Death is not the baggy black cloak wearing, scythe handling bloke that you think you know. Death is a slightly burned out, unappreciated woman who quite frankly needs a break. So she applies to The Boss for a sabbatical only to find herself on a busman’s holiday, trying to get the bottom of some deaths that should not have happened.

On the whole, I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the behind the scenes glimpse into Death’s world. I got a kick out of the humour in the book, especially the corporate titles given to Jesus and the Devil. I found the pace really slowed down in the middle and I couldn’t get behind the romance element or the motive for events during Death’s sabbatical. For both of these reasons, I wasn’t as immersed in the book as I wanted. Having said that, I thought the ending was spot on and I loved the character of Death.

If magical realism and dark humour are your vibes, definitely add this to your tbr pile.
Thanks to the author, publish and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy to the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld for this ARC.

Death feels burnt out and underappreciated so puts in for a sabbatical in London in the body of a young woman, Delara Donn, that her sister Life provides her with. Yes, Life and Death are women.

The problem is that in this body, Death is suddenly mortal, and just as some Unplanned deaths occur - deaths that she is not responsible for and which consequently threaten the fabric of life and try to bring about the apocalypse.

So Death tries to find out what's going on and why the Italian mafia wants to poison people with food while the Vice President for Pandemonium & Perdition or in other words the Devil is sabotaging her at every turn.

The Boss (God) isn't very interested but she gets help from the Human Communications Director (Jesus, who makes shampoo adverts and every now and then dies for three days) and a human parasitologist named Marco. Is there romance in the air? Can Death actually fall in love, and what does that mean for her job?

This is a darkly funny, uniquely absurd and madly entertaining debut novel about a contemplative Death discovering the meaning of life a la "Live, Laugh, Love" whilst trying to help her sister, solve some murders, keep the VP at bay and prevent the apocalypse.

It's nice to get a different perspective on Death. I could practically hear Louis Armstrong crooning "What a Wonderful World" in the background at some of her observations! Read if you liked Good Omens, it's the same sort of wit and humour.

4.5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book but it was a great read.

Death takes a sabbatical on Earth, fed up with being unappreciated and she is determined to improve her PR.

That takes a back seat when unplanned deaths occur. She immediately begins investigating, outraged that someone is doing her job.

It was a mystery with a great twist and seeing Death learning to engage with humans was amusing.

I guessed some of who was behind it but it definitely keeps you guessing.

Bizarrely by the end of this book you find yourself rooting for Death!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC

Who's better to investigate murder than Death herself? Death incarnated bids on lots of fun it seems. This was a hilarious murder mystery. I loved the concept of death as a woman and the thought of someone stealing her job is too fun. Throughly enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to all mystery lovers.