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S.C.Y.T.H.E Mystery #2
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death
When a determined killer targets her brother, a grim reaper risks everything to save him in this delightful cozy mystery.
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., which might seem odd for someone as terrified of death as she is. But ever since her parents died in an accident when she was six, she's been obsessed with avoiding risk, and what better place to learn how to cheat death than the company that employs the nation's grim reapers?
The work enables Nora to learn all about the myriad ways you can kick the bucket, which is comforting...until one day, a file crosses her desk with a name she recognizes. Her twin brother’s.
The twins haven’t spoken in six months, but Charlie is all Nora has left. Completely against her cautious nature, Nora steals the file and flees, racing to her brother’s house. She begs him to trust her that his death is imminent, and they hit the road (with his parrot, Jessica, who has plenty to say) in an attempt to evade both death and S.C.Y.T.H.E., whose sole mission of collecting souls has been disrupted by Charlie’s continued existence.
Alas, every time Nora saves him, a new cause of death appears in his file. Someone is determined to take Charlie out, and Nora will have to use everything she's ever learned about death to discover the culprit.
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., which might seem odd for someone as terrified of death as she is. But ever since her parents died in an accident when she was six, she's been obsessed with avoiding risk, and what better place to learn how to cheat death than the company that employs the nation's grim reapers?
The work enables Nora to learn all about the myriad ways you can kick the bucket, which is comforting...until one day, a file crosses her desk with a name she recognizes. Her twin brother’s.
The twins haven’t spoken in six months, but Charlie is all Nora has left. Completely against her cautious nature, Nora steals the file and flees, racing to her brother’s house. She begs him to trust her that his death is imminent, and they hit the road (with his parrot, Jessica, who has plenty to say) in an attempt to evade both death and S.C.Y.T.H.E., whose sole mission of collecting souls has been disrupted by Charlie’s continued existence.
Alas, every time Nora saves him, a new cause of death appears in his file. Someone is determined to take Charlie out, and Nora will have to use everything she's ever learned about death to discover the culprit.
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2025
139 people are currently reading
14448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
January 4, 2026
I love, love, loved A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer, so I went into the follow up with high expectations. Honestly, maybe that was part of the problem. I didn’t realize until I started reading that A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death follows a completely different set of characters, which was my first small disappointment. I was ready to be back with Kathy and that world, and instead had to recalibrate almost immediately.
This book introduces Nora, the admin coordinator at SCYTHE, who assigns files of the newly dead to reapers. She’s deeply anxious about death after losing both of her parents on her eighth birthday, and she has a twin brother, Charlie, whom she’s oddly distant from, mostly because he doesn’t share her anxiety. When Charlie’s name shows up in a death file (on their birthday, no less), Nora panics and runs away to save him…except his file keeps changing the cause and time of death.
All of this happens within the first 40 pages, which made me worry early on that we were trading character development for plot momentum and unfortunately, that feeling stuck. The real thrust of the story doesn’t actually come from what the jacket copy promises, but from a later shift to a small, mysterious town tied to their father’s past, where it seems someone may be actively trying to kill Charlie. And, I don't know. I just never connected with this one the way I did with the first book. The mystery felt more convoluted than compelling, the emotional depth wasn’t there, and I found myself surprisingly uninvested in the outcome. Where Kathy felt engaging and multidimensional, Nora’s personality seemed to begin and end with anxiety, while many of the supporting characters blurred together.
There are still clever ideas here, and I don’t think it’s a bad book. It just didn’t live up to what came before. I really wanted to love this, and I’m still rooting for the series, but this installment just didn’t hit the same for me. I'm still going to pick up book #3 if it comes, but maybe I'll just wait for the library's copy to come in.
This book introduces Nora, the admin coordinator at SCYTHE, who assigns files of the newly dead to reapers. She’s deeply anxious about death after losing both of her parents on her eighth birthday, and she has a twin brother, Charlie, whom she’s oddly distant from, mostly because he doesn’t share her anxiety. When Charlie’s name shows up in a death file (on their birthday, no less), Nora panics and runs away to save him…except his file keeps changing the cause and time of death.
All of this happens within the first 40 pages, which made me worry early on that we were trading character development for plot momentum and unfortunately, that feeling stuck. The real thrust of the story doesn’t actually come from what the jacket copy promises, but from a later shift to a small, mysterious town tied to their father’s past, where it seems someone may be actively trying to kill Charlie. And, I don't know. I just never connected with this one the way I did with the first book. The mystery felt more convoluted than compelling, the emotional depth wasn’t there, and I found myself surprisingly uninvested in the outcome. Where Kathy felt engaging and multidimensional, Nora’s personality seemed to begin and end with anxiety, while many of the supporting characters blurred together.
There are still clever ideas here, and I don’t think it’s a bad book. It just didn’t live up to what came before. I really wanted to love this, and I’m still rooting for the series, but this installment just didn’t hit the same for me. I'm still going to pick up book #3 if it comes, but maybe I'll just wait for the library's copy to come in.
October 6, 2025
Thank you Berkley for my free ARC of A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death by Maxie Dara — available Dec 2!
» READ IF YOU «
⚰️ ever felt paralyzed by the fear of the unknown
🚗 love road-trip mysteries with supernatural stakes
🦜 can’t resist a wise-cracking animal sidekick
» SYNOPSIS «
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., the company that collects souls after death, even though she’s been absolutely petrified of death itself since the night her parents met an untimely end. When Nora sees her twin brother Charlie’s name on a collection file on her desk, she panics, steals the file, and drags Charlie into a wild escape of a road trip. Heading north to their father’s old stomping grounds, they’ll run into even stranger happenings than they left behind. Can they stay one step ahead of death, forever?
» REVIEW «
This book is exaaaaactly what I want from a cozy paranormal mystery: I laughed, cried, and felt completely invested in the characters and their journey. Nora’s risk-avoidant personality and paralyzing fear of death is such a fantastic and relatable anchor. Her love for Charlie is complicated but pure, making the stakes feel so much more real than just “will-they-die?” And, there’s a parrot who says fuck a lot, so, ideal character trio complete.
The mystery plot is twisty and unique, and there are a few moments I felt actual fright. And don’t get me freaking started on Maxie’s ability to make me weep at the end of these books!! I was invested all the way through this warm, spooky, funny, soulful book. This is the one you want to read late at night when the world feels especially frightening.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
» READ IF YOU «
⚰️ ever felt paralyzed by the fear of the unknown
🚗 love road-trip mysteries with supernatural stakes
🦜 can’t resist a wise-cracking animal sidekick
» SYNOPSIS «
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., the company that collects souls after death, even though she’s been absolutely petrified of death itself since the night her parents met an untimely end. When Nora sees her twin brother Charlie’s name on a collection file on her desk, she panics, steals the file, and drags Charlie into a wild escape of a road trip. Heading north to their father’s old stomping grounds, they’ll run into even stranger happenings than they left behind. Can they stay one step ahead of death, forever?
» REVIEW «
This book is exaaaaactly what I want from a cozy paranormal mystery: I laughed, cried, and felt completely invested in the characters and their journey. Nora’s risk-avoidant personality and paralyzing fear of death is such a fantastic and relatable anchor. Her love for Charlie is complicated but pure, making the stakes feel so much more real than just “will-they-die?” And, there’s a parrot who says fuck a lot, so, ideal character trio complete.
The mystery plot is twisty and unique, and there are a few moments I felt actual fright. And don’t get me freaking started on Maxie’s ability to make me weep at the end of these books!! I was invested all the way through this warm, spooky, funny, soulful book. This is the one you want to read late at night when the world feels especially frightening.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
December 18, 2025
Twin siblings Nora and Charlie Bird haven’t been close in the last months leading up to their birthday. So when a file comes across Nora’s desk at S.C.Y.T.H.E. showing Charlie would die in a car accident, she’ll do anything to stop that from happening.
This was a mystery packed family affair. I really liked Nora and Charlie, despite the distance between them, they came together and grew closer again in order to prevent Charlie’s death. Losing their parents at a young age, it was nice to watch them discover where their family came from. I liked the whodunnit mystery, Jessica the bird was a hilarious addition to the plot. I’m still very interested in the whole S.C.Y.T.H.E. organization and curious what will happen for the next book! 3.5⭐️
This was a mystery packed family affair. I really liked Nora and Charlie, despite the distance between them, they came together and grew closer again in order to prevent Charlie’s death. Losing their parents at a young age, it was nice to watch them discover where their family came from. I liked the whodunnit mystery, Jessica the bird was a hilarious addition to the plot. I’m still very interested in the whole S.C.Y.T.H.E. organization and curious what will happen for the next book! 3.5⭐️
December 10, 2025
Oh this is a fun book! We have two super endearing protagonists (three if you count Jessica, which I do), a thoughtfully put together mystery, plenty of wit and humour, and a good dose of peril. This was a really interesting new glimpse into the world of S.C.Y.T.H.E. that gave it some more depth without sacrificing the character driven whodunit at the centre of it all. I'd definitely recommend this book (and the first in the series, Catching a Killer, although you could read either as a standalone as well) for a fun, cozy mystery - especially for a little light in the winter.
November 29, 2025
4.25 stars. Nora Bird is back(!!!).. and this time it’s to help her twin brother from being targeted by a killer.
Nora works for SCYTHE, a job that she loves, when she gets a collection file with her twins name on it. She flees her job and home with her brother in tow to save him, her employers trailing only one step behind.
Yikes. This tale had a little bit more spook than the last book, and then there’s the not knowing who to trust oof.. plus a lot of humor, twists and turns, and plenty of mystery AND unpredictable characters - loved that.
But where is Kathy whom I was hoping to find in this 2nd book. Possibly in book three? Fingers crossed.
If you’re looking for a “unique”-fun-cozy book series look no further. Do recommend. Pub. 12/2/25
Much thanks to Berkley Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nora works for SCYTHE, a job that she loves, when she gets a collection file with her twins name on it. She flees her job and home with her brother in tow to save him, her employers trailing only one step behind.
Yikes. This tale had a little bit more spook than the last book, and then there’s the not knowing who to trust oof.. plus a lot of humor, twists and turns, and plenty of mystery AND unpredictable characters - loved that.
But where is Kathy whom I was hoping to find in this 2nd book. Possibly in book three? Fingers crossed.
If you’re looking for a “unique”-fun-cozy book series look no further. Do recommend. Pub. 12/2/25
Much thanks to Berkley Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🔪 cat and mouse chase
🔪 a lot of mystery 🤪
🔪 3rd person POV
🔪 single POV
🔪 single timeline
🔪 very strong family bonds
This one was super fun❣️❣️ This was like a cat and mouse chase book but like wayyyyy more fun. A sister works for the Grim Reaper, and must save her brother once she finds out that he is supposed to die today. Like what❓❓I’ve never read anything like this before and it was really enjoyable! I was sucked in right from the very beginning.
I love going in to books blind so I didn’t have much idea what I was in for here, and boy was it a ride❣️❣️ There was so much more going on in the end that I ever expected.
I really loved these characters and I really loved seeing them love each other and get closer and closer 🩷
I really enjoy this series and I can’t wait to read the next one❣️
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing and Maxie Dana for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕💕
Read if you like:
🔪 cat and mouse chase
🔪 a lot of mystery 🤪
🔪 3rd person POV
🔪 single POV
🔪 single timeline
🔪 very strong family bonds
This one was super fun❣️❣️ This was like a cat and mouse chase book but like wayyyyy more fun. A sister works for the Grim Reaper, and must save her brother once she finds out that he is supposed to die today. Like what❓❓I’ve never read anything like this before and it was really enjoyable! I was sucked in right from the very beginning.
I love going in to books blind so I didn’t have much idea what I was in for here, and boy was it a ride❣️❣️ There was so much more going on in the end that I ever expected.
I really loved these characters and I really loved seeing them love each other and get closer and closer 🩷
I really enjoy this series and I can’t wait to read the next one❣️
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing and Maxie Dana for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕💕
December 22, 2025
4.5 stars. This was a funny romp, but also had some depth dealing with long term grief and unique family dynamics. It blended these different aspects into delightful mystery with twist. Also good to know that it is not really a sequel, but another story in this same universe.
December 2, 2025
Book Review 💀🦜🔍
thank you so much partner @berkleypub #berkleypartner #berkley for the free book!
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death
by Maxie Dara
out now!
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., which might seem odd for someone as terrified of death as she is. But ever since her parents died in an accident when she was six, she's been obsessed with avoiding risk. The work enables Nora to learn all about the myriad ways you can kick the bucket, which is comforting...until one day, a file crosses her desk with a name she recognizes. Her twin brother’s.
The twins haven’t spoken in six months, but Charlie is all Nora has left. Completely against her cautious nature, Nora steals the file and flees, racing to her brother’s house. She begs him to trust her that his death is imminent, and they hit the road (with his parrot, Jessica, who has plenty to say) in an attempt to evade both death and S.C.Y.T.H.E., whose sole mission of collecting souls has been disrupted by Charlie’s continued existence.
🦜 My thoughts:
Another five stars for this series from me! When I read the first installment in the S.C.Y.T.H.E. series and devoured it, I knew I would be continuing on and I am SO happy I did. This was a romping good time and I seriously loved to see the bond of siblings grow stronger. Nora’s own journey was a good one to see and I loved that Charlie and Jessica were along for the ride! It definitely made for an interesting one. What I loved the most though about this story was that it was deeper than a cozy mystery usually feels for me and that’s something special. More than just a cozy mystery, this one is headed straight to your heart and it’s out today 12/2/25!
Happy reading 📖💀🦜🔍
thank you so much partner @berkleypub #berkleypartner #berkley for the free book!
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death
by Maxie Dara
out now!
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., which might seem odd for someone as terrified of death as she is. But ever since her parents died in an accident when she was six, she's been obsessed with avoiding risk. The work enables Nora to learn all about the myriad ways you can kick the bucket, which is comforting...until one day, a file crosses her desk with a name she recognizes. Her twin brother’s.
The twins haven’t spoken in six months, but Charlie is all Nora has left. Completely against her cautious nature, Nora steals the file and flees, racing to her brother’s house. She begs him to trust her that his death is imminent, and they hit the road (with his parrot, Jessica, who has plenty to say) in an attempt to evade both death and S.C.Y.T.H.E., whose sole mission of collecting souls has been disrupted by Charlie’s continued existence.
🦜 My thoughts:
Another five stars for this series from me! When I read the first installment in the S.C.Y.T.H.E. series and devoured it, I knew I would be continuing on and I am SO happy I did. This was a romping good time and I seriously loved to see the bond of siblings grow stronger. Nora’s own journey was a good one to see and I loved that Charlie and Jessica were along for the ride! It definitely made for an interesting one. What I loved the most though about this story was that it was deeper than a cozy mystery usually feels for me and that’s something special. More than just a cozy mystery, this one is headed straight to your heart and it’s out today 12/2/25!
Happy reading 📖💀🦜🔍
November 18, 2025
This was such a fun read! The stakes were high, the characters were fun and unpredictable, and the mystery had me on the edge of my seat. I see my struggle with anxiety through Nora so much, and her growth throughout this book was really inspiring. All of the characters were SO suspicious, which made the final twist really shine. The concept of an organization of modern day "grim reapers" was really cool, and the overall adventure was great. I'd highly recommend!
December 15, 2025
3.5/5!
Second installments in a series always make me a bit nervous. Will I love it as much as the first? Will the characters still feel the same?
Dara nailed the vibes with her second in the S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery series!
One of the things that makes this series one that I’m going to keep coming back to with each new book is the characters. They’re all so relatable, charming, and fun to get to know. Each installment has focused on different characters and unrelated stories, but they’ve both followed the same standard when it comes to character development.
I did end up docking a point off for the pacing in the middle of the book where it slowed down quite a bit in my opinion. Despite this, I was still invested in the story and never contemplated not carrying forward.
I’m looking forward to what Dara schemes up next!
Second installments in a series always make me a bit nervous. Will I love it as much as the first? Will the characters still feel the same?
Dara nailed the vibes with her second in the S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery series!
One of the things that makes this series one that I’m going to keep coming back to with each new book is the characters. They’re all so relatable, charming, and fun to get to know. Each installment has focused on different characters and unrelated stories, but they’ve both followed the same standard when it comes to character development.
I did end up docking a point off for the pacing in the middle of the book where it slowed down quite a bit in my opinion. Despite this, I was still invested in the story and never contemplated not carrying forward.
I’m looking forward to what Dara schemes up next!
January 23, 2026
I am enjoying this series. A great mystery.
December 13, 2025
This was not as good as the first book and I wish we had focused more on her job again and somehow related that with family but this just felt very disconnected from the first book.
June 30, 2025
3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 2, 2025
Death comes, but sometimes when you are least expecting it.
Nora works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., the organization that collects souls when a person dies. But when she comes across her twin brother's file, all the rules go out the window. What ensues is an adventure to help her brother avoid death, while uncovering a mystery she didn't even know existed.
This novel had me laughing and shaking my head at Nora's antics. Nora is petrified of life, or maybe it is really the fear of dying. She can't help it after losing both of her parents at eight, but she takes this to a whole new level. Her twin, Charlie, appears to be the opposite. He takes life by the horns and doesn't care what happens. This could be his downfall!
While Nora and Charlie are on the run from S.C.Y.T.H.E., they uncover the truth about their parents and a few other family tidbits. I don't want to give away too much, but once they land in Virgo Bay, life isn't the same.
I appreciated Nora's cautious nature, but after a while, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to live life, not live life in fear of the unknown. I can only imagine how wearing it is on the psyche to not enjoy life and live in fear. I also wanted to tell Charlie to take things a little more seriously.
I liked how the story unfolded and the mystery that had to be solved. There were so many possibilities, but I did not guess correctly. The author leaves quite a few red herrings around!
When I looked at the genres assigned to this book, I don't think I agree with several of them. This is not a horror or a thriller. I can get on board with it labeled as a cozy mystery.
This is the second book in the series. I usually don't want to read a series out of order, but I felt this book could be read as a standalone. However, there might be useful information on Nora's background and how she came to work for S.C.Y.T.H.E. that would have been helpful when reading this book. The author does provide some background, but not as much as you might get from the first book.
We give this book 4 1/2 paws only because by the end, Nora was a bit annoying! But I still highly recommend the book.
Nora works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., the organization that collects souls when a person dies. But when she comes across her twin brother's file, all the rules go out the window. What ensues is an adventure to help her brother avoid death, while uncovering a mystery she didn't even know existed.
This novel had me laughing and shaking my head at Nora's antics. Nora is petrified of life, or maybe it is really the fear of dying. She can't help it after losing both of her parents at eight, but she takes this to a whole new level. Her twin, Charlie, appears to be the opposite. He takes life by the horns and doesn't care what happens. This could be his downfall!
While Nora and Charlie are on the run from S.C.Y.T.H.E., they uncover the truth about their parents and a few other family tidbits. I don't want to give away too much, but once they land in Virgo Bay, life isn't the same.
I appreciated Nora's cautious nature, but after a while, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to live life, not live life in fear of the unknown. I can only imagine how wearing it is on the psyche to not enjoy life and live in fear. I also wanted to tell Charlie to take things a little more seriously.
I liked how the story unfolded and the mystery that had to be solved. There were so many possibilities, but I did not guess correctly. The author leaves quite a few red herrings around!
When I looked at the genres assigned to this book, I don't think I agree with several of them. This is not a horror or a thriller. I can get on board with it labeled as a cozy mystery.
This is the second book in the series. I usually don't want to read a series out of order, but I felt this book could be read as a standalone. However, there might be useful information on Nora's background and how she came to work for S.C.Y.T.H.E. that would have been helpful when reading this book. The author does provide some background, but not as much as you might get from the first book.
We give this book 4 1/2 paws only because by the end, Nora was a bit annoying! But I still highly recommend the book.
November 27, 2025
Cosy, amusing, and atmospheric!
In this latest novel in the 𝘚.𝘊.𝘠.𝘛.𝘏.𝘌. 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 series, 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, we head back into the life of Kathy Valence, a middle-aged S.C.Y.T.H.E. employee who, after stumbling upon a file ordering the retrieval of her twin brother’s soul, sets out to do whatever she can, even head to her father’s enigmatic home town, Virgo Bay, to protect him and keep him alive.
The writing is fluid and fun. The characters are sharp, supportive, and impulsive. And the plot is a lighthearted, quirky tale brimming with tricky situations, quirky mishaps, small-town living, family, secrets, misdirection, deduction, deception, and a touch of the supernatural.
Overall, 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 is another quick, easy, satisfying treat by Dara that had just the right amount of suspicious personalities, zany antics, and abundance of drama to keep me engaged and entertained from start to finish.
In this latest novel in the 𝘚.𝘊.𝘠.𝘛.𝘏.𝘌. 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 series, 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, we head back into the life of Kathy Valence, a middle-aged S.C.Y.T.H.E. employee who, after stumbling upon a file ordering the retrieval of her twin brother’s soul, sets out to do whatever she can, even head to her father’s enigmatic home town, Virgo Bay, to protect him and keep him alive.
The writing is fluid and fun. The characters are sharp, supportive, and impulsive. And the plot is a lighthearted, quirky tale brimming with tricky situations, quirky mishaps, small-town living, family, secrets, misdirection, deduction, deception, and a touch of the supernatural.
Overall, 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 is another quick, easy, satisfying treat by Dara that had just the right amount of suspicious personalities, zany antics, and abundance of drama to keep me engaged and entertained from start to finish.
January 11, 2026
Book #2 in the series. This non-spicy paranormal fantasy/mystery had a different set of characters than Book #1, the connection being that Nora, the FMC, worked as an admin at S.C.YT.H.E. When Nora finds out that her twin brother Charlie has a file showing is is supposed to die that day and that someone on the team will collect his soul, she steals the file and she and her brother go on the run to Virgo Bay, where her father was from. Nora soon realizes that not everything is as it appears as Charlie continues to experience accidents that could become fatal. While not as good as the first book in the series, it was an interesting take on the Grim Reaper trope.
December 2, 2025
I enjoyed the follow up in this very creative series. I really enjoyed learning more about Nora's past and the history of the organization she works for.
Although this one can stand on its own, I do think having read the first one made this one even better. I loved having the back story.
This one really comes to life on audio.
Although this one can stand on its own, I do think having read the first one made this one even better. I loved having the back story.
This one really comes to life on audio.
December 13, 2025
another cozy small town mystery from maxie? sign me up. i read the first book in a day, so when i seen this came out, i picked it up. i enjoyed this one and following along learning more about nora and charlie. its a fun and unpredictable read!
January 31, 2026
Didn't like it as much as the first book...
Still, not bad ;)
December 19, 2025
I feel like 2 stars to generous but there were certain parts I liked.
I was one of the ones who absolutely ADORED her first book. I connected with those characters a whole lot more then I ever did with Nora and Charlie.
My first question is what 26 year old uses the phrases "snacky snack?" or names their stomach and proudly displays the fact.. and the WAY she described Charlie I would not touch this man with a 1o foot pole. Overly bleached hair, scruffy beard (my mind instantly went to one of those beards that simply do not grow but the owner of said beard refuses to give up) and imagined Cheeto dust puffed up whenever he walked, shuffled, shifted etc.
Nora I could sometimes connect with, her anxiety and stress over death (who hasn't had that realization?) I could understand. Her wanting to stay in a safe place and have consistency was a sentiment I could also connect with.
Nora and Charlie's interactions were always an eyeroll. There was not a single conversation those two where I didn't emit and "ugh" noise. Those phrases like "grandma's a bitch" or others I can't seem to remember because the brain scrubbing has already begun yanked me out of what little story there was.
The whole plot was trying to evade S.Y.C.T.H.E. and keep Charlie alive. The ending he is alive still and I am not 100% how? Is it because Death took the other two souls that had evading death and decided Charlie would not die early because of it? I would have liked some more clarification on that.
Jessica the Bird was played up like she was a key player, the bird didn't much of anything at all except stay in a duffle bag most of the time? I can't imagine a bird being quiet for that long in a freaking bag but OK! The "hints" she gave always came to late and I truly didn't think she should have been in the book at all. It was quirky so that is why she was included.
The soon to be mother and hurt, pissed off teenager worked better for me from book 1. I loved one so much! I am not sure what happened to book 2 but this was not my story to sit back and enjoy at all.
I was one of the ones who absolutely ADORED her first book. I connected with those characters a whole lot more then I ever did with Nora and Charlie.
My first question is what 26 year old uses the phrases "snacky snack?" or names their stomach and proudly displays the fact.. and the WAY she described Charlie I would not touch this man with a 1o foot pole. Overly bleached hair, scruffy beard (my mind instantly went to one of those beards that simply do not grow but the owner of said beard refuses to give up) and imagined Cheeto dust puffed up whenever he walked, shuffled, shifted etc.
Nora I could sometimes connect with, her anxiety and stress over death (who hasn't had that realization?) I could understand. Her wanting to stay in a safe place and have consistency was a sentiment I could also connect with.
Nora and Charlie's interactions were always an eyeroll. There was not a single conversation those two where I didn't emit and "ugh" noise. Those phrases like "grandma's a bitch" or others I can't seem to remember because the brain scrubbing has already begun yanked me out of what little story there was.
The whole plot was trying to evade S.Y.C.T.H.E. and keep Charlie alive. The ending he is alive still and I am not 100% how? Is it because Death took the other two souls that had evading death and decided Charlie would not die early because of it? I would have liked some more clarification on that.
Jessica the Bird was played up like she was a key player, the bird didn't much of anything at all except stay in a duffle bag most of the time? I can't imagine a bird being quiet for that long in a freaking bag but OK! The "hints" she gave always came to late and I truly didn't think she should have been in the book at all. It was quirky so that is why she was included.
The soon to be mother and hurt, pissed off teenager worked better for me from book 1. I loved one so much! I am not sure what happened to book 2 but this was not my story to sit back and enjoy at all.
June 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.
A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death is the sequel to the S.C.Y.T.H.E. book about catching a killer, and while it can be read as a standalone it’s set in the same world where a company exists to support death in in its retrievals. This time we are introduced to Nora who is in an odd job for someone as cautious and frankly terrified of death as she is. Nora is part of S.C.Y.T.H.E. and while she’s not a reaper she’s in the know on who is next. That’s what makes things so fraught when Nora sees her twin brother, Charlie’s, name pop up as one of those who will soon be departed. Nora finds some courage and bad bummery as she works to spare Charlie of his fate despite the seemingly boomerang way he finds himself continuing to be in the crosshairs of death. When the two decide to disappear to Virgo Bay, where their father was from, they discover some big mysteries with their family that add complications to and beyond Charlie’s conundrum. Consider this a very unique road trip and coming into oneself, overcoming your fears, and finding some humor thanks to a parrot called Jessica.
A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death is the sequel to the S.C.Y.T.H.E. book about catching a killer, and while it can be read as a standalone it’s set in the same world where a company exists to support death in in its retrievals. This time we are introduced to Nora who is in an odd job for someone as cautious and frankly terrified of death as she is. Nora is part of S.C.Y.T.H.E. and while she’s not a reaper she’s in the know on who is next. That’s what makes things so fraught when Nora sees her twin brother, Charlie’s, name pop up as one of those who will soon be departed. Nora finds some courage and bad bummery as she works to spare Charlie of his fate despite the seemingly boomerang way he finds himself continuing to be in the crosshairs of death. When the two decide to disappear to Virgo Bay, where their father was from, they discover some big mysteries with their family that add complications to and beyond Charlie’s conundrum. Consider this a very unique road trip and coming into oneself, overcoming your fears, and finding some humor thanks to a parrot called Jessica.
August 20, 2025
I love this series
December 2, 2025
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I was happy to read more SCYTHE Mysteries since I enjoyed the debut last year with Kathy and her ex, and her pregnancy. I liked Kathy and her personal growth. So I was surprised to find she wasn't in A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death. This could be read as a stand-along, other than the world-building about the organization.
Now we have Nora Bird who is an administrator at SCYTHE. Her parents died when she was a child, so she and her brother Charlie were raised by their grandmother. Today her folder shows a soul to be collected - her brother Charlie. Totally against her lifelong caution to avoid dying, Nora jumps into action to save her brother's life.
As she struggles to protect him from threats, they try to figure out where they can go. They end up heading for Virgo Bay where her father grew up. Shockingly, they find his brother, their paternal grandparents, a great grandfather, and lots of cousins. The attempts on Charlie's life continue.
Nora learns a lot about herself and renews her languished relationship with her brother. Charlie has been living his life to the utmost all along, where Nora has been hiding in safety. It would be a lot more fun to connect with the relatives if one of them wasn't trying to kill them.
I loved Charlie's bird Jessica, a parrot who says the darndest things. I kept thinking because their last name is Bird and the relatives were all in sort of a family compound if they actually would shift into birds, but this is not that story. We learned a little more about SCYTHE, its enforcement group and international counterparts. I wonder if a new book will be all new characters.
Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I was happy to read more SCYTHE Mysteries since I enjoyed the debut last year with Kathy and her ex, and her pregnancy. I liked Kathy and her personal growth. So I was surprised to find she wasn't in A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death. This could be read as a stand-along, other than the world-building about the organization.
Now we have Nora Bird who is an administrator at SCYTHE. Her parents died when she was a child, so she and her brother Charlie were raised by their grandmother. Today her folder shows a soul to be collected - her brother Charlie. Totally against her lifelong caution to avoid dying, Nora jumps into action to save her brother's life.
As she struggles to protect him from threats, they try to figure out where they can go. They end up heading for Virgo Bay where her father grew up. Shockingly, they find his brother, their paternal grandparents, a great grandfather, and lots of cousins. The attempts on Charlie's life continue.
Nora learns a lot about herself and renews her languished relationship with her brother. Charlie has been living his life to the utmost all along, where Nora has been hiding in safety. It would be a lot more fun to connect with the relatives if one of them wasn't trying to kill them.
I loved Charlie's bird Jessica, a parrot who says the darndest things. I kept thinking because their last name is Bird and the relatives were all in sort of a family compound if they actually would shift into birds, but this is not that story. We learned a little more about SCYTHE, its enforcement group and international counterparts. I wonder if a new book will be all new characters.
January 22, 2026
A special thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and author Maxie Dara for gifting me a copy of A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death via NetGalley 🧡 This is my honest and voluntary review.
🐦⬛ This is book 2 in the S.C.Y.T.H.E. series 🐦⬛
When a determined killer targets her brother, a grim reaper risks everything to save him in this delightful cozy mystery.
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E. processing death files to the appropriate department for pick ups. When a file on her desk has her brother Charlie's name on it she is determined to do everything she can to ensure he does not die. But everytime Nora saves him from his determined death a new cause of death appears in his file. Can they continue to outrun death or is it just a matter of time until Charlie has to face his fate? This book had me laughing out loud. The mystery and suspense was so much fun and I really enjoyed the characters and plot.
My thoughts:
🖤 This book was hilarious, I loved the relationship Charlie and Nora had.
🖤 Jessica!!! OMG what a fun addition to the book. She had me cracking up each time she spoke.
🖤 I loved that we got a completely new story and new characters for book 2! While being book 2 in the series I felt that this could be read as a standalone.
🖤 Wow, the twists continuously happened! Just when I thought I knew what was going on I was wrong, again!
I really, really hope there will be more in this series to come! This has been so much fun to read and I think Maxie Dara has done a wonderful job with her storytelling.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🐦⬛ This is book 2 in the S.C.Y.T.H.E. series 🐦⬛
When a determined killer targets her brother, a grim reaper risks everything to save him in this delightful cozy mystery.
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E. processing death files to the appropriate department for pick ups. When a file on her desk has her brother Charlie's name on it she is determined to do everything she can to ensure he does not die. But everytime Nora saves him from his determined death a new cause of death appears in his file. Can they continue to outrun death or is it just a matter of time until Charlie has to face his fate? This book had me laughing out loud. The mystery and suspense was so much fun and I really enjoyed the characters and plot.
My thoughts:
🖤 This book was hilarious, I loved the relationship Charlie and Nora had.
🖤 Jessica!!! OMG what a fun addition to the book. She had me cracking up each time she spoke.
🖤 I loved that we got a completely new story and new characters for book 2! While being book 2 in the series I felt that this could be read as a standalone.
🖤 Wow, the twists continuously happened! Just when I thought I knew what was going on I was wrong, again!
I really, really hope there will be more in this series to come! This has been so much fun to read and I think Maxie Dara has done a wonderful job with her storytelling.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 8, 2025
I received a gifted galley of A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH by Maxie Dara for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, PRH Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!
A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH is the second book in the author's S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery series. This time we are following Nora, an employee of S.C.Y.T.H.E., the organization in charge of collecting human essences upon death. As someone deathly afraid of death (pun intended), this is a job that she feels gives her a little bit of control over that which really can't be.
When Nora's estranged twin brother's name pops up on her latest report, she isn't willing to lose yet another relative. She is determined to save his life, even as fate keeps trying to end him. Soon they are on the run from death, Nora's coworkers, and fate itself as they try to repair their relationship and learn more about their own pasts.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so was really glad to be offered a copy of the sequel. I am a week late on finishing and reviewing it, but that wasn't from lack of enjoyment! I was really glad to get a different perspective in this book with a different glimpse into the world building of the grim reapers and their assignments. We get a good bit of history and lore in here as well!
This is a fun book which is just a bit over the top in a very intentional way. There is an element of cozy mystery and definitely some humor as well!
A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH is the second book in the author's S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery series. This time we are following Nora, an employee of S.C.Y.T.H.E., the organization in charge of collecting human essences upon death. As someone deathly afraid of death (pun intended), this is a job that she feels gives her a little bit of control over that which really can't be.
When Nora's estranged twin brother's name pops up on her latest report, she isn't willing to lose yet another relative. She is determined to save his life, even as fate keeps trying to end him. Soon they are on the run from death, Nora's coworkers, and fate itself as they try to repair their relationship and learn more about their own pasts.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so was really glad to be offered a copy of the sequel. I am a week late on finishing and reviewing it, but that wasn't from lack of enjoyment! I was really glad to get a different perspective in this book with a different glimpse into the world building of the grim reapers and their assignments. We get a good bit of history and lore in here as well!
This is a fun book which is just a bit over the top in a very intentional way. There is an element of cozy mystery and definitely some humor as well!
November 8, 2025
Thanks to Berkley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review - this book is out December 2!
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E. - an organization that deals with death and the transportation of souls - and after losing her parents at a young age, Nora has been terrified of all the ways she could come to harm, and her assistant job helps her feel prepared and in the know. However, when a file for her twin brother's imminent death appears on her desk, Nora throws out all her normal safety measures in an effort to save him from death and finds herself truly living in the process.
While A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH by Maxie Dara is a sequel, since this story introduces brand new characters and lore surrounding S.C.Y.T.H.E. this can be read as a standalone!
After falling in love with Kathy and the other ensemble cast in book one, I was a bit disheartened to see a brand new cast of characters, BUT that quickly went away as Nora, Charlie, and Jessica showed up.
This story was emotional, murdery, but also so so cozy, and I loved learning more of the backstory behind S.C.Y.T.H.E.
As an anxious girlie myself, I found myself a kindred spirit in Nora and can easily say Dara gave us something truly special with this sequel!
Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E. - an organization that deals with death and the transportation of souls - and after losing her parents at a young age, Nora has been terrified of all the ways she could come to harm, and her assistant job helps her feel prepared and in the know. However, when a file for her twin brother's imminent death appears on her desk, Nora throws out all her normal safety measures in an effort to save him from death and finds herself truly living in the process.
While A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH by Maxie Dara is a sequel, since this story introduces brand new characters and lore surrounding S.C.Y.T.H.E. this can be read as a standalone!
After falling in love with Kathy and the other ensemble cast in book one, I was a bit disheartened to see a brand new cast of characters, BUT that quickly went away as Nora, Charlie, and Jessica showed up.
This story was emotional, murdery, but also so so cozy, and I loved learning more of the backstory behind S.C.Y.T.H.E.
As an anxious girlie myself, I found myself a kindred spirit in Nora and can easily say Dara gave us something truly special with this sequel!
January 4, 2026
Book 003 of 365 ~ 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the second. I am so glad the series continued.
This time Nora's twin brother Charlie has the death mark on him and while running away as they try to escape the impending doom, they find old Birds and enter a mysterious area.
Some parts crept me out a little. Great writing and I kept going.
Kudos again to the narrator who brought it to life. Once again, did the audiobook and book combi. One star for the narrator.
#book003of365 #amreading #tbrpile instareads readstagram reading bookreview bookreviewer booklover booksAreLife booksForTheWin booknerds thisbookfairyisreading bookstagram bookstagrammer bookstagramfeature bookshelf booksofinstagram bookish bookworm goodreads booklovers bookaddict theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads bookaholic #bookchallenge2026 reviews lovebooks
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the second. I am so glad the series continued.
This time Nora's twin brother Charlie has the death mark on him and while running away as they try to escape the impending doom, they find old Birds and enter a mysterious area.
Some parts crept me out a little. Great writing and I kept going.
Kudos again to the narrator who brought it to life. Once again, did the audiobook and book combi. One star for the narrator.
#book003of365 #amreading #tbrpile instareads readstagram reading bookreview bookreviewer booklover booksAreLife booksForTheWin booknerds thisbookfairyisreading bookstagram bookstagrammer bookstagramfeature bookshelf booksofinstagram bookish bookworm goodreads booklovers bookaddict theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads bookaholic #bookchallenge2026 reviews lovebooks
December 1, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death shines in its family elements. I didn't read the first and you definitely don't have to in order to understand the world. It's slightly fantastical - the whole concept of grim reapers - but this sequel revolves around family secrets. It begins with the concept of sacrifice for our loved ones, even if we haven't spoken in a while. And A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating continues by poking into our family ghosts. What would we do to protect a secret? To uncover a mystery? Nora realizes that something more is going on than meets the eye and to discover how to save her brother, she might have to unearth it all.
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death shines in its family elements. I didn't read the first and you definitely don't have to in order to understand the world. It's slightly fantastical - the whole concept of grim reapers - but this sequel revolves around family secrets. It begins with the concept of sacrifice for our loved ones, even if we haven't spoken in a while. And A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating continues by poking into our family ghosts. What would we do to protect a secret? To uncover a mystery? Nora realizes that something more is going on than meets the eye and to discover how to save her brother, she might have to unearth it all.
September 28, 2025
I read the first book, and I was excited for the new book, which I thought would pick up with Kathy. I was really looking forward to another book with that character. So after getting over my disappointment, I settled in this with this new character.
In book 2, we meet Nora and her brother Charlie, twins, who lost their parents in a car accident when they were young. Nora works for SCYTHE (just like Kathy), a job she really likes, until she gets a file with her brother's name on it. Now she is fleeing her job and town with her brother in order to save him. Her and Charlie go where they think they can save his life and Nora can hide from her pursing employers. But all is not what it seems.
I will admit at first I was not enjoying this book as much as the first. This one had to grow on me. At about 50%, I was fully in, and had to see how this book was going to end! The author did a good job with twist and turns, and a story where you just did not know who to trust. The setting is mysterious, with characters who are equally mysterious. And once again, there is a nice balance of humor !
I am happy I stuck with this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for the eARC! I would be happy to continue with this series. Especially if Kathy appears again!
In book 2, we meet Nora and her brother Charlie, twins, who lost their parents in a car accident when they were young. Nora works for SCYTHE (just like Kathy), a job she really likes, until she gets a file with her brother's name on it. Now she is fleeing her job and town with her brother in order to save him. Her and Charlie go where they think they can save his life and Nora can hide from her pursing employers. But all is not what it seems.
I will admit at first I was not enjoying this book as much as the first. This one had to grow on me. At about 50%, I was fully in, and had to see how this book was going to end! The author did a good job with twist and turns, and a story where you just did not know who to trust. The setting is mysterious, with characters who are equally mysterious. And once again, there is a nice balance of humor !
I am happy I stuck with this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for the eARC! I would be happy to continue with this series. Especially if Kathy appears again!
December 4, 2025
A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Cheating Death is the second in the S.C.Y.T.H.E Mystery series but could definitely be read as a stand alone. It’s a great mystery with paranormal elements to it. I really like the main characters, twins Nora and Charlie Bird. I like the relationship between them and how they interacted with each other. I thought the mystery and suspense was well written. It kept me guessing who done it until the person was revealed. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC.
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