So Death suffers from burn out too and when they start getting sloppy the powers that be forcefully suggest a sabbatical period. Finding themselves in their human female form Death uncovers some murders that are not in the Plan, something screwy is going on and who better to investigate death than Death herself. This was a lot of fun and an inventive premise I enjoyed a lot. You can’t dig down too far into the nuts and bolts of it otherwise you will just end up with a lot of holes so it’s best just to go along for the ride as Death finds out what it’s like to be a human woman and that Life doesn’t have it as easy as she thought. I thought one character at the end got a bit brushed off but I understood the choices the made in doing it, I just felt it could have been closed off better. A heartwarming story about Death.

First of all I would like to say thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this book but I was soon hooked and weirdly rooting for death to have a happily ever after. I think the character development was really good for both Death and Life however some moments made me want to rip my hair out.

I have to admit I was disappointed in the ending as I was rooting for that typical happily ever after and almost doing a little mermaid where she could become human to be with the love of her life but I do understand why the author went down the route they did and when thinking about it more it made more sense for the character.

I can’t remember if there were warnings at the start of the book but animal testing and animal death is included in this story so some may find parts distressing. There are also human deaths too but I know that if people are like me they need warnings about animals more than people!

Smart, quirky and quite charming!

Her job is to die for. Literally. Death has been personified and she is completely misunderstood. She takes her job very seriously and she just wants to provide an easy path into the afterlife. But even death needs a holiday. Except her absence has created opportunity for chaos and now people are dying who weren't on the list.

A murder mystery with a difference. I found this wonderfully creative with lots of quirky, clever references. An entertaining delight from beginning to end.

This story about Death taking a Sabbatical and coming down to Earth and finding love was interesting and humorous. The problem with it was that as a concept, it can only go so far without being repetitive. Original, yes but it strained the extent of its possibilities.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Death on sabbatical discovers food, crime and… romance?
—
When Death finds herself with a solicitous soul on her ‘boat,’ she realises that she wants humans to know her as less of a spectre in black with a scythe and more as she is. Requesting a sabbatical from the Big Man and, shockingly, getting it, Death’s sister Life gives her a body in the form of Delara Donn, maximalist fashionista and budding paralegal. When her first case leads her to a dashing Italian scientist, Death — that is, Delara — doesn’t know that she’s stumbled in to a conspiracy that involves food, crime and jealousy, as well as a little breaking and entering and, maybe, even a little love.

Taking the sub-genre of Death on holiday and weaving in agro-economics, cosy crime and romance is a tall order, but this sparkling debut rockets along without a hitch, and the relationships are what make it work. Sibling rivalry between Death and Life, and the distant father figure of their actual father figure, the Creator of the Universe, as well as other siblings too good to spoil; Delara’s new legal workmates, briefly sketched but rich all the same; and the love interest that develops organically through the course of Death’s adventures on Earth. The novel takes left and right turns without warning but through it all, Death sticks to her guns and makes it out… alive?

Four and a half stars

Death has decided to take a sabbatical and live as a human to learn more about the human experience. Her sister, Life, sets her up with a body and everything else should could need in a small flat in London. But from here, Death is on her own.

When Unplanned deaths begin happening, Death must find out who is doing it and stop them because the consequences of Unplanned deaths are unknown. Deaths have always been part of the Boss's Plan.

I couldn't actually figure out who was causing all the Unplanned deaths but when it came out at the end, I really should have guessed! I thought Death was a really good character and she was fairly well fleshed out but I felt the other characters were lacking a little. I think there should have been a little bit more about Life, the VP and the Boss in particular but I guess we're already supposed to have our assumptions about them.

It has a really good ending as well - love really does conquer death!

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

This book sounded so good and right for me, the premise is great and I really liked the voice of Death but it didn't work in terms of pacing or the world. I had little interest in the murder cases and not much in the romance, this unfortunately was a DNF at 36%

One of the most random books I've read in a while, but that's really not a bad thing...I mean, who expected a book based on the Grim Reaper to be heartwarming?? Death goes on holiday and people start dying....

Excellent read, thank you so much for the opportunity to read the ARC!

This book was a pleasant surprise, smart, fast-paced, and a bit weird in all the right ways. Death, fed up with her job, takes a break and goes to live on Earth as a human. Things quickly go wrong when she discovers an unplanned death, something that’s not supposed to happen and she ends up trying to solve a supernatural mystery while blending into normal life.
Death’s sibling rivalry with her sister, Life, adds tension and a back story without getting too soppy. There’s also a solid mix of action, dry humour, and even a bit of gore.
If you’re into dark fantasy with a twist, this is definitely worth a shot. Think ‘Good Omens’ meets ‘The Office’, with a murder to solve.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for a review!

This is a thoroughly strange litte book, and I really enjoyed it! The comedy of cosmic beings being set up like a wacky corporate department was wonderful, and reminded me a little of the video game, Death and Taxes, albeit a very different story!

Our strange and sassy protagonist, Death/Delara, was so much fun to read and her interactions with humans like Marco were delightful. The core of the book is not the strangely mafia related plot or even the afterlife at all, but sisterhood. Her relationship with Life was really wonderful and heart-breaking and all of the things that sisters are to each other. I really loved it.

I also really enjoyed the depiction of the HCD (I won't spoil the excellent joke). There was a really wonderful undercurrent of love for humanity in all its facets and flaws. Garm was a real highlight and I am so glad she and Death get to spend forever together.

The ending with Marco was also perfect. Their relationship was beautiful and so were Death's choices in the end.

Although the Unplanned deaths and the VP and Temp were not exactly a super tight storyline, I very much enjoyed the ride of Death's journey and relationships. The characters held together the story and made for a poignant and funny read.

Three and a half stars rounded up to four for Goodreads.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a cleverly written, darkly comedic novel that hits a rare balance between accessibility and depth. Veronika Dapunt writes with a calm confidence, moving the story along at a perfect pace—never too fast, never too slow. It’s easy to read without ever feeling lightweight, with a deadpan tone that suits its surreal subject matter perfectly.

The protagonist is fascinating—quirky, unsettling, and oddly magnetic. I really enjoyed spending time in her head. That said, I felt the supporting characters were a little underdeveloped. Given how unusual the protagonist’s lifestyle is, it seemed odd that more people (particularly the British characters) didn’t challenge or question her more. A touch more external judgment or skepticism could have made the social dynamics even sharper.

Overall, though, this was a strong, memorable debut with plenty to chew on beneath its witty surface. A great pick for readers who enjoy literary fiction with dark humor and a touch of the absurd.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this witty book! Death (she's a woman!) needs a holiday, she's burnt out and needs a break. Her sister (Life) sets her up in a flat in London with a little job, so she can see how things are down on the ground.

However, while she is on her sabbatical, she realises that a series of deaths have occurred which are not part of the boss's plan (God) and she must investigate them to ensure that things happen as they should.

I thought the story was hilarious and just loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

From the first line, I loved this book. I really enjoyed Death and her character.

We follow Death, who is having a "holiday" on Earth when she discovers unplanned death are taking place outside of her schedule and starts investigating with the help of her sister, Life, and a sexy parasitologist.

Honestly this is an excellent debut by Dapunt which I think everyone needs to read. It's definitely a summer read

The novel's thought-provoking themes, engaging characters, and seamless genre transitions make it a highly recommended read. The author takes events and history and religion characters and portrays them in a darkly humourous and witty way.

When Death decides to take a break, she becomes a human on earth, and becomes involved in trying to solve the mystery around a number of Unplanned Deaths and, ultimately, locked in a battle to save her sister, Life.
A very clever premise and concept and written with warmth and humour. An unusual novel - adventure, fantasy, comedy and a splash of romance - in the vein of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's Good Omens. It is most enjoyable and would make an incredible serial. It reminded me of Time Bandits, the film by Terry Gilliam, and I kept visualising the Boss as Ralph Richardson playing the Supreme Being.
It was well written, and pacy, but I became rather confused and/or 'so what?' around halfway in. Still, a poignant finish and the novel raised some fundamental, existential questions
Thanks for NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.

Imagine Death taking a sabbatical on earth and trying to solve unplanned deaths with a parasiteologist, while trying to stop the devil disguised as an Albanian Mafia boss, along with Jesus who is now practically the spokesperson for L'Oréal... Yeah, I'm not sure I could have thought that up on my own either!
But alas, the brilliant mind of Veronika Dapunt did just that in this heartwarming and charming novel about learning to love Life when all you are is Death.

This is a book that will not disappoint if you have a great sense of humour and don't take anything too seriously. I loved the character concepts, and the mystery element of this book just kept the narrative flowing throughout the entire story all the way to the conclusion.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me an advance copy of this book via Netgalley

Thank you Netgalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam and Veronica Dapunt for the eArc of Death and Other Occupational Hazards.

When I read the synopsis for Death and Other Occupational Hazards, I had no idea what a great journey I was in for. From the first page to the very last, I was fully engaged and went through a variety of emotions whilst reading! I loved Death, and how through this book, Death becomes relatable as she sheds her black cloak and Sith to a women who loves pink heels so she can investigate some unauthorised deaths. Along the way, she meets an a-ray of lovable and unsavoury characters as well as trying to listen to her sister, Life.

The mix of character building, the dynamics between them and the plot direction makes for a greatly engaging, humorous read that can be read on a few levels. I loved the deeper meaning that's to be had from this book and I will confess that the end made me tear up a bit, in a good way of course,

4.25 stars for story graph. 4 stars for other sites.

Great debut novel for Veronika Dapunt! I really enjoyed this; it's an interesting take on life, love, and death, with some murder mystery thrown in. I found the main character likeable and very entertaining - there were some poignant moments, and others where I laughed out loud 🙂 It's great I certainly recommend, and now I can't wait for Veronika'a next novel!

Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin for sharing this digital ARC with me.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt is a dark comedy set around the problems that everyone faces at work, from fellow workers, including your sister, Life (who is still mad at what you did to the dinosaurs.

To the boss “God”, who is not happy when you want to have a holiday.

Veronika Dapunt’s novel is a book which is marked down as a comedy, that is actually funny, yes comedy is as always a subjective and what is funny to you may not be funny to anyone else.

However the comedy in Death and Other Occupational Hazards, while dark in many ways, is based around having a job and the situations that workers will see in their everyday life but slightly exaggerated.

Now, the amount of exaggeration used for comic relief, may be a lot or even toned down to make it realistic depending on what it is like to work for your company. As Dapunt forms his comedy about getting time off, the Temp in the office and lack of communication from the top as the basis.

While humour is usually difficult to pull off in a book Dapunt pulls it off brilliantly, however what lets the book down is the execution of the plot.

With a great premise the Bosses plans are being altered with people dying which Death knows nothing about. Working very well as the book turns into the feel of a cozy comic mystery which keeps the reader engaged.

Although, Death and Other Occupational Hazards down is the conclusion which seems a bit rushed or maybe just poorly edited.

Having said that with this being Veronika Dapunt, debut novel in a genre such as humour that can be difficult to write, Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a great book to read for a bit of light relief in these times.

A dark comedy about work and death

When Death takes a sabbatical to live on Earth and try to change humanity’s image of her, things start to go terribly wrong. Someone is killing people who are not on her list, and are not part of The Plan. She needs to find out who it is and stop them, before it’s too late.

The concept of Death living on Earth, solving a murder, whilst being hindered by the mafia and the Devil, sounds very Terry Pratchett. But Veronika Dapunt’s depiction of Death is fun and original, and there’s a well written story to go with it. It’s a whimsical cross between fantasy and murder mystery, with a well placed romantic subplot.

I loved the sisterly relationship between Life and Death, how they are so different but have so much respect for each other. I also particularly enjoyed the HCD (Human Communications Director, aka Jesus) and his very tense relationship with the Boss.

It wasn’t as amusing as it probably could have been, certainly not as funny as other books on a similar vein such as Good Omens or Ohmigod!, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.