What do you think?
Rate this book
The 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series #6
Near Life Experience
Death's having a mid-eternity crisis.
He’s trying to work out what to do with the rest of his life and eating as much takeaway food as he can when a mysterious new candidate for the position of Grim Reaper turns up at his door. As Death teaches them the tricks of the trade, Dave starts to wonder what that means for him.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Detective Sam Graves is investigating what happened to Conrad West and UberSystems Tower. With the help of Anne, he's looking for wayward skyscrapers, chasing trains that travel in extra dimensions, and dealing with more quantum physics than he thought would be necessary when he joined the Met. But that’s modern policing for you.
It’s just another everyday story about incompetent demons, government conspiracies and kebabs.
He’s trying to work out what to do with the rest of his life and eating as much takeaway food as he can when a mysterious new candidate for the position of Grim Reaper turns up at his door. As Death teaches them the tricks of the trade, Dave starts to wonder what that means for him.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Detective Sam Graves is investigating what happened to Conrad West and UberSystems Tower. With the help of Anne, he's looking for wayward skyscrapers, chasing trains that travel in extra dimensions, and dealing with more quantum physics than he thought would be necessary when he joined the Met. But that’s modern policing for you.
It’s just another everyday story about incompetent demons, government conspiracies and kebabs.
204 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2020
113 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Dave Turner
7 books154 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 5, 2021
As usual always a quick read
I've now read the whole series so far and always a nice quick read following Dave and Death and all pop culture references now I have an urge to visit baker street and not for Sherlock 😁
I've now read the whole series so far and always a nice quick read following Dave and Death and all pop culture references now I have an urge to visit baker street and not for Sherlock 😁
April 9, 2021
6th in the series but as a novel rather than a novella there's extra characters and a more developed storyline. My only niggles are that I really enjoyed the novella format because I felt like I was a reading machine and the ending wraps very quickly, same as the novellas, could have done with a bit more story to the ending. Very enjoyable non the less and looking forward to more in the series.
January 17, 2024
‘Were you drinking when this happened?’
‘No, no, no... Yes.’
Ah, yes indeed. Life has returned to the typical SNAFU (situation normal, etc.) status for our modern-day cast in Dave Turner's "Near Life Experience", the 6th and - only for now he prayed - last of his 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series. Dave and Melanie have returned after their romantic weekend getaway and as luck would have it, Dave is no longer cursed nor feeling too strong of an urge to chase and devour small mammals. Unfortunately, they run into a gentleman as they arrive home who has shocking news, namely, that he is, in fact, Death albeit now in human form. Cue Benny Hill theme music and let the wackiness commence.
The air filled with a social awkwardness that only quantum physics could generate.
We are once again treated to our full cast having to run around London - and eventually Paris, too (Bonjour!)! As mentioned, Death has come down with a rather severe case of humanity and part of our focus is on how he deals with that. Mostly it seems like getting drunk every night and flirting with cute nurses seems to be the modus operandi. Needless to say, but I will anyway, eventually the hole left in all kinds of continuums by his absence must be filled and a replacement arrives. No, not for reality, but Death. To say the new version's (she's a she btw) first few hours on the job are relaxing would be a lie. So I won't say that. I will say though that her initial impressions of all of us (waves vaguely in every conceivable direction) are not good and as such, we = humanity are in a rather sticky situation before it's all said and done.
Elvis is dead, but it will surprise people to find out it happened in 1992 fighting vampires in Denmark.
I am also tempted then to think that it was a good thing that The Interdimensional Generator Using Multiverse-Mapping Integration - or Thingummy for short - was conveniently being tested once everyone got their assignments and started buzzing about like drunken bees (yes, again, there is a lot of drinking going on). It seems that the previously described disappearance of the UberSystems Tower kind of bumped the project ahead of its previous status and, well, people start pushing buttons and generally causing irresponsible havoc all in the name of "our country can beat up your country" patriotism. But these days when you mention any kind of project, plan or especially movie or book plot with the word "multiverse" in it, well, all bets are off and everyone should start considering cashing in their 401k's.
Life is a series of minor disappointments interspersed with suppressing the feelings produced by those disappointments with booze.
Once again, of course, Turner has provided us with a well-written, joyful journey with our friends and even provided a glimmer of hope that things will continue at some point in the indefineable future. Dave and Melanie are doing well, Anne seems to have found love, and Gary has even taken great strides on his own to bring down the establishment. This can only mean one thing and if you're thinking "Oh you mean: go get more drinks and maybe a pizza, too?" well, you'd be spot on! This series was for me nothing less than an absolute blast to read and if a 7th full(er)-sized book ever does enter ANY sphere of reality, count me in as one of the firsts to take the leap of faith into whatever broom closet I need to be in!
‘No, no, no... Yes.’
Ah, yes indeed. Life has returned to the typical SNAFU (situation normal, etc.) status for our modern-day cast in Dave Turner's "Near Life Experience", the 6th and - only for now he prayed - last of his 'How To Be Dead' Grim Reaper Comedy Horror Series. Dave and Melanie have returned after their romantic weekend getaway and as luck would have it, Dave is no longer cursed nor feeling too strong of an urge to chase and devour small mammals. Unfortunately, they run into a gentleman as they arrive home who has shocking news, namely, that he is, in fact, Death albeit now in human form. Cue Benny Hill theme music and let the wackiness commence.
The air filled with a social awkwardness that only quantum physics could generate.
We are once again treated to our full cast having to run around London - and eventually Paris, too (Bonjour!)! As mentioned, Death has come down with a rather severe case of humanity and part of our focus is on how he deals with that. Mostly it seems like getting drunk every night and flirting with cute nurses seems to be the modus operandi. Needless to say, but I will anyway, eventually the hole left in all kinds of continuums by his absence must be filled and a replacement arrives. No, not for reality, but Death. To say the new version's (she's a she btw) first few hours on the job are relaxing would be a lie. So I won't say that. I will say though that her initial impressions of all of us (waves vaguely in every conceivable direction) are not good and as such, we = humanity are in a rather sticky situation before it's all said and done.
Elvis is dead, but it will surprise people to find out it happened in 1992 fighting vampires in Denmark.
I am also tempted then to think that it was a good thing that The Interdimensional Generator Using Multiverse-Mapping Integration - or Thingummy for short - was conveniently being tested once everyone got their assignments and started buzzing about like drunken bees (yes, again, there is a lot of drinking going on). It seems that the previously described disappearance of the UberSystems Tower kind of bumped the project ahead of its previous status and, well, people start pushing buttons and generally causing irresponsible havoc all in the name of "our country can beat up your country" patriotism. But these days when you mention any kind of project, plan or especially movie or book plot with the word "multiverse" in it, well, all bets are off and everyone should start considering cashing in their 401k's.
Life is a series of minor disappointments interspersed with suppressing the feelings produced by those disappointments with booze.
Once again, of course, Turner has provided us with a well-written, joyful journey with our friends and even provided a glimmer of hope that things will continue at some point in the indefineable future. Dave and Melanie are doing well, Anne seems to have found love, and Gary has even taken great strides on his own to bring down the establishment. This can only mean one thing and if you're thinking "Oh you mean: go get more drinks and maybe a pizza, too?" well, you'd be spot on! This series was for me nothing less than an absolute blast to read and if a 7th full(er)-sized book ever does enter ANY sphere of reality, count me in as one of the firsts to take the leap of faith into whatever broom closet I need to be in!
November 22, 2023
Hysterical, read the book, not my review
I haven't enjoyed a Death book so much before, and I've read tons of them by various authors. Well done Dave Turner.
The humour is everywhere; "DAVE HAD READ that a fried breakfast was an excellent cure for a hangover. And it worked. He felt much better after he’d thrown it up."
This is a very serious storyline. We are all doomed, and only one group of normal people can save the world. The way Mr Turner can move from a serious section of text to humour is truly superb.
There are baddies here too; "he’d changed his therapist - from a healthy, living therapist to little chunks of therapist dissolved in a motel room bath. He’d felt bad afterwards, but had nobody to talk to about it."
And my personal favourite; "You look and smell like someone dragged through a hedge backwards by a pint of Guinness." I love Guinness, so it's personal.
Onto book 7...
I haven't enjoyed a Death book so much before, and I've read tons of them by various authors. Well done Dave Turner.
The humour is everywhere; "DAVE HAD READ that a fried breakfast was an excellent cure for a hangover. And it worked. He felt much better after he’d thrown it up."
This is a very serious storyline. We are all doomed, and only one group of normal people can save the world. The way Mr Turner can move from a serious section of text to humour is truly superb.
There are baddies here too; "he’d changed his therapist - from a healthy, living therapist to little chunks of therapist dissolved in a motel room bath. He’d felt bad afterwards, but had nobody to talk to about it."
And my personal favourite; "You look and smell like someone dragged through a hedge backwards by a pint of Guinness." I love Guinness, so it's personal.
Onto book 7...
January 18, 2025
The next book in the Grim Reaper comedy horror series, and everything turns on its head. Death is no longer Death, he wakes up in a human body. That means the world needs a new Death to ferry the recently departed to their afterlife. Anne gets caught up in a police investigation regarding the dissappearance of the UberSystems tower, coincidently with a descendents of somebody that's met the four horsemen previously. That doesn't mean Dave gets a day off in the book, and wherever Dave goes so does trouble.
I enjoyed this book, it was a great addition to the series. It featured a lot more of Death, or Steve Newman, than the other books which was excellent. I mentioned that he was only a bit part player in other books but in this one he's front and centre as he comes to terms with being a human. The writing is fun and sense of human is great. There's a nice pace to the book and thrills around every corner. I'd recommend it and I've given this 5/5
I enjoyed this book, it was a great addition to the series. It featured a lot more of Death, or Steve Newman, than the other books which was excellent. I mentioned that he was only a bit part player in other books but in this one he's front and centre as he comes to terms with being a human. The writing is fun and sense of human is great. There's a nice pace to the book and thrills around every corner. I'd recommend it and I've given this 5/5
May 23, 2023
Death's having a mid-eternity crisis.
He’s trying to work out what to do with the rest of his life and eating as much takeaway food as he can when a mysterious new candidate for the position of Grim Reaper turns up at his door. As Death teaches them the tricks of the trade, Dave starts to wonder what that means for him.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Detective Sam Graves is investigating what happened to Conrad West and UberSystems Tower. With the help of Anne, he's looking for wayward skyscrapers, chasing trains that travel in extra dimensions, and dealing with more quantum physics than he thought would be necessary when he joined the Met. But that’s modern policing for you.
It’s just another everyday story about incompetent demons, government conspiracies and kebabs.
He’s trying to work out what to do with the rest of his life and eating as much takeaway food as he can when a mysterious new candidate for the position of Grim Reaper turns up at his door. As Death teaches them the tricks of the trade, Dave starts to wonder what that means for him.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Detective Sam Graves is investigating what happened to Conrad West and UberSystems Tower. With the help of Anne, he's looking for wayward skyscrapers, chasing trains that travel in extra dimensions, and dealing with more quantum physics than he thought would be necessary when he joined the Met. But that’s modern policing for you.
It’s just another everyday story about incompetent demons, government conspiracies and kebabs.
January 5, 2021
Incredible, again.
Another fantastic book from Dave. A real page turner as always, wicked sense of humor keeps you grinning all the way through too. Lots of twists and turns and excitement making it an impossible book to put down. Very funny. If you like the fantasy comedy of Adam's and Pratchett then you'll LOVE these. All six book are an absolute joy to read. Great fun and so engaging, Dave's books can really suck you in to another World.......literally if you're not careful. If Death is on the other side, dont worry because he actually a pretty nice chap, bring biscuits if you can!!
Another fantastic book from Dave. A real page turner as always, wicked sense of humor keeps you grinning all the way through too. Lots of twists and turns and excitement making it an impossible book to put down. Very funny. If you like the fantasy comedy of Adam's and Pratchett then you'll LOVE these. All six book are an absolute joy to read. Great fun and so engaging, Dave's books can really suck you in to another World.......literally if you're not careful. If Death is on the other side, dont worry because he actually a pretty nice chap, bring biscuits if you can!!
January 23, 2024
New author...
...for me at lesst. I waited til I'd read the whole (so far)) seies. Which kinda explains the 5 stars. I love quirky dialogues and these do got 'em! I fell in love with the Four Horsemen (who all
Ups have guessed Death had a keen dense of humor. These guys show up early, but they aren't the whole story by a long shot. Little tongue in cheek comment - the books have "depth" (read this as dimensional!*). I loved the books - if there were flaws, I missed 'em . ;)
...for me at lesst. I waited til I'd read the whole (so far)) seies. Which kinda explains the 5 stars. I love quirky dialogues and these do got 'em! I fell in love with the Four Horsemen (who all
Ups have guessed Death had a keen dense of humor. These guys show up early, but they aren't the whole story by a long shot. Little tongue in cheek comment - the books have "depth" (read this as dimensional!*). I loved the books - if there were flaws, I missed 'em . ;)
July 6, 2021
Excellent addition to the series
Dave knows his characters now, knows their response to jeopardy and crisis which is great for the quips and jokes. Pace of the story is brilliant and the connective tissue between the series is fun to recall. Looking forward to reading the next adventures which will hopefully be more Dave centric (just my personal preference) and less gaps between
Dave knows his characters now, knows their response to jeopardy and crisis which is great for the quips and jokes. Pace of the story is brilliant and the connective tissue between the series is fun to recall. Looking forward to reading the next adventures which will hopefully be more Dave centric (just my personal preference) and less gaps between
January 9, 2021
Another winner
Discovered Dave Turner about a month ago with the How to be Dead books.......can't let him go now, great humour and perfect for these strange times. Do yourself a favour, read just one of the How to be Dead books and transport yourself into the world of Meat Puppetry.
Discovered Dave Turner about a month ago with the How to be Dead books.......can't let him go now, great humour and perfect for these strange times. Do yourself a favour, read just one of the How to be Dead books and transport yourself into the world of Meat Puppetry.
January 16, 2021
Fast paced, funny and smart
Mr. Turner, thank you again for an exceptionally enjoyable book. I love the pace and humor. I have read every book and have found each one of them just as enjoyable. For first time readers, if you love Terry Pratchett you're gonna find Mr. Turners books cut from the same vein. Smart only like true British humor can be smart.
Mr. Turner, thank you again for an exceptionally enjoyable book. I love the pace and humor. I have read every book and have found each one of them just as enjoyable. For first time readers, if you love Terry Pratchett you're gonna find Mr. Turners books cut from the same vein. Smart only like true British humor can be smart.
March 27, 2022
Okay, let's be honest once you get to book 6 of a series you are committed.
I'm looking forward to any new installment of this series.
Unfortunetly it's only 4 stars and here is why:
We were promised a novel... but 169 pages is not a novel in my book (I just love puns like that :))
and the final battle wasn't epic at all. So little detail and it felt rushed.
I'm looking forward to any new installment of this series.
Unfortunetly it's only 4 stars and here is why:
We were promised a novel... but 169 pages is not a novel in my book (I just love puns like that :))
and the final battle wasn't epic at all. So little detail and it felt rushed.
January 20, 2023
Near laugh experience.
I've read that Death in Turner's books have a resemblance to Pratchett's Death. I disagree. This Death is less confused about how people work and as such is more humorous. Dave and the gang are fab, and I hope to read about their new adventures as soon as Turner can write them down.
I've read that Death in Turner's books have a resemblance to Pratchett's Death. I disagree. This Death is less confused about how people work and as such is more humorous. Dave and the gang are fab, and I hope to read about their new adventures as soon as Turner can write them down.
September 25, 2023
My favorites by far in this series were books 1 & 4. Mostly because I particularly enjoyed the characters of The Four Horsemen. At least Death made an appearance in this one. It's obvious from the end of the book that there was intent for additional novellas, but I'm not holding my breath as the author's website and social media sites have gone dark.
November 8, 2023
Awesome
What a totally awesome series, I really hope there will be further episodes ,Anne & Sam adventures,further adventures for Dave & Melanie and further adventures for DEATH & Emma.
Thoroughly recommend this series .If there was a possible replacement for Sir Terry Prattchet then Dave Turner has to be in the running.
What a totally awesome series, I really hope there will be further episodes ,Anne & Sam adventures,further adventures for Dave & Melanie and further adventures for DEATH & Emma.
Thoroughly recommend this series .If there was a possible replacement for Sir Terry Prattchet then Dave Turner has to be in the running.
February 7, 2024
How to be dead volume 6
Another 2.5 hours gone in a frenzy of page turning fun. These books are so good that for
the first time since my husband got me the kindle for a 2022 Xmas present I'm leaving reviews. If you are looking for something fun to read the How To Be Dead series is my choice.
Another 2.5 hours gone in a frenzy of page turning fun. These books are so good that for
the first time since my husband got me the kindle for a 2022 Xmas present I'm leaving reviews. If you are looking for something fun to read the How To Be Dead series is my choice.
February 9, 2025
If it wasn’t for the rushed ending this was a fantastic addition to the series. I loved the pace right up to the last act and how Azrael was both introduced and weaved between the rest of the story. I just wish the last 30 pages were far more fleshed out because despite being EPIC there was so much more Dave Turner could have done there. But again, thank you for another great read.
January 9, 2021
Further adventures of Death and Dave
I love this series! This book is packed with action as Death decides to try living for a change, and the world gets a new, and much less amenable replacement. With the help of some great new characters, Dave has a few wormholes to sort out.....
I love this series! This book is packed with action as Death decides to try living for a change, and the world gets a new, and much less amenable replacement. With the help of some great new characters, Dave has a few wormholes to sort out.....
January 16, 2021
Fantastic!
As always, an excellent read. Hope there will be many more to come! Well thought out story line that keeps the book (and the others) solidly in the "page turner" category.
As always, an excellent read. Hope there will be many more to come! Well thought out story line that keeps the book (and the others) solidly in the "page turner" category.
February 9, 2021
Another brilliant book in the How To Be Dead series. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Death is having a crisis, Dave is having a nightmare of a time and together with some friends, they need to save the world from oblivion.
May 14, 2021
Excellent one of the best of the series
If you like Pratchett you'll love this, the humour is just as good and the characters believable and likeable. They are quite short, but good things come in small packages after all.
If you like Pratchett you'll love this, the humour is just as good and the characters believable and likeable. They are quite short, but good things come in small packages after all.
May 19, 2023
With Death having given up his role to become human, London is gripped by the terror of wormholes and Death's replacement. Good story as ever, the characters are now established and the new ones, added to the enjoyment. Hopefully more to come
June 4, 2023
Fabulous read Can't wait for more
This is the 6th book in the series that was just absolutely phenomenal every page was more exciting I absolutely love the characters It's worth a reed and I'm really hoping if there's another story to tell
This is the 6th book in the series that was just absolutely phenomenal every page was more exciting I absolutely love the characters It's worth a reed and I'm really hoping if there's another story to tell
August 26, 2023
Near Life Experience
I read the series and loved all 6 books. Each is cleverly written with sharp insights to human behavior. And plenty of laughs. The characters are wonderful. I hoghly recommend reading the series.
I read the series and loved all 6 books. Each is cleverly written with sharp insights to human behavior. And plenty of laughs. The characters are wonderful. I hoghly recommend reading the series.
October 23, 2023
very funny
I hate thinking about books in a critical sense, I either enjoy them or not, and this series I enjoyed immensely, funniest books I’ve ever read. The imagination of the author is very special. Brilliant.
I hate thinking about books in a critical sense, I either enjoy them or not, and this series I enjoyed immensely, funniest books I’ve ever read. The imagination of the author is very special. Brilliant.
January 3, 2021
Loved it. Just as good as the first book.
January 5, 2021
I love this series
Dave Turner has made Death a charming and loveable character. This was my favorite book in the series, can't wait for the next one.
Dave Turner has made Death a charming and loveable character. This was my favorite book in the series, can't wait for the next one.
January 5, 2021
Loved it
Some genuinely funny, laugh-out-loud moments along with a cracking storyline. I've followed the series since the first book, and look forward to another!
Some genuinely funny, laugh-out-loud moments along with a cracking storyline. I've followed the series since the first book, and look forward to another!
January 12, 2021
The latest book in the How To Be Dead series continues with Dave Turner's great blend of humour, supernatural and Britishness. Long may the tales of Death, Dave, Anne and their friends continue.
February 4, 2021
Again Mr Turner has not disappointed. Brilliant again!
If you have not already read some of Dave's stuff and used to like the likes of Terry Pratchett you are in for a real treat.
If you have not already read some of Dave's stuff and used to like the likes of Terry Pratchett you are in for a real treat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews