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Death by Miss Adventure

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*WINNER—2023 Indies Today Award (Urban Fantasy)*

*HONORABLE MENTION—2024 Indie Author Project (Sci-Fi/Fantasy)*

“She’s not a killer. She’s an accident waiting to happen.”

My name is Adina Venture, and I am a Deathwalker. The only Deathwalker, as far as I know. I lurk in the shadows of Las Vegas like a ghost, hunting down bad people at the behest of unknown clients. If I decide they’re “worthy,” I dispatch them via poetically bizarre accidents. It’s a messy gig, but the pay is decent, and I’m very good at it. Sure, I’m estranged from my family, and my only friends are my “crow-conspirator” Shiva and a late-night DJ I’ve never met in person. But what can I do? There are some people out there that just need killing—and like I said, I’m very good at it.

Of course, being a ghost assassin has its downsides. For example, when the magical oversight organization known as the Order accuses me of taking out one of their star employees, my alibi isn’t something I can put on the official record for more reasons than one. At least they’re giving me a chance to prove my innocence, though there is a catch—I must remain magically bound to one of their Inquisitors until I’m cleared. Their Chief Inquisitor, to be more exact.

Before you ask—yes, I guess he’s what you might call “good-looking.” Tall, blond, British, the whole nine. But he also seems pretty damn sure that I’m guilty, and if I can’t convince him otherwise, he’ll verify it by digging into my mind and ripping out my memories one by one. Between that and his loyalty to the Order, I doubt my feminine wiles will work on him. Assuming I had any, of course.

But what begins as an effort to exonerate me (or arrest me, depending on who you ask) ends up uncovering a plot much more sinister than a simple murder. If my unlikely partner and I don’t find the true culprit soon, we could see the rise of a monster far deadlier than both of us combined. Not to mention that the longer we stay bonded, the tighter and more intimate the connection between us seems to grow…

Death by Miss Adventure is the darkly humorous first book in the Death by Miss Adventure supernatural suspense series. If you like noirish mysteries with quirky characters and a smoldering enemies-to-lovers dynamic with a dash of spice, then you’ll love S.G. Tasz’s award-winning novel. Unravel this snarky gothic mystery today!

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2023

110 people are currently reading
1358 people want to read

About the author

S.G. Tasz

28 books61 followers
Born in Minnesota and educated in Wisconsin, S.G. Tasz woke up one snowy April morning, realized she didn't have to live somewhere that has an eight-month winter, and promptly relocated to Las Vegas, where she currently resides.

She considers dark comedy her primary genre which she crosses with multiple others, including horror and romance. Her debut series, Dead Mall, recently completed its 8-book run. She is now hard at work on her new series, the urban fantasy/dark rom-com Death by Miss Adventure, which will launch in September 2023.

More information is always available at www.sgtasz.com.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Profile Image for jade&#x1065a;.
21 reviews3 followers
April 5, 2024
˚。⋆4.5 stars 🎀୨୧˚
⤿ i do have a realllly long book bfs list now ‹𝟹

another arc read and another favorite comfort book of mine ෆ

this book is a cultural reset .
okay if yall know me, i am not that much of a fantasy/paranormal girlie but these arc books really get me into the genre and i keep longing for second books🥹🥹

from the cover to the description of the book, this one was like a black hole pulling me in begging me to read it and now that i did i wish i would have done earlier..

💀 “First, do no harm. But…if you must do harm, make damn sure they deserve it." 💀

i always thought about how death feels like but i guess my girl Adina can know that, and she can become a sort of ghost(?) while doing it and then come back to life too??? where do i sign up to be an Operator, or an Adina

but one day she is faced with a murder she is so sure that she didnt do, or did she? now she is stuck with a tall blonde british HELL of a handsome Inquisitior (oh no how terrible😏😏) to prove she is innocent, or guilty

🐦‍⬛ "What can I say? I’m a trendsetter." 🐦‍⬛

okay i never thought i ever had a british blonde book bf, BUT now i do. Levi Breitling, the man you are😩😩 yes i wanted to suffocate him or push him off a building sometimes but little arguments between couples🤭

Adina Venture , she is an accident waiting to hapen. Maybe she is karma, or maybe she is death herself. But one thing is for sure, she is definitely not chaos, but what if she becomes it? Or not? I love being mysterious hehehehe

❤️‍🩹 "That’s all super interesting, but won’t it sort of give the game away if you roll up to his secret hideout with the girl he recently mind-fucked?" "It wasn’t…don’t call it that." ❤️‍🩹

ding ding ding, time for the book song!! heartbeat by childish gambino. i dont know if you all agree or not but this song reminds of this book (especially one specific scene iykyk🤭)
and onto why it wasnt a 5 star read. the only reason is because there was some confusing descriptions but aside from that it was perfect

˚⊹ to conclude 𓍢ִ🎀
okay you must have gotten used to it at this point, GO. READ. THIS. And the facts the second book is coming out April 2024😩😩😩 I CAN NOT WAIT I NEED A WHOLE SERIES OF THIS STORY. If you are like me and not into the genre, try this book and it will change your mind.

dive into the mystery everyone, happy walking!!🪦 (iykyk)
Profile Image for Chanel.
400 reviews62 followers
May 3, 2025
I have to write a spoiler review for this one so I remember why I didn't continue the series. This has a slow but promising start. Adina is known as a death assassin. she has this ability to basically astral project outside her body and carry out assassinations to those who deserve it. one day inquisitors show up on her door step to accuse her of murdering one of their own. She denies it however they don't believe her but are willing to give her a chance to prove herself. She ends up getting Lashed to Levi which essentially means she can't go 50 feet away from him without losing control of her body and passing out. She ends up going through the investigative motions to clear her name and ends up getting closer to Levi and seeing him in a different light with time.

I was really bored with the first 10% of the story because it was confusing what was going on but I continued reading and it got really good by 45%. I was really digging this unexpected romance as well as watching how this murder mystery was about to play out. Since this is technically forced proximity, it was great watching Levi learn more about Adina and it was honestly pretty adorable even though he's on the grumpier side.

Where it started going down hill for me was when they had sex. Levi sheds this "armor" that allows his mind to completely penetrate Adina's and while they're in the middle of the deed he basically starts receiving her entire life including sad ones and my mind went immediately to how we haven't even had an orgasm yet. How in the world is this sexy? Completely took me out of the moment and honestly ruined it for the rest of the story. Immediately after this, Levi gives her the coldest of shoulders with a half assed explanation and then they solve the murder mystery and the book ends on a for now note that's not really happy.

I don't understand the 3rd act breakup at all especially since they weren't really together but the author made it seem like they should be. Adina, at the end seems to be possibly moving on with another guy but she still works with Levi? I don't know and I won't be finding out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michelle.
80 reviews
April 8, 2024
In this book, we follow our female main character, Adina, as she fights to prove her innocence after being accused of murder. This is a paranormal book, so nothing is as it seems and there is so much more to the world than meets the eye. After having the handsome Levi Breitling assigned to her case, she must work with him to prove she is innocent of the crime, while staying professional. Adina is a weird, brutally honest, raw and funny character who I enjoyed following through the book.

As a reader who loves a good thriller/mystery book, Death by Miss Adventure met the criteria. I was invested in this book from the start and couldn't put it down. The banter between both Adina and Levi was on point and hilarious. I actually laughed out loud at a couple parts. I thought the story was great and it was at a good pace throughout the book. I am excited to see that it is not over and a second book is coming out soon! I will definitely be reading the next book to see what other mysteries Adina will be solving.
Profile Image for Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books.
1,012 reviews51 followers
April 13, 2024
Oh my gosh. It took me a minute to get into this book, but now I absolutely can’t wait for the second. It took me a while to get the lay of the land in this urban fantasy book, but this world is fascinating. I do think it would have been helpful to have a glossary or something that I could flip to and try and figure out all the different verbiage that was being thrown at me. But once I caught on, I couldn’t put it down. I friggin love the main character, and the wit in the dialogue had me sniggering while trying not to wake up my sleeping husband. Overall a good first book to the series!

Adina is an Operator. No one knows, not even her family, and she prefers it that way. I mean, who wants to tell their family they can leave their body and Deathwalk, and that she is the boogeyman that Operators whisper about. An incorporeal assassin that they literally do not see coming. But she always makes sure they are actually bad people first. But definitely not something she wants to be on The Order’s radar. Until they show up and kidnap her, take her to headquarters, and accuse her of murdering one of their own. she knows she didn’t do it, but until this is figured out, she is magically lashed to the investigator: the very British, very serious, very stubborn, very angry investigator who whammied her and kidnapped her. Cool. This is gonna be a great time.

Thank you to Sunny Babe PR for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for NinaInkdawn.
448 reviews38 followers
April 12, 2024
My reader friends, what this book was for me, when I finished it I wanted so much more! Much more.... Unique, brilliant, different... When I got to the end and saw that there will be other books in this series I was super happy.... Among other things they will arrive this year 😍😍😍. A thousand points for this novel because the worldbuilding is perfect throughout the book, without any dark moments. Now that I have finished it I can tell you that you too will be captivated, won over by the setting but also by the characters so much so that I am already counting the days for the new books. A thousand times stars.... 5⭐
Profile Image for Chloe knight.
68 reviews3 followers
April 12, 2024
Death by Miss Adventure is the first book in the series, and i loved it!

After reading the blurb, I knew I had to read it. This book is a paranormal mystery with romance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, paranormal detectives, strong snarky FMC, grumpy british MMC and hidden magic.

SG Tasz created such a unique world that had me hooked from the start.
Set in last Vegas, in a world of secret operational, Miss Adina Venture has the ability to travel through an alternate plan. She is the assassin that no one sees coming. When accused of murder of an Elite, she must team up with the Chief Inquisitor Breitling and prove her innocence.

I really liked both main characters in this book and enjoyed the banter and tension they had between one another. The characters were well written, and the story was easy to follow.
I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
Thank you @sunnybabepr and SG Tasz for sending me a copy of this book to review
Profile Image for Georgia Whitehead.
52 reviews
March 14, 2024
This book left me wanting MORE! I cannot describe my excitement when I got to the very end and saw that there’s TWO more installations in this series coming THIS YEAR. I thoroughly enjoyed the world building being consistent all throughout the book, not just the beginning. I’m so invested in both the world it’s set in and the characters and can’t wait to read more. It’s giving me Skulduggery Pleasant vibes for an older audience in the BEST way!
Profile Image for Brittany.
76 reviews
April 16, 2024
This was my first paranormal mystery and it did not disappoint! This is the first book in the series and I can't wait for the next installment!!

🖤 Fast paced
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Forced proximity

Thank you Sunny Babe PR & S.G. Tasz for the opportunity to read this! 🙏🏻
Profile Image for Hannah.
188 reviews3 followers
April 9, 2024
This book did not disappoint! The storyline kept me interested from start to finish. I really enjoyed being in Adina’s head and getting to understand how she became the person she is. However, I’m SUPER curious for more, especially from her and Ruth! And, you know… a certain inquisitor. I can’t forget how much I love Shiva as well!

“Ruin me, Levi. I want you to.”

Thank you so much to S.G. Tasz and SunnyBabePR for letting me read this book!
Profile Image for Ziggy Nixon.
1,158 reviews36 followers
October 6, 2023
Chaos hates being told what to do.

Oh, this was a good one. Sure a little confusing at times but a lot of that is my brain adjusting to Fall temperatures! Just the and the other along with the… it was all just… whoa boy. I mean, that opening was wild! And, again, more than a little just zip bing bang right over my head! I mean, I read Chapter 1 once… and then I read it again. And then I read Chapter 2… and then I read it again, too! So bizarre (the book), so full of questions (me), so get the hell out of my way I want to keep reading (insert hyphens wherever you like)! I'll be reading this book again as soon as Book 2 hits the airwaves, of that you can be sure! Not (only) because I'm old, but because this was just that much fun! Oh yeah.

She’s not a killer. She’s more like an accident waiting to happen.

S.G. Tasz doesn't waste any time getting her latest book-slash-series "Death by Miss Adventure" going. She definitely doesn't waste any time with a bunch of hoity-toity exposition as the reader is tossed right into things. My advice is keep your eyes open, because without knowing what an Operator does - or Inquisitors or Reapers or *gasp* the Order - things just take off. Relatively speaking. I sure as hell didn't know how our protagonist Adina Venture (note: much to my disappointment, I eventually figured out she is NOT an sibling of the Venture Brothers!) was doing any of All This either (note all caps). But I sure as hell was happy to start collecting clues like they were mementos kept in a box under my bed. That's foreshadowing by the way, kids, write it down!

If you can’t trust a ghost assassin with your worst secrets and bloodiest desires, who can you trust?

But I tell you: DbMA is a welcome relief if I may be so bold as to declare it so (Chaos be willing, Amen and Please Don't Destroy My House with Tornadoes). You see, I absolutely adored SGT's "Dead Mall" series. And if you're like me, well, yes, despite your need for extensive therapy and expensive comforting when you finish a beloved (that has three syllables by the way) group of books, you're leery even when a really good writer starts something new. Yes, yes, yes: you're glad when they prove they can handle a new approach but you're also a little timid in terms of new things that are by their definition, um, new. Sure, they can mix in some stuff later to the classics, but you get what I mean. Or you don't. I don't know. Look, I had the same reaction when Chris Tullbane moved on from his "Murder of Crows" books to his "John Smith" tales and when Scott Burtness had his crew bowl their last frame in "Monsters in the Midwest", only to proceed to blow me away with his, um, series with really, really long titles! Yes, it's a thing, deal with it! (and if Douglas Lumsden or D.M.Guay are reading this: no pressure at all!)

I’m going to have to douse my eyeballs in bleach to even begin to erase everything I’ve seen.

But in terms of the actual, you know, writing bits and bobs (or susans, your call), Tasz does an excellent job with this new start. Her writing is very smooth and very (gets out thesauraus) - no, loquacious isn't what I want. Um, she write good with pretty words, me like, ugh. In the space of only a few paragraphs, she has a knack for getting us involved with and even in some cases in a groove with most if not all of her characters, no matter what their focus. And this mystery! Why it's just so (looks in wordy book again) mysterious! No seriously, of all the books this reminded me of in my last years of reading, I was bizarrely reminded of "The Laundry Files" series by Charles Stross. Just as with those books, there was just so much delicious strangeness and that sense of WTF-ness surrounding everything, despite my knowing that if I just hung on to the end, I'd know a wee bit more!

This is what dead is. Dark and damp, cold and close. Not sad, and not scary. Just there. Quiet. Resting. Waiting.

And like "The Laundry Files", I certainly look forward to more from Miss (Ms.?) Venture and co. in the coming months / years / SOON! SGT has really created an interesting array of characters that will be interesting to learn more about or, um, I guess bury would be the right word? For example, both Breitling and even Eidolon just struck me as awesome personalities, for better or worse and there's more where that came from. So believe me when I say this is an outstanding addition to my regular "buy first, think later" group of must-have fantasy offers and I only wish Miss (Ms.? Mrs.? Her Lordship?) Tasz all the best in her upcoming endeavours as well!

I sort of feel like I’m standing butt-naked on a crowded city bus with the most intimate entries of a secret diary scribbled all over my skin.

And that ending! Plus the brief bit where folks stop to … ruin things. I'm still a little sweaty about that. But seriously, this is good stuff fans, get yours today! Or tomorrow, there's time. In the interim, I'll be working on how to pronounce "Exspiracarius" in the echoing chasm that is my brain. Which will give me a chance, too, to change the dirt in my tub and fluff up the comforter… hey, my Doctor did say I should Walk more… Ciao!
Profile Image for Laurin Wanner.
234 reviews4 followers
April 12, 2024
Adina Venture possesses the unique ability to transform into a ghostly form and manipulate people through their mementos and heirlooms, making her an elusive assassin specializing in untraceable accidents. However, when a magical secret society accuses her of a murder she didn't commit, she becomes magically bound to Chief Inquisitor Levi Breitling until she clears her name. Together, they delve into the hidden depths of Sin City, encountering powerful individuals with magical abilities. As they search for the real culprit, Adina realizes that proving her innocence won't be easy, especially as her connection with Inquisitor Breitling strengthens.

Overall rating: 4.8/5

Ratings:
1. **Plot and Storytelling (4/5):** Although I initially found the world-building in the first 10% a bit awkward, lacking sufficient information and feeling somewhat abrupt, the story became thoroughly engaging beyond that point. Once I was immersed, I found the narrative to be captivating and well-told.

2. **Characterization (5/5):** Witnessing the growth of Adina and Breitling throughout the book was a highlight for me. Their development over time, with neither being portrayed as perfect, felt authentic and relatable. The characters were well-rounded and fleshed out, adding depth to the story.

3. **Writing Style (5/5):** SG Tasz's writing style flowed seamlessly, making for an effortless and well-paced read. I found myself easily absorbed in the narrative, thanks to the skillful execution of the writing.

4. **Originality (5/5):** This book felt refreshingly original to me. It introduced a new fantasy world intertwined with our reality, a concept that I found both intriguing and unique. While I've encountered magical realism before, this take on the concept felt fresh and inventive.

5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution (5/5):** The conclusion of the book was outstanding, tying up loose ends while leaving room for future development in subsequent installments. Emotionally, the book had me fully invested, evoking a range of feelings from frustration to excitement to lust. Overall, it was an exhilarating journey that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I enjoyed this book, and I could see myself reading it again. It's currently available on KU, so I highly recommend giving it a read.

If you enjoyed this book, the second book is available and a third is coming out soon. You may also want to check out A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. A Discovery of Witches is a magical realism setting with a slow-burn romance.
Profile Image for Bette.
3,309 reviews23 followers
July 22, 2024
A Fascinating AdVenture! Terrific Story & Listen🎧

Death by Miss Adventure
By: S.G. Tasz
Narrated by: Phillipa Miller
Series: Death By Miss Adventure, Book 1

This is a fascinating urban fantasy novel with equally fascinating characters and original storylines that are interesting and they captivated my attention the entire time. The writing, plot, and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. I adored the two lead characters, Adina Venture aka Miss Adventure who has paranormal abilities and Levi Breitling who is the Chief Inquisitor in the magical Order, and unfortunate circumstances bring them together, Adina being accused of a murder of one of their own. Adina has some unique paranormal abilities, some consider her a death walker with ghostly abilities, which is perfect for her profession as an incorporeal hitman who rids of the most evil. And when one of members of the order is murdered evidence points to her, but she had an alibi that night, and the order is giving her a chance to prove her innocence, but with a hitch, and that hitch is being attached to Levi who she will have to work with. OMG, the banter between those two was sometimes hilarious, and it was clear there was something more between them and it was great to watch it all play out, also great watching them trying to solve the case and prove her innocence. There is never a dull moment in this book and the story has the perfect balance of drama, mystery, action, horror, thrilling and suspenseful moments, humor to lighten things up, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. S.G. Tasz, thank you for this amazing story and wild ride.

🎧📚🎧 Phillipa Miller did a fantastic job bringing the characters and story to life. She covered the roles of all the characters, giving each their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who was who. Her portrayal of the characters was spot on, nailing it as both leads, and she was believable in every role. She set the perfect tone for the story, handled the back-and-forth banter effortlessly, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. Phillipa Miller is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen. 
Profile Image for Sam.
110 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

Thank you Sunny Babe PR and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First, I must apologize for the amount of TV comparisons I'm about to use in this review but if you've been around here for a while, then you know I'm a TV girlie first 😂.

I've wanted to read more mystery/thrillers this year but sometimes I find them on the back burner unless they have a fantasy or paranormal aspect. Enter Death by Miss Adventure.

This book has all the elements of a mystery noir and the flow reminded me a lot of Veronica Mars or CW’s Nancy Drew. It had everything from witty banter to supernatural mystery and light romance. I definitely wouldn't classify this as a romantasy because there wasn't a lot of romancing going on. It's more of a mystery first and romance second book. First person POV is sometimes a hit or miss for me as well because it feels like I'm reading a diary, but the writing was so well done. Tasz’ way with words just pulls you into the story so that you're really experiencing what the characters are experiencing.

The author wastes no time by dropping readers into the action and sets the tone for what the story is about. Adina Venture is a paranormal hitman, also known as an Operator, but has the justification of Dexter, only giving the worst of the worst what they deserve. When she has to clear her name for a crime she doesn't remember doing, she's pulled into a larger sinister scheme.

This was just an interesting world, learning how everything worked and how they are governed by the Order, a secret society handling all things out of the ordinary. I liked how the concept of Chaos was introduced. Think of The Flash in the Flashpoint storyline where he goes back to change the past and then the time wraiths come after him cause they're pissed lol.

Another great thing about this books is that the second is already available on KU so you can jump right into reading the next one lol. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for chaitea_and_tales.
84 reviews7 followers
April 15, 2024
𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Adina Venture is an unofficial Operator- someone blessed with supernatural abilities who works in the shadows of the general American population. She operates alone, unless you count a mysterious talking crow, and has taught herself how to manage her unique abilities. Working mainly as a supernatural hit woman, she has garnered an infamous reputation but now she is being accused of a murder she didn’t actually commit.

Enter investigator Levi Breitling, whose job it is to prove that Adina did commit the murder of a fellow Operator. Breitling is a tough, suspicious and very powerful MMC who pretends to work with Adina whilst secretly working to prove her guilt. He doesn’t believe she is innocent and is prepared to do anything to take her down- including leashing her to himself. But as Adina and Levi get caught up in the mystery of finding the killer, they start to feel an undeniable pull towards each other. Is there something more to their connection than the magical tether that binds them together? Can they find the real murderer before Adina gets locked away?

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I really enjoyed this book. Although it falls into the paranormal romance category, for me, the draw of the novel is the mystery plot and the world building. Tasz has created an interesting paranormal world where Operators, magically gifted people, have an organised governmental society to help bring order to society and protect the NO (non-operators or normal people). Whilst it reminds me of the Ministry of Magic from Harry Potter, Tasz’s take on this idea is new and fresh. She is very clever in revealing the setting of the novel and the rules of the world bit by bit which kept me on the edge of my seat as I puzzled how everything worked. The mystery plot was also fantastic, with lots fo twists and turns and I enjoyed trying to work out the whodunnit along with Adina and Levi. Throw in a little bit of romance and this book is a perfect mix of all things sexy, suspicious and supernatural!
Profile Image for Kanjou37.
20 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2024
I loved this book! The way this story of secret underworld of paranormal investigations, assassins and magic unfolds is so interesting, original and captivating. We’re not fed the lore in a way that’s convenient or condescending but rather we’re given bits of information as we go and as the picture starts to get clearer, the mystery takes hold and we’re discovering things as we go, along with our FMC Adina.

Speaking of, Adina is such a great character - tough, resilient, feisty. But she has depth, a history and a richness that delves beneath her hard exterior.

Our MMC, Breitling, is someone who, by the end, you just adore - grumpy and stern facade (and it is a facade) and all. These two characters learn and grow from each other but it certainly isn’t an easy journey for either of them and it’s delightful watching their relationship ebb and flow.

This uses the slow burn enemies-to-lovers trope in all the best ways. There is payoff but Tasz doesn’t let us off the hook very easy - if ever.

And that’s the beauty of their writing - every time you believe to have cracked something, another element of mystery is revealed and you find yourself diving deeper into this mysterious world. The world and lore Tasz has created is fully developed, clearly thought about and brilliantly entertaining. In fact, every aspect of this book can be described this way - yet I get the feeling we’re just at the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come.

Fans of The Dresden Files should definitely check this out but generally, anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery thriller filled with intrigue and layers should absolutely be paying attention to this series.

Check out my indie book podcast, Kate Anjou’s Book Reviews on your usual podcatchers and YouTube. Please also follow me on instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Profile Image for Harleys book corner.
61 reviews11 followers
April 10, 2024
Death By Miss Adventure by S.G.Tasz

⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶 3/5

💀 Detective/Suspect Romance
💀 Mystery/Thriller/Paranormal
💀 Strong FMC
💀 World Ending Stakes

Wow... i did not know what to expect when i started reading this book but i was honestly so pleasanly surprised and i can't wait for the next one! This book is so imaginative and i think i am in love with both the main characters haha. They are honestly the definition of Enemies to Lovers, they can't stand each other to begin with, he is a stickler for the rules and the chief inquisitor where as she is an unregistered operator that unal!ves people without ever leaving a scrap of evidence and no one knows how...

Adina is Fiery, Independant and in need of someone she can open up to completely instead of carrying on by herself... although she does have her "pet" crow Shiva though pet is not quite the term i would use seeing as she seems to just come and go as she pleases and is not house broken at all, she is more like Adina's familiar. Adina is unwittingly dragged into a murder case that she has no knowledge about, her memory slowly starts coming back though and she finds something that will irrevocably change her life.

Levi.. The Cheif Inquisitor with what seems to be a heart of gold and a soft spot for our dear Adina even if he really doesn't want to, he resists at first and they have a sweet banter back and forth as if they hate eachother but, some things that he says just give away how much he doesn't hate her. He is however a real rule follower which does not end up well for thembut i am hoping we can resolve this in the next book.
Profile Image for Elle.
88 reviews15 followers
April 10, 2024
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 🌶️🌶️

"𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘶𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘴, 𝘩𝘰𝘸'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴? 𝘐'𝘮 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘰, 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵. 𝖨 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦. 𝖨'𝗆 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭."

Well, dang. That 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 go how I expected it to. It’s hard to surprise me, and while I anticipated a twist, I was 𝘯𝘰𝘵 expecting it to be 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧. Like. What. Bravo.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading the book. The characters were dynamic and witty. The plot line was interesting and easy to follow. There were aspects that left me wondering though, and I would have liked a more in-depth explanation of the magical system of the world. 𝘈𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘴. Like, I know we are on this exploratory journey with our female lead as she learns more about it herself. But, at times I struggled to follow along with the established hierarchy, and the division between those with magic and those without. We were thrown into this version of the world that was so incredibly fascinating, and ✨𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦✨ confusing.

I am quite excited that this series will continue. While this book can definitely function on its own — it's a full complete story, resolution and all — I look forward to seeing the female lead continue to learn and grow, open up to those in her life, and see how the relationship between the two leads develops throughout the course of another adventure.

𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝔭𝔞𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔬𝔯𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔯𝔬𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔰𝔶

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦:
✨ forced proximity
🖤 enemies to lovers
☕️ grumpy british mmc
🔎 paranormal detectives
💋 strong snarky fmc
🪄 hidden magic
🔥 slow burn
Profile Image for Beattz.
175 reviews6 followers
November 27, 2025
4.5 Stars

I had an absolute blast reading this book. It fits firmly into the urban fantasy category, and everyone knows that's my bread and butter. Set in present day Las Vegas, we meet Miss Adina Venture, an Operator, and, as far as we know, the only one of her kind - a Deathwalker. The Exspiracarius. The Bogey Man Operators tell stories about to their children at night - "you better behave, or the Expiracarius will come for you, and there will be no one who can save you."

For all of her frightening talents, our heroine is an unassuming, petite brunette who just wants to live a quiet life in her casita. Well, quiet-ish. She is after all, an assassin for hire. She has done a fantastic job of staying under the radar of the Order - the magical oversight organization - or at least she thinks she has, until she awakes one morning to find two Order Inquisitors on her doorstep ready to arrest her for a murder that this time, believe it or not, she didn't actually commit. Now she has to find a way to clear her name or suffer the consequences at the hands of the Chief Inquisitor himself, the tall, stoic, British, (read: very good looking) Levi Breitling.

I'm looking forward to continuing this series. The world building has really only just begun, and there's so much more to learn and explore about the world and talents of the different Operators, as well as the Order and its systems and boundaries. Plus, gimme some more of that sweet, sweet tension between Adina and Levi.

So do yourself a favor and next time it's available for free on an Indie Book Blast, pick it up and enjoy the ride!
Profile Image for briethebookishluxen.
151 reviews
September 25, 2023
Death by Miss Adventure by @sgtasz is an exciting mystery with a slice of enemies to lovers! 🔍✨

Blurb: There’s a specter haunting Las Vegas--and her name is Adina Venture.

With the power to assume an incorporeal form and track people down through their mementos and heirlooms, Adina is the hired gun no one ever sees coming. There are no contracts. No conversations. Just gruesome accidents, untraceable and custom-made.

When Adina is accused of killing a valued member of the clandestine magical Order, her history of operating undetected becomes a massive liability. Now, she must find the real culprit to get the Order off her back. Literally--until the case is closed, she will be Lashed to Chief Inquisitor Breitling, a sullen investigator with a knack for mental destruction and a searing hatred for traitors.

But what begins as a simple clearing of her name leads the pair deep into an unseen side of Sin City--one that’s rife with Operators of magic. Club moguls who manufacture memories. Cutthroat businessmen who can stop time. And beneath it all lies a powerful force that no one, not even Adina, can control. Suddenly, proving her innocence isn't as easy as she thought it would be. And the longer it takes to find the real killer, the tighter the Lash between her and Inquisitor Breitling seems to grow...

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book was so intriguing and amazing at the same time. I was hooked on the concept and the characters were super fun! Loved Adina and Levi’s banter and their adventures solving a fascinating conundrum!I absolutely LOVE the paranormal mystery genre now and cannot wait for the next installment of Miss Adventure in 2024!!!🕵🏻‍♀️🖤🕵️‍♂️

#deathbymissadventure #sgtasz #review #bookrecommendation #bookobsessed #instabook #booklovers #instabooks #fiction #readingtime #currentlyreading #readmorebooks #author #amreading #novel #ilovebooks #booksofig #romance #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #readersofig #igbooks #writersofinstagram #literature #bookaesthetic #love #booklife
Profile Image for Amanda.
29 reviews
April 7, 2024
Death by Miss Adventure is an addictive urban fantasy that takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. This story focuses on our FMC Adina aka Miss Adventure.

Adina possesses incorporeal abilities, as such she is able to walk between planes of reality through memento's that belong to her victims. She uses her gift to enact justice against scum in Las Vegas. Adina has 2 rules....

First do no harm. Second if you must do harm, make damn sure they deserve it”.

One night an important member of “The Order” is brutally murdered. Due to the unique and undetectable nature of this murder Adina becomes The Orders #1 suspect.

Until she is able to prove her innocence she is tethered to Levi Breitling, a grumpy British detective Who is determined to get to the bottom of this murder.

I really enjoyed this book! It was very different from a lot of the stuff I typically read but in the best possible way.

I absolutely loved the banter and dialogue between Adina and Levi and the hidden magic system within this urban fantasy was really unique !

I will say as a first time reader it did take some time to get use to that magic system, but due to the fact is was unlike anything I had ever read before this book pretty much had my attention right from the start. There is quite a bit of character/plot development throughout the book with plenty of twists and turns to keep you motivated throughout this wild story of misadventure.
If you enjoy magical murder mystery with a side of romance then this is defiantly the book for you !

I can’t wait to read book 2 !
Profile Image for Maddi Hoffman.
160 reviews17 followers
April 12, 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

“First, do no harm. Second, if you must do harm, make damn sure they deserve it.” 🔥

Adina Venture is a spectral vigilante. She finds the scum of Las Vegas, travels through an alternate plane using items connected to her hits, and takes them out. The best part is, there are no repercussions because she makes it look like an accident.

After taking out an especially disgusting individual, Adina is accused of killing someone else who happens to be a high member of the magical Order. This is made worse by the fact that she is an unregistered operator and plays by her own rules. She will have to prove her innocence while being metaphysically chained to a handsome, no-nonsense investigator of the Order. 

What starts as a simple investigation, turns into a mess of emotions and moral, apocalyptic quandaries. 

WHAT A RIDE, FRIENDS. 🤩 First off, Adina is a badass. Can I be her when I grow up? 🙏🏻 Also, HELLO LEVI BREITLING. 🥵 The banter between these two was SO GOOD and made me laugh out loud! The chemistry? OFF the charts. 📈 I wish we could've gotten more of them together, BUT THERE ARE MORE BOOKS SO I WILL BE PATIENT I GUESSSS. 😏

The world building and magic system was so cool. I loved learning about all of the different pieces of this paranormal puzzle. ✨ The who-dun-it of the story had me in a chokehold. There were so many times I was like GOTCHA, only to find that I was wrong AGAIN LOL. 🙃 This made the book a fast-paced, easy read for me and I am SO excited to read the next book! 👏🏻

I would suggest this to anyone looking for a paranormal thriller with horror elements. 💀❤️‍🔥✨

Thank you so much to SunnyBabePR and S.G. Tasz for the copy to review! 🖤
Profile Image for Jessica Ellis.
81 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2024
Death by Miss Adventure - S.G Tasz
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

☠️🐦‍⬛☠️🐦‍⬛☠️🐦‍⬛☠️🐦‍⬛☠️

Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- strong sarcastic FMC
- forced proximity
- grumpy MMC
- 1 POV

☠️🐦‍⬛☠️🐦‍⬛☠️🐦‍⬛☠️🐦‍⬛☠️

I haven’t read Paranormal in a while so I wasn’t entirely sure what I was jumping into, but I was very excited to see what it was all about!

Adina our FMC, I’d describe her as a paranormal hitman, has been accused of killing a member of the order. Her latest mission is to find the real culprit, clear her name with the order all while being lashed to Chief inspector Breitling.

To begin with for me, it was a little hard to get my head around some of the terminology around the paranormal world she lives in. Once I got past that, I got seriously invested.

She is usually a lone wolf, and is forced to work together with the chief inspector. They meet some interesting characters along the way.

Adina is a strong, badass vigilante that cleans the world of bad people. Absolutely loved her character.

The story had some really interesting turns, very descriptive, I could imagine the scenes as they were playing out.

It was really captivating, quite fast paced. The chemistry between the two is a bit of a slow burn. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I don’t really have anything to compare it too, but it was a great way to dip my toes back into the paranormal world.

Only gripe I have is that I have to wait for the next book, as it left me on a interesting cliffhanger 😅😅

Profile Image for Nikki.
119 reviews2 followers
March 31, 2024
Humor, horror, and heat? Sign me UP!

I absolutely loved Death by Miss Adventure, from the first page to the very last. The supernatural powers present in this world very similar to our own was super intriguing. As the story progresses, we find out more about this supernatural system and it's government (enter broody and buff Chief Inquisitor Levi Breitling).

I could hardly put this book down. From the world-building to the characters and the thrilling storyline, I was invested. Adina is a strong and sarcastic FMC with the spectral ability to ghost-walk (like...how freaking cool is that?!). After she is accused of murder and Levi is assigned to her case, their working relationship develops into something a bit more, resulting in Adina and Levi letting their guards down. Their worlds are different, yet so similar and I loved watching their characters progress and gain a bit more vulnerability.

Some of my favorite tropes are all over this book. There's enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a slow burn romance. You can also expect paranormal, fantasy, and mystery elements.

I'm so excited that there will be at least two more books in this series. This is my first time reading from S.G. Tasz and it certainly won't be my last. Urban Fantasy lovers, add this to your TBR.

Thank you Sunny Babe PR for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Ada’s Book Review.
418 reviews4 followers
May 12, 2024
✨ I received this book as an ARC for my honest review✨

Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“First, do no harm. But…if you must do harm, make damn sure they deserve it."

Adina’s a secret agent, but not the kind who works for the government. Nope, she’s an Operator, and even her family doesn’t know about her cool ability to leave her body and Deathwalk, which is basically like being a ghostly assassin. Adina only targets bad guys, so she's a ghostly Robin Hood.

The story really kicks off when The Order kidnaps her and accuses her of killing one of their own. Adina's innocent, of course, but now she's stuck with this uptight British investigator named Levi. Levi is all seriousness and grumpiness and totally not her type 😏😏

However, despite their rocky start, Adina and Levi make a pretty great team. They start out hating each other's guts, but there's some serious chemistry brewing between them. Plus, Adina already has a crow sidekick named Shiva, who's more like a freeloading roommate than a pet.

As they dive into this murder mystery, Adina's memories are returning and there is revealing information that could change everything. And Levi? Well, turns out he's not as by-the-book as he seems, especially when it comes to Adina.

This book had me hooked from start to finish, and I was thrilled to see two more books are coming this year. The world-building was top-notch, and I’m dying to see where Adina and Levi’s story goes next.
Profile Image for Shy Gawerecki.
1,783 reviews10 followers
November 15, 2024
Audiobook Review:

This was a really good series starter. I found myself most definitely engaged from start to finish. It was one that was really easy for me to pick up in between moments that life forced me to pause my listening. I really liked the main character Adina Venture, and I was very intrigued by the budding romance prospect. While it was certainly on the slow burn side as far as romance is concerned, I did like that it wasn’t fade to black. It was just far more limited than my normal romance and heavier on the mystery and crime solving. I did however also really like those mystery and crime solving aspects. Mystery/Thriller stories with a strong leading lady tend to be my preferred genre when I feel like I want to take a little bit of a break from romance so having a story like this, that was heavy on the mystery with a strong dose of romance thrown in was right up my alley. I like the set up for future books and certainly wouldn’t hesitate to check out more in the series. I would particularly be interested if the narrator for this story continued on with the series. While it was a new to me narrator to go with the new to me author, I felt like she did a really good job with this story especially with the different tones needed for the multiple characters. This was a really interesting world created by this author told to us so well by this narrator and I look forward to the next experience with it.
TheFlockVIPReviewTeam
Profile Image for Amber Monroe.
68 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2024
Title: Death by Miss Adventure by @sgtasz.author

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Special thanks to @sunnybabepr and the author for sending me a copy of this book!! I adored it!!

Review:
📚 I just finished "Death by Miss Adventure," and oh my stars, what a ride! 🎢 This book swept me off my feet from the very first page and never let me go. 📖💫

🔍 Miss Adventure is not your typical protagonist - she's bold, clever, and absolutely fearless. I couldn't help but admire her tenacity as she unraveled the mysteries that lurked around every corner. 💪🔎 We also love a British love interest, who falls first!! 💜

💥 The plot twists in this book are like fireworks exploding in the night sky - unexpected, breathtaking, and impossible to look away from. Every turn of the page brought a new revelation or a heart-pounding moment that left me gasping for breath. 🎆😱

🌍 And let's talk about the world-building! From bustling city streets to sketchy hotel hideouts, the author paints a vivid picture that made me feel like I was right there beside her, dodging chaos and chasing clues. 🏙️🌴

🤩 Overall, "Death by Miss Adventure" is an absolute gem of a book that I can't recommend enough. If you're looking for a thrilling adventure that will keep you guessing until the very end, look no further. This one's a winner! 🏆✨
Profile Image for Kristi's bookshelf .
161 reviews4 followers
March 31, 2024
What a great little book that hooks you from the first page!

In Death by Miss Adventure, Adina can walk between planes killing targets by using objects of theirs. However, when an esteemed member of the magical order turns up dead, Adina is the first suspect. Bound to the investigator, they search the magical world looking for the person framing her.

This book is high in suspense, being a mystery. The main characters jump over so many twists throughout the story. It makes you want to sit at the edge of your seat wondering what comes next. Since it's paranormal, nothing is as it seems however Adina and Levi learn to work well together to solve the mystery.

The pace of the book is perfect, not too slow and not too fast. The author does a fantastic job of having the characters work on the case while learning to trust eachother. As their character development progresses so does their ability to work together to figure out who the murderer is. The story ends up feeling more like a journey as the two characters solve other parts of the mystery before the end result.

I thought that the two main characters are perfect. Adina uses humor to balance the seriousness of her like whereas Levi is a serious no nonsense type of guy. Opposites attract and these two are no exceptions.

I love the ending too and can't wait to see what other adventures Miss Adventure gets into.
Profile Image for Ki.
87 reviews20 followers
April 5, 2024
• Spoiler free review •

This was such a cozy read! Granted it is a slow burn and different than what I’m used to but it was worth the wait ❤️

Let’s just say what’s better than humor, horror and heat?

Thank you @sunnybabepr for the arc ❤️

———————————————————————
With the power to assume an incorporeal form and track people down through their mementos and heirlooms, Adina is the hired gun no one ever sees coming. There are no contracts. No conversations. Just gruesome accidents, untraceable and custom-made.

When Adina is accused of killing a valued member of the clandestine magical Order, her history of operating undetected becomes a massive liability. Now, she must find the real culprit to get the Order off her back. Literally—until the case is closed, she will be Lashed to Chief Inquisitor Breitling, a sullen investigator with a knack for mental destruction and a searing hatred for traitors.

But what begins as a simple clearing of her name leads the pair deep into an unseen side of Sin City—one that’s rife with Operators of magic. Club moguls who manufacture memories. Cutthroat businessmen who can stop time. And beneath it all lies a powerful force that no one, not even Adina, can control. Suddenly, proving her innocence isn’t as easy as she thought. And the longer it takes to find the real killer, the tighter the Lash between her and Inquisitor Breitling seems to grow...

Full of mystery and magic with an undercurrent of simmering, slow-burn romance, Death by Miss Adventure is a contemporary urban fantasy for fans of The Dresden Files and the Sookie Stackhouse series.

#forcedproximety #slowburn #enemiestolovers #strongsnarkyfmc #hiddenmagic #paranormaldetectives #grumpybritishmmc #newbookfriends #indieauthors #indiereads
Profile Image for Bookaholic MK.
88 reviews
April 3, 2024
You know that feeling when you’ve read a book and you physically need to shout how great it was so the whole world could hear? Well, that’s how I felt while reading Death by Miss Adventure. It was a very light read for me, that consumed me completely. Reading it felt like breathing - you couldn’t stop until external factors made you stop. I loved the book from the beginning until the very end, and oh what a cliffhanger there was!
It so lived up to its tropes! And I will be honest, this is not the genre I normally opt for, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I loved the whole idea of Chaos and how it works. I also liked that the FMC was strong, but had her own “weak” moments that added realness to the story. And oh, Levi, the man that you are🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻Trust me when I say that he should be a new MMC standard, because I think most of us would give our soul for him. I mean, even his office is inspired by 221B Baker Street (new goal unlocked)
I would like to know a bit more about the world building though, since most of the stuff was presented in a way that kind of assumed we either already knew it or will understand it in the future, other than that there’s not much I would like to comment on about this book because I really want everyone who hasn’t read it yet to read and enjoy it as much as I did.
Profile Image for Rony.
10 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2024
Death by Misadventure is an urban fantasy and wow is it action packed! Every chapter there was something going on, which added depth to the narrative and constant intrigue! As soon as I put the book down, I’d pick it up again! 😅

Though certain plot elements I found hard to understand sometimes, the writing was clear and engaging and my little brain would get there in the end 😂

I have not been myself this last month or so and haven’t been reading as consistently; I could pick this book up and continue reading and in no time be back on track. During this time especially, this was extremely valued!

The romance had me giddy, feeling all gooey and blushing! ☺️🤭 I can be a little nervous when it comes to romances but this was perfect! There was enough sweetness 🍰 and enough spiciness 🌶️ without being too much of both!

The chemistry was honestly electrifying between Brietling and Adina and I just wanted more and more! 😍

This book was so much more than just a great plot and a giddy romance. At a time where I have hurt, lost and grieved, this book has told me that chaos will always happen. Life is not easy, but you can’t let the chaos that occurs to impact the way you view and live your life.

‘We’re all mere toys for Chaos to pick up and put down as it likes.’

P.S what a cliffhanger?! 🤭😱
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