2 1/2 stars. This is the second book in The Institute of Singular Antiquities series and really doesn't improve on the first book, in my humble opinion. The cast of characters (Rom, Evangeline, McTroy, and Wu) from book one are reunited this time at a lonely, isolated mansion in search of a mysterious animal known as the Beast. The group is one of three "teams" challenged with finding, capturing, or killing the Beast by eccentric millionaire Oscar Adderly.
Rom and crew (and the other teams) soon find out that they are in for more than they bargained for and the body count starts to rise. Throw in Adderly's bizarre family, wife Viv who's a medium and their spooky twin siblings, Claude and Cassi, and the plot takes on a couple of additional spins. It is soon apparent that the Beast has more layers than the intrepid hunters are led to believe.
There's just not enough interesting action (too many mansion scenes) for the plot to keep driving forward for this reader.
It's certainly not a bad book, but there are plenty of better ones to spend time with. I don't know if a third book is planned for the series, but for this reader, there won't be. ( )

I have to admit that the cover and the fabulous blurb made me eager to read this book. Alas, I did not love the book as much as I had hoped I would do. I loved the idea of the book, about a monster terrorizing and killing people in the mountains of New Mexico and the prologue that takes place 30 years late really piqued my interested. However, I kind of struggled with the book. Partly it was interesting and partly very slow to get through. It did end on a high note. Fabulous albeit sad ending I must say.

Thanks for the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley! ( )

Egyptologist Rom Hardy receives an invitation from a old friend to take part in a hunt in New Mexico. The prey is a strange beast that is haunting Nightfall Lodge, the home of a wealthy hunter and his family. The winner of the hunt will receive a prize of unimaginable value and something an Egyptologist couldn't possible pass up. But Rom and his friend aren't the only invitees and the beast is not the only dangerous creature they will have to face.

The Beast of Nightfall Lodge by SA Sidor is an enjoyable read for the most part. It's an interesting combination of the late 19th c American west and cryptozoology including werecats and a possible Wendigo. Unfortunately it didn't always seem to work at least for me. There were elements of the story that really didn't seem to do much to move the story along and seemed only there as filler. Still, overall, it kept me reading and for anyone who enjoys paranormal tales with supernatural beasts and a legendary outlaw or two, this might be just what you're looking for.

Thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review ( )