The Last Death Worm of the Apocalypse (Kelly Driscoll #3)

And You Thought Your HOA Was Bad

I very much enjoyed Ms. Post's first Kelly Driscoll book, ("Last Condo Board of the Apocalypse"). The second book, "Last Donut Shop of the Apocalypse" never grabbed me, and I feared that even though I like and admire almost all of Post's books maybe the Apocalypse books had run out of steam. Well, not to worry, this third book is back on track and loaded with engaging characters and incidents.

To really get the most out of this series I suspect you have to have read the first book first. That sets up Kelly Driscoll, the nature of Amenity Tower, the weird alternate world in which the story is set, and most of the major characters, (the Amenity Tower owners, the Special Purpose angels, the bound angels, and so on). Reflecting on the series it seems to me that it has settled down into a familiar, comfy, and often wildly funny sort of bizarro satiric sitcom. Following the honored sitcom structure we have, at the heart of the story, an appealing, bemused, and slightly overwhelmed everyman hero. This Bob, Mary, Dick, Tim character is surrounded by various levels and degrees of mayhem and madness and most of the energy arises from our hero's attempts to cope. That's what we get here. Book 1 was like a pilot, in Book 2 we're trying to find our groove, and now in Book 3, and probably in the upcoming Book 4, everything is in place and we can just have fun.

And this book is structured perfectly. There are a few story arcs that run through the entire series, (Kelly and her boyfriend, the Angel of Destruction; Kelly and her struggles to be promoted beyond interim manager; the bound angels' struggles to escape the Tower). Then there are book length arcs, (the forensic accountant who's making Kelly miserable; the latest apocalypse scheme from the board). Then there are scores of mini-bits that just bubble up and then resolve, (where is that noise coming from?; is the potted plant in the lobby psychic?; will the cicadas finish the death worm lap pool before they have to go back underground?). In this book all of that is very nicely balanced. We switch from arc to arc, the pace is fast and furious, but with occasional breathers.

So, here's the bottom line. The whole larger set up is just wildly creative. Viewed just and only as a send up of angel books and as a remarkably pointed satire of the entire HOA mentality, this book is a success. But then, when you add literally dozens of funny, sympathetic and engaging characters, and literally dozens of set pieces, bits of business, and mini-stories, you are on a whole different plain. Finally, add some whip smart dialogue and unpredictable funny throwaway lines and observations on every page. As I say, the series is reinvigorated and on track - a very entertaining find.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Kelly is still acting as an interim manager. Her boss is gone, she should be getting promoted, but nothing is happening. When something does, it's almost bigger than she can handle!

Curiosity Quills Press and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It's being published May 2nd.

This series is so much fun to read. The stories are outrageous, monsters abound, demons are bound to the building, and everyone has their own agenda. It's like trying to hold an uncensored war zone together with toothpicks!

She's being audited by a nasty woman, has an angel of destruction for her boyfriend, and has a mess of trouble. She has a Zombie invasion, is building a Death Worm lap pool, and the board members are planning to escape their bondage.

The story is busy and exciting. I liked the part where, during the Death Worm show, the judge demanded to check their genitals. He couldn't find them in the hair so went to get clippers. The Death Worm took exception to that and ate him. (Haven't you had a doctor you'd like to do that to?)

With mayhem everywhere and her boyfriend off trying to get back his $5,000 he spent on a mantra that didn't work, everything is helter skelter. The boyfriend has his own set of troubles...

Despite all this chaos, things turn out well. Of course, it will take a bit to get the building back together but that's how it goes when you have a demon opening at the base. I enjoyed reading these, laughing here and there, and it has a smashing ending. If you haven't read it yet, you have a treat to look forward to.