The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal

by Grayson Daly

Death is Both an End and a Beginning.

On the island city of Lenorum, Maeve serves the Sisterhood of Good Death, a convent whose purpose is to shepherd lost souls from one world to the next. But her life of devotion to the unquiet dead is upended by an encounter with the haughty poet Imogen Madrigal, who has mysteriously returned from beyond the veil not in spirit, but in the flesh--and determined to obtain justice, whatever the cost. Maeve agrees to help Imogen solve her murder, which propels her headlong into the hedonistic and heretical world of the extravagant and influential Poets' Court.

THE UNTIMELY UNDEATH OF IMOGEN MADRIGAL delivers a metaphysical mystery in the richly imagined, darkly fantastic and urbane world of Lenorum, as Maeve comes to terms with her own path and learns what living a good life truly means.

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, Queer, Mystery, Horror, Romance, LGBT

350 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2023

About the author

Grayson Daly is a writer and lover of fantasy, mystery, and any genre with the word -punk at the end. She grew up in a New England village and moved to the slightly larger one of Boston, where she lives with her childhood best friend and thirteen houseplants. When not writing, Grayson can be found building robots, learning to play the banjo, and haunting the bubble tea shop down the street.

THE UNTIMELY UNDEATH OF IMOGEN MADRIGAL is her debut novel. Find her on Instagram @grayson.daly, at graysonadaly@gmail.com, or in your local cemetery.

Reviews

[Emily Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a bit cozy, a bit quirky, but a lot of steampunk queer joy. It’s a mystery romance with unique world building that is both totally different than The Undertaking of Heart and Mercy but also sort of reminded me of those vibes? Idk I think if you read this book you’ll get what I mean. I was honestly obsessed with the world building and especially this idea of poets being these very sophisticated, snazzy, and powerful people (it’s giving what if all poets were Byronic heroes) Most the poets I know of are introverted and often nerds so this was fun to imagine. idk there’s also something very cool about a religion that revolves around death and ghosts. Not sure how I feel about it all on a deeper level but for this story it was extremely fun to read about.

I had a very hard time with Maeve in the beginning but I really started to like her to longer she was with Imogene. The writing of their relationship and how they slowly brought out the best in each other was so well done. I maybe could have done with some more emotional heart to hearts - but that’s just me bc I like big emotional conversations.

Anyways, the found family was equally lovely to read! Orion especially was an absolute delight. The mystery was extremely well set up but in the end it was the weaker part- I think I just needed more interactions and scenes with all the people involved for me to really feel the stakes. Anyways- if you like a weird but very fun mystery romance then you’ll like this I think.

*also all the names in this book are absolute bangers.

Thanks again to NetGalley and Nosetouch Press for this Arc!

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this a lot more than I did. It should have had all the elements, but failed in execution with a complete lack of emotion or connection. Let alone motivations for each character, then ultimately did not reveal much of anything - so it was a complete time-waste; in my opinion.

That's the TLDR.

It's very slow and droll to get into, and not much personality or insights into either MC. Plus a mystery that gets drawn out the entire story. As for the relationship, it just happens. Again theres just no real emotional insights here. There are pages of things that happen, but a complete disconnect on any emotional level. Then bam, an inebriated night of drunken sex and days of not talking. <- This I was not impressed about, at all. But I won't rant.

With a story like this, it's prime for angst, feeling, emotion - but there just isn't. Our dearly deceased Imogen should be grieving her life, and have some feelings toward the losses and traumas she has endured - but there's just nothing there. She was supposed to be this haughty, hedonistic poet at court, with high popularity and affluence, but this was never realized in any way... I can totally appreciate it if the character had realized her life before was without depth - but this doesn't happen either...

If anything we lead our other MC Maeve down a path of indulgence which was at odds with her own character, and then again not very well done. She's supposedly changing in herself, and her attitude toward her faith - but agian a lack of insight into her emotional state and any real understanding of actions mean we can't care enough, let alone understand.

For a book so long and wordy, after the fact you sit there and realize, you really were not given much of anything. Characters are flat and just do what the author wants, with no motivation or emotion, the ending was anticlimactic, and not fully explained, either - leaving strings hanging.

I wouldn't recommend it. But obviously tastes vary.

[gwen and books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review!

I was scrolling through the list of books on NetGalley when the cover caught my attention.

Murder mystery, paranormal, and sci&tech? All were perfectly blended.

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal tells the story of Maeve of the Sisterhood of Good Death as she helps Imogen solve the mystery of her death while discovering the true meaning of living.

Ack!!! Where do I even start? This is such a fun read that made me laugh, cry and anxious from the beginning until the end. Maeve is the perfect example of a character who has her flaws but still likeable. Who wouldn't love her for the first time as she carefully—and thoughtfully—picked flowers for the dead?

She selected a white lily, and headed back over, her boots crunching on the gravel path. There—she placed the lily down carefully, said a quick prayer, and then took her broom back up and headed onto the next. This headstone was much smaller, with curly carvings, and a glance at the name and dates revealed it to be the resting place of a twelve-year-old girl. A daisy, maybe? Maeve swept off the stone, considering, and then made her way back over to the bucket. Perfect. A pretty yellow daisy, sitting right on top.

Even to the extent of doing the exact opposite of what she'd grown to believe in, Maeve proved to be selfless—a quality which was both good and bad. Nevertheless, change is the only constant thing in the world. For once, she did the most selfish thing she'd ever done her life and it might be the one of the many paths that would lead to a meaningful amd happy life.

Mother Superior patted her back and leaned back out to face her. "I'm torn, dearest. As your abbess and as your guardian—I want you here. I want to keep you close and try to repair this. But it sounds like you've found something out there. As much as I want to hold you, I'd only be holding you back from it."

Really, it's a tough choice to make, to choose somethinf and to let go of the other. At some point in our lives, we've been in that situation. And I can relate with Maeve's struggle and somewhere deep in my heart was touched. This was the most emotional part of the story as this was the turning point in her life. I love how Bethel was more of a parent/guardian here than a Mother Superior. Instead of preaching about the Sisterhood's vows, she supported Maeve in this decision and that counted as something.

Imogen, on the other hand, was that one tough cookie but a soft dough on the inside. Her strength and resilience brought an impact to this book. I loved the chemistry they made together even before the romance started. I honestly didn't want them to be lovers. I wanted them more as a formidable duo or the bestest friends because I could not quite wrap my head around the romance idea. Thought it would be instant love because that would be the worst decision ever made by the author. But Maeve and Imogen treaded that water in a smooth pace. Maeve was given time to sort out the feelings she constantly denied, especially for someone who never experienced such romance before.

And Orion? Haha, I thought I would hate you forever! You're arrogant to no end and so full of yourself, but not once did you ever fail to make me laugh in each and every appearance you made in the book. Orion was another imperfect character (despite his claims of being a perfect and talented man), but managed to redeem himself in the latter part of the book.

Meanwhile, I saw myself more in Frances, mainly because of her being a worrywart and attentive to her friends' needs.

This is such a fun read and I plan to reread this book SOON! My guess on the murderer's identity throughout the book was either Camille or Marlene, so it didn't come out as a shock but the complicated story behind that murder was something I never thought of.

"I think maybe sometimes we're quick to judge others who do things differently from us. But I imagine we could help each other."

And to get rid of the villains, they all must set aside their differences just like how Maeve sought the help of a poet and the Academy.

Unique premise. Well-written characters. Exquisite worldbuilding. Heart-gripping plot.

Solid 5 ⭐ and a bonus HEART 💖!!!

Fav Quotes: 🔥🔥🔥

~Stagnancy is a fate worse than death.

~But what was the point of being a Sister of Good Death if she left the living by the wayside? Or the semi-living, at least.

~She hadn’t really thought out the consequences of doing this; all she knew was that Imogen needed a friend in addition to an investigative partner.

~Mother Superior says the key to a Good Death is a happy life, and so, when I’m not busy with Sister stuff, I do that for fun.

~“You’ve been looking around. I keep an eye on new people, and you keep looking at all the best things in here. And my cat.”

~“Art is more important than some people give it credit for.”

~Sometimes I think they—we?—forget how lucky we are to have all this. We see too much, we have too much, and we lose our wonder.

~“It’s a tough line to walk in my line of work between mundane and…holy. There’s a ghost in someone’s house and it’s a nuisance, but it’s also a divine mystery. I forget to remember that, sometimes.”

~“You don’t know what grief can do to people,” Maeve said sullenly. “Yes, I do.” Orion sipped his tea and looked at her frankly. “I watched them put my dear friend Imogen in the ground a year ago.”

~“You…you can’t erase in glass. In paint. You can’t undo the choices you make.” “Nor in ink.” Imogen smiled at her. “You scratch it out, darling. You paint it over. You work it into what you’ve got. They’re not mistakes—they’re part of the process.”

~“I think maybe sometimes we’re quick to judge others who do things differently from us. But I imagine we could help each other.”

~“Faith just means waiting. And things don’t always work out by waiting.”

~“Sometimes being afraid just stops us from doing the things that we should!”

~Perhaps some things were better left as mysteries; perhaps words could have too much power and poking into the business of the Court and its Laureate was an errand for the foolish.

~A good life is made up of good moments.

[stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between paranormal, science fiction, and fantasy, The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal is a delightful, genre-defying read that doesn't let its graver themes dampen its wit.'

It's not often that I laugh out loud within minutes of starting a novel, but in this instance, I did. I expected a queer ghostly love story, and on that front, it undeniably delivers; what I did not expect, and was pleasantly surprised by, was its poignancy in touching on identity, trauma, disability, relationships with religion versus spirituality, and self-discovery. Don't be mistaken; it's a snappy, soapy read that never takes itself more seriously than it ought to, but there are moments of such sincerity and insight that I found my eyes burned. It stands a cut above in its knowledge that simply because it's entertaining doesn't mean it shouldn't have something to say, a thing winked at within the story itself as characters examine their biases and relationships with art and artists in all forms.

The characters, the heart of the novel, are beautifully rendered. The world, too, is beautifully built, and I fell in love with it; it does not shy from tossing you in the deep end and allowing you to get your bearings of the world as you follow the characters through it, a thing most appreciated by one tired of being hand-held to a distracting extent. Do be aware, though, that if you are a reader who prefers to have your lore codex readily available, explained in-depth and upfront, you will need to simply sit back and trust the ride in this instance.

The plot itself is, perhaps, less important; it is also arguably the least original aspect of an otherwise one-of-a-kind ride. Certain reveals would not be un-at-home in a daytime drama; the climax amps up through a series of poor calculations, accidents, and convenient coincidences that wake one slightly from the narrative dream for a moment. It ultimately recovers and delivers a beautifully executed ending, so it cannot be called unsatisfying. Similarly, the development of the primarily romance feels shaky and strangely paced, though it's lovely once it finds its footing. On the note of pacing, however, the narrative unfurls itself well; exposition and story progression are invisible and seamless as they are experienced, a marker of any well-crafted novel, even more impressive in a debut.

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal is witty, funny, and carries the bite of depth and complexity that elevates it beyond its campy premise to resonate in ways not often accomplished with such airy ease. A fast and fun read, it delivers a delightful ride to those willing to sit back and surrender to it.

(Accessed via NetGalley)

[The Captain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ahoy there mateys!  This was described to me as a cozy mystery where the focus was not the romance.  In the beginning this was true.  I really enjoyed the character of Maeve and the holy Sisters who perform exorcisms and rites for the dead.  I enjoyed Maeve's friends. The world building was not deep but was highly enjoyable.  The set-up for the novel was fun and I really enjoyed the introduction to Maeve's world and thoughts.

The mystery was pretty predictable and convenient.  The plot also went into a rather weird tangent when the mystery was supposed to be investigated.  There wasn't much action in trying to figure things out.  The story got bogged down by the romance subplot and the ridiculousness of Maeve learning about the sexy, selfish real world.  I enjoyed the first half then the story lost its way.

The majority of the problems stemmed from the romance.  I didn't have any faults with the same-sex aspect.  I didn't find the romance to be believable.  Some lust perhaps but not the deep attachment the book tried to portray.  The idea of Maeve being in love with the undead woman really didn't work for me.  I thought the sex aspects were boring.  I didn't like that Maeve gave up everything she was at the beginning (and that I loved) for the relationship.  I do not feel that she changed for the better.  Plus how the love interest was eventually saved didn't make sense.

Not sad I read this but wish it had played out a lot differently.  Arrr!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.

[Catherine McCarthy]

N.B. I do not rate on Goodreads.

First of all, that cover! I love it!
Okay, I'm going to do something a little different here because I have several reviews to write and I'm a bit short on time. For that reason I'm going to share my thoughts exactly how I wrote them as I was reading.

1. Superb opening, one of the best I've read in a long time. An immediate hook.
2. The MC's name, Imogen Madrigal, encapsulates the genre really well
3. Book comparisons: Think Harry Potter (but more grown up) and also Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (as in the writing style)
4. Great world building
5. At heart a love story
6. Genre blends, with a nice dose of Gothic
7. An original and entertaining read

I hope that's tempted you to give it a try.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC copy.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all honesty, I thought this book was going to be another overhyped tiktok type book— one that sounds really promising but is just bad when you start to read it. I am so happy I was wrong.

This is dark academia-supernatural-sapphic-gothic-steampunk-poetry-murder-mystery-drama.... it's awesome. While that might look like a lot to cram into one novel, it works. The setting is somewhat historically familiar at first but then it veers sideways several times, however it still makes sense. They have hand held telegraph machines that basically work like cell phones and it doesn't take away from the story at all. If anything, it adds to it.

As far as characters go, Mauve and Imogen are fun. They don't have that annoying miscommunication crap that a lot of young adult novels have which automatically ranks them high in my mind. The supporting cast was good. Not necessarily great, but good. You can definitely tell that Mauve's three friends are side characters, but they weren't bad side characters, if you know what I mean? There's the knitting one, the politics one, and the music one, but they're still nice and three-dimensional enough.

The plot was a little predictable, but that's part of the charm too. If you've read or watched enough murder mysteries, it becomes pretty easy to pick up on what will happen next, but it's still a fun reveal when you find out. I enjoyed that about this book and I think it speaks to the author truly knowing her stuff when it comes to the murder mystery genre. While The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal isn't a murder mystery the same way Agatha Christie's are (well... maybe some of them), it definitely follows a lot of the same conventions.

I'd like to touch on the religion of this book, too. It's an order of nuns in a convent with chores, prayers, habits, and vows, so, at the surface-level, it looks a lot like a parody of Christianity. Maybe it is, but that doesn't really matter. It does not have super rigid rules and it isn't shown as oppressive. I found it very refreshing the way religion was portrayed in this book, especially because it's also so queer. A queer girl choosing to be in a convent and happy with it? Maybe it's been done before, but I haven't seen it, at least not like this. I liked it.

Maybe I could write a longer essay about the complex issues of religion and queerness and the world, but I'm not going to do that now. I will say that, as a queer person with religious trauma, it felt a bit like healing.

TL;DR— this book is just fun. It has laugh out loud moments along with the, ya know, death stuff. I really enjoyed reading it the whole time, and I can't always say that with books, even ones I really like. It's got great ambiance (it's an island in autumn, so you know the vibes are enchanting) and really cute gay girls that I love.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a world where death and magic and the power of words coexist in a delightful way, Maeve is a Sister of Good Death doing her best to be...a good one. But when she encounters the half-dead Poet Imogen Madrigal, she finds herself journeying beyond the walls and rules of her convent to help solve a murder. What does she find? Ghosts, some debauchery, lesbian pining, and herself.

I really enjoyed this book for a few reasons -- the tenderness with which each character is written (except maybe Shivani, you and I have some beef, girl!) and the framing of this world through the lens of death and religion. I thought each side character had such heart -- Orion, I love you -- and if anything, I wanted more of Maeve's lovely sisters! The idea of death and words, poetry specifically, being at odds with science is so interesting and I liked thinking about the way the society in this world functions.

I do think that if I had to have a critique it would be the actual mystery -- I think the intersection of science and faith/magic is just not very interesting to me, and when the final climax came I was like, okay, great, get me back to the lesbians please! Oh, also, more Oleander. I would like more of them, thank you very much.

4 stars!

[Michaelapaige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Everything about this book was compelling. From the characters to the subject matter, it was hard to find anything I didn't like about this book! Maeve and Imogen are so fun to read about and get to know and I'm so happy that I was able to enjoy such a lovely book.

Maeve dealing with her religious guilt about enjoying life is something I think a lot of people will understand and Imogen just struggling to keep living is something I feel a lot more will appreciate.

Overall, a very good light read for when you want loveable characters, an interesting premise and a touch of mystery! Would definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting a queer fantasy full of love, tea, and art!

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Maeve is a sister of the good death, a nun who has dedicated her life to helping spirits find peace in the afterlife. When she is approached by Imogen, a poet who is not quite a ghost, she agrees to help her solve the mystery of her unusual existence and learn who murdered her.

The vibes in this book are spectacular! I have trouble putting into words what category this book falls under. It’s got ghost hunting, science fiction inventions, romance, murder mystery, and the most fantastical descriptions. This is not the sort of reading I have been tending towards lately, but I am so glad I picked it up. I fell in love with all the characters we meet, the grand setting descriptions, and the overall pacing of the story. The relationships develop at a reasonable pace and elements of the story are revealed slowly. Something I really appreciated was the LGBT representation! This is the perfect story for someone who is wants a unique murder mystery story for late fall vibes.

[Laura Potts]

OMG this was absolutely amazing, I was blown away, I did not think I was going to enjoy this as much as I did but I flew through this and couldn't put it down. This legitimately had everything and more: supernatural elements, ghosts, magic against science, nuns, LGBTQ+ and a murder mystery. This was such a fun book to read, I loved the world-building and especially the characters - I just wish there was more I was so sad it had to end. The romance was beautiful written and unravelled greatly as the murder gets investigated more and secrets get revealed. If you love a darker mystery mixed with romance this is the book for you and I highly recommend this I don't have a bad word to say about it.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal manages to combine Fantasy, Mystery, and Paranormal fiction into a delightful read.

Maeve, a nun from a religious order that's not quite what you'd expect, falls into the path of Imogen, an (as you might guess from the title) recently departed and.. underrated? Poet. Set in a fantasy New England whaling town, where romantic era scientists and a court of hedonistic poets dominate the city, we have this wonderful duo bent on solving Imogen's murder, with the help and hindrance of a crew of compelling side characters. I highly recommend this wonderful debut!

[Klaartje · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 'metaphysical mystery' romance novel we follow Maeve, a Sister of the Sisterhood of Good Death which aids restless souls in their journey to the afterlife. One night she encounters a woman who appears to be dead, but her soul still inhabits her body - asking Maeve to help her find the person who murdered her a year ago. But Imogen is a Poet, and Poets go against everything the Sisterhood stands for with their hedonistic lifestyle...

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal left me with very conflicted feelings. On the one hand I absolutely loved the very intricately thought out and unique world of the Sisters and the Poets. From the start I was fascinated by the opposing philosophies of the two and wanted to know more about them. Daly has such a great, fluent writing style which made it very easy to read and want to keep reading. And the mystery, too, mostly kept my attention and left me guessing. I thought it was a very engaging and original combination of genres.

The characters and romance, on the other hand, weren't as great in my opinion. It felt as if we stayed on the surface throughout the whole story and didn't really get to see the characters' personalities, thoughts, feelings and backgrounds from up close. This also made it difficult for me to understand why Maeve and Imogen felt attracted to each other - I just didn't know them well enough. The author definitely used more telling than showing, which can be really great, but here unfortunately didn't go deep enough for me to be invested in the characters and what happened to them.

I would love to try another work by Daly in the future, however, because the world and the atmosphere were very innovative and interesting!

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the eARC!

[kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

You might like this book if any of the below appeal to you:
• Death order of nuns.
• Disability rep (mutism).
• Fishing/whaling town.
• Is it magic or is it science?
• Found family.
• Murder mystery.
• Queer romance. (One pepper on the spice scale.)
• Victorian setting.

(Let me preface my review by saying I'm a tough rater, so my 3 is really like a standard reader's 4 or 4.5. Why am I this way? A bad childhood, probably, but whatever. 🤷🏼‍♀️)

The cover caught my eye when scrolling through NetGalley, and the premise sounded promising, so I downloaded and started reading without having heard anything about the book on any social media platform. And it was good! It's a fresh/unique light fantasy story. And, one of my fave things, it's queer! 🌈

What keeps this from being a 4 star read for me, is that it read as young adult, even though all the main characters are adults, and I'm like 95% certain this is being marketed as adult? It's a bookish pet peeve of mine when books that should be young adult are listed as adult, and also the other way around, when books that are adult are tried to be passed off as young adult.

However! I would still recommend this book though, just adjust your expectations accordingly. 👍🏻

And of course, thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc! 🩷

[Helen Whistberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not surprised there's a wide range of opinions in the reviews of this novel. It fits a very specific cozy mystery with romantic, supernatural, and Gothic horror elements niche that won't be for everyone. I personally bought into the quasi-magical yet not overly explained setting as well as the plight of the titular character who finds herself neither dead nor alive but determined to find out who murdered her just the same. I thought the Sisterhood of Good Death (which gently ushers unquiet spirits into the afterlife) was an appealing concept and Sister Maeve, an appealingly conflicted but truly "good" person in a way you don't often see portrayed in a believable fashion. The plot fits squarely into the "amateur detective solves a mystery through a combination of bumbling around, luck, and grit" genre of cozy mysteries, and while the denouement is not terribly shocking, the climactic scenes are still thrilling and the ending very satisfying. I found this a lovely break from the grimmer fare I've been reading lately and was happy to spend time with these lovable characters and the unique culture/world they inhabit.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may appeal to anyone who liked:
- The court/ballroom scenes in Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
- The romance/paranormality of One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
- The well-intentioned shenanigans of Sister Act (the movie with Whoopi Goldberg)
- The spirituality/take on religion of The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher
- The gothic vibes of the audio opera The Dolls of New Albion
- Anyone looking for a fun fantasy murder-mystery/LGTBQIA+ inclusive book for pride month!

— WARNING: minor spoilers ahead —

As I write this, I’m sitting here drinking my cheap off-brand lemon-ginger tea hoping that the main character, Maeve, would be proud of me.

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal is one the most enrapturing debut novels I’ve read. It’s not just good for a debut, it’s also a book that will likely teach you something new about yourself every time you come back to it.

There are quite a few points that I think make it such a viable read. At the top of the list for me is the way religion is presented in this book. To me, religion and spirituality have always been around me, but the people who have tried to present it to me have been varying degrees of good to awful. Some, like the priests I knew growing up, would probably have liked this book. It presents religion and faith as a guiding characteristic to help individuals lead a good life without selfish intent or a desire to control people. It is about exercising the good and the kindness in the world without inflicting it on those who reject the mission. The parallels between the Sisters of Good Death and their nemeses, the Court of Poets, artfully highlighted this. To each, they hold a beliefs towards what dictates a good life, but disagree on how that life manifests. The Sisterhood sees the poets as wealthy and indulgent and thus unholy, but really poets seek the power their words can bring to create and spread love and emotion and humanity. A particularly powerful scene occurs when Imogen remembers this while listening to a record. The Sisters of Good Death seek something similar, using the power of their words to help settle the unfinished business of souls trapped in this plane of existence or free them from their Earthly bindings. Both use the power of words to improve lives and share a piece of themselves. That these two groups are at odds is intriguing because it’s not inherently intuitive, but also unsurprising because of the constant discourse between religion and society.

Additionally, I especially love that Sister Maeve is characterized as the utmost example of a Sister of Good Death despite her own concerns and wavering opinion about how to best embody the message and principals of her Sisterhood. Her Mother Superior appreciates the different ways their mission (and deity) can call people to action in such a way that anyone struggling with either the expectations of their family, or their religion, to feel seen and accepted. I loved the depiction of religion as its focused around intent. What a beautifully positive and unconstrained spin on religion.

Though every character comes to life on page, I want to talk about Orion Cantor. He emulates a hedonistic, party-wild best friend who would never force his more sheltered, reserved, or hesitant friends to try anything out of their comfort zone, but rather offer the opportunity for them to try new things. He exudes an energy of acceptance and familiarity, like saying “there’s nothing wrong with doing your own thing but you can join my thing any time if you want”. He’s so supportive and protective of the people he cares about, but also mysterious. There’s a reason he’s played up as a potential murderer, and there’s something really special about an author who can make you believe your “book best-friend” is a threat. So not only is he an example of a well-developed character, he’s also good writing.

I won’t spoil how or why, but Imogen, the titular character, goes a little off the rails at one point. This point in the book is absolutely enthralling, it felt imperative to finish the book from that point in one night, because the plot absolutely MOVES. It’s terrifying to watch the character we’ve grown to love and come to expect a certain… rhythm of existence from completely dissociate and mentally crumble. I won’t say more about that except I really loved it.

One last thing I loved! The way that science was depicted in this was at odds with religion, generally, but the ways that both science and religion could coexist and help each other grow was really inspiring and heartwarming. Science was not always used ethically, a nice parallel to real life in which religion (and I suppose also science) are not always applied ethically.

Overall, this book gives the reader a lot to relate to and reflect on in life. The story and overall plot are compelling, the characters develop drastically, I enjoyed that no character was a definitive bad guy or good guy which made them all just… realistic! The reader should be prepared for more personal growth and reflection and less focus on mystery than they might expect, but that hardly takes away from the story, just aligns it differently in terms of genre! It was an absolute blast, and I hope Daly comes out with even more in the future because, like I said, this is one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read!

[Sonia Almeida Dias (Peixinho de Prata) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and interesting fantasy book. The ambience was perfect, the slight steampunk touch, we feel that we could live in that world, or at least enjoy visiting it.

The characters were also good and well written, especially Imogen and Maeve, but also many of the supporting characters.

It was a pleasure to read, and I recommend it to all that enjoy cozy fantasy books.

[Mathgeek97pi · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to describe this utterly captivating book? I’m not sure but I’ll try. It begins when Imogen, who is a poet, is gruesomely murdered and her throat is slashed. A year later, Sister Maeve - who is part of an order of nuns who, basically, help the dead cross over the veil - is spending the evening in a cemetery as part of her duties. Then, she hears something. What? Who? It was undead Imogen, of course. Maeve promises to help solve Imogen’s murder.

The world building in this novel was exquisite, the premise unique, the characters were enchanting, and the ending superb. You can tell the author really knows the island city of Lenorum and these characters well, but not only that, the author loves them, too. I could not get enough of Maeve with her fellow sisters, whom she clearly both liked and loved. This was found family at its best. The criminal elite were nefarious and villainous in the very best way. Oh, and Orion! Oof, what a character. I looked forward to each of his scenes. The love, the loyalty, the betrayals in this book were exceptionally well done. My only complaint … that there isn’t a sequel out already for me to dive into. I surely hope there will be and I’ll be first in line to read it. (This includes a sequel in world starring different characters, as long as some favorites pop in to say hello). Oh, make that two complaints…why does The Bookshop Teashop not exist in real life? The Bookshop Teashop is the store of my dreams. Books! Tea! I want to go and I want to go right now. Okay, that isn’t a fair complaint, but I still wish it existed.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I highly recommend this dark fantasy with a side of mystery and a dash of romance. Solid five star book.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an arc of this book.

[Death · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and netgalley for providing an arc.


Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. I doubt I would have finished the book if it wasn't an arc and I wasn't stuck in a intercontinental flight without much to do(it is much more long winded than it needed to be, though if you needed to kill 7-9 hours, it might do the trick). It had a really interesting premise and has very interesting ghost-focused world building. However, I didn't expect this to be primarily a romance. That isn't an issue in itself, but I didn't really feel much chemistry between Imogen and Maeve, so it resulted in the most important aspect of the book to fall flat for me. Aside from that, the mystery plot starts off strong, but really stagnates in the middle and ends up more like a scooby doo episode by the end.


I don't want to nitpick, but the overabundance of em dashes in the prose was very distracting as well. This book seemed interesting, but I don't really have many good things to say about this book outside of the world building.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing the dead is not unusual for Sister Maeve of the Order of the Good Death. She and her sisters are used to being called out to deal with hauntings all over Lenorum. But the (un)dead woman Maeve meets after a long afternoon of grave tending is, well, a lot more solid than most of the dead folks she normally deals with. This one is also a lot more coherent and persuasive than the others, so much so that she convinces Maeve to help her solve her own murder. That meeting develops into one of the most unusual love stories I’ve read in a long time. Readers who love impossible romances, twisty mysteries, and original settings will adore Grayson Daly’s The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal...

Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.

[Kathryn Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review

Grayson Daly's writing can be surprisingly immersive, and her characters are charming, if a little underdeveloped. Untimely is definitely worth reading, and this is an author whose books I will read in the future.

I'm struggling with how to rate this book. The themes never quite come together, there are massive plot issues, and the book never quite figures out what it's trying to accomplish. A book with such a long list of issues should earn three stars at best, but I *liked it* too much to only give it three stars. This is an actually GOOD book. But it's got some problems, most of which boil down to the author's indecision about what kind of book she was writing.

The sex scenes are largely glossed over, which is good, given that one of the people in the sex scenes has been dead for a year, is leaking ectoplasm from the gaping wound that flexes open when she isn't careful about how she moves her shoulders, and she was in a crypt for a year without any way to bathe- and Imogen only bathes once in the book. Add to this the repeated descriptions of Imogen as cold, descriptions that make it sound like she's rotting, developing liver mortis, etc., and it was hard to find the kissy bits charming. Imogen's bodily state is an ongoing continuity problem that clashes hard with the romantic subplot.

There's also the issue of Imogen's voice. The muscles that control the tongue form the front portion of the throat wall, so a cut deep enough to sever vocal cords would also sever the muscles controlling the tongue. Imogen would not have been able to articulate, kiss with tongue- which was definitely implied, if not explicitly stated- or make a number of faces that she produced during the story.

At times I found myself half cringing and half laughing at scenes that were supposed to be romantic, but...ick. The author (and the editor- this is trad pubbed!) needed to have made a clear choice about Imogen's body and how that was going to be handled. This seemed like the effect of multiple rewrites that were not quite thorough enough, and a bad case of hit-or-miss copy editing.

The book is billed as adult fiction, but the simplicity of the characters and the cutesy bits read more like YA takes on romance that the typical adult fiction exploration and growth through changing emotional arc, changing thought processes, and interpersonal tensions. In a sense, this is nice, as the normal plot issues of romance are avoided. But this introduces another aspect of Untimely's identity crisis.

The mystery aspect of this book doesn't pull its weight. This should have been the driving force throughout the book, especially as the practical aspects of the romance didn't pan out. But the investigations are minimal, just one trip to the library, and a visit to Imogen's ex. Far more time is spent on costumes and make up, trying different kinds of tea, and angsting over an inexplicably angry nun.

Then there's a weird bit where an injured person who is not in their right mind goes running off, and the person who supposedly loves them decides to sit down and have a big emotional conversation with the person who did the injuring, and then went someplace other than where the injured person was heading. Why? To borrow a ball gown. Then, once kitted out, they go in search of the injured party. This entire sequence was tough to slog through.

The antagonists are obvious from the beginning, and the "mystery" is solved when they confess, in the course of trying to kill Imogen again. They actually discuss that they have no further use of Imogen, but then it turns out that she has to die because it will cause them problems if she learns who she "really" is. But if the antagonists had just left her alone, she never would have learned this, and never would have found out who had killed her. Further, they knew that she didn't know what had happened to her. This non-mystery was both over the top and underwhelming.

The theory behind the fractured spirits also doesn't make sense. If Imogen's pain was causing the holes in the spectral veil, there should have been correspondences in time and location between Imogen's pain and the hauntings. And the fracturing thing was never addressed in any way.

Unfortunately, the denouement was the result of the nun performing a large magical working- something that had never been discussed as part of her repertoire before this- to save the day. This came out of left field.

I read the first two hundred pages in one sitting, and then had to force myself to slog through the next 100 over the course of several days before the pace finally picked up for the last few scenes.

And yet, at the end, I still really liked it. Four stars. Read it, let me know what you thought.

An original take on hauntings with charming characters, pacing issues, and some massive plot holes.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 rounded down

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial / Nosetouch Press for providing me with this ARC in return of an honest review.

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal is Grayson Daly’s queer, fantasy debut novel. The story follows Maeve, a sister of Good Death, who helps spirits move beyond the veil. When she meets Imogen Madrigal, a poet who has returned from the death, her life gets turned upside down. The unlikely pair set out to solve the mysterious murder of Imogen Madrigal and find more than what they might have been looking for.

Writing
Grayson Daly’s writing is alright. Let’s begin with what she does well: humour.

Isn’t that blackmail? a small voice asked inside her head. Maeve scoffed to herself. It wasn’t blackmail! It was getting aid from an unwilling party who really ought to be willing.

Humour without coming off as annoying and cringe is not easy, but Daly has a good grip on the skill of being subtly amusing and she made me chuckle more than once. Now, something that annoyed me was the punctuation. There are em dashes on almost every page and way too many ellipses, and the combination of those two just gave the text an unedited look. What is with the obsession with em dashes? Did fanfictions do this to us? The word choices also made me stumble a little at times because it felt unfitting for the world or simply made little sense which added to that unpolished feeling. There is a lack of descriptiveness when it comes to inner thoughts and feelings which made it harder to understand motivations of characters but then at the same time, there were unnecessary descriptions in other areas (e.g., “the kitchen fire was warm”). Overall, the manuscript would benefit from a few more rounds of editing.

Worldbuilding
I really enjoyed the steampunk setting since I’ve not read a lot of stories in that setting (which I need to fix!). Not a lot about the world is explained or described but it is written in a way where the reader is mostly able to fill in the blanks from general knowledge. The author trusts the reader to a reasonable extent, and I rarely struggled when it came to understanding rules and customs. I still would’ve enjoyed a little bit more exposure and descriptions. Especially when it came to fashion! The extravaganza of poets is a big focus of the story, but I felt it lacked in description. The world left me wanting to know more.

Plot
The story follows Maeve as she sets out to help Imogen solve her mysterious murder. That is the core of the story, a murder mystery. Or at least, that is what it was supposed to be about? But honestly, most of the story is about Maeve learning more about the world of art and science. Which is interesting, don’t get me wrong but for a murder mystery, there was little detective work or solving any of the mystery. In fact, they do not solve anything until the very end when everything is told and served to them on a silver platter. It was rushed and the set-up was not properly outlined. The ending also did not make complete sense but to be fair, I also did not care that much. What ended up happening was that the character relationships became the focus of the story and made me as the reader care little about the supposed plot.

Characters
I thoroughly enjoyed all characters. I wished I could’ve known more about them and perhaps, the story would’ve benefited from multiple POVs. Having such strong and defined characters made up for the lack of focus on the plot. The author very obviously cares about these characters enough to make them distinct and complex, and so it is easy for the reader to care as well. The characters were my favourite part of the story.

Relationships
The relationships were interesting because the characters involved were interesting, but the romance did not work for me. The chemistry was not shown on page, and it is difficult to understand why these characters care so deeply about each other. The familial and platonic attachments were way more intriguing to me, and I wish we got more of that! A general critique I have for stories nowadays is the at times unnecessary focus on romantic relationships and the neglect of other relationship types. It feels overly western and maybe even capitalistic to put more importance on romantic monogamous relationships while also side-lining the significance of community. Therefore, I appreciate Daly dedicating multiple scenes to those relationships. More of that please! Community matters.

Conclusion
I had a good time reading this and for a debut novel, it is a solid text. There being room for improvement is a big plus and I wish to see more books with diversity like in The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal. I will recommend this to readers who want more sapphic fantasy that is a little different from most fantasy settings nowadays.

[Luca the Jellyfish Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much more fun than I thought it would be! I expected something grimdark, where everything is foggy and sad and slightly disgusting.
Instead we get Sister Maeve, from the Sisters of Good Death, and Imogen Madrigal trying to uncover the latters murder and also the reason why she isn't dead.
What we get is very fun worldbuilding. A port city with a connected island. A nunnery that believes a good life leads to a good death. A steampunky vibe but with modern society (same sex marriage, for example, gender neutral pronouns, my man Orion with his nipple piercings, high heels and lipstick) without it feeling forced. A science vs. faith plot that doesn't hammer home the fact that Christianity Is The Only Way(TM).

All in all, a very fun read! I really liked Maeve as a main character, and her character growth by the end (that I won't spoil, but I liked her talk with Mother Superior in the end), and the colorful cast!
The only negative point I have is, that the solving of Imogens undeath never felt really pressing. It was certainly the main plotpoint, but it was really just the two of them bumbling along with no clear deadline, or other reasons for it to feel like it mattered that they found out who did it. Usually, you have a "find out by day x or something horrible happens", but this novel doesn't have that (and when a somewhat important deadline is introduced, it doesn't feel like it's all that important and deadline-y). Unfortunately, that makes it somewhat lukewarm for a mystery book.

Ultimately a fun read that lacked a bit of urgency in its plot development, which unfortunately makes it somewhat forgettable.


@NetGalley & BooksGoSocial: Thank you guys for this ARC!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - A novel that takes its readers on a captivating journey into a realm where metaphysics, mystery, and gothic romance intertwine to create an introspective and enchanting narrative.

“The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal” is a story set in a gothic, fictional island city called Lenorum, introducing me to a diverse cast of characters: from nuns to poets and eventually to scientists. At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Sister Maeve, a member of the Sisterhood of Good Death, who basically helps ghosts to cross over the veil. Maeve encounters Imogen, a murdered poet who exists in a peculiar state between life and death, and they strike a bargain to address the waning influence of Maeve's convent in guiding lost souls to the afterlife. In return, Maeve agrees to assist Imogen in unraveling the mystery surrounding the latter’s murder.

I think one of this book’s greatest strengths lies in Daly's skillful portrayal of character growth and development. The protagonist, Maeve, is a relatable and compelling character whose personal journey serves as the emotional core of the story for me. Her growth and transformation, as she ventures deeper into the world of poets, are beautifully portrayed—and eventually, I find myself emotionally invested in her gradual discovery of her own desires. The supporting characters, such as Orion and Shavani, are equally well-rounded—each with their own conflicts and theatrics, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Another highlight of this book for me is the world-building; it is nothing short of breathtaking. Lenorum is vividly brought to life, with its gothic landscapes, energy and, beings that defy conventional understanding. The author's descriptive prose paints a vivid picture, immersing me in an utterly fascinating realm.

And while this book is a metaphysical exploration laced with mystery and suspense, the author also weaves an enthralling tale of romance. I find the way Maeve's feelings evolve for Imogen to be particularly compelling and fun.

In conclusion, "The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal" is a mesmerizing metaphysical romance that combines imaginative world-building, thought-provoking metaphysical concepts, and captivating storytelling. I thought it is a book that could challenge readers to expand their perception of reality while offering an enthralling romantic adventure filled with self-discovery. For fans of metaphysical fiction and gothic romance alike, this book is a must-read that will leave a lasting impression, and it may also inspire contemplation long after the final page is turned.

Special thanks to NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal immediately drew me in with its summary. It has a lot of things I am very, very into — whaling towns, death priests, hauntings, poets with flowy shirts, and not one but two “dress up and sneak into a fancy party” scenes.

It wasn’t a perfect read; I think the whole mystery plot is a bit weak, and there isn’t actually a lot of investigation going on. But I was having enough fun just hanging around with the characters and enjoying the costume descriptions that I didn’t really mind. I liked the atmosphere of the setting but it didn’t feel quite fully realized. (Like, is there a government?) I was pretty comfortable with the 19th century whaling town vibes when it would suddenly throw in stuff like steampunk cell phones and other things that didn’t feel quite integrated into the world.

Overall, though, I had a fun time reading this book, and it provided pretty much exactly what I was looking for. If you’re looking for a fun, easy, very queer fantasy read, then I think you’ll have a good time with this book

[blok sera szwajcarskiego · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,75 ⭐️

Received an arc from NetGalley, thanks!

I'm a big opponent of rating debut novels low, mainly because I see them as a road for author to find their writings. But sometimes that journey is rowdy and takes time.
I loved premise of "The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal", because hey, if you serve me nuns, murder mysteries and lesbians how can you expect me to not eat this shit up? And Grayson Daly serves a good meal in this field. Imogen and Maeve's story is interesting, funny and pleasant. Their adventures are full of great ideas for world-building.

But in the end this is what I lacked. World. Something more than characters, which isn't a disadvantage, as books driven by characters are great, too. But this one fel more like a TV series synopsis, there's little description and many dialogs, which didn't manage to make its story feel full.

I'm sure a lot of people will fall in love with this silly story of a (un)dead poet and very much alive nun, but sadly, it wasn't for me.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal" by Grayson Daly is a captivating and immersive metaphysical mystery. Daly's writing is richly imaginative and beautifully crafted, creating a darkly fantastic and atmospheric setting that comes alive on the pages. The world-building adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, captivating readers from start to finish. The characters, particularly Maeve and Imogen, are complex and well-developed. Maeve's journey from a life of devotion to questioning her own path and understanding the true meaning of living a good life is beautifully explored. Imogen's mysterious return and her determination to seek justice lend an air of suspense and urgency to the plot. Daly skillfully balances the unfolding mystery with thought-provoking reflections, providing readers with a compelling and intellectually satisfying reading experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nosetouch Press, and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I am a sucker for most things that feature women falling in love with each other, but this novel truly exceeded my expectations. From the characters to the plot to the setting, I was hooked from the first scene all the way to the end.

The novel is set in a small island town that’s a bit spooky but also incredibly cozy - exorcisms and seances abound, but there are also copious amounts of tea drinking and poetry. The setting is kind of like an alternate universe pre-telephone era, jam-packed with supernatural and sci-fi elements to keep it interesting. Lush prose maintains the gorgeous atmosphere throughout, and I would happily read ten more books set in this same universe.

Most importantly, the romance absolutely won my heart. The relationship was well developed, easy to root for, and they communicate! The side characters were amazing as well; they helped create what is all and all a very enjoyable, very queer read.

Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for my copy.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4.0 stars

Good, light read. Since finishing this book, I’ve seen this described as a cozy mystery. I was expecting it not to be “cozy” and be a bit heavier on paranormal side. The beginning started off very strong. It became a bit too focused on the romance part for me (it wasn’t bad, but again not what I was expecting). Had parts science fiction, paranormal, humor, gothic, and romance. A little cheesy at times, but I enjoyed the characters. Overall a good read, just not quite what I was expecting in the end.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I enjoyed the mix of genres, from paranormal to murder mystery with a sprinkle of romance. The story was interesting, the world building as well. The characters were quite particular, but the middle fell a bit flat for me. I had to push through for the story to pick back up again and the ending was more engaging. The murderer reveal was a bit underwhelming, maybe because it wasn't really hard to guess. I liked the concept of having nuns being exorcists though!