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Necromancer Tales #2
Deadly Deception
Necromancer Erasmus Boone’s life is better than he ever imagined. Bucking the typical necromancer storyline, Erasmus has managed to carve out a life filled with love and purpose. With Halloween fast approaching, Erasmus is ready to enjoy his favorite time of year. Unfortunately, Detective Franklin O’Hare’s Midwestern past has other ideas.
Covered in blood and found wandering the streets surrounding Chicago, a necromancer is being accused of murder—the victim and circumstances unknown. Mentally unstable, this unfortunate necromancer is in jeopardy of being railroaded for a crime he may or may not have been involved in. Franklin O’Hare’s former captain doesn’t want to witness another victimized necromancer. Aware of Franklin’s association with Erasmus, he calls on them for help.
Now headed for chillier climes, Erasmus and Franklin need to figure out if a crime has been committed, and if there’s one thing Erasmus excels at, it’s finding where the bodies are buried. Only Erasmus doesn’t just fine one victim; he finds several. When the souls of the departed blame their deaths on a long dead bogeyman, it becomes clear the local sheriff has a problem and a necromancer accused of murder is just the tip of the iceberg.
Between bringing back the dead, dealing with local prejudices, and meeting Franklin’s family, Erasmus has his plate full. Add on a worried warlock father and more than one attempted assassination, and Erasmus is more than ready to pack it up and head back to the warm Mississippi breeze.
Deadly Deception is the second book in the Necromancer Tales series and should be read in order. This series is a spin-off of the Perfect Pixie series and takes place in the same world but can be read as a stand-alone series. Deadly Deception is a m/m romantic fantasy mystery with an unusually sane necromancer just trying to make a living, a humble human detective attempting to keep his necromancer boyfriend alive, an arrogant but redeemably overprotective warlock father, a deceptive killer, a questionably moral all-powerful djinn, a kitten who can't figure out how it wound up in a backpack, let alone staring through a plastic bubble, humans—some redeemable and some not, a chilly Chicago fall, and a playfully bloodthirsty vampire. Deadly Deception has a HFN ending as it is part of an ongoing series.
Mentions of violence, murder, souls brought back from the beyond, spaciest bigotry, and a few characters of questionable morals and sanity.
Covered in blood and found wandering the streets surrounding Chicago, a necromancer is being accused of murder—the victim and circumstances unknown. Mentally unstable, this unfortunate necromancer is in jeopardy of being railroaded for a crime he may or may not have been involved in. Franklin O’Hare’s former captain doesn’t want to witness another victimized necromancer. Aware of Franklin’s association with Erasmus, he calls on them for help.
Now headed for chillier climes, Erasmus and Franklin need to figure out if a crime has been committed, and if there’s one thing Erasmus excels at, it’s finding where the bodies are buried. Only Erasmus doesn’t just fine one victim; he finds several. When the souls of the departed blame their deaths on a long dead bogeyman, it becomes clear the local sheriff has a problem and a necromancer accused of murder is just the tip of the iceberg.
Between bringing back the dead, dealing with local prejudices, and meeting Franklin’s family, Erasmus has his plate full. Add on a worried warlock father and more than one attempted assassination, and Erasmus is more than ready to pack it up and head back to the warm Mississippi breeze.
Deadly Deception is the second book in the Necromancer Tales series and should be read in order. This series is a spin-off of the Perfect Pixie series and takes place in the same world but can be read as a stand-alone series. Deadly Deception is a m/m romantic fantasy mystery with an unusually sane necromancer just trying to make a living, a humble human detective attempting to keep his necromancer boyfriend alive, an arrogant but redeemably overprotective warlock father, a deceptive killer, a questionably moral all-powerful djinn, a kitten who can't figure out how it wound up in a backpack, let alone staring through a plastic bubble, humans—some redeemable and some not, a chilly Chicago fall, and a playfully bloodthirsty vampire. Deadly Deception has a HFN ending as it is part of an ongoing series.
Mentions of violence, murder, souls brought back from the beyond, spaciest bigotry, and a few characters of questionable morals and sanity.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2025
102 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
M.J. May
19 books265 followersI've been a veterinarian for almost twenty years and have recently added published author to my resume. I've been writing for over fifteen years, most of those stories languishing on my computer. A couple of years ago my fear of never trying to publish my stories overcame my fear of failure. The result is my first book, "Sow What You Reap". It is the first in the Reaping Covetous series. The next book, "Dead Women Tell Tales" should be out by the end of October 2021.
I love supernatural, urban fantasy, paranormal, and mystery genres. I write both M/F and M/M oriented stories.
Please don't hesitate to ask me a question or two.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my stories. I know I love telling them.
MJ May
I love supernatural, urban fantasy, paranormal, and mystery genres. I write both M/F and M/M oriented stories.
Please don't hesitate to ask me a question or two.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my stories. I know I love telling them.
MJ May
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 24, 2025
A pretty cool urban fantasy world with likeable characters and sweet relationships- not just the romance, friends and family, too.
February 5, 2025
I love this series so much! The adventures, the mysteries, the power systems and characters are all so interesting and keep you locked in to the story. Above all, Erasmus and Franklin’s relationship really keeps you the most invested, they’re so sweet, warm, considerate and caring of each other. I love when the over arching story is high stakes but the relationship is low angst bc the relationship is so solid. Needless to say I love these two together and can’t wait for the next book 🥰
August 2, 2025
“The dead don’t tell tales. At least, that’s how the saying goes”.
Segunda parte de la saga Necromancer Tales.
Aquellos que quieran leerla les recomiendo leerse la saga principal Perfect Pixie ya que esta es su spin-off y contiene spoilers de la primera saga.
Aquí seguimos con las aventuras de Erasmus en un nuevo caso cada vez más perturbador.
Totalmente recomendable.
Segunda parte de la saga Necromancer Tales.
Aquellos que quieran leerla les recomiendo leerse la saga principal Perfect Pixie ya que esta es su spin-off y contiene spoilers de la primera saga.
Aquí seguimos con las aventuras de Erasmus en un nuevo caso cada vez más perturbador.
Totalmente recomendable.
April 25, 2025
it was kind of boring in my opinion, but I just really like lots of action. I also felt like the mystery was intriguing at first but really fell flat for me at the end, it was just too quickly resolved for me and a bit unsatisfying. I do like the couple though. I think both the characters are lovely but I also think Franklin seems kind of useless all the time. don't get me wrong, he's great at supporting Erasmus, but I've yet to see him really be a detective at all because Erasmus just does all the work and I think that goes back to the mystery being unfulfilled. the idea of necromancers I very intriguing and can be done well but I think in this case it's a bit too overpowered. especially because Franklin doesn't ever seem to do any detecting so yeah. I hope if this series continues Franklin will be able to show his merits as an individual character not just an aid to Erasmus, because I think it's annoying when a couple seems very centered on the needs and story of one individual when they are meant to be a couple that works together but also individual people with individual goals, aspirations, strengths, etc. that don't always revolve around their partner. I think Erasmus gets this depth but Franklin doesn't as much. finally, I think another thing that goes along with unsatisfying mystery and dull conflict is the authors tendency to just readily give information away whether in internal monologuing or to other characters. like communication is good, but sometimes characters are so open about things it almost seems nonchalant and diminishes the impact of it, especially because it tends to be ultimately glazed over. I still gave the story a 3 stars because I think the writing is good and it has elements that people would like. if you are not really reading for the action or the mystery I think the romance and general relationships (mostly platonic) makes for a very cozy read, just not my cup of tea 😊
May 19, 2025
3.5 rounded down
Much better mystery than book 1, thankfully, and an enjoyable continuation of the series. Basically no steam, which is a bummer, but I'm generally enjoying the characters and getting more world-building.
Much better mystery than book 1, thankfully, and an enjoyable continuation of the series. Basically no steam, which is a bummer, but I'm generally enjoying the characters and getting more world-building.
January 28, 2025
A most joyous sequel!
Erasmus is as always a breath of feesh air and so quickly becoming dear to my heart. The ensemble cast is epic and the growth of the side characters as they get to know Erasmus and get over their trepidation for necromancers is heartwarming. The adventures always have me on the edge of my seat but this book I couldn't put down.
Erasmus is as always a breath of feesh air and so quickly becoming dear to my heart. The ensemble cast is epic and the growth of the side characters as they get to know Erasmus and get over their trepidation for necromancers is heartwarming. The adventures always have me on the edge of my seat but this book I couldn't put down.
February 1, 2025
simply outstanding
Rating: 5🌈
Superlative. Once again May is building a suspenseful, dynamic, thrilling new series by introducing a villain that’s truly horrifying by its truly threatening but yet unknown nature. But first, a fantastic well crafted, compelling murder mystery, full of secrets, bodies, ghosts, another necromancer , more world building, and just a outstanding story.
Have to wait until the end but by the scenes described, the reader can imagine the scope of its plotting. One so immense that’s been unknown, whose power and potential to harm this series’ world and characters will hang over each story.
Fabulous.
It starts with May taking her Erasmus Boone and Franklin O’Hare out of their homes and comfort zone, away from their jobs, family, friends and the warmth of the Mississippi , back to Chicago and the Midwest where Detective Franklin O’Hare came from and still has ties.
It’s a great way to start. It’s cold. The Chicago PD murder case is fraught with danger, both in terms of emotional distress and the likelihood of prejudice against Boone. And then there’s the question of Franklin’s family who wants to meet Boone for the first time as well since they became a couple.
The characters May creates for the Chicago PD and at every other aspect of the story are just as well defined, beautifully executed as any that’s come before. Their personalities develop and grow as the cases and investigations become more complex, just as you would imagine.
Series characters are also evolving. Aurelia the djinn is finding new facets to her personality, possible emotions to figure out, and those are her struggle with her increasing unpredictability. May’s strength in writing otherworldly beings that are absolutely at their core non human make her books magical, powerful, and often terrifying. For the reader and the characters in the stories.
I can’t wait for this series to continue. What an amazing, scary journey lies ahead. Highly recommended! And I love seeing crossover characters from the Pixie series make connections here!
This is a must read, as it the series before it.
Another excellent cover design by cheriefox
Related/Preceding Series:
Perfect Pixie Series
🔹Perfectly Imperfect Pixie
🔹Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story
🔹Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story
🔹Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story
🔹Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story—End
Necromancer Tales:
Deadly Lineage #1
Deadly Deception #2
Rating: 5🌈
Superlative. Once again May is building a suspenseful, dynamic, thrilling new series by introducing a villain that’s truly horrifying by its truly threatening but yet unknown nature. But first, a fantastic well crafted, compelling murder mystery, full of secrets, bodies, ghosts, another necromancer , more world building, and just a outstanding story.
Have to wait until the end but by the scenes described, the reader can imagine the scope of its plotting. One so immense that’s been unknown, whose power and potential to harm this series’ world and characters will hang over each story.
Fabulous.
It starts with May taking her Erasmus Boone and Franklin O’Hare out of their homes and comfort zone, away from their jobs, family, friends and the warmth of the Mississippi , back to Chicago and the Midwest where Detective Franklin O’Hare came from and still has ties.
It’s a great way to start. It’s cold. The Chicago PD murder case is fraught with danger, both in terms of emotional distress and the likelihood of prejudice against Boone. And then there’s the question of Franklin’s family who wants to meet Boone for the first time as well since they became a couple.
The characters May creates for the Chicago PD and at every other aspect of the story are just as well defined, beautifully executed as any that’s come before. Their personalities develop and grow as the cases and investigations become more complex, just as you would imagine.
Series characters are also evolving. Aurelia the djinn is finding new facets to her personality, possible emotions to figure out, and those are her struggle with her increasing unpredictability. May’s strength in writing otherworldly beings that are absolutely at their core non human make her books magical, powerful, and often terrifying. For the reader and the characters in the stories.
I can’t wait for this series to continue. What an amazing, scary journey lies ahead. Highly recommended! And I love seeing crossover characters from the Pixie series make connections here!
This is a must read, as it the series before it.
Another excellent cover design by cheriefox
Related/Preceding Series:
Perfect Pixie Series
🔹Perfectly Imperfect Pixie
🔹Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story
🔹Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story
🔹Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story
🔹Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story—End
Necromancer Tales:
Deadly Lineage #1
Deadly Deception #2
August 1, 2025
Intriguing heartfelt story ♥️
I love this book. It's not laugh out loud funny but it's very witty and I found myself chuckling throughout the whole story.
I feel like this book was more of an emotional roller-coaster ride than the first book, but maybe I'm just more invested in the characters now.
Boone is such a badass. He's so clever. His magic would be creepy sure, but it's so cool! I love how devoted Franklin is to Erasmus. It was fun getting to meet his family (mostly).
Navarre is such an interesting character and so is Tabitha. It was so sweet how Aurelia gave Little Fang to him. I hope she doesn't decide to use her powers for bad because I love her even though she's scary powerful. I'm sad that the next book isn't on Audible yet, but I'm so happy there's more to come!
Declan Winters and Curtis Michael Holland are both excellent voice actors. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Deadly Deception.
I love this book. It's not laugh out loud funny but it's very witty and I found myself chuckling throughout the whole story.
I feel like this book was more of an emotional roller-coaster ride than the first book, but maybe I'm just more invested in the characters now.
Boone is such a badass. He's so clever. His magic would be creepy sure, but it's so cool! I love how devoted Franklin is to Erasmus. It was fun getting to meet his family (mostly).
Navarre is such an interesting character and so is Tabitha. It was so sweet how Aurelia gave Little Fang to him. I hope she doesn't decide to use her powers for bad because I love her even though she's scary powerful. I'm sad that the next book isn't on Audible yet, but I'm so happy there's more to come!
Declan Winters and Curtis Michael Holland are both excellent voice actors. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Deadly Deception.
June 7, 2025
A same Necromancer? Whatever next?
Erasmus Boone is that rare commodity, a same Necromancer. His ability to call a soul back from beyond the veil is unique to him. As far as he knows. As far as anyone knows really.
Most Necromances are abandoned by their Warlock fathers, except Erasmus, whose father loves him and was involved in raising him.
Now Erasmus & Detective Franklin O'Hare are called upon to help another Necromancer. Navarre is anything but sane, he can't tell the difference between the Living and spirits. Erasmus & Franklin need to prove Navarre is innocent of murder. But first they need to find the body.
A well written, well thought out Urban Fantasy, I enjoyed all the charters and species mentioned. Looking forward to the next one.
Erasmus Boone is that rare commodity, a same Necromancer. His ability to call a soul back from beyond the veil is unique to him. As far as he knows. As far as anyone knows really.
Most Necromances are abandoned by their Warlock fathers, except Erasmus, whose father loves him and was involved in raising him.
Now Erasmus & Detective Franklin O'Hare are called upon to help another Necromancer. Navarre is anything but sane, he can't tell the difference between the Living and spirits. Erasmus & Franklin need to prove Navarre is innocent of murder. But first they need to find the body.
A well written, well thought out Urban Fantasy, I enjoyed all the charters and species mentioned. Looking forward to the next one.
March 17, 2025
Very interesting read, love it.
I hope to read more and more about Erasmus Boone and Franklin O'Hara, they are great together. I found this series to be very interesting and mysterious. There was so much going on, solving one mystery after another. And, Aurelia, she's something else, always popping up unexpectedly, scaring the daylight out of them. I'll be waiting patiently for the next book.
I hope to read more and more about Erasmus Boone and Franklin O'Hara, they are great together. I found this series to be very interesting and mysterious. There was so much going on, solving one mystery after another. And, Aurelia, she's something else, always popping up unexpectedly, scaring the daylight out of them. I'll be waiting patiently for the next book.
June 23, 2025
If someone reads this book or the previous one in the series and is wondering why our necromancer spends pages upon pages in this book on calculation how well meeting people might go, to what degrees they tolerate/accept/support him, to what degree he has to live with rude behavior: That's how much work being marginalized is.
And our necromancer's closest relationships are very supportive, it could be so much worse.
And our necromancer's closest relationships are very supportive, it could be so much worse.
February 15, 2025
absolutely brilliant
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in this series. The developing relationships and strengths of secondary characters was great and I can’t wait to see them grow more. The perhaps promise of book 3 will have me constantly looking for it as I can’t wait for it. Brilliant series and highly recommend
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in this series. The developing relationships and strengths of secondary characters was great and I can’t wait to see them grow more. The perhaps promise of book 3 will have me constantly looking for it as I can’t wait for it. Brilliant series and highly recommend
January 26, 2025
Wonderful!
This series is just perfect! The characters are well written, the action was intense and the storyline was amazing! I can’t wait to read more stories in the world. A real pleasure. Highly Recommended
This series is just perfect! The characters are well written, the action was intense and the storyline was amazing! I can’t wait to read more stories in the world. A real pleasure. Highly Recommended
February 2, 2025
second sight!
Humm, another very good novel! The first was very good, this,the Necromancer, even better! As someone who believes in & has been associated with spiritist, I greatly appreciate the work & story lines in these fantastic stories!
Humm, another very good novel! The first was very good, this,the Necromancer, even better! As someone who believes in & has been associated with spiritist, I greatly appreciate the work & story lines in these fantastic stories!
Read
April 21, 2025Boone and Franklin
The duo head to Chicago - Franklin's hometown - to save a necromancer who has been railroaded for murder.
Lots of souls lead to lots of bodies.
Police corruption.
Family drama.
Crime bosses.
Vampires.
Aurelia should get her own series.
The duo head to Chicago - Franklin's hometown - to save a necromancer who has been railroaded for murder.
Lots of souls lead to lots of bodies.
Police corruption.
Family drama.
Crime bosses.
Vampires.
Aurelia should get her own series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
The second story in Necromancer tales was pulling and enjoyable from the beginning till the end. Both main characters, Erasmus and Franklin, were deeply in love and a sweet couple. I'm definitely looking forward to the third book.
October 4, 2025
I'm loving this.
I really like the continuing story.
Most necromancers are left on their own. Their fathers abandon them.
They don't have the long lives their fathers do, so why get attached to them if they are just going to die? Crazy.
Great characters. Fun read. I can't wait for more.
I really like the continuing story.
Most necromancers are left on their own. Their fathers abandon them.
They don't have the long lives their fathers do, so why get attached to them if they are just going to die? Crazy.
Great characters. Fun read. I can't wait for more.
January 26, 2025
Awesomesauce!!!! Loved it!
I really like the MC’s, and the adventures they seem to be in for in the future sound intriguing. Looking forward to more from this series.
I really like the MC’s, and the adventures they seem to be in for in the future sound intriguing. Looking forward to more from this series.
January 27, 2025
I was genuinely enjoying this one. Genuinely. Despite being a little on the long side I didn’t much mind. Until the little epilogue. Almost completely ruined it.
February 4, 2025
Another excellent story, mostly a magical thriller/adventure with only a hint of romance for good measure.
February 9, 2025
Boone for the win again
I loved reading this. I wish there was some spice like in the pixie series but I liked how sweet they are together.
I loved reading this. I wish there was some spice like in the pixie series but I liked how sweet they are together.
February 24, 2025
Great Books!
Great Books! Well written with intriguing three dimensional characters. I stayed up way too late reading and can’t wait to read the next in the series?
Great Books! Well written with intriguing three dimensional characters. I stayed up way too late reading and can’t wait to read the next in the series?
March 1, 2025
Had me hooked from the first page. Really good story building expertly written., brilliant characters and side characters. I highly recommend. Now just waiting for the next book.
March 18, 2025
I think the mystery aspect was much better written in this one, less predictable, and I loved seeing our couple move forward. I'm enjoying this spin-off a lot and hoping we get more very soon
March 30, 2025
Awesome!
This one made you think it was one character and (****SPOILER***) it was someone else. I loved it just like I did the first one.
This one made you think it was one character and (****SPOILER***) it was someone else. I loved it just like I did the first one.
May 11, 2025
Fun read, can’t wait for the next one. Seems like the stakes will be high.
June 24, 2025
3 stars
This was just okay. The villain was a little too cartoony for me.
This was just okay. The villain was a little too cartoony for me.
June 29, 2025
Pretty good sequel. I didn’t like the plot of this one as much as the first one. I did however love absolutely everything about Erasmus. I could read about him forever.
July 1, 2025
There is a slight improvement in the writing of the first one, but why is Boone a main ? He always has to be saved. I don't need to read a book on a damsel in distress.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews