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Magical Romantic Comedies #15.5
101 Ways to Die
Officer McMarin of the NYPD is in for the ride of her life when the Chief Quinns storm into her station, promote her to the rank of detective, and relocate her to Manhattan. Saddled with the dubious honor of being Chief Bailey Quinn’s primary rider is only the beginning of her woes.
Her first case delves into the dark waters of the many ways in which a person can die.
At the heart of the mystery is one Alec Mortan, a forensic accountant with a knack for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Witnessing so much death is hard on a soul, and she can’t help but admire his tenacity and desire to help her uncover the truth.
When the forces of the heavens and the many hells involve themselves in the case, McMarin’s beliefs and skills are put to the test. If she’s not careful, she’ll lose her witness to fate right along with her chance for a happily ever after.
Originally released in Dirty Deeds 2: An Urban Fantasy Collection
Her first case delves into the dark waters of the many ways in which a person can die.
At the heart of the mystery is one Alec Mortan, a forensic accountant with a knack for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Witnessing so much death is hard on a soul, and she can’t help but admire his tenacity and desire to help her uncover the truth.
When the forces of the heavens and the many hells involve themselves in the case, McMarin’s beliefs and skills are put to the test. If she’s not careful, she’ll lose her witness to fate right along with her chance for a happily ever after.
Originally released in Dirty Deeds 2: An Urban Fantasy Collection
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2022
110 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Blain
84 books1,314 followersRJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.
When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband, and obeys the commands of Tsu Dhi, the great warrior fish.
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.
When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband, and obeys the commands of Tsu Dhi, the great warrior fish.
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 3, 2023
I'm sticking with my initial opinion from the anthology.
I liked Josefina, she was a strong likeable character, who could handle the angels and incubi with ease. I did like how she dealt with Sariel, but the constant mentioning of rejecting incubi got repetitive and tedious. Alec was pretty much the background boyfriend and the story was gate crashed by the Quinns and Lucy. I did like the brothers. They were a nice addition. Everything else feels series formula.
I liked Josefina, she was a strong likeable character, who could handle the angels and incubi with ease. I did like how she dealt with Sariel, but the constant mentioning of rejecting incubi got repetitive and tedious. Alec was pretty much the background boyfriend and the story was gate crashed by the Quinns and Lucy. I did like the brothers. They were a nice addition. Everything else feels series formula.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
So much fun! I really like the Magical Rom Com series and this one has all the good feels. I particularly enjoyed the snippets after the novel that gives readers a sense of the life of the characters but that doesn’t fit in the main story.
June 17, 2023
2023 bk 211. The most recent of the Magical Romantic Comedies and one that I believe I enjoyed the best. When a police officer receives an unexpected, but highly deserved, transfer to the Chief Quinn's baliwick interesting things happen. When her assignments coincide with a young man whose curse is witnessing the deaths of others - emotions ride high and interest is flamed between cop and witness - of a romance kind. Excellent read.
October 12, 2025
Similar to Doggone Mess this was first released in an anthology and so I expected it to be like Doggone mess and have more to the story. Although I enjoyed the extra related vignettes at the end it really did not add much to the tale in the anthology and still felt very Unfinished. Unlike Doggone Mess which filled out and expanded upon the starter tale from the anthology and was left at an ending that felt more complete. I enjoyed this book but it felt a bit Unfinished to me.
April 5, 2025
Whilst I really enjoyed 101 Ways to Die, I did find the ending just a little bit abrupt. Without the extra addition of the final four chapters / stories at the end of this story. They helped to ease some of the abrupt feeling that I had and make it easier to close the page on this romance. Plus, it gave me more insight into McMarin’s family. And I absolutely loved them – they are chaotic, fun and intense. Everything that I enjoy in a good literary family – full of love and complete insanity.
Josefina McMarin is a great cop, and I love how seamlessly she fits into the insanity that is the Quinns and their precinct. The fact that she’s transferred out from a sexist, racist idiot just made this story even better. Plus, I love revisiting anything with Bailey and Quinn – they are hilarious enough as a couple, but as bosses? They are so much funnier. And McMarin just manages to ride out the storm of insanity with joy, and just enough pushback to make it hilarious. The fact that she makes her team work better as she learns how to be a great detective just made me all that much happier to be enjoying her story.
Where Josefina is an absolute powerhouse of a woman, Alec is so incredibly passive. He is cursed to witness death again and again, and yet, he manages to deal with it. Plus, he is so calm with all of the nonsense thrown at him. He doesn’t pushback against everything like Josefina does, but rather, figures out how to go with the flow and make peace with his circumstances. I particularly loved that, even though his curse isn’t “cured” within this story, he actually finds a way to live with it and, if anything, take advantage of it to make the world a better place for others.
Whilst I predicted some of what this story was going to involve, the journey to get to those moments was still amazing. And, there were a whole lot of twists and turns that I did not expect. But I really enjoyed them. I think if the final four chapters / stories were incorporated into the actual story, I probably would’ve loved this even more. Having said that, I will most definitely reread it anyway.
Josefina McMarin is a great cop, and I love how seamlessly she fits into the insanity that is the Quinns and their precinct. The fact that she’s transferred out from a sexist, racist idiot just made this story even better. Plus, I love revisiting anything with Bailey and Quinn – they are hilarious enough as a couple, but as bosses? They are so much funnier. And McMarin just manages to ride out the storm of insanity with joy, and just enough pushback to make it hilarious. The fact that she makes her team work better as she learns how to be a great detective just made me all that much happier to be enjoying her story.
Where Josefina is an absolute powerhouse of a woman, Alec is so incredibly passive. He is cursed to witness death again and again, and yet, he manages to deal with it. Plus, he is so calm with all of the nonsense thrown at him. He doesn’t pushback against everything like Josefina does, but rather, figures out how to go with the flow and make peace with his circumstances. I particularly loved that, even though his curse isn’t “cured” within this story, he actually finds a way to live with it and, if anything, take advantage of it to make the world a better place for others.
Whilst I predicted some of what this story was going to involve, the journey to get to those moments was still amazing. And, there were a whole lot of twists and turns that I did not expect. But I really enjoyed them. I think if the final four chapters / stories were incorporated into the actual story, I probably would’ve loved this even more. Having said that, I will most definitely reread it anyway.
June 2, 2023
Be aware this is a short story first printed in Dirty Deeds 2 with previously unpublished extras
Yes, this is not a new story But you do get a hundred pages of extras deleted scenes that didn't make it.into the.original story. The kindle version has four scenes.but there's a bit from the author that some publications have five extra stories. As for the story, we are back in New York with the police department. Officer McMarin is promoted to detective by the police chiefs Quinn's (Sam and Bailey) familiar to all who read this series. Her first case is a homicide, with one hell of a twist, there's a man who has witnessed more murders that you could ever imagine. Wherever he goes death follows.him. Sometimes there are multiple victims (as in car crashes) and at others single victims (as in shootings) the theory is that there must be some connection between all the killings apart from the unfortunate witness so Detective McMarin is given the job of finding said connection...............
Yes, this is not a new story But you do get a hundred pages of extras deleted scenes that didn't make it.into the.original story. The kindle version has four scenes.but there's a bit from the author that some publications have five extra stories. As for the story, we are back in New York with the police department. Officer McMarin is promoted to detective by the police chiefs Quinn's (Sam and Bailey) familiar to all who read this series. Her first case is a homicide, with one hell of a twist, there's a man who has witnessed more murders that you could ever imagine. Wherever he goes death follows.him. Sometimes there are multiple victims (as in car crashes) and at others single victims (as in shootings) the theory is that there must be some connection between all the killings apart from the unfortunate witness so Detective McMarin is given the job of finding said connection...............
July 4, 2023
More!!!
Josephina, hopefully I've spelt it correctly, or McMarin is a policewoman with a Chief who doesn't like women or people of colour in his precinct.
But one day he tells her she's been promoted to Detective and to clean out her desk.
There begins her awesome journey, riding Cindercorns and being happy with her job.
A job that throws her Alec, a man who has witnessed more death than any one person should. But no one knows why, till the Devil turns up.
I'm not sure I could handle poisonous frogs and slimy fish like she can.
Also, she sure can keep Satan in, somewhat, of a line 😂😂😂
I NEED more of Alex and Josephina's story. I wanted Bailey to find out she'd been hoodwinked by Sam, the Devil, demons and everyone else and go off on one for not realising they become a couple 😂😂😂
Loved the extra chapters, six brother's, a few not dating/married 🤔🤔 Love her mum and the slipper throwing 😁😁 Ah suck lemons 😉
Josephina, hopefully I've spelt it correctly, or McMarin is a policewoman with a Chief who doesn't like women or people of colour in his precinct.
But one day he tells her she's been promoted to Detective and to clean out her desk.
There begins her awesome journey, riding Cindercorns and being happy with her job.
A job that throws her Alec, a man who has witnessed more death than any one person should. But no one knows why, till the Devil turns up.
I'm not sure I could handle poisonous frogs and slimy fish like she can.
Also, she sure can keep Satan in, somewhat, of a line 😂😂😂
I NEED more of Alex and Josephina's story. I wanted Bailey to find out she'd been hoodwinked by Sam, the Devil, demons and everyone else and go off on one for not realising they become a couple 😂😂😂
Loved the extra chapters, six brother's, a few not dating/married 🤔🤔 Love her mum and the slipper throwing 😁😁 Ah suck lemons 😉
June 17, 2023
101 Ways to Die by RJ Blaine – Josefina McMarin was minding her own business as a cop, being discriminated against by her idiot boss, putting up with 6 younger brothers who were also cops, trying to keep her parents from worrying too much as she protected and served in New York. Then the Quinns happened to her poor lamb! Getting promoted to detective and cindercorn rider would be a lot for anyone to manage, but she also caught the attention of the Devil when she turned down an incubus’s advances. Her first case is actually a stack of cases, and Alec (the forensic accountant cursed to witness crimes) may actually be part of her promotion bonus if the Quinns, The Devil, and the departmental matchmakers have any say in the matter! Hilarious and fun with a fantastic FMC! Happy Reading!
August 3, 2024
LOVE the Cindercorns!!!
Another AMAZING book from Ms. Blain! Love, love, LOVE her Cindercorn books! Actually, I love ALL of her books, split personalities (aliases) included. However, her books involving the Cindercorns are my favorites. If you haven’t read any of the Cindercorn books, I HIGHLY recommend them! I also highly recommend reading them in order, because they are somewhat serialized, and I think you’ll enjoy them MUCH more! If you’ve read and enjoyed the other Cindercorn books, and, really, how could you possibly not enjoy them, this book is as good as the others, especially if you read the short stories included at the end of the book. Highly entertaining and recommended. Enjoy!
Another AMAZING book from Ms. Blain! Love, love, LOVE her Cindercorn books! Actually, I love ALL of her books, split personalities (aliases) included. However, her books involving the Cindercorns are my favorites. If you haven’t read any of the Cindercorn books, I HIGHLY recommend them! I also highly recommend reading them in order, because they are somewhat serialized, and I think you’ll enjoy them MUCH more! If you’ve read and enjoyed the other Cindercorn books, and, really, how could you possibly not enjoy them, this book is as good as the others, especially if you read the short stories included at the end of the book. Highly entertaining and recommended. Enjoy!
August 10, 2023
Another great book in the Magical Romantic Comedy with a Body Count series. I originally read the short story in an anthology and was very excited that Ms. Blain decided to flesh this one out and make it into a full book. It contains the usual crew from New York, plus the relatives. Detective Josephina McMarin is newly claimed to work at the Quinn's precinct. She had no idea what she was in for. A victim that mysteriously always seems to be at the scene of murders, Arch Angels, The Devil and a very hyper cindercorn are just part of her problems. A wonderful magical mystery with just a hint of romance. I loved it!
October 3, 2023
Lots of fun with new, and some old characters.
This series has entertained me through every single book. And this one didn't disappoint at all. The chiefs Quinn snatched an officer from another captain, (who's a bigoted jerk) and promote her to detective. She's immediately introduced to someone who is cursed to witness numerous murders of ever varying types. Because this is a Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) of course romantic shenanigans happen.
This series has entertained me through every single book. And this one didn't disappoint at all. The chiefs Quinn snatched an officer from another captain, (who's a bigoted jerk) and promote her to detective. She's immediately introduced to someone who is cursed to witness numerous murders of ever varying types. Because this is a Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) of course romantic shenanigans happen.
April 21, 2024
Fabulous 👌
I wondered about this one
It made me laugh and cry. I want to read the next page. The Chief Quinns and the whole situation with Alec were sad, difficult, and helpful. He passed his trials with amazing and helpful insight. His puns and his hidden strengths are there for Josefina.
Great read.
I wondered about this one
It made me laugh and cry. I want to read the next page. The Chief Quinns and the whole situation with Alec were sad, difficult, and helpful. He passed his trials with amazing and helpful insight. His puns and his hidden strengths are there for Josefina.
Great read.
October 29, 2024
Narrated by Kiera Grace. I liked the main characters in this one. Plus Quinn and Bailey are featured in this one. The heroine is a cop who has been under the thumb of a sexist boss, and who comes into her own working for Quinn and Bailey in their precinct. The hero is a good guy, with shitty luck. They figure their shit out, and end up together.
Kobo listen plus
Kobo listen plus
June 2, 2023
Squeeeeeeeeee! So much fun.
Loving the return of my favorite people. The proliferation of Cindercorns and doohickeys. So freaking clever and fun. My favorite series of all time. (At least the past decade). Thank you so much for your warped, inventive mind.
Loving the return of my favorite people. The proliferation of Cindercorns and doohickeys. So freaking clever and fun. My favorite series of all time. (At least the past decade). Thank you so much for your warped, inventive mind.
June 4, 2023
101 Ways To Die
Freaking hilarious.
Cindercorns✓
Lucifer AKA Lucy✓
Shoe throwing momma✓
Hagfish and slime✓
Getting hit on the head with a corpse✓
Loved it. One of my favorite series. Definitely recommend.
Freaking hilarious.
Cindercorns✓
Lucifer AKA Lucy✓
Shoe throwing momma✓
Hagfish and slime✓
Getting hit on the head with a corpse✓
Loved it. One of my favorite series. Definitely recommend.
June 5, 2023
Good read but also in Dirty Deeds Anthology
Good short story but it was included in the Dirty Deeds Anthology. Would not have purchased if I was aware since I already have that. Needs a notation in blurb saying already published.
Good short story but it was included in the Dirty Deeds Anthology. Would not have purchased if I was aware since I already have that. Needs a notation in blurb saying already published.
June 10, 2023
Such a wonderful book!
I loved it! Getting to see some of my favorite Cindercorns and watch Josefina and Alec wander to their HEA was wonderful. This series is amazing and I am never disappointed by the imagination and fun that the author shares with us.
I loved it! Getting to see some of my favorite Cindercorns and watch Josefina and Alec wander to their HEA was wonderful. This series is amazing and I am never disappointed by the imagination and fun that the author shares with us.
June 18, 2023
Cadet
A new detective is to join the cindercorns.
When Macmarin is given a case to solve she doesn't expect the guy to have seen so many deaths.
Usual mayhem and madness with the cindercorns, devil and Darleen
A new detective is to join the cindercorns.
When Macmarin is given a case to solve she doesn't expect the guy to have seen so many deaths.
Usual mayhem and madness with the cindercorns, devil and Darleen
June 29, 2023
Extras are extra fun!
It was fun to reread the book but the extras at the end were a great, fun addition to the insanity that is the Cindercorn-led NYPD. I now need plushies and board games.
It was fun to reread the book but the extras at the end were a great, fun addition to the insanity that is the Cindercorn-led NYPD. I now need plushies and board games.
March 26, 2023
I haven't read anything by this author before and I don't recommend starting with this. I had no idea what was going on at all.
June 3, 2023
I enjoyed reading the further adventures of the precinct. Getting together with all the detectives and Bailey and Sam is fun.
June 3, 2023
Delightful
I particularly like the life snippets! I didn't get the pilot story because I bought 101 Ways through Amazon. Sigh. So sad.
I particularly like the life snippets! I didn't get the pilot story because I bought 101 Ways through Amazon. Sigh. So sad.
June 4, 2023
ok
Follows the same format as all the series but is a short stories with a series of four moments of their lives at the back. Quite light.
Follows the same format as all the series but is a short stories with a series of four moments of their lives at the back. Quite light.
June 9, 2023
love the additional snippets
June 10, 2023
It a must read. I love the story. I love Bailey and Sam but I think Lucy is my favorite. The use of last names brings back memories of my time in the Army. Definitely recommend
June 19, 2023
I rarely give a 5 star rating but your Magical Romantic Comedies are the best. Really enjoyed this one
June 20, 2023
Loved the bonus material!
I want to know more about the McMarin clan, now. And more details on Alec and his ancestry. Love the 101 ways to die statistics, too.
I want to know more about the McMarin clan, now. And more details on Alec and his ancestry. Love the 101 ways to die statistics, too.
June 28, 2023
Author strikes again
I absolutely love this author and the books she creates. This is another one that makes me laugh and want more of this world she has created!!
I absolutely love this author and the books she creates. This is another one that makes me laugh and want more of this world she has created!!
July 2, 2023
Love it!
So sad I have a wait to read the next one! Does it even have a title yet. The characters are fun and exciting. Such a joy to read.
So sad I have a wait to read the next one! Does it even have a title yet. The characters are fun and exciting. Such a joy to read.
July 12, 2023
Short but great
Once again I spent a few hours laughing, with and at Bailey and crew. I also learned news ways to die.
Once again I spent a few hours laughing, with and at Bailey and crew. I also learned news ways to die.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews