Most people think that when they meet Death, it’ll be a skeleton in a black potato sack. Maybe with a scythe. Truth is, she’s just a woman doing a job, and she’s very good at it.

But when Death takes a much-needed break to live on earth, things start to go terribly wrong.

Someone’s killing people not on her list (well, not yet anyway) and it's down to her to find the culprit before it’s too late. To make matters worse, her sanctimonious sister Life – whom Death hasn’t gotten along with in millennia – won’t stop blaming her. . . and there’s the slight problem of the charming (sexy) parasitologist she’s suspicious of.

But she’ll be fine, right?

I really really enjoyed this book, it was engaging from the first chapters. I would thoroughly recommend

A unique story with plenty of different concepts throughout. First and foremost, death being a woman - LOVE. No choice but to stan, in fact! I loved this, and I was pretty gagged at myself (as a female reader) when I realised death was a woman and I’d gone in assuming death would be a man.

I’ve never read a book quite like this, the premise is unique, with death being on a sabbatical from her day job whilst investigating Unplanned Deaths and simultaneously balancing a human job and life - if it sounds a bit bonkers that’s because it is, but in a very pleasant way. I did find it lost a little bit of steam midway through, but we picked back up again and things started to move once more!

The ending was possibly my favourite part of the whole book. I shed a little tear but I believe it was perfect (and I wholeheartedly believe more books would benefit from this type of ending, it seems to be quite brave in this era of dark romance/romantasy).

This books has lots to like about it: the characters are likeable, there’s pleasant humour, and the general tone is upbeat throughout. A deadly delight!

Big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc of this book!

An original concept and an interesting plot! I’ve never read anything like this before and it was refreshing to try something new. I would recommend this to people who love dark romance, crime and more quirky stories.

The idea of this is very good. I like that death was represented as a woman. I liked death as a character. It got a bit slow in the middle but picked up again. I very much liked the ending, that death went back to being death and didn't stay for her 'happy ever after' with Marco. I think that was a good choice.

Such a good book! Not read anything like this before. I love the personification of death. Really well written and highly enjoyable

Such an unusual and unique concept, Death's sharp voice will linger in your mind long after you've read. Don’t you just want to grab this, switch off the phone and curl up on the sofa
By far one of my favourite books I've read this month…

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. This was an entertaining and engaging read. The story felt completely novel, and Delara was an enjoyable narrator. I was invested in her story throughout and Dapunt wrote the other characters well, although there were occasions the plot jumped around and I found it difficult to follow in parts. Emotive and funny, this is definitely worth a read.

Sorry, wasn't feeling this one. I thought the premise sounded interesting but I DNFd at around 30% because I wasn't invested in the plot.

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.