The Office of Dead Letters: a novella

by Nat Newman

There is no such thing as a dead letter. Until there is.

Former enlistee Marilyn Moon was hoping for a quiet retirement after the end of The Last War. But when her colleague unexpectedly delivers a dead letter, Marilyn must go find her. Teaming up with the intrepid secretary Isabel and the disaster-prone Dr Simon, the trio will navigate a changed geography, killer kitchens, eerie neighbours, and the messy maths of space-time. As Marilyn learns more of Overworld's secrets, she begins to wonder - is this really the world that she fought for?

A fast-paced sci-fi mystery, this 50s futurism novella will have fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams clamouring to learn more about the secrets of the Two Worlds.

134 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2021

Reviews

[Erica Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous new way of thinking into a new world. As per Nats enigmatic style, it coerces you in and grips you till you get to the end only wishing there was more. I really want to be an enlistee. Can't wait for more.

[Alex Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It drew me in from the get go and I can’t wait to see where it will lead

[Irma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two ladies work (or officially they, ahem, don't work) in an office where they sort through letters that never reached their destination. One very regular work morning, they are sorting through the envelopes when one of them suddenly disappears into thin air. Poof! The remaining lady (called Marilyn) puts on her serious face and gets to work - trying to find her coworker and navigate changed geographies and killer kitchens with the help of other people, crazy science and a whole lot of stubbornness.

I read this back in May but then I decided to reread it immediately because I felt a bit lost with the timey wimey stuff and then I never finished rereading it. xD Sorry Nat! But I loved the idea and loved the execution, it was such a fun and easy read, the latter being super important for me lately as I've been struggling to read anything really. I'm really looking forward to more stories from the Two Worlds!!

[Maja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in the 'science' of it all. The story started so well, hooked me in with a mystery of a disappearance and then got bogged down in the science and trying to explain the gist of this story which reminded me of a confusing Dr Who episode. Very timey-wimey.

[Lucy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author allows you to escape into their world. Can’t put it down as you get to explore and discover more.
Looking forward to the next novel. This was the perfect read, gripping and I love a book you can’t guess what happens!
Give it a go and have a read.

Merged review:

This author allows you to escape into their world. Can’t put it down as you get to explore and discover more.
Looking forward to the next novel. This was the perfect read, gripping and I love a book you can’t guess what happens!
Give it a go and have a read.

[Tracy Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Nat Newman's Two Worlds and quite honestly didn't want to leave. Newman has created a wonderfully original and imaginative alternative universe filled with engaging and quirky characters. I particularly loved the intelligent and enigmatic Miss Marilyn, along with the bumbling and sweetly innocent Dr Simon. This clever novella is quantum physics meets steampunk with heart and humour. There is also the bonus of time travel to look forward to in the next installment.
I can't wait to read more in the Two Worlds series and hope book 2 is out soon!