All Creatures Weird and Dangerous

by Timm Otterson

An improbable journey through the world of strange and mysterious creatures. All Creatures Weird and Dangerous describes the author’s experiences as a veterinarian drawn by chance to care for a variety of cryptozoological creatures. As a practicing veterinarian, the author is called upon, as if by strange forces, to care for a Chupacabra, Sasquatch, Lake Erie’s monster Bessie, mermaids and fairies in Newfoundland, and eventually a unicorn in the Highlands of Scotland. Drawing on his experiences as a wildlife rehabilitator and exotic-animal veterinarian, the author cares for these odd creatures, describing his work in accurate medical detail and touching on the importance of compassion and the need to respect all creatures on our planet. An homage to James Herriott’s All Creatures Great and Small, while touching on stories equally appropriate for an episode of the X-Files.

152 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2022

Reviews

[*₊˚ʚ ཐི kristen casara ཋྀ ₊˚✧ ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Creatures Weird and Dangerous is a whimsical, partially auto-biographical read that explores the mind of a veterinarian and the cryptids he cares for. Dr. Timm Otterson has created a series of charming cryptid encounters that are sure to appeal to more than few specific niches of readers. Veterinary professionals, animal lovers, biology nerds and oddities admirers alike will adore Dr. Otterson's inquisitive mind and love for all creatures. While diving into a veterinarian's account of fantastical creatures like Chupacabras, Sasquatches, and fairies, readers will follow along through Dr. Otterson's personal and professional life. The writing has a clear sense of self and is easy to follow.

I was lucky to attend a reading by the author today and was reminded of how charmed I was the first time I read this book, several years ago. The author's wife (and editor) introduced him, and mentioned how this book is so "him," noting that many books do not carry the author's voice the way All Creatures Weird and Dangerous does. It is a rare talent to pour life into words and stories on paper the way it has been done here.

If you love cryptids, short stories, and a little comedic relief here and there, All Creatures Weird and Dangerous is a short and sweet read (with an impact) that I highly recommend.

[Kaye Shumway · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would I recommend this book to people spontaneously or if they asked what book they should read? No.

Would I recommend this book to someone who hasn’t read a book in a while and wants to get back into reading, or to someone interested in cryptids? Maybe.

I did not hate the book, but found the storytelling structure inconsistent and boring. The author, while intriguing, comes across boastful and unreliable. Imagine if the guy you know that was dealt a lucky hand in life and mediocre-d his way upwards wrote a book about his incredible life-experiences as if they were achievements, when they were more random happenstances.

With the topic, I expected having to “buy in” that these experiences are real and factual (as I believe is the intended approach the author wants of it’s audience), but there came a point where it was a bit much. It would have been easier to buy in to the more fantastical experiences had the writing been stronger.

I do not regret reading. Quick, easy read. I would not read it again and do not feel the experience was impactful in any way.

[Erica Guth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for some charming magical realism but this book really fell short. Bad writing, meandering plots, lots of unnecessary information. The narrator mostly seems to be trying to prove how intelligent and interesting he is.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly disappointing. I think this would’ve worked better without all the memoir elements. The autobiographical stuff would have been interesting in an actual memoir, but here the writing is convoluted and the stuff about his life and how cool he is overshadows the cryptid stuff. Also, it’s really apparent this is written by a cat vet with some wildlife and vet school zoo experience, but not someone who regularly practices on exotics. Not as imaginative as I’d hoped, and stays pretty simple with some of the stories. Definitely also feels like it was written by a vet who graduated school in the 90s. The writing is fine but bland and straightforward. Lacks the poetry and emotion of someone like Herriot. The moralizing and facts are dribbled in randomly, and this book could’ve benefited from some heavy editing (more for structure and flow than grammar/spelling). Also, would’ve been more interesting with a fictional lead — someone who makes more sense to have all these coincidences and adventures (why would a top secret organization hire a cat vet who has just happened to see a few cryptids???). Very self-insert fanficy in that part and a lot of it reminds me of some of my older professors reminiscing during lectures about conference travels and the good old days.

[Gerriann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book to read. A nature book about mythological creatures and the Veterinarian who helps them. Fascinating stories about the creature especially the Chupacabra from Puerto Rico my favorites story.