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Gloomwood #1
Dead Heads
Augustan Blunt is a washed out cop with a bad attitude, a drinking problem and a troubled past, oh, he's also dead but that's okay so is everyone else. Other than that things are just peachy.
Someone has stolen the Grim Reaper's head and Blunt has been told to find it. In a new city where the rules of the living don't apply Blunt's up to his neck in the brown stuff and he's never been much of a swimmer. With the aid of a woman who keeps turning involuntarily invisible, a journalist who hasn't written an article since she died, and a bureaucrat who can't say no to anyone, Blunt's got to stop whoever is stealing the heads of the city's elite.
As he begins his investigations he finds things aren't all they seem. Who are the Gloomwood Youth Order? What do you call the murder of someone already dead? Why are people having their heads chopped off? And what is in the hot dogs? With time slipping away he needs to learn what makes the city tick before there's no city left.
Someone has stolen the Grim Reaper's head and Blunt has been told to find it. In a new city where the rules of the living don't apply Blunt's up to his neck in the brown stuff and he's never been much of a swimmer. With the aid of a woman who keeps turning involuntarily invisible, a journalist who hasn't written an article since she died, and a bureaucrat who can't say no to anyone, Blunt's got to stop whoever is stealing the heads of the city's elite.
As he begins his investigations he finds things aren't all they seem. Who are the Gloomwood Youth Order? What do you call the murder of someone already dead? Why are people having their heads chopped off? And what is in the hot dogs? With time slipping away he needs to learn what makes the city tick before there's no city left.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2012
205 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Ross Young
10 books62 followersRoss Young was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne in a hospital that has since been knocked down. He spent his childhood in a variety of international locales and uses this fact to affect an air of the windswept and interesting, badly. He enjoys diving and travelling and has lived and worked in various interesting places.
Dead Heads is his debut novel and forms part of a series of books set in the city of Gloomwood. He does not write from experience as, despite his appearance and demeanor, he is not dead.
Dead Heads is his debut novel and forms part of a series of books set in the city of Gloomwood. He does not write from experience as, despite his appearance and demeanor, he is not dead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
March 19, 2020
Oh my Grim Reaper, this book is SUBLIME!
DEAD HEADS by Ross Young (@InkDisregardit) is a supernatural detective mystery dripping with dark humor and satire. I snort-cackled so many times while reading the dry hilarity in this unique, charismatic, and highly addicting novel.
In Gloomwood, a city of the dead, Detective Blunt needs to solve the case of the stolen Grim Reaper’s head. He assembles a ragtag crew and explores the afterlife metropolis. The motley cast is spectacularly rendered, and the worldbuilding is impeccable.
Young is painfully clever. His innovative interpretation of life after death brims with savory details. DEAD HEADS is filled with quips and jests and loaded with sarcasm. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was hooked (okay, obsessed) from page one.
DEAD HEADS by Ross Young (@InkDisregardit) is a supernatural detective mystery dripping with dark humor and satire. I snort-cackled so many times while reading the dry hilarity in this unique, charismatic, and highly addicting novel.
In Gloomwood, a city of the dead, Detective Blunt needs to solve the case of the stolen Grim Reaper’s head. He assembles a ragtag crew and explores the afterlife metropolis. The motley cast is spectacularly rendered, and the worldbuilding is impeccable.
Young is painfully clever. His innovative interpretation of life after death brims with savory details. DEAD HEADS is filled with quips and jests and loaded with sarcasm. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was hooked (okay, obsessed) from page one.
May 24, 2020
I don't often do this, compare a book to another. Not unless I think it really helps explain how I feel about the book.
This book reminds me of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and I mean this with all of the praise I can give. The characters are very individual and quirky. The world runs on its own rules. It isn't as off-the-wall as Discworld can be though, but that is because this is it's own world. I don't mean to say that Dead Heads' story is anything like Discworld. It's its own thing completely. It's just the feeling I get from everything in the book, it gives me that same pleasure as Discworld does and I can't think of another way to describe it.
I can't wait to read more in the next book.
This book reminds me of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and I mean this with all of the praise I can give. The characters are very individual and quirky. The world runs on its own rules. It isn't as off-the-wall as Discworld can be though, but that is because this is it's own world. I don't mean to say that Dead Heads' story is anything like Discworld. It's its own thing completely. It's just the feeling I get from everything in the book, it gives me that same pleasure as Discworld does and I can't think of another way to describe it.
I can't wait to read more in the next book.
May 19, 2020
Fun Life-After-Death Mystery
A truly fun foray into the afterlife with an enormously interesting cast. With a wonderful mystery to follow along, Dead Heads is as quirky as it is thought-provoking. I enjoyed every character’s unique flair as well as all the witty comments. I really fun and enjoyable read. I hope the author writes more in this universe, as I would love to return to Gloomwood!
A truly fun foray into the afterlife with an enormously interesting cast. With a wonderful mystery to follow along, Dead Heads is as quirky as it is thought-provoking. I enjoyed every character’s unique flair as well as all the witty comments. I really fun and enjoyable read. I hope the author writes more in this universe, as I would love to return to Gloomwood!
May 9, 2021
Dead Heads by R Young is a murder mystery with quite a lot of satire thrown in to the mix.
What happens after Augustan Blunt is fatally stabbed? He wakes up of course and the minute he arrives in the afterlife he is rushed through the transition process and put to work. Why? Well upper management feel that this brash, no nonsense investigator with a bad attitude and little patience for anything is the perfect dead person to solve the biggest crime the afterlife has seen.
Someone has stolen the Grim Reaper’s Head!
I loved the premise of this story, it’s a classic murder mystery. Bodies are piling up, pressure is on the investigator to solve the crime before a deadline and he’s working with a forensic scientist and bureaucrat - sounds familiar. However, in Gloomwood, in the afterlife, everyone is dead. Nothing is as it seems, Blunt has to quickly wrap his head around his new existence, work with a forensic scientist who keeps going invisible and soon discovers the local police force are no more than heavy thugs themselves.
The atmosphere that the author has created gave me flashes of images from Frank Millar’s Sin City, with the dark, grey, miserable, foreboding environment that Young has depicted here as the afterlife. Yet there are so many comedic moments that I chuckled my way through a fair few ‘dad’ jokes throughout the book. Making sure that this tale is far from dark and brooding, more greyscale and amusing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; all the character’s are well written, the story flows easily and the ending gave me a lump in my throat but also a grin on my face. I will look forward to reading the next book in the series.
What happens after Augustan Blunt is fatally stabbed? He wakes up of course and the minute he arrives in the afterlife he is rushed through the transition process and put to work. Why? Well upper management feel that this brash, no nonsense investigator with a bad attitude and little patience for anything is the perfect dead person to solve the biggest crime the afterlife has seen.
Someone has stolen the Grim Reaper’s Head!
I loved the premise of this story, it’s a classic murder mystery. Bodies are piling up, pressure is on the investigator to solve the crime before a deadline and he’s working with a forensic scientist and bureaucrat - sounds familiar. However, in Gloomwood, in the afterlife, everyone is dead. Nothing is as it seems, Blunt has to quickly wrap his head around his new existence, work with a forensic scientist who keeps going invisible and soon discovers the local police force are no more than heavy thugs themselves.
The atmosphere that the author has created gave me flashes of images from Frank Millar’s Sin City, with the dark, grey, miserable, foreboding environment that Young has depicted here as the afterlife. Yet there are so many comedic moments that I chuckled my way through a fair few ‘dad’ jokes throughout the book. Making sure that this tale is far from dark and brooding, more greyscale and amusing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; all the character’s are well written, the story flows easily and the ending gave me a lump in my throat but also a grin on my face. I will look forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 21, 2021
Brilliant, crazy fun-ride into the afterlife!
Detective Blunt is a misanthropic cynic who speaks his mind no matter what. No wonder that he ends up murdered one day...
But to his surprise, he doesn't end up in heaven or hell... instead, he's welcomed to Gloomwood, a city of the dead, created by the Grim Reaper himself.
It turns out that the Grim Reaper has lost his head - literally. Someone has stolen it and it's up to the newly arrived detective to find out who.
This is easier said than done. The afterlife is a tricky place to navigate, filled with all kinds of strange creatures and even stranger deceased humans...
I had tons of fun with this book! Dead Heads features a unique, dark sense of humor which is at the same time very British (of course the dead drink tea, what else, duh)
There are so many unique ideas in this book that I don't even know where to start. For example, the afterlife isn't only filled with dead humans but there are also other entities who have perished from the world for one reason or the other. Such as gods and deities who have been forgotten, or Lost Hopes or Broken Promises. Particularly the two latter ones have a tough time in the afterlife. After all, who likes to deal with lost hopes or broken promises?!
I would recommend Dead Heads to fans of Douglas Adams but also everyone who loves Tim Burton movies.
I certainly can't wait to read book 2!
Detective Blunt is a misanthropic cynic who speaks his mind no matter what. No wonder that he ends up murdered one day...
But to his surprise, he doesn't end up in heaven or hell... instead, he's welcomed to Gloomwood, a city of the dead, created by the Grim Reaper himself.
It turns out that the Grim Reaper has lost his head - literally. Someone has stolen it and it's up to the newly arrived detective to find out who.
This is easier said than done. The afterlife is a tricky place to navigate, filled with all kinds of strange creatures and even stranger deceased humans...
I had tons of fun with this book! Dead Heads features a unique, dark sense of humor which is at the same time very British (of course the dead drink tea, what else, duh)
There are so many unique ideas in this book that I don't even know where to start. For example, the afterlife isn't only filled with dead humans but there are also other entities who have perished from the world for one reason or the other. Such as gods and deities who have been forgotten, or Lost Hopes or Broken Promises. Particularly the two latter ones have a tough time in the afterlife. After all, who likes to deal with lost hopes or broken promises?!
I would recommend Dead Heads to fans of Douglas Adams but also everyone who loves Tim Burton movies.
I certainly can't wait to read book 2!
May 20, 2020
One could never imagine a comedic mystery that takes place in the land of the dead. But Ross Young cleverly creates a world beyond the mundane notions of heaven or hell. Gloomwood is ruled by the Grim Reaper–no one is more powerful than him–or is there? The cast of characters that make up this wacky, yet gloomy world find themselves in the most unusual circumstances with unlikely heroes to sort it all out.
Dead Heads is a murder mystery for the already dead. Wait, how is that possible? You'll have to read it to find out. A cranky detective, a sniveling assistant, and a cast of cantankerous citizens create a non-stop adventure-filled story with unexpected twists and turns. There's even a surprise postlude, but I won't ruin the mystery.
I'm not often left wondering what goes on in the mind of an author, but after reading Dead Heads, I'm left scratching my head–glad that I still have one. Bravo Mr. Young! You have quite the imagination! Are you done with the sequel yet? Don't leave us in suspense!
Dead Heads is a murder mystery for the already dead. Wait, how is that possible? You'll have to read it to find out. A cranky detective, a sniveling assistant, and a cast of cantankerous citizens create a non-stop adventure-filled story with unexpected twists and turns. There's even a surprise postlude, but I won't ruin the mystery.
I'm not often left wondering what goes on in the mind of an author, but after reading Dead Heads, I'm left scratching my head–glad that I still have one. Bravo Mr. Young! You have quite the imagination! Are you done with the sequel yet? Don't leave us in suspense!
May 10, 2020
This is a book I'd find hilarious whatever my mood. I love the dry/sarcastic British humor and the fact that this parcel of the afterlife involves queues, "important" people expediting their place in queues (I'm throwing shade at that self-important monster of a woman with a Prada bag that managed to get ahead of me in the security line at Heathrow in 2012 because she said her baby was about to puke), decapitations, demi-gods, and an afterlife that wonderfully parodies the human realm. I can't wait to see what comes next.
December 15, 2020
Witty & Strangely Charming
First off, I'd just like to say the dialogue in this book is absolutely fantastic. Seriously. The dry-humored back and forth of Gloomwood's odd inhabitants is masterfully done and is easily my favorite part of the story. The recently dead Detective Blunt, himself, is a close second, and you'll thoroughly enjoy his introduction to the land if the dead. Five out of five stars!
First off, I'd just like to say the dialogue in this book is absolutely fantastic. Seriously. The dry-humored back and forth of Gloomwood's odd inhabitants is masterfully done and is easily my favorite part of the story. The recently dead Detective Blunt, himself, is a close second, and you'll thoroughly enjoy his introduction to the land if the dead. Five out of five stars!
April 29, 2020
A compelling crime mystery with twists of very British humour thrown in
All the way through Dead Heads I found myself shifting between wanting to unravel the mystery Blunt and his team are trying to solve, and laughing over the use of dry and occasionally black humour that's been twisted in.
All in all I found myself very entertained by the crime drama. The fact that it's been set in a very detailed and intriguing afterlife just sets it apart from other books I've read in this genre (admittedly not many). The moments of humour are in keeping with the tone, and infrequent enough to feel natural and in keeping with the characters without breaking the mood of the scene.
I particularly loved the idea that mortals aren't the only things which can die. It allowed for more interesting ideas, characters and concepts to reveal themselves, and create a very unique afterlife.
A very engaging read, would totally recommend.
All the way through Dead Heads I found myself shifting between wanting to unravel the mystery Blunt and his team are trying to solve, and laughing over the use of dry and occasionally black humour that's been twisted in.
All in all I found myself very entertained by the crime drama. The fact that it's been set in a very detailed and intriguing afterlife just sets it apart from other books I've read in this genre (admittedly not many). The moments of humour are in keeping with the tone, and infrequent enough to feel natural and in keeping with the characters without breaking the mood of the scene.
I particularly loved the idea that mortals aren't the only things which can die. It allowed for more interesting ideas, characters and concepts to reveal themselves, and create a very unique afterlife.
A very engaging read, would totally recommend.
January 7, 2021
Mostly enjoyed
There's a great concept behind this book but honestly it sometimes gets lost in the enormous cast of characters and a plot more convoluted than anything Tolstoy would write. A lot of humor and LOL moments, but you have to take notes if you want to follow what's going on.
That being said...Dead Heads is a good read for those willing to pay attention. The author has created three-dimensional characters and a phenomenal world. It's one of the most unique plots I've ever read - Blunt is whisked away after death to solve a crime in Gloomwood, the dead's version of suburbia. He has no power, no understanding of the rules of this new world, and little help except for a third level bureaucrat.
As hard as I found it to keep up with the why and who of the plot at times, I enjoyed the author's writing style. It flows well and pulls you forward.
There's a great concept behind this book but honestly it sometimes gets lost in the enormous cast of characters and a plot more convoluted than anything Tolstoy would write. A lot of humor and LOL moments, but you have to take notes if you want to follow what's going on.
That being said...Dead Heads is a good read for those willing to pay attention. The author has created three-dimensional characters and a phenomenal world. It's one of the most unique plots I've ever read - Blunt is whisked away after death to solve a crime in Gloomwood, the dead's version of suburbia. He has no power, no understanding of the rules of this new world, and little help except for a third level bureaucrat.
As hard as I found it to keep up with the why and who of the plot at times, I enjoyed the author's writing style. It flows well and pulls you forward.
August 15, 2020
A Crime Thriller with a Difference
A fantastic paranormal crime thriller which is funny and subtly satirical throughout. A truly original take on life after death from this talented author. Ionically on one hand the author builds a whole new concept of the afterlife, but on the other hand nothing much has changed at all in Gloomwood!
There’s plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout this thrill ride of a story.
I also admire the author’s crafting of a great anti-hero through Blunt! A main character you really end up rooting for against all odds!
This was the first ever crime thriller I’ve read and I will definitely be picking up another... like the sequel to this!
A fantastic paranormal crime thriller which is funny and subtly satirical throughout. A truly original take on life after death from this talented author. Ionically on one hand the author builds a whole new concept of the afterlife, but on the other hand nothing much has changed at all in Gloomwood!
There’s plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout this thrill ride of a story.
I also admire the author’s crafting of a great anti-hero through Blunt! A main character you really end up rooting for against all odds!
This was the first ever crime thriller I’ve read and I will definitely be picking up another... like the sequel to this!
April 6, 2021
Marvelously motbid
I was addicted to finishing this story after the first few chapters.
Each character holds their own strong voice, and despite the amount of voices, I never lost track along the way of the plot or who was who.
Dead Heads is brilliantly witty, with clever wordplay, subtle jokes and in your face hilarity.
The premise is unique and one that made me want to know more about the world and these interesting characters. Also, the twist at the end? Genius.
There's even a bit of heart strings tugging too...
Just an overall winner for me, a definite book for your TBR pile!
Now... Where's that sequel...
I was addicted to finishing this story after the first few chapters.
Each character holds their own strong voice, and despite the amount of voices, I never lost track along the way of the plot or who was who.
Dead Heads is brilliantly witty, with clever wordplay, subtle jokes and in your face hilarity.
The premise is unique and one that made me want to know more about the world and these interesting characters. Also, the twist at the end? Genius.
There's even a bit of heart strings tugging too...
Just an overall winner for me, a definite book for your TBR pile!
Now... Where's that sequel...
May 2, 2020
Unique and captivating!
I love this book. It’s very unique and cool. Honestly I don’t want to give a single thing away. I would be upset though if I didn’t know there was another on it’s way. All I will say if you like detective books and if you like “the good place” (which this book predates) and if you loved Beetlejuice... this will hit you In all the right places. It’s smart, funny, and full of new ideas!
I love this book. It’s very unique and cool. Honestly I don’t want to give a single thing away. I would be upset though if I didn’t know there was another on it’s way. All I will say if you like detective books and if you like “the good place” (which this book predates) and if you loved Beetlejuice... this will hit you In all the right places. It’s smart, funny, and full of new ideas!
June 6, 2021
A seriously fun read.
I say seriously fun, because much of the book's tone is actually pretty gloomy, but funny gloomy, or gloomily funny.... Hard to describe.
Start again; The world is convincing, the characters are funny, solid and make sense in their world. The plot kept me guessing most of the way through, and the twists were both unexpected and satisfying.
I haven't read anything similar so I have nothing to compare it with, but I will be looking out for the next in the series, and I've recommended it to two people already.
I say seriously fun, because much of the book's tone is actually pretty gloomy, but funny gloomy, or gloomily funny.... Hard to describe.
Start again; The world is convincing, the characters are funny, solid and make sense in their world. The plot kept me guessing most of the way through, and the twists were both unexpected and satisfying.
I haven't read anything similar so I have nothing to compare it with, but I will be looking out for the next in the series, and I've recommended it to two people already.
April 24, 2021
A fun read for everyone
Ross Young does a phenomenal job building a world unlike any I've ever read before for the dead. When the Grim Reapers head is taken, officer Blunt is on the case as he unravels the mysteries of the afterlife. Filled with humor, great imagery and a page turning story, I highly reccomend this!
Ross Young does a phenomenal job building a world unlike any I've ever read before for the dead. When the Grim Reapers head is taken, officer Blunt is on the case as he unravels the mysteries of the afterlife. Filled with humor, great imagery and a page turning story, I highly reccomend this!
December 12, 2020
Sublime.
June 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this. A mix of humour with a good plot. Reminded me of Pratchett in some ways and Robert Rankin too
December 30, 2021
A detective novel set in the after-life--which might be hell. Extraordinarily inventive and darkly funny.
July 28, 2022
Dead Heads is unlike any book I’ve ever read (and that’s saying a lot since I’ve read quite a few books.)
Young has a unique flair for writing that instantly drew me in. Filled with sarcasm, wit, and a quick pace, this book had me hook, line, and scythe (haha.)
Gloomwood reminded me of The Watch mixed with Sherlock Holmes (if everyone was dead) with a special something that only Young could write. Although technically a mystery story, I think Young has crafted his own genre with this intriguing book.
Young has a unique flair for writing that instantly drew me in. Filled with sarcasm, wit, and a quick pace, this book had me hook, line, and scythe (haha.)
Gloomwood reminded me of The Watch mixed with Sherlock Holmes (if everyone was dead) with a special something that only Young could write. Although technically a mystery story, I think Young has crafted his own genre with this intriguing book.
February 12, 2020
I bought "Dead Heads" when taking part in a Writers Lift hosted by Tim Koster (@authortimkoster) on Twitter and I'm glad I did. This work made me feel every which way but bored. The main reason why I am only giving this book three stars is due to the fact that it could have been cut down by almost 200 pages for reasons I don't want to say in order to avoid giving away any spoilers.
Young creates a fantastic world in Gloomwood and fills it with fascinating characters like JJJ Johnson and the demigod, Petal; however, he doesn't seem to have quite pinned down the rules of this world. Sometimes a character will be working on a laptop but cellphones don't seem to exist. While the reader spends a lot of time in Gloomwood, so much information about the case is thrown at them and doesn't really allow them the time to enjoy their stay in Gloomwood which is a bit disappointing.
I really appreciated Young's creativity and the premise of this story. While I was not a particular fan of the main character (and really didn't understand what he actually added to the story) I loved all the side characters. The menacing Crispin Neat, trembling Ralph Mortimer and endearing JJJ Johnson were a treat to spend time with -- and honestly, I would have LOVED to have seen Johnson be the hero of this book. His story was so interesting and he as a character was so fun to spend time with, it bummed me out whenever the book cut away from him.
"Dead Heads" is a bold book that takes on a massive cast of characters. I am excited to see how Young progresses with this world and hope that he won't be afraid to cut some of the fluff that can interrupt the story's flow.
Young creates a fantastic world in Gloomwood and fills it with fascinating characters like JJJ Johnson and the demigod, Petal; however, he doesn't seem to have quite pinned down the rules of this world. Sometimes a character will be working on a laptop but cellphones don't seem to exist. While the reader spends a lot of time in Gloomwood, so much information about the case is thrown at them and doesn't really allow them the time to enjoy their stay in Gloomwood which is a bit disappointing.
I really appreciated Young's creativity and the premise of this story. While I was not a particular fan of the main character (and really didn't understand what he actually added to the story) I loved all the side characters. The menacing Crispin Neat, trembling Ralph Mortimer and endearing JJJ Johnson were a treat to spend time with -- and honestly, I would have LOVED to have seen Johnson be the hero of this book. His story was so interesting and he as a character was so fun to spend time with, it bummed me out whenever the book cut away from him.
"Dead Heads" is a bold book that takes on a massive cast of characters. I am excited to see how Young progresses with this world and hope that he won't be afraid to cut some of the fluff that can interrupt the story's flow.
January 9, 2020
A fascinating mix of classic detective mystery, fantasy, satire, humor, and speculative fiction. I enjoyed this original take on an afterlife where an all too human lifestyle and mundane everyday problems follow people after their deaths, although to be fair, they do take on bizarre implications in the place called Gloomwood. For instance, it's pretty hard, though not impossible, to murder someone who's already dead, but that doesn't mean there's not plenty for Augustan Blunt, a hard-edged, wise guy detective of the noir or pulp fiction persuasion, to investigate. Someone is stealing the heads of some very important (dead) people and it's up to him and some other ragtag sleuths to figure out who and why. There is a lot of plot here and a lot of characters to keep track of, so I think it will be a matter of individual taste whether that works for you as a reader. I didn't mind because there was a lot of interesting world building going on and I always appreciate writers who take the time to work out the logic of their alternate universe and create a unique variety of characters to populate it. A very promising debut that I could see developing into a super entertaining series.
September 7, 2020
When the Grim Reaper loses his head...
Ross Young’s attention to detail in ‘Dead Heads’ added a touch of realism to a novel about a world after death, and kept the story grounded amongst the supernatural elements. I thoroughly enjoyed the story centered around a newly deceased, gruff as can be, Augustan Blunt who is pulled into an investigation moments after his death. He's given no time to adjust his move from the land of the living to one of the dead.
I was hooked, watching him try to make sense of his new existence, while trying to uncover who is beheading residents of 'Gloomwood'. The plot was filled with delightful intrigue that kept me turning the page to find out more, and hopefully discover who was behind stealing the Grim Reaper’s head and many others. Add in characters such as the lovely but mostly invisible Sarah Von Faber, who is a forensics expert, Ralph Mortimer, an assistant to the office of the dead and tasked to help Blunt (and other color characters) and you’ll find yourself chuckling along to humorous scenes cleverly added into the storyline.
If you haven’t already, you should definitely give this book a chance.
Ross Young’s attention to detail in ‘Dead Heads’ added a touch of realism to a novel about a world after death, and kept the story grounded amongst the supernatural elements. I thoroughly enjoyed the story centered around a newly deceased, gruff as can be, Augustan Blunt who is pulled into an investigation moments after his death. He's given no time to adjust his move from the land of the living to one of the dead.
I was hooked, watching him try to make sense of his new existence, while trying to uncover who is beheading residents of 'Gloomwood'. The plot was filled with delightful intrigue that kept me turning the page to find out more, and hopefully discover who was behind stealing the Grim Reaper’s head and many others. Add in characters such as the lovely but mostly invisible Sarah Von Faber, who is a forensics expert, Ralph Mortimer, an assistant to the office of the dead and tasked to help Blunt (and other color characters) and you’ll find yourself chuckling along to humorous scenes cleverly added into the storyline.
If you haven’t already, you should definitely give this book a chance.
April 21, 2021
For the recently, deceased detective, Augustan Blunt, there's no rest for the weary, even if you're dead. He awakens on the other side to find he has a new role in the afterlife town of Gloomwood. Someone is chopping off heads, including the Grim Reaper's. Blunt is on the case, assisted by a shape shifting CSI scientist and a rather ineffective, third assistant to the manager of the Office of the Dead.
As Blunt adjusts to his state in the afterlife, he meets the other residents which include non-human types as well--deities and reapers to name a few. In this quirky town you never know what you might see as he navigates the new haunts in his search for clues. He soon finds that the quest for power and hidden motives are alive and well in this land of the deceased--will he be able to crack through the mire of secrets to solve the case?
Author Young delivers a zany twist to the classic whodunnit that I found tremendously entertaining and original. The characters and their afterlife existence will have you gasping one minute and chuckling the next as they narrow their search for clues. This is a clever, fun read, highly recommended!
As Blunt adjusts to his state in the afterlife, he meets the other residents which include non-human types as well--deities and reapers to name a few. In this quirky town you never know what you might see as he navigates the new haunts in his search for clues. He soon finds that the quest for power and hidden motives are alive and well in this land of the deceased--will he be able to crack through the mire of secrets to solve the case?
Author Young delivers a zany twist to the classic whodunnit that I found tremendously entertaining and original. The characters and their afterlife existence will have you gasping one minute and chuckling the next as they narrow their search for clues. This is a clever, fun read, highly recommended!
August 12, 2020
This book started a bit slow for me, but it was well worth letting the pieces get set up. In some ways the narrative style reminded me a bit of Roald Dahl or John Stienbeck. Once the pieces are set up, the flow is faster paced and quite intriguing! So many different characters exist in this world, which is impressive by itself. I do think it could have been an overall shorter book with a faster pace- but I also feel like the world of Gloomwood really lends itself to the exploration and meandering that the story sometimes took. So, it worked for me. This book is cleanly edited and well written. I enjoyed the splashes of tongue-in-cheek- humor as well as the twists and turns the mystery took. Overall, I’d say 4.5 stars, rounding up to five.
December 3, 2020
Clever, funny and quite brilliant!
Imagine Monty Python visiting Dante's Inferno, and you will have some semblance of the absolute glory of this comedy-mystery.
Beautifully written, with great one liners, stonking characters (with the best names you can imagine) and some quite profound themes which are dealt with more poignantly than you might think, 'Dead Heads' is a real tour de force.
I honestly didn't know quite what to expect from this book, but I enjoyed every moment of it and can't wait to visit Gloomwood again!
If you want a truly entertaining read, this book is an absolute must! Death has never been so lively! Bravo!
Imagine Monty Python visiting Dante's Inferno, and you will have some semblance of the absolute glory of this comedy-mystery.
Beautifully written, with great one liners, stonking characters (with the best names you can imagine) and some quite profound themes which are dealt with more poignantly than you might think, 'Dead Heads' is a real tour de force.
I honestly didn't know quite what to expect from this book, but I enjoyed every moment of it and can't wait to visit Gloomwood again!
If you want a truly entertaining read, this book is an absolute must! Death has never been so lively! Bravo!
April 28, 2020
Welcome to another world!
I loved this book!
Ross Young creates another world, a place called Gloomwood, just one of the possible places you might end up in once you've fell off your mortal coil. He fills it with great characters and a classic, if unconventional, crime story. Blunt is the main man, but there is a fantastic supporting cast and they all add to the narrative. A highlight for me was chapter 31, I laughed out loud, much to the surprise of my other half. Highly recommended.
I loved this book!
Ross Young creates another world, a place called Gloomwood, just one of the possible places you might end up in once you've fell off your mortal coil. He fills it with great characters and a classic, if unconventional, crime story. Blunt is the main man, but there is a fantastic supporting cast and they all add to the narrative. A highlight for me was chapter 31, I laughed out loud, much to the surprise of my other half. Highly recommended.
January 13, 2021
This was a fun, wacky, macabre (I kept picturing Beetlejuice) read, but without the gross factor of decapitated people. Now, just to be clear with my rating, I'm American, and the humor in this book didn't really click for me. I mean, some things were funny but I didn't burst out laughing--just grinned. I compare the humor to those old British comedic shows where the acts are silly or kinda ridiculous.
But, overall, an okay read.
But, overall, an okay read.
July 13, 2021
Wow! What can you say about a tour de force like Dead Heads?
The author has somehow crafted a tale about Gloomwood, a land of the dead which is so dreary it makes Stalinist Russia look like Versailles in its heyday, and makes it hilarious while somehow also adding an old-fashioned mystery compelling enough to keep you guessing until the very end. How did Ross Young do that? I have no clue, but he pulled it off. Read it to escape, read it to laugh--just read it! You will be glad you did!
The author has somehow crafted a tale about Gloomwood, a land of the dead which is so dreary it makes Stalinist Russia look like Versailles in its heyday, and makes it hilarious while somehow also adding an old-fashioned mystery compelling enough to keep you guessing until the very end. How did Ross Young do that? I have no clue, but he pulled it off. Read it to escape, read it to laugh--just read it! You will be glad you did!
May 7, 2020
Interwoven wonderfully
Usually when a story bounces from once place to another, I get lost. Not with this one and I was so invested in trying to figure out who done it. Did not see the ending coming at all. I do love the hints that slowly revealed themselves by the end. Great piece. Can’t wait for the next one.
Usually when a story bounces from once place to another, I get lost. Not with this one and I was so invested in trying to figure out who done it. Did not see the ending coming at all. I do love the hints that slowly revealed themselves by the end. Great piece. Can’t wait for the next one.
January 30, 2021
The Afterlife as You’ve Never Imagined
Gloomwood isn’t heaven and it isn’t hell. It’s the afterlife for the rest of us. Insert one hard boiled dick and a convoluted mystery and you get a charming and surreal story that resembles a dream you had after eating chili during a Sam Spade marathon. Lots of laughs and a few unexpected tears. First of a series.
Gloomwood isn’t heaven and it isn’t hell. It’s the afterlife for the rest of us. Insert one hard boiled dick and a convoluted mystery and you get a charming and surreal story that resembles a dream you had after eating chili during a Sam Spade marathon. Lots of laughs and a few unexpected tears. First of a series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews