Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Beast of the North Woods by Annelise Ryan

1. Had you heard of a hodag or a cryptozoologist before reading the book?
2. Do you live in or near an area that celebrates a cryptid, or have you traveled to a festival that revolves around one? If so, which one, and how do they venerate it?
3. The mystery is set in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, which did, in fact, give birth to the hodad legend. Did it surprise you that this was a real place, and that its connection to the hodag is depicted accurately?
4. What did you think of the book's remote, wintery setting? How did the atmosphere affect your enjoyment of the plot?
5. It's clear from the prologue that Andy isn't the murderer and that he definitely saw something or someone leaving the scene of the crime. What was your working theory about who killed Brandon? Did it change over the course of the novel?
6. Morgan makes it clear to Rita and Roger that she's skeptical of Andy's story, yet she agrees to investigate. Why do you suppose this is? And later, when she reminds them they become angry about her doubt. Do you think this was a fair response on their part?
7. Morgan goes to the Rhinelander visitor's center to gather information where she encounters Cordelia. What did you think of this interaction? Does Morgan seem to deliberately antagonize the woman, in your opinion, and if so, why do you suppose that is?
8. Were you surprised at the town's reaction to Morgan's investigation?
9. Morgan often decides whom to trust or how to act based on instinct and gut feeling. What did you think of this investigative technique? Do you think it made her more or less effective than more traditional investigators?
10. Jon and Morgan argue about David's intent. Morgan thinks he did truly care about her, while Jon reminds her David was a con man and was likely faking affection. What are your thoughts about this?
11. Had you heard of eDNA before, and if so, what did you know about it before reading the book?
12. Which plot twist surprised you the most? What red herrings did you see?
13. Were you aware of the missing masterpiece discovered over the course of the novel, or others like it? What did you know about this bit of history beforehand?
14. If Morgan hadn't uncovered the truth, do you believe Andy would have been found guilty of Brandon's murder?
15. What clues led to the book's resolution? Why do you think Morgan was able to solve the crime while the police weren't?
16. Jon tells Morgan he doesn't think he "can be in a relationship with someone who has such a blatant disregard for their own safety." Do you think it's judging her fairly? What evidence suggests he's correct, and what makes you think he might be mistaken?
17. At the end of the book, did you feel justice was ultimately served? Would you have resolved any of the plotlines differently?
18. Annelise Ryan is a penname for Beth Amos (https://bethamos.com/). In addition to the Monster Hunter series (the fourth book, Monster in the Moonlight, publishes on January 27, 2026), she's written the 12-book Mattie Winston series as Ryan, six mysteries under the pseudonym Allyson K. Abbott that feature Mack Dalton, and five standalone paranormal novels under her own name. Have you read any other books by this author, and if so, which ones and how did they compare to The Beast of the North Woods?
19. To what audience would you recommend The Beast of the North Woods? Is there another book or author you feel addresses related themes or who writes in a similar style?
20. Overall, what did you think of The Beast of the North Woods? (no spoilers, please!)

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Berkley Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.