A great new voice in the paranormal genre. Dara's characters are intriguing. Her plotting is tight. The timing is exceptional. I recommend this to readers of paranormal fiction.

I loved this one so much! It's been a while since a cozier mystery novel made me this excited and I'm chomping at the bits for the next one!

Okay I absolutely loved this one! I am such a sucker for a found family plot. There was mystery, intrigue, hilarious dialogue between Kathy & Connor. I was not expecting the twists at the end as Dara had us hyperfocused on a couple different characters. I really wished they could have all stayed together in the end and I have to say- I am not a crier- but the ending had my crying!!! Loved the opportunity to read this one! Thank you!

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer is the first installment in author Maxie Dara's SCYTHE mystery series. 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. Connor at first was hostile, but in time, he was willing to work closely with Kathy, and find out who murdered him. 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 Jo, her almost ex-husband Simon—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. The mystery was good, but the relationships made this one so touching. Conner, when he wasn't a pricky snipe, was a decent character, even with a lack of love from his parents. The two of them wind up helping each other far beyond working together to save Conner from an eternity as a ghost.

So, this is a good start to the series, but I am hoping that Kathy discovers that she's better than she thinks she is. She has to stop running from people, especially Simon who, despite all the Debbie Downer from Kathy, still finds time to help her and Conner.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery very much. This is the story of a woman who is very invested in her career and doing her best as being newly independent while going through a divorce. Her job is to collect souls after they have passed from their physical bodies and deliver them to the processing department for their final step into the afterworld. She is assigned a case where something just seems off and she decides to go rogue and investigate.
There’s a charming cast of characters, a good plot and very good easy to read story telling here. I’m very much looking forward to continuing on with this series.

This was such an interesting concept for a book and it worked for me! I thoroughly enjoy books about the grim reaper or those who go to sign deals. I thought this was fun but also a good mystery! I recommended it to a few people and they all enjoyed it as well! I love the uniqueness!

In this delightfully original debut novel, the traditional concept of the Grim Reaper gets a contemporary corporate makeover. Enter S.C.Y.T.H.E., a company where modern-day reapers clock in to guide souls to their final destination. At the center of this unique premise is Kathy, a professional soul tracker whose routine assignment goes surprisingly awry when her client's soul—belonging to one Conner—mysteriously vanishes.
What unfolds is a fast-paced cozy mystery that masterfully balances supernatural elements with grounded human relationships. The story follows Kathy as she assembles an unlikely search party, including her ex, a retired mentor, and most intriguingly, the very soul-less Conner himself. Their mission to solve this otherworldly disappearance leads to a series of entertaining mishaps reminiscent of the comedic style found in Finlay Donovan novels.
The author excels at character development, particularly in crafting Kathy as an endearing protagonist whose professional dedication and personal growth make her impossible not to root for. The evolution of Kathy and Conner's relationship from mild adversaries to collaborative partners adds a compelling layer of romantic tension to the supernatural mystery. Their journey from initial skepticism to mutual understanding feels organic and engaging.
While the story takes a few chapters to find its footing as it establishes its unique worldbuilding, once the groundwork is laid, the narrative momentum becomes irresistible. The clever corporate structure of S.C.Y.T.H.E. (an acronym that perfectly encapsulates the book's witty approach) adds a delightful bureaucratic twist to the supernatural proceedings.
Perfect for readers seeking something fresh in the paranormal mystery genre, this novel stands out for its originality and charm. As the first installment in a series, it successfully creates a world readers will eagerly want to revisit. The blend of mystery, romance, and supernatural elements, coupled with moments of genuine humor, makes for an enchanting reading experience that defies easy categorization.
A promising series opener that breathes new life into the supernatural genre while delivering a satisfying mix of mystery, romance, and workplace comedy.
Recommended for fans of:

Paranormal cozy mysteries
Supernatural romance with a modern twist
The Finlay Donovan series
Office comedies with a supernatural bent

Kathy is a modern day grim reaper - her job is to track the soul when a person dies and help it get to its final destination. But on a routine job something goes wrong and her client’s soul goes missing. She is determined to find Conner’s soul and teams up with her ex, her retired mentor, and even Conner himself to figure out what happened.
I really enjoyed this book! The premise is so unique and it was the perfect fast-paced cozy mystery with a touch of romance. Kathy is a main character you can’t help but root for, and I was so happy to see her get her second chance at love. I’m so excited that it is the first book in a series because I want more of this world!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

his was a delightful book! I had such a fun time reading it. I loved that Kathy was in her 40s and she and Simon were just normal people. Well except for the whole processing souls thing.

I really enjoyed the setup and tone of this story. It's a sort of cozy/dark comedy mystery where you follow a grim reaper and a soul she's trying to transport who won't let her take him until she solves his murder.

The story was a little more mild than I typically prefer, likely because the main character is also pregnant throughout so that takes up a decent portion of the story. It was enjoyable, and I might continue in the series depending on the synopsis of the next book.

Thank you to the publisher for granting access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.

Kathy Valence works for SCYTHE (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences) as a modern-day grim reaper. Her job is simple. She picks up human essences after their passing and brings them to the next step on their journey.

When she arrives to pick up Conner Oritz, his soul is not there and when she finally tracks him down, he insists he was murdered. He refuses to go with her until she promises to track down his killer.

Now, pregnant Kathy who is mid-divorce and terrified that she will be a horrible mother has 45 days to find out what happened to Conner and why before he is stuck on earth as a ghost for eternity. She has to trust teenage Conner, her former mentor, and her soon-to-be ex-husband to help her through.

Why Jackie loves it

Kathy is a fun and unexpected character who learns about herself and how to have faith in herself. It was refreshing to see a "soon-to-be-ex" who is sweet and kind, rather than demeaning and cruel. This magical mystery felt like a breath of fresh air.

I didn't like or care about the main character and I don't understand why her ex husband still wanted to be with her. Her pregnancy just felt like a plot device and it didn't seem like the author bothered to make it accurate to any real life pregnancies.

Kathy Valence helps transport souls after they've died but when she shows up to pick up new client Conner, he's missing and it starts a search to find out what happened to him. Meanwhile she's also dealing with a pregnancy and she's in the middle of a divorce, all while trying to solve what happened to the soul. Overall, an engaging cozy mystery and although the resolution wrapped up a little quickly at the end, the characters helped solidify the story.

This was probably the most wholesome book I’ve gotten to read it in a hot minute. It was everything I was looking for and more! I loved following with Kathy and her weird little family and seeing her bond with Connor?! It really just did my heart in!

This book was so funny and had so much heart, I was enamored with these characters. If you’re looking for a cozy and wholesome mystery to read - look no further and pick this one up!

Out On: October 1, 2024

4.5 STARS
This was one of the most unexpected books I have ever read in my entire life. And I LOVED it! It was such a fun concept and I don't think I've ever read anything like it before which made it all the more enjoyable! Modern day grim reapers working for a company called S.C.Y.T.H.E. like come on that is so ridiculously clever!

It took me a bit to get into the story, just because I wasn't sure what all was being set up plotwise, but once I was into it, I was INTO it! (It might have also taken me a bit because my brain no longer works now that I've had a baby...).

I loved that we got to see a ton of character growth in not only Kaths life, but also in Conners! Watching the two of them go from mild-enemies to working together to figure out what happened to Conner was so entertaining to watch. I thought that some of the mishaps that Kath got into were very "Finlay Donovan-esque" in comedic value.

Overall, this was a great read for October and I will be recommending it to everyone I know! Looking forward to more books in the series!!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced copy on NetGalley!

After a slow start, the story and characters draw in the reader and cheer them on. I hope it is a series because it was a fun read!

Kathy Valence is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby, but her job as a modern-day grim reaper for S.C.Y.T.H.E. is the easiest part of her life. When her latest client, seventeen-year-old Connor Ortiz, insists he was murdered and demands she find out who did it, Kathy has just forty-five days to uncover the truth and help him move on.

Well, this was unexpected. I picked this book on a whim, and I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did. I didn’t know much about it when I grabbed it, except that I liked the cover and the title sounded interesting. I never expected it to be such an endearing story about found family.

While the mystery aspect was fun, it was really the relationships that made the story so great. The friendship between Connor and Kathy was heartwarming and touching. Connor grew up in a neglectful home and never really felt loved by his parents, while Kathy worries about being a terrible parent herself. As they work to solve the mystery surrounding Connor’s death, they form a reluctant friendship and help each other in unexpected ways.

The characters in this book are so lovable and relatable that you can’t help but root for them. While I wanted Kathy to help solve Connor’s murder, I also wanted them to have more time together. I felt so bad for Connor, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, which ultimately cost him his life. It’s heartbreaking that he found a family in Kathy, Simon, and Jo only after his death, with limited time to share with them.

This was such a fun cozy mystery, full of relatable characters, the perfect amount of spookiness, and a fun mystery to solve. This is definitely not one to miss.

Thank you so much to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for an early copy in exchange for an honest review

This book had a lot of potential. The world is interesting, the mystery and the setting is engaging, and several characters are very believable. However, I had a really big problem with the main character, Kathy. She was too self doubting to actually be successful at anything, let alone being married for so long, or being really good at her job. It was almost ridiculous how little self esteem she had. Hopefully, if the series continues, Kathy becomes a better main character, because I would really like to see more books in this setting.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara is I hope only the first of many books starring Kathy Valence and her job helping souls move on. When her latest client disappears and then declares himself murdered, Kathy has to find out he who and why so Conner can move on. Newly pregnant, working on a divorce and with the help of Jo, a retired member of SCYTHE, Kathy sets out to find the murderer. This was a very fun book to read and the characters were engaging.

This book is not as dark as what the title would have you believe. Instead you get a down-on-her-luck main character who gets herself mixed up in a bit of craziness. I found this to be a cozy read, one where I didn't have to do too much thinking and there was a warmth to the relationship between the characters. However, some of the plot details seemed not to fit together quite right at the end. This is a fine read for lovers of a cozy mystery.