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Post Mortem Management
Scarlet loves her job as Death’s Assistant. Working for the Grim Reaper, or Dennis, as he prefers to be called around the office, requires her to be organized, driven and efficient. From demons to the dead, her days are never dull. Yet Dennis is surprisingly cheerful and compassionate as the ultimate public servant. Being around him keeps her smiling most days, despite the complicated clientele.
For the past five years, Scarlet has been content to schedule meetings with the dead and demons alike. Until the gods start to misbehave, and the body counts rapidly climb higher and higher. When Dennis investigates, he unravels layers of betrayal and deceit that throws the world into danger. Managing this crisis brings Dennis and Scarlet closer together, and Scarlet is suddenly struggling with her budding feelings for Dennis. Without success, she attempts to downplay her romantic feelings for him, because what could be more disastrous than an office romance with the boss?
Scarlet and Dennis wade through post mortem management and their emotions while dealing with gods and betrayals on top of the already busy workload. Before long, they are not only fighting for their lives, but for the souls of every person on Earth, as the gods wage war against humanity’s only Death.
For the past five years, Scarlet has been content to schedule meetings with the dead and demons alike. Until the gods start to misbehave, and the body counts rapidly climb higher and higher. When Dennis investigates, he unravels layers of betrayal and deceit that throws the world into danger. Managing this crisis brings Dennis and Scarlet closer together, and Scarlet is suddenly struggling with her budding feelings for Dennis. Without success, she attempts to downplay her romantic feelings for him, because what could be more disastrous than an office romance with the boss?
Scarlet and Dennis wade through post mortem management and their emotions while dealing with gods and betrayals on top of the already busy workload. Before long, they are not only fighting for their lives, but for the souls of every person on Earth, as the gods wage war against humanity’s only Death.
359 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 1, 2023
Published on October 23rd in the Miramichi Reader at https://miramichireader.ca/
If you enjoy books with strong female leads, colourful characters, and supernatural elements, Post Mortem Management by Deanna Foster is the book for you.
For the past five years, Scarlet has spent her days happily scheduling and rescheduling appointments, taking notes at boardroom meetings, and ensuring her boss’ office runs smoothly and efficiently. She even brings in treats; cupcakes and cookies she had made herself to help her boss cope with his high-stress job. It sounds like a perfectly normal job until you find out that Scarlet works for Death aka the Grim Reaper or as he prefers to be called, Dennis.
The human realm is quickly changing and Death needs to change with it. He no longer could ride his black chariot, walk around in his black robe, or even carry his scythe. So now he is wearing 3 piece suits to the office, taking appointments with the dead, and calling himself Dennis to fit in with the human realm. Despite his high-stress job Dennis stays surprisingly cheerful and keeps Scarlet smiling most days. Everything runs relatively smoothly at the office until Dennis is asked, by his Mother to train his brother in the “Family Business”.
When a deadly crisis hits humanity causing the death toll to dramatically increase, Dennis and Scarlet investigate. During the long hours spent side by side investigating, they come across betrayals and deceit from surprising and not-so-surprising sources. Scarlet also discovers that she has developed feelings for her boss…and what can be more disastrous than an office romance or crush on the boss, especially when he is Death?
This is the first book Deanna Foster has written in the fantasy/supernatural genre and a refreshing departure from the books I’ve read this past year, it may even end up in my top 5 books for 2023. With its wide range of Ghoulish characters Post Mortem Management is the ideal novel to read this Halloween season.
If you enjoy books with strong female leads, colourful characters, and supernatural elements, Post Mortem Management by Deanna Foster is the book for you.
For the past five years, Scarlet has spent her days happily scheduling and rescheduling appointments, taking notes at boardroom meetings, and ensuring her boss’ office runs smoothly and efficiently. She even brings in treats; cupcakes and cookies she had made herself to help her boss cope with his high-stress job. It sounds like a perfectly normal job until you find out that Scarlet works for Death aka the Grim Reaper or as he prefers to be called, Dennis.
The human realm is quickly changing and Death needs to change with it. He no longer could ride his black chariot, walk around in his black robe, or even carry his scythe. So now he is wearing 3 piece suits to the office, taking appointments with the dead, and calling himself Dennis to fit in with the human realm. Despite his high-stress job Dennis stays surprisingly cheerful and keeps Scarlet smiling most days. Everything runs relatively smoothly at the office until Dennis is asked, by his Mother to train his brother in the “Family Business”.
When a deadly crisis hits humanity causing the death toll to dramatically increase, Dennis and Scarlet investigate. During the long hours spent side by side investigating, they come across betrayals and deceit from surprising and not-so-surprising sources. Scarlet also discovers that she has developed feelings for her boss…and what can be more disastrous than an office romance or crush on the boss, especially when he is Death?
This is the first book Deanna Foster has written in the fantasy/supernatural genre and a refreshing departure from the books I’ve read this past year, it may even end up in my top 5 books for 2023. With its wide range of Ghoulish characters Post Mortem Management is the ideal novel to read this Halloween season.
November 11, 2025
Most family run businesses can have interesting challenges: well trained and loyal employees, proper handling of clientele, efficient and effective office procedures to ensure client needs are met appropriately, and reliable partnerships with various suppliers who support the running of the business help the business be successful. Then there are the internal conflicts that can arise amongst family members. Challenging for any business. When you are in the business of death, and your outside partners/ suppliers/ “competitors” are in the paranormal realm, the challenges can be even more interesting. These challenges are all addressed in this book in detail.
Scarlett had been assistant to Death, or the Grim Reaper, for the past 5 years. She is very organized and has streamlined appointments, “office”communications, and has become very adept with handling of the dead, and a number of otherworldly creatures who seek an audience with Death. All has been going according to plan until gods start interfering, and consorting with each other to create a pandemic. In addition to that, there is a betrayal or two brewing. Scarlett has also been experiencing a growing attachment to her boss… which could be disastrous.
I love how the author builds the story… colorful descriptions of other worldly characters, Scarlett showing more of her strong woman character tempered with kindness and wisdom, the buildup of the pandemic and humans reactions both pro and con to growing restrictions and inevitable clashes. Parallels exactly what happened during COVID in the early days. The battle that eventually ensues to bring “ world death” back in order I found was quite detailed - I did find that a bit long in the reading. Even though a story on the “darker” side, there is humour sprinkled in there as well- Death and demons with a sweet tooth? Who would have guessed?
A bit of a longer read (350 pages). Read during Halloween season so appropriate topic for that time. I enjoyed it overall.
Scarlett had been assistant to Death, or the Grim Reaper, for the past 5 years. She is very organized and has streamlined appointments, “office”communications, and has become very adept with handling of the dead, and a number of otherworldly creatures who seek an audience with Death. All has been going according to plan until gods start interfering, and consorting with each other to create a pandemic. In addition to that, there is a betrayal or two brewing. Scarlett has also been experiencing a growing attachment to her boss… which could be disastrous.
I love how the author builds the story… colorful descriptions of other worldly characters, Scarlett showing more of her strong woman character tempered with kindness and wisdom, the buildup of the pandemic and humans reactions both pro and con to growing restrictions and inevitable clashes. Parallels exactly what happened during COVID in the early days. The battle that eventually ensues to bring “ world death” back in order I found was quite detailed - I did find that a bit long in the reading. Even though a story on the “darker” side, there is humour sprinkled in there as well- Death and demons with a sweet tooth? Who would have guessed?
A bit of a longer read (350 pages). Read during Halloween season so appropriate topic for that time. I enjoyed it overall.
August 21, 2025
A paranormal, employee/boss, suspense romance novel. In this case, the boss is Death, a deity in charge of collecting the souls of the dead. He's progressive enough to have hired an assistant to manage scheduling appointments, uses a cell phone, and wears a business suit. He also has a sweet tooth and a supernatural metabolism that tolerates huge quantities of pastries and cupcakes. There are lots of playful elements in the story, but the grim realities of the work are never far away and there are very dark moments. I was a little hesitant that the heroine, Scarlet, is frequently baking to please her man, but she is soon revealed to be a strong character and apt at dealing with death.
The suspense subplot is complex, involving palace intrigues and conflicts between realms, of which our human world is just one. The world-building is thin, and I was sometimes uncertain exactly what was happening or why, but the pace is brisk, and it's always better to have too little world-building than too much. As is common in suspense romance novels, the suspense subplot tends to take over as the story proceeds, but in the end it merges nicely with the romance plot.
The tool of the bad guys is a global pandemic, with obvious parallels to COVID-19 and references to issues like opposition to masking. Tampering with historical records is also raised. The political commentary adds appreciated depth to the story.
The suspense subplot is complex, involving palace intrigues and conflicts between realms, of which our human world is just one. The world-building is thin, and I was sometimes uncertain exactly what was happening or why, but the pace is brisk, and it's always better to have too little world-building than too much. As is common in suspense romance novels, the suspense subplot tends to take over as the story proceeds, but in the end it merges nicely with the romance plot.
The tool of the bad guys is a global pandemic, with obvious parallels to COVID-19 and references to issues like opposition to masking. Tampering with historical records is also raised. The political commentary adds appreciated depth to the story.
November 8, 2023
POST MORTEM MANAGEMENT by Deanna Foster, Author packed a punch for this reader.
Here we meet Scarlet, assistant to the Death. Her past makes her a perfect candidate to manage the Grim Reaper's appointments with those who wish to barter with Death. Along with Scarlet we encounter, demons, nymphs, muses and a cast of other beings in realms other than the one lived in by her and her boss. Scarlet proves she is not an ordinary assistant and will go to great lengths to prove her loyalty to her boss and her job.
Added to the mix is a global crisis, a war of Gods, family betrayal and what can only be described as the ultimate office romance.
Scarlet and Death are drawn together as they not only fight for their own existence, but for the souls of every person on Earth. The battle almost proves too much for humanity's ultimate defender - Death.
Deanna Foster challenges some of our pre-conceived notions of angels, heaven, faith and death.
Action packed. Fast-paced. Cleverly plotted. Thought-provoking.
Oh, and I never would have guessed that Death had a sweet tooth.
Here we meet Scarlet, assistant to the Death. Her past makes her a perfect candidate to manage the Grim Reaper's appointments with those who wish to barter with Death. Along with Scarlet we encounter, demons, nymphs, muses and a cast of other beings in realms other than the one lived in by her and her boss. Scarlet proves she is not an ordinary assistant and will go to great lengths to prove her loyalty to her boss and her job.
Added to the mix is a global crisis, a war of Gods, family betrayal and what can only be described as the ultimate office romance.
Scarlet and Death are drawn together as they not only fight for their own existence, but for the souls of every person on Earth. The battle almost proves too much for humanity's ultimate defender - Death.
Deanna Foster challenges some of our pre-conceived notions of angels, heaven, faith and death.
Action packed. Fast-paced. Cleverly plotted. Thought-provoking.
Oh, and I never would have guessed that Death had a sweet tooth.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews