The Album of Dr. Moreau

by Daryl Gregory

• ISBN10: 1250782104
• ISBN13: 9781250782106
• Publish Date: 18 May 2021
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 8 February 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 176
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Album of Dr. Moreau is a twisty novella from the gifted mind of Daryl Gregory. Released 18th May 2021 by Macmillan on their Tor Forge imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

I actually put off reading this one for a while (sorry about that) because of Mr. Gregory's history of straight-outta-nowhere psychological horror. I even avoided reading this one at bedtime despite the relatively short length because I didn't want his creepies living rent free in my subconscious. I needn't have worried. The powerhouse writing is here; it's a very very well written story, but without the gut-punch horror and creeping dread. The emotions hit me hard with this read. The H.G. Wells pastiche brings the pathos, there's sharp and wry humor (reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson and William Burroughs throwing fists in Billy Wilder's hotel suite), and grafted seamlessly into the mix is a credible locked room murder mystery featuring a wildly popular human/animal hybrid boy band whose skeezy manager/exploiter has turned up dead after a wild concert afterparty.

I really enjoyed it. It's very very weird and very very well written. The denouement is satisfying. The characters are sweetly bizarre (pangolins are, incidentally, my absolute favorite animals bar none), and well written and mostly believable. The science-fiction aspects were a bit over the top, but once readers get past the spliced sentient human animal hybrids, it's mostly smooth sailing.

Four and a half stars. Content warnings for drugs, sex, some gore, and rough language.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Quirky Cat]

I sincerely think that The Album of Dr. Moreau is the most fun I've had while reading a novella in a long time. Quite possibly, ever. So thank you to both Daryl Gregory and Tor.com for making this highly entertaining read possible.

The year is 2001, and the WyldBoyZ are making what is quite possibly the last tour. However, that statement doesn't work as well when they've essentially been on tour their entire career. This is a band known for its loud songs, intense lyrics, and outstanding antics.

Oh yeah, and the fact that they are all genetically engineered human-animal hybrids. That probably doesn't hurt things either. Their producer is known as Dr. M, and their career path is about to change when he's found brutally murdered within his hotel room.

"I don't want to be the one to tell her," Matt said to Tusk. "Maybe we could send a card. 'Condolences on the Murder of Your Scumbag Husband.'"

I went into The Album of Dr. Moreau expecting a quick and entertaining read. What I got was so much more. This novella was an absolute delight to read, one that had lots of comedy, surprise twists, and a few heavier moments to balance it all out.

In short, it was perfect. There are several perspectives to help carry this narrative forward. Each of the WyldBoyZ gets a chance to share their thoughts (literally), starting with Bobby, the ocelot. Following him, we have Matt the megabat, Tim the Pangolin, Devin the bonobo, and Tusk the elephant, plus the detective that has to put this case into some semblance of order: Luce Delgado.

I actually love that each chapter had a different perspective. It helped to keep the mystery going while giving us a chance to know the different personalities that made up this very unusual band. Each boy is wildly (no pun intended) different, and that in itself left plenty of room for interest and a bit of humor.

The final twist was unexpected but actually ended up making quite a lot of sense, which I appreciate. This moment, along with several others hinted throughout, succeeded in breaking my heart, at least just a little bit—one more reason to love The Album of Dr. Moreau and everything it had to offer.

Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks