Waking Up Dead: A Mystery

by Nigel Williams

Retired bank manager George Pearmain is, apparently, dead. According to the behavior of everyone around him, it would seem that he is no more. Not only that, but his mother has also passed away too - and on the eve of her 99th year, poor dear. Not only that , it could be that they were both murdered.

He feels fine otherwise.

As George's family gather for the birthday-celebration-that-never-was, he hovers around the house, watching and listening, entirely unseen. As a result, he makes all sorts of discoveries about himself, his wife Esmeralda, and his supposedly happy family . . .

One of internationally bestselling author Nigel Williams' best books to date, Waking Up Dead is both a screamingly funny cozy mystery and startlingly strange ghost story asking the What would you do if you could bear witness to your own demise?

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published August 23, 2016

Reviews

[Jill Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newly retired bank manager, George Pearmain, woke up on the morning of the celebration of his mother Jessica's 99th birthday, dead. He was dead in his bed, and coincidentally, downstairs, his mother was also found dead on the kitchen floor. And so begins British author Nigel Williams' newest black comedy, "R.I.P". Most of Williams' novels take place in Putney, a prosperous London suburb located southwest of the city. (Filled with executive types and their families, Putney was also the scene of one of Williams' funniest novels, "Unfaithfully Yours".) George and Esmeralda Pearmain have raised two sons in Putney and have had a reasonably happy marriage, at least until George's sudden death.

But not only is George's death untimely, it also doesn't cause George to go where ever you go when you go. George is still around; invisible to the living, he hovers above the police and family as both his death and his mother's are being investigated. He sees the family as they tiptoe around the two deaths, which increase by one as George's batty sister is found dead. Her death by hanging is considered a suicide. But as much as the three deaths are mourned, much more interest is being paid to Jessica Pearmain's will and missing codicil. That codicil is worth both finding...and then destroying as the guilty party is basically named in it. The characters - both dead and alive - are, for the most part, vain, petty, dotty, as well as evil and dastardly. Oh, and there's a dead dog who makes the scene.

Part of Williams' novel is a mystery - who's knocking the family off, but the other part is a family love story. George Pearmain only begins to truly recognise how much he loved and valued his wife after he's unable to express those sentiments to her. Nigel Williams' witty novel is not for every reader.Both his characters and plots are dark...but darkly funny. I love his work.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Pearmain, an irascible retired bank manager, wakes up one morning to hear his wife screaming that George's mother, about to celebrate her 99th birthday, is dead. But George can't get up because he seems to be dead himself, though he feels perfectly well. When the police finally arrive, Inspector Hobday seems to think that both George and his mother Jessica were murdered. As George adjusts to being dead, yet feeling alive in some ways, he realizes that his life was really quite enjoyable, and that he really did love his wife, despite their quarrels. Maybe his job in (after)life is to help Hobday find his murderer? From the description, you wouldn't think this was screamingly funny--but it is.

[Shirley]

An oxymoron...yes? A dear friend told me over lunch that she feared this...I laughed heartily as I assured her it could not happen...even so I was drawn to the title and I was hooked because I love a mystery. The protagonist pulls off the titular feat and experience everything through his eyes...sometimes crass slapstick humor, sometimes poignant insightfulness and sometimes really funny. Hiding beneath the mystery is a cautionary tale. Quite the ghost tour!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Waking Up Dead" is a dark comedic mystery which I won through Goodreads Giveaways that begins with the murder of George Pearmain and his mother Jessica on the eve of her 99th birthday. Masterfully satirical and highly entertaining George wakes up in an incorporeal body to search for the killer who poisoned his wine and left his mother bludgeoned to death in the kitchen the previous night. As the criminal investigation progresses he mingles with his wife, family and friends, learning about the man he once was.

The plot is cleverly constructed as George not only keeps tabs on the police investigation to uncover the killer but sadly in death learns the value of life and the depth of his love for Esmeralda. Intermingled with a talking Irish wolfhound, iconic references to the past, and an amusing allusion to modern media with Lulu Belhatchett's program "Come Sit on My Knee" Nigel William's crafts a murder mystery rooted in greed and jealousy.

Breathing life into this imaginative mystery are characters that infuse the plot line with passion, intensity and drama like George Pearmain the fat, crusty, and aloof retired bank manager who farts and drinks a lot. Yet for all his weaknesses and with more enemies than friends he is fair-minded and honest, his mother bequeathing him her million dollar estate to administrate. His wife Esmeralda in contrast is smart, insightful, and assertive, although she can be shy and often irritable with George's thoughtlessness. Like the clever, logical and frank DI Hobday who can be slightly uncouth, Esmeralda shows a knack for detail and police work.

Among the other characters in this engrossing novel Frigga Pearmain is the batty sister who has no aptitude for anything except being depressed, hating George and feeling guilty; Stephen Pearmain the responsible, successful, condescending younger brother; Lulu Belhatchett his snobby, vain and ambitious wife; and Pawlikowski the insensitive, ill-mannered pathologist.

I liked " Waking Up Dead" although I'm not sure it's to everyone's taste. Well-written and funny it should be read and enjoyed by those who'd like a dark, satirical murder mystery with an unusual ghostly hero.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first 25% of the book, but just couldn't get into it. It felt pretentious and pompous, and not at all funny. This book just isn't for me.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waking Up Dead was definitely "okay", but I seriously wanted to push the story along and get on with it. Lots of side stories, which some readers may appreciate, but I was annoyed by it and found myself simply scanning to get back to the real story. George Pearmain wakes up to his wife complaining about him still sleeping, all the work she has to do every day, how inconsiderate he is, and he simply lays there listening. George knows he got extremely drunk the night before, but soon everyone is all upset! George's 99-year old mother is dead in the kitchen and he is now learning he, too, is dead! Let the investigation, mystery, and story-telling begin. Waking Up Dead is sweet in that George is reminded of all the reasons he loves his wife, and I was especially touched by the ending.

[Monroe Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting story

Well, never read such a story, very good characterization. A mystery yet more. A tale from the other side maybe. George was a peculiar character, even in death. Well, we see him more in death than life. It seemed to read kind of fast but smoothly, if you know what I mean. Just enough action to keep the story going and enough mystery to keep,you guessing. Some unbelievable characters like Inspector Hobday. Might read another one of his.

[Sarita Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you wake up one morning and realize that your life has become a death? George Pearmain must discover how to navigate through this new reality, while at the same time trying to figure out how he ended up passing from the realm of the living to that of the dead and who is responsible for his death.

I would highly recommend this book. It was equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, and I think it is well worth a read.

[Mydonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked " Waking Up Dead" although I'm not sure it's to everyone's taste. Well-written and funny it should be read and enjoyed by those who'd like a dark, satirical murder mystery with an unusual ghostly hero.

[Jan Corona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the scenes in this book are the funniest things I’ve ever read. LOL funny. That scene at the funeral makes me laugh just thinking about it. I had the mystery figured out early in the book but the ride to the end was fun.

[X · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat amusing. Something to read if there's nothing else to read.

[Jill Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought I would. The story is very different and that kept me engaged. I think this would make a fantastic play!!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story but the writing style was not for me.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost aggressively humorous, even with half of the references going over my head due to being too literary or too British it still managed to make me laugh.

[Gayle Pace · Rating 3 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS

If you love murder mysteries, than here's one for you What makes it unique is it is told from the outlook of one of the victims. On top of that, the victim ends up solving the mystery. Now that is different. In another way, the author makes this mystery different in that it is full of humor. You'll find yourself laughing as you turn the pages. Refreshing and on the lighter side.The author gives the reader George, retired and just doesn't care any more. Life is dull and he just hasn't the inclination to even get out of bed but why is that? The title of the book tells why. He may be waking up dead, but he doesn't feel dead. Is he dead, for real? or does he just feel like he is? This "being dead" let's George say and do whatever he feels but on the flip side, he can also hear what everyone else says. George isn't surprised that he may be dead. He hasn't exactly led a healthy life. Then the author gives you another death. George's mother is found dead, age 99, from a fractured skull. The author gives us some very interesting characters being introduced at a family gathering. Now these characters, some being a little in left field, egotistical, eccentric and some may even have murder on their minds. I found the funniest character of all was the dog, who is dead. Being dead he is the only one who can see George who is dead. Now the author gives you much to think about. You get to be the detective and you have to decide who was the murderer or murderers of George, George's dog, and several other characters.The author makes you laugh at some serious topics like smartphones, families that don't get along, police detectives and lots of the other everyday people and life's emotions. The author leaves you with a serious ending to balance out the humor.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Nigel Williams and Night Owl Reviews and I voluntarily decided to review it.

[Sam - Spines in a Line · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy of this through NetGalley. It was pretty funny in parts, I've picked out some of my favourite quotes below:

"Somehow, George's role seemed to be to stop it [the dog] doing any of the things it wanted to do - like eat the sofa and defecate on the floor - and in the process he had more or less ruined the dog's life."

"'This is a crime scene, ladies and gentlemen! Not a birthday party! Mrs Pearmain is not receiving guests today! She is unable to lunch! She is dead! Do you hear me? Dead!'"

I liked the mystery, especially as the detective was especially competent, so it was a refreshing take to see someone doing their job so well. However, there was a lot of uncomfortable characterization and language. There were several characters who were openly identified as racist but there weren't any POC characters and no characters who offered other attitudes on race. There were also a few characters who were referred to as lesbians, comments which seemed to purely be thrown around as insults or as a joke. The MC is bigoted himself so we never get any other view besides the homophobic and racist taunts of this incredibly unlikeable family, so it was very uncomfortable to read.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just reading the title should be a clue that this is not your average mystery. The main character George does in fact wake up to find out he is dead. Not only is he dead but he was murdered as was his 99 year old mother. George hangs around waiting to find out who killed him. While he is waiting he finds out quite a bit more about his life than he knew while he was loving.
The mystery itself is quite run-of-the-mill. But there are some comic bits in the book that make up for it. The victory dance between the corner and the detective. Anything said by Mabel Dawkins whose English is colorful and inventive. And my favorite character Partridge the dead but now talking Irish wolfhound. If your sense of humor is a bit off-center, you will probably enjoy the book.

I received a free copy of this book through the First Reads program.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I found it well written, witty and filled with totally unlikeable characters. The funeral description was hilarious. Thanks to Goodreads for this giveaway.

[Patty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waking up Dead by Nigel Williams is the first book I have read by this author, and unfortunately it might be my last. I did not like any of the characters in the book, so I did not really care what happened to them. I hate writing a bad review, and I really wanted to like this book, but I did not.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Bookwormthings · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been published as R.I.P. in the UK. R.I.P. so you might want to check the reviews for this there

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win review. This is an unusual book about a man who sees his life from a place where he is dead and he sees the antics of his family.

[Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not the right reader for this book. I didn't enjoy the writing style. The main character was annoying. I was unable to finish the book.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different kind of mystery funny the narrator is one of the dead people he does and says some thing funny things it has the flavor Of being British