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S.C.Y.T.H.E Mystery #1
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer
Sometimes it takes working with the dead to start living.
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.
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, her almost ex-husband—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.
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.
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, her almost ex-husband—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.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,405 reviews
August 17, 2024
Kathy Valence is 42, nearly divorced, pregnant by her soon to be ex-husband Simon, and utterly convinced she’s cursed with a 'Sadim' (an anadrome of the word Midas) touch. She only sees her failures and has built her walls so people can’t get too close, but one thing she is good at?
Collecting a newly deceased person’s soul or “essence” for processing to the afterlife on behalf of her employer, S.C.Y.T.H.E (Secure Collection, Yielding and Transportation of Human Essences).
Unfortunately, her work success is about to hit a snag when her latest client’s soul, case number 507032, better known in life as 17-year-old Conner Ortiz, is missing from the scene! To make matters worse, when she does track his essence down, he claims he was murdered! His file says he died of natural causes. What’s going on?
That’s the premise, but what follows is Kathy and Conner, along with her mentor Jo and almost ex, Simon, racing against time to figure out who ACTUALLY murdered him and get him to processing within the 45-day window before he becomes a permanent ghost or loses his soul forever!
First let me say that I MOSTLY liked this, and as a series starter it shows a lot of potential for what’s to come. It’s well-written, has a nice sense of humor, a decent mystery and though I didn’t immediately connect with Kathy or Conner, I grew to really like both of them by the end. The ad hoc mother-son relationship between the two was funny and touching! I also loved Simon’s gentle heart. Themes of found family, finding one’s inherent worth, being vulnerable in relationships, grief, and what constitutes being a parent are all explored, among others.
There were some aspects of the story that didn’t work as well for me, though.
Among the characters, Kathy can be a Debbie Downer, so fixated on her failures that she comes across as pathetic and irritating at times. Conner starts off as hostile and brash, and he’s unceasingly foul-mouthed, which could get repetitive, though I did grow to sympathize with him and see his very sweet qualities over time too. He’s a teenager, so he gets extra grace from me! Ancillary characters would’ve benefited from being developed more as well.
The pacing needed a boost. There were a lot of dead ends (no pun intended) in the mystery, so when I began to get excited that the story’s action was about to pick up, it was disappointing when it didn’t keep the momentum. For a story involving a pregnant woman, it was like Braxton-Hicks contractions: Yay! Something’s happening! Ah … nope … sorry … false alarm.
My only other complaint was that the ending felt rushed and not adequately explained. I’m still not sure what the motivation for those involved was, which made the story lose some of its punch at the end.
All of that said, the winning aspects of the story made up for its deficits, and while I can’t say I loved it, I did like it well enough to move onto the next book in the series!
★★★ ½
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author Maxie Dara for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published October 1, 2024.
Collecting a newly deceased person’s soul or “essence” for processing to the afterlife on behalf of her employer, S.C.Y.T.H.E (Secure Collection, Yielding and Transportation of Human Essences).
Unfortunately, her work success is about to hit a snag when her latest client’s soul, case number 507032, better known in life as 17-year-old Conner Ortiz, is missing from the scene! To make matters worse, when she does track his essence down, he claims he was murdered! His file says he died of natural causes. What’s going on?
That’s the premise, but what follows is Kathy and Conner, along with her mentor Jo and almost ex, Simon, racing against time to figure out who ACTUALLY murdered him and get him to processing within the 45-day window before he becomes a permanent ghost or loses his soul forever!
First let me say that I MOSTLY liked this, and as a series starter it shows a lot of potential for what’s to come. It’s well-written, has a nice sense of humor, a decent mystery and though I didn’t immediately connect with Kathy or Conner, I grew to really like both of them by the end. The ad hoc mother-son relationship between the two was funny and touching! I also loved Simon’s gentle heart. Themes of found family, finding one’s inherent worth, being vulnerable in relationships, grief, and what constitutes being a parent are all explored, among others.
There were some aspects of the story that didn’t work as well for me, though.
Among the characters, Kathy can be a Debbie Downer, so fixated on her failures that she comes across as pathetic and irritating at times. Conner starts off as hostile and brash, and he’s unceasingly foul-mouthed, which could get repetitive, though I did grow to sympathize with him and see his very sweet qualities over time too. He’s a teenager, so he gets extra grace from me! Ancillary characters would’ve benefited from being developed more as well.
The pacing needed a boost. There were a lot of dead ends (no pun intended) in the mystery, so when I began to get excited that the story’s action was about to pick up, it was disappointing when it didn’t keep the momentum. For a story involving a pregnant woman, it was like Braxton-Hicks contractions: Yay! Something’s happening! Ah … nope … sorry … false alarm.
My only other complaint was that the ending felt rushed and not adequately explained. I’m still not sure what the motivation for those involved was, which made the story lose some of its punch at the end.
All of that said, the winning aspects of the story made up for its deficits, and while I can’t say I loved it, I did like it well enough to move onto the next book in the series!
★★★ ½
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author Maxie Dara for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published October 1, 2024.
October 28, 2024
I was not expecting this to end up on my favorites list of the year?! 😧
December 6, 2024
rip conner adhd king gone but not forgotten
October 8, 2024
slow & very hard to get into - did not like it at all...
September 15, 2024
I enjoyed this cozy mystery a lot more than I anticipated. I love that the MCs are so normal. Average everything. Bland, even. And yet none of that is even mentioned when Kathy and Simon look at each other. Frumpy people fall in love and have satisfying spicy times, too! Yes! Also, the idea of found family is strong - their cohesive group of misfits almost felt like another character, its own entity. It’s not a perfect book (wrapped things up pretty quickly at the end), but it’s an entertaining way to spend an afternoon. 3.5 stars.
September 9, 2024
this is actually a favorite book ive read in awhile. I will admit I was surprised by how much I liked it. I never expected a book with such a cheesy premise to come with such intense topics and subtlety’s. I loved this book from start to finish, kathy and connor’s reluctant alliance turned friendship was so touching and the book had funny moments that made it so easy to read. thank you to netgalley and the author for the opportunity to review this!
September 10, 2025
Way to debut!
I absolutely loved this book. It's perfect for spooky season of you want something spooky light. It's LOL funny, such great characters, living ones and not so living ones. In fact, Conner was probably my favorite but his relationship with Kathy was so special.
If audio is your thing, I highly recommend that format.
This is marked as book #1 and I am absolutely ecstatic for more that is to come.
I absolutely loved this book. It's perfect for spooky season of you want something spooky light. It's LOL funny, such great characters, living ones and not so living ones. In fact, Conner was probably my favorite but his relationship with Kathy was so special.
If audio is your thing, I highly recommend that format.
This is marked as book #1 and I am absolutely ecstatic for more that is to come.
November 21, 2024
I need more. Like. Yesterday.
This is so much more than a murder mystery story. It’s about found family and accepting the love from those we hold close. It’s about knowing that you're never too old to change your life and to let people in, and so much more. Kathy, Connor, Simon, and Jo have my heart, and I hope there are more cases coming from them.🥰💛💛💛
This is so much more than a murder mystery story. It’s about found family and accepting the love from those we hold close. It’s about knowing that you're never too old to change your life and to let people in, and so much more. Kathy, Connor, Simon, and Jo have my heart, and I hope there are more cases coming from them.🥰💛💛💛
October 5, 2024
The story's premise -- the ferrying of souls to the afterlife trasformed into a corporate entity where, with a little training and a nifty badge, anyone can be a "reaper" is an interesting one. The book itself... well, as a mystery, it left a lot to be desired. If, on the otherhand, this had been tagged as "chick-lit" and titled "A Grim Reaper's Guide to Getting a Grip" it would have been right on point.
Kathy, riddled with insecurities (to the point that I just wanted to shake the stuffing out of her and tell her to grow a spine) and pregnant at 42 is not the main character a mystery story needed. Before I go any further, let me say that it's perfectly normal for a person to be insecure and uncertain of their ability to be a good parent. That wasn't the problem. It was the fact that we were promised a murder mystery, but it wasn't what we were given.
First off, roughly 60-75% of this book is focused on Kathy's personal insecurities and keeping her "almost ex-husband" at arms length. There is very little investigation. So little, in fact, that we can scarcely call this book a mystery, cosy or otherwise. Catching the killer felt like an afterthought near the end, and we never got a satisfying explanation of what the killer and their cohorts were trying to accomplish other than "studying" the human essence. We needed more action, more development of secondary and tertiary characters, more information about S.C.Y.T.H.E.
Second, at age 35 and up, a pregnancy is considered "high risk" -- risk of a whole host of health issues for the mother and a ridiculous number of birth defects for the baby. Good/conscientious healthcare would have had Kathy at weekly OB-GYN visits, receiving frequent sonograms, and undergoing a lot of labwork. The amount of vomiting she does throughout this book would have had her on strict bed-rest and medical treatment. It was completely unbelievable that this woman had the time or physical ability to get up the shenanigans portrayed in this book. I found it difficult to maintain my "suspension of disbelief" throughout the story.
I can say that, with some skimming of the endless self-flagilation, I did manage to finish the book. The technical aspects of the writing -- sentence structure, spelling, grammar, proof-reading -- were well done. Cudos to a great editorial team.
There is a LOT of cursing by Kathy and the murdered soul she's trying to help, which will be a turn-off for a lot of readers of the cosy mystery and chick-lit genres. There is no sex, but there are a fair number of casual references to recreational drug use, underage drinking, and ciminal activities.
**I won a digital copy in a Goodreads Giveaway, otherwise I would be waiting for my local public library to obtain a copy. The price-point of this book ($12.99) is FAR outside what I'm willing to pay for a non-physical book.**
Kathy, riddled with insecurities (to the point that I just wanted to shake the stuffing out of her and tell her to grow a spine) and pregnant at 42 is not the main character a mystery story needed. Before I go any further, let me say that it's perfectly normal for a person to be insecure and uncertain of their ability to be a good parent. That wasn't the problem. It was the fact that we were promised a murder mystery, but it wasn't what we were given.
First off, roughly 60-75% of this book is focused on Kathy's personal insecurities and keeping her "almost ex-husband" at arms length. There is very little investigation. So little, in fact, that we can scarcely call this book a mystery, cosy or otherwise. Catching the killer felt like an afterthought near the end, and we never got a satisfying explanation of what the killer and their cohorts were trying to accomplish other than "studying" the human essence. We needed more action, more development of secondary and tertiary characters, more information about S.C.Y.T.H.E.
Second, at age 35 and up, a pregnancy is considered "high risk" -- risk of a whole host of health issues for the mother and a ridiculous number of birth defects for the baby. Good/conscientious healthcare would have had Kathy at weekly OB-GYN visits, receiving frequent sonograms, and undergoing a lot of labwork. The amount of vomiting she does throughout this book would have had her on strict bed-rest and medical treatment. It was completely unbelievable that this woman had the time or physical ability to get up the shenanigans portrayed in this book. I found it difficult to maintain my "suspension of disbelief" throughout the story.
I can say that, with some skimming of the endless self-flagilation, I did manage to finish the book. The technical aspects of the writing -- sentence structure, spelling, grammar, proof-reading -- were well done. Cudos to a great editorial team.
There is a LOT of cursing by Kathy and the murdered soul she's trying to help, which will be a turn-off for a lot of readers of the cosy mystery and chick-lit genres. There is no sex, but there are a fair number of casual references to recreational drug use, underage drinking, and ciminal activities.
**I won a digital copy in a Goodreads Giveaway, otherwise I would be waiting for my local public library to obtain a copy. The price-point of this book ($12.99) is FAR outside what I'm willing to pay for a non-physical book.**
May 15, 2024
Who knew a book about a self-exiled pregnant grim reaper could be so incredibly touching? It is full of humanity, life, wisdom, risk, and intense emotion. The friendship between Connor and Kathy will stick with me long after finishing. This novel is important. It is raw, real, and rare. One of the best books I have ever read, Maxie Dara writes the middle-aged female perspective and the angsty teenager with perfection. I cannot recommend this book enough, it is that good. Truthfully, I cry easily, but I have never shed happy tears over a murder mystery. You’ve got to pick up this book!
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley, for the eARC! I am “eternally” grateful.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley, for the eARC! I am “eternally” grateful.
October 15, 2024
Book #1 in S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery series.
Stellar debut - 4.5 stars. With a “sprinkling of spook” this paranormal cozy mystery features main character Kathy Valence forty-two, a human grim reaper and mommy-to-be. Sadly, Kathy is a pessimist, self-sabotages and never gets close to anyone. Her latest client, Conner age seventeen, is missing, and once his essence/soul is recovered claims he was murdered + refuses Kathy unless she helps find his killer - - ALTHOUGH his file says he died of natural causes. My surprise is that he names his killer as a SCYTHE yet can’t remember details. Hmmm .. sounds a bit sketchy, a bit crazy .. is definitely an unusual request for Kathy, yes, but not impossible and reaches out for help from her retired co-worker/mentor Jo, soon to be ex—Simon .. Conner too. BUT THE CATCH, they have to get Conner to processing within forty-five days or he becomes a permanent ghost on earth. FOREVER. Grim Reaper’s Guide is a reluctant-alliance-turned-friendship tale that’s tender and touching (I adored Kathy + Conner) .. along with found family and funny times. Was so heartfilling to see the transformation in Kathy. I can’t wait to read more of this series. Pub. 10/1/24
Stellar debut - 4.5 stars. With a “sprinkling of spook” this paranormal cozy mystery features main character Kathy Valence forty-two, a human grim reaper and mommy-to-be. Sadly, Kathy is a pessimist, self-sabotages and never gets close to anyone. Her latest client, Conner age seventeen, is missing, and once his essence/soul is recovered claims he was murdered + refuses Kathy unless she helps find his killer - - ALTHOUGH his file says he died of natural causes. My surprise is that he names his killer as a SCYTHE yet can’t remember details. Hmmm .. sounds a bit sketchy, a bit crazy .. is definitely an unusual request for Kathy, yes, but not impossible and reaches out for help from her retired co-worker/mentor Jo, soon to be ex—Simon .. Conner too. BUT THE CATCH, they have to get Conner to processing within forty-five days or he becomes a permanent ghost on earth. FOREVER. Grim Reaper’s Guide is a reluctant-alliance-turned-friendship tale that’s tender and touching (I adored Kathy + Conner) .. along with found family and funny times. Was so heartfilling to see the transformation in Kathy. I can’t wait to read more of this series. Pub. 10/1/24
October 16, 2024
This book probably deserves more like a 4.2. But it’s been downgraded to a 3 for me because of all the body shaming the MC engages in. Her weight is a constant thing that she just perseverates on until it’s almost u bearable. Literally someone shoots at her and when they find out she’s 9 months pregnant the person suggests they just thought she was fat. The MC is a US size 14! There’s no way someone would think she was just fat and not pregnant.
The cozy mystery at the core was nice and the world building is interesting. But honestly, I hope the author sheds this weight obsession and just gets on with the story next time!
The cozy mystery at the core was nice and the world building is interesting. But honestly, I hope the author sheds this weight obsession and just gets on with the story next time!
March 6, 2025
boring asf. also cannot stand the fact that she’s mean to her sweet husband bc she thinks she doesn’t deserve him? babe you’re literally 42!!! go to therapy i beg
September 1, 2025
This book is so amazing! I had to wait so long to get it at the library (unfortunately, I don't have money to buy all the books I want), but I was most definitely worth the wait!
Not only was the mystery and characters written perfectly, I absolutely loved her ex, Simon. They have separated not because of anything horrible in the past, but she has to keep everything in her job secret. What I especially love, though, is that he is bald with sweaty palms. Yet she constantly wants to throw him on the table and have sex with him . He is just the most amazing love interest I think I have read in a book. He puts absolutely no pressure on her for anything. Just is there to help her. No expectations. Just because she needs help.
I can't wait to read the next book! Definitely would recommend!
Not only was the mystery and characters written perfectly, I absolutely loved her ex, Simon. They have separated not because of anything horrible in the past, but she has to keep everything in her job secret. What I especially love, though, is that he is bald with sweaty palms. Yet she constantly wants to throw him on the table and have sex with him . He is just the most amazing love interest I think I have read in a book. He puts absolutely no pressure on her for anything. Just is there to help her. No expectations. Just because she needs help.
I can't wait to read the next book! Definitely would recommend!
March 16, 2025
I have never been much of murder mystery reader. Which is odd considering that I got my love of books from a mother who read almost exclusively Sue Grafton, Mary Higgins Clark, Sara Paretsky, and the like. That's been changing a little bit in recent years, as I've discovered a few authors whose mysteries I've adored and that's led me toward exploring the genre a little more.
Honestly, though, the reason I picked up A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer was that the main character in the book is a grim reaper who has to help a teen into the afterlife. I don't know many people who are familiar with the show Dead Like Me, which ran on Showtime for two brief seasons before returning with a lackuster TV movie to help wrap up a few storylines. That one's about a teen, George, who dies young and is welcomed into the afterlife by Mandy Patinkin (at his post-Yentl, pre-Homeland sexiest) and learns that she's been assigned to work as a reaper, whose job is to transition souls from Earth to an afterlife we don't really see much of. I haven't watched it in years, but I remember it being absolutely delightful. The tagline of this book reminded me of that, and that I read it specifically to see if it had the same vibes.
The book is actually a bit different, but it's largely just as delightful. It folows Kathy, a fortysomething woman who is pregnant, mid-divorce, and working as a "collections agent," which is really just a marketing-friendly term for grim reaper. In the world that Maxie Dara has built, though, grim reapers aren't dead people welcoming others to the afterlife so much as living people who have to help get recently dead people on their way to the afterlife. They have 45 days to do so before the person becomes a ghost trapped on Earth, and their departmental badges ensure that they can do their work almost invisibly (the book clarifies that Kathy's badge doesn't make her truly invisble to normies, just "not noticeable" - I don't really understand the distinction, because it seems like it's for all intents and purposes invisble).
The fact that Kathy can't really tell other people about her job is the reason she's mid-divorce, as she's used the need for secrecy to build lots of walls between her and her endearing soon-to-be-ex Simon. Her only friend is Jo, a recently retired fellow collections agent, who just so happens to be blind. She has coworkers, but she's always maintained a bit of distance from them. Working in the Natural Deaths division of SCYTHE - a company dedicated to the transition between the living world and the afterlife - Kathy just shows up, does the job without getting attached, and goes home to a microwave dinner in her sad apartment while the others hit up happy hours and go home to their happy families. Kathy is pregnant - the result of a backslide with Simon that indicates that she's not really as ready for him to be her ex as she claims - and the same emotional baggage that caused her to bail on her marriage is also causing her to feel a lot of anxiety about the idea of becoming a mother, but she's rolling ahead with it anyway, out of inertia as much as anything else.
As the book starts, Kathy is assigned to collect the soul of Conner, a 17 year-old boy who has died of a seizure. But when she shows up to his house, his soul isn't there. She eventually tracks it down to a park near his home, and he refuses to go to Processing because he insists he was murdered and he wants to know who did it and why.
Conner is a difficult kid at the outset. He's bitter that he's dead, obviously, but he's also bitter about the fact that his parents were kind of checked out of his life and he died without truly feeling loved by anyone other than his best friend Ethan. Even though she's a little skeptical regarding his insistence that he was murdered, Kathy is willing to help him investigate. At first, it's just because she needs to close this case file. But as time goes on and answers prove elusive, Kathy truly comes to care about Conner.
I came to this book prepared for a quick, maybe silly, little murder mystery with a paranormal bent to it. I was not expecting a bittersweet story of learning to let other people in. The relationship between Kathy and Conner was so fun, as they both learn to let their guard down a bit with each other. Kathy has to get some help from both Jo and Simon in order to solve the murder, which only serves to soften her up even more.
And even though you know from get-go . I didn't expect to find this book so moving! It's not spoilery to say that it ends on a note that feels very much like the set-up to a series (and it's listed here on Goodreads as Book #1, despite no Book #2 being announced). I do hope it does end up becoming a series, because I would love to spend more time in Kathy's world.
Honestly, though, the reason I picked up A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer was that the main character in the book is a grim reaper who has to help a teen into the afterlife. I don't know many people who are familiar with the show Dead Like Me, which ran on Showtime for two brief seasons before returning with a lackuster TV movie to help wrap up a few storylines. That one's about a teen, George, who dies young and is welcomed into the afterlife by Mandy Patinkin (at his post-Yentl, pre-Homeland sexiest) and learns that she's been assigned to work as a reaper, whose job is to transition souls from Earth to an afterlife we don't really see much of. I haven't watched it in years, but I remember it being absolutely delightful. The tagline of this book reminded me of that, and that I read it specifically to see if it had the same vibes.
The book is actually a bit different, but it's largely just as delightful. It folows Kathy, a fortysomething woman who is pregnant, mid-divorce, and working as a "collections agent," which is really just a marketing-friendly term for grim reaper. In the world that Maxie Dara has built, though, grim reapers aren't dead people welcoming others to the afterlife so much as living people who have to help get recently dead people on their way to the afterlife. They have 45 days to do so before the person becomes a ghost trapped on Earth, and their departmental badges ensure that they can do their work almost invisibly (the book clarifies that Kathy's badge doesn't make her truly invisble to normies, just "not noticeable" - I don't really understand the distinction, because it seems like it's for all intents and purposes invisble).
The fact that Kathy can't really tell other people about her job is the reason she's mid-divorce, as she's used the need for secrecy to build lots of walls between her and her endearing soon-to-be-ex Simon. Her only friend is Jo, a recently retired fellow collections agent, who just so happens to be blind. She has coworkers, but she's always maintained a bit of distance from them. Working in the Natural Deaths division of SCYTHE - a company dedicated to the transition between the living world and the afterlife - Kathy just shows up, does the job without getting attached, and goes home to a microwave dinner in her sad apartment while the others hit up happy hours and go home to their happy families. Kathy is pregnant - the result of a backslide with Simon that indicates that she's not really as ready for him to be her ex as she claims - and the same emotional baggage that caused her to bail on her marriage is also causing her to feel a lot of anxiety about the idea of becoming a mother, but she's rolling ahead with it anyway, out of inertia as much as anything else.
As the book starts, Kathy is assigned to collect the soul of Conner, a 17 year-old boy who has died of a seizure. But when she shows up to his house, his soul isn't there. She eventually tracks it down to a park near his home, and he refuses to go to Processing because he insists he was murdered and he wants to know who did it and why.
Conner is a difficult kid at the outset. He's bitter that he's dead, obviously, but he's also bitter about the fact that his parents were kind of checked out of his life and he died without truly feeling loved by anyone other than his best friend Ethan. Even though she's a little skeptical regarding his insistence that he was murdered, Kathy is willing to help him investigate. At first, it's just because she needs to close this case file. But as time goes on and answers prove elusive, Kathy truly comes to care about Conner.
I came to this book prepared for a quick, maybe silly, little murder mystery with a paranormal bent to it. I was not expecting a bittersweet story of learning to let other people in. The relationship between Kathy and Conner was so fun, as they both learn to let their guard down a bit with each other. Kathy has to get some help from both Jo and Simon in order to solve the murder, which only serves to soften her up even more.
And even though you know from get-go . I didn't expect to find this book so moving! It's not spoilery to say that it ends on a note that feels very much like the set-up to a series (and it's listed here on Goodreads as Book #1, despite no Book #2 being announced). I do hope it does end up becoming a series, because I would love to spend more time in Kathy's world.
October 26, 2024
*thank you Berkley and PRH audio for the gifted copy for review
October 12, 2024
I took this delightful mystery in via audio (the narration was fantastic!)
Kathy works for a company called S.C.Y.T.H.E. as a collector--she goes to the scene of a death and transports the person's soul to the appropriate location for processing into the afterlife. But the soul of 17 year old Conner convinces her he was murdered by someone in her organization. They must investigate what really happened and why it was covered up, all before Conner's soul becomes fated to be stuck on Earth forever as a ghost. All this while 42 year old Kathy is going through a divorce, and pregnant with her first child.
The mystery was all well and good, but it was the relationships that made this one so touching. Conner really felt a lack of love from his parents, and Kathy worries she will be a terrible parent. The two of them wind up helping each other out far beyond working together to save Conner from an eternity as a ghost. This found family aspect was so sweet!
The narrative style of this book is super amusing, and I let out some laughs here and there. The details of story definitely left me with some questions (what exactly does Kathy do at her cubicle in the office all day every day for a job as what amounts to a currier?) But it was sweet and funny enough that these things didn’t bother me overmuch. I really enjoyed this one!
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Kathy works for a company called S.C.Y.T.H.E. as a collector--she goes to the scene of a death and transports the person's soul to the appropriate location for processing into the afterlife. But the soul of 17 year old Conner convinces her he was murdered by someone in her organization. They must investigate what really happened and why it was covered up, all before Conner's soul becomes fated to be stuck on Earth forever as a ghost. All this while 42 year old Kathy is going through a divorce, and pregnant with her first child.
The mystery was all well and good, but it was the relationships that made this one so touching. Conner really felt a lack of love from his parents, and Kathy worries she will be a terrible parent. The two of them wind up helping each other out far beyond working together to save Conner from an eternity as a ghost. This found family aspect was so sweet!
The narrative style of this book is super amusing, and I let out some laughs here and there. The details of story definitely left me with some questions (what exactly does Kathy do at her cubicle in the office all day every day for a job as what amounts to a currier?) But it was sweet and funny enough that these things didn’t bother me overmuch. I really enjoyed this one!
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September 30, 2024
4.5 stars - I inhaled this book in 24 hours and it broke me out of the worst reading slump in the best way. Somehow charming and captivating, page-turning, tender and real (surprisingly so, for a book about corporate grim reapers). I truly adored this story and am thrilled to see that it’s a series with more to come. But next time - less body/size talk, ok? Probably my only qualm keeping it from a 5 - so unnecessary. This is 2024! But I also promise the rest makes up for it - read this book!
November 27, 2024
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
October 25, 2024
This book is not a lot more than a bunch of foul mouthed cursing and taking God's name in vain. I was expecting light hearted humor and there was nothing funny about this mess. No, I do not recommend this book.
September 20, 2024
What a read. Super fun, and interesting while also being heartwarming. Very unique concept that keeps you invested in the world the author built. Great first novel, can’t wait to read more from Maxie!
March 28, 2025
i read this in one day because i couldn’t put it down and was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out whodunit. however, there were some things that bothered me
November 15, 2024
*Source* NetGalley/Publisher
*Genre* Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
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.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
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.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
May 28, 2025
Eh 🤷♀️
February 1, 2025
It might be weird, but this was cute. It was more of a cozy mystery than anything, and even though it was about murder, it was very sweet and I might even go far enough to say it was found family.
September 28, 2024
Review coming soon.
May 23, 2025
Kathy Valence is forty-two, newly pregnant, and in the middle of a divorce when her job as a reaper at S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences) takes a turn for the strange. Her task is to guide souls into the afterlife, but when she arrives to collect Conner Ortiz (a teen who supposedly died of a seizure) his soul is missing. Once located, Conner adamantly claims he was murdered by someone within the organization. She has only forty-five days to uncover the truth before his soul is condemned to wander the Earth.
This story leans heavily into its quirky premise, mixing the logistics of soul collection with the absurdities of a bureaucratic afterlife. There is definite charm in how the author constructs the rules of this world, turning the role of a grim reaper into something resembling a civil service position. Kathy’s invisibility to the public is managed through magical ID badges and company protocols, giving a whimsical feel to an otherwise morbid profession. The tone stays light throughout most of the book, even when death is central to the plot, which makes it feel more like a beach read than a dark fantasy.
However, for a book marketed as a mystery, the investigative elements feel like an afterthought. The murder plot simmers gently in the background while Kathy’s personal struggles take center stage. Her anxiety over motherhood, her regrets about her marriage, and her growing bond with Conner are clearly the emotional core. Unfortunately, this shift in focus dilutes the tension, especially since the mystery’s resolution feels abrupt and underexplained. The climax arrives quickly, and rather than providing satisfying answers, it wraps things up with minimal depth or exploration of motive.
Kathy herself is a frustrating protagonist at times. Her self-deprecation verges on repetitive, and her reluctance to communicate clearly with those around her can be exhausting. She avoids conflict even when confrontation is sorely needed, which undermines her competence in both her job and personal life. Still, her gradual softening toward Conner and Simon provides a quiet emotional payoff. Her arc is less about solving a murder and more about learning to connect again, both with the living and the dead.
Conner, on the other hand, steals the show in many scenes. His initial hostility masks a deep well of hurt, and his sharp tongue hides a longing to be valued. His relationship with Kathy grows into a believable and touching pseudo-parental bond. That connection is one of the book’s strongest elements. It’s particularly effective in the final chapters, which, despite some narrative shortcuts, still manage to deliver an emotional punch as Kathy sends Conner off into whatever comes next.
Overall, A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer is a fast and pleasant read that offers some emotional resonance and worldbuilding fun, even if it falls short as a compelling mystery. For readers looking for a light-hearted paranormal story with a touch of found family and a dash of emotional growth, it delivers. Just don’t go in expecting a twisty or high-stakes whodunit.
This story leans heavily into its quirky premise, mixing the logistics of soul collection with the absurdities of a bureaucratic afterlife. There is definite charm in how the author constructs the rules of this world, turning the role of a grim reaper into something resembling a civil service position. Kathy’s invisibility to the public is managed through magical ID badges and company protocols, giving a whimsical feel to an otherwise morbid profession. The tone stays light throughout most of the book, even when death is central to the plot, which makes it feel more like a beach read than a dark fantasy.
However, for a book marketed as a mystery, the investigative elements feel like an afterthought. The murder plot simmers gently in the background while Kathy’s personal struggles take center stage. Her anxiety over motherhood, her regrets about her marriage, and her growing bond with Conner are clearly the emotional core. Unfortunately, this shift in focus dilutes the tension, especially since the mystery’s resolution feels abrupt and underexplained. The climax arrives quickly, and rather than providing satisfying answers, it wraps things up with minimal depth or exploration of motive.
Kathy herself is a frustrating protagonist at times. Her self-deprecation verges on repetitive, and her reluctance to communicate clearly with those around her can be exhausting. She avoids conflict even when confrontation is sorely needed, which undermines her competence in both her job and personal life. Still, her gradual softening toward Conner and Simon provides a quiet emotional payoff. Her arc is less about solving a murder and more about learning to connect again, both with the living and the dead.
Conner, on the other hand, steals the show in many scenes. His initial hostility masks a deep well of hurt, and his sharp tongue hides a longing to be valued. His relationship with Kathy grows into a believable and touching pseudo-parental bond. That connection is one of the book’s strongest elements. It’s particularly effective in the final chapters, which, despite some narrative shortcuts, still manage to deliver an emotional punch as Kathy sends Conner off into whatever comes next.
Overall, A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer is a fast and pleasant read that offers some emotional resonance and worldbuilding fun, even if it falls short as a compelling mystery. For readers looking for a light-hearted paranormal story with a touch of found family and a dash of emotional growth, it delivers. Just don’t go in expecting a twisty or high-stakes whodunit.
October 25, 2024
This was a struggle to finish and I almost DNF’d this so many times but I did want to know what the motive was. The mystery was terrible otherwise and very obvious as to who was behind it all. I liked Jo and I liked Connor’s character arc. Simon was a good guy but after a while came off as just pathetic. I hated Kathy. She kept her pregnancy secret for 6 months, treated Simon terribly and I was so over hearing her constantly talk about her “sadim”.
January 12, 2025
3.5 stars. this was fun but definitely went in a direction I didn't expect it to go and I wasn't the biggest fan of that. Still this was fun and I had a good time with it
June 19, 2025
3.5☆. What a cute and (fairly) lighthearted story! I definitely recommend this novel for anyone who wants a bingeable, no brain power (not in a bad way!!), and something to tug at your heart strings. The fmc, Kathy, was at times whiny and annoying but she was also pregnant, Jo was hilarious, Simon was a doting sweetheart, and Conner was this tough exterior but soft on the inside type of person. I was actually surprised by the ending in this whodunnit! I also loved this premise in a book, I don’t feel like I see it often.
❀ﾟ.･｡ﾟ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ﾟ｡･.ﾟ❀
𝄞 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑊𝑎𝑦 𝑂𝑟 𝐴𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 — 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑒
❀ﾟ.･｡ﾟ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ﾟ｡･.ﾟ❀
✦･ﾟ: * Favorite Quotes * :･ﾟ✦
╰┈➤ "𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐."
╰┈➤ “‘𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚘 . . . 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚎?’ 𝚂𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚌𝚑. 𝙷𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝙸’𝚍 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎. 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚙𝚞𝚣𝚣𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢, 𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍. ‘𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎, 𝙺𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚅𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎.’”
❀ﾟ.･｡ﾟ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ﾟ｡･.ﾟ❀
𝄞 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑊𝑎𝑦 𝑂𝑟 𝐴𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 — 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑒
❀ﾟ.･｡ﾟ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ﾟ｡･.ﾟ❀
✦･ﾟ: * Favorite Quotes * :･ﾟ✦
╰┈➤ "𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐."
╰┈➤ “‘𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚘 . . . 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚎?’ 𝚂𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚌𝚑. 𝙷𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝙸’𝚍 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎. 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚙𝚞𝚣𝚣𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢, 𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍. ‘𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎, 𝙺𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚅𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎.’”
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