Spotlight on: A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death

About the book:

from the publisher

Imagine a world where the collection of souls is secretly part of the corporate machine and even grim reapers get vacation time, and you have the concept behind Maxie Dara’s feel-good SCYTHE mystery series that Kirkus Reviews calls “one to watch.” In this lively second installment, a risk-averse Grim Reaper becomes her adrenaline-fueled twin brother’s reluctant keeper when a file outlining his impending death lands on her desk.

In A GRIM REAPER’S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; on sale December 2, 2025), ever since the death of her parents, modern day Grim Reaper Nora Bird has been obsessed with avoiding risk, and what better place to learn how to stay safe than the company whose business it is to collect the souls of the deceased?

When Nora stumbles upon the file of her twin brother Charlie, who she hasn’t spoken to in over six months, she goes against her cautious nature and races to her brother with the stolen file in tow. Despite his skepticism, Nora convinces him (along with his chatty parrot Jessica) to join her on an impromptu road trip to evade Charlie’s determined killer and S.C.Y.T.H.E, whose mission of collecting souls has been disrupted by Charlie’s continued existence. The only problem? Every time Nora manages to save her brother from his mysterious killer, another cause of death appears on his file.

But when their journey leads them to the small town of Virgo Bay, home to their late father’s estranged family, they uncover an even greater mystery that will have them questioning everything they thought they knew about life, death, and the newfound family they have discovered. Nora will have to use everything she’s ever learned to keep her brother safe and unmask the killer, but as she connects with her larger-than-life brother and the family she never knew, Nora realizes her desire to cheat death could be keeping her from enjoying the best parts of life.

With this latest installment, Maxie Dara masterfully delivers a heartfelt story that celebrates sibling bonds and how life’s greatest adventures are worth a little risk.

The author:

Maxie Dara is a writer and actor from Ontario, Canada. She has been a freelance journalist focusing on the local arts and culture scene for more than five years, with bylines in publications such as Hamilton Magazine and Beyond James, among others. She is also a two-time award-winning playwright, taking home the Best of Fringe award at the 2017 Hamilton Fringe Festival for the musical comedy This Is Not a Musical: The Musical! and the 2020 Torpedo Prize for her play Alone Together, a pandemic drama. Maxie knew she wanted to be a writer at the age of seven, when she first fell in love with the written word. She also wanted to be a mermaid but has mostly focused on the writing side of things.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Witty…A long list of suspects, a dark sense of humor, and surprisingly weighty meditations on mortality carry the day. It’s a killer good time.” –Publishers Weekly

“A funny and charming exploration of growth, overcoming fears, and the lengths family will go to protect loved ones.” — Library Journal

“Continues exploring this imagining of death’s bureaucracy with a wry tone and will appeal to readers who like a bitter bite with their sweetness.” — Booklist


Praise for A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer-First in the series

“I’d follow this grim reaper anywhere. Wildly creative and impossible to put down, sure to induce both belly laughs and tears, A Grim Reaper’s Guide To Catching A Killer is full of heart and soul(s).”—Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

“Witty, moving, and with a mystery that’ll keep you turning pages late into the night, Dara’s debut is a creative, laugh-out-loud novel about the business of death, and what it can teach us about family, love, and the best parts of being alive.”—Claudia Lux, author of Sign Here

“I was hooked right away by the inventive premise of Maxie Dara’s A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer, but it was the relationships that really did me in. I loved watching Kathy bond with Conner, a dead teenager, and work through her relationship with recent-almost-ex-husband Simon, all set against the backdrop of a surprisingly corporate job in human soul logistics. Funny and warm and full of little moments that kept me guessing, A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer is a delightfully fresh mystery!”—Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers

“Fun and lighthearted despite the presence of death, the characters are relatable and funny, and the paranormal aspects are balanced with the ordinariness of Kathy’s messy life. The ending fleshes out this creative premise and sets the book up for the next in a heartwarming series.”–Booklist

“This debut paranormal mystery offers humor, love, and a strong cast of characters who form a found family.”–Library Journal (starred review)

My comments:

This book is the second in a series. It feels like a less traditional mystery title but may well appeal to those who are looking for a more quirky read.

Many thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour.

This title is published on 02 December 2025

Are they? Where? All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny-Audio Book

The book, not the audio, is an e book bargain   I love this book!  I did not want it to end as I did not want to bid farewell to Gamache and the other characters for at least another year.

I’ll start by commenting on the audio.  The book was extremely well and engagingly narrated.  I was constantly stealing time to listen to just a bit more.  The narrator’s tone is just right and he captures each character’s voice in a unique way.

The story itself will be very welcomed by series readers although new readers could also enjoy it.  Readers learn so much backstory about Armand Gamache including SPOILER? the loss of his parents and the roles of his grandmother and godfather in his life.

The setting for this title is a fully realized Paris where the Gamaches are visiting their son, daughter and their spouses and children, all of whom now live there.  Armand also spends time with his godfather.  I loved the opening scene at the Rodin Museum.  Having visited there, I enjoyed my virtual return.

Just who is Stephen Horowitz?  What has he done?  Who wanted to harm him?  What does it mean to be in a family? What are the responsibilities of corporations? What does loyalty mean?  Can we protect those we love?  These questions and more are raised in this thoughtful, deeply moving mystery.

I recommend this title most highly.  I now plan to go back and read or listen to all of the books again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Best of Us by Robyn Carr is an e book bargain as are some others in the series

Aby joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

The Best of Us (Signed Book) (Sullivan's Crossing Series #4)Robyn Carr has written many novels over several series; fans of hers will know that she has written the Virgin River, Thunder Point and Grace Valley books. Her latest series takes place in Sullivan’s Crossing. The Best of Us is novel number four. Old characters reappear but, if you have not read the other titles, this can be read as a stand alone.

Love grows across three generations in this story. The teen pair are challenged by a threatening medical diagnosis; the couple in their thirties face an unplanned pregnancy and the couple in their sixties show that love can happen at any age.

Place is also important in this novel. Sullivan’s Crossing is that small town that people think of when they imagine small town life as idyllic. There is a beautiful setting near the mountains, kind people and a strong sense of community.

Long term fans of Roby Carr will most definitely welcome her latest book.

Ane book bargain: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester

This is an e book bargain

Natasha Lester writes historical fiction that I very much enjoy. In each of her novels, this author successfully develops characters about whom readers will care. She also has interesting plots that offer perspective on WWII and its aftermath. What makes her special for me is the way that she also incorporates fashion seamlessly (pun was not intended) in her stories.

Alix St. Clair has had a challenging life. She was orphaned young, taken in by a close friend’s family, educated in Switzerland and expected to marry well (to Bobby). Life surely did not go to plan however as readers will quickly discover.

This is a story that takes place in more than one time period. In the most recent, postwar era, Alix is working for Christian Dior just as his fashion house is coming into being. The scenes in this atelier are wonderful to read; I was inspired to look up many of the dresses described in these pages.

Other sections of the book are about Alix’s work and life during WWII. She experienced the most awful of betrayals and wants to avenge some deaths. In doing so, she becomes involved with an American journalist. They have common experiences and a common foe…and maybe an attraction to each other. There are many other characters woven into the narrative; these include people both bad and good.

This long (432) and immersive read is highly recommended to historical and women’s fiction lovers who enjoy stories about the war. I give it four plus stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 January 2023

From the Publisher

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre braids espionage, fashion, and a broken-but-unbowed heroine together into one fascinating tale. Natasha Lester weaves a triple-stranded delight!”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

“Natasha Lester has done it again with this sumptuously written page-turner! Alix St. Pierre is everything that makes an admirable heroine – independent, plucky, and clever as the story spans from the fashionable world of Dior in Paris to the fascinating intrigue of international espionage in neutral Switzerland. The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a captivating novel that readers will absolutely adore.”—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London”Natasha Lester has expertly woven a brilliant heroine who is as brave in the fashion world as she is spying on the enemy. From page one, I was completely captivated by her daring and enamored with the glamour of Paris fashion. Unputdownable!”—Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop