The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery: DEED

by Jim Doran

Rebecca Eidelweiss is a secret agent who oversees the safety of mythicals—legendary creatures hidden from humankind. She travels the world on dangerous rescue missions.

Her employer, The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery (DEED), alerts Rebecca to an operation abducting and exploiting mythicals. Rebecca wants to initiate a rescue immediately, but DEED won’t agree.

Rebecca decides to take on the operation herself without DEED’s permission. However, events turn against her from the very start. Rebecca must overcome her biases to bring down the evil she is up against. But in doing so, must she sacrifice what she holds most dear?

Genres: Fantasy

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2025

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 stars
The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery (DEED) is my first read by author Jim Doran, and it presents a captivating, adult paranormal tale filled with adventure, undercover activities, evil organisations, secrets, legendary creatures, and everything else that lurks in the shadows.
The story follows secret agent Rebecca, who can transform from a human into a centaur. She has dedicated her life to protecting extraordinary non-humans like herself. As she travels around the world, she works to keep them safe from anyone who wishes to do them harm. However, she often finds herself in dangerous situations. One little mistake meant that DEED didn’t assign her the mission she desires, but when has that ever stopped her? After all, danger is her middle name!
This thrilling and whimsical tale will hook you and leave you wanting more. I hope Jim continues this story and expands it into a series, as this world and its creatures truly deserve their tales.
It definitely reminds me of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, and if you enjoyed his work, you would love this one!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Eidelweiss is a secret agent with a secret that cannot come out. As a mythical sent to protect and rescue others like herself she finds herself questioning DEED, the Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery, when she is sent out on her next task instead of continuing the assignment she was on. As she travels the world Rebecca finds herself reflecting on her own life and what is important.

Fast paced non stop action. I liked the world that was created with Rebecca and the other mystical creatures hidden in plain sight. The story is full of unique characters I hope to read more about. You are pulled in right away and the book does not let up until the very end. Very entertaining.

[Felicia Belcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inclusion

Creatures of all forms finding a safe haven from humans! A few prefer the human world too, of course! Protecting small ones even when it means going against the laws of the council and through trial, error and multiple talents of different Creatures working together for a cause in hopes to bring changes to the system!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and engaging story which kept me happily turning the pages. Secret agent Rebecca Eidelweiss works for The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery, known as ‘DEED’. She is responsible for the safety of mythicals, legendary creatures hidden from humans, and she travels the world on dangerous rescue missions. Rebecca is alerted to an operation who are abducting and exploiting mythicals but DEED won’t agree to an immediate rescue mission. She decides to take on the operation without permission from DEED, however, the rescue mission turns out to be more complicated and dangerous than she thought. Rebecca discovers she must overcome her own biases if she’s to win over the evil she finds herself up against, and may have to sacrifice something important to her. Rebecca is a likeable character and I felt invested in her adventures. The mythicals are brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative, along with the settings as Rebecca travels the world, making me feel fully immersed in the story. The intriguing storyline definitely kept me hooked throughout.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up liking this one very much. At first it was exciting but then she just seemed to go around and rescue people. I did not see much point. But as the story progressed I could see what was happening. The author divulged very little at the beginning and kept it to basics. Later in the story more information came out and everything came together. I even teared up at the end. This one took me on a journey. Not just to rescue a girl but In relationships/friendships and discovering your own path. It is very creative and I enjoyed all the mythicals! Nicely done!

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Eidleweiss is a secret agent who oversees the safety of mythical creatures. It helps that she herself is one being that she is a centaur. Her employer, The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery or DEED, alerts her of an operation that is abducting and exploiting mythicals. Of course she wants to put a crew together and go on a rescue mission right away but her employer won't authorize it. Rebecca decides to go against her employer and take on the mission anyway. Will she be successful? This was quite the adventure that had great world building and enjoyable characters. I didn't know exactly what I was getting into based off the title alone. This author is also new to me so I was not familiar with their work. Overall I give this a 4.5 and I will be on the look out for more material by this author.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery (DEED) by Jim Doran is a wildly imaginative and delightfully quirky tale that blends fantasy, mystery, and bureaucratic satire into a story as charming as it is inventive. Centered around a secret government agency tasked with transporting beings between worlds, DEED offers readers a portal into a hidden universe full of magical logic, peculiar characters, and clever twists. Doran’s wit and world-building shine as he explores themes of belonging, purpose, and the absurdities of red tape in a realm where anything is possible… if the paperwork’s in order. With heart, humor, and a dash of wonder, this genre-bending adventure is perfect readers who enjoy a fun, whimsical read!

[Finn Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Department Of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery: DEED by Jim Doran is exactly as the name implies, Extraordinary. I haven't had the opportunity to read this author before, and this had me absolutely hooked. The world building is fantastic, the characters are wonderfully written and the story itself while fast paced is, at least for me, perfect! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and i highly recommend it for anyone looking for a new fantasy adventure! I also want to add how much I love the cover art, however I might be a little biased, as purple is my favorite color! I very much look forward to reading more from this author!

[Amelia Stansell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. A secret agent that oversees the safety of mythicals. Her name is Rebecca. She gets to travel all over the world protecting those hidden in plain sight. A mistake that was made caused her an assignment she wanted. Rebecca does not let that stop her.

[Susan Ratchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read I loved it! Doran does a great job of transporting you right into his world of mythicals and DEED! I could not put this book down I read it in one sitting! Rebecca is such an entertaining protagonist and her story is beyond intriguing and wonderfully paced! I could only wish that there were more books! Please make this a series! I highly recommend The Department Of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery to anyone who is interested in fantasy and secret organizations! This book is such a keeper! I will definitely be reading more of Doran in the future!

[Heidi Sturgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look I’ll be honest , fantasy and paranormal isn’t my go to genre but I do enjoy it every now and then just to add something different to my happy bubble and I must say I was ready to escape “reality” a bit after back to back reading of World War 2 and it’s devastation on countries and mankind …..


While I was ready for some escapism I was also excited for this read because I’m a big X-men fan and when I read the synopsis I got this kind of feel 😉


Rebecca is in charge of keeping mythical beings away from humans and her latest rescue is a little different because she’s going in on her own , almost rogue really because the department is holding back a little and she’s facing danger and from the get go but Rebecca is quite fearless and is up for the challenge .

Rebecca is compassionate and feels the plight of those in her care and to me that speaks volumes of her character , she is the voice of the voiceless and while this was fantasy it spoke to my heart that just because something or someone is different to be it doesn’t give me or anyone else the right to abuse or judge them , different operating systems that’s all 😉

A brilliant read ❣️📕

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery: DEED" by Jim Doran is a fast-paced novel that uniquely combines elements of a secret agent thriller with mythology, resulting in an original and enjoyable read.
The characters are well-crafted, and it was a pleasure to see them develop and evolve into better versions of themselves.
While some parts of the story felt a bit rushed due to the quick pace, the overall narrative was engaging and well-executed.

[Ayla Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not easy to put down. It sucked me in from the book synopsis and kept me hooked from page 1. Rebecca is our female main character who part of a group of secret agents that protect mythical creatures or mythicals which are hidden from humans. It lets our main character travel the world working in plain sight. A mythical she knows, Aurora, gets kidnapped. Determined to get her back Rebecca goes against her organization. The adventure begins on a rocky start and continues from there.

This books has adventure, great world building, character growth, and more!

[Anna Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Department of Extraordinary Emigration Delivery by Jim Doran
4 Stars

Deed is an imaginative tale that blends fantasy, adventure, and a dash of bureaucratic satire. The book explores the idea of leaving one world for another—but not in the way you might expect. The story revolves around a mysterious government-like agency responsible for managing the “delivery” of those who wish (or need) to emigrate from their reality to another. The world-building is clever and infused with a dry sense of humour. The book’s pacing is brisk. The story is filled with different sorts of paranormals which keep it interesting. The book is like a supernatural James Bond movie. It was refreshing in its originality.

[Rebecca Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely urban fantasy novel where a skill secret agent goes to recover, rescue, and relocate different mythical beings. It’s cute and quirky and fun. But at times it felt as if the author got slightly sidetracked and wanted to show more world building than story progression.

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery is a refreshingly inventive and emotionally resonant fantasy thriller by Jim Doran that introduces readers to Rebecca Eidelweiss, a fiercely independent and deeply driven secret agent charged with safeguarding mythicals—beings of legend and lore long hidden from humankind. With deft world-building and a plot that moves at an exhilarating pace, Doran crafts a tale that is equal parts espionage, adventure, and introspective character study.

Rebecca works for DEED (the titular Department), a shadowy international agency tasked with monitoring and protecting mythical creatures. When she uncovers a sinister operation exploiting these beings, she expects swift action. But DEED’s bureaucracy and risk-aversion force Rebecca into a moral crossroads. Unable to stand by, she launches an unsanctioned mission—one that spirals quickly into chaos.

Doran excels at portraying the complexity of Rebecca’s character. She is not a flawless heroine but rather a principled maverick wrestling with her own convictions, prejudices, and limitations. Her journey is more than a rescue operation; it’s a personal reckoning. As the story unfolds, we see Rebecca challenged to question not just the enemy’s intentions, but her own assumptions—about DEED, about justice, and about the line between duty and defiance.

The novel shines brightest in its blend of sharp action sequences with a layered emotional core. The mythicals are more than narrative devices—they are richly imagined beings with cultures, desires, and vulnerabilities. Their plight mirrors real-world themes of displacement, exploitation, and the cost of inaction.

While the pacing is brisk, some readers might find the early chapters slightly overloaded with exposition about the DEED organization. However, once the narrative settles into its rhythm, the stakes escalate masterfully, leading to a climactic moral dilemma that forces Rebecca to weigh personal sacrifice against the greater good.

In The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery, Doran invites us into a world where magic and reality coexist, but so do ethical ambiguity and hard choices. It’s a compelling read for fans of urban fantasy, spy thrillers, and stories where heroes must first confront themselves before confronting the enemy.

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Eidelweiss is a woman on a mission, she works for DEED, the Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery and she is the one who goes in to rescue mythicals, or mythological individuals from situations in which they might be in danger and takes them to Elysium where they can live happily with others of their kind. It is not the easiest job, or the most rewarding, sometimes it is downright dangerous, but between her skills and determination, she is one of the best agents they have and with a clean record to boot.

One day that all chances when she goes to rescue a young mythical, things go a bit wrong and they are taken away so that they can be manipulated and used for monetary gain by a high powered individual with no ethics or scruples, but she is not allowed to do this officially, so she makes up her mind to go ahead anyway and stuff the rules!

Things go wrong from the start and Rebecca has to continuously rethink her strategy and sometimes having to go play by the rules until she can try again, but this means that the exploitation continues and she is not happy about that, but will she be able to take on such a large mission on her own, or will she finally get that black stain on her record? This is a story which races against time to rescue those in need, while also battling with an internal conscience over breaking rules and losing everything which they hold dear.

[Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Eidelweiss is an agent for The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery also known as DEED. She is a protector of mythical creatures. It is her job to retrieve these creatures and bring them to a safe haven where they can be themselves without the worry of humans. Rebecca is sent to retrieve a child who is starting to transform into her true form making it not safe for the child since she lives with a human guardian.

Things about this mission seem to be going smoothly until Rebecca delivers the girl to a safe house where she is supposed to learn about other mythical creatures. Rebecca gets a call saying humans took the girl from the safe house. Rebecca finds out there is a human operation where they are kidnapping a bunch of mythicals and she wants to go to the rescue. She WILL rescue them whether she has DEEDs permission or not. Rebecca needs to be willing to sacrifice everything if she wants to complete the mission.

I really enjoyed this book. It had a unique premise and I loved how there were a lot of mythical creatures that aren’t really written about outside of the more “popular” options. The author did a wonderful job with character building as well as storyline. I loved Rebecca’s character. She is headstrong and tough but with a softer side that very few get to see. Plus she’s a centaur which is awesome all on its own!

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read this is! This book is a standalone, but I can definitely see the potential for more stories. The main character is Rebecca Eidelweiss. She is an agent for DEED, or Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery, and she is a centaur. Her job is to protect all mythical creatures, as well as their homeland, Elysium. I loved meeting all kinds of mythical creatures and seeing them in a different light. Rebecca’s take on the world shows that life can’t be black and white; there will always be gray areas. She rescues Aurora from her abusive home, but then Aurora gets kidnapped by a man who only wants to use her. Rebecca then embarks on a journey of wanting to rescue Aurora but not being allowed to. She gets sent on assignments that aren’t her normal, all while she worries about Aurora. This waiting time shapes her as she realizes there is more to life than just running around the world being an Enforcer. By the end of the book, she had grown, and we have a front row seat for that. I loved the book and really enjoyed it. Occasionally, I felt like maybe I had missed a book in the series, but then later in the story, those parts were explained. There were some really cool spy gadgets that made the story even more fun! It was also a clean book which was a breath of fresh air. It is well worth the time to read it!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery: DEED is a fun fantasy full of mythical creatures and a world full of magic. Rebecca is an agent for DEED and her job is to protect all mythical creatures from Humans and to bring them to a world that is more suitable for their existence; she is also a centuar. She is given the quest to rescue a young faun from an undesireable situation. but little Aurora gets kidnapped. Rebecca is determined to find the faun and deliver her safely to her new family, except she isn't allowed to. As she tries to continue her duties as usual, she is constantly worried about Aurora and learns sometimes you have to do what you believe is right, even if no one else listens. This is such a fun and quirky read and I loved all of the mythical creatures, each with their own personality. This book has such a great underlying message that stepping out of your comfort zone to do the right thing, and going against the grain, makes life more enjoyable and has higher rewards. It's also notable that ALL creatures, no matter big or small, or species, are treated with respect and acceptance. I have never read this author but I really hope to snag more of his work soon!

[Brandy Jo Rymer · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEED was such a fun read; it had me laughing throughout the story. I have never read something quite like this before; it has everything you could imagine when it comes to its characters, from centaurs to giants, shapeshifters, and even secret agents that are descendants of plants. I loved the fact that our main character is a secret agent named Rebecca Eidelweiss, who at first appears to be a cold person, who is only focused on doing her job and nothing else. Then she meets a young mythical, whom her foster parents have named Nothing. Rebecca does not condone this kind of treatment and immediately renames her Aurora. When Rebecca finds out that Aurora has been kidnapped from Sonya, her handler's custody, Rebecca blames herself and resolves to rescue Aurora from the people who have caged her along with other mythicals for their entertainment. The jobs that Rebecca goes on, and the characters that she meets while doing her jobs, while biding her time until she is allowed to rescue Aurora, are just hilarious in their own ways. This was a great read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a light read.
@Brandy Rymer
06/2025

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read from a new author to me. It is a paranormal adventure filled with secrets, evil organisations, magical creatures and hidden agendas and danger. I was captivated by this story and the authors writing really brings the characters to life.
We are with Rebecca Eidelweiss, her job and passion is to save and protect mythical creatures from humankind and anyone who wishes them harm. She has travelled the world putting her own safety in danger doing just this.
When one mistake means she isn't given the assignment she has dreamt off Rebecca decides that isn't going to stop her. But by doing this she risks going against everything she has held dear and going against the wishes of the organisation.
Will she be able to succeed in this mission without the backing and support of DEED? Will they abandon her completely to her fate? And what was their reluctant to immediately act to save the mythicals that are being abducted and exploited?

This was a really interesting and enjoyable read. I loved Rebecca's determination and drive to move forward and do what she believes is right even in the face of danger, negativity and hidden agendas.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery is a mythological fantasy book set in a world where fantasy beings known as mythicals exist, hidden from humans. The protagonist, Rebecca, has to take risks by moving through the human world to retrieve mythicals who have ended up living alongside humans for one reason or another, and bring them back to a safe community where they can live openly without the risks that human discovery would bring to the whole community.

The worldbuilding is fantastic, and I like that early on we have the character of Aurora asking the questions that readers probably have to establish how things work and what kinds of mythicals do and don’t exist. There’s lots to explore and discover, and a strong story to take readers through the world. I also enjoy the descriptions of real world places that help to connect the story to the familiar.

There is plenty of action in this story to keep readers turning the pages. It gets five stars from me, and I’d recommend it to fans of mythology-based fantasy in modern settings.

[Melissa Saxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca initially comes off as a cold, work focused secret agent who is dedicated to her job at DEED, or Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery. She's meant to save those being exploited by humans. She herself is a centaur. Honestly I didnt like Rebecca at first but you see her Crack when they introduce the character Aurora whom Rebecca saved from an abusive household. However Aurora is kidnapped again (and seems to be a part of a string of new activity) and Rebecca is told she cant pursue it by DEED and is given other tasks that she notes are definitely not her usual jobs; all the while shes worrying about Aurora and ready to throw out the rule book to save her.
This causes her to start to re evaluate her life and is DEED the only thing she is? Rebecca starts to grow as a character and you really start to root for her and then I couldn't put it down.
Is DEED what they claim to be? Why wont they let Rebecca save Auroa and what is being hidden? Read on to find out... I can see a sequel with this one!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEED is the first book I've read by Jim Doran. The title of the book The Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery: DEED is lengthy and captures the vanity rampant in the organization it is named after. DEED is an organization run by mythicals, set up to protect and extract mythicals in the human world. Rebecca is a top agent for DEED, albeit one that dislikes the rigid rules. When one of her missions is disrupted and her rescue, Aurora, is kidnapped, Rebecca begins to question everything. The world-building in this book is vivid, detailed, and immersive. I found myself transported to the various locations Rebecca is assigned to. I could see the fantastical mythicals, from yeti to giants, fairies to sirens and everything in between. The character development is there, especially for Rebecca. She experiences growth throughout the course of the book, and I found myself invested in her success and happiness. Overall, a medium-paced read full of magic, secrets, adventure, amazing creatures, and much more. I can't wait to read more by Jim Doran.

[C. D'Arc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This urban fantasy explores a fun variety of mythical creatures from around the world. We follow Rebecca, a mythical working for the Department of Extraordinary Emigration and Delivery (AKA: DEED). As a field agent, Rebecca's job is to make sure mythicals remain secret and safe from ignorant and/or abusive humans, trained in multiple forms of combat and weaponry to safely secure and transport her clients to safety. To the great pleasure of any thriller reader, this book explores the various ways that can be applied and go wrong.

Many of Mr. Doran's books include romance (and as a hopeless romantic, I'm constantly looking for characters to ship), but DEED's relationships are less about romance and more about family. Heart-warming and thrilling to the end, I couldn't wait for the next page in this whimsical thriller.

This is a stand-alone, but I hope there are sequels, because these characters are too intriguing, and there's SO much I want to explore in this version of our world.

[Jessica Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thrilling urban fantasy novel that dives into a world where mythical creatures exist, hidden from humankind. It was a intriguing read that offers a refreshing take on the afterlife. The narrative follows the various "couriers" of DEED as they navigate the often confusing and sometimes absurd pathways of the deceased and Rebecca, a secret agent for DEED, whose job is to protect these creatures. When a dangerous operation involving the abduction of these creatures comes to light, she defies her organization to take on the mission herself. Doran has crafted a world that is both comical and wonderfully fantastical. The characters are distinct and genuinely endearing, each with their own unique quirks and challenges. I really enjoyed reading this book and hopefully we'll see more of Rebecca and these creatures as they pass on to the afterlife.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was such a fun and exciting urban fantasy, I am thrilled I decided to check it out! I always enjoy reading fantasy and this novel was perfect! I have not read other works from the author, but I will be changing that quickly. The story revolves around Rebecca, a mythical worker, who is a centaur, who is a field agent for the DEED, her job is to keep mythicals safe and secret from humans. She is trained in multiple different types of combat and weaponry to transport her clients to safety. The thrilling part of the story is when things go wrong, and Rebecca finds herself having to decide if she is going to follow protocol or break the rules to save her fellow mythics from humans. This was a fast paced and exciting novel! I would love to see more adventures from Rebecca and the DEED.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unbelievably exciting, fast-paced adventure that kept me hooked from the first page. I was astonished that I’d never heard of this author before, but I am now looking for more of their work! The world-building is absolutely marvelous, and I would say that it stole the show, but the character development was another star. Rebecca is an incredible MC who is strong on her journey of self-discovery. The pacing of the story is perfect as the tension builds steadily when Rebecca faces unexpected challenges at every turn. There are plenty of gray areas of right and wrong that I believe the author crafted very well. This story will leave you questioning just how far you’d go to protect what you love and what you might lose along the way. If you’re looking for a thrilling fantasy that has twists and turns, this should be your next read!

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has created an interesting world where mythical creatures exist as well as a special department that helps them find their way to safety. Rebecca is a special agent that is tased in doing so. We get to follow Rebecca and see some of her adventures. What starts as an easy extraction soon turns into an abduction. Soon Rebecca is fighting her way to save the day.
This is an interesting world with some strong characters. There is a nice mix of intrigue and emotions. The plot moves at a good pace and keeps you engaged. Readers get to see what is behind the façade that Rebecca shows the world as an agent. As she fights her way to save Aurora she begins to self-reflect. It was interesting to see how Rebecca interacts with different people and I enjoyed seeing the ways that the mythical beings hide in the human world. This is a quick and easy read full of gadgets and adventure.