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Half Dead
Calvert Green literally believes he's dead--but that won't stop him from diving deep into the secrets that threaten to bury him.
The car accident took his wife and nearly killed him too, but Calvert Green's problems are just beginning. He was a respected Russian literature scholar in Chicago, but due to severe head trauma, he's now suffering from Cotard's Disease--a rare physiological condition that makes him believe he's dead. He has also lost much of his memory, including the academic knowledge that defined his life.
Calvert knows few details about the accident but believes there's more going on than he's been told, so he leaves the care facility determined to find the truth behind his "death." His search lands him in the middle of a city being terrorized by a murder spree, and young homicide detective Whistler Diaz has a prime suspect. But Whistler's cousin Moe, a crusading journalist, zeroes in on Calvert, determined to prove he's not all he seems.
Intuition and improvisation were never Calvert's strong suits, but now he has to draw on his hidden inner resources to clear his name. On a harrowing journey into the city's underbelly--and deep into his psyche--Calvert begins to uncover the shocking truth of who he once was.
Calvert might be on the verge of finding a new definition of sanity--but a malevolent force lurks in the shadows bent on total madness.
The car accident took his wife and nearly killed him too, but Calvert Green's problems are just beginning. He was a respected Russian literature scholar in Chicago, but due to severe head trauma, he's now suffering from Cotard's Disease--a rare physiological condition that makes him believe he's dead. He has also lost much of his memory, including the academic knowledge that defined his life.
Calvert knows few details about the accident but believes there's more going on than he's been told, so he leaves the care facility determined to find the truth behind his "death." His search lands him in the middle of a city being terrorized by a murder spree, and young homicide detective Whistler Diaz has a prime suspect. But Whistler's cousin Moe, a crusading journalist, zeroes in on Calvert, determined to prove he's not all he seems.
Intuition and improvisation were never Calvert's strong suits, but now he has to draw on his hidden inner resources to clear his name. On a harrowing journey into the city's underbelly--and deep into his psyche--Calvert begins to uncover the shocking truth of who he once was.
Calvert might be on the verge of finding a new definition of sanity--but a malevolent force lurks in the shadows bent on total madness.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 10, 2021
8 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Graham
197 books198 followersBrandon Graham (born 1976) is an American comic book creator.
Born in Oregon, Graham grew up in Seattle, Washington, where he was a graffiti artist. He wrote and illustrated comic books for Antarctic Press and Radio Comix, but got his start drawing pornographic comics like Pillow Fight and Multiple Warheads (Warheads would go on to become its own comic published by Oni Press in 2007). In 1997, he moved to New York City where he found work with NBM Publishing and became a founding member of comics collective Meathaus. His book Escalator was published by Alternative Comics in January 2005, when he returned to Seattle. His book King City was published by Tokyopop in 2007 and was nominated for an Eisner Award. In May 2009 Graham announced that King City would continue publication at Image Comics and his Oni Press title Multiple Warheads would resume publication after a delay, this time in color. Also at Image he is the writer on Prophet, the return of a 1990s series, with the rotating roster of artists Giannis Milonogiannis, Farel Dalrymple, Simon Roy, and himself.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Born in Oregon, Graham grew up in Seattle, Washington, where he was a graffiti artist. He wrote and illustrated comic books for Antarctic Press and Radio Comix, but got his start drawing pornographic comics like Pillow Fight and Multiple Warheads (Warheads would go on to become its own comic published by Oni Press in 2007). In 1997, he moved to New York City where he found work with NBM Publishing and became a founding member of comics collective Meathaus. His book Escalator was published by Alternative Comics in January 2005, when he returned to Seattle. His book King City was published by Tokyopop in 2007 and was nominated for an Eisner Award. In May 2009 Graham announced that King City would continue publication at Image Comics and his Oni Press title Multiple Warheads would resume publication after a delay, this time in color. Also at Image he is the writer on Prophet, the return of a 1990s series, with the rotating roster of artists Giannis Milonogiannis, Farel Dalrymple, Simon Roy, and himself.
(Source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 17, 2021
Calvert believes that he is dead, suffering from a rare disease that takes a severe toll on the victim's mental health.
Half Dead is a novel where the protagonist is the centerpiece of the novel. And while Calvert's story was interesting, I thought his personality wasn't as compelling to read. His narrative overshadows a lot of the murder mystery, which is what I really wanted to return to.
The unique premise with a dark aura is the strongest point in the novel, and I did like a lot of the investigation and police procedural aspects. But Calvert's story didn't hook me as much as I hoped.
Half Dead is a novel where the protagonist is the centerpiece of the novel. And while Calvert's story was interesting, I thought his personality wasn't as compelling to read. His narrative overshadows a lot of the murder mystery, which is what I really wanted to return to.
The unique premise with a dark aura is the strongest point in the novel, and I did like a lot of the investigation and police procedural aspects. But Calvert's story didn't hook me as much as I hoped.
April 22, 2021
I truly delighted in Half Dead. This book resembled watching a film on Netflix or amazon prime. It was great. I was not expecting what I read. It is less a secret/thrill ride and all the more a character study. A man is battling to manage a peculiar ailment and the deficiency of all that he's consistently known. His personality, vocation, marriage, blame, and future holds. Except for what prompted the mishap, the offense that nearly executed him, character improvement was feeble about Calvert as an individual before his life changed until the end of time. This book resembled watching a film on Netflix or amazon prime. It was acceptable. It was noteworthy I was not expecting what I read.
May 10, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Half Dead.
I thought the premise was intriguing and I was pleased when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
The main character, Calvert Green, has just been released from rehab. He has Cotard's Disease, a rare physiological condition he suffered after surviving a terrible car accident and the loss of his wife and student.
As he struggles with repressed memories of his marriage and the accident that nearly killed him, he's trying to get on with his life - getting a job, being a productive member of society, but most of all, remembering daily that he's alive, not dead.
At the same time, a woman has just been murdered, but she's not the first.
Moe, a journalist, queer and woman of color, is intent on solving these cases with her cousin, a recently promoted detective named Whistler.
As she conducts her own investigation, she eventually sets her sights on Calvert, after the man rescues a local female entrepreneur.
But, will her assumptions lead her down the wrong path and into the sights of a killer?
Half Dead is less a mystery/thriller and more of a character study, a man struggling to deal with a strange medical condition and the loss of everything he's ever known; his identity, his career, his marriage, his guilt and what his future holds.
I didn't like Calvert as much as I had hoped; I didn't hate him, but I didn't like him.
Perhaps it was because I didn't know much about him before the accident.
With the exception of what led to the accident, the transgression that almost killed him, character development was weak about Calvert as a person before his life changed forever.
I liked Moe and Whistler; the former is an idealistic journalist confident she will change the world and the latter looking to make his mark in the homicide squad.
I appreciated the sexual and racial diversities of supporting and minor characters.
The identity of the killer was hard to suspend disbelief for but the mystery was weak so whodunit was secondary to a story about Calvert, a crusading journalist and a decent homicide detective.
The writing was good, but most of the narrative read as filler.
I wanted a straight forward mystery and/or police procedural, not a character study about a not quite likable main character.
I thought the premise was intriguing and I was pleased when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
The main character, Calvert Green, has just been released from rehab. He has Cotard's Disease, a rare physiological condition he suffered after surviving a terrible car accident and the loss of his wife and student.
As he struggles with repressed memories of his marriage and the accident that nearly killed him, he's trying to get on with his life - getting a job, being a productive member of society, but most of all, remembering daily that he's alive, not dead.
At the same time, a woman has just been murdered, but she's not the first.
Moe, a journalist, queer and woman of color, is intent on solving these cases with her cousin, a recently promoted detective named Whistler.
As she conducts her own investigation, she eventually sets her sights on Calvert, after the man rescues a local female entrepreneur.
But, will her assumptions lead her down the wrong path and into the sights of a killer?
Half Dead is less a mystery/thriller and more of a character study, a man struggling to deal with a strange medical condition and the loss of everything he's ever known; his identity, his career, his marriage, his guilt and what his future holds.
I didn't like Calvert as much as I had hoped; I didn't hate him, but I didn't like him.
Perhaps it was because I didn't know much about him before the accident.
With the exception of what led to the accident, the transgression that almost killed him, character development was weak about Calvert as a person before his life changed forever.
I liked Moe and Whistler; the former is an idealistic journalist confident she will change the world and the latter looking to make his mark in the homicide squad.
I appreciated the sexual and racial diversities of supporting and minor characters.
The identity of the killer was hard to suspend disbelief for but the mystery was weak so whodunit was secondary to a story about Calvert, a crusading journalist and a decent homicide detective.
The writing was good, but most of the narrative read as filler.
I wanted a straight forward mystery and/or police procedural, not a character study about a not quite likable main character.
December 30, 2021
Calvert Green, suffering from Cotard's Disease, believes he is dead and now he's wound up in a murder investigation. He left his care facility, New Horizons, to go looking for truths. With its intriguing premise, I was hoping for a really compelling read here... and got it! I was fascinated by Calvert's issues and intrigued by Moe and Whistler. If you're searching for something in the mystery category that is unique, you might want to grab a copy of Half Dead.
Disclosure: Thank you to Crooked Lane for providing a digital ARC of Half Dead by Brandon Graham, via Netgalley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Disclosure: Thank you to Crooked Lane for providing a digital ARC of Half Dead by Brandon Graham, via Netgalley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 11, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an AudioARC in exchange for an honest review.
Half Dead is a mystery thriller which involves three points of view. Detective Whistler Diaz is on his very first homicide case and is looking to prove a new serial killer is on the loose. Moe is a reporter looking to get her first investigate reporting in the books and make a name for herself. Calvert Green is a man who believes he is dead after suffering brain damage in a car crash. He believes he is somehow strangely still animated, but will begin decomposing any moment. How are these three connected and will it aide them in stopping these crimes?
This was a nice quick thrilling read. It did jump around POV quite a bit, but once comfortable with who everyone was and what surrounded them it made it easy to listen too. The narrator used different voices for the characters surrounding our mains, so it made it easy to transition. The story was interestingly woven, with reveals along the way that aren't unique, but we'll guarded. The killer and their motives were a bit hard to swallow, so I'm giving this a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I recommend this for anyone 18+ as I don't think it has enough to keep you get readers interested. This moved at an intricate but slow pace that is required for a mystery like this. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Half Dead is a mystery thriller which involves three points of view. Detective Whistler Diaz is on his very first homicide case and is looking to prove a new serial killer is on the loose. Moe is a reporter looking to get her first investigate reporting in the books and make a name for herself. Calvert Green is a man who believes he is dead after suffering brain damage in a car crash. He believes he is somehow strangely still animated, but will begin decomposing any moment. How are these three connected and will it aide them in stopping these crimes?
This was a nice quick thrilling read. It did jump around POV quite a bit, but once comfortable with who everyone was and what surrounded them it made it easy to listen too. The narrator used different voices for the characters surrounding our mains, so it made it easy to transition. The story was interestingly woven, with reveals along the way that aren't unique, but we'll guarded. The killer and their motives were a bit hard to swallow, so I'm giving this a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I recommend this for anyone 18+ as I don't think it has enough to keep you get readers interested. This moved at an intricate but slow pace that is required for a mystery like this. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
October 26, 2021
There’s a special joy I used to get from “discovering” an album at the record store that I really enjoy - but the nature of record stores have changed.
Still, stumbling across something new (to you) at a bookstore or library still gives me a similar thrill - and it really paid off with Brandon Graham’s “Half Dead.”
While I generally like mysteries and thrillers, I wasn’t looking for anything in particular when I picked this up. The Calvert character and his condition seemed intriguing and I quickly found myself liking his storyline as well as those of the reporter, Moe and her cousin, “Whistler.” Each came alive on the page very quickly for me and I found myself caring for each of them and those in their lives. Some of it was really quite touching.
Part of what makes it successful is the brief chapters that are just more than enough to propel the narrative forward. The few violent episodes are surprising, effective and well placed to keep things moving as well.
If you’re looking for something fresh that’s in the detective/mystery arena, but maybe a little bit different and more, I recommend picking up “Half Dead.”
Still, stumbling across something new (to you) at a bookstore or library still gives me a similar thrill - and it really paid off with Brandon Graham’s “Half Dead.”
While I generally like mysteries and thrillers, I wasn’t looking for anything in particular when I picked this up. The Calvert character and his condition seemed intriguing and I quickly found myself liking his storyline as well as those of the reporter, Moe and her cousin, “Whistler.” Each came alive on the page very quickly for me and I found myself caring for each of them and those in their lives. Some of it was really quite touching.
Part of what makes it successful is the brief chapters that are just more than enough to propel the narrative forward. The few violent episodes are surprising, effective and well placed to keep things moving as well.
If you’re looking for something fresh that’s in the detective/mystery arena, but maybe a little bit different and more, I recommend picking up “Half Dead.”
October 17, 2022
OK, even though the subject matter, murder, is serious, grimly serious, I found it hard to keep from smiling as I read. Black humor? Well I am a Gahan Wilson fan, so there´s that. Anyway there is a subtitle undercurrent of humor throughout. I especially liked author Graham´s description of Inspector Ruther´s seemingly sentient mustache.
Now while reading the dialogue and interior monologues of...well, I don´t know if he is the protagonist or more of a McGuffin...Calvert Greene I kept hearing Jim Parson as Sheldon Cooper. I couldn´t help but like Greene though. A man of once great intellect cast drift due in large part to his own human emotions, now stripped of them. As the plot unfolds around him, he begins to regain and restore his life, his humanity.
As any good detective novel this is a comedy, because, spoiler alert, it ends with a barbecue and a promise of a spouting love. Really now, I think it might be fun if Moe, Detective Diaz, maybe Suzuki and Greene teamed up for another case?
Now while reading the dialogue and interior monologues of...well, I don´t know if he is the protagonist or more of a McGuffin...Calvert Greene I kept hearing Jim Parson as Sheldon Cooper. I couldn´t help but like Greene though. A man of once great intellect cast drift due in large part to his own human emotions, now stripped of them. As the plot unfolds around him, he begins to regain and restore his life, his humanity.
As any good detective novel this is a comedy, because, spoiler alert, it ends with a barbecue and a promise of a spouting love. Really now, I think it might be fun if Moe, Detective Diaz, maybe Suzuki and Greene teamed up for another case?
August 21, 2021
This is a book I wanted to love and just didn’t. The premise sounded interesting, but it took a long time for the threads of the story to connect and I didn’t really feel too invested in the characters or the story until close to the end. The ending was good and wrapped up the characters’ stories nicely, but I wasn’t hooked the whole time.
I did listen to the audiobook, so I may have enjoyed it more if I had read it myself. This is not a knock to the narrator, who I thoroughly enjoy and have listened to before, but more a comment on my ability to connect threads and characters on audio alone.
This is one I would be interested in revisiting in the future to see if my opinion would change, but as it stands right now, this was just okay for me.
I did listen to the audiobook, so I may have enjoyed it more if I had read it myself. This is not a knock to the narrator, who I thoroughly enjoy and have listened to before, but more a comment on my ability to connect threads and characters on audio alone.
This is one I would be interested in revisiting in the future to see if my opinion would change, but as it stands right now, this was just okay for me.
August 25, 2021
I started this one with mixed feelings and the longer I listened the more I enjoyed it. There is a serial killer on the loose and when they strike out and assault a barista and Calvert Green stops them in the act there is a survivor. Who is Calvert? He is a man who was in an accident and now suffers from a rare brain condition that leaves him thinking he is dead. The detective on the case is a rookie and he just wants to make sure he gets the right man. Mo is the journalist and cousin of the detective and she is chasing clues or conspiracies? So many different angles but they all merge together eventually. This one kept me guessing right up until the killer was revealed. Definitely glad I kept listening.
**Received this ARC in audio form for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC in audio form for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
August 5, 2021
Calvert is suffering from an interesting rare disease. He believes that he is dead and this takes a serious toll on him.
As he struggles with repressed memories of his past life and the accident that almost killed him, he attempts to move on with his life.
Simultaneously a woman is found murdered. She is not the first.
Enter Moe; a queer journalist and woman of color she is determined to solve these cases with her cousin Whistler..
She suspects Calvert after he rescues a woman. Will her assumptions be correct, or is she walking right into the lions den?
This book was ok for me I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job.
Thank you to Netgalley and Deamscape Media
As he struggles with repressed memories of his past life and the accident that almost killed him, he attempts to move on with his life.
Simultaneously a woman is found murdered. She is not the first.
Enter Moe; a queer journalist and woman of color she is determined to solve these cases with her cousin Whistler..
She suspects Calvert after he rescues a woman. Will her assumptions be correct, or is she walking right into the lions den?
This book was ok for me I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job.
Thank you to Netgalley and Deamscape Media
August 18, 2021
I was really excited when I was approved to receive an audio copy of this book! The idea of someone who thinks they are dead was really interesting to me!
Unfortunately, for me, this read as two confused stories jumbled together. I enjoyed the mystery part of the book, but the main character just did not grab me and it felt like a separate story from the mystery. I honestly couldn't follow his side of the story from the other and I do not feel that his part of the book was complete and full like the mystery was.
Unfortunately, for me, this read as two confused stories jumbled together. I enjoyed the mystery part of the book, but the main character just did not grab me and it felt like a separate story from the mystery. I honestly couldn't follow his side of the story from the other and I do not feel that his part of the book was complete and full like the mystery was.
July 28, 2021
I was expecting more of a page-turning thriller given the synopsis but would say this story is more of an in-depth character study. The main character, Calvert, is a bit hard to empathize with and truly understand- which I believe is the point. The book reads like a film or show, where the reader can clearly see imagery in their head and follow the story but is left ever-guessing what's actually going on. It was an interesting exploration of Calvert!
October 11, 2021
I thought this was a really well-rounded story with compelling characters, witty dialogue, and skilled writing. You can tell Graham is one of those people who notices things. The only drawback is the antagonist really isn’t developed at all. We hear from him one time, and that’s it. I would have liked to hear more from him, to understand why he was committing these crimes more. It sort of fell flat. But this gets 4 stars because I really did love the writing and characters.
August 4, 2021
Calvert is suffering from Cotard's Disease- he believes he is dead- but now he's wrapped up in an murder investigation. I'm at a loss on this one. I was fascinated by Calvert's issues and intrigued by Moe and Whistler but the whole thing didn't come together. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Wasn't for me but I'd like to see more from Graham.
August 29, 2021
Half Dead is an extremely well written mystery made up of seemingly unrelated quirky characters, but all eventually intersect in the book.
I only started this book as something to read while waiting for another to arrive. The book I was waiting for arrived, but I could not then put down Half Dead before finishing it.
It’s my hope that this is just a first in a series of books by this author.
I only started this book as something to read while waiting for another to arrive. The book I was waiting for arrived, but I could not then put down Half Dead before finishing it.
It’s my hope that this is just a first in a series of books by this author.
August 17, 2021
More like 2.5 Stars. Not good, but not bad. Honestly I was expecting more good. I think if I read the book rather than listened to it I wouldn't have finished it. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review the book.
October 22, 2021
Based around a little known and very rare mental illness called Cotard’s Syndrome (this is about as close to a zombie as we get) this cross genre book takes us on a wild ride. A great commingling of humor, hope, hesitancy, heart and horror. Enjoyed this a lot.
August 31, 2021
Meh. This book is just meh. It’s longer than it needs to be. Weird shifts in the storyline. Maybe it just isn’t for me.
September 14, 2021
wonderful read
The characters and descriptions make you feel like you are invested in the story. Completely enjoyable! Definitely a page turning story.
The characters and descriptions make you feel like you are invested in the story. Completely enjoyable! Definitely a page turning story.
November 28, 2021
I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Good interesting plot line with a satisfying ending. Without being too sappy or cliche.
October 10, 2022
I thought this was a good premise, but I didn't get into the characters or the resolution.
July 16, 2025
Actual: 3.5
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews