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Dead Matters: A Forensic Thriller
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27Ella Wilson takes the cases science can't solve—and works to separate myths from monsters—in this gripping thriller from CSI writer/producer Josh Berman.
At 3:02 a.m. in Savannah's historic district, a hideous, shuffling figure crosses the town square under the eye of a bank security camera. The next morning, FBI agent Ella Wilson is summoned to a nearby house where a man lies dead and partially devoured. Her partner reminds her that zombies aren't real, but as head of the Paranormal Crimes Unit, tasked with cases that seemingly defy scientific explanation, Ella knows to keep her mind as open as the victim's chest cavity.
With the security footage already leaked online and racking up views, the pressure to explain the inexplicable is mounting. But each new piece of evidence only deepens the beetles found on the victim belonging to a species long-thought extinct, or the decaying arm recovered near the victim's home from an entirely different body, and a scrap of fabric at the murder scene linking back to the Civil War. As the contradictions pile up, Ella is forced to confront the possibility that the case may lie beyond the limits of conventional investigation.
Zombie lore stretches back centuries, but in an age of deepfakes and drug-induced psychosis, separating myth from reality has never been more difficult. If something real is hiding beneath the noise, Ella will uncover it. She came to the FBI for justice. She stayed for cases like this . . .
Taut, character-driven, and steeped in atmosphere, Dead Matters delivers the intensity of CSI with the psychological edge of Mindhunter and southern tension of True Detective.
At 3:02 a.m. in Savannah's historic district, a hideous, shuffling figure crosses the town square under the eye of a bank security camera. The next morning, FBI agent Ella Wilson is summoned to a nearby house where a man lies dead and partially devoured. Her partner reminds her that zombies aren't real, but as head of the Paranormal Crimes Unit, tasked with cases that seemingly defy scientific explanation, Ella knows to keep her mind as open as the victim's chest cavity.
With the security footage already leaked online and racking up views, the pressure to explain the inexplicable is mounting. But each new piece of evidence only deepens the beetles found on the victim belonging to a species long-thought extinct, or the decaying arm recovered near the victim's home from an entirely different body, and a scrap of fabric at the murder scene linking back to the Civil War. As the contradictions pile up, Ella is forced to confront the possibility that the case may lie beyond the limits of conventional investigation.
Zombie lore stretches back centuries, but in an age of deepfakes and drug-induced psychosis, separating myth from reality has never been more difficult. If something real is hiding beneath the noise, Ella will uncover it. She came to the FBI for justice. She stayed for cases like this . . .
Taut, character-driven, and steeped in atmosphere, Dead Matters delivers the intensity of CSI with the psychological edge of Mindhunter and southern tension of True Detective.
272 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 12, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dead Matters is an entertaining, refreshing entry in modern dark urban fantasy and horror comedy. Josh Berman delivers a funny, morbidly inventive ride that is perfect for readers who like their scares served with a generous side of dark wit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dead Matters was such a unique combination of forensic thriller, FBI investigation, and paranormal mystery—and honestly, I had a blast trying to figure out what the hell was actually going on. 😂
The premise immediately hooked me. A seemingly impossible murder, evidence that contradicts everything investigators know, and an FBI unit specifically created to handle cases that science can’t quite explain? YES. The further Ella digs, the stranger everything becomes, and I loved that the story constantly kept me questioning whether there was a rational explanation or something genuinely supernatural happening.
Ella was definitely a highlight for me. I enjoyed following her investigation and watching her piece together the seemingly impossible clues. The forensic elements were particularly fun, and you can absolutely feel Josh Berman’s experience with crime and procedural storytelling coming through.
I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. There was a creepy Southern Gothic quality running underneath the investigation that gave the story an extra layer of tension, and the combination of science, folklore, and paranormal possibilities made this feel refreshingly different from the typical procedural thriller.
My biggest hesitation was that some parts didn’t hit quite as strongly for me as others, and I occasionally wanted the pacing to move a little faster. But the overall concept was so original that I was completely willing to follow the story wherever it wanted to go.
If you love CSI-style forensic investigations, FBI procedurals, supernatural mysteries, creepy atmosphere, and cases that make you question what is actually possible, Dead Matters is definitely worth picking up.
A very solid 4 stars from me—and I’m absolutely curious to see where the Paranormal Crimes Unit goes next.
The premise immediately hooked me. A seemingly impossible murder, evidence that contradicts everything investigators know, and an FBI unit specifically created to handle cases that science can’t quite explain? YES. The further Ella digs, the stranger everything becomes, and I loved that the story constantly kept me questioning whether there was a rational explanation or something genuinely supernatural happening.
Ella was definitely a highlight for me. I enjoyed following her investigation and watching her piece together the seemingly impossible clues. The forensic elements were particularly fun, and you can absolutely feel Josh Berman’s experience with crime and procedural storytelling coming through.
I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. There was a creepy Southern Gothic quality running underneath the investigation that gave the story an extra layer of tension, and the combination of science, folklore, and paranormal possibilities made this feel refreshingly different from the typical procedural thriller.
My biggest hesitation was that some parts didn’t hit quite as strongly for me as others, and I occasionally wanted the pacing to move a little faster. But the overall concept was so original that I was completely willing to follow the story wherever it wanted to go.
If you love CSI-style forensic investigations, FBI procedurals, supernatural mysteries, creepy atmosphere, and cases that make you question what is actually possible, Dead Matters is definitely worth picking up.
A very solid 4 stars from me—and I’m absolutely curious to see where the Paranormal Crimes Unit goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The thought of an X-File type book thrilled me. I love the concept of a forensic exploration of paranormal phenomena. However, I have to say this book fell short of my expectations.
In my opinion, this may have been better as a novella because it was far too heavy on backstory and multiple character personal drama. At times, I almost forgot I was reading a forensic thriller. If it had been a novella most of this personal drama could have been cut out and what remains would have been a very interesting forensic investigation. I did enjoy the discoveries and truth behind the phenomena. Unfortunately, the large sections of personal issues just pulled me out of the story that I wanted to read.
I think this could be a great series however, it needs to have more meat to the thriller/investigation than this first novel has.
I would like to thank the publisher for providing this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In my opinion, this may have been better as a novella because it was far too heavy on backstory and multiple character personal drama. At times, I almost forgot I was reading a forensic thriller. If it had been a novella most of this personal drama could have been cut out and what remains would have been a very interesting forensic investigation. I did enjoy the discoveries and truth behind the phenomena. Unfortunately, the large sections of personal issues just pulled me out of the story that I wanted to read.
I think this could be a great series however, it needs to have more meat to the thriller/investigation than this first novel has.
I would like to thank the publisher for providing this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2026
Dead Matters by Josh Berman
I had quite high hopes going into Dead Matters, but unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The story felt quite rigid in places and I struggled with the flow at times, some parts felt a little rough around the edges. The characters were okay, but I felt like they were missing that something extra that would have made me really connect with them.
That said, there were aspects I enjoyed, and the overall idea behind the story was interesting. I just expected it to be a little better and found myself wanting more from it.
Overall, it was an okay read with some enjoyable moments, but it was a bit hit and miss for me. There was potential there, but the execution felt a little lacking in places.
Thank you NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
I had quite high hopes going into Dead Matters, but unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The story felt quite rigid in places and I struggled with the flow at times, some parts felt a little rough around the edges. The characters were okay, but I felt like they were missing that something extra that would have made me really connect with them.
That said, there were aspects I enjoyed, and the overall idea behind the story was interesting. I just expected it to be a little better and found myself wanting more from it.
Overall, it was an okay read with some enjoyable moments, but it was a bit hit and miss for me. There was potential there, but the execution felt a little lacking in places.
Thank you NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the characters with complicated relationships and secrets in their pasts, the intriguing mystery, the consideration of zombie lore, and the exploration of scientific fact. There's a wealth of material here for a series--I hope this book is the first of many!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Masterpiece.
September 17, 2026
Kept me guesses every step of the way. Ella is a badass. I'm excited to see where her story goes from here.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews