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Dead Serious Halloween Special
It’s Halloween and Chan’s hosting a party at Harrison’s newly inherited occult bookshop. Tristan is looking forward to a night of music, food and fun costumes with his husband and their friends.
What they actually get is chaos on the streets of Whitechapel when they accidentally open the Gospodar, the master copy of all fairy tales and let all of the creatures loose.
It’s not the first time they’ve escaped but this time, they’re determined not to go back.
They’ve only got until midnight. Tick tock goes the clock...
This Halloween special picks up after the events of book five and leads into the spin off series, The Little Shop of Curiosities.
What they actually get is chaos on the streets of Whitechapel when they accidentally open the Gospodar, the master copy of all fairy tales and let all of the creatures loose.
It’s not the first time they’ve escaped but this time, they’re determined not to go back.
They’ve only got until midnight. Tick tock goes the clock...
This Halloween special picks up after the events of book five and leads into the spin off series, The Little Shop of Curiosities.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2024
193 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Vawn Cassidy
27 books462 followersVawn Cassidy is the MM pen name of British author Wendy Saunders.
She writes supernatural & contemporary fantasy as Wendy Saunders. She also writes romantic suspense.
She writes supernatural & contemporary fantasy as Wendy Saunders. She also writes romantic suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 19, 2025
4.5 stars. A fun visit to the cast of the main multi-book series, must read the series first to get the full enjoyment. At first I thought we were going to get a novella for some closure as there were some pretty big job issues left unresolved in the last full novel, but in typical style for this crew, things go epically off the rails rather quickly and those same items are left untouched. The author clearly has plans to branch out and create stories for other couples and interesting people we met in the main books. Looks like Ellis from the haunted hotel will get a book/books as well has Harrison. Both worthy of their own series and I really look forward to reading those.
BOOK 5/6: new characters pop onto the scene in the last main book and appear again in the Halloween novella. They are from another series, THE GUARDIAN SERIES by pseudonym WENDY SAUNDERS. You don’t really need to know these god/goddesses/guardians/protectors to enjoy the Dead Serious/Crawshanks series, just FYI since GR does not reference the books from Wendy Saunders as being connected to the books from Vaughn Cassidy.
Novella from murder mystery series, detective, forensic pathologist, ghost, paranormal, drag artists, contemporary, UK/British, HEA, m/m, Halloween party.
BOOK 5/6: new characters pop onto the scene in the last main book and appear again in the Halloween novella. They are from another series, THE GUARDIAN SERIES by pseudonym WENDY SAUNDERS. You don’t really need to know these god/goddesses/guardians/protectors to enjoy the Dead Serious/Crawshanks series, just FYI since GR does not reference the books from Wendy Saunders as being connected to the books from Vaughn Cassidy.
Novella from murder mystery series, detective, forensic pathologist, ghost, paranormal, drag artists, contemporary, UK/British, HEA, m/m, Halloween party.
November 13, 2024
Hilarious!
I was tempted to give this book a 4.5 but round down to 4 stars because it’s just 2 excellent but relatively short stories… then this quote happened and now I have to round up to five! 🤣😂🤣😂😂🤣
“You actually knew William Shakespeare?” Roni replied. Puck shrugged and admitted grudgingly, “I’ll say this for him, he knew how to wear a codpiece. Takes a secure man to pull off tights and a bedazzled jockstrap.”
I was tempted to give this book a 4.5 but round down to 4 stars because it’s just 2 excellent but relatively short stories… then this quote happened and now I have to round up to five! 🤣😂🤣😂😂🤣
“You actually knew William Shakespeare?” Roni replied. Puck shrugged and admitted grudgingly, “I’ll say this for him, he knew how to wear a codpiece. Takes a secure man to pull off tights and a bedazzled jockstrap.”
November 8, 2024
This was a fun little trip right back into the absolute havoc and mayhem that is Tristan and Danny's life with their friends - both alive and dead. We've seen chaos from this cast of characters before, but never quite on this level. This was delightfully unhinged in all of the best ways! And it was honestly very amusing to get to see the cast of characters right back in the thick of it.
With the hints of what's to come in the new series, I'm looking forward to Harrison and Sam's stories! They were a long time coming, and I'm quite excited to get to them! But I may need to take a trip up to Yorkshire to visit a certain haunted hotel, first.
With the hints of what's to come in the new series, I'm looking forward to Harrison and Sam's stories! They were a long time coming, and I'm quite excited to get to them! But I may need to take a trip up to Yorkshire to visit a certain haunted hotel, first.
November 2, 2024
Series: Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed #6
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
It’s Halloween and Chan is hosting a party at Harrison’s newly inherited bookshop. While Tristan is looking forward to having fun with his husband and friends he doesn’t expect to be overrun with fairy tale creatures.
This was a fun and a bit ridiculous Halloween story. The gang is always getting into trouble and this time it involves the book Gospodar, which is the master copy of all fairy tale stories. I was very amused by all the fairy tale creatures and people that Tristan and the gang had to deal with, especially since some of them were stuck in amusing costumes.
Chan really gets all protective in this and I really love him. He is one of my favorites from this series and I just love seeing him kick ass, along with his boyfriend Death. Also we get to meet new gods in this one and I wonder if we will be seeing them again because I want to know more now.
Overall, this was short and amusing. I am interested in seeing what will happen next with everyone since we get a hint of future danger in the bookshop. Also I want to know if Danny will continue with his toxic job.
TW: homomisa in the workplace; death of a friend mentioned;
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
It’s Halloween and Chan is hosting a party at Harrison’s newly inherited bookshop. While Tristan is looking forward to having fun with his husband and friends he doesn’t expect to be overrun with fairy tale creatures.
This was a fun and a bit ridiculous Halloween story. The gang is always getting into trouble and this time it involves the book Gospodar, which is the master copy of all fairy tale stories. I was very amused by all the fairy tale creatures and people that Tristan and the gang had to deal with, especially since some of them were stuck in amusing costumes.
Chan really gets all protective in this and I really love him. He is one of my favorites from this series and I just love seeing him kick ass, along with his boyfriend Death. Also we get to meet new gods in this one and I wonder if we will be seeing them again because I want to know more now.
Overall, this was short and amusing. I am interested in seeing what will happen next with everyone since we get a hint of future danger in the bookshop. Also I want to know if Danny will continue with his toxic job.
TW: homomisa in the workplace; death of a friend mentioned;
February 18, 2025
A very fun entry to the series, fits the Halloween theme to a T. It's great to get a revisit with the old gang, but I long for more Danny, Tristan and Dusty.
Side note, was waffling about the first few chapters of the spin-off novel based on the haunted hotel they visited, but I think I am inspired to pick it back up again now after this!
Side note, was waffling about the first few chapters of the spin-off novel based on the haunted hotel they visited, but I think I am inspired to pick it back up again now after this!
May 25, 2025
There are two stories in here - one set in the Dead Serious world, with Tristan and Danny and friends, and a short from another of the author’s worlds, All Hallows Eve, from The Guardians series by Wendy Saunders aka Vawn Cassidy. Which features the same problematic book in small New England town.
KU
KU
November 4, 2024
wonderful blend of serious elements and delicious zany otherworldly storytelling that makes this series and the characters such a joy
Rating: 4.75 🌈
Vawn Cassidy’s Dead Serious Halloween Special delivers that wonderful blend of serious elements and delicious zany otherworldly storytelling that makes this series and the characters such a joy.
It’s Halloween or Samhain. Obviously. And all our group of fabulous characters, that found family of humans, ghosts, witches, and otherworldly beings will be gathering together for a party.
But we get an intimate glimpse first into a scene between Tristan and Danny that not only shows the aftermath of the traumatic events from Viv’s death but also how the revelations of the paranormal world has changed Danny’s life. It’s a highly emotional and impactful scene. Beautifully written and while not a huge part of the story, it reverberates throughout this book.
That’s in keeping with the spirit of the series and how this author weaves all the emotional layers into the narrative and lives . Especially as what comes next is wildly unexpected and vividly imagined. That’s speaking as someone who never thought that those childhood fairytales were very fun but scary. As they were often meant to be.
There’s some potentially frightening moments, new characters, old friends reappearing, and happily a resolution that sees everyone safe.
But not without a dark mention of a “something “ in everyone’s lives that is to be discovered in a new series coming soon. So a mini- cliffhanger.
This was a terrific story, I rushed through it because I couldn’t stop reading, from scene to scene. Then again, to get all the small details I missed the first time. And there’s lots of great stuff in there that moves characters forward in growth and development in their own ways.
So don’t miss out. Grab Dead Serious Halloween Special (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed Book 6) by Vawn Cassidy and get ready for the next series to arrive.
Cover design by Natasha Snow @NatashaSnowDesigns
Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed :
🔹Dead Serious Case# 1 Miz Dusty Le Frey
🔹Dead Serious Case# 2 Mrs Delores Abanathy
🔹Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes
🔹Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume
🔹Dead Serious Case #5 Madame Vivienne
🔹Dead Serious-Just the Extras
🔹Dead Serious-Halloween
Special Crawshanks Guide to the Occult :
🔹The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object #1 - coming soon
Crawshanks Universe Novellas/ Spin offs (only available from the Vawn Cassidy website )
The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan Vol 1
The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan Vol 2
Blue Thunder
Dead Serious The True Fan
Dead Serious Official Companion
Rating: 4.75 🌈
Vawn Cassidy’s Dead Serious Halloween Special delivers that wonderful blend of serious elements and delicious zany otherworldly storytelling that makes this series and the characters such a joy.
It’s Halloween or Samhain. Obviously. And all our group of fabulous characters, that found family of humans, ghosts, witches, and otherworldly beings will be gathering together for a party.
But we get an intimate glimpse first into a scene between Tristan and Danny that not only shows the aftermath of the traumatic events from Viv’s death but also how the revelations of the paranormal world has changed Danny’s life. It’s a highly emotional and impactful scene. Beautifully written and while not a huge part of the story, it reverberates throughout this book.
That’s in keeping with the spirit of the series and how this author weaves all the emotional layers into the narrative and lives . Especially as what comes next is wildly unexpected and vividly imagined. That’s speaking as someone who never thought that those childhood fairytales were very fun but scary. As they were often meant to be.
There’s some potentially frightening moments, new characters, old friends reappearing, and happily a resolution that sees everyone safe.
But not without a dark mention of a “something “ in everyone’s lives that is to be discovered in a new series coming soon. So a mini- cliffhanger.
This was a terrific story, I rushed through it because I couldn’t stop reading, from scene to scene. Then again, to get all the small details I missed the first time. And there’s lots of great stuff in there that moves characters forward in growth and development in their own ways.
So don’t miss out. Grab Dead Serious Halloween Special (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed Book 6) by Vawn Cassidy and get ready for the next series to arrive.
Cover design by Natasha Snow @NatashaSnowDesigns
Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed :
🔹Dead Serious Case# 1 Miz Dusty Le Frey
🔹Dead Serious Case# 2 Mrs Delores Abanathy
🔹Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes
🔹Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume
🔹Dead Serious Case #5 Madame Vivienne
🔹Dead Serious-Just the Extras
🔹Dead Serious-Halloween
Special Crawshanks Guide to the Occult :
🔹The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object #1 - coming soon
Crawshanks Universe Novellas/ Spin offs (only available from the Vawn Cassidy website )
The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan Vol 1
The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan Vol 2
Blue Thunder
Dead Serious The True Fan
Dead Serious Official Companion
March 3, 2025
These were absolutely hilarious. I love Tristan, Danny, Dusty and Chan and all the rest of the quirky characters in this series. This was just a Halloween bonus story, for the series. It's best to have read the first 5. Olivia who you previously met in the last book, sends some books to Harrison, since he has inherited the bookshop, and has an unfamiliarity with his wiccan aspects, intending to get Harrison more educated towards his gifts. Tristan is at the bookshop helping to unpack the books for Harrison. Meanwhile, Danny, struggling with the abuse he is experiencing from the Scotland Yard, from his new supervisor, is interviewing old witnesses to closed cases ordered by such supervisor. Chan is planning a party at the bookshop for Halloween, and is currently decorating. Finding a very heavy book, that is locked and wrapped in duct tape, Tristan, just can't help to find out what it is. Opening it, all the original fairy tale characters come to life, and start to rain havoc all over the town. Hilarity ensues.
As a bonus, you are also treated to a short story, from her Mercy series she writes under the name Wendy Saunders. Her world building is incredibly.
As a bonus, you are also treated to a short story, from her Mercy series she writes under the name Wendy Saunders. Her world building is incredibly.
September 12, 2025
'Dead Serious Halloween Special (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed, #6)'
written by Vawn Cassidy
This is hilarious! And just in time for Halloween (All Hallows Eve/Samhain)...
For it to make the most sense though, you'd have to have read the rest of the 'Dead Serious' collection. (but you can read it anytime, lol)
It's a fabulous series, featuring a snarky drag queen ghost, Dusty, a cute British medical examiner, Tristan, a drool-worthy Scotland Yard detective, Danny, along with their human friends, Chan, Sam, Harrison and other acquaintances, a few nemesises, and other assorted ghosts and otherworldly characters, not to mention escapees from various and sundry fairy tales, all popping in and out of their world and along for a roller coaster of a ride; even the Grim Reaper himself shows up! This takes place mostly in Great Britain, although there are a few excursions to other places.
I loved this whole series and highly recommend it, especially if you're a fan of bizarre, sometimes hair-raising, sometimes really funny tales, coupled with mysteries to solve. Great fun!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
written by Vawn Cassidy
This is hilarious! And just in time for Halloween (All Hallows Eve/Samhain)...
For it to make the most sense though, you'd have to have read the rest of the 'Dead Serious' collection. (but you can read it anytime, lol)
It's a fabulous series, featuring a snarky drag queen ghost, Dusty, a cute British medical examiner, Tristan, a drool-worthy Scotland Yard detective, Danny, along with their human friends, Chan, Sam, Harrison and other acquaintances, a few nemesises, and other assorted ghosts and otherworldly characters, not to mention escapees from various and sundry fairy tales, all popping in and out of their world and along for a roller coaster of a ride; even the Grim Reaper himself shows up! This takes place mostly in Great Britain, although there are a few excursions to other places.
I loved this whole series and highly recommend it, especially if you're a fan of bizarre, sometimes hair-raising, sometimes really funny tales, coupled with mysteries to solve. Great fun!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
January 20, 2025
Ok look, I am not gonna lie, this story confused be from the get go.
It took me til about mid way to actually get that this was just a story to push you into reading the next series. I did not need the push as I have already pre ordered the first book about Harrison.
Now with that out of the way...
This was a story about how on a Halloween night the Tristan Krew was going to have a Halloween bash at the literally haunted book store.
Cause what could happen, amiright?
Things happen, we meet a highly ranked Hell CEO, and the woman with all the powers from the wedding arrives.
I think she only arrives to push the second story. Which yea, the actual story about the Krew is very short, the rest of the book is the story about the last time the book was opened.
Not gonna lie, I was not interested in that. I had no real connection to these people, I would have rather had the option of reading that story seperately.
It took me til about mid way to actually get that this was just a story to push you into reading the next series. I did not need the push as I have already pre ordered the first book about Harrison.
Now with that out of the way...
This was a story about how on a Halloween night the Tristan Krew was going to have a Halloween bash at the literally haunted book store.
Cause what could happen, amiright?
Things happen, we meet a highly ranked Hell CEO, and the woman with all the powers from the wedding arrives.
I think she only arrives to push the second story. Which yea, the actual story about the Krew is very short, the rest of the book is the story about the last time the book was opened.
Not gonna lie, I was not interested in that. I had no real connection to these people, I would have rather had the option of reading that story seperately.
November 12, 2024
Okay so I am LOVING how this is no longer just ghosts and a little bit of the paranormal, this is full-on mythology now. Hades???!! YES PLEASE what a character. And Death being a fanboy awwwwww. Chan and Death are absolutely adorable (if not a little concerning lol) and GOD I want Nick and Aidan to have a story. Not long to wait now until Sam and Harrison’s!! Still absolutely zero complaints about this entire series. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I hate myself for doing this every time I find some new series that I instantly fall in love with, rather than pace myself so I can enjoy it for longer, I binge read it so fast and then I finish it and get depressed and in a reading slump again. I’m really really hoping this is not the end of the series 😭
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November 17, 2024A Dead Serious Halloween Short
This short halloween story for the Dead Serious series is just what I need after finishing the series. Our beloved characters are all here for a Halloween adventure, which is rather different than we're used to.
Letting loose a bunch of fairytale creatures in Whitchapel is not in Tristan's plans for Chan's Halloween party, but it does end up happening through a large, heavy and ancient book.
After that, chaos ensues and everyone needs to get involved to save Tristan and Aiden.
I loved this little snippet. It's a great transition to the author's new series which I can't wait to read.
This short halloween story for the Dead Serious series is just what I need after finishing the series. Our beloved characters are all here for a Halloween adventure, which is rather different than we're used to.
Letting loose a bunch of fairytale creatures in Whitchapel is not in Tristan's plans for Chan's Halloween party, but it does end up happening through a large, heavy and ancient book.
After that, chaos ensues and everyone needs to get involved to save Tristan and Aiden.
I loved this little snippet. It's a great transition to the author's new series which I can't wait to read.
December 28, 2024
SO much to love with this novella- it had all the magic and hilarity of the main series and gave me all the hints and teasers that I need to be completely impatient for the Little Shop of Curiosities series coming in January! As always, the main cast of characters were great and I enjoyed the twist with the fairy tale aspect. Death and Chan are my absolute favourite couple and it's so well written that I had some amazing mental images of Chan's reactions to the pirates! I need more of Tristan and Danny, more Harrison, more Death and Chan stories - essentially I want it all and I'd definitely recommend this book alongside the rest of the series.
October 3, 2025
Whats not to love!? These books are amazing. Vwan has such a compelling way of writing. I was unable to put them down and when finished I needed to read the next book! These book have mystery, love, found family, intriges, urban fantasy, are so funny and have spice as part of the story (not added for the sake of spice).
Vawn introduced me to a whole new (nice) genre which I didn’t know I needed and which I love very much (also Joel Leslie as a narrator for the audiobooks is chefs kiss he brings your lovable characters to life in an exquisite way). Please also check out books written under her other name Wendy Saunders.
Vawn introduced me to a whole new (nice) genre which I didn’t know I needed and which I love very much (also Joel Leslie as a narrator for the audiobooks is chefs kiss he brings your lovable characters to life in an exquisite way). Please also check out books written under her other name Wendy Saunders.
November 1, 2024
This was a lovely surprise from vawn. Answered a few of those annoying loose ends from the last book and was a great lead in to the new series coming in December.
The second half of the book was a short from her other series the guardians, but I’m not into MF so I didn’t read it.
Looking forward to the next one!
The second half of the book was a short from her other series the guardians, but I’m not into MF so I didn’t read it.
Looking forward to the next one!
November 3, 2024
Tristan & Danny & the whole gang
Harrison receive a shipment with the original fairy tales book. When Tristan opens it, chaos ensues, sharks appear, Chan falls asleep, milk gets spilled and they need to get every escapee back in the book before midnight. That was a blast to read. The shirt at the end makes me want to go read about Mercy.
Harrison receive a shipment with the original fairy tales book. When Tristan opens it, chaos ensues, sharks appear, Chan falls asleep, milk gets spilled and they need to get every escapee back in the book before midnight. That was a blast to read. The shirt at the end makes me want to go read about Mercy.
November 4, 2024
Hilarious Halloween story!!! A very quick easy read that had me laughing the entire time. I adore all of the characters in this series, but this story tops them all. It's quite the Halloween when an accident causes fairytale characters to run amok. Between Daniel's golden locks and Death's secret crush I was dying. Best Halloween story I've read this year.
November 7, 2024
A nice surprise finding this available as I didn't even know it was coming out. Set at Halloween the gang find an old book and make the mistake of letting the fairytale creature free in modern day London.
Only surprise was this ended at 60% and then we got a story about the first time the creatures were let loose in the USA.
Only surprise was this ended at 60% and then we got a story about the first time the creatures were let loose in the USA.
December 11, 2024
This was a really short, but adorably funny and sweet short story with lots of "scary" creatures, just in time for Halloween. The actual story ends around 60% and then there's a short story from a different series. I love Tristan, his husband Danny, and their amazing group of friends! As always, they were hilarious.
January 20, 2025
As a short story, I had automatically and mentally assigned the story a 3. Short stories, by their very nature do not have the words to properly develop a plot and fulfill the purpose of a novel. However, by the time I finished this I was speechless and giggling. It is a perfect bridge between two series and does this with class and laughter.
September 1, 2025
funny
The Dead serious story was really only half the page count with the other half being a short from an interconnected world. While the first half was funny and a little ott it was very short. I didn’t really have an interest in the second short story as I have read anything in that world.
The Dead serious story was really only half the page count with the other half being a short from an interconnected world. While the first half was funny and a little ott it was very short. I didn’t really have an interest in the second short story as I have read anything in that world.
November 11, 2024
It was so lovely to read about Tristan, Danny, and everyone! I can definitely read more of them! :)
Still a few unanswered questions so it's good that there will be a spin-off series!
That short about Olivia and Theo was interesting! Definitely something to look into!
Still a few unanswered questions so it's good that there will be a spin-off series!
That short about Olivia and Theo was interesting! Definitely something to look into!
November 23, 2024
Brilliant
I absolutely ADORE the Dead Serious series and this book is just as amazing as the rest. I'm really going to have to read The Guardians series as I loved The Guardians short story in this book. Pure brilliance.
I absolutely ADORE the Dead Serious series and this book is just as amazing as the rest. I'm really going to have to read The Guardians series as I loved The Guardians short story in this book. Pure brilliance.
November 23, 2024
funny and a new book series
Should be interesting what happens next for Londoners as well as the new series! It’s interesting how the second story was actually first and shows how confusing things can be first go around
Should be interesting what happens next for Londoners as well as the new series! It’s interesting how the second story was actually first and shows how confusing things can be first go around
December 12, 2024
Enjoyable novella
A fun quick read and catch up with Tristan, Danny & everyone. Magic and madness abound for Halloween. This is a wonderful way to take us into the next series which revolves around Harrison and the bookshop.
A fun quick read and catch up with Tristan, Danny & everyone. Magic and madness abound for Halloween. This is a wonderful way to take us into the next series which revolves around Harrison and the bookshop.
January 5, 2025
Well, I love the series and this Halloween Special is as good as all the other books. I'm kind of in awe of the ideas this author comes up. This time it's going to crazy and Tristan and his friends have a lot to do. Just read it and enjoy the ride.
September 26, 2025
Cute story, but for the price (close to $7 direct from the author), I expected a full length novel, not a 100 page novella, so that was very dissapointing. Yeah, there is a bonus story afterward, but it's for a different series that I'm not particularly interested in at the moment.
November 2, 2024
That was so much fun!
November 3, 2024
Well, that sure read fast and was surprisingly stocked full of action and gooey love moments! 🥰
November 4, 2024
3.75 stars. Great to revisit some favourite characters as they attempt to celebrate Halloween.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews