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December 1874
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are looking forward to a traditional Christmas with plenty of food, alcohol and the odd duel. But then Death meets Elizabeth, a young girl with unusual gifts, who needs their protection.
When other children start going missing throughout London and the Prime Minister himself asks for their help, they have to put down the brandy and mince pies to solve the mystery while – as usual – saving the world from an unspeakable horror.
Four Horsemen is the fourth part in a series of funny urban fantasy novellas that tells the story of Death and his friends protecting humanity from ghosts, zombies, vampires and medium-sized apocalypses.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are looking forward to a traditional Christmas with plenty of food, alcohol and the odd duel. But then Death meets Elizabeth, a young girl with unusual gifts, who needs their protection.
When other children start going missing throughout London and the Prime Minister himself asks for their help, they have to put down the brandy and mince pies to solve the mystery while – as usual – saving the world from an unspeakable horror.
Four Horsemen is the fourth part in a series of funny urban fantasy novellas that tells the story of Death and his friends protecting humanity from ghosts, zombies, vampires and medium-sized apocalypses.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2018
321 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Dave Turner
9 books155 followersDave Turner is an award winning writer whose work has featured on the websites of BBC News, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Huffington Post and FHM.
In 2011 he won the Best Screenplay Award at London Screenwriters' Festival with his short film script 'Everything You Need'. After selling various screenplays which you will note you have not seen as films at your local multiplex, he created Aim For The Head books to publish his work. He has written two novellas, How To Be Dead and Paper Cuts, which are available from Amazon now.
In 2011 he won the Best Screenplay Award at London Screenwriters' Festival with his short film script 'Everything You Need'. After selling various screenplays which you will note you have not seen as films at your local multiplex, he created Aim For The Head books to publish his work. He has written two novellas, How To Be Dead and Paper Cuts, which are available from Amazon now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 9, 2025
I've read each installment of this series in one go, and this book was no exception. My only criticism is I don't have a Book 5 to go straight onto next! Love love love.
May 29, 2018
The Four Horsemen are so fun
After back to back reading of books 1-3 I jumped on board of 4.The horsemen are definitely the stars of the series . The story was more enjoyable than 1-3 I didn't feel as disconnected the solely Victorian period may of added to it rather flipping from one era story to the other era story in the original 1-3 I enjoyed the series overall and wonder what else may come from the author .
After back to back reading of books 1-3 I jumped on board of 4.The horsemen are definitely the stars of the series . The story was more enjoyable than 1-3 I didn't feel as disconnected the solely Victorian period may of added to it rather flipping from one era story to the other era story in the original 1-3 I enjoyed the series overall and wonder what else may come from the author .
December 31, 2018
Merry Christmas.
It's nearing Christmas and the Four Horsemen have a possibly apocalyptic event to prevent.
Funny yet serious, this shows a side to the horsemen that isn't usually seen and it is a great read.
It's nearing Christmas and the Four Horsemen have a possibly apocalyptic event to prevent.
Funny yet serious, this shows a side to the horsemen that isn't usually seen and it is a great read.
March 7, 2024
Wow I love these books !
March 13, 2018
Very enjoyable light read. Unlike the other books I've read by Dave Turner, this was a straight story, no jumping through time. It stands alone as a novel. You don't have to have read anything by him in the past to get into this book.
February 15, 2018
This book could easily be called “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Holistic Detective Agency.” Conquest and Famine are called to visit Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (Death has a day job and War has been left home after an unfortunate event involving the PM’s cat Mrs. Fluffykins) and asked to help find the son of a dear, departed, friend whose family Disraeli made a death bed promise to look after. The reader has a bit of an outline as to what is going on because we see this dark entity lure the children (somewhat less than competently) by appearing to them in a form with which that entity feels they’ll be comfortable.
On the seedier side of London, Elizabeth is leading a very Dickensian kind of life begging on the streets. When begging doesn’t satisfy what she needs to collect for survival for herself and her aunt, she’s not above picking a pocket or two. Though a small child, she is a pragmatist who understands that everyone dies (she has, after all, lost both of her parents and younger brother and lives in an area of London where survival is a skill) and that she needs to make herself useful to her new friends in order to give them a reason to keep her. Elizabeth’s only real long term plan is to live.
There is a Doctor Who level brilliance to the antagonist of the piece. Turner coyly drips information to the reader. The antagonist can present itself as anyone you want to see (rather like The Testimony in Twice Upon a Time but with much more sinister intent). We soon learn that the ability can be both a gift and a curse when we meet a man manipulated by the dark entity. What we know for sure is that the antagonist knows of the Four Horsemen and would like to keep any leading information from them. Seriously, the way this character is written is utterly tantalizing and stunningly brilliant. From the start there’s a sense that it will be the best of baddies because though it could force it prefers to cajole but that doesn’t always work out.
Turner is a brilliant writer and very polished. Transitions flow seamlessly, emotion is balanced with humor in adjustment. If you like humor and good writing and ESPECIALLY if you like Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde, pick Four Horsemen up today. While in the unique spirit and humor of the aforementioned writers, you have not read anything like this, I assure you. If you like a good mystery but aren’t into all that supernatural stuff, pick it up. You will thank me.
On the seedier side of London, Elizabeth is leading a very Dickensian kind of life begging on the streets. When begging doesn’t satisfy what she needs to collect for survival for herself and her aunt, she’s not above picking a pocket or two. Though a small child, she is a pragmatist who understands that everyone dies (she has, after all, lost both of her parents and younger brother and lives in an area of London where survival is a skill) and that she needs to make herself useful to her new friends in order to give them a reason to keep her. Elizabeth’s only real long term plan is to live.
There is a Doctor Who level brilliance to the antagonist of the piece. Turner coyly drips information to the reader. The antagonist can present itself as anyone you want to see (rather like The Testimony in Twice Upon a Time but with much more sinister intent). We soon learn that the ability can be both a gift and a curse when we meet a man manipulated by the dark entity. What we know for sure is that the antagonist knows of the Four Horsemen and would like to keep any leading information from them. Seriously, the way this character is written is utterly tantalizing and stunningly brilliant. From the start there’s a sense that it will be the best of baddies because though it could force it prefers to cajole but that doesn’t always work out.
Turner is a brilliant writer and very polished. Transitions flow seamlessly, emotion is balanced with humor in adjustment. If you like humor and good writing and ESPECIALLY if you like Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde, pick Four Horsemen up today. While in the unique spirit and humor of the aforementioned writers, you have not read anything like this, I assure you. If you like a good mystery but aren’t into all that supernatural stuff, pick it up. You will thank me.
February 4, 2018
kindle unlimited, very strange maybe because it's got that bit of brit-ness to it, but read them, js.
December 1874
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are looking forward to a traditional Christmas with plenty of food, alcohol and the odd duel. But then Death meets Elizabeth, a young girl with unusual gifts, who needs their protection.
When other children start going missing throughout London and the Prime Minister himself asks for their help, they have to put down the brandy and mince pies to solve the mystery while – as usual – saving the world from an unspeakable horror.
Four Horsemen is the fourth part in a series of funny urban fantasy novellas that tells the story of Death and his friends protecting humanity from ghosts, zombies, vampires and medium-sized apocalypses.
How To Be Dead (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 1)
Paper Cuts (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 2)
Old Haunts (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 3)
The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series (3 Book Series)
Four Horsemen (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 4)
December 1874
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are looking forward to a traditional Christmas with plenty of food, alcohol and the odd duel. But then Death meets Elizabeth, a young girl with unusual gifts, who needs their protection.
When other children start going missing throughout London and the Prime Minister himself asks for their help, they have to put down the brandy and mince pies to solve the mystery while – as usual – saving the world from an unspeakable horror.
Four Horsemen is the fourth part in a series of funny urban fantasy novellas that tells the story of Death and his friends protecting humanity from ghosts, zombies, vampires and medium-sized apocalypses.
How To Be Dead (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 1)
Paper Cuts (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 2)
Old Haunts (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 3)
The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series (3 Book Series)
Four Horsemen (The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series Book 4)
March 22, 2021
Despite being the fourth book in the How To Be Dead series, Four Horsemen works well as a standalone novel. Set in the Victorian era, it teams Death, Famine, Conquest and War (my favourite) up with Beelzebub to prevent an even worse being of unspeakable horror taking over the world. Well written with some real 'chuckle aloud' moments, the humour is wonderfully irreverent and British, and the plot ticks along at a good pace. Dave Turner has definitely become a must-buy author for me. More please!
January 22, 2018
In this book you get to see the more tender side of the 4 horsemen, it gave me a few giggles at times and had a heart warming ending.
January 15, 2024
You try to destroy the Earth just once and nobody lets you forget it.
In a word? Splendid! How utterly, completely, flop around in the muck-ily splendid! In "Four Horsemen" (conveniently the 4th book of this series), author Dave Turner takes us away from our previous setting of modern-day London and sets us down rather abruptly into the Victorian Age, which if you're setting your calendars should be somewhere between the 1860s and the turn of the century. I ass/u/me this was all more towards the latter as there is already mention of taking the city into the 1900s in what I suspect involved a lot of kicking and screaming on everyone's part. But I digress… AND I've seen that he says it's in fact 1874 right at the beginning... sigh, such a good opening and all for naught...
You wait one hundred and fifty years for an angry mob and two turn up at the same time.
No, in this story - if it's not already somewhat obvious by taking place decades before they were born - we do not follow Dave (the protagonist, not the author), Melanie, Gary or even Anne around. Instead, our story focuses on our more immortal players, namely the Gentlemen of Dubious Activities. Here's a clue you can use at home: these are in fact the heretofore described and much beloved Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who in this realm are merely using a nom caché in order to go about their business relatively undisturbed and/or molested in nasty ways. Foreshadowing reigns as of course none of this will be the case, even when they rush about in the name of Her Majesty's service. No, as long as other demons including even Beezelbub (sic[k]) remain in the picture, things will not go swimmingly at all. Heck, even Archibald Christou is back for another round of shenanigans! Oh don't tell me you've already forgotten Archie! The nerve…
'There's a gang of apes throwing faeces at each other in the House of Lords.'
'Well, that's the upper classes for you…'
What Turner has in fact accomplished, whether this was his aim or not, was to bring his own universe a wee bit closer in resemblance to that most famous of cities, namely, Ankh-Morpork. While no one ambles about selling suspicious wares at cut-me-own-throat prices and we are not accosted by any University authorities (Unseen or otherwise), one can't help feeling that London - swathed in the chimney smoke and the dirtied snow of Christmas time - is doing her best to qualify for space turtle rides through the cosmos. How else would you explain having a pandimensional Chthulu-esque being appear and go on a rash of kidnappings of the cities more… mutant (?) children. It does, as 'they' say, boggle the mind!
She is the top predator crawling out from prehistory and she will devour the world in her ancient jaws. I cannot let that happen. I have tickets for the theatre next week.
Turner's writing, editing and all kinds of 'ing-ing continue to be fantastic! I am tearing through this series as if my life depended on it (mouths slowly to the camera: "help… me… PLEASE!"). The humour (note spelling) continues to be fantastically British, which is what I grew up on (with apologies to Dave Allen for lumping him into that group). And getting to know our Four Brothers ever more intimately is a bonus that I can't underline enough. Why, there's even a moment for those of you that enjoy a good weepy moment in your books, where everyone lives happily (eh…?) ever after and we all go out for ice cream! No, wait, that must be the next book… which I'm starting in five minutes…
In a word? Splendid! How utterly, completely, flop around in the muck-ily splendid! In "Four Horsemen" (conveniently the 4th book of this series), author Dave Turner takes us away from our previous setting of modern-day London and sets us down rather abruptly into the Victorian Age, which if you're setting your calendars should be somewhere between the 1860s and the turn of the century. I ass/u/me this was all more towards the latter as there is already mention of taking the city into the 1900s in what I suspect involved a lot of kicking and screaming on everyone's part. But I digress… AND I've seen that he says it's in fact 1874 right at the beginning... sigh, such a good opening and all for naught...
You wait one hundred and fifty years for an angry mob and two turn up at the same time.
No, in this story - if it's not already somewhat obvious by taking place decades before they were born - we do not follow Dave (the protagonist, not the author), Melanie, Gary or even Anne around. Instead, our story focuses on our more immortal players, namely the Gentlemen of Dubious Activities. Here's a clue you can use at home: these are in fact the heretofore described and much beloved Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who in this realm are merely using a nom caché in order to go about their business relatively undisturbed and/or molested in nasty ways. Foreshadowing reigns as of course none of this will be the case, even when they rush about in the name of Her Majesty's service. No, as long as other demons including even Beezelbub (sic[k]) remain in the picture, things will not go swimmingly at all. Heck, even Archibald Christou is back for another round of shenanigans! Oh don't tell me you've already forgotten Archie! The nerve…
'There's a gang of apes throwing faeces at each other in the House of Lords.'
'Well, that's the upper classes for you…'
What Turner has in fact accomplished, whether this was his aim or not, was to bring his own universe a wee bit closer in resemblance to that most famous of cities, namely, Ankh-Morpork. While no one ambles about selling suspicious wares at cut-me-own-throat prices and we are not accosted by any University authorities (Unseen or otherwise), one can't help feeling that London - swathed in the chimney smoke and the dirtied snow of Christmas time - is doing her best to qualify for space turtle rides through the cosmos. How else would you explain having a pandimensional Chthulu-esque being appear and go on a rash of kidnappings of the cities more… mutant (?) children. It does, as 'they' say, boggle the mind!
She is the top predator crawling out from prehistory and she will devour the world in her ancient jaws. I cannot let that happen. I have tickets for the theatre next week.
Turner's writing, editing and all kinds of 'ing-ing continue to be fantastic! I am tearing through this series as if my life depended on it (mouths slowly to the camera: "help… me… PLEASE!"). The humour (note spelling) continues to be fantastically British, which is what I grew up on (with apologies to Dave Allen for lumping him into that group). And getting to know our Four Brothers ever more intimately is a bonus that I can't underline enough. Why, there's even a moment for those of you that enjoy a good weepy moment in your books, where everyone lives happily (eh…?) ever after and we all go out for ice cream! No, wait, that must be the next book… which I'm starting in five minutes…
January 6, 2025
Book 4 in the "How to be Dead" Grim Reaper series. This one is a look back to adventures that the four horsemen had in the past rather than something that continues the story of Dave Marwood and his girlfriend Melanie. It's Christmas and a monster is stealing gifted children from London. The horsemen get roped into assisting the mystery.
I enjoyed this story, maybe more than the main story based books. It was fun reading about the horsemen alone when in the main stories it's mainly been Death, and he seems to be more an incidental character by book 3, instead focusing on Dave. 5/5
I enjoyed this story, maybe more than the main story based books. It was fun reading about the horsemen alone when in the main stories it's mainly been Death, and he seems to be more an incidental character by book 3, instead focusing on Dave. 5/5
January 21, 2026
I loved the first 3 books in this series but I actually preferred this one so far. This follows the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Called in by the president to solve a mystery, young children are going missing, but the president soon realises that this may not be a human villain but something else entirely. The Four Horsemen need to find out what the something is and come to realise a young girl may be the answer in helping figure out what’s going on. An incredible blend of horror and humour. British banter at its finest. Incredible book I loved it
April 27, 2018
Brilliant
Although on the short side, this latest story is funny, exciting and surprisingly moving. The depiction of Victorian London is broadly painted but feels realistic. The baddy is a real baddy, even compared to Beelzebub, and almost a match for the Horsemen...almost. It even has a happy ending !
Although on the short side, this latest story is funny, exciting and surprisingly moving. The depiction of Victorian London is broadly painted but feels realistic. The baddy is a real baddy, even compared to Beelzebub, and almost a match for the Horsemen...almost. It even has a happy ending !
November 12, 2018
Amazing
This is a stand alone novel, and it's just such a great read. It's a comedy fantasy with lashings of adventure about the four horsemen of the apocalypse sharing a house in Victorian London whilst performing covert operations for the government.
It's a ripping yarn that should be a bestseller!
This is a stand alone novel, and it's just such a great read. It's a comedy fantasy with lashings of adventure about the four horsemen of the apocalypse sharing a house in Victorian London whilst performing covert operations for the government.
It's a ripping yarn that should be a bestseller!
November 14, 2018
Four Horsemen and a little lady
In an earlier period than Dave Turner's other books the four horsemen are still working together as secret agents of the British government. When London is threatened by a being from another dimension they must save the world and the talented little lady who is the key to it all.
In an earlier period than Dave Turner's other books the four horsemen are still working together as secret agents of the British government. When London is threatened by a being from another dimension they must save the world and the talented little lady who is the key to it all.
January 7, 2022
A step back into the past lives of Death, War, Famine and Conquest - the eponymous horsemen of the apocalypse (retired). Set in Victorian London they deal with a creature as old as creation itself, the metroplitan police and the Prince of lies, Beezelbub and leaves you with the question "what happened next?".
April 25, 2023
Heartwarming Fun!
I love this series, and Four Horsemen is the one that made me laugh out loud the most. The characters are so relatable, and they have such endearing foibles and mannerisms! This is a fun adventure with a great story, and I encourage you if it piques your interest to give it a shot!
I love this series, and Four Horsemen is the one that made me laugh out loud the most. The characters are so relatable, and they have such endearing foibles and mannerisms! This is a fun adventure with a great story, and I encourage you if it piques your interest to give it a shot!
November 15, 2023
Even better second time around
Only after I started reading did I find there were already bookmarks in the book. Having just read the first three in the series last week, I got this one. Despite having read it and some bits ringing bells, it was no less enjoyable.
Quality writing with characters and humour throughout.
Now onto book 5, which sort of rings bells.....
Only after I started reading did I find there were already bookmarks in the book. Having just read the first three in the series last week, I got this one. Despite having read it and some bits ringing bells, it was no less enjoyable.
Quality writing with characters and humour throughout.
Now onto book 5, which sort of rings bells.....
February 9, 2018
Superb
Absolutely on form, an excellently written, highly absorbing piece of humorous escapism. Highly recommended. And time Amazon stopped demanding a minimum number of words for a review. Read the book and give it the length of review you choose.
Absolutely on form, an excellently written, highly absorbing piece of humorous escapism. Highly recommended. And time Amazon stopped demanding a minimum number of words for a review. Read the book and give it the length of review you choose.
March 20, 2018
Funny story, very enjoyable
I really enjoyed the 4th installment of the how to be dead series. Reading the 4 horsemen prequel was not only very funny but great seeing them in action.
I really enjoyed the 4th installment of the how to be dead series. Reading the 4 horsemen prequel was not only very funny but great seeing them in action.
July 6, 2018
No Dave?
A different angle than the three other books, focussing on a Victorian Christmas with War, Conquest, Famine and Death ... With their housekeeper, Mrs Burgess, and a rescued orphan Elizabeth.
Old gods, other worlds, the birth of the underground, and of course Beezlebub!
A different angle than the three other books, focussing on a Victorian Christmas with War, Conquest, Famine and Death ... With their housekeeper, Mrs Burgess, and a rescued orphan Elizabeth.
Old gods, other worlds, the birth of the underground, and of course Beezlebub!
September 9, 2018
A+
Great story. My favorite out of the whole series. I loved getting to know the apocalypse boys better. Elizabeth reminded me of a sweet version of Claudia from Interview with a Vampire.
Great story. My favorite out of the whole series. I loved getting to know the apocalypse boys better. Elizabeth reminded me of a sweet version of Claudia from Interview with a Vampire.
May 29, 2019
A side story by Dave Turner on the Four Horsemen. Another great read and a hard book to put down. Always a slightly different element to each of these books but worth the read. Especially if you want something that isn't overly taxing on the brain.
June 22, 2019
Entertaining, full of funny and touching moments.
The four horsemen are charged with finding out why children are going missing, and what they discover results in a battle to save us all from annihilation.
The four horsemen are charged with finding out why children are going missing, and what they discover results in a battle to save us all from annihilation.
July 5, 2019
Fantastic
Another belter from Dave, I highly recommend this series. I love the laugh out loud moments and easy flow of the story. Only problem with this book is that I couldn't put it down!
Another belter from Dave, I highly recommend this series. I love the laugh out loud moments and easy flow of the story. Only problem with this book is that I couldn't put it down!
November 3, 2019
Eldritch Horrors threaten London!
I really liked it and I'm not giving anything away, you'll just have to read it. It's very British with a good dollop of humour. Go on! It's worth it!
I really liked it and I'm not giving anything away, you'll just have to read it. It's very British with a good dollop of humour. Go on! It's worth it!
September 5, 2020
Another winner
A funny, well written story of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, some missing children and an unspeakable monster from another dimension, set in Victorian London. Dave Turners books always cheer me up!
A funny, well written story of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, some missing children and an unspeakable monster from another dimension, set in Victorian London. Dave Turners books always cheer me up!
November 17, 2020
these are funny quirky style books.
Won't be to everybody's taste but I enjoyed reading the series.
Bit of a downer to read the last one on a cliffhanger finish and the author deciding this series has run it's course
Won't be to everybody's taste but I enjoyed reading the series.
Bit of a downer to read the last one on a cliffhanger finish and the author deciding this series has run it's course
March 26, 2022
great light hearted reads
This series of books reminds me of Terry Pratchet’s Disc World Series particularly the character Death who figures prominently in both series. That is no criticism however as Dave Turner writes entertaining literature.
This series of books reminds me of Terry Pratchet’s Disc World Series particularly the character Death who figures prominently in both series. That is no criticism however as Dave Turner writes entertaining literature.
January 12, 2023
I laughed, I cried, I rolled my eyes... and I finished in a few hours while the power was out. At first it felt like a Discworld novel, but Mr. Turner has his own style and it is both funny and smart. Thanks for getting me through a dark day!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews