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What the Dead Can Do
A young child’s fate is at stake in a deadly battle between his deceased parents in this gripping and profoundly original psychological thriller, perfect for fans of What Have You Done and Middle of the Night.
When a commercial flight crashes, all 184 people on board perish—with the singular exception of a two-year-old boy named Ethan, who’s entrusted to family friends Matthew and Nicole per his late parents’ wishes.
From the afterlife, Ethan’s parents, Tag and Amanda, watch helplessly as Nicole’s secret addictions, the family’s financial struggles, and the public’s fascination with their story ignite events that threaten their son’s welfare.
Soon, Amanda’s grief turns into an insidious obsession: Ethan belongs with her and no one else, and she sets out to reunite with her son by any means possible—including killing Ethan herself.
After Amanda learns how to possess the living, only Tag stands in her way. He must protect his child, even if the consequences of his actions mean he may never see his wife or son again.
What The Dead Can Do is a dark, psychological, speculative thriller tinged with horror, destined to keep readers’ minds spinning long after the final page.
When a commercial flight crashes, all 184 people on board perish—with the singular exception of a two-year-old boy named Ethan, who’s entrusted to family friends Matthew and Nicole per his late parents’ wishes.
From the afterlife, Ethan’s parents, Tag and Amanda, watch helplessly as Nicole’s secret addictions, the family’s financial struggles, and the public’s fascination with their story ignite events that threaten their son’s welfare.
Soon, Amanda’s grief turns into an insidious obsession: Ethan belongs with her and no one else, and she sets out to reunite with her son by any means possible—including killing Ethan herself.
After Amanda learns how to possess the living, only Tag stands in her way. He must protect his child, even if the consequences of his actions mean he may never see his wife or son again.
What The Dead Can Do is a dark, psychological, speculative thriller tinged with horror, destined to keep readers’ minds spinning long after the final page.
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
23 people are currently reading
15506 people want to read
About the author
Peter Rosch
8 books163 followersPeter Rosch is the author of What The Dead Can Do, Future Skinny, But I Love You, and My Dead Friend Sarah, and other dark fictions, many born from the addictions he chased while living in New York City. He’s sober now but remains an addict’s addict: he can turn anything fun into a serious problem.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
April 26, 2025
The first half of this book resembles the characters Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam (Alec Baldwin) from the original Beetlejuice movie. There is even a version of Juno (Sylvia Sidney). It also has the “Text of the Dead” instead of the “Handbook for the Recently Deceased”. However, the second half of the book was so different and took a nice turn into becoming a thriller! It was unique and suspenseful! You’ll find yourself invested in all the characters and will feel conflicted on who to root for in the end! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
September 28, 2025
Haunting, emotional, and thrilling, What the Dead Can Do was like nothing I’ve ever read before in my life. A complex mix of psychological thriller, speculative fiction, and family drama, but with just a touch of well-played horror as well, it was both cerebral and poignant. A deep look at love, loss, grief, morality, and obsession, the characters made me question who to root for and who to scorn. That being said, I was more than happy to go along for the ride as this dysfunctional group of living and dead individuals fought over the survival of one very small child. Finely layered, beyond clever, and thought-provoking in the extreme, it was an original storyline that—for the most part—had me in the palm of its hand.
You see, the beginning of this book felt more like a family drama exploring addiction than a thriller to me. Initially a slow unraveling of an already damaged family, I kept waiting for the thrills in the story. And boy oh boy, did they arrive in spades. A cross of a game of cat-and-mouse and a fight between good vs. evil, the further into the book that I got, the more suspenseful and fast-paced the chapters became. And that ending? All I can say is that it was a *chef’s kiss* conclusion. After all, it wrapped up with a twist that utterly blew me away thanks to an ingenious last-minute reveal.
All said and done, despite the slow start, I know that this is one book that’s going to live with me for ages. Broaching the topic of the afterlife in an authentic way, it gave me a very Ghost-esque feel—if the movie had been way more dark and twisted, of course. Playing with the idea of heaven and hell, ghosts, and possession—all while leaving religion at the door—I was in awe over the skill that this author demonstrated with his very first novel. From the in-depth character studies to the eye-popping climax and conclusion, the plot covered all of the must haves without most of the don’ts. Yes, the setup was somewhat drawn out, but that on-point last third made up for it completely. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a commercial flight crashes, all 184 people on board perish—with the singular exception of a two-year-old boy named Ethan, who’s entrusted to family friends Matthew and Nicole per his late parents’ wishes.
From the afterlife, Ethan’s parents, Tag and Amanda, watch helplessly as Nicole’s secret addictions, the family’s financial struggles, and the public’s fascination with their story ignite events that threaten their son’s welfare.
Soon, Amanda’s grief turns into an insidious obsession: Ethan belongs with her and no one else, and she sets out to reunite with her son by any means possible—including killing Ethan herself.
After Amanda learns how to possess the living, only Tag stands in her way. He must protect his child, even if the consequences of his actions mean he may never see his wife or son again.
Thank you to Peter Rosch and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26, 2025
Content warning: plane crash, drug and alcohol addiction, cursing, gun and knife violence, kidnapping, mention of: infidelity
You see, the beginning of this book felt more like a family drama exploring addiction than a thriller to me. Initially a slow unraveling of an already damaged family, I kept waiting for the thrills in the story. And boy oh boy, did they arrive in spades. A cross of a game of cat-and-mouse and a fight between good vs. evil, the further into the book that I got, the more suspenseful and fast-paced the chapters became. And that ending? All I can say is that it was a *chef’s kiss* conclusion. After all, it wrapped up with a twist that utterly blew me away thanks to an ingenious last-minute reveal.
All said and done, despite the slow start, I know that this is one book that’s going to live with me for ages. Broaching the topic of the afterlife in an authentic way, it gave me a very Ghost-esque feel—if the movie had been way more dark and twisted, of course. Playing with the idea of heaven and hell, ghosts, and possession—all while leaving religion at the door—I was in awe over the skill that this author demonstrated with his very first novel. From the in-depth character studies to the eye-popping climax and conclusion, the plot covered all of the must haves without most of the don’ts. Yes, the setup was somewhat drawn out, but that on-point last third made up for it completely. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a commercial flight crashes, all 184 people on board perish—with the singular exception of a two-year-old boy named Ethan, who’s entrusted to family friends Matthew and Nicole per his late parents’ wishes.
From the afterlife, Ethan’s parents, Tag and Amanda, watch helplessly as Nicole’s secret addictions, the family’s financial struggles, and the public’s fascination with their story ignite events that threaten their son’s welfare.
Soon, Amanda’s grief turns into an insidious obsession: Ethan belongs with her and no one else, and she sets out to reunite with her son by any means possible—including killing Ethan herself.
After Amanda learns how to possess the living, only Tag stands in her way. He must protect his child, even if the consequences of his actions mean he may never see his wife or son again.
Thank you to Peter Rosch and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26, 2025
Content warning: plane crash, drug and alcohol addiction, cursing, gun and knife violence, kidnapping, mention of: infidelity
October 19, 2025
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
The start was promising. The adrenaline fear of when the plane was plummeting to its end, along with the uncertainty of the unknown that lay before Ethan after his parents' and all other passengers of the flight was palpable. 🫣 I was intrigued and it drew me in with its unique set-up of the otherworldly planes, where Amanda's inability to accept her death and parting from her two-year-old son led her on an obsessive path to return to his side. And if not, she would do anything to bring him to her, even if it meant taking his life before his time. Something his father, Tag, with great panic and worry, trepidation desperately hoped to prevent. 😟
“You want to solve your pain by killing our son. I want to solve my pain by forgetting he ever existed.”
So whose love would prove to be more powerful? A mother, unafraid to seek the truth, even if it’s to her own detriment, blinded by the grief of a parting too soon to see reason? Or a father, who still had some sense of reason that no good would come to them if his son's life was stolen from him.
It was in the second half that for - lack of a choosier word - the plot became silly. iykyk When i read that it would be a psychological thriller, I expected more of a battle of wit, rather it turned into a battle of grit, instead. I found myself skimming passages and feeling very bored with how the plot became repetitive with the repeated attempts of possession. 😴 The author had a good idea in mind, but the execution was lacking. It somehow lost its way, with how even the plane concept felt moot in the end. Certain hints were also dropped that alluded to the possibility that Ethan may have been responsible for their crash, but those theories seemed to have disappeared along the way, much like the trajectory of the story. 📉
“What we were once can drag us back to what we knew. And sometimes we don’t even realize we aren’t following the chronology of what has been.”
The narration became stifled by more telling rather than showing. A new character was introduced that was uninteresting and offered no real merit for me. Why should I care? 🤷🏻♀️ I would have liked more of a proactive part from Ethan's adoptive parents - the sole reason WHY Amanda was so adamant to have her son back with her - because they were such a poor example of parents. Boy, Nicole was an unlikable character.
There were also a lot of anti-religious comments passed that felt inconsequential and uncalled for. 😒 I get that through a supernatural horror aspect, even interacting with the afterlife is a challenge to religion itself, but these felt completely out of place; it is bad enough that the 'demon in question' took the name of an angel, so I wasn't a fan of that, either, nor the unnecessary R-18 video inclusion, which again, was so unnecessary. 🙅🏻♀️
“Everything before death was time—your time —to appreciate joy, to be grateful for love, to understand that while the world wasn’t perfect, the emotions and feelings that came with living were a gift absolute”
Despite how my enjoyment plummeted as the story progressed, the closing thoughts left me feeling a bit melancholic. 😞 The outlook the author shared of those who have left this world and what lies beyond for them, was sad and a little heartbreaking. It offered a take on death in a different light, a rather thought-provoking and bittersweet message of the limits of What the Dead Can Do when they depart from our lives. 🕊️
“Love, it seemed, was as real in Second Plane as it was for the living.
Love distorts.
Love corrupts.
Love empowers … and eventually, love means loss.”
The start was promising. The adrenaline fear of when the plane was plummeting to its end, along with the uncertainty of the unknown that lay before Ethan after his parents' and all other passengers of the flight was palpable. 🫣 I was intrigued and it drew me in with its unique set-up of the otherworldly planes, where Amanda's inability to accept her death and parting from her two-year-old son led her on an obsessive path to return to his side. And if not, she would do anything to bring him to her, even if it meant taking his life before his time. Something his father, Tag, with great panic and worry, trepidation desperately hoped to prevent. 😟
“You want to solve your pain by killing our son. I want to solve my pain by forgetting he ever existed.”
So whose love would prove to be more powerful? A mother, unafraid to seek the truth, even if it’s to her own detriment, blinded by the grief of a parting too soon to see reason? Or a father, who still had some sense of reason that no good would come to them if his son's life was stolen from him.
It was in the second half that for - lack of a choosier word - the plot became silly. iykyk When i read that it would be a psychological thriller, I expected more of a battle of wit, rather it turned into a battle of grit, instead. I found myself skimming passages and feeling very bored with how the plot became repetitive with the repeated attempts of possession. 😴 The author had a good idea in mind, but the execution was lacking. It somehow lost its way, with how even the plane concept felt moot in the end. Certain hints were also dropped that alluded to the possibility that Ethan may have been responsible for their crash, but those theories seemed to have disappeared along the way, much like the trajectory of the story. 📉
“What we were once can drag us back to what we knew. And sometimes we don’t even realize we aren’t following the chronology of what has been.”
The narration became stifled by more telling rather than showing. A new character was introduced that was uninteresting and offered no real merit for me. Why should I care? 🤷🏻♀️ I would have liked more of a proactive part from Ethan's adoptive parents - the sole reason WHY Amanda was so adamant to have her son back with her - because they were such a poor example of parents. Boy, Nicole was an unlikable character.
There were also a lot of anti-religious comments passed that felt inconsequential and uncalled for. 😒 I get that through a supernatural horror aspect, even interacting with the afterlife is a challenge to religion itself, but these felt completely out of place; it is bad enough that the 'demon in question' took the name of an angel, so I wasn't a fan of that, either, nor the unnecessary R-18 video inclusion, which again, was so unnecessary. 🙅🏻♀️
“Everything before death was time—your time —to appreciate joy, to be grateful for love, to understand that while the world wasn’t perfect, the emotions and feelings that came with living were a gift absolute”
Despite how my enjoyment plummeted as the story progressed, the closing thoughts left me feeling a bit melancholic. 😞 The outlook the author shared of those who have left this world and what lies beyond for them, was sad and a little heartbreaking. It offered a take on death in a different light, a rather thought-provoking and bittersweet message of the limits of What the Dead Can Do when they depart from our lives. 🕊️
December 4, 2025
I’ve seen people say it but now I need to say it myself. What did I just read?! Well, listen to. I started off reading WHAT THE DEAD CAN DO and then switched to audio. It was WILD.
You’ve got two parents who have died in a plane crash, a son that survived, aa mom who wants to kill her son that he can join her on the other side and a dad that is determined to stop her. She was willing to any length possible to reunite with her son, no matter what or who was in her way. She was INSANE. But was she really? I mean….. maybe but I think we’re all a little crazy when it comes to our kids.
The book features “texts” that are essentially the rules that people on the other side have to follow. These texts were a character themselves because they played such a huge part in this book.
You do have to suspend ALL disbelief for this book but it was very well written. This is a must read for thriller and horror lovers that like the possession vibe!
You’ve got two parents who have died in a plane crash, a son that survived, aa mom who wants to kill her son that he can join her on the other side and a dad that is determined to stop her. She was willing to any length possible to reunite with her son, no matter what or who was in her way. She was INSANE. But was she really? I mean….. maybe but I think we’re all a little crazy when it comes to our kids.
The book features “texts” that are essentially the rules that people on the other side have to follow. These texts were a character themselves because they played such a huge part in this book.
You do have to suspend ALL disbelief for this book but it was very well written. This is a must read for thriller and horror lovers that like the possession vibe!
September 28, 2025
This stimulating psychology thriller first reads like the popcorn series The Good Place until it veers down a darker alleyway. The novel would resonate with those who have had to raise themselves in the absence of their parents, or with families who have had to pick themselves up after a bad stint. That means everyone because no family is perfect.
Nicole is overbearing, self-absorbed, and emotionally unstable. She exhibits paranoia about being judged and compared, so she engages in excessive drinking and Xanax use, which ironically turns her into the very thing she is afraid others would see in her. Matthew is emotionally avoidant as a coping strategy against any destabilising realities, thereby perpetuating the bad behaviour of those around him and delaying help or change. He is dismissive and apathetic, but deep down, he cares. In spite of this dysfunctional family environment, Emily grows to be independent, learning to self-manage while caring for young Ethan as Nicole lies in bed incapacitated. Despite her young age, she seems better equipped at handling sensationalist media intrusion than Nicole, showing emotional stability unlike Nicole, who is reactive and losing control. However, the family is committed to making things work despite their cock-ups—getting help, learning to communicate, to be heard. A life-changing event brings them closer together in the form of a sinister character who moralises reprehensible acts in a self-congratulatory and instrumental manner. This by no means should be mistaken for insanity, for his capacity for rational thought remains intact. He taunts: “Why me? Why this circumstance in which I find myself?” His stance is shown to be opportunistic: deterministic when it absolves him of responsibility, attributive when selecting victims.
The themes of the novel call for thoughtful consideration of philosophical and existential ideas: exploring what it means to exist, to have control over life, and whether identity and character persist across three planes of reality. Residents in the afterlife have a mentor each and receive instruction from a “text” which reads as condescending, gaslighting, inconsistent, and cryptic. It often contains vacuous or tautological statements such as “I am but I am not.” The ideas seem so absurd according to popular understanding that it would be remarkable if they did not prompt residents to test or challenge them.
The second plane is free from the consequences of actions taken in the first, except for the threat of a terrible third plane—not dissimilar to what we have now, which got me thinking: because the third plane exists only as a possibility and not a certainty, one may still be tempted to take risks. For some, only what occurs in the present moment feels real; anything deferred or merely possible is treated as unreal, no different from an impossibility. It is like psychological immediacy bias, in which humans discount or disbelieve what is not happening now.
Ultimately, the novel explores the human condition, showing how hard it is for many to accept present (and temporary) circumstances despite having more power to change much more than they could before. It leads to the consideration of happiness in ontological terms. A visit to the first plane, for me, is symbolic of ruminating on the past—the amplification of a longing for fleeting moments of happiness long gone, and a refusal to accept them as such, wallowing in misery at the expense of bringing about the very real chance of happiness from what they have now. In this way, they create their own paths to realities towards a heaven or a hell. Perhaps it is fitting that Stoicism is referenced by the Text, irritating as it may be, for at its core lies amor fati—a love of fate, the ability to recognise good even in adverse circumstances. Emily is a good example; the strongest people are not simply born as they are. They too are a product of their (dire) circumstances.
Nicole is overbearing, self-absorbed, and emotionally unstable. She exhibits paranoia about being judged and compared, so she engages in excessive drinking and Xanax use, which ironically turns her into the very thing she is afraid others would see in her. Matthew is emotionally avoidant as a coping strategy against any destabilising realities, thereby perpetuating the bad behaviour of those around him and delaying help or change. He is dismissive and apathetic, but deep down, he cares. In spite of this dysfunctional family environment, Emily grows to be independent, learning to self-manage while caring for young Ethan as Nicole lies in bed incapacitated. Despite her young age, she seems better equipped at handling sensationalist media intrusion than Nicole, showing emotional stability unlike Nicole, who is reactive and losing control. However, the family is committed to making things work despite their cock-ups—getting help, learning to communicate, to be heard. A life-changing event brings them closer together in the form of a sinister character who moralises reprehensible acts in a self-congratulatory and instrumental manner. This by no means should be mistaken for insanity, for his capacity for rational thought remains intact. He taunts: “Why me? Why this circumstance in which I find myself?” His stance is shown to be opportunistic: deterministic when it absolves him of responsibility, attributive when selecting victims.
The themes of the novel call for thoughtful consideration of philosophical and existential ideas: exploring what it means to exist, to have control over life, and whether identity and character persist across three planes of reality. Residents in the afterlife have a mentor each and receive instruction from a “text” which reads as condescending, gaslighting, inconsistent, and cryptic. It often contains vacuous or tautological statements such as “I am but I am not.” The ideas seem so absurd according to popular understanding that it would be remarkable if they did not prompt residents to test or challenge them.
The second plane is free from the consequences of actions taken in the first, except for the threat of a terrible third plane—not dissimilar to what we have now, which got me thinking: because the third plane exists only as a possibility and not a certainty, one may still be tempted to take risks. For some, only what occurs in the present moment feels real; anything deferred or merely possible is treated as unreal, no different from an impossibility. It is like psychological immediacy bias, in which humans discount or disbelieve what is not happening now.
Ultimately, the novel explores the human condition, showing how hard it is for many to accept present (and temporary) circumstances despite having more power to change much more than they could before. It leads to the consideration of happiness in ontological terms. A visit to the first plane, for me, is symbolic of ruminating on the past—the amplification of a longing for fleeting moments of happiness long gone, and a refusal to accept them as such, wallowing in misery at the expense of bringing about the very real chance of happiness from what they have now. In this way, they create their own paths to realities towards a heaven or a hell. Perhaps it is fitting that Stoicism is referenced by the Text, irritating as it may be, for at its core lies amor fati—a love of fate, the ability to recognise good even in adverse circumstances. Emily is a good example; the strongest people are not simply born as they are. They too are a product of their (dire) circumstances.
May 2, 2025
Pretty good story from Rosch about a couple who dies in a place crash where their young son is the only survivor and is given to their friends who had previously agreed to care for him if anything bad happened to both. While in a place called Second Plane (religion is frowned upon in this book), the dead mom starts to miss the son and plots to possess a body back on Earth and kill the boy so he can come join her and the dad in the otherworld. Dad, however, is not a fan of the plan and tries to stop her. It's a very interesting premise which isn't quite executed as well as it could have been. At times awkwardly written, and it takes a bit of a while to really kick in, but it eventually becomes rather gripping and moves towards a solid ending. Definitely worth a read if you give it time and get around some of the narrative issues. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2026
There are forces more powerful than death in Peter Rosch’s latest thriller, WHAT THE DEAD CAN DO, at once love letter as balm for the soul and an examination of that power as it reckons with all forms of malevolence.
There are three stories in one here, and Rosch goes the distance in the telling, taking a compelling if devilish pleasure in a premise that features the author’s own addictions without apology or pretentious pedagogy i.e.,
“This is your brain on drugs.”
When 2-year-old Ethan becomes the sole survivor of a disaster at thirty-five thousand feet; as riveting an opening scene I’ve read, his existence sparks unextinguishable fires.
Especially in his dead parents, Tag and Amanda.
“How” is the operative word or question but Rosch only revels in higher planes – pun intended.
Tag and Amanda were also aboard Flight 2332 but why has only Ethan survived?
In Rosch’s mind, there are a set of arbitrary and subjective rules, which contain some of the most provocative and thoughtful passages in the book – if you were ever curious what happens after.
If you weren’t, you will be.
A family unravels after death in this psychological thriller, both horror and domestic.
Rosch reminds us there are levels to this: that we can choose to be haunted by death or simply pose as mere bystander, much like life.
The real question is will we be reunited with our loved ones?
Would we want to?
Ethan goes to live with Matt and Nicole. Matt is Tag’s best friend and named as guardian – it all happened so suddenly – Matt is in as much shock as the reader.
Nicole has a damning secret – to herself – everyone else is aware, especially daughter Emily, who at times knows her mother better than Nicole knows herself, and Emily has better maternal instincts.
Nevertheless, it appears Rosch “lives” vicariously through Nicole – he takes her through the ringer; however, it’s more likely he identifies somewhat with all.
The dilemma is how to save the innocent, Ethan, from a world destined to swallow him whole.
While Tag is willing to let go, Amanda is not, and their relationship offers an excellent analysis of the father – mother dynamic.
Now, how to do that when you’re dead?
The saying goes “Possession is 9/10 of the law” and Rosch has conjured some sobering yet humorous details to flesh out the particulars.
The thing about death is you won’t know until you get there.
WHAT THE DEAD CAN DO starts in a hellscape, accepts its fate, yet chooses hope, always.
There are three stories in one here, and Rosch goes the distance in the telling, taking a compelling if devilish pleasure in a premise that features the author’s own addictions without apology or pretentious pedagogy i.e.,
“This is your brain on drugs.”
When 2-year-old Ethan becomes the sole survivor of a disaster at thirty-five thousand feet; as riveting an opening scene I’ve read, his existence sparks unextinguishable fires.
Especially in his dead parents, Tag and Amanda.
“How” is the operative word or question but Rosch only revels in higher planes – pun intended.
Tag and Amanda were also aboard Flight 2332 but why has only Ethan survived?
In Rosch’s mind, there are a set of arbitrary and subjective rules, which contain some of the most provocative and thoughtful passages in the book – if you were ever curious what happens after.
If you weren’t, you will be.
A family unravels after death in this psychological thriller, both horror and domestic.
Rosch reminds us there are levels to this: that we can choose to be haunted by death or simply pose as mere bystander, much like life.
The real question is will we be reunited with our loved ones?
Would we want to?
Ethan goes to live with Matt and Nicole. Matt is Tag’s best friend and named as guardian – it all happened so suddenly – Matt is in as much shock as the reader.
Nicole has a damning secret – to herself – everyone else is aware, especially daughter Emily, who at times knows her mother better than Nicole knows herself, and Emily has better maternal instincts.
Nevertheless, it appears Rosch “lives” vicariously through Nicole – he takes her through the ringer; however, it’s more likely he identifies somewhat with all.
The dilemma is how to save the innocent, Ethan, from a world destined to swallow him whole.
While Tag is willing to let go, Amanda is not, and their relationship offers an excellent analysis of the father – mother dynamic.
Now, how to do that when you’re dead?
The saying goes “Possession is 9/10 of the law” and Rosch has conjured some sobering yet humorous details to flesh out the particulars.
The thing about death is you won’t know until you get there.
WHAT THE DEAD CAN DO starts in a hellscape, accepts its fate, yet chooses hope, always.
February 23, 2025
Thank you to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!
What The Dead Can Do revolves around a toddler named Ethan, the sole survivor of a plane crash. His parents, Tag and Amanda, watch from the afterlife (known as the Second Plane) as their son's godparents, family friends Nicole and Matthew, struggle to adjust to life with the boy. Many things threaten Ethan's life - obsessive reporters, conspiracy theorists, and Nicole's drinking problem, to name a few - but the biggest threat of all is Amanda's plan to murder Ethan, so she can bring him to her in the Second Plane.
The book has a very introspective tone to it, in the way that most of it is exposition. We learn a lot about our characters, but I found that the plot pace suffered as a result. Even the climax felt slow to me as I felt we were focusing too heavily on the characters thoughts and feelings. Given this, it makes sense that there was seven unique perspectives, as I am sure Rosch wished to share these characters thoughts with us. However, it made the story feel bloated in my opinion. I think that Ethan's perspective could be cut completely with some clever edits, and doing so would make what happens in his one chapter that much more unsettling.
This story was interesting enough to keep me engaged and curious to see where it would go next, and the premise was completely unique. However, I found that it was lacking the heart-thumping moments that I crave in a thriller.
What The Dead Can Do revolves around a toddler named Ethan, the sole survivor of a plane crash. His parents, Tag and Amanda, watch from the afterlife (known as the Second Plane) as their son's godparents, family friends Nicole and Matthew, struggle to adjust to life with the boy. Many things threaten Ethan's life - obsessive reporters, conspiracy theorists, and Nicole's drinking problem, to name a few - but the biggest threat of all is Amanda's plan to murder Ethan, so she can bring him to her in the Second Plane.
The book has a very introspective tone to it, in the way that most of it is exposition. We learn a lot about our characters, but I found that the plot pace suffered as a result. Even the climax felt slow to me as I felt we were focusing too heavily on the characters thoughts and feelings. Given this, it makes sense that there was seven unique perspectives, as I am sure Rosch wished to share these characters thoughts with us. However, it made the story feel bloated in my opinion. I think that Ethan's perspective could be cut completely with some clever edits, and doing so would make what happens in his one chapter that much more unsettling.
This story was interesting enough to keep me engaged and curious to see where it would go next, and the premise was completely unique. However, I found that it was lacking the heart-thumping moments that I crave in a thriller.
September 10, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and OTRPR for the gifted copy and Spotify Audiobooks for the gifted ALC via NetGalley narrated by a compelling cast of narrators!
This book dives right into the final moments of Tag and Amanda along with their two-year old, Ethan, trapped in a plane that begins its crash from 35k feet above. Nobody survives except for young Ethan. Tag and Matthew who were best friends agreed with each other that Matthew and his wife, Nicole, would become Ethan’s legal guardians. Nobody expected this would turn to reality and now Matthew and Nicole are struggling to raise a young boy in addition to their own daughter, while also battling their own inner demons.
Tag and Amanda while dead from our world, are sentient in Second Plane— an afterworld of sorts for those who have left Earth. Second Plane comes with “texts” or instructions on how to be a good resident while also being given free will. The key to being a good resident on Second Plane, is to let go of attachments from Prior Plane (our world), which is exactly what Amanda is NOT able to do as she thinks Ethan is not being properly cared for by his legal guardians. So she devises a plan to kill Ethan so he could join her in Second Plane, and the only means to do so, would be to possess a living human being and commit murder. Tag is very much against this plan but is powerless to stop her.
Even though the story dwells with afterlife, it’s neither preachy nor religious, and instead focuses on human attachments, especially parental bonding— both genetic and acquired. We get to see a starkly different definition of parental love between Tag and Amanda, as well as others. Of note, is also how others, including children, step up to caretaking in dire situations, when you least expect it. 💋The final act was CHEF’S KISS.💋One of the most unique books I have ever read!
This book dives right into the final moments of Tag and Amanda along with their two-year old, Ethan, trapped in a plane that begins its crash from 35k feet above. Nobody survives except for young Ethan. Tag and Matthew who were best friends agreed with each other that Matthew and his wife, Nicole, would become Ethan’s legal guardians. Nobody expected this would turn to reality and now Matthew and Nicole are struggling to raise a young boy in addition to their own daughter, while also battling their own inner demons.
Tag and Amanda while dead from our world, are sentient in Second Plane— an afterworld of sorts for those who have left Earth. Second Plane comes with “texts” or instructions on how to be a good resident while also being given free will. The key to being a good resident on Second Plane, is to let go of attachments from Prior Plane (our world), which is exactly what Amanda is NOT able to do as she thinks Ethan is not being properly cared for by his legal guardians. So she devises a plan to kill Ethan so he could join her in Second Plane, and the only means to do so, would be to possess a living human being and commit murder. Tag is very much against this plan but is powerless to stop her.
Even though the story dwells with afterlife, it’s neither preachy nor religious, and instead focuses on human attachments, especially parental bonding— both genetic and acquired. We get to see a starkly different definition of parental love between Tag and Amanda, as well as others. Of note, is also how others, including children, step up to caretaking in dire situations, when you least expect it. 💋The final act was CHEF’S KISS.💋One of the most unique books I have ever read!
August 27, 2025
#ad much love for my advance copy @crookedlanebooks #partner
& @otrpr #partner for the tour spot
AUDIO FROM: @tlcbooktours #partner
& @spotify for the ALC
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅷🅴 🅳🅴🅰🅳 🅲🅰🅽 🅳🅾
< @peterrosch >
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴡ
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
A unique and compelling thriller that I binged in one sitting. When a plane crashes and there’s only one survivor - a young boy - he’s sent to live with friends of the family. But his parents who passed are always watching the boy. And when they start to see things they don’t like the mother is desperate to come up with a plan to save him.
Even if that means she has to somehow kiII the boy to get him to the other side to be with her. Her last goodbye needs to count. This was a unique ghost story that didn’t feel like a ghost story. I mean obviously it is, but it didn’t feel that way to me. Amanda’s - the mother - grief felt tangible throughout and the story grips your heart.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and fully enjoyed the audio of this one. With the different narrators it makes for an easy and superb listening experience. Zura Johnson, Gary Tiedemann, Piper Goodeve, Kenneth Fuentes, Krystal Hammond, Daniel Henning, and Gabriel Vaughan did a phenomenal collaboration.
Definitely enjoyed this book. The multiple viewpoints offered a full story about life, motherhood, the struggles of life, responsibilities, death, desperation, and so much more. A solid read.
The writing is excellent and keeps you entertained throughout. Compelling in every sense. “The Text” bits at the end of each chapter during Part One were so fun and added an edge to this story. Just fabulous. The Third Plane! 👀
& @otrpr #partner for the tour spot
AUDIO FROM: @tlcbooktours #partner
& @spotify for the ALC
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅷🅴 🅳🅴🅰🅳 🅲🅰🅽 🅳🅾
< @peterrosch >
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴡ
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
A unique and compelling thriller that I binged in one sitting. When a plane crashes and there’s only one survivor - a young boy - he’s sent to live with friends of the family. But his parents who passed are always watching the boy. And when they start to see things they don’t like the mother is desperate to come up with a plan to save him.
Even if that means she has to somehow kiII the boy to get him to the other side to be with her. Her last goodbye needs to count. This was a unique ghost story that didn’t feel like a ghost story. I mean obviously it is, but it didn’t feel that way to me. Amanda’s - the mother - grief felt tangible throughout and the story grips your heart.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and fully enjoyed the audio of this one. With the different narrators it makes for an easy and superb listening experience. Zura Johnson, Gary Tiedemann, Piper Goodeve, Kenneth Fuentes, Krystal Hammond, Daniel Henning, and Gabriel Vaughan did a phenomenal collaboration.
Definitely enjoyed this book. The multiple viewpoints offered a full story about life, motherhood, the struggles of life, responsibilities, death, desperation, and so much more. A solid read.
The writing is excellent and keeps you entertained throughout. Compelling in every sense. “The Text” bits at the end of each chapter during Part One were so fun and added an edge to this story. Just fabulous. The Third Plane! 👀
August 24, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
This was a tough read and even harder to rate. The premise? Amazing, I absolutely loved that. It felt like a darker Beetlejuice. The execution? Not souch.
This was slow and long but did keep me wanting to know more. However, I felt so much wasn't fleshed out while everything else dragged. Honestly nothing wrapped up and I'm left confused and unsatisfied. I have no clue why half the story existed. It would have been a masterful Stephen King-esque short story though. I mean honestly what was even point of the plane crash? It played no role really after the first chapter. I thought you know the plane would tie into the Planes.
The characters were rough too and the main characters were impossible to cheer for. Amanda was truly insufferable, Tag was a mess, and I felt like we got most of them. I wanted to see more of Nicole, Matthew, and Emily.
Honestly this just left me frustrated. It felt like Lost. Massive build up and super interesting topic with a bunch of wild goose chases and dead ends. I wanted to love this, but it was just mid.
This was a tough read and even harder to rate. The premise? Amazing, I absolutely loved that. It felt like a darker Beetlejuice. The execution? Not souch.
This was slow and long but did keep me wanting to know more. However, I felt so much wasn't fleshed out while everything else dragged. Honestly nothing wrapped up and I'm left confused and unsatisfied. I have no clue why half the story existed. It would have been a masterful Stephen King-esque short story though. I mean honestly what was even point of the plane crash? It played no role really after the first chapter. I thought you know the plane would tie into the Planes.
The characters were rough too and the main characters were impossible to cheer for. Amanda was truly insufferable, Tag was a mess, and I felt like we got most of them. I wanted to see more of Nicole, Matthew, and Emily.
Honestly this just left me frustrated. It felt like Lost. Massive build up and super interesting topic with a bunch of wild goose chases and dead ends. I wanted to love this, but it was just mid.
April 11, 2025
3.5 stars
What the Dead Can Do has an intriguing, original idea of life after death. There is focus on grief and loss throughout the novel and the lengths to which one might go to escape the pain. I thought it was a brilliant idea.
Most of the action occurs in the first and last parts of the novel. Much of the middle is introspection from the characters, and although it gave a lot of insight into their hearts and minds, I found that it pulled me out of the story somewhat.
I think this debut novel from Rosch shows his talent for story development and thinking outside the box. I look forward to more of his stories in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.
What the Dead Can Do has an intriguing, original idea of life after death. There is focus on grief and loss throughout the novel and the lengths to which one might go to escape the pain. I thought it was a brilliant idea.
Most of the action occurs in the first and last parts of the novel. Much of the middle is introspection from the characters, and although it gave a lot of insight into their hearts and minds, I found that it pulled me out of the story somewhat.
I think this debut novel from Rosch shows his talent for story development and thinking outside the box. I look forward to more of his stories in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.
September 20, 2025
I usually don’t like when there are more than three POVs in a book, but this one blended all of them seamlessly and in a way that was absolutely necessary so we could see all of the moving pieces. It never felt disjointed & every perspective added to the tension and layered complexity of the story.
This was such a fun, chilling ride, and by the end I was far more conflicted than I ever expected about who I should root for. The thriller elements kept me turning the pages, but the touch of horror elevated it into something original in the genre. The possession storyline was equal parts unsettling and heartbreaking, and I loved how it made me question morality, grief, and obsession at every turn.
Original, gripping, and unforgettable is how I’d describe this book. This is one of those thrillers that truly stands out in a crowded space. I loved it & look forward to more from this author!
This was such a fun, chilling ride, and by the end I was far more conflicted than I ever expected about who I should root for. The thriller elements kept me turning the pages, but the touch of horror elevated it into something original in the genre. The possession storyline was equal parts unsettling and heartbreaking, and I loved how it made me question morality, grief, and obsession at every turn.
Original, gripping, and unforgettable is how I’d describe this book. This is one of those thrillers that truly stands out in a crowded space. I loved it & look forward to more from this author!
March 27, 2025
This book was a remarkable read, offering a distinctive and engaging narrative. My thanks go to NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy. At the heart of the story is Little Ethan, who survives a plane crash and is taken in by his godparents, while his parents watch from another plane. The author skillfully examines the complex interplay between grief and love, as seen through the eyes of a mother grappling with the loss of her son. The themes of addiction and suspense are expertly woven throughout the narrative, making for a compelling read from start to finish. I highly recommend this book
August 27, 2025
This twisty, pacy thriller/horror novel is part BRING HER BACK plus THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET, crossed with BEETLEJUICE. I had a ton of fun reading it, but did so in a cold sweat. Can't wait to see what Rosch does next.
November 29, 2025
Unfortunately this was not my cup of tea - the premise sounded interesting, but all of the characters were just too awful to care about (apart from the little boy) and some aspects of the story left me depressed and feeling a bit sullied.
May 9, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to preview What The Dead Can Do. This is a debut novel. This is quite different and is a mystery with a supernatural origin.
A lone survivor of a plane crash is a very young boy. He parents have asked their friends to be his guardian in the case of their demise. And his parents have perished in this crash.
The next part of this book is based on this boys parents who are now in another world. They want to be part of their sons life from the beyond.
But they may want more than is possible and the boy who is still among the living has no idea how much his dead parents miss him. And what that sorrow means or what it can mean is quite ‘scary’.
A good debut. A bit slow in the beginning but different and well written.
3 stars
A lone survivor of a plane crash is a very young boy. He parents have asked their friends to be his guardian in the case of their demise. And his parents have perished in this crash.
The next part of this book is based on this boys parents who are now in another world. They want to be part of their sons life from the beyond.
But they may want more than is possible and the boy who is still among the living has no idea how much his dead parents miss him. And what that sorrow means or what it can mean is quite ‘scary’.
A good debut. A bit slow in the beginning but different and well written.
3 stars
August 31, 2025
I love flying. And yet, I’m drawn to stories about plane crashes, not out of morbid curiosity. This book didn’t just lean into that rupture; it tore it wide open and let something truly chilling crawl through. From the moment Ethan survives the crash, I new something horrific as going o happen. And it was emotional, and just hm I’m no sure of the right word, it worked though. This book haunted me. Not because of the ghosts, but because of the choices. The horror wasn’t just in what Amanda did—it was in how easily I could understand why.
Thank you so much to @peterrosch @crookedlanebooks @otrpr for this book!
Thank you so much to @peterrosch @crookedlanebooks @otrpr for this book!
March 7, 2025
'What the Dead Can Do' stands out as the most original ghost story I’ve ever enjoyed, even among the hundreds I’ve read. Blending mystery, thriller, horror, and family drama with extraordinary creativity, it transcends genre boundaries and delivers a must-read tale.
Peter Rosch is a master of his craft, weaving such compelling narratives that his fresh perspective on the afterlife feels utterly authentic, effortlessly drawing readers in without requiring any suspension of disbelief.
Seriously, you have to read this one.
Peter Rosch is a master of his craft, weaving such compelling narratives that his fresh perspective on the afterlife feels utterly authentic, effortlessly drawing readers in without requiring any suspension of disbelief.
Seriously, you have to read this one.
November 14, 2025
Rosch is a good bet if you're in the mood for an original premise. I've read a few of his books, and always come away wondering just where in the hell he comes up with his ideas. Thankfully, for this book, you don't have to look hard to find out.
The tension in this book is more of a slow burn for a while, which is fine by me. If you're more into the type of thriller that has lots of unexpected twists and turns and short, punchy chapters and the like, well, that's not this book. There's more nuance and character development in What the Dead Can Do than what I would say is in a "typical thriller," and the story is much richer for it. One of Rosch's strengths, in my opinion, is revealing the deep inner workings of his characters and opening up their baggage for all to see. But he does this in a way that also humanizes their faults, so that even with the antagonists, you still kind of get why they're doing what they do. It's more a story of misguided zeal than outright evil. No one is truly all bad or all good and such.
I really enjoyed this book and I think you will, too.
The tension in this book is more of a slow burn for a while, which is fine by me. If you're more into the type of thriller that has lots of unexpected twists and turns and short, punchy chapters and the like, well, that's not this book. There's more nuance and character development in What the Dead Can Do than what I would say is in a "typical thriller," and the story is much richer for it. One of Rosch's strengths, in my opinion, is revealing the deep inner workings of his characters and opening up their baggage for all to see. But he does this in a way that also humanizes their faults, so that even with the antagonists, you still kind of get why they're doing what they do. It's more a story of misguided zeal than outright evil. No one is truly all bad or all good and such.
I really enjoyed this book and I think you will, too.
September 28, 2025
I’m not usually drawn to thriller or spooky books, but this one was so much more than that. The story went beyond suspense and chills, diving into deeper themes of love, guilt, loyalty, addiction, and even the timeless question of what happens when we die. It wasn’t just a page-turner—it was thought-provoking, lingering in my mind long after I closed the last chapter.
September 30, 2025
This book had me at the cover and then from the first "Text" entry I read. It's always intriguing to read an author's perspective on the afterlife and this one did not disappoint. Second plane and then...third plane 🤯
The book had a steady pace with alternating character chapters then hit full speed as Part III took hold.
I was impressed how the author gave his characters flaws not only when they were alive but in the afterlife as well. Second plane is not full of a bunch of enlightened spirits. As soon as our protagonists move on, we see they still carry their mental baggage with them into the afterlife.
Peter Rosch has a great talent for keeping you thinking long after finishing one of his books. Keeping the door open for a continuing story to unfold in your head. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book had a steady pace with alternating character chapters then hit full speed as Part III took hold.
I was impressed how the author gave his characters flaws not only when they were alive but in the afterlife as well. Second plane is not full of a bunch of enlightened spirits. As soon as our protagonists move on, we see they still carry their mental baggage with them into the afterlife.
Peter Rosch has a great talent for keeping you thinking long after finishing one of his books. Keeping the door open for a continuing story to unfold in your head. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2026
I LOVE books that creatively explore the after life. Although the plot was not similar in any way, this book was on par with A Short Stay in Hell. 5 🌟!!!!
January 23, 2026
An interesting book with a great concept but it was too long. Ending was good. Just too long.
October 19, 2025
This was a very interesting thriller book and it sucked me in from the first page and I couldn’t put it down.
I loved the concept of the book and it kept me guessing constantly. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen I was wrong.
I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thank you so much to the publisher for a copy of this book via NetGalley!
I loved the concept of the book and it kept me guessing constantly. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen I was wrong.
I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thank you so much to the publisher for a copy of this book via NetGalley!
October 15, 2025
I really liked the concept with this one and all the twists and turns! I enjoyed hearing from each characters point of view. I liked the twist on life after death and how grief can drive a mother insane, even while dead. Definitely worth a read for spooky season!
October 12, 2025
This dark, speculative suspense delivers a truly unique and original premise that pulls you in from the very first page. With chilling horror undertones and supernatural elements, it’s both haunting and deeply emotional.
Told through multiple POVs, the story weaves a layered exploration of grief, love, and morality. You can’t help but feel the characters’ inner conflict and the weight of their choices — it’s as immersive as it is thought-provoking.
Perfect for #Spooktober and #SpookySeason, this one deserves a top spot on your fall reading list.
Told through multiple POVs, the story weaves a layered exploration of grief, love, and morality. You can’t help but feel the characters’ inner conflict and the weight of their choices — it’s as immersive as it is thought-provoking.
Perfect for #Spooktober and #SpookySeason, this one deserves a top spot on your fall reading list.
January 6, 2026
This was such a great, spooky, dark read! I really loved the author’s writing style. The plot was very unique in my opinion and it was fun to read something a little different.
I loved the author’s description of “the Second Plane” and all that came with it. It reminded me a lot of stranger things when Eleven walks through darkness to find people.
Amanda’s transformation into a wicked being that would stop at nothing was very well done. All the characters were well done!
Did not love Lucinda esp when she was so horrible to Emily.
All of it was so captivating! Definitely recommend!
I loved the author’s description of “the Second Plane” and all that came with it. It reminded me a lot of stranger things when Eleven walks through darkness to find people.
Amanda’s transformation into a wicked being that would stop at nothing was very well done. All the characters were well done!
Did not love Lucinda esp when she was so horrible to Emily.
All of it was so captivating! Definitely recommend!
September 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This book gave major Beetlejuice vibes. It took me a while to get into this book but the end had me hooked. I thought it was interesting how the mother wanted to kill the son in order to be with him again. I felt as though the plot could have been developed a bit better, but overall it was a good read.
This book gave major Beetlejuice vibes. It took me a while to get into this book but the end had me hooked. I thought it was interesting how the mother wanted to kill the son in order to be with him again. I felt as though the plot could have been developed a bit better, but overall it was a good read.
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