Received as an ARC, through Netgalley, this is an honest review. Near Death by Glenn Cooper is a philosophical thriller of the thought experiment as one tragic moment eventually turned a well known neuroscientist Dr. Alex Weller into a darker shadow of himself as he delves into understanding what being Near Death truly means and the high cost of a haunting obsession.

Highly recommended.

Obsession with death and trying to prove the existence of the afterlife. How far would you go?
A fabulous read, you'll be turning pages to find out how the two storylines in this book connect, and this book did not disappoint. Thrilling fast-paced read full of science fiction and serial killers. My first book by this author and im already on the search for other novels by them
I loved reading this book and was engaged throughout

I am fascinated with the life after death concept and I've read a lot of books that detail various persons who have experienced this. So it was an easy draw to read this book.

At first I thought the idea was sublime - even blissful. A scientist (Alex) developed a drug which enabled the taker to see beyond the veil of death to departed souls. He called his drug "bliss" for obvious reasons. And I thought - this is wonderful!!!! Well - except for the fact that Alex had to kill a number of people to extract, upon death, some chemistry as their body died.

But it wasn't. Cooper shows us the flip side. People began to commit suicide to be with their deceased loved ones. Others quit going to work. Anyone who took the drug wanted to bask forever in the drug that placed them in ecstasy. One cop is after Alex - Cyrus has a daughter with a brain tumor and Alex hastened her death.

There are other characters, of course, but these are the two who tell the story. At the end, Alex gets his comeuppance, I'll tell ya - I absolutely hated the very ending. (sigh)

The beginning of the book is confusing and I almost put the book down but once it got going, I had to keep turning the pages. Thriller.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future

I Loved this book. From the beginning I was drawn in by the captivating story and
Characters that I could feel empathy for.

A new drug on the streets Bliss, which imitates a near death experience so perfect everyone wants more and to go back to the place of bliss. A detective hot on the pursuit of the drug inventor. Amazing plot line. Loved subject matter of near death experience and how the book invited you into each character"s unique story. 5 stars all the way.

A brilliant pediatric neurosurgeon discovers that a substance in the brains of people on the point of death can be used to induce a near-death experience in anyone who consumes it. Unfortunately, the doctor has an unhealthy obsession due to his own near-death experience during a car crash that killed his father. The substance, named Bliss, becomes a dangerous and incredibly popular street drug and eventually, the focus of a cult.

An FBI agent whose only child is dying suspects that the charming and talented doctor may be guilty of murder. He spearheads an investigation into Bliss and its inventor.

Near Death is a detective story, a medical mystery, and an intense and scholarly examination of religious enthusiasm. It is as good as the best of Stephen King. It lost a star because, like King, the author of this book, seems to have trouble with his ending. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed reading near Death and I look forward to discovering other books by Glenn Cooper.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Lascaux Media for the opportunity to access an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

As with all of Glenn Cooper's novels, Near Death plunges you into a fast-paced intrigue that feels like an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. This book is a bit darker than some of his other works, exploring profound questions about the afterlife and whether people need to witness it firsthand to truly believe.

The story brilliantly weaves the worlds of science and religion, bringing them into a gripping intersection through the eyes of a neuroscientist obsessed with proving the existence of life beyond death. Cooper masterfully balances ethical and theological issues without slowing the tense pace of the thriller, making it a page-turner that keeps you hooked.

I would highly recommend Near Death to anyone who loves a fast-paced thriller with emotional depth and a thought-provoking plot. However, a word of caution for readers dealing with grief, depression, or suicidal ideation—this book contains material that could be triggering.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy, which allowed me to offer this honest review. This gripping novel is one of Glenn Cooper's best, a must-read for fans of thriller and speculative fiction alike.

I always enjoy books by Glenn Cooper and this book was no different, although it is quite a departure from his other books.

In the book we meet two people on different courses in life, who suddenly find themselves adversaries:

Alex Weller is a scientist who has made a significant new discovery, which could well affect the life of everyone on Earth, although in the course of this he makes some morally and ethically dubious decisions.
Cyrus O’Malley is an FBI Detective, who is investigating a series of murders where Alex Weller is a suspect, and has a daughter with his estranged wife who is dying of a brain tumour.

There is plenty of action in this book, and the second half of the book especially moves along at great pace as these two find themselves on conflicting courses, and it all becomes very personal to both of them. Overall there are interesting themes in the book, and some moral themes that leave the reader scratching their head. Some of the book seem a bit too fantastical and reaching a bit, but you can’t say it’s not a good journey, without leaving spoilers it’s difficult in this review to explore these.

Overall I did enjoy the book, although I did feel the ending was a bit rushed and felt a bit anti-climatic. Whilst it is a good read it is not one of my favourite books by the author and it does rather defy belief at points.

This one took me by surprise -- it was way better than I thought it would be. The author has big ideas, and the book is cinematic in scope, and I certainly could picture seeing this as a 6 episode Netflix series.

Several times it veered into intellectual meandering, which I loved. While I'm in no position to doubt the possibility of the science, I was easily able to accept the premise as plausible, while also very improbable.

The author tells a good story, and knows how to tug on one's heartstrings. Would I read more from the author? Yes.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the Book Whisperer and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Near Death by Glenn Cooper is a mind-bending thriller that peers into the light beyond—and the darkness within.

This one’s a gripping blend of science, suspense, and spiritual unease. At its core is Dr. Alex Weller, a brilliant neuroscientist chasing the memory of a near-death experience—a glimpse of something beautiful, terrifying, and impossible to forget. His obsession leads to Bliss, a drug that offers a vision of the afterlife… but at a cost.

Enter FBI agent Cyrus O’Malley, drawn into a series of ritualistic murders that point not to madness, but to method. As Bliss spreads, society begins to unravel—faith, politics, and morality all thrown into chaos. The stakes are cosmic, but the story remains grounded in human fear, longing, and the question we all carry: what comes next?

Cooper’s writing is sharp and cinematic, with philosophical undertones that linger. It’s part crime thriller, part speculative fiction, and entirely absorbing.

Perfect for readers who love their mysteries with a metaphysical twist and aren’t afraid to stare into the abyss—just to see what stares back.

With thanks to Glenn Cooper, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

A doctor, a drug and the afterlife, bring beliefs into question. As experiments and a designer drug take users on a euphoric journey, the experience is astronomical, affecting individuals differently. An unusual story, leading to a battle of wills and an unexpected ending. I received an advance review copy from Storm Publishing/Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

1970656
Toni Osborne's reviewNov 23, 2025 · edit
it was amazing

This story is definitely not be for everyone but I loved it didn’t take long before it grabbed me and I had a hard time putting it down, it may also meet your fancy, who knows. “Near Death” is not my usual read, this one is rather creepy and so is one of the main characters. This genre is totally unusual: it includes crime, drugs, death, near death and science. Some gave this book an “R” rating for its violence and mature language. It didn’t turn me off one bit…. Not that bad IMO.

Set in Boston, the story revolves around FBI Special Agent Cyrus O’Malley and Dr. Alex Weller a neuroscientist at Harvard.

After being involved in an accident, Weller nearly killed has a near death experience and spends the rest of his life investigating the brain during the final moment preceding death and became so obsessed that he needed to obtain the chemical from a dying human…. he concocted a drug called “Bliss….and discretely shared his drug to close friends…it soon became a hot commodity on the streets.

When multiple bodies show up with a small hole drilled in their skull, then the FBI came into the picture and Cyrus O’Malley took the lead….

What a story, a plot with an unusual mix of mystery and an unbelievable concept of afterlife. The pressure from family and the day-to-day responsibilities all this said in a gripping narrative. The fast-paced nature and the very suspenseful plot made it hard not to be invested in a story that is both exciting and thought-provoking. As for the characters both are well-developed and complex and the care given to them added depth to this thriller. BTW, I love the final twist…it made my day.

Well-said and well done.

This is not a new book, yet I keep being offered books by this author for review. He is a very eclectic author. I first read The Last Conclave, which was timely as it was published right after the Pope died, and had to do with the death of a fictional Pope, and another book about a fictional Pope, Silence of the flesh. The I read a book I really loved, The Physician of Nineveh, which was a time travel book,incredibly well researched.
The I read a basically Sci-fi book, Down ( which for some reason when I search my review the Italian version comes up, I actually thought he was an Italian writer as his books are all translated into Italian)
So, back to this book, which is also sort of sci-fi, though marketed as a thriller.
Imagine if there were a drug that would replicate the near death experience and a megalomaniac decided everyone on earth should take it. This is the story of what that would look like. One grieving FBI agent is all that is between success or failure of that outcome.
Maybe I just don't grieve properly, but I certainly would rather stay with the living, husband, daughters,siblings, than want to meet my long dead parents. Therefore, this look at how this would play out, are people having a mass hallucination,are they seeing God, was not a success for me. I did enjoy a scene of a psychologist, Rabbi, Imam and a priest having a philosophical discussion about how God is perceived . Cooper does do a lot of research for his books.
I liked the ending for one character, but not another.
As a thriller, it was fast paced, as the FBI searches for a serial killer who believes the end justifies the means.
Thanks to NetGalley , the publisher and the Book Whisperer for the EARC. I will continue to read any Glenn Cooper they offer.
This is my honest review.

My thanks to Book Whisperer & Lascaux Media for access to this book. I also thank NetGalley for the access.

Near Death presents an intriguing concept. A brilliant neuroscientist, Alex Weller, haunted by a childhood near-death experience, becomes obsessed with recreating it via a drug that grants a glimpse of the afterlife. Meanwhile an FBI agent, Cyrus O’Malley, is drawn into a series of ritualistic murders where victims have tiny holes drilled through their skulls. Cooper blends science thriller, crime investigation and existential questions into one narrative. The promise is bold, what if science could capture what lies beyond death, and what would the consequences be?

In terms of pacing and plotting I found much to enjoy. Glenn moves the reader through multiple threads, Alex’s traumatic past, the murder investigation, the spread of the drug and its social implications, so there is momentum and a sense of urgency. It is a fast-paced, page-turner with suspense. The idea of life and death, belief and science, is worked into a genre thriller format which gives it a flavour of something a little more ambitious than a straightforward detective story.

On the other hand the book is not without its flaws. For one some of the characterisation felt a bit thin. Whilst Cyrus is sympathetic (especially given his personal struggle with his daughter’s illness) and Alex is fascinating as the obsessed scientist, supporting characters are less memorable. The massive premise; what happens when a drug grants a glimpse of the afterlife sometimes pulls attention away from character depth. Also some plot developments felt convenient. The shifts between scenes and viewpoint characters occasionally disrupted the flow, especially early on. I risked losing track until the pieces started falling into place.

Another point is the scientific and philosophical elements. Glenn Cooper clearly wants to raise questions about consciousness, death, the afterlife and human obsession. This is a plus. But at times the scientific exposition felt heavy and maybe even strayed into didactic territory. Readers who prefer lean thrillers might feel bogged down by the amount of explanation. The climax also felt perhaps a bit too neat given the complexity of the issues raised.

Nevertheless there is real strength in the book’s ambition. The moral questions Alex grapples with (how far will one go to repeat a near-death experience?), the tension in Cyrus’s investigation and the societal dimension of what happens when a drug begins to alter people’s relationship with death all this gives the book weight. The thematic collision of faith and reason is compelling. The prologue sets up a global scale crisis which elevates the stakes beyond the usual serial killer fare.

Near Death is an engaging thriller with an intriguing premise, solid suspense and thought-provoking themes. It may not fully excel in every area some character arcs and pacing issues hold it back from being exceptional but it delivers a satisfying read.
If you like thrillers that blend crime with science and existential questions, this is a good pick.
I give it a respectful 3.5 stars.

Really enjoyed this look at the afterlife. A different view from what we have been led to believe. Could it be worse?

Near Death by Glenn Cooper has a little of everything and then some! It questions a scientist's obsession with death and the ethical part of science.

Alex Weller mad scientist and doctor is obsessed with death and what awaits us in the afterlife. He wants to recreate near death experiences through a synthesized drug. But in order to extract the spinal fluid he needs, he must kill some people.

Detective Cyrus O'Malley of the FBI has his eye on the drug Weller created, the billions of dollars it has generated and the deaths caused by the near death drug named Bliss.

Loved loved loved this story so much. Reminds me a little of Frankenstein. Both Cyrus and Alex are charismatic characters with strong convictions. They both know what they want and will do what they need to do in order to achieve their outcome. The plot was genius and I enjoyed how it all unraveled.

Thank you Netgalley and Book Whisperer for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Near Death by Glenn Cooper starts off as a police procedural but ends s as so much more as Special Agent Cyrus O’Malley searches for a serial killer who strangles and then drills a hole in the person’s skull. It had become his case when it crossed state lines. The first had been a man but the others were all women, prostitutes. O’Malley knew from almost he beginning that the killer was Dr Alex Weller, but it was a gut feeling, no evidence...yet. At the same time Cyrus’ eight-year-old daughter is lying in the hospital dying from a brain tumor. It is a lot for one man, when he discovers his ex-wife has approved a psychiatrist to help the girl cope with her feelings. For a man who refused to believe his daughter would die, this was a step too far.

Meanwhile, Dr Weller is developing a theory based on the fact that people don’t die instantly, but it takes several minutes and he has discovered a spike several seconds after the start of death that intrigues him. It is all a little overwhelming as a new synthetic drug called Bliss hits the streets and it is changing society as everyone knows it. Are these things all related? It is an intriguing glimpse into situational ethics, espousing the theory that no one is all good or all bad. It also explores the afterlife, something we all hope for, but many believe does not exist. It is an interesting read, exploring philosophy, religion, and memory.

I was invited to read Near Death by Book Whisperer. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #GlennCooper #NearDeath

Thanks to Book Whisperer and Lascaux Media for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

This is my second Glenn Cooper of the year, I really enjoyed is genre mash up The Physician of Nineveh earlier in the year. This new one is a science-fi thriller with a dash of the supernatural, a la Dan Brown. Secret of Secrets is one of my favorite reads of the year, and this one is a perfect resonant read with that one. Alex is a Harvard neuroscientist who spends his time chasing an understanding of death and the afterlife following a near death experience as a child. He discovers a compound that is produced by the brain as a person lays dying which when taken can initiate an NDE. He will literally stop at nothing to get this compound and try to reach his dead father who he sees in his NDEs. But there on his heels is an FBI agent convinced he's crossed some serious lines to bring this new miracle drug to the world. As the drug becomes more and more popular, the world is thrown into chaos.

I loved the mash up of cutting edge science, spirituality, serial killer thriller and non-stop action. The pursuit for the compound was so interesting to me, along with the ethics of both how it was discovered and what you would do if you knew the afterlife was real. The end brings us a Waco like standoff as the movement grows into a cult. This one checked so many boxes. Love when a book keeps you turning the pages and questioning everything in your life.

I was immediately drawn to Near Death by the cover, title, and blurb—and I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint. The story kicks off with a fast-paced intensity that gradually slows toward the end, though that shift may reflect the narrative’s deepening focus rather than a true drop in momentum.

What really stood out to me were the layered themes: scientific inquiry, psychological tension, philosophical depth, and crime procedural tactics all woven into a compelling thriller. The concept of “Bliss”—a drug derived from the dying brain—was chilling and fascinating, and I found myself wondering how the story might have evolved into a full-blown apocalyptic scenario if the global consequences had been explored further.

Although I haven’t read much about near-death experiences from personal accounts, I was vaguely familiar with the topic. This book offers a gripping entry point for readers curious about the subject, but prior knowledge definitely isn’t required to enjoy it.

The ending felt a little abrupt for me—without spoiling anything, I would’ve loved something more dramatic, unexpected, or emotionally revealing. Still, the journey was absolutely worth it.

Overall, a thought-provoking and genre-blending novel. I’d be keen to read more from Glenn Cooper.

#ARC via NetGalley #republish2025

This book was actually pretty good. It was action packed and some good twists and turns. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre to read.

Near Death
By Glenn Cooper

If you remember Waco and the Branch Davidians or Jim Jones and Jonetown, you will have an idea of just what a charismatic leader with a cult following is capable of. Alex Weller is a scientist and a doctor – and a narcissist with a God complex. Through a series of events (some involving murder), he discovers a drug which takes the user to the edge of death, where the user sees a dead loved one beckoning him/her to cross over and join the deceased. And to make the experience even more unbelievable, the user senses something or someone even bigger in the background, possibly God. But the living user is drawn back from the brink at the last minute. The experience is so compelling that many users commit suicide to get all the way to this "better place".

Cyrus O'Malley is an FBI agent with a young daughter who is dying of cancer. He is divorced, his personal life in ruins. But Cyrus is dogged in his persistence in trying to solve a series of murders which seem to be the work of a serial killer.

Needless to say, the two men's paths cross and Alex finds himself in the agent's crosshairs. But as the drug – called Bliss – is spreading throughout the country and the world, Alex sees his power growing. As acolytes join his cause, he believes he is unstoppable.

The collision course these men are on comes to an inevitable ending. But that ending is not an unalloyed success for either of them.

While the concept here is interesting, the pace of the storyline is a little too fast. The wide acceptance of Bliss and its lasting and far-reaching effects are not fully explored. While there is room for improvement here, the story is worth reading.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Another brilliant book by Glen Cooper but sadly this book did not feel engaging to me as his other books that I completed.

Another fine genre-bending tale of morality, history, and the metaphysic by Glenn Cooper. This story was more restrained and focused than another I have read by him, with a not particularly likable protagonist and antagonist, but the characters are compelling none the less. Not the best thing I have ever read regarding whatifs about the afterlife and/or police procedurals, but a good way to spend a roadtrip, thanks to its plausibility around cults of personality.

How far would you go to see that special again. Alex has worked really hard to find a way back to his father even if that means killing innocent people. He is so close to making it back but the FBI is closing in.
FBI agent Cyrus O’Malley knows that the scientist all he needs is to prove it. No matter how much he digs Alex seems to be in the clear. But he won’t give up.
Cyrus is dealing with a lot at the moment his daughter is dying and he can’t find the answers that he needs. Will Alex get his final wish to be with his father again or will it all be for nothing?
A good read fast paced great characters.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

This book will make you think about life, death and what matters to you. It will make you also ponder what is reality and whether that actually matters. Bliss reminded me a bit of the Red Dwarf idea of Better Than Life, which also questioned the price people will pay to feel good. The broader plot is very engaging and the whole book is a good mix of an entertaining read which will also make you think more deeply.

I quite enjoyed this book! It’s a brilliant blend of several genres and themes — serial killer, crime, drug trade, life after death, cults — into a compelling narrative that will keep you hooked as you wonder what happens next.