Ainlay vs Infernal Support: A ghost story for the modern era

by Si Clarke

There are three certainties in modern death, taxes, and infuriating customer support.Even when you’re dead, you can’t catch a break. Ainlay Harrison is surprised to wake up as a ghost – and even more surprised to be onboarded into the AfterLife™’s most exciting hauntings.

After a simple typo leaves Ainlay stranded at the wrong address, the only option is to correct the mistake – but that means going through the most feared and hated monster on either side of the a customer service chatbot.

Some things never change … and fighting through undead bureaucracy is enough to make anyone want to die. Will this blasted chatbot be enough to drive Ainlay to end it all? Or is there some way to drill some sense into this infernal bot?

This tongue-in-cheek satirical novelette pokes fun at the gruelling realities of customer support and bureaucracy. Ainlay vs Infernal Support is a fun and witty read that’s perfect for fans of non-romantic paranormal cosies.

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74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2024

About the author

SI CLARKE is a misanthrope who lives in Deptford, sarf ees London. She shares her home with her partner and an assortment of waifs and strays. When not writing convoluted, inefficient stories, she spends her time telling financial services firms to behave more efficiently. When not doing either of those things, she can be found in the pub or shouting at people online – occasionally practising efficiency by doing both at once. 


As someone who’s neurodivergent, an immigrant, and the proud owner of an invisible disability, she strives to present a diverse array of characters in her stories.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this amusing short story, great idea! I was completely frustrated at the beginning of the book as it was so spot on trying to talk to an automated system, too true to life! Overall a good fun daft read!

[Alex Townley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this, as it's such a departure from the usual Starship Teapot series that I usually read by Si Clarke, but naturally it still contained all the wit, emotion, and introspection that I've come to expect and love!

I loved the format of the support exchanges, as someone who's had to go through those automated menus umpteenth times on certain shopping apps! The visual and textual arrangement really added to that recognisable exchange, and I just found the AI so funny!

The story itself was an enjoyable change as I said, and I really liked how it was so contained, both in physical location and with a limited cast. The idea of the "ghost tech" and all the bits of "lore/history" around it were so fascinating and clever. It's a short read, and felt a bit like the start of an exciting new journey that I really want to be along for the ride on!

The only thing I struggled with was the main characters name, and that's because I kept reading it as Ainsley Harriott (the celebrity chef), which kept messing up my mental image of the characters haha

[Fraxinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ainlay wakes up in a strange house with a cell phone and no memory of who she is or why she is there--she does what any sane person would do. She calls customer support. Unfortunately, apparently, it does not get better after you shuffle off the mortal coil. For anyone who has been stuck in a crazy loop from Hades, the lack of choices is both mind-boggling and comfortingly familiar.

This book was incredibly unique. I gleefully adored the increasingly unhinged responses to the "Customer Support" and the interactions between Ainlay and her environment.

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

[Julee Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quick read about a new ghost and their struggles with a chatbot, having no memory of their life, and being tasked with haunting someone they can't even recall. Ainlay does get some help from an unsuspecting ally. Overall, I really enjoyed this cute novella. It was witty with just the right amount of emotions for me. This is the second work of Clarke's I've read and have put the rest on my to be read list.

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

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC - I think at this point I need to just admit that I have a huge literary crush on Si Clarke. I loved this so much: the lore is already incredibly exciting to me, I loved the characters, and the afterword reveal was BRILLIANT. I can't believe I didn't notice the author's immensely clever linguistic choice, and I'm also fascinated by the way I interpreted the characters. Absolutely fab read, thank you!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a light read about the interaction between a new ghost and the helpdesk chatbot. I could totally relate to the chatbot side of things (I'm not a ghost yet!). I really want to know what happened to the main character previously, and what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Meredith Livingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has a hilarious premise and I’m going to keep my eye out for more. But it feels like this isn’t a complete story, more like a long teaser. I enjoyed what I read, but it wasn’t complete, just a beginning. So, while I appreciate the opportunity, without the story in it’s entirety, this isn’t a very accurate review.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this was an interesting look at ghosts. From the view of Ainley, a new ghost we are taken to the lessons of the afterlife. Her struggles with acclimating are totally understandable, especially when dealing with automated help calls. This was an interesting introduction to paranormal stories. Short, sweet and actually very interesting.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a super cute, quick read. I love SI Clark's characters. They are so rich and colorful! This was a really quirky story about a dead person who struggles with an AI chatbot for customer - excuse me, ghostly - service and the frustrations we've all dealt with in those situations.

[Emmaby Barton Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this a lot more than expected! not my normal genre but a fun quick read and an interesting concept. also love how clarke continues to challenge readers with our assumptions of gender (no characters are gendered)

[Jen Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! Funny, relatable and entertaining!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Amazing short story.
A fun, quick read.
Cute and quirky.