Sick to Death

by Greg Levin

Knowing you’re dying can be murder.

When Gage Adder finds out he has inoperable pancreatic cancer, things really start to look up for him. He leaves his soul-crushing job, joins a nice terminal illness support group, and takes up an exciting new hobby: Beating the hell out of bad guys.

Gage’s support group friends Jenna and Ellison don’t approve of his vigilante activities. Jenna says fighting never solves anything. Poison, on the other hand… When the three decide to team up and hit the streets, suddenly no rapist, pedophile or other odious criminal in the city is safe.

They are the sickest of superheroes. Their superpower is nothing left to lose. But what happens when one of them takes this power too far and puts at risk the lives of hundreds of innocent people? Where does one draw the line when dying to kill?

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Contemporary

364 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2016

About the author

Greg Levin writes subversive thrillers and crime fiction. His novels include The Exit Man, Sick to Death, and In Wolves’ Clothing.

Levin's work has been optioned by HBO and Showtime, and has earned him a number of awards and accolades. He’s won two Independent Publisher Book Awards, and has twice been named a Finalist for a National Indie Excellence Book Award. In a starred review of In Wolves’ Clothing, Publishers Weekly recently wrote, “This author deserves a wide audience.” Levin's agent and mother agree.

Levin resides with his wife, dog and cat in Austin, Texas, where he’s wanted by local authorities for refusing to say “y’all.”


Website: greglevin.com
Facebook: @greglevintheauthor
Twitter: @greg_levin
Instagram: @greglevinauthor

Sign up for Levin's monthly author newsletter to receive exclusive content as well as a free ebook—not to mention a 3-chapter sample of In Wolves' Clothing. You can sign up at greglevin.com.

Reviews

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensational. We have probably all secretly thought from time to time how nice it would be to serve out some vigilante justice. Greg Levin has managed to put it into the most wonderfully entertaining Story. I already knew he was a great writer after reading his first book ‘The Exit Man’ which is a brilliant book, and well worth a read. His stories are very original and exceptionally unique. To say Gage Adder was shocked was an understatement. You really don’t expect to go to the doctor with a problem, and be told that you have an inoperable grade 3 cancer in your system. Worst of all for Gage was that it was pancreatic cancer, and as he read up on it, there wasn’t a good mortality rate for it. Yes, he tried a bout of chemotherapy as recommended, but when this didn’t have any effect he opted out for anymore treatment. Who wants to spend the rest of the time they have on earth being violently ill from pumping poison into their body. As expected he didn’t take the news well, and took to his personal items at home with a hockey stick. Then he spent a couple of days laying around in the state of shock. It didn’t take him long to realise that he should get on with living. He took his anger out of those who thought were deserving of his wrath. Mainly bullies, paedophiles, or generally anyone that needed an attitude readjustment. Walking around with a cane had its benefits, like clubbing his targets around the head and taking them temporally off the streets and into hospital. Unfortunately, when he managed to injure himself after taking on a brute of a man, and he ended up in hospital himself. Luckily for Gage before he really hurt himself, his friend Jenny stepped in to help with a better way of doing things. Who would have known that Jenny had already dipped her toe in the water, when she tried poisoning a deserving gym owner. Her way of serving justice was a lot safer for her, but definitely more harmful for whoever she decided to target. It doesn’t take much to convince Gage that this would be a much better way to go then knocking a few blokes around, and it would be much better for society to eliminate them for good. Great characters, excellent plot, and so well written. This was a very satisfying read, and I can’t wait for his next book.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Can Set You Free
.
The concept for Sick To Death by Greg Levin hooked me and the opening pages drew me in, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the last page was read. Death. Disease. Vigilantism. Terrorism. Retribution. Murder.
.
Over the previous six month, there was only one thing Gage has become more efficient at than killing…and that was dying.

In the lottery of life, Bob Gage has won a dead cat, an ex – wife and a cancerous pancreas! After finding out he has cancer and was given a death sentence, Gage comes out swinging.

According to my brother, I only became funny once I started dying.

A year to live.

What would you do with the time left. Probably not what Gage does! I knew what he was going to do, but not the way he would go about it and I love it. Sometimes the only way to see justice done is to do it yourself.

Cancer has a way of ruining a perfectly good murder.

Diarrhea’s what happens when you’re busy making deadly plans.

A humorous accounting of one man’s decision to take matters into his own hands. And the outcome is very surprising.

I never anticipated the creativity and originality Greg Levin displays creating these wonderful characters that jump off the page and into my heart with their willingness to step up, sacrificing their last days on earth to leave it better than they found it. They were drawn together by their disease and death and had a camaraderie many could never understand. Death kept them living.

The moral issues are addressed in a way some could find agreeable, others would condemn them no matter the why. What would it take to make you kill? What about the social and moral repercussions?

I laughed at ‘Tumor Terrorism’, ‘Metastaside’, ‘The Stage Four Slaughters’. Why not go out with a sense of humor and a few laughs.

I empathized with the gang. I have always loved vigilantes, loved the Charles Bronson movies, but, after reading Sick To Death I find why vigilantism is so bad, even when it’s good. Where do you draw the line?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Sick To Death from Greg Levin.

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[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man O Man! What a story! Gage is such an Awesome character, even though he is terminally ill, I found myself rooting for him the entire time. The Trio of Gage, Ellison and Jenna were amazing! The chemistry between them was really Awesome and there was just enough details of each character to become attached and root for them. I never knew there were so many different drugs, but obviously Mr. Levin did his homework and it showed. If you liked Mr. Levin's previous book, The Exit Man, you will LOVE this one too! He has taken his story telling to the next level.

I sure did feel bad during certain parts of the story to some of the characters, but that is all I will say as to not spoil anything. I obviously LOVED this book so much that I finished it so quickly. Already looking forward to Mr. Levin's next smash hit!

[Angie McMann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick To Death is a comical, thought-provoking, account of a man that has been told he has a terminal pancreatic cancer. That’s right, I said comical. Levin has found a way to maintain a reader’s sympathy while providing many, many unexpected moments of hilarity as we watch Gage come to terms with his fate. His characters are captivatingly balanced between doing what’s right and what’s moral. The question I found most intriguing was ‘what would you do if you found out your life was on a timer? ’ Levin writes dialog, both internal and vocal with comedic precision. He successfully sprinkles in some of life’s twists and turns and added one dose of ‘jaw drop’. Undeniably, it was a recipe for an unusually engaging tale. Keep an eye in your rear view Chuck Palahnuik. Here comes Greg Levin.

[Gayle West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost called a serious book about the health care system (also named Sick to Death) a riotous black comedy. I imagine author Hedley Thomas would have been confused over my amusement.

Sick to Death by Greg Levin is my - and more than one person I knows - fantasy about acting out with deadly cancer.

Wonderful book!

[Simone Mets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guaranteed to light you on fire! In his latest book, Sick To Death, Greg Levin grabs you by the short hairs and takes you on a wild roller coaster ride that will jostle your ethics, and question why you are cheering for a terminally ill vigilante. It is a fast paced, cerebral thrill ride of a story filled with unexpected twists, and studded with Levin’s delicious, dark chocolate wit.

This book is not a passive read, nor is it one you can put down. To do so would be like leaving a heated argument right in the middle - and the reader is kept right in the middle for the duration of the ride. The story speaks to society's frustration over seemingly flaccid justice against those who commit unspeakable crimes. I found myself debating right, wrong, the exceptions to every rule, the very notion of justice, and its limits – safely between the covers of a great work of fiction.

It will evoke deep emotions that will linger long after you finish reading. Are we looking for cures in all the wrong places? Is the secret elixir for feeling alive as simple as having a purpose – whatever that purpose may be? Do the ends justify the means? Who decides? What about the unintended consequences? What if your definition of justice is very different from another’s? What if…? Think. There are no easy answers.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb! I haven’t fallen in love with a story like this in so long. It is completely unique. I’ve not read a single vigilante or ‘hero’ book like this, definitely not with the ‘powers’ they have been bequeathed.

I liked that this book took the hero thing to a whole new level. Like the fantastic four, they weren’t born with their ability to save others, but came across it in the progress of life. Sadly, they are in a much more depressing state, that allows them to save others, but their need to save and avoid thinking about their impending doom really makes them characters that you can connect with.

Just like batman, sometimes things go wrong and you are left trying to fix it and pick up the pieces. They find themselves in a position they hadn’t thought possible, when one of their team takes it a bit too far. It is interesting to see how they handle the situation and to see inside their real feelings about the situation.

I found this book a breath of fresh air and a real way to look at the shit in your life and find a way to make it your saviour.

** I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Judy Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sick to Death is a fast paced and captivating entertaining read.

Gage has nothing to lose when he is told that he is terminally ill

He is on a mission to rid the world of bad people.

They say laughter is the best medicine Gage says its killing and he has his followers.

I must admit I had a bit of a hard time reading this having lost my 37 year old son to cancer .

I dont want to give anything away but I will say its a journey that only the reader can take.

Its a quick read with lots of action.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for the opportunity to read and review Sick to Death.

[Rowena Hoseason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gage is a vigilante with nothing to lose and a tight schedule to keep. Cancer is killing him – but it turns out that his efforts to balance life’s books have an unexpectedly positive effect on his prognosis. ‘Sick To Death’ deals unflinchingly with the daily grind that is the tedious business of dying with pitch black humour that rarely turns bleak or bitter.

Witty and wry, the action escalates from Gage’s opening efforts (in which he hectors neighbourhood ne’er-do-wells for their antisocial behaviour) through a thoroughly enjoyable sequence of fist-fights, ambushes and poisonings – building up to ‘affirmative action’ being undertaken by a sure-shot professional sniper with a heart of stone. Who also happens to be dying.

It’s a romp. Easy to read and thoroughly entertaining.

As well as that, ‘Sick To Death’ is also massively thought provoking. Author Greg Levin disguises a solid moral discussion with romper-stomper action sequences and several sections that are obviously intend to outrage or appal those of a sensitive nature. Levin also has serious things to say on the subject of bandwagon fundamentalism generated by social media… not to mention the tricky subject of how friends and family are supposed to behave when someone close gets THAT diagnosis.

The result is a satirical thriller which says serious things as well as telling a stonking story. It’ll appeal to readers who enjoy Dexter’s adventures – for me it ranks alongside Josh Bazell’s ‘Beat The Reaper’ (also highly recommended!)
8/10

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounding up to 3.0 stars.

Because I read this for a reading challenge prompt that was "a book you know nothing about" I literally went into this book knowing nothing about it except what the cover looked like, what the title was, and who wrote it (plus that it had a ~4.0 rating on Goodreads). As someone who loves reading book blurbs, it was a struggle to go the whole book without doing that.... but I somehow managed.

All in all, I found Sick to Death to be mostly entertaining. It definitely has Chuck Palahnuik vibes and requires you to semi-suspend disbelief throughout the book. It moves fairly quick and is definitely easy to read. My only complaints are 1) it definitely loses steam starting at the 70% -ish point and 2) the ending was meh (and by ending I mean the literal last five or so pages I guess).

Ultimately, if you are into dark, weird humor, Chuck Palahnuik style writing, and/or the book blurb interests you... I say give it a shot. At the very least, it is a unique and weird story that will give you something to chat about with your friends.

[Leanne Hardy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting idea but very poorly written, the further I read it became farcical, it did repeat a lot and was not convincing to me that Gage's cancer is held at bay due to adrenaline from committing such acts, it really lacked details rather than be thought out and go into detail about each stage of the acts committed, it is skimmed over and moved on so fast it made for a dull read. Going from beatings to poison to sniper to then a break then onto corporate revenge it just lost the plot and was a real mess. I was taken by surprised reading at the end how well this has supposedly been received I think maybe some people have gotten carried away with the cancer part they let the fact that the actual story is a flop, it felt like the cancer part is a very poor disguise for a very poorly executed story.

[Amy Shipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Levin’s latest novel “Sick to Death” is a darkly funny and engaging book that I couldn’t put down. Greg is a master of the flawed but endearing protagonist, and Gage Adder doesn’t disappoint. Able to dish out whoop-ass and snark in equal measure, Gage has just the right amount of rage-in-a-bottle – a quality I always look for and admire in my pop culture heroes. After tackling euthanasia in his last book and vigilante justice here, where will Greg go next? I can’t wait to find out.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began this book I loved the concept. I am happy to say it was even better than I imagined. Very well written with lots of humor and insight. Do not be fooled though, it also makes you examine your own thoughts on the subject and tackles some important questions. I'm not sure what it says about me that I found the plot entertaining. Perhaps knowing it was not real let me enjoy the ride. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Dave Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny in a dark 'gallows' humorous way.
The subject matter is something you would not normally find amusing, but the way the author combines the characters, subject matter and plot together, makes it a very entertaining and often laugh out loud read.
At times the story veers into areas that some will find hard to stomach, but this is very much required to give our 'hero' the tools to carry on.
Well worth a dabble, but be wary, some scenes are disturbing.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levin's book is interesting both in plot and concept, and the characters are well-defined. Gage is a great antihero, and the plot crackles with tension all the way through the last page. The dialogue is smart and realistic. I recommend this book, especially if you like dark humor—and much of it is quite dark. But much of it is quite funny, too.

I debated dropping a star because at the end of act two, the book shifts into borderline ridiculousness—something the characters do affects the entire nation, which is played almost tongue-in-cheek. It didn't work for me, and I was afraid it would doom the rest of the book. But Levin pushes the camera in again for the third act, and the book gets back on track. Perhaps I'd give it four-and-a-half stars instead of five, but the brilliance of the rest of the book led me to round up again.

There are a couple of minor editing issues—one of the main characters has a niece whose name changes from Stacey to Naomi and back again, and there's a dialogue scene where the character speaking is misidentified.

[Mike Trippiedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Levin's "Sick to Death" is quite possibly the cream de la cream of dark humor. And even when the story bordered on being unbelievable, I was so enthralled with the writing, I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. And it is a wild one.
It's the story of terminally ill, Gage, whose only medicine that seems to help him feel better is killing bad people. Once two members of his dying support group catch on to his antics, they team together to rid the city of scum.
I won't reveal where this all takes them, but will say it's the most fun I've had reading a book in, well, a year. The first book I read last year (2022) was Levin's "The Exit Man," and it set the bar pretty high for my reading year. His "Sick to Death" is my first read of 2023, and once again, the bar has been set. And I'm pretty sure if any book knocks it out of number 1, it won't be a dark comedy.

[Debra Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick to Death

I really liked Gave (the main character), he is sarcastic and quick with a smart-assed comeback. And he is dying...sort of.
As someone with stage 4 cancer, I appreciated his wit and irrelevance. He says what many of us are only brave enough to think. I didn't see the "twist" at the end, but was pleasantly surprised.
Good work Greg!
Deb Tucker

[Janice E. Ryberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sick to Death is very funny in a sick way. 4.8 stars

Wasn't certain I was in the mood for this story, but as it turned out, yes!
Clever plot and very interesting characters. I don't want to drop any spoilers, so just get a copy of this one and enjoy it! Trust me, you will!

[Lreames · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was really funny and laughed out loud at a few parts, but it is an unusual subject matter. It was just what I needed at the time, but may not be for everyone.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book - great story, authentic characters and dark, snarky humour.

[victor turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life or death

In a weird kind of way I liked this book, haven't we all at some time or another had similar dark thoughts - I know I have ;-)

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This was an unusual plot , not the same old, same old. A page turner! Wicked & very funny! Loved it!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome stuff

What if you were dying of cancer? Well a trio of terminals decide to spend their dying days being vigilantes and go on to kill only the bad guys.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book to give an honest review.
You know I liked this book and the way it went with Gage and his friends becoming vigilantes.
For me Gage really connected as a character and I think it is because of him having the pancreatic cancer and my husband having his pancreas acting crazy it hits home that you can get that kind of cancer. Which I pray never happens to my husband. But enough about that.
We how after an incident with Gage and his friend Ellison makes him feel alive and a bit better so could he use the fact that he is dying of a deadly disease to the benefit of helping others? Well that is what Gage and two of his friends do which honestly I think wouldn't be bad because they are only doing to do the people who are literally deserving of it. Such as sex offenders, drug dealers, rapists and so forth so it isn't just random citizens. Along with some good things happen to random strangers. Now it starts off as beatings but then when Jenna decides to up it then it starts to become a bit more serious especially if they were to ever be caught. We see how it all affects Gage and you can't help but wonder will he ever get better or is he forever doomed to die? I have to say though I liked Gage and that he was the main focus in this book I really liked Sasha who plays a brief roll in the story. She just was mysterious yet deadly. I liked that.
I felt the author did a good job with details and making us understand the character in a way that you can seem to agree with what he is doing.
I can say the way the ending came about I was surprised on the way the author went. I can understand why Gage did what he did.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick to Death by Greg Levin manages to be humorous, thought-provoking and touching all at the same time. Gage is a character you can pull for because he readily acknowledges his flaws while also doing as much good as he can.

So, for a sequel, the group becomes home to an ever-changing (by necessity) cast of terminally ill disposal specialist. How would such a support group establish a procedure to enlist new people as others, uh, retire? There can only be 2-3 at any time active and the others would need to stay in the dark about it. Hmmmm, if the details can be worked out, I'd like to see a series on this terminal disposal unit.

Anyway, the characters are well developed and the reader becomes invested in them, riding the roller coaster throughout. The premise is one that many have likely pondered in one form or another but it is Levin's injection of just the right amount of humor that keeps this from becoming either too dark or a complete farce. That is not an easy line to walk.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy some dark humor, or at least some humor around some dark subjects. The story succeeds as a dramatic (not sure which genre it best fits) novel on its own, so those who like that genre should enjoy it also with the humor being a extra ingredient.

Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads First Reads.

[Diane Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Levin knocks it out of the funeral parlor with his darkly humorous new novel "Sick To Death". Levin writes about death and dying, subjects most people will jump out a window to avoid. But he approaches these touchy and sometimes controversial issues(his last novel) with his delicious dark humor, irony, dashes of satire, snips of snark, and wry wit. Is "dark humorist" an oxymoron? His humor can sneak up on you. One of his subtle zingers caught me off-guard when I wasn't fully awake and I actually snorted a mouthful coffee out my nose.
Cancer casts its pall in "Sick To Death". Gage Adder is staggered by the news that his abdominal pain is really Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. That's the one that got Patrick Swayze. Metastasis loves company and Gage commiserates with his equally terminal support-group friends. But in his anger, he discovers something that sends his CA numbers tumbling like dead ducks. Is knocking off a few murderers and other despicable no-goodniks really a crime? Can murder cure cancer?
You won't find "Exit Man" compassion in "Sick To Death". This one is different. It's funny. It's angry. Patrick Swayze would have liked it.

[Scott Skipper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gage had stage three pancreatic cancer. After despair came anger and a self-righteous urge to flex his “nothing to lose” muscles. He satisfied his murderous urges by dropping lethal amounts of cyanide into the cocktails of known pedophiles and rapists. Soon he coaxed two members of his support group to join him. Ellison succumbed to his cancer after only a couple of hits but Jenna had found her calling. What was Gage to do with the monster he created?

Greg Levin is a darkly funny guy. Sick to Death is loaded with gallows humor and irony. The characters are fairly well developed but this is a story that is mostly told as opposed to shown. For the ominously breezy tale that it is, it moves a little slowly. Mr. Levin also lets his political agenda shine through the pages for which I do not begrudge him however much I may be in opposition. Nonetheless, Sick to Death is a clever story that is good for a laugh.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gage is diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer. Foreseeing no chance of survival, and finding both hedonism and random acts of kindness insufficient to make his final days worthwhile, he decides to devote his time on earth to beating up, and later murdering the bad guys. He teams up with his friends, Jenna and Ellison, from his cancer support group to deliver vigilante justice, in the hopes of making the world a better place.

Levin’s writing really shines when it’s infused with his dark sense of humor and wry observations. There were times that I felt the writing could have been better polished. Still, on the whole I found that the book was a suspenseful, fast-paced read with a creative premise.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing

This is a wild tale about a guy who is dying to stay alive, the length he goes is wild!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect delight to read. A trio of dying people plot out ways to kill terrible people and then do it. It is refreshing, funny, and a bit sad.