Simon Canderous returns in Deader Still
, the sequel to Dead to Me. Who would have thought that working for the Department of Extraordinary Affairs involved so much red tape. Simon is lucky he is still able to use his psychometry after he gets done with the paperwork involved with closing a case. When Simon and Connor are called to investigate a boat cruise in the harbor, Simon will get a chance to make himself shine. He will be able to use his brand-spanking-new abilities from the F.O.Ggies when he discovers what may be vampires in New York City. However, will he be able to give orders to his mentor, Connor?
I give Deader Still 5 tombstones. I love this series! It has a little bit of everything for the paranormal junkie. Simon is impulsive and reckless, and I am almost always amazed that he gets out of scrapes without being seriously maimed and injured. Anton Strout does a fantastic job of further developing his characters in book two. Jane, the ex-cultist, is developed further in this book since she is Simon’s girlfriend. It is intriguing to watch her as she struggles with the “darker” side of herself. However, it does seem to come in handy when Jane has to do some dirty fighting. We do not get to see much of Simon’s partner, Connor, in this book, but it allows for further development of other characters that were briefly introduced previously.
Deader Still is unique from a lot of the urban fantasy genre. It pokes fun at the bureaucratic red tape of the government; for example, how many forms Simon has to fill out from Supply and how long will it take to get the item once it has been requested. Since book two ends in a sort of cliff hanger, I look forward to the third book and seriously hope that the publishing company changes its mind and readers do not have to wait another year before it comes out. But then again, good things come to those who wait. This is a fantastic series, and I think it has a lot of promise. Just be sure that if you are going to read this book, that you have read Dead to Me first. I highly recommend that you go and get both books!
Book Excerpt: “It’s hard to defeat evil on a budget. Just ask Simon Canderous.
It’s been 737 days since the Department of Extraordinary Affairs’ last vampire incursion, but that streak appears to have ended when a boat full of dead lawyers is found in the Hudson River. Using the power of psychometry—the ability to divine the history of an object by touching it—agent Simon Canderous discovers that the booze cruise was crashed by something that sucked all the blood out of the litigators. Now, his workday may never end—until his life does.”
Book Stats:
- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Ace (February 24, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 044101691X
- ISBN-13: 978-0441016914
To purchase a print copy of Deader Still click here.
Books in the Simon Canderous series in the order in which they should be read:
Dead To Me
Deader Still
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
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Please give me poking fun at the bureaucratic process.
It is indeed hard to fight evil on a budget. I have to get this one.
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books including anything paranormal always get my attention, however this review kept my attention and has inspired me to buy the first book. the characters sound well developed and interesting as well. i have very high hopes for this book.
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No! Not a cliffhanger. Woe. That’s my least favorite sort of ending…
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Simon takes on bureaucracy AND lawyers? Poor guy! Who knew Evil read Shakespeare (’First kill all the lawyers’).
Love this series and so excited to get into this book. And I agree: please don’t leave us hanging! Get the next ones out as soon as Anton can pen them.
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I love paranormal and anything that pokes fun at bureaucracy is always amusing. The characters sound great. But a cliffhanger…
Going to pick up both as soon as I can.
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I have read either of the books in this series but after reading the reviews I can’t wait to read them. I love paranormal paperwork has to be my least fav thing so a book that includes one and makes fun of the other sounds like a heavenly combination.
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Well I have not read this series , It is true, but from what I can tell from the reviews, it will be my next purchase in the hot reads. It sounds adventurous , mysterious and paranormal and funny? Let me see after I have read it. Paranormal Is my favorite sector to read .
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I have not read this series. It does, however, look like a good read. I’ll check it out.
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I really love how Jane’s character is developing. Not only is the technomancy bit cool, but she’s still super cute — a perky kind of ex-evil. She totally steals every scene she’s in. (Much better than that Mina chick. Ugh!)
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I’ve only read a couple urban fantasy male authors and I wasn’t thrilled with them. Your review intrigued me though and makes me want to give Anton Strout a try. Thanks for mentioning to read the books in order. I always make sure to find that out. Very nicely detailed review!
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I have picked the books up, but always put them back. I haven’t been sure it would quite be my “cup of tea”, but the reviews do intrigue. I may have to add these to my TBR list!
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I totally agree, I was so glad I picked up the first book in the series and couldn’t wait for the second one. I devoured the book in a matter of hours. It interfered with my own writing schedule. The only thing is, now I have to wait for the next one! :)I love the way Jane is developing. She can kick Mina’s butt anyday and I would cheer. Anton Strout is on my list of must buys.
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