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S.C.Y.T.H.E Mystery #3
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Living Twice
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26He’s been charged with possession before, but never like this.
Jack McCoy was a thief and a liar. Then he died.
Margaret Chen transported souls for the biggest afterlife collection company in North America. Then she met Jack.
Possession isn’t really supposed to be possible, but Jack McCoy never let a little thing like reality stop him. Now he’s committing the ultimate identity theft, living a new life in Margaret’s body while his own lies six feet under. Keeping up appearances as a geriatric grim reaper for S.C.Y.T.H.E. is a full-time job, but when Jack is sent to collect the soul of an old friend, his criminal past catches up with him and suddenly he’s planning the heist of his (after)life with a gang of misfits he never thought he’d see again.
Now the only woman he’s ever loved depends on his success in stealing a priceless list of souls from S.C.Y.T.H.E., but someone keeps beating him at his own game. Time is running out. If Jack puts one bunioned foot out of line it will cost him not only the people who matter most but also his second chance at life. . .
Jack McCoy was a thief and a liar. Then he died.
Margaret Chen transported souls for the biggest afterlife collection company in North America. Then she met Jack.
Possession isn’t really supposed to be possible, but Jack McCoy never let a little thing like reality stop him. Now he’s committing the ultimate identity theft, living a new life in Margaret’s body while his own lies six feet under. Keeping up appearances as a geriatric grim reaper for S.C.Y.T.H.E. is a full-time job, but when Jack is sent to collect the soul of an old friend, his criminal past catches up with him and suddenly he’s planning the heist of his (after)life with a gang of misfits he never thought he’d see again.
Now the only woman he’s ever loved depends on his success in stealing a priceless list of souls from S.C.Y.T.H.E., but someone keeps beating him at his own game. Time is running out. If Jack puts one bunioned foot out of line it will cost him not only the people who matter most but also his second chance at life. . .
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Want to Read
July 4, 2026💀🖤 A Grim Reaper's Guide to Living Twice 🖤💀
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Paranormal Mystery
• Grim Reapers
• Body Swap
• Second Chance
• Found Family
• Magical Heist
• Supernatural Adventure
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Paranormal Mystery
• Grim Reapers
• Body Swap
• Second Chance
• Found Family
• Magical Heist
• Supernatural Adventure
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 28, 2026
Small-time crook Jack McCoy takes possession to the next level when he dies and his body is being shuttled to the afterlife. Octogenarian Margaret Chen transports souls for the biggest afterlife collection agency in North America. It is her job to transport Jack's essence, but instead she finds herself sharing her body with the thief.
Possession is not supposed to be possible, but Jack is quietly keeping up appearances in the S.C.Y.T.H.E office as the geriatric grim reaper. That is until he is tasked to transport the soul of an old criminal friend, and is convinced by him to pull off one last heist.
Together, Jack (Margaret), and his childhood gang of misfits plan to steal a priceless list of impending souls to sell, but someone is outmaneuvering the group at every turn. Will digging into the secrets of S.C.Y.T.H.E cost Jack is friends AND his second chance at life?
loved the premise of this book and as a reader of the other S.C.Y.T.H.E mystery books, and this being the third installment, I expected this one to blow me away, but it missed the mark for me. The storyline slowed just before the halfway mark, and was filled with moments inessential to the story's progression, which made it difficult to know what direction the story was headed. That said, it definitely had its enjoyable and humorous moments, and the last chapter hooked me into reading the series further.
Publishing Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Maxie Dara for the honor of reading this book ahead of publishing!!
Possession is not supposed to be possible, but Jack is quietly keeping up appearances in the S.C.Y.T.H.E office as the geriatric grim reaper. That is until he is tasked to transport the soul of an old criminal friend, and is convinced by him to pull off one last heist.
Together, Jack (Margaret), and his childhood gang of misfits plan to steal a priceless list of impending souls to sell, but someone is outmaneuvering the group at every turn. Will digging into the secrets of S.C.Y.T.H.E cost Jack is friends AND his second chance at life?
loved the premise of this book and as a reader of the other S.C.Y.T.H.E mystery books, and this being the third installment, I expected this one to blow me away, but it missed the mark for me. The storyline slowed just before the halfway mark, and was filled with moments inessential to the story's progression, which made it difficult to know what direction the story was headed. That said, it definitely had its enjoyable and humorous moments, and the last chapter hooked me into reading the series further.
Publishing Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Maxie Dara for the honor of reading this book ahead of publishing!!
June 8, 2026
Finished in one sitting. Book three is usually where I know if I will be reading on and I will absolutely be reading on. What a world the author created and I’m excited for more.
ARC provided by publisher and NetGalley.
ARC provided by publisher and NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amusing, crisp, and fun A Grim Reaper's Guide to Living Twice was just the right balance I needed to hit the reset button this week. (I love how books can do that sometimes!📚)
If you've enjoyed the series so far chances are good, you will like this foray back into the world of S.C.Y.T.H.E. Secure Collection Yielding Transportation of Human Essences....or you know grim reapers who do NOT appreciate the term. This time around we are following the lives of different individuals impacted by death. We meet Jack a small-time thief who makes the ultimate score when he possesses the octogenarian reaper who shows up to collect his soul after his untimely demise. After committing such brazen identity theft, he has to step into her kitten heels and start living her life including showing up to usher the newly deceased to the afterlife. He arrives to collect a gunshot victim to find he is an old friend who convinces him to pull off one more heist. They assemble the old crew and hijinks ensue.
There is a mix of humor and heart eliciting the feel of a light cozy read with high entertainment value. The chapters fly by and watching a guy like Jack navigate the world of S.C.Y.T.H.E. kept me engaged. I love how the next novel is set up toward the end and I am already looking forward to it!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you've enjoyed the series so far chances are good, you will like this foray back into the world of S.C.Y.T.H.E. Secure Collection Yielding Transportation of Human Essences....or you know grim reapers who do NOT appreciate the term. This time around we are following the lives of different individuals impacted by death. We meet Jack a small-time thief who makes the ultimate score when he possesses the octogenarian reaper who shows up to collect his soul after his untimely demise. After committing such brazen identity theft, he has to step into her kitten heels and start living her life including showing up to usher the newly deceased to the afterlife. He arrives to collect a gunshot victim to find he is an old friend who convinces him to pull off one more heist. They assemble the old crew and hijinks ensue.
There is a mix of humor and heart eliciting the feel of a light cozy read with high entertainment value. The chapters fly by and watching a guy like Jack navigate the world of S.C.Y.T.H.E. kept me engaged. I love how the next novel is set up toward the end and I am already looking forward to it!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book 3, and I am still enjoying this cozy mystery. At the heart of all 3 books is family or found family, even in the face of death. Along with a mystery to solve. The stories have all been delightful, some I like more than others. But it is a series I will continue to read as the books are published.
Jack McCoy was supposed to die. Well, he is dead, but he found a loophole, one that forces him to work for SCYTHE collecting souls. That is just Jack’s nature: always scheming and somehow coming out on top. While he has relied on a close-knit group of childhood friends, he must now plan and execute the ultimate heist to save a friend and a soul. However, someone always seems to be one step ahead of him. To pull off this final job, Jack has to navigate his full-time soul-collecting duties while avoiding suspicion at work. I loved that this installment explores the inner workings of SCYTHE deeply, continually building upon the world and its rules. While it feels a bit darker than its predecessors, the story balances that grit with humor, the warmth of a found family, and the same cozy atmosphere of the earlier books. The ending is immensely satisfying; the final conclusion had me smiling and clapping. Once you finish the book, you will see exactly why!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for continuing to grant my request for this series!
Jack McCoy was supposed to die. Well, he is dead, but he found a loophole, one that forces him to work for SCYTHE collecting souls. That is just Jack’s nature: always scheming and somehow coming out on top. While he has relied on a close-knit group of childhood friends, he must now plan and execute the ultimate heist to save a friend and a soul. However, someone always seems to be one step ahead of him. To pull off this final job, Jack has to navigate his full-time soul-collecting duties while avoiding suspicion at work. I loved that this installment explores the inner workings of SCYTHE deeply, continually building upon the world and its rules. While it feels a bit darker than its predecessors, the story balances that grit with humor, the warmth of a found family, and the same cozy atmosphere of the earlier books. The ending is immensely satisfying; the final conclusion had me smiling and clapping. Once you finish the book, you will see exactly why!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for continuing to grant my request for this series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✦⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆✦
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★★★ ¼
THANK YOU NETGALLEY & MAXIE DARA!!
❤️🪦🔎🔪👻
It took off right from the start, and the plot was definitely more enticing than the second book and honestly, maybe even the first. There was so much happening that it kept me hooked and even when the pace slowed down juuust a tad, it didn't last long before things picked right back up.
This was such a fun, fast paced read and I feel like I was starting to dip into a reading slump before this came along and completely pulled me out of it. I flew through this one and I think it might even be my favorite of the series so far. It had everything I was looking for and reminded me why I love this series in the first place.
So, if you're wondering whether you should start this series, or whether you should pick up this book, this is your sign to DO IT! You won't regret it.
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★★★ ¼
THANK YOU NETGALLEY & MAXIE DARA!!
❤️🪦🔎🔪👻
It took off right from the start, and the plot was definitely more enticing than the second book and honestly, maybe even the first. There was so much happening that it kept me hooked and even when the pace slowed down juuust a tad, it didn't last long before things picked right back up.
This was such a fun, fast paced read and I feel like I was starting to dip into a reading slump before this came along and completely pulled me out of it. I flew through this one and I think it might even be my favorite of the series so far. It had everything I was looking for and reminded me why I love this series in the first place.
So, if you're wondering whether you should start this series, or whether you should pick up this book, this is your sign to DO IT! You won't regret it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An entertaining read that’s full of both humor and heart!
The scenes of Jack trying to pull off one last con while inhabiting the body of a geriatric Grim Reaper are hilarious. I also really enjoyed seeing him navigate his new (after)life while trying to relive and revive his past.
The shifting timelines between past and present were a nice touch, showing the parallels between the characters' childhood and adult cons while adding even more heart to their Goonies-like friendship.
This book has a little bit of everything—mystery, second chances, found family, high-stakes heists, and plenty of supernatural shenanigans. And that ending! An unexpected twist and a thrilling cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see where the fourth book takes us!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!
The scenes of Jack trying to pull off one last con while inhabiting the body of a geriatric Grim Reaper are hilarious. I also really enjoyed seeing him navigate his new (after)life while trying to relive and revive his past.
The shifting timelines between past and present were a nice touch, showing the parallels between the characters' childhood and adult cons while adding even more heart to their Goonies-like friendship.
This book has a little bit of everything—mystery, second chances, found family, high-stakes heists, and plenty of supernatural shenanigans. And that ending! An unexpected twist and a thrilling cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see where the fourth book takes us!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved book one of this series and couldn’t help being disappointed when book two introduced new characters instead of following Kathy again. With book three, I was prepared for this fact and was hopeful I would love the new characters. I didn’t like Jack at first, but I’ll admit he grew on me as the story progressed, as did the supporting characters. This installment was entertaining from start to finish. I never saw the twist coming and the cliffhanger left me SOOO excited for the next book in the series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest opinion.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SERIES! I'm so excited that I got to read the third book as an ARC. I really loved the first one, the second one was pretty good but a little weird, this one really hit it out of the park and brought it full circle. I totally did not see the ending coming, or who it turned out to be. I will be so excited when the next book comes out, and we get to see what's happening in the world of death.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SERIES! I'm so excited that I got to read the third book as an ARC. I really loved the first one, the second one was pretty good but a little weird, this one really hit it out of the park and brought it full circle. I totally did not see the ending coming, or who it turned out to be. I will be so excited when the next book comes out, and we get to see what's happening in the world of death.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved the first two books and this third installment did not disappoint! Each book can be read out of order but there were a few nods to the previous two books in the first two pages of the book with myths about scythe. I really love the quick pacing, witty humor and how the characters are relatable in their own way. I like that her writing style doesn't try too hard and you can just settle into a highly entertaining story. 10/10 would recommend!!!
July 4, 2026
I like this series and find it an amusing look at death and the grim reaper as a corporate business. While these books can be read as standalones, the ending of this title hints at these stories coming together for the follow up.
Look for my full review in Library Journal.
Look for my full review in Library Journal.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews