Great read!!! This book captured the thrill category from the first page to the last page. I felt for Lizzie from the beginning of the story, and then for her make a deal with the devil (5 lives for 1 life) was even more intriguing. Waiting for the story to unfold made this a book I did not want to put down. Thought provoking.... Leaves you thinking even after the last page. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Unbound for the opportunity to read The Life of Death.

Just a Few Words:  After finding out that the author died in 2016 (see below in “About the Author”),  I hesitated to read her debut novel.  Do not be me.  Do not hesitate. 


The Life of Death by Lucy Booth is a fiction novel.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Unbound Books, and of course the author’s family, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Elizabeth Murray was born in 1567. She is only a young woman, but she has been condemned to burn at the stake, along with her mother and aunts. She doesn’t want to die, and there seems to be a way out, for her alone. Apparently, she belongs to the Devil. She is one of his, and her own mother does not deny it. Elizabeth has always been his. If she agrees to his “deal”, and sells him her soul, she will not go to hell, and although she will still burn, she will not feel that pain. Instead she will live for eternity, and will serve the Devil. Her job will be to help the dying to move on from life. She will be their guide. She will be Death.

For over 400 years, Elizabeth Murray became Death. She became whoever a person needed to see in their final hours. She sat with them, cradled their heads, stroked their backs, talked to them, and with compassion, eased them into the black, into death.

Then the unthinkable happened. Elizabeth fell in love, and wanted life again. She wanted her pact with the Devil to end. He agreed…on his terms. No longer was she to bring only comfort. Now Elizabeth would have to take lives…five of his choosing. How far is she willing to go to have a chance for life and love? Can she trust the Devil? If she succeeds, will she be able to live with herself?

My Opinions:
This was a really interesting book. The author took us on a journey of death, from everyone’s perspective. She showed us the dying, and who they would want to see in their final hours, how they reacted to death. How Death reacted to them. The different perspectives were thought provoking.

Lizzy herself was thought provoking. Putting myself in her situation, would I have agreed to the terms initially? Would the thought of immortality been appealing? I know the thought of a painless death would definitely play into my own thoughts….

The book dealt with a troubling subject, with private moments, with sad moments. But somehow, the compassion the protagonist brought to the subject lightened it.

The writing was good, the plot compelling, and although I thought I knew what the twist would be, I was wrong. That’s always a pleasant surprise, even when the twist isn’t.

I wish the author was around to write more…but I hope she was met by someone as compassionate as Lizzy to guide her through.

I received an advance copy of THE LIFE OF DEATH by LUCY BOOTH from the publisher (Unbound) via NetGalley. Opinions are mine.

Recap:
Elizabeth Murray has been condemned to die, but when the Devil himself appears in her jail cell with an eleventh-hour bargain, she faces a choice: give him her soul--serve him for eternity--and escape the painful death at the stake that's waiting for her. Seems like an easy choice, especially when he explains his plans. As his servant, she will become Death personified, and it will be her job to catch and ferry dying souls from this world to the world beyond. For nearly five hundred years, Lizzy glories in her role, appearing to those in need in the guise of a loved one who can help them make the transition, thereby easing their suffering and fear. She is a good Death, she thinks, providing as much compassion and succor as she can to those in their final moments. Her one rule? She never, ever takes a life that doesn't belong to her--to interfere in that way, though quite within her power, would make her a murderer.

All in all, things are going very well, right up until the day she gets a good look at one of the living souls left behind in the wake of duty...and falls in love. Tom (newly widowed) can't see Elizabeth, can't hear her, doesn't know she exists. But Elizabeth spends far too much time tracing his steps and falling deeper and deeper in love, eventually drawing His attention. The Devil isn't very sympathetic to Lizzy's plight--after all, a deal is a deal, right? And you can't just break a deal. Deals are like rules. You can't just break them. Or can you? Maybe you can.

The Devil offers Liz a second deal: break her rules, and he'll break their deal. But he doesn't want just one death from her. Oh, no. That would be too easy. Elizabeth must take five lives--commit five murders--of his choosing before he will let her go free. Sounds fair, right? If you think that sounds fair, you don't know the Devil.

Review:
Lucy Booth's posthumous debut THE LIFE OF DEATH offers an engaging narrative, lush and descriptive prose, and an inquisition-like period feel--though the novel spans to the modern day. Right away, I was drawn in by the intimate style of narration and the darkly introspective tone. The story held my attention, and though it did take me to some unexpected places, it was at least an engaging and thought-provoking trip. Character-driven and tense, this one is no mindless read.

Verdict:
If you like dark, suspenseful, character-driven horror with a few sharp twists and turns, THE LIFE OF DEATH might be right up your alley.

Creepy, armospheric and a really gripping read from start to finish. Great book which I would really recommend

Thank you to NetGalley and Unbound for a Kindle ARC of The Life of Death.

It's so hard to find a good scary book that will intrigue me and keep me interested. I don't have to be scared, but I do have to be invested in the story.

I'm glad to say that The Life of Death kept me reading and thinking long after I finished the last page.

Lizzy made a deal with the Devil over 400 years ago to spare her life from a horrific death. In return, she is Death, ushering in countless souls to the afterlife. Not surprisingly, she has grown weary of this role and just as she is in despair that this is all her life will amount to, she falls in love.

His name is Tom and he is a recent widow. As a result, she makes another pact with her master. Five lives in exchange for her mortal one to be returned to her in that she may have a chance with this young man.

The lives are not up for debate, who dies is up to the Devil's discretion and Lizzy must play his game. But when the time comes for the fourth victim, Lizzy finds herself unable to proceed and the deal falls apart.

Or does it?

When the Devil agrees to give Lizzy a second chance, it will be too late to turn back. She will soon understand, you should never make a deal with the Devil because he always wins.

I liked Lizzy as a character though I couldn't understand why she fell for Tom; the insta-love part I wasn't crazy about.

I would have loved it if the author had spent more time developing Tom, showing the readers why Lizzy would be attracted to a man like him, I would have felt more invested in Lizzy's desire to be with a man she'd never met and may not like her in return.

The standout is the Devil; wily, funny, Machiavellian, everything we are told the Devil is. I was more interested in his and Lizzy's relationship, and would have loved more exposition on how their relationship progresses through the years.

Do they spend time together in the last 400 years? Why is the Devil so invested in Lizzy? Yes, its touched upon in the beginning but not fully fleshed out.

Does he makes deals like the one he makes with her with others? Does he keep tabs on her?

The ending is great; exactly what I expected the Devil to do. In fact, I was waiting for it and it didn't disappoint.

The Life of Death was good and I recommend it to anyone looking for something different to read.

Life of death is published posthumously. The author was dying of cancer when she wrote it. Its obvious that the author was coming to terms with her own mortality when writing this.

The notion of death being personified is not new. However taking the point of view of the person who has become death is very creative. Elizabeth does not want to become the death figure upon her death but makes the promise that she would deliver 5 deaths. You see her observations and struggles while being in this role. Her struggles range from moral dilemmas to her own emotional exhaustion.

In this gothic horror novel death isn't just an entertaining thrill...it is a provocative meditation upon life with lyrical prose. The writing in this book is simply stunning. I didn't want to part my eyes from the page as I was reading this book. I absolutely loved it. I would highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Unbound for my advanced readers copy.

3.5 stars

When you have only one soul. When all hope is gone. When you are asked to choose, would you make a pact with the devil? What if you wanted love?

In the late 1500's Elizabeth "Lizzy" Murray was sentenced to burn at the stake for being a witch. While she listens to other women being burned, a man visits her in her cell. He has a proposal, her soul in exchange for a painless death and immortality. But immortality comes with a small price - she will be death itself. She will ease the passing of others, to be there in the moments before and after death, to guide their souls with compassion and care. She does this for five hundred years until one day she sees someone. A man she falls in love with. A man she wants to live for. Can she make another deal with the devil? Five lives of his choosing. Five lives for a chance of happiness. Five lives she must take to get her soul back. Will she make this deal? Would you?

The plot is straightforward and simple and yet it is moving as we see Lizzy interact with those at the end of their lives. How she is seen by various individuals as a parent, a lover, a spouse, a child, or a friend. She embodies the person most important to the individual who is dying. This isn't a heaven vs. hell book. This book is about one woman's choice and ultimately how it affects her and the people she encounters. It is also a lesson recalling the adage: <i>Be careful what you wish for</i>. What happens when you make a deal with the devil? Who wins in the end? Does anyone?

Lizzie is an interesting character. She is a victim in the beginning of the book. Falsely accused of being a witch. Tortured and listening to other women die as the townspeople cheer, watching her own Mother be burned at the stake. Knowing what is in store for her, tired, in pain, hopeless and fearful, she is given a choice. She tries to help the people who die, but then she sees a glimmer of hope. She begins to think of what life would be like if she were mortal, if she could love and be loved in return, falling in love with a man, she wants to live the life she was robbed of so long ago.
But what a choice she is given. Will she do as the devil wishes? hmmmm

I found this book to be thought provoking and interesting. Although Lizzy is the main character, the Devil makes his appearances throughout. He is a crafty, debonair, articulate, manicured and handsome fellow. I couldn't help but hear the Rolling Stones song "Sympathy for the Devil" playing in my head while reading these sections. When he asks her to kill five people in exchange for her soul, things got interesting but also sad. I enjoyed this book and toward the end and had a few things figured out. While I felt sorry for Lizzy a.k.a. little "D" as the devil called her, it had me wondering, about her choice at the end. About putting one's own needs, wants and desires above the lives of others.

It is interesting to note that the Author was diagnosed with Cancer in 2011 and passed away in 2016. She did not live to see this book published but she did write the book after her diagnosis. While reading, I wondered if her diagnosis and her thoughts on her own mortality influenced this book specifically what happens when one dies.

Thank you to Unbound and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5/5-Lucy Booth dabbled in various occupations-freelance production, blogging, and advertising, just to name a few, until her untimely demise at the age of 37 in 2016. Those who knew her well stated that despite success in her chosen field of studies, she always felt compelled to write a novel. Unfortunately, her only novel. ‘The Life of Death.’

Its 1567 and Scottish beauty Lizzy (or ‘Little D’ as she will later be known) has just been accused of witchcraft. She has two choices: suffer the consequences and burn at the steak or make a pact with the devil for a neglected and immortal life. She chooses the latter and becomes his cypher, or reaper if you will. Hundreds of years pass by and Lizzy is still feels abandoned for relinquishing her soul to the devil; she has never tested her true potential or found true love. She wants out, but there’s a deadly catch...

As I stated before, Booth is no longer present in the world of literature, succumbing to a fearless fight with breast cancer. I often wondered while reading if some of these passages were a reflection of her pain. I’m sure that she would’ve been a marvelous writer, specializing in romance and horror.

‘Deaths surround me, support me, distract me, subsume me. They are now, more so than ever before, a job. A way of life, a daily grind that must be endured.’-LIFE OF DEATH

Special thanks to NetGalley for honest review.

Whit a unique premise like this, I knew instantly I had to read it. This is a wonderful story I loved reading and I’d highly recommend it. Amazing.

400 years ago Lizzie made a deal with the Devil. She was spared the pain of being burned at the stake for her remarkable connection with the Devil in exchange for becoming Death itself. She spends 400 years guiding souls through death without a hitch. Then she falls in love. She wants out of her deal and He agrees if she delivers 5 souls. She must take the lives of 5 people of the Devil's choosing. Lizzie is faced with the question of what is a life worth?

The premise for The Life of Death was so unique that it was a pleasure to read. I enjoyed following Lizzie's thought process of wanting a normal life verses having to kill 5 people in order to attain that. Her inner monologue is relatable as she works through getting out of her deal with the Devil. Highly recommend.

It was a good book. A must read. Thanks for the chance and opportunity to get to read it early. I recommend it.

A heart wrenching, desperate story of love and loss.

To escape an immortal life as Death itself, Lizzy enters a pact with the Devil. She must take the lives of five people chosen by him- but as we all know, a deal with the devil is never straight shooting.
There's enough back story on each victim and their loved ones to make you really care for them.
It's hard to hate lizzy for her selfishness even though throughout the book you know that's what it really is. Even so, in my opinion the main character was more a villain than the Devil himself.
I found the love story between Lizzy and Tom weightless, the lengths she was prepared to go to for a man she'd never conversed with were ridiculous. I felt more for the chosen ones than I did for her at any time in this story.
The Life Of Death is a bleak tale about the realities of mortality.

I really, really liked the concept. What Death does every day, their life, their own hopes and dreams, and the origin of Death itself.
However, I felt that this gs were just falling short for me in this book. I liked the beginning. The devil chose the girl to become Death. Fine, good. I want to know why she was marked by the devil in the first case - what was it that her ancestors did to bargain with the devil? Never explained.
I also found a few jarrs in the scenes in which one or another of a conversationalist has no ability to speak (burnt to death, face clamped shut) and this is made a note of, that they couldn't speak, and then, without explaining its either magic or telepathy or whatever, they have a conversation. All it needed was one sentence to say, the devil snapped his fingers and she found she could speak despite the blah blah blah.
I enjoyed the majority of the book - forcing death on people, the mental toll it would take, but unfortunately I found the protag to be selfish. Yeah it's the devil you're dealing with and all, but murdering people that you're not supposed to for her own benefit just didn't make me empathise with her.
It's ultimately a tragedy, but I think the author ought to have made that more obvious as a genre choice.
Recommended if you want an interesting read.

5 lives for 1 life. Liz sold her soul to the devil in 1590 when she was facing burning at the stake for witchcraft. Thing is, she really was the daughter of the devil, but she'd done nothing evil to deserve that title, she'd just dabbled in herbs to help villagers heal from small ailments. When the inquisition comes calling though, the villagers start pointing fingers, because of course they did. And for roughly 400+ years, Liz did her duty by the devil as his harbinger of death, and helped usher souls at their time peacefully in their final moments. He called her his "little D." That's all she had to do, provide solace in the form of whatever woman that departing soul most fondly remembered in their life, she would appear to them as that person. But she longed for a life of her own. In the passing of one of those souls, she sees Tom. And everything changes. She wants life, and love, and to stub her toes, and taste wine, and experience everything that she's been missing. And the devil will happily oblige her, at the cost of 5 lives that she has to actively participate in taking. Such begins her moral conundrum. These 5 lives will have countless ripples outward should she choose to accept his bargain and so begins her journey to try to regain a chance at life. I will say that this was a devastatingly sad, sometimes funny, and heartbreaking story and one that ultimately left me shaking my fist at the author. Now that I know that she was fighting cancer during the writing of this, and that she ultimately lost her fight to it, it makes so much more sense, and made me want to cry at the unfairness of life. I'll just say that this was a wonderful story, that truly does show the craftiness of the devil in her story.

This book has been posthumously published, the author having lost her battle with cancer in 2016, diagnosed in 2011. I believe it was her last wish to have the book she wrote during these five years published. But don't let that put you off. It really is a cracking read. Although death is a somewhat strange topic to write about when you are facing it yourself. But I appreciate the irony in that!
So, let's go back several hundred years to when witchcraft was unknown, scary stuff and witches were sought out and burned. Meet Elizabeth, one accused of that crime and facing that sentence. But then, a possible reprieve when the devil visits her and offers her a deal. Immortality in return for becoming Death, the Grim reaper, assisting the passing of those who are on death's door. Faced with the fate she has in store for her, she agrees. Fast forward several years and she's been ticking over in her role quite nicely. Until that fateful day, when the impossible happens, the one thing that could put the kibosh on everything. She falls in love. But that doesn't fit in with who she is now. She has to go cap in hand, back to her boss, back to the Devil, the one who owns her soul and ask for it back. He agrees, he just has conditions. Five of them to be precise, Five people she needs to kill, five souls in return for hers, then she can be free... She then understands what it really means to deal with the Devil.
I blooming loved this book. All the way through we are given examples of people that Lizzie has helped and the ways she helped them pass over. An eclectic mix indeed. We also follow her in the present as she starts to fall in love and how that changes her. And then when we find out what she has to do to gain back her soul, well. Oh my goodness. What a Devilish thing to do. At this point, I thought that I knew where we were going; had it all pretty much mapped out. How I kicked myself as I read on and saw the directions we were actually taking were nothing like what I assumed. More fool me... Clever stuff indeed, very well plotted. And a bit brutal to be honest. But then, we are talking about the Devil after all!
I felt for Lizzie all the way through. How, at the start, she was faced with, well, Hobson's choice pretty much. I enjoyed reading about all the people she helped, even though most of them were a little sad. And then when she had to do what she did, the book really did start to get going and, from that point on, it never really slowed down, racing to its ultimate conclusion with an ending that was perfect for what had gone before.
And then, after I finished, I got a bit sad as I knew that there would be no more books from this author. I hate to say the obvious but, what a talent lost. But then I also thought that it was a wonderful thing that her family had done in achieving her wish for it to be published. Just a shame she didn't see it happen in her own lifetime.
My thanks go to the Publisher for the chance to read this book, And to Lucy's family for making this book happen in the first place.