Sophia’s Review
Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Series: SCYTHE Mystery #1
Published by Berkley on October 1, 2024
Genres: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Kathy Valence is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. She's also a modern-day grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), but frankly that's the easiest part of her life right now. Or at least it was, until her latest client's soul goes missing.
When she finally tracks down seventeen-year-old Conner Ortiz, he angrily denies he died of natural causes, despite what his file says. He insists that someone at S.C.Y.T.H.E. murdered him, and he demands Kathy find out who and why.
Kathy has only forty-five days to figure out what happened to Conner and help him move on before the boy's soul is doomed to roam the Earth as a ghost forever. She’s forced to rely on the help of her retired mentor, her almost ex-husband—and some sneaky moves by Conner himself. This is the wildest case of her career. . .and one wrong move could cost Kathy her job, not to mention her life.
Her carefully cultivated average, low-risk life has just been toppled when a routine collection case is anything but routine. Kathy can go back to hiding away from the world behind her safe walls or she can help save a soul- literally. Who could pass up a middle-aged mid-divorce grim reaper with a poor self-esteem who must step way outside her comfort zone to investigate a murder? Not me.
A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer introduces a new series and the world of SCYTHE, a semi-clandestine business that employs ‘collectors’ (grim reaper is so old-style and dramatic) to bring the souls to the processing center who will take it from there. Kathy is one of its ‘natural death’ collectors until a mistake happens and she finds herself facing a murder right in the middle of her own personal crisis (she’s getting divorced from the love of her life for…reasons, but slipped up and now is having a baby). Her foul-mouthed prickly teenage client insists he’s been murdered no matter what her file says and by someone wearing a company badge just like hers.
Kathy is no one’s idea of a heroine. She’s the quintessential underdog and anxiety pours off her at the thought of having to do anything outside her carefully constructed, protected life that she believes will prevent her from making mistakes and disappointing people. In fact, that’s why she’s divorcing. She has to hide her job, but that secret is really an excuse. She’s really gun-shy of committing her heart out of fear her husband will see her as she sees herself and walk away because she’s a disappointment. Kudos to Maxie Dara for writing her and her soon to be ex as real people with physical flaws and Kathy will all her internal anxiety and drama. It took an angry teenager and her feisty, eccentric old work mentor to rouse her out of her lethargy and get back into the world and trying risk-taking. And, I was cheering her on all the way.
I enjoyed the mystery, the paranormal world-building, Kathy’s personal growth and life, her found family and support that helps her. I was a tad confused still about a few things when it all ended, but maybe more will come out as the series progresses. I will definitely be looking for that next installment.
I would recommend this one to both paranormal cozy mystery fans, but also those who enjoy that new niche genre of paranormal women’s fiction.
Anne’s Review
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Narrator: Jaime Lamchick
Published by Penguin Audio Length: 9 hours, 11 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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Kathy has been stuck in her usual way and view of herself. It’s caused her to divorce her husband, even though she loves him. But things are changing. She’s pregnant. Then things go awry at her work. It’s the last place she felt she might be reasonably good at something.
She hasn’t shared herself with anyone because she is afraid they will see her as not good enough. But if she is going to solve the current work problem, she is going to have to go out of her comfort zone regularly and she does. While things started sort of slow and haphazard, she finally started making progress. She allowed herself to work with Simon, Jo and Conner to figure things out.
While it nearly gets her killed, the journey also brings her to appreciate and know what a great life she has. Since this is the start of a series, I’ll be fascinated to see if she does make changes to her work and learn more about the souls they process. I’d really like to see Conner again too.
Narration:
I had not listened to this narrator previously. Since nearly everything is Kathy’s point of view and thoughts, I got very comfortable with her character voice. There were some distinct voices for others like Connor, Simon and Jo. I enjoyed the performance, comfortable with the emotional tones. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I like the paranormal aspect of this. It sounds good.
Thanks, this was a quirky character story and it was quite enjoyable.
Love the cover of this one. It sounds good too. Sounds like you enjoyed it as well. Great review!
Thank you Lisa. I did enjoy this one.
Ha! This sounds like a fun read.
There were definitely some fun and odd moments.
Both of you liked it, so I am sure that I would too. I am adding it to my wishlist!
It’s a little quirky but I enjoyed it a lot.
I hope she patches things up with her husband, especially since she still loves him. Sounds like a fun start to a series!
yes! I am interested to have more in the series!
Oh, this sounds like something I’d really enjoy. Now to find time to get to it!! Thanks.
Thank you Jen. It is an ongoing problem. There is more I’d like to read too.
This sounds enjoyably quirky – I love that title. Thank you for an engaging review, Anne:).
Thank you Sarah. I liked it and am looking forward to the series.
Ok ladies, this sounds like fun and the world has me curious.
I enjoyed it and am glad there will be a series. Especially since she got some personal growth and confidence sorted in this book.
I just started this one and I’m really enjoying it so far!
I really did enjoy it. There were a few slow spots when I felt she didn’t have enough confidence in herself but it came out well and the series will be interesting.
This looks like a good mystery and it’s definitely a unique premise. I will have to give this one a try.
I do like the premise. I hope the main character has a little more confidence after the progress in this book.
How fun!
Mostly it was fun but not when she was doubting herself or not getting anywhere with figuring things out.