Murder is not her department.

It’s not like it used to be. Modern-day grim reapers wear business casual, not black cloaks, and they don’t carry scythes, they work for S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), where the Department of Natural Causes is the least exciting gig. And that’s how Kathy Valence likes it: boring and predictable. She has enough stress in her personal life; she’s mid-divorce, pregnant, and terrified she doesn’t have what it takes to be a good mom.

Then, she goes to pick up a new client and finds his soul is missing. When she finally tracks down Conner Ortiz, he angrily insists he was murdered, and he refuses to move on until Kathy finds out why and by whom.

Kathy has only forty-five days to solve the mystery before the boy’s soul is doomed to roam the earth as a ghost forever. To do that she’ll have to call on the help of her retired mentor, her almost ex-husband—and, inconveniently, Conner himself. This is the wildest case of her career... and one wrong move could cost Kathy her job, not to mention her life.

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'A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer' starts a little sluggishly on the story and character development but, a little way in, things tighten up and the pacing falls into place as well as the interaction of the characters. It becomes witty and humorous as well as a fun mystery romp.

The premise of the book is what first caught my attention and I'm glad it did. I found the story idea fresh and original with characters that are different yet relatable.

Kathy is an interesting main character. She's good at her job, though she can't share that with her soon to be ex-husband, since no one is supposed to know that she's a Collections Agent a.k.a. Grim Reaper in the Department of Natural Causes for S.C.Y.T.H.E.

Her personal life is full of stress and anxiety and she's recently found out that she's pregnant. It was enjoyable to see how she handles all the unexpected obstacles thrown at her as she tries to unravel the resulting mystery behind Conner's murder.

This is the first installment in the 'S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery' series and Maxie Dara fleshed out the ending nicely, setting up the continuation for the next book. I look forward to reading it! ~~ Dee Astell

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