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Dead Ends: Volume 1
Some feelings can't be buried.
In the city of Candlewick, everything has rules, including magic. Gone is the Spire of Khal-Drol and in its place is a coffee shop. Magic has been leashed, along with those who practice it. Margaret Locke was once amongst them, but now, she has a more important, if less glamorous, role to play. Margaret is a corpse compliance officer, ensuring that those who employ the undead treat their workers fairly and returning restless spirits to the Beyond. She works long nights and comes home smelling like ectoplasm, but at least she lives alone.
But love can find anyone at anytime, even in a dark alley at midnight. When Margaret meets Theo, he makes a strong first for one thing, he's dead.
Theo has only been dead for ninety minutes, which means his soul is still hanging around. Law forbids Margaret's department from performing resurrections, so Theo must return to the grave. Except he is the first amongst dozens of undead who've been freed from their graves and turned loose upon the city. Theo can't remember who he is or what happened to him. Finding the answers could lead Margaret to the culprit of the mass raising and save the city. To do so, she'll need help, even if it's from a charming, young wizard with projectile dysfunction.
The dead threaten to outnumber the living, which is really screwing up the census. Margaret has been given three days to solve a murder, catch a necromancer, and get the dead back in their graves. Oh, and to not fall in love. Just another day on the job.
In the city of Candlewick, everything has rules, including magic. Gone is the Spire of Khal-Drol and in its place is a coffee shop. Magic has been leashed, along with those who practice it. Margaret Locke was once amongst them, but now, she has a more important, if less glamorous, role to play. Margaret is a corpse compliance officer, ensuring that those who employ the undead treat their workers fairly and returning restless spirits to the Beyond. She works long nights and comes home smelling like ectoplasm, but at least she lives alone.
But love can find anyone at anytime, even in a dark alley at midnight. When Margaret meets Theo, he makes a strong first for one thing, he's dead.
Theo has only been dead for ninety minutes, which means his soul is still hanging around. Law forbids Margaret's department from performing resurrections, so Theo must return to the grave. Except he is the first amongst dozens of undead who've been freed from their graves and turned loose upon the city. Theo can't remember who he is or what happened to him. Finding the answers could lead Margaret to the culprit of the mass raising and save the city. To do so, she'll need help, even if it's from a charming, young wizard with projectile dysfunction.
The dead threaten to outnumber the living, which is really screwing up the census. Margaret has been given three days to solve a murder, catch a necromancer, and get the dead back in their graves. Oh, and to not fall in love. Just another day on the job.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 23, 2025
Dead Ends: Volume 1 is a quirky and clever story set in a world where the dead don’t rest easily — and paperwork rules everything! From the very first page, it mixes fantasy, mystery, and light moments in such a fun and unexpected way that I couldn’t stop reading. It’s not your typical zombie tale — it’s full of wit, charm, and a whole lot of chaos.
The story follows Margaret Locke, a corpse compliance officer, who’s caught in a mess when the dead start rising before their time. With her strange yet lovable companions — a forgetful deadman and a wizard whose spells often go wrong — Margaret faces everything from a growing undead army to a suspicious murder. Each chapter is filled with surprising situations, strange magic, and smart plot twists.
Sabrina Guild’s writing feels new and creative. She mixes serious situations with surprising moments that keep the reader interested throughout. The characters feel real and stand out from each other, and the world she has built has its own rules, systems, and clever ideas. It keeps you guessing and smiling at the same time.
If you enjoy stories with strong women, clever plots, and a world that feels both different and fun, this book is definitely worth reading! It’s easy to read, full of surprises, and perfect for anyone looking for something fresh and entertaining. I’m already looking forward to the next part!
The story follows Margaret Locke, a corpse compliance officer, who’s caught in a mess when the dead start rising before their time. With her strange yet lovable companions — a forgetful deadman and a wizard whose spells often go wrong — Margaret faces everything from a growing undead army to a suspicious murder. Each chapter is filled with surprising situations, strange magic, and smart plot twists.
Sabrina Guild’s writing feels new and creative. She mixes serious situations with surprising moments that keep the reader interested throughout. The characters feel real and stand out from each other, and the world she has built has its own rules, systems, and clever ideas. It keeps you guessing and smiling at the same time.
If you enjoy stories with strong women, clever plots, and a world that feels both different and fun, this book is definitely worth reading! It’s easy to read, full of surprises, and perfect for anyone looking for something fresh and entertaining. I’m already looking forward to the next part!
August 22, 2025
I found the author through TikTok and decided to take a chance on this book. I'm so happy that I did. I really havent read anything like this before. It was such a fun take on magic, fantasy, and zombies that I couldn't put it down. It's light-hearted, funny, mysterious, and really does feel like a romcom met a Doctor Who episode. For anyone whos on the fence, take a leap!! You won't regret it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews