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A Hundred Billion Ghosts
“When Ryan moved into his apartment in Cambridge there were three ghosts haunting it. Which was, obviously, far fewer than he expected.”
So begins the “funny and fascinating” story of a world haunted by every ghost ever, a man who loses his own body, and the detective who mostly fails to find it. There’s also a bit of a touching love story in there, but there are ghosts in that part too.
Paranormal becomes the new normal when the ghosts of every human who ever died suddenly become visible to the living. That’s a hundred billion transparent dead people hanging around, maybe forever. In this seriously haunted world, Ryan Matney decides that since he has no life, he might as well get on with his afterlife.
But he soon realizes he made a horrible mistake. Now he has just ten days to race across the ghost-infested world and get back into his body. There’s just one problem: his body has disappeared. And whoever took it wants to make sure he never finds it.
So begins the “funny and fascinating” story of a world haunted by every ghost ever, a man who loses his own body, and the detective who mostly fails to find it. There’s also a bit of a touching love story in there, but there are ghosts in that part too.
Paranormal becomes the new normal when the ghosts of every human who ever died suddenly become visible to the living. That’s a hundred billion transparent dead people hanging around, maybe forever. In this seriously haunted world, Ryan Matney decides that since he has no life, he might as well get on with his afterlife.
But he soon realizes he made a horrible mistake. Now he has just ten days to race across the ghost-infested world and get back into his body. There’s just one problem: his body has disappeared. And whoever took it wants to make sure he never finds it.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2017
260 people are currently reading
1746 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Sinclair
5 books149 followersIf you've ever switched on a television and are not picky, you've probably seen something written by DM Sinclair. He's done more than a hundred hours of that stuff, and will happily take the blame even for the shows he didn't write.
Later he switched to writing books because he thought it might be nice. It isn’t, though.
Nevertheless, he plans to keep writing as long as he is alive. After that, he intends to visit Australia.
Like many Canadians, he lives in Canada.
Later he switched to writing books because he thought it might be nice. It isn’t, though.
Nevertheless, he plans to keep writing as long as he is alive. After that, he intends to visit Australia.
Like many Canadians, he lives in Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 3, 2022
If you enjoyed the books by Douglas Adams, you will enjoy this author. Quirky, funny with unexpected plot turns. Only pick it up if you enjoy 'silly' humor. Python, Little Britain, etc.
March 6, 2018
This is such a unique book! It was a clever blend of fun, quirky humour and a very unique tale. I liked the blend and it definitely meant I was completely connected with the story. I found it really hard to step away from, and it meant I may have lost a few hours of sleep, but I’m not complaining!
Thee story was written very well and kept me entertained throughout. I really liked the premise of the story and found it very unique. The ghosts and the main character were all interesting and combined together to make a great story.
With all the detail put into the world, story and reason behind thee ghosts becoming visible, it was really exciting to read the story.
Overall, this was a very fun read and one I highly recommend.
Thee story was written very well and kept me entertained throughout. I really liked the premise of the story and found it very unique. The ghosts and the main character were all interesting and combined together to make a great story.
With all the detail put into the world, story and reason behind thee ghosts becoming visible, it was really exciting to read the story.
Overall, this was a very fun read and one I highly recommend.
June 6, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! It was fun to read and kept me entertained. I’m excited to read the next one!
January 5, 2022
3.5 stars - This was pretty fun! The humor didn’t always work for me, but overall I thought this was a fun story with some great twists and turns that I didn’t always see coming. For me, personally, it was one of those books that I think would work better as a movie or tv show than it did as a book, if that makes sense. I thought the ending was a bit unsatisfying (I didn’t totally understand what exactly happened), but the epilogue chapter was really cute.
February 16, 2024
This is my first by this author. Yes, there are some over the top elements in this book but hang on anyway because it is a crazy fun ride. I will definitely read more.
October 10, 2018
"What might once have seemed like the machinations of a terrifying trickster spirit, now seemed like a fat guy in a tracksuit being a bit of a jerk."
You'll be asking yourself, "Why is that character doing that?" over and over again while reading this book. Sorry to say, I can't help you. I didn't understand why any character did anything.
It was slightly funny, but not funny enough to make up for the lack of plot or the questionable decisions made by characters. Sinclair has his characters make illogical choices just to drive up the drama. That's not character development, that's poor storytelling. So many of the situations could have been stopped by thinking for more than a fraction of a second.
Speaking of characters; the main character is an "every man" which Simon Pegg would play in the movie version of this book (thanks, Rachael, for the Simon Pegg observation), there's a manic pixie dream girl who's a genius and isn't doing anything with her life until the main character shows up, and some bad guys that are bad for no reason other than they want money.
Parts of the book were funny, but too much of it felt forced and an editor could have cut a lot of the useless words.
Character Development: 1 star
Story: 3 stars
Writing/Prose: 2 stars
You'll be asking yourself, "Why is that character doing that?" over and over again while reading this book. Sorry to say, I can't help you. I didn't understand why any character did anything.
It was slightly funny, but not funny enough to make up for the lack of plot or the questionable decisions made by characters. Sinclair has his characters make illogical choices just to drive up the drama. That's not character development, that's poor storytelling. So many of the situations could have been stopped by thinking for more than a fraction of a second.
Speaking of characters; the main character is an "every man" which Simon Pegg would play in the movie version of this book (thanks, Rachael, for the Simon Pegg observation), there's a manic pixie dream girl who's a genius and isn't doing anything with her life until the main character shows up, and some bad guys that are bad for no reason other than they want money.
Parts of the book were funny, but too much of it felt forced and an editor could have cut a lot of the useless words.
Character Development: 1 star
Story: 3 stars
Writing/Prose: 2 stars
August 5, 2018
Read this because I was desperate and after finishing I knew I should have found a better way to use my time.
October 2, 2018
Plot driven by a t-shirt and some cereal
August 2, 2021
The cereal thing on the front of the cover is misleading.
September 19, 2021
Wasn't funny, dragged a lot, story idea was really clever, but this just dragged on and on. The main character was milquetoast and more of a 2D character. This has potential, the writer isn't bad, just drags out the story, making it a boring read. The cereal bit wasn't as exciting as I hoped for. And the comedy was lacking.
Bottom line, potential is there - with a great editor, but the read was just blah.
Bottom line, potential is there - with a great editor, but the read was just blah.
July 25, 2021
I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. I felt there were some gaps in the middle and could have been a bit shorter.
December 8, 2023
A very enjoyable, quick read. A Hundred Billion Ghosts is well-paced, with nary a dull moment. When there isn’t action or suspense, there’s solid comedy.
I read most of A Hundred Billion Ghosts in a single day. It’s that kind of book - no big breaks necessary to take things in. ….And that actually might be the one big criticism I have.
The concept of this novel is a huge one, as its name suggests. Though it’s not gone into in-depth, the idea seems to be that EVERY human who’s ever died is a ghost and came back. Even if this weren’t the case, the massive population of ghosts who’ve come back seems like it would lead to more than just sort of funny or annoying things, like being able to see Elvis (well, his ghost) in concert again, or being pretty much unable to find a home that you wouldn’t have to share with a few previously unnoticed spectral roommates.
But the thing is, of course, ghosts coming back en masse would also lead to immense questions about faith, the afterlife, moving on and processing grief. Or what about the way it would revolutionize not just the mundane aspects of life, but historical mysteries that could now be solved, entire civilizations from the past that we could learn about firsthand? And of course, for those who were so deeply in grief from a loss of someone - or who experienced the opposite - they would now have to deal with those ghosts being in their lives.
These are big ideas, but none of them are discussed in the book. The religion issue is probably the most glaring oversight, in fact, especially since the story takes place in the US, where, well, religion is a pretty big thing for lots of people. It might all have been okay if the story were told in first person and we could assume that our main character, Ryan, just doesn’t find any of those questions particularly important (which sort of checks out, based on what we know about him). But the shifting third person perspective the author chose doesn’t make it feel quite so one-sided.
I kept wondering if at some point something about all of these big issues would come up, but little, if anything, ever did. The thing is, the book really is just about a few ghosts in a relatively small setting. The rest of them just seem like setups for jokes or absurd situations, especially the ones whose spirits show how they died, which doesn’t seem to be a consistent rule.
I really appreciate consistent world building and the like, and so all of these questions really nagged at me. But the book was so enjoyable and often so funny, that I started thinking about the line from “Mystery Science Theater 3000” ‘s old theme song: “If you’re wondering how he eats and breathes, and other science facts, just repeat to yourself ‘It’s just a show - I should really just relax.’”
And when you do that, 100 Billion Ghosts goes down nearly as smoothly and delightfully as a classic MST3K episode (“nearly” because nothing can beat those).
But the thing is, I still couldn’t completely stop wondering about the author’s choices. I kept thinking, this should have been a small-scale story, like maybe only some ghosts come back, or only the ghosts in Boston, where our characters live. Or maybe it’s just a few ghosts, who are connected to the plot. I think in that case, you’d still get the message the author wants to convey, but not have to worry about those nagging questions and strange absences of detail.
Maybe I just missed the point, though. Whatever the case, despite this big issue I had, A Hundred Billion Ghosts is a really enjoyable read that I’d recommend to just about anyone.
I read most of A Hundred Billion Ghosts in a single day. It’s that kind of book - no big breaks necessary to take things in. ….And that actually might be the one big criticism I have.
The concept of this novel is a huge one, as its name suggests. Though it’s not gone into in-depth, the idea seems to be that EVERY human who’s ever died is a ghost and came back. Even if this weren’t the case, the massive population of ghosts who’ve come back seems like it would lead to more than just sort of funny or annoying things, like being able to see Elvis (well, his ghost) in concert again, or being pretty much unable to find a home that you wouldn’t have to share with a few previously unnoticed spectral roommates.
But the thing is, of course, ghosts coming back en masse would also lead to immense questions about faith, the afterlife, moving on and processing grief. Or what about the way it would revolutionize not just the mundane aspects of life, but historical mysteries that could now be solved, entire civilizations from the past that we could learn about firsthand? And of course, for those who were so deeply in grief from a loss of someone - or who experienced the opposite - they would now have to deal with those ghosts being in their lives.
These are big ideas, but none of them are discussed in the book. The religion issue is probably the most glaring oversight, in fact, especially since the story takes place in the US, where, well, religion is a pretty big thing for lots of people. It might all have been okay if the story were told in first person and we could assume that our main character, Ryan, just doesn’t find any of those questions particularly important (which sort of checks out, based on what we know about him). But the shifting third person perspective the author chose doesn’t make it feel quite so one-sided.
I kept wondering if at some point something about all of these big issues would come up, but little, if anything, ever did. The thing is, the book really is just about a few ghosts in a relatively small setting. The rest of them just seem like setups for jokes or absurd situations, especially the ones whose spirits show how they died, which doesn’t seem to be a consistent rule.
I really appreciate consistent world building and the like, and so all of these questions really nagged at me. But the book was so enjoyable and often so funny, that I started thinking about the line from “Mystery Science Theater 3000” ‘s old theme song: “If you’re wondering how he eats and breathes, and other science facts, just repeat to yourself ‘It’s just a show - I should really just relax.’”
And when you do that, 100 Billion Ghosts goes down nearly as smoothly and delightfully as a classic MST3K episode (“nearly” because nothing can beat those).
But the thing is, I still couldn’t completely stop wondering about the author’s choices. I kept thinking, this should have been a small-scale story, like maybe only some ghosts come back, or only the ghosts in Boston, where our characters live. Or maybe it’s just a few ghosts, who are connected to the plot. I think in that case, you’d still get the message the author wants to convey, but not have to worry about those nagging questions and strange absences of detail.
Maybe I just missed the point, though. Whatever the case, despite this big issue I had, A Hundred Billion Ghosts is a really enjoyable read that I’d recommend to just about anyone.
March 31, 2018
This book was such an unexpectedly unique thought provoking yet hilarious read! It was definitely not what I was anticipating when I started it, I was just intrigued by the author's original cover and the title. (Side note- the new cover with the bowl of cereal is too perfect! Lol)
Loved this before page one:
"In my mind, if there was life after death and there were spirits who survived and could, in any way, communicate with us back here on Earth, it would be incredibly obvious. The afterlife would be as obvious as the existence of Canada. It wouldn't be just some stories that are told between this person and that person. Everybody would see it all the time."
-Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist
I was thinking this would be a standard haunting/ghost story. It was that and much more.
"When Ryan first moved into his apartment in Cambridge near Harvard Square, there were three ghosts haunting it. Which was, obviously, far fewer than he expected.
Normally for the kind of rent this place was asking, he would have expected to be stuck with a dozen at least.
But only three ghosts was nice. Practically solitude. And solitude was in short supply after the Blackout."
If you like anything humorous, paranormal or even on the spooky side, enjoy the tale of Ryan Matney as he eats cereal for dinner, brand depending on mood of course, and attempts to navigate life and even afterlife with A Hundred Billion Ghosts. I definitely enjoyed it and look forward to D.M. Sinclair's future work!
**I received an ARC copy of this book from the author through Goodreads, however all opinions are my own.**
Loved this before page one:
"In my mind, if there was life after death and there were spirits who survived and could, in any way, communicate with us back here on Earth, it would be incredibly obvious. The afterlife would be as obvious as the existence of Canada. It wouldn't be just some stories that are told between this person and that person. Everybody would see it all the time."
-Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist
I was thinking this would be a standard haunting/ghost story. It was that and much more.
"When Ryan first moved into his apartment in Cambridge near Harvard Square, there were three ghosts haunting it. Which was, obviously, far fewer than he expected.
Normally for the kind of rent this place was asking, he would have expected to be stuck with a dozen at least.
But only three ghosts was nice. Practically solitude. And solitude was in short supply after the Blackout."
If you like anything humorous, paranormal or even on the spooky side, enjoy the tale of Ryan Matney as he eats cereal for dinner, brand depending on mood of course, and attempts to navigate life and even afterlife with A Hundred Billion Ghosts. I definitely enjoyed it and look forward to D.M. Sinclair's future work!
**I received an ARC copy of this book from the author through Goodreads, however all opinions are my own.**
March 3, 2018
What happens when everyone that has died suddenly becomes visible? After an event called the Blackout, that is exactly what happens. But then someone comes up with a process where the living can separate their spirit from their mortal bodies to spend time as a ghost.
Ryan Matney decides to jump on this opportunity but then decides that he wants his body back. This is where the mystery begins. It seems someone has his body and is willing to do anything to keep it hidden. Ryan is going to have to hurry, he only has 10 days to get back to his body or the separation will be permanent.
This is a great story that started out funnier than heck then sucked me into the mystery of where Ryan’s body is located and who has it. Ryan is one of those people that I could relate to; and his addiction to cereal, too funny.
This is a healthy sized book but I could not put it down. I found myself up late at night instead of sleeping and ignoring household chores wanting to know what happened next. It’s surprising that this is a first book from DM Sinclair. It was so well written that I can’t wait for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Ryan Matney decides to jump on this opportunity but then decides that he wants his body back. This is where the mystery begins. It seems someone has his body and is willing to do anything to keep it hidden. Ryan is going to have to hurry, he only has 10 days to get back to his body or the separation will be permanent.
This is a great story that started out funnier than heck then sucked me into the mystery of where Ryan’s body is located and who has it. Ryan is one of those people that I could relate to; and his addiction to cereal, too funny.
This is a healthy sized book but I could not put it down. I found myself up late at night instead of sleeping and ignoring household chores wanting to know what happened next. It’s surprising that this is a first book from DM Sinclair. It was so well written that I can’t wait for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
January 26, 2021
Started strong, but then it dragged...like a billion ghosts boring me to death. Liked the humor at first, but then it just became slap stick stupid. Lots of 5 star ratings out there and, I must admit, when I started I was certain I’d be adding to them. Sadly, this didn’t work for me.
February 16, 2021
Great premise. After a mysterious power outage event, the ghost of everyone that has ever lived suddenly appears among the living. Unfortunately I was ready to chuck it after a hundred pages and give it one star. But stick with it, it does gets better but fizzles out in the end as if the author was not sure how to end it. Why a bumbling non-detective as a main character? Why have the driving desire of another main character be simply changing out of ragged tshirt that he was wearing when he became a ghost? Just a few changes to those two characters would have made the book so much better.
August 18, 2022
Thank GOODNESS I finally finished this book. It took me WAYYYYYYYYY too long to read. I was disappointed because the premise itself was so absurd and hilarious I felt compelled to read it. But the pacing was just too slow for me. And then I saw there is a sequel???? I’m invested in the plot/characters now so I’m gonna try reading that in the hopes it moves a little faster (pray for me). Had potential but ultimately this was a no for me for the sole reason that it moved SO SLOWLY. However, if you are an extremely patient reader I would definitely recommend this lol.
August 30, 2018
Strange and quite enjoyable
This is the perfect genre of book I have been searching for. It centers around ghosts which is always a plus and frankly it’s pretty relatable. I enjoy the characters most of all because they’re kind of normal in a sense, yet still possess their specific quirks that come to define them, like cereal. I wish I knew what happened to Sye though. Fans of Robin Sloan would probably enjoy this, same brand of strange
This is the perfect genre of book I have been searching for. It centers around ghosts which is always a plus and frankly it’s pretty relatable. I enjoy the characters most of all because they’re kind of normal in a sense, yet still possess their specific quirks that come to define them, like cereal. I wish I knew what happened to Sye though. Fans of Robin Sloan would probably enjoy this, same brand of strange
January 23, 2019
Out of the Box Brilliant Fiction
I read a lot. I also write fiction. Doesn’t matter but I reinforces that I understand a good book and how to write one. This is a great book. This is a wonderful tale that will have you flipping pages and reading under the bed sheets with a flashlight until the wee hours of the morning. But as you stumble around work, bleary eyed and exhausted, you will be thinking of this wonderful book. It’s that good.
I read a lot. I also write fiction. Doesn’t matter but I reinforces that I understand a good book and how to write one. This is a great book. This is a wonderful tale that will have you flipping pages and reading under the bed sheets with a flashlight until the wee hours of the morning. But as you stumble around work, bleary eyed and exhausted, you will be thinking of this wonderful book. It’s that good.
April 9, 2024
Most people thought the solar flare— or whatever it was— had brought all the ghosts back from some other place. But the truth was that they had never actually left.
DM. Sinclair's treatise on surviving the post-mortal world, namely, “So You’ve Decided to Sort-of-Die” is at the same time an erudite treatise on the self-determination required to enter the so-called spirit realm before one's time has come as well as being responsible towards all your current oblig… I'm sorry, what? You're saying it's not that? Not at all? Then what the hell have I been reading? Really? Yes, I did notice it was rather funny and had a range of interesting characters which, you know, seemed odd for such a supposed formal essay. But this was all fiction? Well, I'll be damned. Or not. Gosh, now I'm feeling blurry, too…
The world’s normal days were pretty much over.
Getting back to the subject at hand, which is… um, I had it written down here somewhere, hang on. Oh yes! Sinclair's AHBG involves a delicious you-can't-really-call-it-murder-anymore story that entertains thoroughly through all the wonderful twists and turns that are provided. And whereas this particular offer didn't perhaps elicit the same number of embarrassingly loud guffaws that I achieved reading "Psychic Simon" - which I finished only hours before leaving this very same review (I left a review for that book as well btw) - this was still an very well-executed mystery from A to Z. Including of course whichever letter we decide to use for the actual fact that every previously living person's ghost becomes visible to obviously to each other (which I guess it was beforehand, too) and then every currently living person to boot. Hm, let's call it B, you know, for the Blackout (which is infinitely better than calling it TB because of reasons... and not wanting to offend Tampa Bay). Because I have serious doubts about those mentioned solar flares or whatever other theories have popped up since then.
People do not stop being people just because their bodies are gone. They have rights.
As most of you have guessed by now, this interesting situation leads to one very obvious outcome. No, I'm not talking about the abundant screaming that immediately befell humankind (again, talking about the living sort) nor even the sheer shocks people experienced when they realized their homes and more were overcrowded with said spectres. Instead I'm implying of course that once the (re)appearance of all these ghosties was well-established, then obviously folks did their darndest to try and make money from the new reality. Yes, as you can imagine, the ghosts quickly went from being utter nuisances that even led to the dismantling of untold industries to "opportunities" for banking and - well, let's just say at this point - more. Opportunities I mean. And probably some added value to go along with that. In a caring and synergistic fashion no less because we care about you and your needs. Would you like to renew your warranty now?
Ending a mortal life is no longer a capital crime anywhere, and in some states is barely worse than credit card fraud.
But Sinclair definitely has a unique and delightful way of delivering the madness that is this reality. I particularly liked how we just basically got going without a lot of hullabaloo as to the why's, how's, wherefore's and even Icky-Icky-Icky-Ptang-Zoop-Boing's that so many books get bogged down in before they ever get good and rolling. But we're never without a good explanation for, really, everything if one is willing to clam up for a few chapters and be patient! I also liked in this regard how Margie's character went back-and-forth and then for good measure up-and-down a few times. As soon as I thought I had her sussed out, well, I hadn't even managed semi-sussitude. And no doubt by the time I sober up, some other bits will try and weasel their way into my reconsciousness...
You are about to stop living in the mortal sense. But in the immortal sense, you are just about to start!
What's also exciting is that there are a lot of open questions that I still have (see beginning of this diatribe where I'm still not entirely sure what I've been up to the past couple of days… almost like an out-of-body experience he foreshadowed!). Lowell the Detective - who didn't really like having to do any detective work all that much - still has some 'splainin' to do. Plus, I'm pretty darn sure that I've missed other value-added market enhancements that offer win-win opportunities in a synergistic fashion in this new market structure. Or not. But I'm starting the next book in about an hour so I'll let you know! Stay spooky!
DM. Sinclair's treatise on surviving the post-mortal world, namely, “So You’ve Decided to Sort-of-Die” is at the same time an erudite treatise on the self-determination required to enter the so-called spirit realm before one's time has come as well as being responsible towards all your current oblig… I'm sorry, what? You're saying it's not that? Not at all? Then what the hell have I been reading? Really? Yes, I did notice it was rather funny and had a range of interesting characters which, you know, seemed odd for such a supposed formal essay. But this was all fiction? Well, I'll be damned. Or not. Gosh, now I'm feeling blurry, too…
The world’s normal days were pretty much over.
Getting back to the subject at hand, which is… um, I had it written down here somewhere, hang on. Oh yes! Sinclair's AHBG involves a delicious you-can't-really-call-it-murder-anymore story that entertains thoroughly through all the wonderful twists and turns that are provided. And whereas this particular offer didn't perhaps elicit the same number of embarrassingly loud guffaws that I achieved reading "Psychic Simon" - which I finished only hours before leaving this very same review (I left a review for that book as well btw) - this was still an very well-executed mystery from A to Z. Including of course whichever letter we decide to use for the actual fact that every previously living person's ghost becomes visible to obviously to each other (which I guess it was beforehand, too) and then every currently living person to boot. Hm, let's call it B, you know, for the Blackout (which is infinitely better than calling it TB because of reasons... and not wanting to offend Tampa Bay). Because I have serious doubts about those mentioned solar flares or whatever other theories have popped up since then.
People do not stop being people just because their bodies are gone. They have rights.
As most of you have guessed by now, this interesting situation leads to one very obvious outcome. No, I'm not talking about the abundant screaming that immediately befell humankind (again, talking about the living sort) nor even the sheer shocks people experienced when they realized their homes and more were overcrowded with said spectres. Instead I'm implying of course that once the (re)appearance of all these ghosties was well-established, then obviously folks did their darndest to try and make money from the new reality. Yes, as you can imagine, the ghosts quickly went from being utter nuisances that even led to the dismantling of untold industries to "opportunities" for banking and - well, let's just say at this point - more. Opportunities I mean. And probably some added value to go along with that. In a caring and synergistic fashion no less because we care about you and your needs. Would you like to renew your warranty now?
Ending a mortal life is no longer a capital crime anywhere, and in some states is barely worse than credit card fraud.
But Sinclair definitely has a unique and delightful way of delivering the madness that is this reality. I particularly liked how we just basically got going without a lot of hullabaloo as to the why's, how's, wherefore's and even Icky-Icky-Icky-Ptang-Zoop-Boing's that so many books get bogged down in before they ever get good and rolling. But we're never without a good explanation for, really, everything if one is willing to clam up for a few chapters and be patient! I also liked in this regard how Margie's character went back-and-forth and then for good measure up-and-down a few times. As soon as I thought I had her sussed out, well, I hadn't even managed semi-sussitude. And no doubt by the time I sober up, some other bits will try and weasel their way into my reconsciousness...
You are about to stop living in the mortal sense. But in the immortal sense, you are just about to start!
What's also exciting is that there are a lot of open questions that I still have (see beginning of this diatribe where I'm still not entirely sure what I've been up to the past couple of days… almost like an out-of-body experience he foreshadowed!). Lowell the Detective - who didn't really like having to do any detective work all that much - still has some 'splainin' to do. Plus, I'm pretty darn sure that I've missed other value-added market enhancements that offer win-win opportunities in a synergistic fashion in this new market structure. Or not. But I'm starting the next book in about an hour so I'll let you know! Stay spooky!
February 15, 2018
Sugar Froots vs A Hundred Billion Ghosts minus One
If you had the chance to live forever young and free from all pain and disease would you take it? Of course, the only hitch is you have to separate from your body and become a ghost!
The BLACKOUT has occurred causing every person who ever lived and died to become a visible ghost living along-side us. This has also created a new enterprise offering the living a chance to ditch our mortal coil...for a price...and become a ghost able to climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest ocean or just hang around the rest of eternity chatting with the dead rich and famous while practicing our poltergeist abilities all without ever becoming sick, tired or feeling any pain. Imagine the possibilities! This is exactly the option sugar-frosted cereal-loving Ryan Matney is considering.
Mr. Sinclair has written a super clever, unique ghost story (a hundred billion of them) all in this one imaginative tome. I lost several hours of sleep over this book...thanks a lot, Mr. Sinclair! No, really, thanks a lot! I loved this book!!!
If you enjoy reading quirky, crazy-fun yet cleverly written and somewhat 'scientific' ghost stories....this one is for you! This novel has it all...mystery, deception, detectives, murder, cutting-edge technology, suspense, grief, joy and a budding romance with a couple of sugar-frosted cereal-loving main characters.
I will definitely be reading more DM Sinclair books. Thank you, Mr. Sinclair! I encourage readers who enjoy a cleverly written paranormal thriller with a big dose of heart and comedy to give this book a try...you won't be sorry!
If you had the chance to live forever young and free from all pain and disease would you take it? Of course, the only hitch is you have to separate from your body and become a ghost!
The BLACKOUT has occurred causing every person who ever lived and died to become a visible ghost living along-side us. This has also created a new enterprise offering the living a chance to ditch our mortal coil...for a price...and become a ghost able to climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest ocean or just hang around the rest of eternity chatting with the dead rich and famous while practicing our poltergeist abilities all without ever becoming sick, tired or feeling any pain. Imagine the possibilities! This is exactly the option sugar-frosted cereal-loving Ryan Matney is considering.
Mr. Sinclair has written a super clever, unique ghost story (a hundred billion of them) all in this one imaginative tome. I lost several hours of sleep over this book...thanks a lot, Mr. Sinclair! No, really, thanks a lot! I loved this book!!!
If you enjoy reading quirky, crazy-fun yet cleverly written and somewhat 'scientific' ghost stories....this one is for you! This novel has it all...mystery, deception, detectives, murder, cutting-edge technology, suspense, grief, joy and a budding romance with a couple of sugar-frosted cereal-loving main characters.
I will definitely be reading more DM Sinclair books. Thank you, Mr. Sinclair! I encourage readers who enjoy a cleverly written paranormal thriller with a big dose of heart and comedy to give this book a try...you won't be sorry!
January 18, 2023
Funny oddball book that I read because facebook told me to. I got it through Interlibrary loan. The premise is that suddenly, overnight, every ghost that ever existed can be seen. It changes the death industry completely; no need for funerals anymore when your loved one's ghost is still floating along with you. Our protagonist, Ryan, finds out that the way you are when you die is the way you are for eternity--so, for instance, if you're old and decrepit, you always will be. One way to avoid that fate is to have your ghost "extracted" while your body lives on, essentially devoid of its soul. But you better make sure you don't have your ghost extracted while wearing a stupid shirt.
I enjoyed the author's metaphors and turns of phrase. And now I suppose I have to try to find the rest of the series through ILL.
I enjoyed the author's metaphors and turns of phrase. And now I suppose I have to try to find the rest of the series through ILL.
January 25, 2023
I received this book, from the author in exchange for an honest review
This book tells the humorous but surprisingly dark story of a man who wants to leave his body and become a ghost. What we get is a body snatcher type story and realizing just how awkward being a ghost is. One thing I found especially funny is how the author humanizes the ghosts by saying they can keep their day jobs / go to banks with special access. I also find it awesome how the author incorporates a thriller like story with twists and turns and people inhabiting other bodies via possession of sorts. It also makes me wonder if some of this stuff can become a reality at some point quite frankly. Over all, a fairly simple story with comedic elements make this a fast read. 4.5 out of 5
Thank you DM, for the awesome book!
This book tells the humorous but surprisingly dark story of a man who wants to leave his body and become a ghost. What we get is a body snatcher type story and realizing just how awkward being a ghost is. One thing I found especially funny is how the author humanizes the ghosts by saying they can keep their day jobs / go to banks with special access. I also find it awesome how the author incorporates a thriller like story with twists and turns and people inhabiting other bodies via possession of sorts. It also makes me wonder if some of this stuff can become a reality at some point quite frankly. Over all, a fairly simple story with comedic elements make this a fast read. 4.5 out of 5
Thank you DM, for the awesome book!
October 14, 2020
Covid Book #15: A Hundred Billion Ghosts (9/10). What a delightful book with a unique storyline. This comedy centers around one day when all ghosts suddenly become visible! This proves that we do "live" after we die. Our ghost is the way we died physically, appearance and even what we wear. Since there is no "dying", services spring up offering to separate the ghost from your body; you can't kill the body because that would be murder LOL. The lead charter goes through the procedure wearing a ripped root beer t-shirt (w/grease stains). Rather than live with that through eternity, he decides he wants to reunite with his body so he can change clothes ... and the comedy ensues. Great light story.
March 13, 2022
This mainly was a two-star book until the end. Then it got interesting.
Ryan decides he would rather be a "healthy" ghost than wait until his natural death to become an old and feeble one. After all, you're a ghost forever. Things go awry, and Ryan isn't so sure being a ghost is all it's cracked up to be. The premise is original, but the characters seem two-dimensional.
I broke my 100-page rule with this book because a book-reading friend loved it. I found the story mildly interesting at best until about 250 pages in (it's only 309 pages) and I'm still not sure those first pages were worth it. But, for some reason, I'm keeping its sequel on my nightstand. It won't be the next book I read, but I'm open to reading it in the future.
Ryan decides he would rather be a "healthy" ghost than wait until his natural death to become an old and feeble one. After all, you're a ghost forever. Things go awry, and Ryan isn't so sure being a ghost is all it's cracked up to be. The premise is original, but the characters seem two-dimensional.
I broke my 100-page rule with this book because a book-reading friend loved it. I found the story mildly interesting at best until about 250 pages in (it's only 309 pages) and I'm still not sure those first pages were worth it. But, for some reason, I'm keeping its sequel on my nightstand. It won't be the next book I read, but I'm open to reading it in the future.
August 1, 2020
5 Stars
This is a funny and creative story. It turns out that when you die you leave your body as a ghost imprint of how you were at death. You also stay on earth for eternity- which everyone finds out after a massive blackout where the once invisible ghosts are now visible to everyone. This obviously changes many things- who needs a funeral anymore for example. This is the story of how Ryan has the opportunity to choose to be a ghost and how his body got lost. This book is fun and quirky, but also has the underlying themes exploring what it means to be human and choosing what's important about your existence.
This is a funny and creative story. It turns out that when you die you leave your body as a ghost imprint of how you were at death. You also stay on earth for eternity- which everyone finds out after a massive blackout where the once invisible ghosts are now visible to everyone. This obviously changes many things- who needs a funeral anymore for example. This is the story of how Ryan has the opportunity to choose to be a ghost and how his body got lost. This book is fun and quirky, but also has the underlying themes exploring what it means to be human and choosing what's important about your existence.
June 9, 2023
I went into this expecting a real good laugh and a fun story. It definitely started off that way but got a bit complex. Ryan, the main character, wanting to turn into a spirit but then back into a human quickly so he could change his questionable shirt was laughable. He would be stuck with this appearance for a while so it made sense, and that was the initial quest. However, several other characters were thrown into the mix and other wierd concepts. I don't know that the extra information was neccesary. It didn't make sense to me. It just sort of mottled the story and I lost interest midway through.
September 18, 2021
Clever, witty and great fun!
Sinclair deftly manages to create a most original world within our world, filled with ghosts and bodies, missing and accounted for, and all stages in between. This is an edge-of-your-seat adventure, a budding romance, complete with a bad guy, a good guy, a questionable guy, and a good woman. Also assorted ghosts. And lots of sugared cereal. Raises some interesting and important questions, as well as being downright hilarious. I’m diving into the sequel tomorrow!
Sinclair deftly manages to create a most original world within our world, filled with ghosts and bodies, missing and accounted for, and all stages in between. This is an edge-of-your-seat adventure, a budding romance, complete with a bad guy, a good guy, a questionable guy, and a good woman. Also assorted ghosts. And lots of sugared cereal. Raises some interesting and important questions, as well as being downright hilarious. I’m diving into the sequel tomorrow!
May 6, 2024
4* for a new concept. The story seemed to lag a bit but it picked my interest back up.
The thing that kept nagging me was his sweater. He had to remove it because of the metal buttons. A men's button up, crew neck sweater sounds peculiar. That sweater just didn't make sense to me. He was also wearing jeans. Wasn't the snap or button on the jeans metal? Or the zipper? What about the guy with a ring on his finger? Or the nails in the chair?
The story includes the fact that no matter what new tech comes out or what happens to create a 'new normal' someone will use it for nefarious reasons.
The thing that kept nagging me was his sweater. He had to remove it because of the metal buttons. A men's button up, crew neck sweater sounds peculiar. That sweater just didn't make sense to me. He was also wearing jeans. Wasn't the snap or button on the jeans metal? Or the zipper? What about the guy with a ring on his finger? Or the nails in the chair?
The story includes the fact that no matter what new tech comes out or what happens to create a 'new normal' someone will use it for nefarious reasons.
October 4, 2021
When this book was selected for book club I wasn’t too sure about it. The synopsis didn’t entice me. But the reading the book was the complete opposite. I found myself wanting to continue reading and see what happens next. It left me with the ever thought-provoking question: would I willingly “live” immortally as a ghost or would I enjoy the life of the “living” where I can feel emotions and get hurt?
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