

The Inky Phoenix Chats — December '25 Edition

Welcome to our end of the year wrap up PLUS a first look at the finished copy of WAYWARD SOULS!

5 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Dec 3 2025

ENTER HERE \ \ We are only a few months out from our new adventure with Sam and Hel (March 17th), which means it’s time to preorder your copy of Wayward Souls (the sequel to Strange Beasts) and enter our preorder campaign! Open internationally. Bundle #1 (Add Wayward Souls to your TBR on Goodreads or StoryGraph OR preorder a copy of Wayward Souls): 💀themed phone background 💀annotated first chapter by Susan and Kathryn 💀signed bookplate from Susan 💀reversible art bookmark of Hel & Sam Bundle #2 (if you preorder, you’ll be entered to win): 💀$25 gift card to Blue Bicycle Books 💀custom Wayward Souls raven bookmark Bundle #3 💀3 month subscription to The Inky Phoenix Bindery community (eligible for new or existing subscribers) 💀VIP trunk with exclusive promotional items and ARC 💀custom “Wayward” nameplate necklace Interested in a personalized copy? Order from Susan’s local indie, @brick_and_mortar_books and add your personalization request in the notes section at checkout. Click the bio link to enter. Winners will be selected in March and shipped in April. Don’t have a Google account? Email cj@binderybooks.com with your contact info and receipt to be added.

Enter the WAYWARD SOULS preorder raffle

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Nov 6 2025

Goodreads giveaway for WAYWARD SOULS

Only two days left to enter! 💀🖤

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 30 2025

Inky Phoenix Chats: October 2025 Edition

Been meaning to play catch up with the Inky fam, so here are all updates on launch week for LOCAL HEAVENS in NYC, the THIS IS NOT A TEST premier at The Brooklyn Horror Festival, and also, um -- maybe a new book announcement coming up. ;)

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 29 2025

Want to read THIS IS NOT A TEST and WAYWARD SOULS before everyone else?

It's so easy ...

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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 24 2025

LEMME UPGRADE YOU! 😎

This is major.

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 8 2025

Happy Birthday Susan J. Morris!!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 3 2025

So Many UPDATES!

Local Heavens is ON FIRE!

(and more!)

3 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 1 2025

WE HAVE AN APP!!

Download today!

4 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Sep 3 2025

[It’s that time of year again! Use code PREORDER25 at Barnes and Noble at checkout for 25% off these titles. Find all Bindery Titles HERE.

Big Preorder Sale

Care for 25% off?

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Aug 30 2025

[So proud of Susan! REQUEST HERE\ \

She's Most-Requested!

Wayward Souls on PAGE ONE of Most Requested for Sci Fi & Fantasy

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Aug 21 2025

Calling all reviewers ...

Wayward Souls is now on NetGalley!

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Aug 17 2025

In the beginning, there was STRANGE BEASTS ...

Time for a reread? 😌

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Aug 8 2025

Some seriously sexy ladies …

Our Inky Phoenix Press family is growing, so things can get a little confused sometimes, but I CAN tell you what is crystal clear: how gorgeous this finished copy of LOCAL HEAVENS is alongside the ARC for WAYWARD SOULS! 😍

LOCAL HEAVENS (10.14.25 by @krismfajardo: a gorgeous cyberpunk, queer reimagining of THE GREAT GATSBY

WAYWARD SOULS (3.17.26) by @susanjmorris: the sequel to the much anticipated STRANGE BEASTS! Sam and Hel (from the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes) continue their adventures in the untamed wilds of Ireland.

Both available for preorder! ✨

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jul 17 2025

Zach Meyer: Wayward Souls Cover Creation

I had the honor to sit down with the genius Zach Meyer ...

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jul 10 2025

She is STUNNING!

It's finally time to see the cover of WAYWARD SOULS!

1 book

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jul 9 2025

\ \ I'm so excited to reveal our WAYWARD SOULS cover on our Discord channel today at 3pm ET! It will be accessible to members only under Publishing Topics > wayward-souls. SO, if you're a member, make sure your Bindery account is linked to your Discord so you get full access! If you're a follower, now is a great time to consider upgrading!\ \ If you haven't joined our Discord, do so here: https://discord.gg/RHGWfjZX](https://inkyphoenix.binderybooks.com/item/8qWNq9cxWQ4FaH6CzQad/)

Want to see our WAYWARD SOULS cover?

Because members get to TODAY!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jul 7 2025

🏆And the award goes to …

INKY PHOENIX PRESS!! 🎉

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Jun 30 2025

Why is it the best time to (re)read STRANGE BEASTS ...

... because rumor has it a cover reveal for the sequel is right around the corner. 👀

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 17 2025

Be like Chappell …

Support your queers. Buy their books. Chappell would def approve. 🐺🥂

3 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 6 2025

Local Heavens and Strange Beasts do The Met Gala.

(And Wayward Souls!🐣)

3 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • May 2 2025

[Poll:\ \ Is this how you imagined Sam?\ \ It won't be long before y'all get to see the gorgeous cover art for WAYWARD SOULS, but here's a sneak peek at our gorgeous Samantha Harker! Keep in mind, she'll be about the size of a fingernail on the finished cover art. (MIND BLOWN, right?)\ \

Missing Sam?

👀

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 12 2025

Catch Up on WAYWARD SOULS with Susan J. Morris

For anyone who missed our Zoom catch up!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 11 2025

Want to learn more about WAYWARD SOULS?

Come hang with Susan J. Morris!

2 books

The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Apr 9 2025