Death Orders A Double

Red City Reaper #2

by C. Thomas Lafollette

The spirits of the murdered dead are pissed off. And they’re coming for Dax.

Dax used to reap the dead and usher them to the afterlife. Now he slings cheap beer and whiskey in his dive bar. The psychopomps who exiled him to Red City wanted the souls of the dead. But they’ve clearly been slacking on the job.

After visiting a morgue, he finds a hive of angry spirits who haven’t moved on. They attack Dax, seeking release. But if he interferes, he might bring down the wrath of the death gods. It doesn’t help that the outlaw biker gang he thwarted is still trying to add his body to the morgue’s collection.

If Dax wants to help the dead, he’ll have to figure out why they aren’t passing on. That’s if he doesn’t get killed first. He must rally his new friends to watch his back or end his immortal existence trapped in a human body he never wanted…

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2024

About the author

C. Thomas Lafollette is a student of history and a world traveler. He’s dined with a Prime Minister, read poetry with Yevgeny Yevtushenko, and drank beer with monks. He’s the author of the action-adventure urban fantasy series Luke Irontree & The Last Vampire War and the forthcoming Red City Reaper series. Besides reading and writing, he loves a good action movie, be it a Hollywood blockbuster or a classic Samurai flick, as well as the occasional rom-com. He lives in Portland with his partner – the devastatingly talented author Amy Cissell – his stepdaughter, and their two jerkface cats.

You can follow him and sign up for his newsletter at https://cthomaslafollette.com.

Reviews

[M Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

C Thomas Lafollette writes wonderfully compelling and gritty stories. Darker UF with unique characters, twisted up in stories of magic, danger and mystery. His prose is always perfect for delivering tension, a little bit of humour and a growing sense of found family.

In this book we get to know Dax better (and as an aside, I want to say I appreciate the author's skillful but succinct summary of the last book, slid carefully into the beginning of this one). He is a "Grim Reaper forced to accept banishment as a human", and isn't that intriguing?? Dax is tentatively expanding his circle of friends and those he connects with are fascinating too. The characters really drive this story, through a world well constructed into solid believability. And while believable, everything about this series is unusual and that is a huge attraction. It makes for the engrossing reading found in rare page-turning experiences.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have happily continued through more chapters. Luckily not long until the next in the series!

[Jilleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this new series!

We don't have as many Nazi werewolf bikers in this one, trust me one is not nearly enough when the goal is to kill Death himself!

A new assassin is around, and she's much better at making things dead. Only one problem. Is it possible to kill Death himself? Well, it doesn't stop her from trying.

We also have a new fun character to add to our cast, the Rat. Sure, most people don't much like rodents, but the Rat makes up for it in spades. He's quirky, he's cautious, but when push comes to shove, he's scary too.

Don't forget our teen werewolves, they still have a part to play and I can't wait to see where their story goes. And of course, Morty, the tuxedo kitten is still around and just as adorable as you can imagine!

Don't miss this fun story, it has tons of action, quirky characters, and an explosion or two. Let's just say that the grim reaper's life didn't start until he became human!

You don't want to miss this new series!

[Charles L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax is under siege again. He is the target of an unknown assassin, and he has no idea who is behind the kill order. A lot of his history is unknown to the reader. What is known, is that he used to be a Grim Reaper whose job was to transition the newly dead to the next stage of their journey. There was a falling out between him and the death gods resulting in his banishment to earth as a human. The reader remains in the dark as to what the disagreement was about or who would benefit from his demise. What stands out is Dax highly focus on maintaining the status quo by not using the full extent of his power. This is a precautionary method so as not to draw the attention of the death gods because he fears their wrath. However, the constant assassination attempts force his hand, and he has no choice but to push back hard, or run the risk of ending up dead.
A surprising supernatural thriller and I highly recommend it.

[Yael · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second installment of Red City Reaper series we see Dax growing , beginning to understand that how he thought to stay “under the radar” will not work. There is more going on with the psychopomps and the death gods, the spirits of the dead trapped at the morgue angry and seeking release; and though Dax wanted to keep everyone at arm's length, to succeed he will need to let in those who care about him and have his back.
I loved getting to know The Rat better, and was so surprised at the depth of his character.
This was a fun, fast paced, well written addition to a series, can’t wait to read the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf shifters, rats and the Grim Reaper!

Well, I have to say, the first story was a wonderful introduction to Dax, the bar and some of his friends. Then I read Death Uncaged which was another great addition to the Red City Reaper Series. There is plenty of danger in this story with more attempts made on Dax’s life, but this one seems to be more about relationships. Dax makes some new friends this time around. Not only Dax, but Jamie, our wolf shifter who tried to kill Dax once, makes some new friends as well. I was glad to see Jamie again. Still, I love Morty and how he pretty much grounds Dax. I absolutely adore this author’s works and cannot recommend anything he writes highly enough.

[Mark Austin Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

love, love, love this!

Another great read! I wasn’t sure I was going to like this series. I like urban fantasy, but having the Grim Reaper as your main character felt like it wasn’t going to work. It works so great! I am very happy that I have started this series and the characters around the main character Are amazing. I feel like I know red city and the grittiness of the place. If you’ve love fiction, you’ll love this book.

[Aighmi* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book - indeed, this series - speaks to me on an oddly visceral level. I have enjoyed all of Mr. Lafollette's books, but this protagonist, an incarnation of Death, has me in his grips. Um, I hope not literally. This book has fascinating characters, an intricate and compelling plot, found family, courage in the face of terror, suspense....definite page-turner here!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

Dax has someone trying to kill him again, and strange things happening in the spirit world. With the help of his friends, hopefully they can figure things out. This series has great characters, storylines, lots of action and humor, and all of this makes the books very hard to put down. I'm looking forward to more of Dax, Tomi, and their friends.

[MRS C MARSHALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book and giving my honest review.
What a great second book. Could not put this down.
Loved the rats
I am not going to spoil you really will have to read for yourself.
I am sure you will enjoy.

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues where the previous one ended. The storyline is fast paced and pulling for the entire time. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Sally Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death isn't working but good to read about!

This is really an interesting twist on Death being put out of work. But he gets to run a bar! And a tea room!

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute reading feast well worth binging on again as his well versed, creative writing style never cease to amaze me. We're back in Red City and Dax is in the fire line of an assassin or assassins. So many possibilities. When the Rat feinted seeing his true form, I had to chuckle. This book is packed, but definitely not drawn out because too much is happening. Dax realises that as a human needing help, he needs to include people in his life. His rag tag team is growing with strange, but interesting characters. Delphine is now in his inner circle and a great ally. After initially refusing to help, the Rat declares war and revenge after his furry friends were killed. At this stage I am starting like his rats lol. In tween all happening Jamie ends up protected by the Rat. More I'm not spilling, but I suggest strongly to grab a copy as soon as possible. This series is great and just getting better
I received an advanced review copy from the author and leave this review voluntary Thank you