This was such a great nostalgic read. I laughed out loud so much that grumpy grandad complained that he was trying to nap, my youngest grandchild complained that she could not read because I was disturbing her and my teen granddaughter proclaimed that she had to read that book next.

This was a really pleasant, quick read - would recommend to anyone who's looking for a non-romance beach read. It has some hilarious points and is deeply referential to British culture; I'd be lying if I said I didn't need to look up a photo of Michael Palin to understand just what Gobe looks like. Rebecca Rogers brought the banter, for sure, along with quite extensive and plausible explanations of what really does happen when we're murdered at a dinner party.

That being said... I can't let it go that an editor didn't seemingly spot that Wood Green is NOT on the Northern line. It's petty and small, I know, but you're telling me we can create a plot where god really IS a woman (and specifically say that Ariana is right!) but NOT fact-check TfL?

Overall, this book is highly enjoyable, especially if you're questioning your own moral compass.

This was just OK, not the best book I have read but not the worst. I loved the premise and how I thought this was going but didn't live up to expectations.

It did make me laugh though and that kept me reading it so maybe many will enjoy it a lot more then me.

A suspenseful and well-crafted mystery novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The story follows the investigation into a series of mysterious deaths that occur at a religious retreat center known as Purgatory.

The characters are well-drawn and engaging, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing. Rogers does an excellent job of building tension throughout the novel, with each new revelation leading to more questions and more uncertainty.

This was an unexpected treat.
What is purgatory really like and what happens there?
I can't say much because of spoilers but I enjoyed the imagination of the author and the clear pictures painted by her words.

The Purgatory Poisoning is a prize-winning first novel by British author, Rebecca Rogers. One minute Dave Walsh having dinner with friends in a posh house in North London in 2019, the next, he’s in the bottom bunk bed, in that sleeping bag with the dodgy zipper, in the Youth Hostel in St Ives where his family vacationed in the summer of 1992. Only, no doors or windows, and five other people in PJs and dressing gowns, how bizarre!

One of them, Laura kindly explains he’s in Purgatory, and hands him a handy laminated sheet “Purgatory: what to expect”, but it takes a while for him to be fully convinced. Things get even stranger when Angel Gobe turns up. He’s the Go-Between to God for the souls in Purgatory, and bears a striking resemblance to Michael Palin (he explains later).

Gobe tells Dave that he was murdered, but some sort of glitch prevents the Angels from seeing which of the dinner guests did it. Meanwhile, Dave has to spend who-knows-how-long repenting, until he’s judged suitable to be sent to Heaven or Hell. And Dave admits he’s done plenty for which he should repent; in fact, more things keep popping into his head.

Turns out God is pretty annoyed about the whole mess; Gobe’s apprentice and IT expert, Angel Arial reveals some weird things going on with some of the party guests that include Satanists and protection spells, a hazel wand and a dark guy called Bethel. The upshot is that Gobe decides Dave has to go back in time, under the heavenly radar, if you please, and solve his own murder. Dave is convinced that it’s his ex-girlfriend’s awful new boyfriend, but is he right?

Rogers gives the reader an original plot that includes a twist or two before all is revealed. There’s plenty of humour, both in the story, the dialogue and the cultural references. Dave isn’t terribly likeable: neglectful of his girlfriend, lazy, dishonest, a bit entitled, not terribly mature, but he does redeem himself during his second chance.

Arial’s obsession with American TV and his naivete with human interactions will draw some laughs; God’s true nature will amuse and delight; but Gobe is the one the reader will probably most hope to succeed in his tasks. Quite entertaining.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK.

In the past 3 weeks I have read 2 books about dead people trying to solve their own murder. Both were hilarious, but that's where the similarities end.

The Purgatory Poisoning finds Dave, not the most likeable of characters, in purgatory immediately following his death, which he can't remember. Here he meets 2 angels, Gobe and Arial, who are giving him the opportunity to increase his 'good' points so he might escape being sent to hell.

What follows is an exciting tale, told with great wit, about Dave preparation in purgatory before the angels return him to earth to try to solve his own murder.

I laughed out loud throughout this and I enjoyed the nostalgic flashbacks to Dave's childhood, particularly St Ives as a holiday destination - I used to go there myself as a kid and returned for a visit not too long ago. I loved Arial's obsession with 80s cop shows too.

A stunning debut with the potential to expand as a series.

Thanks to @netgalley @harpercollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I started this book, it was the intriguing premise that drew me in; the main character, Dave, wakes up in purgatory with no memory of his own death and upon discovering that it was no accident, must solve his own murder.

Unfortunately, the book itself didn't live up to my expectations.

Most of the characters felt unpolished and lacking in personality beyond what they needed to be for the plot to continue. Several other people attend the dinner party where Dave dies and I couldn't tell you huge amounts about any of them, as they are all defined by their role in Dave's life (brother, quirky childhood BFF, ex-girlfriend, ex's toxic new boyfriend...) above all else. Sure, this meant they could fit in wherever they were needed to ensure that the narrative continued towards its end point, but it also meant that I didn't really care what happened to them.

As I continued reading, the plot felt both unsurprising and all over the place at the same time. In particular, I disliked the chapters about the Satanists, which just didn't do it for me as a plot device to explain why Dave is ***different*** to other humans. The whole afterlife system was reminiscent of a more Christian version of "The Good Place" but the worldbuilding felt too haphazard to ever buy into it.

I've covered a lot of negatives, but I actually feel as though this book could be really enjoyable to the right person! Humour is subjective and whilst The Purgatory Poisoning didn't work for me, I can imagine some of my friends really getting on with it. Also, in many ways it reminded me of the Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club books - a series that I personally dislike for similar reasons to this book, but that has found widespread love from a huge number of readers.

Posted on Instagram @sitandreadforaspell

Book 27 of 2023 📚

The Purgatory Poisoning by @rebecca.rogers.writes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis: Purgatory (noun):
1. Where the dead are sent to atone.
2. A place of suffering or torment.
3. A youth hostel where the occupants play Scrabble and the mattresses are paper thin.

When Dave wakes up in his own personal purgatory (St. Ives Youth Hostel circa 1992), he's shocked to discover he's dead. And worse - he was murdered. Heaven doesn't know who did it, so with the help of two rogue angels, Dave must uncover the truth. As divine forces from both sides start to play the game, can Dave get out of this alive? Or at the very least, with his soul intact?

Favourite Quote: 'Memories are curious. The brain skews memories of events to protect us.

Review: Fabulous book. Very original and really makes you think! Can't stop wondering what my own POD is! Laugh out loud funny at times and also heartwarming. Also contains some magic which I love! A very enjoyable read. Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins for the #arc

Rebecca Rogers won the Comedy Women in Print Unpublished Prize 2021 with her debut novel, The Purgatory Poisonings. I understand the novel’s success, because the first page immediately grabbed and held my attention. Thirty-seven year old Dave unexpectedly finds himself at a youth hostel in St. Ives, Cornwall, in 1992. This strikes him as odd, because he lost consciousness in a friend’s dining room in North London in 2019. Gradually it dawns on Dave that he has died and landed in Purgatory, which is a ‘halfway house’ between Heaven and Hell. This unusual premise reminds me of a passage in Sweet Dreams by Michael Frayn, where the main character arrives in Heaven to find a treasured gift waiting for him. It is the pencil case he was given for his sixth birthday, and it still has its ‘new smell’. Unfortunately Dave’s version of the afterlife does not smell so good. The hostel, where he spent a holiday with his parents and younger brother when he was ten, reeks of ‘damp clothes, bleach and burnt fish fingers’.

A technical glitch has disrupted God’s monitoring system, and vital information has gone missing. As a result Dave cannot move on to eternal happiness in Heaven unless he finds out who murdered him. Dave’s ‘sidekicks’ as he struggles to resolve this sticky situation are Gobe, a senior angel who in human form is the double of Michael Palin, and Arial, an apprentice ‘Switch’ angel whose task is to maintain God’s switchboard. Arial tries to run the murder investigation like his idea of a mortal detective, and some of the funniest moments arise from his passion for Eighties cop shows.

The Purgatory Poisonings will especially appeal to fans of fantasy humour, because its unusual premise gives Rogers plenty of scope for quirky plot twists. Her humour is in the style of Terry Pratchett, so Dave and the angels meander through the decades digging up apparently random clues which eventually guide them to a solution. Along the way the reader is introduced to many funny and sinister characters. They also experience Heaven’s broom cupboard, afternoon tea with Satanists in Dunstable and a mansion full of clocks.

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley, for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

A most amusing and quirky novel, so creative in its themes, with genuine laugh out loud moments, a very promising debut.
Dave wakes up in a youth hostel in St Ives in Cornwall. He seems to have gone back in time to a family holiday in 1992, and gradually Dave finds out he is dead, has probably been murdered, and he must find out who killed him and why, in order to escape a prolonged sojourn in Purgatory. Luckily he has two angels to help him in his quest, and it is gradually revealed that he and the angel Gobe have a connection.
Dave performed an action where he was at the critical age of 7-10 years old that has led to this state of affairs, and he must search his memory for clues, and apologies, prayers and repentance, will help to cut short his time in Purgatory.
I liked the strangeness of this story, I particularly liked the Angel Gobe, a really down to Earth person, who just happens to look like Michael Palin! Dave learns his parents were slightly unusual in religion, and the idea of a heavenly hub, or switchboard where all human life is monitored is quite reassuring and thought provoking. The whole book reminded me of the tv series Good Omens, a friendly and different relationship of good and evil. The thought of a certain track of music from your past being played endlessly makes you determined to get your funeral music absolutely spot on!! Being nice to your annoying sibling is also a good idea!!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Harper Collins UK for my advanced digital copy given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave a review to Goodreads and Amazon UK .

This debut novel by Rebecca Rogers was a fun book to read.

It tells the tale of Dave's death by poisoning when he finds himself waiting in Purgatory (in a youth hostel back in 1992) to see if he will be sent up to Heaven or down to Hell. Dave has been murdered by whom we don't know and neither do the angels in Purgatory which makes it difficult to determine Dave's fate. With assistance from angels Gobe and Aerial Dave is given the chance to atone for his sins and find out who killed him as well as why he was murdered.

This was a laugh out loud and very entertaining read. The characters were well fleshed out and so funny and the elements of witchery / demonic activity made it a great read. The writing style was easy and the story flowed well with enough twists and turns to keep the interest up.

A great read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

My favourite book of 2023 so far!
The Purgatory Poisoning is a fantastic debut novel by Rebecca Rogers full of mystery, laughs and witchcraft from the outset!
The title confused me at first glance - where could this story be taking us? Well, it is exactly as it says on the tin! A murder via poison is committed and poor David is killed and wakes up in Purgatory. Although it’s not Purgatory as you’d expect…
Angel Gobe sets Dave the task of finding out who poisoned him in the hope that Dave can make it to heaven. Dave starts to question everything and everyone to see if he can help solve the mystery!
This book had me drawn in from the beginning with Rogers east and fun writing style. It also had me questioning things about what happens when we die - but not in a doom and gloom way as one might expect. The pace is set lovely with the story unwinding at just the right moments, all to lead to a pleasing end for the reader.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and Rebecca Rogers for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

'The Purgatory Poisoning' by Rebecca Rogers.
I picked this book initially because I loved the front cover and I'm so glad I did. The book was enjoyable from start to finish. I guessed early on who the killer was but it didn't ruin the book for me. Also, there's so many twists in this book that even though I may have guessed who it was I didn't work out the why and how.
I loved the parts of the book that were set in 'Purgatory' and Angels Gobe and Arial were brilliant characters. Overall a good mystery book with some dark humour running through it.
Thankyou to NetGallery UK, the author Rebecca Rogers and the publisher for letting me read it in return for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for this copy.

This was unlike any book I’ve read before, it was a nice easy read with short snappy chapters.

There were quite a few characters to keep track of but it was all solely up to Dave to solve the mystery of his death.

It flits between different timelines and povs for you to understand Dave’s background.

It wasn’t overly thrilling or unexpected but I did enjoy the different levels of comedy throughout and I loved that a majority of it was set in Cornwall. St Ives!

Recommend this for people who want an easy lighthearted read with comedic elements.

This was a humorous and entertaining read with more than a touch of nostalgia. Purgatory set in a youth hostel in Cornwall was inspired as are many of the characters and antics. Told in an unique voice, Dave and the crime solving angels kept me turning the pages. I needed to know who killed him though I had my suspicions.
It was only the ending that faltered, I became confused with some parts with so much going on.

This could easily be translated into a film.

Loved this book!! The premise is amazing and so well constructed. It’s smart, funny and wickedly addictive, teasing and tantalising all the way. Brilliant characters and story. Can I see a film? Oh yes. Deftly fabulous.

This was a mystery filled with laughter, funny stuff, witchy stuff and I actually enjoyed reading this so much!

Dave finds himself in a bunk bed that he used to share with his brother back in 1992. When he asks around, he realizes that he was in some sort of a purgatory--and that he is already dead! Worst of all, he finds out that he was murdered. Dave is clueless as to what really happened on the day he was murdered and so with the help of the two rogue angels, Dave is set to find the truth and clues as to what really happened...and atone for the past mistakes that he would have committed when he was alive.

Honestly, this was a very different type of thriller that I have read. I actually enjoyed reading the book a lot. There were some funny parts in the book that would make you laugh out loud and above all, I felt the story was really intriguing. It wasn't boring and it was engaging as well and I was drawn into the story. This book also reminded me slightly of the TV show called The Good Place a little bit.

Overall, this was a funny, enjoyable novel and worth 4.5 stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

When Dave wakes up in his own personal purgatory – a youth hostel in St Ives in 1992 – he is shocked to learn that he is dead. And even more surprisingly, he was murdered. Heaven doesn’t know who did it, so it’s up to Dave and two rogue angels to solve his murder.

The Purgatory Poisoning is a great mystery, and really funny. It even made my boyfriend laugh when I read part of it out to him, and we don’t generally like the same books. The writing style is very informal and easy to read, and nothing happens quite how you expect it to.

The characters are quirky and very likeable (especially the angels Gobe and Ariel, who reminded me of Crowley and Aziraphale in Good Omens), and there’s an unexpected witchy/demonic storyline unravelling at the same time as the angelic murder investigation.

I really enjoyed it.

Thank you SO much to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this book!
4.5! I really really enjoyed this book, I have never received an arc that i've enjoyed so much. It was so fun to read. It was funny. gripping and at times shocking. I have never read a book like this before.
You definitely suspect the main 5 people in this book for obvious and individual reasons and it definitely isn't a HUGE shock once it's revealed but it was still so creative and fun to read.
I found myself rooting for Dave even though he's what i'd call .. a wrongen.
The reason I knocked off .5 is because I found some parts dragged along and it took about 60% to get to the main plot.
BUT I REALLY ENJOYED THIS READ THANK YOU AGAIN TO HARPER COLLINS AND NETGALLEY!