Death walks amongst us. No seriously. Hear me out. Having grown weary of the day to day grind of transporting the recently deceased to the underworld, Death, soon to be known as Delara, asks the Boss (aka God) is she can take a sabbatical. He grants her request, much to the chagrin of her sister, Life, who really isn't sold on the idea. Leaving the Temp in charge of logistics and overseeing execution of 'the plan', Delara takes up a new existence as a paralegal in the heart of London. Now, if I had the world within my reach, I'd probably have chosen a life a touch more glamorous, but Death wants the whole human experience, and it doesn't come much more human (?) than the city. Right? Now so far, so good, until Death/Delara is made aware of an 'unplanned' death. That just should not happen. Noone is allowed to go off script and whilst we (humans) may believe in unexplained deaths, God never plans for an unplanned one.

As you can probably imagine, this is not your most serious of murder mysteries. I mean, murder is never a laughing matter, and the deaths in this case have a very unnaturally organic explanation, but this is a book tinged with great, if a little dark, humour. I love the way in which Veronika Dapunt has built Delara's character, her very factual and incise observations of those people around her. I really liked her, which is an odd thing to imagine myself saying about 'Death', but there is just something very starkly charismatic about her. There is a strange kind of compassion, in spite of her cynicism, and, strangely, aside from her very unusual dress sense, I often found myself identifying with her. Perhaps because she said and thought all the things that, societally, we are conditioned not to (even if we really want to). She was fun to spend time with in a very direct, sometimes abrupt, way, and the barbs and interactions between her and Life, their 'brother, the Devil, and even with 'The Boss', really did make me smile.

There is a serious side to the book - the 'victims' of the unexplained deaths are hardly all the most virtuous of people and in any other circumstance you'd probably struggle to be saddened by their demise - but whilst the book does touch upon some very keen social and corporate led issues (animal experimentation, modified food stuffs etc), it is not about that as such. The author creates such a vibrant and fully fleshed out world for Delara to inhabit, with a cast of supporting characters who can both delight and dismay, that I found I just flew through the book. There is a mystery to be solved and we are right there alongside Delara, as she tries to find out who is killing people and why. And when the long, possibly bony, finger of suspicion points in her way, it's not hard to see why, but it probably made me read faster, just to see if she was going to be able to prove her own innocence.

There are a number of surprises in this book, a touch of romance, an almost totally and utterly taboo moment of tragedy (which is ultimately atoned for and despite initial appearances works out perfectly in the end), and a strangely emotional core. I loved a cameo from one of The Bosses other 'children', known to Delara as the HCD, and so many of the scenes and scenarios in the book had me chuckling along that it really did leave me with a big smile on my face at the end (and maybe a slight tear in my eye too). A word to the wise, if you don't like spiders there is perhaps one bit of narrative you'd want to rush through. Wasn't the best time for my resident bedroom spider to decide to put in an appearance dangling from the lampshade over my bed, put it that way, but it's not gratuitous and it's only fiction. Although I am now avoiding bananas but that's nothing particularly new anyway.

Yes, I guessed who was ultimately responsible. Did I care? No. The story plays out in such a fresh, fun and unexpectedly dramatic way that the pay off, the moment when Death (for she is truly herself by this point) realises what is going on really is worth it. So, if you love your crime fiction on the slightly more off kilter, humorous side, I really would recommend this. A really fun way to spend a couple of evenings and I look forward to seeing what is next from this author.

"Have you ever felt like, despite your best efforts to be considerate and helpful, no one appreciates you? Well assume you've felt like that for three and a half billion years."

Afterlife bureaucracy as you’ve never read it before. A dazzling cocktail of murder, mystery and death with a little dash of romance - this is a brilliantly unique story with so much heart.

Introducing Death (and her sister Life) who just wanted a some time off work, not for people to start dying. Dapunt creatively and delicately plays with our ideas of the Grim Reaper, the afterlife and the beautiful fragility of life to create something new and unusual that I absolutely adored.

"In her eyes, I see life in all it's complexity: kind and cruel. Peaceful and violent. Hateful and loving. Happiness and Sadness. But above all I see her love for creation and every single element of it."

Somehow managing to read like a fun summer novel but packing in the intensity of a murder mystery and a whole boatload of dark humour, this was far too easy to read in one sitting. Our darling Death is a fabulous narrator, making a dreary office, a battle between celestial or a mafia boss seem the same kind of fun and irreverent action that kept me hooked. My one and only bugbear was the constant repetition of the name of a specific criminal organisation, italicised and just said so much in certain sections where it didn’t need to be that the formatting kept pulling my eyes to it and breaking what was otherwise an expertly written pace.

Reading this was some of the most fun I’ve had during an existential crisis in quite some time. A beautiful story about human nature wrapped up in a cataclysmic mystery and a razor sharp wit.

A good read. The idea of Death coming to Earth has been done many times. I like how Life was added along with the business world roles for entities like Satan etc.
I would've liked more comedy rather than occasional long philosophising.

This was such a different book, in a good way. I read a lot of the same type and this was a good break and was entertaining.

Thanks to @NetGalley for this ADC.

It was great to see Death was a female character who cared about those she took to the afterlife, and not portrayed as a grim morbid character. Focus on her relationships with those around her- especially with Life (her sister). This was very very very far fetched and not serious AT ALL but it was an enjoyable and quirky book. Fast paced - It’s not horror or comedy, not sure how best to describe it. There’s romance, family drama, and the subject of God etc as a corporate structure and serving him being a job. The ending was predictable I think but this was a great palate cleanser book. But it was a great take on a story that’s been done numerous times!

I loved the premise of this book, and found a lot of Death's inner monologue to be intriguing. Unfortunately though, there was just a bit too much of it and I didn't connect with the writing style. The plot was fantastic though - definitely one to pick up and try!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

What even was this book? Fantasy? Mystery? Comedy? I've honestly no idea but what I can say for certain is that this book was ridiculous and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really liked Death as a character and thought that actually, she was quite relatable, even though I've never been the Grim Reaper ha ha ha..... Death comes to Earth and gets a job as a paralegal with a mission to investigate some 'unplanned' deaths that had the potential to bring about the end of all life. There were some dark moments and some humorous moments and I think the author wrote these very well. There were some big ideas and it could have gone horribly wrong but the author did a great job. I have to say, the plot didn't go the way I thought it would, which was a great twist for me, and again, it made me think that the author was putting the effort in and not taking the easy storylines.
With the way the book ended I feel like there's probably not much scope to do a sequel. But if there ever was one then I'd certainly read it.

This was really fun. A spin on the 'Death Takes a Holiday' idea, we have the poor, frustrated reaper living in a tiny flat in London, in the body of a woman trying to find work and navigate the contemporary world... which goes about as well as you'd expect.

What elevates this book is the narrator's voice. Death is immensely likeable from the first - we've all been in their situation, as they work through each day wanting something more (and let's face it, Death's been doing the same job for a LONG time!). But is the grass greener on the other side?

Having been a young woman working in London, I could relate to a LOT of Death's struggles! Fortunately not the actual death part, but the lack of logic that so much of the modern world is set upon. Yes, the mystery was intriguing and the romance subplot fine, but the fun of recognising rent struggles, everyday sexism and navigating the Tube is what kept me reading. I know what that's like, and Death tells it like it is!

I did find it a little frustrating that Life was so negative. The reason why is hilarious, but it would've been nice for Death to have an old friend alongside to chat to. Perhaps that's my memories of the 'Endless' version sneaking in, or Pratchett's Death with Albert and Susan.

This Death finds her voice beautifully and navigates today's London as well as anyone can be expected to! A fun ride that I'd have loved on my commute into Zone 1.

I was so excited be approved for this ARC (thank you NetGalley), it sounded right up my street and I wasn't disappointed.

The book follows Death as she (yes she) takes a much-needed sabbatical to Earth to live amongst the humans. Sadly her holiday is cut short as she immediately stumbles across an unplanned death... that's not part of The Plan. With her holiday on hold, Death must work together with her sister, Life, JC himself and rag-tag bunch of humans to find the culprit before they kill again.

I really loved this book. It gave me real Tom Holt vibes and had a lot of time for the dark humour and silliness, particularly as Death struggled to get to grips with how to interact with the humans as well as fuelling her body with spaghetti and horrible coffee.

There was something for everybody in the plot and I enjoyed the addition of the love story woven into the murder mystery. It was a really nice way to show how Death was growing as a person and understanding what it meant to be human. I adored her relationship with Garm and was so pleased to read about the 'bonus' at the end (keeping it vague for spoilers).

The story romped along and the pace was perfect for me. I really enjoyed Veronika's writing style and had to explain to my husband a few times what was so funny as I was chuckling away on the sofa.

I'm going to silently hope for a sequel as I feel like there's more that could be delved into with the corporate structure of the afterlife. This book was funny, clever, heart-warming and a lot of fun. Thanks again to NetGalley for the ARC.

So much fun, fantasy to enjoy and make you think just a little as you enjoy the book. Death is a human girl, well she is when her sister, life, arranges her a body and sabbatical on earth. What does she have to look forward too? Much humanly experience, joy, love, joking around, and someone trying to kill her. The death part she has down to a tee. Human experience? There’s always time to figure it out. But deaths not on the list are causing a big problem for everyone, including Death. Maybe death will die too if she doesn’t work out what’s going on. Thank you to Random House uK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

'I am Death. The Destruction. The Nothingness. The end that makes beginnings possible. The chaos and the order. The greatest, most destructive power in all of creation. The eternal ending, born in the time before time, when everything was fire and wrath.'...and she deserves a holiday.

Veronika Dapunt's debut novel presents a compelling exploration of Death's unexpected sabbatical on Earth.

To facilitate Death's immersion in humanity, her sister, Life, creates Delara Donn. Delara's initial attempts to understand human customs, particularly her unconventional fashion choices, provide moments of engaging character development. As a paralegal in London, Delara encounters an anomaly: an "unplanned" death, a violation of the fundamental laws of Creation. This mystery propels the narrative, transforming it from a whimsical fantasy, reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's Good Omens, into a compelling murder investigation.

The introduction of Marco introduces a romantic element that, while integral to Delara's emotional evolution, occasionally overshadows the central mystery. Dapunt effectively portrays Delara's internal conflict as she grapples with unfamiliar feelings and the implications of her potential mortality. The dynamic between Delara and Life is particularly well-crafted, offering a nuanced exploration of their sibling relationship.

Garm, the rescued laboratory dog, serves as a poignant reminder of Death's capacity for compassion, eliciting genuine emotional responses. The novel's humour is skilfully deployed, providing moments of levity without detracting from the narrative's overall tone. While the portrayal of the Devil felt somewhat underdeveloped, the core concept of Life and Death as sisters is executed with remarkable creativity.

Despite the occasional overemphasis on the romantic subplot, which detracted slightly from the narrative's momentum, Dapunt's debut is a remarkable achievement. The novel's thought-provoking themes, engaging characters, and seamless genre transitions make it a highly recommended read. The emotional impact of the story, particularly the portrayal of Garm, is undeniable, and it is a testament to Dapunt's skill that she elicits such strong reactions.

I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards is due to be released on 10th April 2025.

I liked this book, it was nice to see Death from another point of view. I loved her sense of style and how sick of dark colours she was.

Death decides to take a holiday to see if she can find out how to appeal to mortals more and get them to understand that she’s ok and just doing her job. She has a dingy flat and has to find a job to get the real human experience .

Things take an unexpected turn when murders occur that were not supposed to happen. Death must search for the killer and figure out what’s going on.

The humour was quite fun and I liked the corporate titles that the Devil and Jesus had. I thought the romance aspect fell a bit flat but I didn’t mind that much.

I recommend this book for people who like paranormal fiction and something with a bit of humour to it.

Yes, Death was a woman!! Love this! Typically, I dont know gender stereotypes and all, but you'd have thought death may have been a man, but I'm here for the female empowerment!!

Death heads off on holiday as she wants to understand the human race better and for them to know her, little did she know she would have to earn money, tentatively explore the wonderful world of fashion and make friends and try not to scare them away. As if that wasn't enough, she comes across an unplanned death and is adamant she will solve the crime.

With some mythological references and religious anecdotes, there are many layers to this story. Death gets to experience love, loss, friendships, family, and above all else real emotions.

This was hilarious, witty, and full of quirkiness, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Who knew I'd actually quite like to meet Death? I reckon we would get on, lol!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.

Death's holiday is interrupted by a series of murders that were not part of the plan, forcing her into solving the mystery all while dealing with being very much human.

A very funny and irreverent read, I found myself in stitches on more than one occasion. From the big man in the sky been the world's most hand's off CEO (think world's worst lean sigma six black belt holder) to the takes on some other fairly significant biblical characters it was a delight to read. The characters are eclectic from the get go, there is the complications of family, the love of found family and just enough of a slow burn romance. The humor can only be described as slightly unhinged but in the best possible way. It is obviously dark.

Its quick paced, at times daft (but never in a forced way, more just a nod to the fact that the world is indeed daft) insightful and in many ways forgiving of what it means to be human. Very much enjoyed.

I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book, so when I saw it on my shelf I was looking forward to getting into it.
The spin the author put on the character of Death is one I’ve not seen before but found it was brilliantly executed.
On the surface this is a fun, quirky story, but the more you read, you realise it’s far more complex than first appears.
The characters are flawed, complex, relatable and have excellent depth and development.
Loved this one, I’ll definitely be recommending.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this novel is its unique take on Death—portrayed not as a grim, ominous figure but as a flawed, relatable woman simply trying to do her job. This clever twist on the reaper trope is both engaging and thought-provoking. Death’s dynamic with her sister, Life, is a real highlight, offering a fascinating blend of tension, humour, and sibling rivalry. Their interactions bring depth to the story and create an intriguing exploration of the balance between life and death.
The novel’s murder mystery element adds an extra layer of intrigue, with some well-placed twists and suspenseful moments. While the pacing isn’t always even, the concept is strong, and there’s plenty to enjoy along the way. The romantic subplot with the parasitologist injects some charm and lightness into the story, though it occasionally takes a backseat to the mystery.
Dapunt’s writing style is witty and filled with sharp humour, making this a thoroughly entertaining read. The snarky dialogue and vivid descriptions give the book a distinctive voice that keeps the tone lively and engaging.
Overall, Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a fun, inventive, and darkly humorous read. While it balances comedy and mystery in its own unique way, it’s a great choice for readers looking for something fresh, quirky, and full of personality. Even as someone new to the fantasy genre, I found it an enjoyable escape!

This book is a rollercoaster. It's funny, its heavy, there's romance, the family drama, there's workplace rivalry. It's all in there!

The idea of this book really intrigued and excited me, and though it wasn't quite the quirky light-hearted mystery I was expecting throughout the entire story I did get sections like this.

It explored some really heavy material that I just didn't expect, and honestly it did throw me and send me into a slight philosophical spiral, but we got over that! There were still some really nice and fun moments and I did enjoy the romance.

I think the modern day "Corporate" setting of Life, death, the devil, Jesus and God was a stroke of genius. I actually think that Jesus might be my favourite character and actually wish we had seen some more of him. I loved Garm and I was really happy with her eventual fate - although it did get a bit ropey there for a while. I wish we could've found out more about what became of Marco.

Overall a good if heavy read. It totally gives you something to think about, and really consider which is what a good book should do.

Death is fed up! She’s tired of ferrying the souls of the dead to the next stage of the afterlife and she needs a break. After a conversation she has with one of the souls on the ferryboat, she petitions The Boss (otherwise known as God) to let her take a sabbatical here on old planet earth. More specifically London.

Set up in a flat and obtaining a job (all coordinated by Death’s opposite and sister Life), she sets about enjoying her life as a human on the plane of existence known as Earth. However, she soon stumbles on a number of deaths that were not in THE PLAN, set up by him upstairs and this leads her to investigate why this is happening.

She soon finds that the deaths lead her into organised crime which in turn leads her to see that forces from down below (i.e. The Devil) are rampant on earth and are playing some kind of game with the fabric of existence.

To say that this book was totally out of my comfort zone (due to the fact that the dreaded R word – romance – made an appearance) is an understatement. Especially when my usual fodder, as you may know (and the fact that the name gives it away) revolves around either fantastical worlds or people getting ripped to pieces by scary monsters, I actually quite enjoyed this.

What I liked!

I liked this iteration of the grim reaper as a quirky thirty something woman (although my favourite iteration is Death from The Sandman, but that’s the ever present goth in me) and the fish out of water scenarios that come with death on earth and how she copes with them. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the ‘unplanned deaths’ and how this panned out with death experiencing love.
I also loved the two doggos that are in this book, Cerberus, the little yappy dog of the love interest, with the heart of the lion, and the dog that Death and Life save from the research labs in the story who they call Garm (named after the dog / wolf who guards Hel’s gate in Norse Mythology).

What I didn’t like?

I didn’t like the corporate sounding names that were given to both the Devil and Jesus. I think they were supposed to be funny in a Pratchettesque kind of way, but I found them a) a little bit annoying and b) totally forgettable.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one. It’s not my usual cup of tea, but Veronika Dapunt made the characters likeable and someone who I enjoyed getting involved with for the time I was reading it.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
An excellent book which is ostensibly a murder mystery but becomes so much more than that. A reminder of the wonder that is creation. If you enjoyed Terry Pratchett’s Death books, or Good Omens, you’ll find something of a similar path here, enmeshed with a murder mystery like no other you’ve read before.

I've always loved to read interpretations of Death in the modern world, and this was beautifully unique. I found the novel a little slow to start and it took me a while to get into it, but by about a third in I found myself rooting strongly for Death and her growth in love and friendships within the world. I imagine I'll be thinking about this book for a long time, and I'm going to look out for any future novels by Veronika Dapunt (this is SUCH an incredible debut!).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.