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.

If you know something about me, I love reading good cozy mystery books. They are made to be read. And A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer is the perfect cozy mystery book to read.
A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer has Kathy running on flume with her reaper career, being pregnant with her soon-to-be ex-husband, and finding out that one of the souls is getting killed by one of her own. It’s a bit of a doozy. So much is happening with Kathy, but one way or another she is going to find the killer.
I love that Kathy may be struggling in her personal life, but she is more than determined to avoid it in order to find out what’s going on. But I am still rooting for Kathy and her soon-to-be ex-husband. While their relationship may not seem logical, it is undeniably meant to be.

This is a mix of cozy mystery and science fiction with a 42 year old woman who has a unique job - she is the Grim Reaper. This quite original and riveting. It has humor and a whole lot of heart!

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 for this advanced copy on NetGalley! 🤍

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara is a thrilling and imaginative ride that blends mystery with a supernatural twist. The story follows a clever and resourceful protagonist who navigates the challenges of being a grim reaper while trying to solve a gripping murder case. Dara's witty writing and engaging characters keep the pace lively, making it hard to put the book down. With its unique premise and unexpected plot twists, this novel is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and paranormal adventures alike.

I am a huge fan of mysteries, and this one was solid! I read this following a disappointing spooky season read, and this one shined in comparison. I loved the characters and watching them grow. I never would've thought I'd get so hurt by a ghost?? This was a feel good book that had a solid mystery. AND it's apparently the start of a new series? One which I will gladly read the next book in! Very solid start. 3.5 rounded up.

This book was a refreshing mix of mystery, humor, and the supernatural, centering on a 42-year-old protagonist who’s anything but remarkable. She’s painfully ordinary, blending into the background and feeling like she’s a walking disaster. But things take a turn when she finds herself pregnant by her soon-to-be ex-husband and, oh yeah, working for a secret society of grim reapers (meets The Office) tasked with collecting souls.

The story kicks off when a routine soul collection goes wrong—there’s no soul to be found. From that point on, our unlikely hero is thrust into danger, uncovering secrets in her own company that could be misappropriating souls. Even though she might seem bland and forgettable to others, it’s clear she’s the only one who can crack this case wide open.

What drew me in was the premise—a middle-aged, everyday woman trying to navigate life’s messiness while literally working for Death. The author weaves humor throughout the book in such a natural way, it had me chuckling out loud. It gave me *Dead Like Me* vibes, which I adored. The protagonist’s dry, British humor, combined with the struggles of pregnancy and the weight of solving a mystery, makes her incredibly relatable and endearing.

As a fellow woman who had a late pregnancy, I connected with her. Many authors overdo the pregnancy bit and the characters really start to become whiny and just unlikeable. Yet I didn't find that to be the case here. Her grit and lovable personality shine through, as does the supporting cast, who all bring something fun to the table. The story’s pacing keeps you engaged, and while the ending was interesting. If you enjoy witty, dry humor with a splash of the paranormal and mystery, you’ll love this book.

“A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer” is a fresh and inventive take on the mystery genre, with a supernatural twist that sets it apart from the usual detective fare. Maxie Dara’s unique concept—a grim reaper playing the role of investigator—makes for an intriguing, darkly humorous, and occasionally heartwarming read. The world-building is imaginative, and the quirky characters bring a lot of charm to the story, especially the protagonist, whose grim reaper perspective offers both wit and a deeper reflection on life and death.

The mystery itself is cleverly plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing without feeling overly complicated. While there are moments when the pacing slows down a bit, Dara pulls it back with strong dialogue, entertaining side characters, and unexpected emotional depth.

Overall, “A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer” is an enjoyable mix of supernatural mystery and dark comedy. Fans of paranormal fiction and cozy mysteries alike will appreciate this fun, original story. It’s a strong first installment, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Maxie Dara takes this concept next!