by Grace Viall
First published 2026
Alexys took a Human Resources job at Entity to honor her father's memory without risking her life like he did as a Warden in the Appalachian Mountains. Entity catalogs and controls the world's monsters and cryptids, and Alexys planned to manage that work safely from behind a desk. When her new Warden Elliot vanishes while investigating reports of the Hollow Walker, a dangerous creature never before documented, Alexys faces losing her promotion. She heads into the mountains to locate Elliot herself, determined that no Warden will die under her supervision. Nic, Entity's Director of Research and Cataloguing, refuses to let his workplace rival claim the discovery alone. If he can become the youngest employee to catalog a new monster, he will secure his place in cryptozoology history. The prospect of time with Alexys adds appeal to the mission. Together they venture into terrain where ancient mountains hide threats far worse than jackalopes and ghouls, discovering why the Appalachians become truly perilous after sunset.
Genres: adventure, mystery, fantasy, paranormal-fiction, contemporary-romance
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, fast-paced, romantic-tension, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, rivals-to-allies, workplace-romance
Setting: Appalachian Mountains, Entity
352 pages · Paperback · Alcove Press
Content warnings: death, violence