Reading list - best introductions to cryptozoology?

Right, I'm trying to get into cryptozoology properly rather than just reading random internet threads and I want some actual recommendations for good books or documentaries. I'm after stuff that's:

- Actually researched and not just 'my mate saw something weird' - Covers British and European creatures, not just Bigfoot - Skeptical enough to be credible but open-minded enough to be interesting - Not too academic/textbook-y but still rigorous

I've already read most of the standard Colin Wilson stuff and I enjoyed Loren Coleman's encyclopaedias, but I want more depth. What are people reading at the moment? Any particular researchers or authors worth following?

For Britain specifically, 'Mysterious Creatures of the British Isles' by Karl Shuker is essential. It's properly researched and covers the whole history. 'The Owlman of Cornwall' by Mark Chorvinsky is brilliant for a specific deep-dive into one case. Both available on Amazon, maybe £15-20 each.

If you want something more theoretical, 'The Search for Hidden Animals' by Sanderson is old but genuinely interesting. For more recent stuff, look into Robert Macfarlane's landscape writing - not strictly cryptozoology but essential context for understanding how people perceive the natural world in wild places.

I want more depth

Then honestly you need to get into academic journals and actual scientific approaches. 'Cryptozoology from A to Z' by Loren Coleman (which you've probably read) is the best popular overview, but after that you're into specialist territory. The International Society of Cryptozoology has published papers if you can access them.

Watch 'Natural History: The Monster Quest' era documentaries rather than the recent clickbait stuff. And follow actual biologists and zoologists who write about this - they're more credible than dedicated 'cryptozoology' authors. Brian Switek writes good stuff about undiscovered animals from a zoological perspective.

If you're really keen, Tony Healy and Paul Cropper's work on Australian cryptids is gold for methodology. They actually do proper field research and analysis rather than just collecting anecdotes. Approach is applicable to European creatures too.