Deadly Avarice

Necromancer Tales #3

by M.J. May

Sane and loved, Erasmus Boone is a unicorn among necromancers. Others aren’t nearly so fortunate. Necromancers need help, and since no one else is applying for the job, Erasmus feels it’s his responsibility. The hurdles are many, not the least of which is locating off the grid necromancers. When the Warlock Council stubbornly refuses even the barest of aid, Erasmus makes a call he fears he’ll regret. Help doesn’t come free, and Erasmus wonders if he’ll be able to pay the price when the bill finally comes due.

Detective Franklin O’Hare is a human hopelessly in love and helplessly out of his depth when it comes to keeping Erasmus alive. Erasmus’s need to locate and aid other necromancers is an emotional ticking time bomb. Add this newest quest to Erasmus’s penchant for digging up dead and buried secrets, and Franklin is left wondering how he can ensure Erasmus not only lives his best life but remains alive at all.

Erasmus’s quest is derailed when a simple soul retrieval turns out to be anything but. Erasmus has retrieved numerous souls over the years, but he’s never had a case where the soul attached to the remains didn’t match the name written on their grave marker. Something stinks, and it’s not the burnt remains Erasmus is working with.

Avarice is rarely satisfied and is the root of far too many evils to count. Erasmus and Franklin know that fact all too well. Avarice hides behind murder, but it can also shadow covetous intentions. While one form of avarice strives to end Erasmus’s life, another desires to enslave it. One form is far more dangerous than the other, and it’s not the version attempting to kill Erasmus Boone.

Deadly Avarice is the third 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 Avarice 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, murderously greedy humans, a questionably moral all-powerful djinn, an innocent hamster who just wants roll around in its ball, a cool Mississippi winter, and an ancient being who desires more power than any creature should wield and has decided a certain necromancer is key to satisfying that greed.

Mentions of violence, murder, souls brought back from the beyond, speciest bigotry, and a few characters of questionable morals and sanity.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Magic, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance, LGBT

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2025

About the author

I'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

Reviews

[Kimbot the Destroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cozy-adjacent installment in a series I enjoy. Excited to see where the extended storylines are going, and want to protect Boone as much as his mama and daddy do.

[Taylor Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK follow up

I've read the series since the pixie beginning and so far this one sadly is my least favorite. I feel like it dragged on and was very wordy unnecessarily. There was almost no point to me of this book except to introduce a new threat of the magical council as well as Franklin leading up to finally deciding to propose. I feel all the chapters seemed like fillers and then I love a sudden you got your answers within the last two chapters. Just my opinion and definitely won't keep me from reading the next one.

[Jessica Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid entry into this series. While one threat was wrapped up, another is brewing along nicely. I can't wait to see what the future holds for our favourite necromancer and detective. Loving this series!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid update to the series. Less of a central mystery in this one, as it seems like the build was more on some bigger moves, which I enjoyed.

[Jenette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy enough read although it did drag a bit in places and could have done with a good edit to get rid of some repetition but otherwise another steady instalment is n the series.

[Angelena · Rating 3 out of 5]

While still an enjoyable read, this was my least favorite of this series, and it's Pixie predecessor. There was nothing particularly wrong with the book, it was just slow, although not so slow that I wasn't able to binge it in a day. We get a lot of build up and groundwork being laid for the next book and the new Big Bad, which promises an interesting future, but also means none of that of that built up anticipation and intrigue is satisfied within this book. This book felt like a plot builder and lacked a bit of the humor and general coziness that I enjoy in this series. I am, however, excited for the next book, and I hope we get a release date soon.

[Katie Brownlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Avarice

Another wonderful installment in the Necromancer Tales series. Poor Boone really does attract trouble and the attention of unsavory characters. And Franlin, being a cop as well as Boone's mate, doesn't fare much better. Our boys have a new set of baddies to take down, and some big baddies become more of an issue. Our mysterious Djinn is much less present, and they have to handle things on their own for a bit. I am looking forward to meeting more of the Necromancers in the future.
Highly recommend the series.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. I have really been enjoying this series. Erasmus is such a unique and delightful character and I honestly ant get enough of whatever he does. Franklin is a good match for him, even if he is just a boring human. I also like any appearances by Nicodemus or Aurelia. They are both interesting and unusual characters themselves. I am excited to see how the series develops now that there is a new big bad in the mix.

[Doreen Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

If your into gay romance with a supernatural spin then this the author for you. This another, in a long line of books, that I’ve enjoyed by Author May. All books so for have the right amount of laughter, suspense, excitement, sadness and romance to make a great read. Please enjoy.

[Lee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Avarice

Wow! Erasmus and Franklin are really getting into it this time. The council head has decided that Boone needs to be better protected and is going to be the one to do it. Although he has an ulterior motive! I loved reading this book. I highly recommend reading this series.

[Stine-Mari Fjeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and am eagerly waiting for the next one in the series! MJ Maj writes well and vividly, and I’m looking forward to following the characters further in the next book. I also like that we return to previous characters and get to hear how things are going for them. I recommend this book and the author’s other works as well.

[Barbara Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Avarice: Necromancer Tales

I loved this book. It was a continuation of the other two and tied in nicely. Shadow borne, the Mage council, all leading up to a, hopefully fourth book. And the fairies, shifters, vampires, djinn, humans, necromancer? Can’t wait.

[Anna Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Series, Well Written and Loved

I absolutely love all the books set in this realm! They’re wholesome, comforting, lovely, and just fun to read!! They have some dark twists but nothing that is nerve wracking. Absolutely enjoyable reads, I can’t wait to see what comes next!

[april lessig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

Hey, these characters are totally my top picks in this awesome series! Franklin and Ermus are just awesome, and I'm really into all the cool stuff happening between Holland and Loretta.. Can't wait for the next one!

[Avril Hall-Andujar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book

I hate the way the book ended but am highly anticipating the next book. Boone and O’Hare has a battle coming and I hope the end leaves everyone still with us.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite of the series so far

I think this was the best of the necromancer series so far! I really enjoyed the depth of Erasmus and Franklin's relationship in this book. I also thoroughly enjoyed Aurelia's scenes!

[I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mild general spoiler for this book and past books ahead:


You would think that after having seen the same shit a few times already that they would learn not to go somewhere alone while an ongoing dangerous situation is happening.

I binged this series in the last days and this one was a bit lackluster, repetitive and basically just a prepatation for future stories in this world and/or series.

[Ptdog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining Series

Erasmus is an interesting protagonist. And while the pacing can be a little slow, the characters, plot, and action see us through it. Enjoyed this book and series so far.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

continues Erasmus and Franklin

Erasmus is still the only working necromancer in the world.

Franklin solves a case.

the director of MUC is dangerous leading to a reconnect with the Pixies group in an epilogue and hopefully upcoming book

[Em (Diversify Your Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Aurelia so much!!

These books are excellent and I appreciate that while these books are MM, women are not sidelined or reduced to mothers and sisters.

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure where does this series go in the plotted part, but still I enjoyed the third book in this series.

[Aziza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rounded up from 2.5 stars. This was long for no reason. Too much was happening while at the same time nothing was happening. It was also really repetitive.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

half a book

One star off for major cliffhanger. Nothing really moves ahead in this book as far as overarching ‘save the necromancers’ plot.

[De'Siree Fairley · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 I’m STARVING FOR MOREEEEE. Can’t wait until book 4!!

[Wortkaefig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. This had a bit of middle book syndrome and had pacing issues but I still like it and will continue to read.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow

It was a real chore reading this book it dragged on and was kind of boring, I had to force myself not to dnf this one because I really enjoy this series.

[TP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending with a cliffhanger…

[Stacie Streck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately for me, this is by far the weakest story across both series. I didn't find either Erasmus' mystery or Franklin's all that compelling compared to the first two books. It was also a bit sad to not really have any of the characters from the Pixie series show up, even if only for a brief phone conversation. I'm also sort of... irritated? At Tenzen Huxley, and I can't pinpoint why. It's like there's something about him as the villain that just doesn't fit quite right. Overall I'm still excited for the next book and their hopeful wedding.