A delightful debut from Maxie Dara!
I had so much fun reading this debut novel! It's imaginative and has the kind of wacky premise I love. Not only are grim reapers humans who walk among us, but it's a corporate gig with policies and procedures. Here, we meet our FMC, Kathy. She's 42, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. The last thing she needed was a case that did not follow protocol. But, teenage Connor swears he did not die of natural causes and demands an investigation. Now, Kathy has a mystery and a race against the clock.
A mash-up of paranormal mystery, cozy fantasy, and women's fiction, this whodunnit has moments of humor, heart, and unexpected depth. Real-life issues balance the paranormal elements, but I loved that the book didn't take itself too seriously. I found myself laughing out loud, enjoying the romance and the investigation, and then having my heartstrings tugged.
The characters are quirky and likable, and I loved their found family vibe and endearing generational friendships. A touching connection develops between Kathy and Connor, and they have great banter. I also enjoyed Kathy's soon-to-be ex-husband, Simon, who was a surprise, and her eccentric and uninhibited former mentor, Jo, who was a hoot!
The world-building, writing, and dialogue are great, and I happily suspended disbelief to get caught up in this fun and unique story. If you want a spooky season read that is offbeat, funny, and charming rather than scary, check this one out. I honestly cannot wait to see what this debut author writes next. Hopefully, it's book 2 in this series!
Jamie Lamchick narrated the audiobook, and she was fantastic. She was perfect for Kathy and brought a range of emotions and characters of different ages to life, and her comedic timing was excellent. Such an entertaining listen!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Penguin Random House Audio for the free book and audiobook! #BerkleyPartner #PRHAudio
A Grim Reaper's Guide To Catching A Killer by Maxie Dara
Pub date: October 1, 2024
My steep was Queen of the Harvest by Club Magic Hour
Rooibos with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla and more
PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes it takes working with the dead to start living.
Kathy Valence is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. She's also a modern-day grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), but frankly that's the easiest part of her life right now. Or at least it was, until her latest client's soul goes missing.
When she finally tracks down seventeen-year-old Conner Ortiz, he angrily denies he died of natural causes, despite what his file says. He insists that someone at S.C.Y.T.H.E. murdered him, and he demands Kathy find out who and why.
Kathy has only forty-five days to figure out what happened to Conner and help him move on before the boy's soul is doomed to roam the Earth as a ghost forever. She’s forced to rely on the help of her retired mentor, her almost ex-husband—and some sneaky moves by Conner himself. This is the wildest case of her career. . .and one wrong move could cost Kathy her job, not to mention her life.
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