Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Rachael Smith
Avery Hill Press, 2025
Who Killed Nessie? is a fantasy graphic novel from writer Paul Cornell and artist Rachael Smith, issued by our favourite British publisher, Avery Hill Press. It follows Lyndsay Grockle, a young woman hired to manage a hotel for the weekend as it hosts a rather unusual convention—its attendees are not humans, but mythical creatures and legendary cryptids. The guest list includes legendary creatures like the Loch Ness Monster, the Wendigo, the Yeti, mixed with contemporary figures like the Slender Man.
Things take a darker turn when, on the first day of the convention, the Loch Ness Monster is found murdered—giving the book its title. As the only mortal present, Lyndsay is deemed the most impartial among the guests and is tasked with uncovering the killer’s identity.
At first glance, Who Killed Nessie? comes off as light-hearted, but do not be deceived. Rachael Smith’s art style, bright and expressive, recalls the look of modern animated shows aimed at younger audiences, but the book is far from a simple comedic romp. Underneath the quirky humor is a layered narrative that plays around with identity, self-perception, and the tension between myth and modernity. Mr Cornell’s writing contrasts the terrifying reputations of the creatures with their all-too-human flaws and neuroses. These terrifying creatures of legend tend to bicker, gossip, and suffer from the same insecurities as the people who fear them.
The protagonist Lyndsay has her own struggles, which mirror the creatures’ collective dilemma. Lyndsay’s tendency to avoid straying from her comfort zone parallels the creatures’ debate over whether to remain hidden or embrace a more visible role in the age of social media: an era where exposure can mean either acceptance or exploitation. The Loch Ness Monster, for instance, has reinvented herself as a kind of mythic influencer, embodying the absurdity and poignancy of more-human creatures trying to stay relevant in a hyperconnected world.
As for the mystery itself, it is engaging even if not complex. Astute readers will piece together the culprit before the final reveal. But Mr Cornell cleverly peppers the narrative with enough twists and tangents that make the story even more meaningful. In our view, the satisfaction lies in the journey rather than the surprise. The murder serves as a framework for exploring character dynamics and personal growth more than simply delivering a shocking whodunit.
All in all, Who Killed Nessie? works as both a darkly comedic murder mystery and a thoughtful character study. It is clever, charming, and surprisingly introspective. It succeeds in balancing absurd humor with genuine emotional depth. Cornell and Smith manage to craft something rare: a story about monsters that says something deeply human.
Who Killed Nessie? is available for purchase via this link: Who Killed Nessie? By Paul Cornell & Rachael Smith | Avery Hill Publishing