Death and Other Occupational Hazards

by Veronika Dapunt

An original and darkly comedic murder mystery about a female personified Death whose sabbatical in modern-day London is rudely interrupted by a string of unplanned murders. Perfect for fans of Good Omens, The Good Place and Sophie Kinsella.

Her job is to die for. Literally.

Most people think that when they meet Death, it’ll be a skeleton in a black potato sack. Maybe with a scythe. Truth is, she’s just a woman doing a job and she’s very good at it.

But when Death takes a much-needed break to live on earth, things start to go terribly wrong. Someone’s killing people not on her list (well, not yet anyway) and it's down to her to find the culprit before it’s too late.

To make matters worse, her sanctimonious sister, Life – whom Death hasn’t got on with in millennia – won’t stop blaming her . . . And then there’s the slight problem of the charming (sexy) parasitologist she’s suspicious of.

But she’ll be fine, right?

After all, who better to investigate a murder than Death herself?

Quirky, fun and witty, this is Death like you've never seen her before. A lover of bright colours, a fierce protector of nature and a human falling in love for the first time. Death's sharp voice will linger in your mind long after you've read.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Humor, Cozy, Paranormal

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2025

About the author

Veronika Dapunt is a British-Austrian author. Her debut novel, Death and Other Occupational Hazards, was a runner-up for the 2023 Comedy Women in Print Prize. She lives in London with an opinionated mini-schnauzer called Cosette.

Reviews

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a dark comedy that had me laughing out loud! It is unlike anything that I have ever read before! I was genuinely impressed and surprised at how funny this book was. It has a great premise to it and the setting fit the story. To me, the premise was well executed and the story did not have any plot holes. The characters were multilayered, diverse and lovable. It did start off on the slower side, but picked up towards the middle and continued throughout the rest of the book. It is very mysterious with sharp satire. The setting was otherworldly and ethereal.

I really liked that it did have a balance, between it being very dark and funny at the same time. I feel like this book was like watching a movie, so I won’t be surprised if it does become one later on down the road. I found this book to be well paced, thought provoking and easy to read. This novel gave me the movie “Little Nicky” by Adam Sandler vibes! Be sure to read the content warnings and keep yourself healthy and informed prior to reading this. Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars rating!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Veronika Dapunt and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is set to be published on January 6, 2026!

[Sidney]

Interesting take on death & overall interesting concept but i'm calling it quits at 30%

Reading this felt like going to an office party & having to listen to some guy who thinks he's a comedian & likes to use humor to overcompensate tell bad jokes all night. In other words, this was trying too hard to be funny that it just didn't work for me. At 30% in I would have thought the plot would have been amping up or going somewhere but it's not. too many subplots I really don't know what's going on, where it's going, how it's going to end nor do i care to find out.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

[Chewable Orb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death and Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt
4 🔮🔮🔮🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Jan. 6, 2026
Poisoned Pen Press

Upon a fateful evening where we meet our maker….

💡 Orbs Prologue: My name is Death. A mix of smoke and wind forms behind my path. I walk, or rather glide, to the scene. Behind my tattered black robe, my bones crack to attention. My naked phalanges cling to a tool synonymous with death, the lethal scythe. I am here by design, as part of the master's plan, to help guide you through eternal life after death. As the sirens wail and the flood of red and blue lights cast their hue upon the onlookers, I remain here in your presence. I am predisposed to do a job, but dear reader, this has become increasingly difficult. I feel for these victims and yet find myself often misconstrued. Upon my blade, people’s perplexed eyes gaze upon salty tears dropping from the sharp tip, instead of the stereotypical stream of cascading blood, often thought to be part of my mystique. Tired of being misunderstood, I have been granted a sabbatical in human form to gain much-needed knowledge of their way of life.

🔩 Nuts & Bolts: Death has a whole new meaning when Sister Life presents her with a body with which to navigate the doldrums of everyday reality. After accepting a position as a paralegal, Death’s life becomes unusually unstable. Unplanned murders are happening, and Death needs to determine why. Following carefully planted clues, Death’s detective work leads to numerous characters of the human and otherworldly sort. In Death’s new body as a woman, she experiences love, feelings, and trauma. Will this adventure change her sentiment towards being “just” the Grim Reaper? There are those in the background looking to displace Death, and with her sister, Life, in danger as well, one must ask, for without Life, does human existence cease to exist? Through the eyes of Death, author Veronika Dapunt sheds light on a dark topic. Perhaps through death, we understand how precious life remains. A mysterious twine of lifeline shortens; every waking moment is one step closer to an apocalyptic outcome. Can Death do what is necessary to save humankind?

👍 Orbs Pros: The mixture of humor and a fictitious grimness takes grip rather quickly. Soon after the first chapter, I was hooked by where Dapunt was leading my visions. Through a vastness of mafioso bravado, I remain unscathed, by Death’s side as her amico. While simultaneously learning more about humans, Death is forced to look within for what is important in her life, funny as that may sound. Does Death really have a life, per se? Veronika Dapunt, in witty comedic fashion, asks readers to look within themselves and be thankful for what is in the here and now.

👎 Orbs Cons: I suppose I could raise an eye at the mafia trope, as I am not entirely sure I was on board with Dapunt’s decision with this.

Recommended! Spinning a creative world where the consummate antagonist becomes a mushy, dog-loving, crazy-outfit-wearing protagonist we all come to love and enjoy is worth the price of admission.

💡 Orbs Epilogue: If I am the harbinger of death, or the pale rider, then why are these colorful glasses sitting atop my skeletal nose? My barren chest expands without a heart, yet I weep for those I am entrusted to usher forth to the underworld. What will the others think of me? I have emotions; my heart pitter-patters at the thought of a touch from an admirer. Piece by piece, my inky garb falls to the floor, exposing a brittleness I never thought possible. Yet, as I learn more about my place in the vastness of eternity, I have been brought to this murky space for a reason. Yes, I must stand confident in times of strife, allowing myself to reveal my true inner self, and with it, invoke a sense of compassion and warmth to those in need. For that is what humanity deserves in its final minutes on Earth.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[K.J. Charles]

This is a bit Tom Holt territory in that Death is personified and a bit burned out, and God, Jesus etc are described with middle management speak. That could be funny, as per the promises of the blurb but it doesn't really lean into that, though TBH I wasn't quite sure what it was leaning into: there's a romance, a murder mystery, the comic elements, and a philosophical throughline, any of which could have been developed a lot more strongly. As it was, I didn't really find it settled into itself, which was a bit of a shame as the writing had some great points.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death and Other Occupational Hazards
by Veronika Dapunt
This is a delightful story about Death and how she wanted a vacation. Her Boss agreed but when she arrived on earth, there was an unplanned death. No one was there to escort the soul. She had a Temp take her place but this was totally unplanned. Death is trying to work for a lawyer as a human, but is working to solve the unplanned deaths that are adding up for the Boss. All while keeping her identity secret. Meanwhile, others are after her and they mean business!
Great twisty plots. Fun characters and tremendous interactions between them. Lots of emotions and thrills. Really enjoyed this! I hope there will be a book #2.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this terrific fantasy novel!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book! My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This was absolutely amazing and loved it so much! I have read other mystery series featuring Death before, but this was definitely one of my favorite. Although the author really didn't seem to leave it open for a sequel, I definitely would love to read more if she decided to turn it into a series.

The characters are wonderfully written. I especially love how she gets questioned on being a lawyer because she doesn't dress like one. Or how she keeps referring to what 'humans' do. Laughed so hard when she told Marcus she kept saying humans because English wasn't her first language. Iwas a bit worried for a while, but the book had the perfect ending.

Definitely would recommend this book!

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guess what? Death is a woman in this book, and honestly, she’s awesome! Forget the usual gloomy guy with a scythe. This Death is funny, awkward, and just trying to figure out humans on her day off.

She decides to take a break from collecting souls (as one does) and heads off on a little sabbatical to experience human life. Sounds chill, right? Well… not exactly. She ends up broke, dabble in fashion, accidentally makes friends, tries really hard not to freak them out, and oh yeah, solving murders.

So now she’s playing detective, feeling actual emotions, navigating love, loss, friendship, and all while trying to blend in. Spoiler: she’s not great at it, but it’s hilarious watching her try.

This book is fast-paced, funny, and quirky you won’t want to put it down. Death is surprisingly relatable, absolutely hilarious, and her character development was brilliant. I also thought the way religious and mythological figures were portrayed was very clever.

It’s a fun mix of mystery, mild fantasy, a touch of romance, and plenty of humor. Honestly, it combined so many of my favorite genres into one, and I had a great time reading it!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
💀 Dark Humor
💀 Fish Out of Water
💀 Whodunnit Vibes
💀 'Unplanned Deaths' Mysteries

[Dona's Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ p60

For me, this story was sort of dead on delivery. I'm sorry to say that, but Dapunt went in a completely different direction than I had figured from the book description.

This book is essentially a retelling of the grim reaper myth, which is a good concept, but the execution here is so gimmicky. I also do *not* find anything redeeming or even original about this depiction of Death. Her best traits reminds me of the main character in that brilliant 2000s TV show, Dead Like Me, which I would encourage you to watch instead of reading this.

Readers of American Gods by Niel Gaiman might find something to like here.

Thank you to Veronika Dapunt, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital copy of DEATH AND OTHER OCCUPATION HAZARDS. All views are mine.

[That_awkwardbook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this will be a comedy and it was, but it's also so much more. It's a Murder mystery with a smidge of romance and I could not stop the tears for the last 10 %of the book. 

Death is a young woman with an incredible bold clothing style and she needs a break. Death wants a sabbatical, so Life gives her a body and finds her a room in London. 
But her sabbatical is not as relaxing as she hoped, there was an unplanned death. 
Now she needs to find out who is ending lives with out her knowledge. 

An overall enjoyable read

Thank you,  NetGalley,  the author Veronika Dapunt and penguin random house for the eARC

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a great debut!
A dark comedy about death? Sign me up!

Death isn’t your normal black cloak, scythe carrying man. No, Death is a woman who doesn’t feel very appreciated. The humans don’t make her job very easy either. So what does she do? Go on a sabbatical with the humans. But it’s soon apparent that someone is causing deaths that are not on her list and that just isn’t done. And to make matters worse, someone tried to kill her as well. As she’s trying to solve the mystery, she learns a little bit about death herself.

This was such a fun and unique read!

[Zana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars.

This ended up being more of a dark romcom than what I thought it'd be, but nevertheless, it was still a fun read.

This had a very Marvel movie/comic book feel to it, with a personified Death taking a sabbatical from ferrying the dead and deciding to cosplay as a human to solve a mystery on Earth. Gods or godlike beings living as humans is one of my fave fantasy tropes.

Honestly, there's nothing new here if you're into this oddly specific trope. But the author managed to make this into a fun novel with a lot of heart. There was more silliness than dark and heavy themes, but it worked well as a palate cleanser in between my serious reads.

I really liked the relationship between Death and her sister, Life. It read like a real sibling relationship with its ups and downs and its petty (and not so petty) jealousies. The romance with Marco was the only other fleshed out relationship and it was cute. I couldn't hate.

The only thing I didn't like was that Death was pretty nerfed. But then again, it did help with character growth.

If you're looking for something quick to read and isn't epic fantasy levels of convoluted and dense, give this fun novel a try.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this arc.

[Brian Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

'I am Death. The Destruction. The Nothingness. The end that makes beginnings possible. The chaos and the order. The greatest, most destructive power in all of creation. The eternal ending, born in the time before time, when everything was fire and wrath.'...and she deserves a holiday.

Veronika Dapunt's debut novel presents a compelling exploration of Death's unexpected sabbatical on Earth.

To facilitate Death's immersion in humanity, her sister, Life, creates Delara Donn. Delara's initial attempts to understand human customs, particularly her unconventional fashion choices, provide moments of engaging character development. As a paralegal in London, Delara encounters an anomaly: an "unplanned" death, a violation of the fundamental laws of Creation. This mystery propels the narrative, transforming it from a whimsical fantasy, reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's Good Omens, into a compelling murder investigation.

The introduction of Marco introduces a romantic element that, while integral to Delara's emotional evolution, occasionally overshadows the central mystery. Dapunt effectively portrays Delara's internal conflict as she grapples with unfamiliar feelings and the implications of her potential mortality. The dynamic between Delara and Life is particularly well-crafted, offering a nuanced exploration of their sibling relationship.

Garm, the rescued laboratory dog, serves as a poignant reminder of Death's capacity for compassion, eliciting genuine emotional responses. The novel's humour is skilfully deployed, providing moments of levity without detracting from the narrative's overall tone. While the portrayal of the Devil felt somewhat underdeveloped, the core concept of Life and Death as sisters is executed with remarkable creativity.

Despite the occasional overemphasis on the romantic subplot, which detracted slightly from the narrative's momentum, Dapunt's debut is a remarkable achievement. The novel's thought-provoking themes, engaging characters, and seamless genre transitions make it a highly recommended read. The emotional impact of the story, particularly the portrayal of Garm, is undeniable, and it is a testament to Dapunt's skill that she elicits such strong reactions.

I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards is due to be released on 10th April 2025.

[Carissa | the.grim.readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and perfectly grim concept! I love books that have somewhat horrifying storylines with plenty of humor and comedic relief woven in and Dapunt nailed that in this story.

While this was a bit of a chunk for me at almost 400 pages, I was unable to put it down and would have easily finished it in a few sittings had I not had to put it on pause in the middle to finish a bookclub read.

If you enjoyed SIGN HERE by Claudia Lux I definitely think you’ll find yourself loving Delara’s story too when it publishes in January. Huge thank you to Sourcebooks for my early copy!

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

You may be wondering why I chose to review this book, given that I don’t typically read fantasy. While Death and Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt is outside my comfort zone, I can’t deny that I enjoyed reading it. It took me a little while to settle into the story, but once it hooked me, I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this novel is its unique take on Death—portrayed not as a grim, ominous figure but as a flawed, relatable woman simply trying to do her job. This clever twist on the reaper trope is both engaging and thought-provoking. Death’s dynamic with her sister, Life, is a real highlight, offering a fascinating blend of tension, humour, and sibling rivalry. Their interactions bring depth to the story and create an intriguing exploration of the balance between life and death.
The novel’s murder mystery element adds an extra layer of intrigue, with some well-placed twists and suspenseful moments. While the pacing isn’t always even, the concept is strong, and there’s plenty to enjoy along the way. The romantic subplot with the parasitologist injects some charm and lightness into the story, though it occasionally takes a backseat to the mystery.
Dapunt’s writing style is witty and filled with sharp humour, making this a thoroughly entertaining read. The snarky dialogue and vivid descriptions give the book a distinctive voice that keeps the tone lively and engaging.
Overall, Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a fun, inventive, and darkly humorous read. While it balances comedy and mystery in its own unique way, it’s a great choice for readers looking for something fresh, quirky, and full of personality. Even as someone new to the fantasy genre, I found it an enjoyable escape!
https://featzreviews.com/death-and-ot...

[Simon Pressinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a whimsical, fantasy-comedy-mystery mash up. An easy, well-paced read, with some funny scenes and moments as you follow Death herself, now on Earth, on sabbatical and in human form, with a penchant for garishly bright patterned clothes, working as a paralegal at a criminal law firm in London. She's following a curious trail of murders, or "Unplanned" deaths, commercial skulduggery and the Italian mafia. It has the supernatural-lite touch of Bruce Almighty, with a smattering of Good Omens in the way Dapunt characterises biblical figures. God is 'the Boss'; Jesus is Human Communications Director or HCD; and the devil is the Vice President of Pandemonium and Perdition, or VP of P&P.

Where this book doesn't work for me is that it's trying to do too much in a way that doesn't read as a well-formed whole: crossing light fantasy and murder mystery, a dash of Godfather-inspired hard crime with a small side of romance. I'm not clear where the focus was meant to be. It just felt too much of a mash up of ideas, without a good engine driving home any meaningful story. Multi-genre crossovers can be really great, but this one didn't really work for me.

[S. Bacchante · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 40%

Short explanation: Not for me.

Long explanation: I enjoyed the mythological and historical references and this unique take on death, but it didn't make me feel much, it didn't make me care. And I got the feeling that the stroy was stretching too much, and it wasn't necessary to deliver the message it would deliver.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e—copy to review.

[Vavo ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mafia dealing with fruit is so funny to me because there was an insane amount of coke found in a container with bananas in my hometown.

Anyway, I enjoyed the take on Death and the general mythology and I appreciated the deeper message of life and love but that's pretty much it. The romance wasn't really anything, the stakes ended up being way too high for such a lighthearted approach and we spent way too long in the mafia plotline which didn't actually matter.

[Blaiz Ferrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read! Definitely more of a dark romcom with a tiny splash of murder mystery rather than the twisty investigation I expected. The premise is unique and the tone stays light and quirky throughout, which made it entertaining even when it wasn’t quite what I was hoping for. If you enjoy humorous, speculative stories with a touch of chaos and a hint of mystery, this one might hit the spot.

A darkly funny speculative murder mystery perfect for fans of Good Omens and Lucifer.

Death isn’t a skeleton in a cloak—she’s a woman who’s great at her job. But when she takes a break to experience human life, someone starts killing people ahead of schedule. With her Temp dropping the ball, she teams up with her uptight sister, Life, and a charming parasitologist to hunt down the rogue murderer—while battling the true enemy: human bureaucracy.

Who better to solve a murder than Death herself?

[Alexa Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe this is me being dramatic because I just finished it, but this might be in the top contenders for my Book of the Year. It was hilarious and yet so profoundly moving at the end I was crying bittersweet—but more sweet—tears for the journey Death went on. Most people I’d garner to say have a complicated relationship with death, but if this book does anything it will make you imagine her in a purple feather boa, eclectic outfit, with a grinning beagle at her side. There is so much HOPE written in this book it felt like a weight had been taken off my chest by the end of it. It was so beautiful, lovingly crafted, and a stunning read. I can’t wait for more people to read it.
•••
For more on the plot: Death is so awkward and I love her dearly. She is annoyed at having to eat but loves spaghetti and candied oranges; has a hard time resting but adores long walks, preferably somewhere with flowers. The mystery of the “Unplanned Deaths” kept the pacing moving quite well, along with the romantic subplot of our cute Italian parasitologist (Marco, I love you). There’s some hilarious cameos from a few different religious figures, and the lightheartedness of these moments made the story all the much better.

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, a cosy murder mystery and narrated by Death herself. Would definitely read again. :)

[Mollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at page 50. Just wasn't for me. Maybe it gets better but I didn't feel like I cared about the story and I really struggled with the writing and how death was portrayed.

[Nhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Literally doesn’t have to be this long.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. I was excited going in, as dark comedy is usually something I enjoy, but the humor here simply fell flat. I never truly connected with the prose; while I could see where the author was aiming for satire or wit, it just didn’t land for me. I never even cracked a smile—though I’ll fully admit that I can be a tough comedy critic.

Beyond that, the pacing was very uneven. Any time the story began to build momentum, it came to a screeching halt. I think the book would have been far more enjoyable if the subplots had been streamlined. There was simply too much going on, with a particular overemphasis on the mafia plotline, which ultimately had very little bearing on the story as a whole. If that element were removed entirely, it wouldn’t meaningfully change the book, and instead it bogged the narrative down with unnecessary details.

While I’m generally open to reinterpreting religious concepts in a more secular way—using business names for Jesus and similar choices—here it just didn’t make sense. The book seemed to be aiming for social or religious commentary wrapped in a mystery, but for me, the execution didn’t come together. Ultimately, despite an intriguing concept, the book struggled to balance tone, pacing, and purpose, resulting in a story that never fully worked for me.


I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I would enjoy this more! In this book, Death is young woman suffering from corporate burnout, who decides to take a sabbatical to understand more about the human existence. Sadly, her plans are interrupted by Unplanned deaths which she now has to investigate.

The premise was refreshing and I had a lot of fun picking out the various biblical references; the corporate titles were hilarious (Jesus - Human Communications Director, the Devil - VP for Pandemonium & Perdition). I enjoyed Death's dry wit and shrewd observations of the human condition. Her relationship with her sister Life felt so real with the fierce protectiveness, petty arguments and fears of being left behind. Death also gets to experience unconditional love through Garm, a beagle she rescues during one of her investigations. Every time Garm appears on the pages something inside me melts.

On to what I did not like. I would have enjoyed this book more if the story had focused more on the main murder mystery. Death's romance with the parasitologist Marco takes up significant space in this book, but there doesn't seem to be much chemistry between the two of them. The romance also doesn't really intersect with the other plotlines or contribute much to Death's character development, which made it feel unnecessary. This subplot resulted in slow pacing in the middle of the book; I must admit to losing interest at this point, especially since the novelty of the premise had worn off. The final confrontation also left me feeling a little disappointed with how easily things were resolved - I get that Death is OP and all, but I had expected more cunning from a three billion year old entity who chose to experience human existence as a paralegal.

This book started off strong but fizzled out towards the end. I loved the writing though, and look forward to seeing future works from Veronika Dapunt.

[Constance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death has always been puzzled by humans. The way they portray her as a skeletal man in a black sack. How they lament and moan as she takes them on the final journey to the afterlife, the howls and screams as they rage on that it just isn’t fair. Determined to understand them better, she decides to go on a Sabbatical- as a human. Her sister, Life, doesn’t understand why Death wants to pause doing her job, and her boss reluctantly agrees to let her go. But on her first day of her sabbatical, as she applies for a job as a paralegal, a death happens….and it was not planned.

Every death is accounted for, every passing stored away in her head. And so even on vacation, the work never ends. Death takes it upon herself to solve this unplanned murder, before more of them happen.

Death And Other Occupational Hazards was a fast read, but it is very long-winded in terms of how the plot plays out. We spend way too long focusing on one particular red herring, that turns out to be completely unrelated to the situation at hand. I did, however, love the references to various mythological and religious pantheons, a la Good Omens style (which I have actually never read or seen, but I’ve seen high praises for.) However, due to being disappointed in the pacing, I feel like I can’t give this a high rating. I loved Death and Life in their personifications, though! I wish we had spent more time learning about their sisterly bond rather than focusing on dead ends having to do with the mafia and the devil.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the e-arc, and look for this book when it releases on Jan 6!

[☆ Cosmic's Library ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Humans and me, it's complicated. Ive never really understood them. But you know, we're stuck with eachother..."

Thankyou to Netgalley for sending me this arc in return for my honest review. 🙌🏻

I loved every element of this story - the humor, the mystery, the romance, and the friendships formed. Everything blended together seamlessly to create a really memorable narrative. 😍

One of my favorite aspects was the portrayal of Death not as a terrifying hooded figure with a scythe, but as an eccentric, slightly awkward, head strong, flamingo high heels and purple feather boa wearing girly... Absolute icon really. She was refreshing, charming, and endlessly entertaining. 💀👑

Watching Death herself navigate new human emotions she never thought she could possibly feel like compassion, understanding, and even love for example added a surprisingly touching layer to the overall story.

The dynamic between Death and her sister, Life was my favourite part. Their relationship felt like a wonderfully chaotic yet authentic sibling bond. Total opposites, frequently at odds, yet always ready to back each other up and dive headfirst into wild schemes. 👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻🫶🏻

Overall this was such a fun read. It was wonderfully unique, had me laughing out loud, a little teary, and kept me completely invested in the mystery from start to finish. 👏🏻

[Athena Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer

Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a darkly humourous and witty genre-bending novel, combining fantasy elements, mystery solving, and a touch of romance but also sisterhood. I enjoyed it so much that I practically devoured it in one sitting!

Death, also known as Delara, is much funnier than you'd think! She has a quirky way to see the world and humans, but although she might not understand the human ways, she fights for it. For millenia, she has been vilified by humans and portrayed as a vicious man with a scythe and with no fashion style lmao. But Death is actually hurt and insulted by the humans' portrayal. She loves bright colours, and she loves non-black fashion. She takes her duty seriously, and she has always done her best to do her job in the most productive but also kindest way. I loved her character and I loved her character arc! She goes from someone who doesn't understand humans and who has always felt alone to someone who has been loved deeply and unconditionally.

We have a touch of romance, and the love interest is a smart, kind, and dedicated man who sees Delara for who she is, and not what she can do. I wouldn't say that the romance is the focus of the story or that it takes lots of place. In fact, it's just enough for Delara's character development.

The mystery solving took unexpected turns, some unpredictable, some easy to see. I would have liked it to be twistier, and while I loved the book's humour, I felt like it reverberated even the mystery elements, and I would have preferred it not to be the case; hence, my 4 stars.

The author takes events and history and religion characters and portrays them in a darkly humourous and witty way. I quite liked it, but some parts felt a bit stereotypical, and that illegal state didn't need to be named, to be honest.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot!! It's funny in an irreverent kind of way, and it's definitely up my alley! Some reviewers said that they didn't know what the focus was (fantasy, mystery, or romance), but for me, the focus was Death and her journey to self-love and self-discovery, as in her character development. I loved the blend of my three favourite genres and loved that they were coated with a darkly humourous vibe. I had a fabulous time reading this book, and I will definitely read more books by this author.

[Karolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the blurb I knew this book was perfect for me. Death going on a vacation on Earth and then things start to go wrong - that's not a story you read very often. The book didn't disappoint, I was hooked from the first page. The characters were multilayered and well fleshed out. I loved the main character, she was quirky, smart, funny and very likable. I really enjoyed the banter between the characters and the romance was great.The mystery was well thought out and kept me guessing till the end which does not happen very often.Although the ending broke my heart, the book became one of my favourite books of the year. I'm looking forward to more books by this author.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGally for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Mandy Cleworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to describe this book.
I did wonder how the author would set this up for death to be taking a holiday?
I liked it, it was clever, a bit tongue in cheek. Death is an entity, an all knowing entity with no physical form until she (yes death here is female and her sister is life) asks for some time off. For this she is provided with a human form so that she can take a break from gathering souls for a few weeks on earth.
This allows for a lot of humour as Death ponders what it means to be human, and gets to grips with functioning in a human body.
Her holiday is rudely interrupted by some ‘unplanned deaths’ ie. deaths that she does not know about and therefore can not be part of the ‘plan’.
What I wasn’t expecting was the religion. I’m quite comfortable with Death being an entity without there having to be a God. But in this scenario we have the cast, including the devil (VP of P&P), and Jesus (or Jay, or HCP). This was all very cute and mildly amusing. Currently Jay is a hair model and appears in flip flops conjuring up a very spaced out happy hippy…..leaning in to the stereotype nicely here.
It was light hearted and quite fluffy, lots of feel good, but I don’t think it quite lived up to its potential.
3.5⭐️

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read; a cozy but humorous murder mystery. Death (Delara) is taking a sabbatical in the human world, trying life as a mortal with her duties as Death at times intersecting with her time off. I really enjoyed this read by Dapunt and look forward to other novels she may write in the future!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. :)