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The Death Book #1
Death Rattle
Murder mystery meets urban fantasy in this coming-of-age tale where nothing is as it seems. Meet Clarke Carpenter, a thirty-year-old nanny and student who desires a life more substantial than her own, full of magic and wonder. After moving to the city, hoping to overcome her insecurities and claim a more vibrant life, her world unexpectedly upturns when she is accused of murdering her roommate. Clarke’s dreams of a fairytale existence are obliterated…or are they? Follow along in this thrilling first installment of the Death Book series as Clarke discovers the mystery of who she is.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published September 9, 2023
60 people are currently reading
2959 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
December 17, 2023
This was an exciting read! I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to ARC read this book. It was actually my first urban fantasy novel I've read I believe.
This Book was a fast and enjoyable read, after some pages I was so captivated, I literally couldn't put it down!
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 📝
This Book tells the story of Clarke, a thirty year old woman with unknown powers leaking through her human reality.
Her roommate ends up dead in her Apartment and she's the main suspect.
Whilst her powers come to light she's faced with figuring out who is responsible for the sudden death of her roommate with some mysterious help.
I hope I made the plot justice, I didn't want to spoil anything. The plot was honestly astonishing and I actually did remember a lot of details. I usually tend to forget certain scenes but I could tell you every scene in passionate detail from this book.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 👥
Clarke is honestly the most relatable person ever. Hands down. I felt like I could understand her every action and feeling. Add to that all the other amazing side characters like Haywood and you have a great mix. Aswell as love characters I also was able to build dislike towards the bad ones.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴💭
Clarke had great chemistry with most of the characters which in retrospect makes a lot of sense. I sometimes questioned her dynamics and decisions though.
The worldbuilding was really good. I could always see the locations in my mind and what they felt like to the character.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 4 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀? ⭐
First off: this book was great. I did not feel completely blown away though.
I had a hard time at first to decipher who was narrating this story. In the end it was greatly sorted with names but at first I confused 2 characters with one another. Whilst the world building was great I had a harder time understanding the Fae side of the world. The ending clicked a lot of missing piece into place and I can't wait to read more from this series one day!
This Book was a fast and enjoyable read, after some pages I was so captivated, I literally couldn't put it down!
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 📝
This Book tells the story of Clarke, a thirty year old woman with unknown powers leaking through her human reality.
Her roommate ends up dead in her Apartment and she's the main suspect.
Whilst her powers come to light she's faced with figuring out who is responsible for the sudden death of her roommate with some mysterious help.
I hope I made the plot justice, I didn't want to spoil anything. The plot was honestly astonishing and I actually did remember a lot of details. I usually tend to forget certain scenes but I could tell you every scene in passionate detail from this book.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 👥
Clarke is honestly the most relatable person ever. Hands down. I felt like I could understand her every action and feeling. Add to that all the other amazing side characters like Haywood and you have a great mix. Aswell as love characters I also was able to build dislike towards the bad ones.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴💭
Clarke had great chemistry with most of the characters which in retrospect makes a lot of sense. I sometimes questioned her dynamics and decisions though.
The worldbuilding was really good. I could always see the locations in my mind and what they felt like to the character.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 4 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀? ⭐
First off: this book was great. I did not feel completely blown away though.
I had a hard time at first to decipher who was narrating this story. In the end it was greatly sorted with names but at first I confused 2 characters with one another. Whilst the world building was great I had a harder time understanding the Fae side of the world. The ending clicked a lot of missing piece into place and I can't wait to read more from this series one day!
November 17, 2023
This one was super enjoyable. I forget how much I love thrillers, especially ones with fantasy aspect! Perfect for lovers of mystery, fae, and magic.
I enjoyed the unraveling of this story. Clarke finds her roommate dead in their apartment and now there’s a mystery to solve. There are so many twists and turns in this book. That I flew thru it, super addictive. I was so invested in learning what happened to her roommate. The inclusion of fantasy in this murder mystery definitely kept me hooked. While Clarke is trying to prove her innocence, there’s so much that happens and it’s a whole whirlwind in Clarke’s life.
I cannot wait to see much more about this world! I would love to see back story and origins of the magic and world overall. The characters were likable but I want to see and learn more about them.
Thanks so much to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the unraveling of this story. Clarke finds her roommate dead in their apartment and now there’s a mystery to solve. There are so many twists and turns in this book. That I flew thru it, super addictive. I was so invested in learning what happened to her roommate. The inclusion of fantasy in this murder mystery definitely kept me hooked. While Clarke is trying to prove her innocence, there’s so much that happens and it’s a whole whirlwind in Clarke’s life.
I cannot wait to see much more about this world! I would love to see back story and origins of the magic and world overall. The characters were likable but I want to see and learn more about them.
Thanks so much to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2025
5.0 ⭐️
Welp, I finished this in a day! It is one of those books that hooked me from the first page and didn’t let go. If you love urban fantasy, murder mysteries, a strong heroine who’s not fresh out of high school and a setting that feels familiar, this one delivers.
I especially loved that the FMC, Clarke Carpenter, is 30 years old! And she’s a nanny, a student, trying to build something more than her old life, but still feeling all the doubts. Which I think we can all relate to. It’s refreshing to have a heroine who’s both gritty and vulnerable, someone who’s had enough life to carry scars but still wants magic! She makes bad decisions, she’s human, she’s compelling.
The blend of urban fantasy + murder mystery is done really, really well. Clarke is accused of murdering her roommate, and just when you think you know what’s going on, we get the rug pulled out under us. The magic feels woven into the world rather than tacked on.
One of the things that made it even better for me is that it’s set in Charlotte, NC, where I live. It made all the landmarks, the weather, the urban vibe feel more personal and the city becomes part of the character.
Major highlights:
It’s 264 pages - pacing is tight! There are moments of suspense, revelations, emotional weight, and real stakes
Clarke’s struggle between wanting an ordinary and safe life vs a magical one gives the story a lot of heart.
The twists are satisfying! There’s enough foreshadowing to make things logical, but it’s still surprising.
The themes of identity, belonging, depression, and self-worth are so relatable!
Bottom line: Death Rattle is such a strong start to the Death Book series. If you like your fantasy with murder, magic, a heroine that feels like a friend, you gotta pick it up. Definitely recommend, and I can’t wait for the next one!
Welp, I finished this in a day! It is one of those books that hooked me from the first page and didn’t let go. If you love urban fantasy, murder mysteries, a strong heroine who’s not fresh out of high school and a setting that feels familiar, this one delivers.
I especially loved that the FMC, Clarke Carpenter, is 30 years old! And she’s a nanny, a student, trying to build something more than her old life, but still feeling all the doubts. Which I think we can all relate to. It’s refreshing to have a heroine who’s both gritty and vulnerable, someone who’s had enough life to carry scars but still wants magic! She makes bad decisions, she’s human, she’s compelling.
The blend of urban fantasy + murder mystery is done really, really well. Clarke is accused of murdering her roommate, and just when you think you know what’s going on, we get the rug pulled out under us. The magic feels woven into the world rather than tacked on.
One of the things that made it even better for me is that it’s set in Charlotte, NC, where I live. It made all the landmarks, the weather, the urban vibe feel more personal and the city becomes part of the character.
Major highlights:
It’s 264 pages - pacing is tight! There are moments of suspense, revelations, emotional weight, and real stakes
Clarke’s struggle between wanting an ordinary and safe life vs a magical one gives the story a lot of heart.
The twists are satisfying! There’s enough foreshadowing to make things logical, but it’s still surprising.
The themes of identity, belonging, depression, and self-worth are so relatable!
Bottom line: Death Rattle is such a strong start to the Death Book series. If you like your fantasy with murder, magic, a heroine that feels like a friend, you gotta pick it up. Definitely recommend, and I can’t wait for the next one!
June 10, 2024
***Spoilers below...you have been warned!!!**
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.
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Anyways, YA'LL OMFG! Like my mind is blown. That ending! So much going on!
I will say my most hated trope is...Love triangles! I absolutely H A T E it! Not only does Haywood love Clarke, but fucking Lachlan is her fucking mate!! (excuse my language). Which really makes me not want to read it, but then knowing me, I will end up reading it anyways. So gosh darnit Mrs. Carter Pugh you got me on this!!
Clarke had me laughing out loud. Her mind was just every freaking where! I was like "woah girl, calm it down a little!"
The police in this fucking book were STEEEWWWWPID!! Like how was it so easy for Haywood to find the knife in the ALLEY but not the cops?! Like they only looked in the damn house, but not outside or anything. Come on man! I've watch plenty of SVU to know where to look! LMAO!
.
.
.
Anyways, YA'LL OMFG! Like my mind is blown. That ending! So much going on!
I will say my most hated trope is...Love triangles! I absolutely H A T E it! Not only does Haywood love Clarke, but fucking Lachlan is her fucking mate!! (excuse my language). Which really makes me not want to read it, but then knowing me, I will end up reading it anyways. So gosh darnit Mrs. Carter Pugh you got me on this!!
Clarke had me laughing out loud. Her mind was just every freaking where! I was like "woah girl, calm it down a little!"
The police in this fucking book were STEEEWWWWPID!! Like how was it so easy for Haywood to find the knife in the ALLEY but not the cops?! Like they only looked in the damn house, but not outside or anything. Come on man! I've watch plenty of SVU to know where to look! LMAO!
September 7, 2025
Met Carter yesterday at a bookstore! I would’ve probably never discovered this book otherwise! Loving this journey so far.
September 19, 2023
I thank the author for the review copy of this fantastic book.
Clarke lives a normal life wishing it could be more than normal - filled with magic. That is, until her roommate is murdered and all the evidence shows that she is the murderer.
This is a fast-paced book. It starts as a murder mystery and turns into fantasy midway. The starting is steady and slow as the author explains the character of Clarke. Then the story travels fast with lots of twist, turns and questions. The number of characters is great and this makes the story easy to understand. This book is the foundation to the main story that is yet to come. And since the foundation is strong there’s no doubt that the upcoming books will be stronger.
Overall, it's a wonderful read and is recommended to all mystery and fantasy readers!
Clarke lives a normal life wishing it could be more than normal - filled with magic. That is, until her roommate is murdered and all the evidence shows that she is the murderer.
This is a fast-paced book. It starts as a murder mystery and turns into fantasy midway. The starting is steady and slow as the author explains the character of Clarke. Then the story travels fast with lots of twist, turns and questions. The number of characters is great and this makes the story easy to understand. This book is the foundation to the main story that is yet to come. And since the foundation is strong there’s no doubt that the upcoming books will be stronger.
Overall, it's a wonderful read and is recommended to all mystery and fantasy readers!
April 10, 2024
This deserves to be a DNF category, but I pressed on since the book is only 170 some pages.
It was torturous. The writing is terrible. There was zero fluidity. I don't know how a book can say so much and nothing at the same time. Not only was everything extremely predictable, the main character Clarke is the very definition of "cringe".
I appreciate the thought behind the plot, but oh this was not the author to write it.
It felt like a high school/college submission for a short story.
It was torturous. The writing is terrible. There was zero fluidity. I don't know how a book can say so much and nothing at the same time. Not only was everything extremely predictable, the main character Clarke is the very definition of "cringe".
I appreciate the thought behind the plot, but oh this was not the author to write it.
It felt like a high school/college submission for a short story.
September 9, 2024
I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had to push myself to not DNF this book. Unfortunately it was very repetitive and it was trying to do too many things all at once.
I had to push myself to not DNF this book. Unfortunately it was very repetitive and it was trying to do too many things all at once.
March 4, 2024
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book!
I found the main character, Clarke, a very relatable thirty-year old. I enjoyed the quirks that Pugh endowed her with. I felt that they made her a more realistic character. I thought that there were some amusing moments in the book itself, but I did feel that every other character wasn’t nearly fleshed out enough to make them interesting.
This is a relatively short book, and while the concept itself was interesting, I felt that the world building was lacking, and as I said previously, the other characters weren’t fleshed out.
I found this book an easy read, the writing style was simple and a breeze to get through. I love a good murder mystery, but I just found the runup to it awkward in some aspects. Like the pacing wasn’t working for me.
I think if parts of this were more fleshed out that it may have worked better. We go from a lot of telling about Clarke’s background to the mystery, to it being solved, and the “fantasy” aspect didn’t play a huge part, but is clearly going to play a part later.
This book definitely had potential – it just didn’t hit the nail on the head for me.
I found the main character, Clarke, a very relatable thirty-year old. I enjoyed the quirks that Pugh endowed her with. I felt that they made her a more realistic character. I thought that there were some amusing moments in the book itself, but I did feel that every other character wasn’t nearly fleshed out enough to make them interesting.
This is a relatively short book, and while the concept itself was interesting, I felt that the world building was lacking, and as I said previously, the other characters weren’t fleshed out.
I found this book an easy read, the writing style was simple and a breeze to get through. I love a good murder mystery, but I just found the runup to it awkward in some aspects. Like the pacing wasn’t working for me.
I think if parts of this were more fleshed out that it may have worked better. We go from a lot of telling about Clarke’s background to the mystery, to it being solved, and the “fantasy” aspect didn’t play a huge part, but is clearly going to play a part later.
This book definitely had potential – it just didn’t hit the nail on the head for me.
November 27, 2023
Pleasantly surprised at how smooth this one was at getting through! The beginning of the story begins with a traditional murder type setting, but ends up being a more fantasy esque thriller. I am happy to see these worlds come together seamlessly! This is a quick read- about 200 pages or so but the ending leaves opening for a sequel to blossom.
We start off with Clarke, a 30 something who has always had extremely vivid dreams and has grown up as a loner, to put it lightly. She has always had an interest in other worlds, but it’s not until she is arrested and accused of a terrible crime that she is able to connect with the other worldly beings.
Thank you so much to Carter Pugh and Bookworm Book Tours for letting me read this in exchange for my honest feedback. I will eagerly await the second book!!!!
We start off with Clarke, a 30 something who has always had extremely vivid dreams and has grown up as a loner, to put it lightly. She has always had an interest in other worlds, but it’s not until she is arrested and accused of a terrible crime that she is able to connect with the other worldly beings.
Thank you so much to Carter Pugh and Bookworm Book Tours for letting me read this in exchange for my honest feedback. I will eagerly await the second book!!!!
September 6, 2025
I wasn’t expecting to be this entertained, but Death Rattle completely swept me off my feet! 😍 From the very first page, I was hooked. Clarke’s life started off ordinary—she was just a thirty-year-old nanny and student, dreaming of a life more magical and exciting than her quiet existence. ✨ But when she finds her roommate brutally murdered and the evidence points to her, everything she hoped for shatters in an instant. The perfect blend of mystery, suspense, and fantasy had me glued to the pages! 📚💥
The way the story unfolded was so addictive—it started slow and steady, letting me really get to know Clarke’s insecurities and dreams, and then BOOM—twists, turns, and jaw-dropping surprises kept coming one after the other! 🔍🌀 The inclusion of magic, fae, and unexpected allies made this more than a typical whodunit. I was flipping pages late into the night, desperate to know what happened next and who Clarke could trust. 🧙♀️🕵️♀️
Clarke was such a relatable protagonist—I felt for her struggles, her heartbreak, and the loneliness that came with being accused of something so terrible. 💔 Seeing her fight to prove her innocence while navigating this whirlwind of dark forces and mysteries made me root for her every step of the way. The secondary characters were fun and likable, but I’m craving more backstory! I want to learn where this magic came from and how it shapes this world. 🌍💫
The plot’s structure was well-paced, with a fantastic mix of murder investigation and fantasy world-building. I loved how the twists didn’t feel forced but naturally grew from the story’s tension. This book truly laid a strong foundation for what I’m sure will be an even more epic series ahead! 🔮📖
✅ Perfect for fans of:
🕵️♀️ Murder Mystery
✨ Urban Fantasy
🧚♀️ Fae lore
💔 Coming-of-age journeys
🔮 Magical worlds
⚡ Fast-paced thrillers
I can’t wait to dive deeper into this world and learn more about Clarke and her companions! 🌟 Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity—this book truly surprised me and left me wanting more! 💖📚
If you love twists, mysteries, and a dash of magic, this is a must-read! 📖🔥💫
The way the story unfolded was so addictive—it started slow and steady, letting me really get to know Clarke’s insecurities and dreams, and then BOOM—twists, turns, and jaw-dropping surprises kept coming one after the other! 🔍🌀 The inclusion of magic, fae, and unexpected allies made this more than a typical whodunit. I was flipping pages late into the night, desperate to know what happened next and who Clarke could trust. 🧙♀️🕵️♀️
Clarke was such a relatable protagonist—I felt for her struggles, her heartbreak, and the loneliness that came with being accused of something so terrible. 💔 Seeing her fight to prove her innocence while navigating this whirlwind of dark forces and mysteries made me root for her every step of the way. The secondary characters were fun and likable, but I’m craving more backstory! I want to learn where this magic came from and how it shapes this world. 🌍💫
The plot’s structure was well-paced, with a fantastic mix of murder investigation and fantasy world-building. I loved how the twists didn’t feel forced but naturally grew from the story’s tension. This book truly laid a strong foundation for what I’m sure will be an even more epic series ahead! 🔮📖
✅ Perfect for fans of:
🕵️♀️ Murder Mystery
✨ Urban Fantasy
🧚♀️ Fae lore
💔 Coming-of-age journeys
🔮 Magical worlds
⚡ Fast-paced thrillers
I can’t wait to dive deeper into this world and learn more about Clarke and her companions! 🌟 Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity—this book truly surprised me and left me wanting more! 💖📚
If you love twists, mysteries, and a dash of magic, this is a must-read! 📖🔥💫
November 30, 2023
I think this story had cool bones and the world building definitely has potential. I'm not sure if I found the world building confusing because it is not well explained, or if it simply needs more fleshing out. The main character is interesting and relatable in ways, but would benefit from a bit more dimension. I found it jarring when she recounted super traumatizing events in her flippant tone.
I'd be interested in checking out book two to see where the author takes both the story and her craft; is book 2 going to be in the same vein as a murder mystery or will it go full fantasy now??
I'd be interested in checking out book two to see where the author takes both the story and her craft; is book 2 going to be in the same vein as a murder mystery or will it go full fantasy now??
December 23, 2023
2.5
Has a lot of potential. That is why I gave it 2 stars.
Short story. Looks like there will be multiple books to come. Which will expend more of the story and its continuation.
The story and the concept is good. The delivery wasn’t the best for me as a reader. The characters need work. The world building needs works. But again this story was only 200 pages. 🤷🏼♀️
Has a lot of potential. That is why I gave it 2 stars.
Short story. Looks like there will be multiple books to come. Which will expend more of the story and its continuation.
The story and the concept is good. The delivery wasn’t the best for me as a reader. The characters need work. The world building needs works. But again this story was only 200 pages. 🤷🏼♀️
March 7, 2024
This is the perfect combination of murder mystery mixed with fantasy. I was hooked from the first page and could not put this novella/book (177pages) down. I won't stay too much because it's better if you go in kind of blind but 100% check this out if you like the following.
-Thrillers
-Fae
-Fantasy
-Murder Mystery
-Mate like connections between characters
-Thrillers
-Fae
-Fantasy
-Murder Mystery
-Mate like connections between characters
September 20, 2025
I found this book to be so addictive! I was drawn in immediately within the first few chapters. I could not put it down.. managed to get the entire book read in a day (although this did mean going to sleep at 3am😂) and I’m now moving on to Death Gasp tomorrow😍
Carter Pugh is a brilliant writer and I love that this initially comes off as a murder mystery type thriller but there is SO MUCH more story to it
Carter Pugh is a brilliant writer and I love that this initially comes off as a murder mystery type thriller but there is SO MUCH more story to it
December 11, 2023
What a fun quick read! I needed a good thriller to break up all the Romantasy I’ve been reading lately. This book definitely falls under the romantasy category but at the same time had just the right amount of thriller to keep me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well written and the plot never felt like it was dragging. Definitely can’t wait to read more from Carter in the future!
April 6, 2024
This was truly one of the most unique books I’ve ever read! I’ve never gotten into urban fantasy or anything like that, so Carter may have unlocked something for me lol
The plot was engaging and mysterious, and kept me hooked. I can’t wait for the next book!
Also, as a Charlotte native, I loved seeing my city represented!
The plot was engaging and mysterious, and kept me hooked. I can’t wait for the next book!
Also, as a Charlotte native, I loved seeing my city represented!
March 6, 2025
I liked the beginning of this, but as soon as Haywood entered and it turned a bit supernatural, I was out. The dialogue was cringey, the action seemed forced and too many terms were thrown around with zero explanation.
Clarke was always “different” growing up but as she’s getting closer to 30, she feels like she’s finding herself. Her roommate, Heather, is found stabbed to death in their condo and Clarke is the main suspect. Her other friend, Allison, helps Clarke out but then also goes missing and is found dead. Clarke is blamed for both deaths. Haywood, a random “third party” investigator tries to help her because he believes she’s innocent. Turns out, Clarke is fae so is Haywood.. insert two other fae royals who are interested in her.. and they go back to Teleran. At the end, Allison is the one who killed Heather and framed Clarke for the murder because she secretly hates her?…. I don’t even know.
Clarke was always “different” growing up but as she’s getting closer to 30, she feels like she’s finding herself. Her roommate, Heather, is found stabbed to death in their condo and Clarke is the main suspect. Her other friend, Allison, helps Clarke out but then also goes missing and is found dead. Clarke is blamed for both deaths. Haywood, a random “third party” investigator tries to help her because he believes she’s innocent. Turns out, Clarke is fae so is Haywood.. insert two other fae royals who are interested in her.. and they go back to Teleran. At the end, Allison is the one who killed Heather and framed Clarke for the murder because she secretly hates her?…. I don’t even know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2023
3.75!!!
I love how quick this was to read & I can totally see the fantasy twist of this story making this series have me on the edge of my seat. Great read & I’m excited to see where this series goes!
I love how quick this was to read & I can totally see the fantasy twist of this story making this series have me on the edge of my seat. Great read & I’m excited to see where this series goes!
December 4, 2023
I gotta admit, it wasn’t my favorite. I think the concept was really cool and it has a lot of potential. One thing I was frustrated with was the 1 dimensional characters. Even though Clarkes life story was very clearly painted for me, I never really connected. Maybe that was just a me thing. But I also never felt any connection to Alison, Heather, or Haywood.
I think the whole Fae thing was kind of thrown at us and the world building was difficult to keep up with. It seems like a well thought out world system, just not very well explained.
Overall, I don’t think it was horrible! If you want a a fated mates, murder mystery, magic system story then this is definitely the one for you!
I think the whole Fae thing was kind of thrown at us and the world building was difficult to keep up with. It seems like a well thought out world system, just not very well explained.
Overall, I don’t think it was horrible! If you want a a fated mates, murder mystery, magic system story then this is definitely the one for you!
July 5, 2025
A murder mystery urban fantasy book of goodness. Written in first person about a very relatable and lovable Clarke Carpenter and her life as a thirty year old trying her best to manoeuvre her life with access to flashbacks of her childhood and past to give us an all-rounded insight into her life so far. It is a story about learning from and trying to overcome your past whilst also navigating life for a young woman in the modern day. Relatable struggles, nostalgic references and an easy read that just keeps you turning page after page. The wish and dream to have someone or something to tell us our mundane, less than easy life is all just a lie and that our true calling is yet to be discovered and revealed. References to Narnia and Princess Diaries to name a few…the pain of knowing that isn’t likely to happen but the yearning to be proved wrong is just a little too much but depicted so beautifully in the book.
Clarke was written so well, I immediately related to her, felt very attached to her character and felt all her pains from her past. I resonated with her and how she feels navigating life as a young woman. I was constantly highlighting sentences that were so accurate and applicable for myself!
I went into the book blindly and was rewarded for it. I was able to experience the whole rollercoaster ride in its glory and I was constantly left thinking ‘something is going to happen next’ and ‘surely that is going to mean something important later down the line’. I was left guessing throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The vivid dreams that made no sense initially… I read the book mainly on the train during my commute but I struggled to put it down and having to come back to my own reality. I wanted nothing more than to stay with Clarke and her life and to discover more about it with her, through her.
Do you really know everything there is about your life and happenings around you?
Do you really, truly know everyone around you?
The introduction of Haywood and the last few chapters will awaken you, throw you off guard and make you question yourself as a reader, because just as you get to grips with the whole situation, you get thrown off course and made to question about how much you have been paying attention, to introduce you to the real truth of Clarke Carpenter and an introduction to Teleran.
A fantastic introduction to the world. I cannot wait for the next book, no pressure Carter Pugh!
I am so grateful for @bookwormbooktours for allowing me to be a part of the book’s book tour. This was my first ARC and I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the experience from start to finish.
Clarke was written so well, I immediately related to her, felt very attached to her character and felt all her pains from her past. I resonated with her and how she feels navigating life as a young woman. I was constantly highlighting sentences that were so accurate and applicable for myself!
I went into the book blindly and was rewarded for it. I was able to experience the whole rollercoaster ride in its glory and I was constantly left thinking ‘something is going to happen next’ and ‘surely that is going to mean something important later down the line’. I was left guessing throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The vivid dreams that made no sense initially… I read the book mainly on the train during my commute but I struggled to put it down and having to come back to my own reality. I wanted nothing more than to stay with Clarke and her life and to discover more about it with her, through her.
Do you really know everything there is about your life and happenings around you?
Do you really, truly know everyone around you?
The introduction of Haywood and the last few chapters will awaken you, throw you off guard and make you question yourself as a reader, because just as you get to grips with the whole situation, you get thrown off course and made to question about how much you have been paying attention, to introduce you to the real truth of Clarke Carpenter and an introduction to Teleran.
A fantastic introduction to the world. I cannot wait for the next book, no pressure Carter Pugh!
I am so grateful for @bookwormbooktours for allowing me to be a part of the book’s book tour. This was my first ARC and I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the experience from start to finish.
October 13, 2023
3.5 stars
That moment when you pick up a book thinking it’s a murder mystery and it turns out it’s so much more…
I should have known from this very Twilight-esque cover that I would be in for a surprise with Death Rattle. In this book, murder mystery meets urban fantasy and romance…with fae! A seemingly normal girl with a normal albeit pretty lonely life who reads about fantasy and fantasizes about fictional world and creatures is actually living in such a story unbeknownst to her. Who wouldn’t want to be her? Though I would probably do without the being framed for murder…
The book was quite the fast read. It does take a little bit getting into it at first as the first chapters concentrate more on showing you who Clarke is and what her backstory is and less on the action, but once you get into the thick of it it becomes quite the mystery. Clarke was in the apartment when her roommate was brutally ended, and yet she noticed nothing, and all evidence leads to think it’s her. Who could ever want to frame a girl like Clarke? And who is the mysterious stranger who wants to help her?
Despite the whodunnit of it all, the biggest mystery is Clarke herself and I am curious to know how the fae-ness of it all connects to her. However I am fond of mysteries, and would have enjoyed to see a bit more sleuthing to clear her name happen on page and perhaps see her and Haywood bond that way. That being said, I did not see the ending coming! I was actually was quite shocked, truth be told.
Very curious to see how the series continues, especially since it appears we’ll be diving deeper into the fantasy element with the fae and the world of Teleran.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
That moment when you pick up a book thinking it’s a murder mystery and it turns out it’s so much more…
I should have known from this very Twilight-esque cover that I would be in for a surprise with Death Rattle. In this book, murder mystery meets urban fantasy and romance…with fae! A seemingly normal girl with a normal albeit pretty lonely life who reads about fantasy and fantasizes about fictional world and creatures is actually living in such a story unbeknownst to her. Who wouldn’t want to be her? Though I would probably do without the being framed for murder…
The book was quite the fast read. It does take a little bit getting into it at first as the first chapters concentrate more on showing you who Clarke is and what her backstory is and less on the action, but once you get into the thick of it it becomes quite the mystery. Clarke was in the apartment when her roommate was brutally ended, and yet she noticed nothing, and all evidence leads to think it’s her. Who could ever want to frame a girl like Clarke? And who is the mysterious stranger who wants to help her?
Despite the whodunnit of it all, the biggest mystery is Clarke herself and I am curious to know how the fae-ness of it all connects to her. However I am fond of mysteries, and would have enjoyed to see a bit more sleuthing to clear her name happen on page and perhaps see her and Haywood bond that way. That being said, I did not see the ending coming! I was actually was quite shocked, truth be told.
Very curious to see how the series continues, especially since it appears we’ll be diving deeper into the fantasy element with the fae and the world of Teleran.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
January 6, 2024
This is a fae fantasy book, yes. But it is drastically lacking in the writing style and the plot is mediocre at best. It felt rushed, and came to and whiplash-like abrupt end. No questions were answered... one can infer all day long about the mom, the fae, the wraith, Teleran.. but the author did a poor job of rounding out the story.
Clark- fmc, kinda annoying and childish
Haywood- mmc, his dialogues make me ick sometimes
Cody, Alison, "the crew"- I don't even know really...
Lachlan- not enough of him
Clark- fmc, kinda annoying and childish
Haywood- mmc, his dialogues make me ick sometimes
Cody, Alison, "the crew"- I don't even know really...
Lachlan- not enough of him
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2023
This book was not anything at all what I expected it to be...it was so much better!
Death Rattle crosses a few genres and does it well. If you are a mystery lover, but also enjoy paranormal romance with fae...then look no further. This exciting story will have you on the edge of your seat until the very least page. I'm dying for more!
Death Rattle crosses a few genres and does it well. If you are a mystery lover, but also enjoy paranormal romance with fae...then look no further. This exciting story will have you on the edge of your seat until the very least page. I'm dying for more!
October 10, 2023
I very rarely do this because I very rarely have hours on end to dedicate to a book. HOWEVER, Death Rattle was legitimately a one sitting book for me because it was a) SO fast paced and b) it was only 167 pages 😱 and sometimes you just NEED a fast paced book that keeps you intrigued and turning the pages until you discover that you’ve actually finished the entire book 😂 I really loved this book! I went into it without reading the blurb and so I loved that I was uncovering the story right alongside Clarke, our FMC. I was continuously shocked by the twists and turns and was guessing and second guessing until the very end! The unexpected (for me because I didn’t read the blurb 😂) addition of magic and the supernatural was a welcome surprise as well. Def recommend this one if you’re looking for something quick to read this spooky season!
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 21, 2023
Not only does Death Rattle prove to be utterly unputdownable, it suddenly evolves into an urban fantasy with twists you will never expect. I went into this book totally blind and I’m so glad I did—this was exactly the fast-paced quick read (it’s only about 170 pages!) I needed as an engrossing palette cleanser that pulled me out of a slump!
My favorite aspect by far was the heroine, Clarke Carpenter. Not only is her character fully formed and believably written, this author has crafted an immensely relatable protagonist in whom I saw myself reflected over and over again. I cannot wait for more of Clarke’s story in the sequel! Blows my mind that this is Carter Pugh’s debut—such a fabulous first publication from this new author!
What to Expect:
—Murder Mystery
—Urban Fantasy
—Only One Bed
—Light/Dark Fae
—Multi POV
—Fated Mates
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
My favorite aspect by far was the heroine, Clarke Carpenter. Not only is her character fully formed and believably written, this author has crafted an immensely relatable protagonist in whom I saw myself reflected over and over again. I cannot wait for more of Clarke’s story in the sequel! Blows my mind that this is Carter Pugh’s debut—such a fabulous first publication from this new author!
What to Expect:
—Murder Mystery
—Urban Fantasy
—Only One Bed
—Light/Dark Fae
—Multi POV
—Fated Mates
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
July 22, 2025
DNF-ing on page 17.
I bought this book, excited to have stumbled upon a local author, however am left disappointingly exasperated and grasping for a reason to continue reading.
The FMC is a thirty year old adult and so far it’s been a mind-numbing inner dialogue spelling out her life story to the reader with no real substance. There’s nothing substantial driving the story forward, just an endless word vomit of information to the reader in short choppy sentences. Slammed the book shut when she went on a tangent about Narnia.
Left feeling that I, a mid-twenties female, am way too old a demographic for this writing style.
The editor, Melissa Graham, states on her website that “[her] superpower is helping storytellers look like professionals writers” yet I can’t help but wonder if Graham has done Pugh and her book a disservice. Based exclusively on the book’s summary that first drew me in, there was significantly more potential here.
I bought this book, excited to have stumbled upon a local author, however am left disappointingly exasperated and grasping for a reason to continue reading.
The FMC is a thirty year old adult and so far it’s been a mind-numbing inner dialogue spelling out her life story to the reader with no real substance. There’s nothing substantial driving the story forward, just an endless word vomit of information to the reader in short choppy sentences. Slammed the book shut when she went on a tangent about Narnia.
Left feeling that I, a mid-twenties female, am way too old a demographic for this writing style.
The editor, Melissa Graham, states on her website that “[her] superpower is helping storytellers look like professionals writers” yet I can’t help but wonder if Graham has done Pugh and her book a disservice. Based exclusively on the book’s summary that first drew me in, there was significantly more potential here.
June 23, 2025
I'm not sure what I just read, but it was disappointing. The story follows Clarke, who is framed for murder, but we also get other points of view as new characters are introduced. As for the plot—was there even a plot? It was filled with run-on sentences and rambling thoughts, making the story shift confusingly from thriller to fantasy.
September 10, 2023
THIS BOOK! The ending 🤯 I cannot wait for the next book to come out!
December 15, 2023
Booktour | Death Rattle | Carter Pugh
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.5
** Thanks to @bookwormbooktours and @carterpughauthor for including me in this book tour and providing an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Clarke has been known as an oddball since school, her only true friend has been her now, dead mother.
But, now, armed with a head full of dreams and a heartful of positivity, Clarke is determined to turn her life around in a new town, her newly bought apartment in a brand new Condo, an apparently loving group of friends including the boisterous Allison and her reclusive but amicable flatmate, Heather.
All goes to plan, until one fine morning Clarke finds Heather brutally murdered in her room and Clarke turning out to be the prime suspect!
Sounds like a thrilling murder mystery? Right?
Wrong.
Because I haven't yet mentioned the parallel world of Faes, the power struggle between the realms, the dark menacing Obscurus and the enticing and charming Fae protector Hayworth. How Clarke and the grissly murder(s?!) fit into this Fae-verse of enchantment is what Death Rattle is truly about.
Carter Pugh effortlessly transitions between the narrative style of contemporary thrillers and the typical voiceover for fantasies, making Death Rattle a joy to read.
Murder Mystery x Romantasy, right sprinkle of spice, mystical wonder, relatable and lovable characters - what more can you ask for on a cold winter evening to warm your soul?
Half a star less because I indeed wanted a few hundred pages more, a bit more world building intricacies; which I am sure will be served up in the next books in the series.
It's a series, right? Don't you dare leave me in the lurch! Please 🥺
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.5
** Thanks to @bookwormbooktours and @carterpughauthor for including me in this book tour and providing an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Clarke has been known as an oddball since school, her only true friend has been her now, dead mother.
But, now, armed with a head full of dreams and a heartful of positivity, Clarke is determined to turn her life around in a new town, her newly bought apartment in a brand new Condo, an apparently loving group of friends including the boisterous Allison and her reclusive but amicable flatmate, Heather.
All goes to plan, until one fine morning Clarke finds Heather brutally murdered in her room and Clarke turning out to be the prime suspect!
Sounds like a thrilling murder mystery? Right?
Wrong.
Because I haven't yet mentioned the parallel world of Faes, the power struggle between the realms, the dark menacing Obscurus and the enticing and charming Fae protector Hayworth. How Clarke and the grissly murder(s?!) fit into this Fae-verse of enchantment is what Death Rattle is truly about.
Carter Pugh effortlessly transitions between the narrative style of contemporary thrillers and the typical voiceover for fantasies, making Death Rattle a joy to read.
Murder Mystery x Romantasy, right sprinkle of spice, mystical wonder, relatable and lovable characters - what more can you ask for on a cold winter evening to warm your soul?
Half a star less because I indeed wanted a few hundred pages more, a bit more world building intricacies; which I am sure will be served up in the next books in the series.
It's a series, right? Don't you dare leave me in the lurch! Please 🥺
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