I really really enjoyed this book! I love how they represented biblical characters in a fun and relatable way. The storyline was engaging and I didn’t guess the ending at all.
This was a great read, with some comedy and mystery.

This kind of genre isn't normally my cup of tea but I also wanted to try something new and out the box. The premise of this book sounded enticing, death as an overworked woman trying to catch a break. It most definitely is original and it sounded like a fun book but I feel like the execution fell a little flat. The humour for me, felt forced and the pacing dragged in places. Whilst some readers might enjoy the quirky take, I found it lacking depth and engagement and it just wasn't for me.

I loved this quirky book. The concept of death taking a holiday (and a job and a flatshare) in London was just so funny and true. Death herself is just great, a snarky lover of colourful fashion. Her sister (and tormentor) Life is a scream.

I was completely intrigued by the concept of this book. ‘Death’ is taking a sabbatical in modern day London but her break is rudely interrupted by a host of unplanned murders. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but it’s quirky and fun, clever and witty and for a debut novel, it certainly hits the mark. I enjoyed how Death was not portrayed as something to be feared, but as a woman simply trying to do her job. There’s an element of romance, a fractious relationship with her sister, Life and a sweet relationship with a rescue dog which all add to the plot. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and the author for the chance to review.

Veronika Dapunt’s novel, Death and Other Occupational Hazards, adopts a unique perspective. It is narrated by Death herself. I say “herself” because she is using the body of a young woman, living in London in the 2020s. Although she has often be depicted by artists as a rather bony bloke with a scythe, that is simply a traditional view, in the same way that his Boss is often shown as an old man with a white beard sitting on a cloud.

Death wants a holiday and has managed to convince the Boss to permit it by calling it a sabbatical, intended for research into the customer base, enabling Death to offer a better service. And let’s face it: we are all part of Death’s customer base! The Boss is keen on modern management techniques and I loved the way that Death keeps mentioning them. The Bad Guy has been rechristened as the VP for Pandemonium and Perdition; the Good Guy is the Human Communications Director, although he’s been on leave for around two thousand years now. Death has a bust-up with the VP for P&P and gets admonished by the Boss. “We will reassess in a few weeks,” says the Boss.

Unfortunately, Death’s sabbatical does not go as expected. There is an Unplanned death. This is unprecedented. The Boss has a plan and Death is there to escort all living creatures on their final journey. However, she doesn’t remember being present for this one – and she remembers every death there has ever been. Then there is another Unplanned death; and another…

I was really sad when I finished the book. It is so good and I didn’t want it to end. However, it’s difficult to see how Dapunt could write a sequel. (That’s not a spoiler, it’s just that I don’t see how another book could have the same impact as this one.)s
#DeathandOtherOccupationalHazards #NetGalley

Death isn't the grim scythe bearing figure that people expect, instead she is just someone trying to do the best job they can. Deciding that she wants to have a sabbatical on Earth the Boss agrees and arranges with Death's sister Life, with whom she had had a disagreement lasting for millenia, for her to have a human body. On Earth she takes a job as a paralegal where she comes across an Unplanned death, which is against all the rules.
I absolutely loved this book, to the detriment of my sleep as I stayed awake reading it. Seeing how Death works and how Life is suffering makes a very different theme for a book. There is the mystery element of who is behind the Unplanned deaths and the supernatural interference trying to prevent her from solving this puzzle. There is a touch of romance, but this is just a side thread to the main mystery. The outcome isn't a foregone conclusion and who was behind the deaths was a surprise to me. Overall this is one of the books that I've enjoyed so far this year and I would give more than 5*if I could, highly recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards was a fantastically funny murder mystery with a touch of romance.

I heard Death has to solve a murder mystery and I was sold. Dapunt builds on this fantastic premise to deliver an existential mystery that asks the big questions about life, death and legacy. The stakes could not be higher, making for an exciting read. Dapunt sprinkles in some surprises that speak to the ridiculous nature of this cosmic scale. It is unique and thought-provoking. The mystery itself is well-constructed with great pacing and plotting to keep the reader trapped in the confines of the pages.

It has a wonderful, darkly humorous edge to proceedings, leaning into the absurdity to create comedic moments. You are caught off guard by it - destabilising your expectations a little in the best possible way. It reminded me of Hot Fuzz in the way it set up common tropes and leant into the horror of the mystery. You are dealing with Life and Death after all, things are always going to go beyond the scope of humanity.

This was embodied by Death herself. Her narrative voice was arresting. The way Dapunt humanises this unknown force of nature is nothing short of astounding. She is kind and funny and deeply caring, but there is also a bluntness and a sharp wittiness to her that reminds you of her role. This incarnation of death has been around since before the beginning of humanity and will inevitably come for each of us. Dapunt cleverly explores that concept in a myriad of ways. Most interesting for me was watching her grapple with her role and her place in the cosmos. There is a romantic thread that you fall head over heels for, but I also enjoyed the way the book explores different forms of love.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards was a bold and inventive murder mystery with an unforgettable protagonist.

I absolutely loved this book! I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

This was such a fun, fascinating read! We follow Death as they take a sabbatical on Earth. Their sister Life gives them a human body and they decide to get a job at a law firm. However whilst there they learn of an unplanned death - something completely unheard of. They try to investigate but are limited by their human body and presence on earth.

I loved how funny this was. There’s the whole administrative elements of life, death etc that added a bunch of planning and bureaucracy that was amusing. But then we also have Death’s observations of humanity, her fashion choices, her views on human quirks. This was really warm and funny and just made this such an enjoyable read.

Alongside we do have quite a serious crime and mystery that Death has to solve as Delara, her human form. Her power is limited and she is being targeted by nefarious and powerful forces who are taking advantage of her situation to harm her. This went fairly dark in some of the crime scenes (not gratuitously). There was some interesting commentary gently woven into to the mystery around modern life and certain systems that aren’t great for humanity.

I thought this was absolutely amazing! One I’d happily read again and recommend.

When we think about encountering death, it’s frequently with fear and anxiety because the dark unknown can fill us with dread. However, here death is personified and the sting it represents is muted by the innovative, modernist viewpoint

Death needs a break so she takes a sabbatical on earth. The Temp is taking care of things in her absence and her deadly essence remains intact but under control while she takes on human flesh as Delara.

Delara/Death remains in touch with her smug, sanctimonious sister, Life, who creates every living being, each life form that exists, and can occupy their frame whenever she chooses to. This ability comes in handy when things start to go wrong.

Unplanned deaths occur. They create a mystery to be solved and a battle against the VP, aka Satan, with help from the Human Communication Director/Jesus and the Boss, who represents God.

Delara has a couple of brushes with death herself as she and Marco (her love interest) do their utmost to solve the mystery and prevent the catastrophe of the Apocalypse from happening.

The author succeeds in creating a believable, sassy female protagonist and a wryly humorous storyline where Death feels the limitations of being in a human body as well as some of the deep joys and pleasures that can be experienced in it.

What I struggled with, as a Christian believer, was how all too humanly Jesus was depicted, to the extent that he came across like a drippy hippy, a weak individual with little agency, kind but far less than divine.

The Boss also seemed to be too distant, remote and uncertain, far removed from the loving, omnipresent and omniscient being he really is. While I appreciate the comedic effect of these depictions, they didn’t sit easily with me, though the story itself was interesting and entertaining.

I loved Death’s philosophical musings on the value of life and her growing understanding of why human beings cling so tightly to it and fear the losses which death brings. Grateful thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the eARC.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards was a darkly funny novel. The mystery aspect was a good vehicle for moving the story on and the supernatural characters helped to cover for the otherwise sometimes gaping plot holes.

I enjoyed Death's exploration of human life though the purported emotional development didn't make sense for me as Death was clear from the start that she had empathy and respect for the recently dead. The romantic relationship was an unnecessary addition; I didn't find it believable and reached a very sudden climax only to suddenly be cut off.

Despite the minor flaws, I did tear through this in under 24 hours and would definitely recommend it as a holiday read or to get out of a reading slump because it was so fun.

You may think you know Death. Tall skinny fella, wears a big black cloak and runs about with a scythe?  Ushering souls into the next realm without a care?
Yeah, that's not quite right.
She's actually probably not that unlike you or I.  Trying to do her job, as well as she can, whilst also dealing with family dynamics. 
She finds herself in London while taking a sabbatical from work.  She is drawn to very colourful clothing and has a job working for a law firm.  The perfect place for her to investigate some "unplanned deaths"

As a debut, I thought this was a great read.  Death having to navigate life as a human gives us some great moments.  Moments that allow to her to experience all of the emotions and dilemmas that we deal with daily.
These topics are thoughtful and merge very well into the story.

I'm not entirely sure how I would describe this book.  Obviously,  it's fantasy  but there's also a murder mystery element as well as comedy and even romance.

I spent the last 15 minutes of reading this, while on holiday, lying on a sunbed next to the pool, absolutely breaking my heart.
This book took me through every emotion (and then some) and I really enjoyed it.
Highly recommended.

Death goes to Earth to learn more about the humans she culls and ends up wrapped up in a murder investigation that may tie back to her origins. An inventine story full of wit and snark - think Bruce Almighty meets Good Omens with a dash of The Godfather. The mafia storyline was a bit pointless, perhaps a mash up too far, and the romance shoehorned in, but overall a fun romp of a novel.

Death is “alive” and well living in 21st century London. She’s a kickass supernatural being with a penchant for fashion and investigating Unplanned Deaths during her sabbatical from the day job.
This book explores Life and Death in a light hearted way. It’s funny and quirky, and towards the end, really emotional. I felt it had nods to Terry Pratchett and C K McDonnell, but was refreshingly original in its own right.
I’m praying to The Boss that there are more adventures with these characters to come.

A great read. Light hearted foe the most part but thought provoking and extremely moving at the end.
Death is taking a sabatical leaving a temp in charge. Death's sister Life is loved by Humans but Death is feared.
Death collects souls when they die taking them onwards and always knows when they will occur.
During the sabatical however someone dies that Death herself was not aware off and therefore not part of the Boss's ultimate plan for creation.
The Boss seems distracted, so it is down to Death in her human form, to determine who is behind the unexplained death and to what purpose.
I was very moved towards the end of this novel, for what to us all, is inevitable the other side of the coin that is life.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up. I had heard a few people talking about it - but I was attracted solely by the cover, which looked as though it would be amusing.

It definitely was. Using a combination of Greek, Christian, and Norse myths we have Death, the grim reaper, the fourth horseman (or woman in this instance), the Pale Rider. However, right now all she wants is a sabbatical. While travelling across the river with some souls she hears one talking about how someone had taken a sabbatical and returned refreshed and ready to continue their job. Feeling a little burnt out from all the dying, Death decides to persuade her Boss (God) that it's time for her to have a sabbatical. Seemingly reluctant, he finally agrees and sends her sister, Life, to take her to dreary London in a mortal body.

While in London, Death comes across an 'Unplanned Death', someone who's death was not part of the order. Knowing that it's not right, she sets about investigating. And this is what gets her into trouble, leads her to discover something very important about her own time on earth, and make some human, and canine, friends. I loved Grum, Marco and Abbie. I found Death's observations about the world her Boss and sister created...and discovering that they called Jesus the Human Communications Department was quite amusing.

Definitely an enjoyable read, and one I think that anyone who enjoyed the works of Terry Pratchett will find intriguing.

An unusual premise leads to a very good story.
The ancient Greeks believed that the gods had power over everything. In this book, there is a similar system with a hierarchy similar to that in present-day corporations. Overseen by The Boss (God),we have Vice President of Pandemonium and Perdition (Sayan) and his bother The Human Communications Director (Jesus), and sister Life and Death. Death requests a short sabbatical to live as a human, and this is granted with the Temp standing in for her. While on Earth, she discovers something that could lead to the destruction of everything on the planet. It all takes place in the present day.
This book clearly requires readers to accept the above premise. If they can, they are offered a story that is tense and fast moving, which despite the subject matter contains a lot of humour. There are also some quite gory bits.

This was a really funny book, with an excellent main character. Death is funny and sharp and oddly sweet in her way. I loved her relationship with Life. The ‘cameos’ from biblical characters were a riot

loved this book! the pacing was great and it was a dark, witty read. definitely recommend to those that would read a comedic fantasy!

I absolutely loved this book it was dark, funny and witty. The pacing was fantastic. The end with Garm had me sobbing.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book as it’s about life and death themselves but it turned out to be a great read! I loved how it played with what humans assume the creator and death are to make a brilliant read. It had funny moments, tense moments and everything in between.