Out January 6th, 2026
Set in a world where professional boundaries blur with personal demons, the story follows a protagonist navigating a workplace that feels increasingly surreal and threatening. The narrative is rich with unease, and the setting—claustrophobic, clinical, and emotionally charged—serves as a perfect backdrop for the unraveling of both plot and psyche. It’s a story that doesn’t rush, instead inviting readers to sit with discomfort and observe the subtle shifts in tone and tension.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its ability to evoke dread without relying on overt horror. The suspense is psychological, built through nuanced interactions, cryptic clues, and a growing sense that something is deeply wrong beneath the surface. The characters are complex and often morally ambiguous, which adds depth to the unfolding mystery. Readers who enjoy introspective narratives and layered storytelling will find themselves drawn into the protagonist’s internal struggle as much as the external threats they face.

While the pacing may feel deliberate, it’s ultimately rewarding for those who appreciate a cerebral, character-driven thriller. The book raises questions about identity, ethics, and the cost of survival in environments that demand emotional detachment. It’s not a story that offers easy answers or tidy resolutions, but that’s part of its appeal. Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a haunting, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page, perfect for fans of psychological fiction with a literary edge.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy of this book; all opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

Right off the top: I'm a sucker for a smart, snarky first-person narrator, so I was fairly well hooked on this book from page one. But at some point, I want to know the character behind all that snark, and this book does not disappoint. Despite her facade of cynicism, Death turns out to be someone you might not mind lifting a pint with.

While Christian theology is loosely the frame of reference for some of the characters, this is not a book that is prescriptive about a belief system; it's really more humanist than anything, with a little gentle cheekiness about the major players.

And it holds its own as a murder mystery, too. This is a very impressive first novel, and I look forward to Veronika Dapunt's next book!

*Death and Other Occupational Hazards* by Veronika Dapunt, feels like a delightful mash-up between *Good Omens* and a Tom Holt novel—though it doesn’t quite hit the dizzying heights of either, it comes impressively close and delivers a thoroughly enjoyable read.

The premise is instantly intriguing: Death herself decides she needs a holiday. She takes human form, gets a flat, finds a job, and attempts to live a normal mortal life. Of course, that’s exactly when the natural order unravels—people not scheduled to die suddenly start dying. With her sister, Life, and a scientist as unlikely allies, Death must track down the true culprit and stop the chaos before it gets completely out of hand.

The blurb promises a murder mystery, but what unfolds is more of a comedic, satirical exploration of life, death, and humanity through the eyes of the ultimate outsider. Death here isn’t a terrifying scythe-wielding figure but a relatable, rule-abiding professional just trying to do her job. The author leans heavily into the absurd, with humor that often catches you off guard by being silly, sweet, and dark all at once—sometimes in the very same paragraph.

The book is quirky and unconventional, and that’s both its biggest strength and a potential stumbling block for some readers. The humor is distinctly British in tone, the pacing a touch uneven, and the plot is juggling a lot: a central mystery, a slow-burn romance, and an introspective arc of self-discovery for Death herself. While I appreciated the ambition, the overlapping storylines occasionally muddied the focus, and I had moments where I had to pause and reorient myself.

That said, the originality of the premise carried me through, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters. The relationship between Death and Life was one of my favorite aspects—it was equal parts banter, bickering, and deep-rooted affection, which added warmth to a story that could have easily leaned too far into cynicism. The ending felt fitting, with a resolution that struck the right balance between humor and poignancy.

If you enjoy witty, slightly absurd fantasy with a satirical edge—and you don’t mind a story that takes some meandering detours—this is a fresh and entertaining take on the personification of Death.

**Rating:** ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Thanks to Netgalley for ARC.

This reads very much as a cross between Good Omens and a Tom Holt book, although not quite reaching the heights of either - but not far off and a very enjoyable read.

Death has decided to take a holiday and live as a human, get a flat, get a job and all the rest - at which point people not scheduled to die, start dying. So with her sister - Life - and a scientist at her side she must try to find and stop the killer. Not really the murder mystery it promises in the blurb, but more of a comedic look at life through the lens of Death...

This was a good book, I do wish there was a warning over the death of the dog but still worth the read.

This was great a bit different thank my usual but I kept on going to see it they brought the storyline was a hit I enjoyed it

I thought this will be a comedy and it was, but it's also so much more. It's a Murder mystery with a smidge of romance and I could not stop the tears for the last 10 %of the book.

Death is a young woman with an incredible bold clothing style and she needs a break. Death wants a sabbatical, so Life gives her a body and finds her a room in London.
But her sabbatical is not as relaxing as she hoped, there was an unplanned death.
Now she needs to find out who is ending lives with out her knowledge.

An overall enjoyable read

Thank you, NetGalley, the author Veronika Dapunt and penguin random house for the eARC

This was a really fun read; a cozy but humorous murder mystery. Death (Delara) is taking a sabbatical in the human world, trying life as a mortal with her duties as Death at times intersecting with her time off. I really enjoyed this read by Dapunt and look forward to other novels she may write in the future!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. :)

Clever, funny, snarky, imaginative, and often bittersweet - a truly unique take on Life, Death, and what comes next that is beyond fun to read. Yes, it's death, the Big D, so sometimes sad, but definitely a balance with joy. Maybe Life and Death should solve some new mysteries, after all in some form they will always be there ...

Who knew Death was such a relatable queen? This book was funny, absurd, tense, and sweet, often on the same page.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

I was drawn to this book because I love stories that are a little off the wall, and a novel about “Death” taking a vacation definitely fit the bill.

This book won’t be for everyone. It’s quirky, unconventional, and leans into the absurd, but I really appreciated the fresh take on Death as a character. She’s portrayed as a woman simply doing her job and trying to follow the rules. When she decides she needs a break, chaos naturally follows, especially with the temporary replacement stepping in.

While I enjoyed the concept and the humor, I found the story a bit overcrowded. There’s a mystery, a romance arc, and an additional layer of self-discovery all happening at once. For me, that made the plot feel a little muddled, and I found myself getting confused at times as the storylines overlapped.

Still, I enjoyed the originality of the premise and felt the ending was fitting. I just wish the pacing and focus had been a bit tighter. It might have helped the story shine more clearly.

I picked up Death and Other Occupational Hazards expecting something quirky and funny, which it definitely was in parts, but I was surprised by how thoughtful and layered it turned out to be. The idea of Death as a stressed-out woman taking a sabbatical could’ve easily just been a gimmick, but Dapunt gives Delara so much personality and emotional depth. Her dry humor, complicated relationship with her sister Life, and unexpected moments of introspection made her feel weirdly relatable.
What really stood out to me was how the book balanced workplace comedy with some genuinely touching reflections on life, mortality, and purpose. Even the mystery plot was more engaging than I expected, and the ending left me thinking more than I thought a book with this premise would. It was smart, funny, and oddly comforting, a really satisfying read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I could not recommend this book. Apologies. I felt there were too many inconsistencies in the world rules even for a fantasy.

You started losing me when Death finds out some million years after being able to take sabbaticals, that she becomes mortal in the body. And that Life never mentioned it to her.

In a lighter, Douglas Adams-style story, I would have bought it. But the humor here isn’t satirical, and too sporadic to lighten the load of some clumsy twists.

Using Judeo-Christian mythology to underpin the decidedly non Christian characters and settings was limiting. Freeing the story from the religio-cultural tropes would have opened it up, and might have made the humor of the corporate position nicknames work better.

Sorry, I’m not your reader.

Death Doesn’t Want to Die (Again)—okay, that’s not the title, but it should be. In this quirky, genre-bending story, Death is done. Burnt out. Fed up with ferrying souls, she petitions The Boss (yes, that one) for a much-needed sabbatical on Earth. Cue a crash course in human life—flat in London, new job, sisterly meddling from Life, and a sudden string of suspicious deaths that aren’t part of the plan.

What starts as a much-needed break quickly turns into a cosmic whodunit, complete with organized crime, forbidden forces, and yes… romance. (I know, I know. The dreaded R-word. But it works.

I REALLY wanted to love this book- I love modern interpretations of Death and even teach a college-level class on cultural interpretations of "the good death." I just couldn't get into this one, however. It never really got past the novelty of the premise, which at this point isn't particularly novel. The twists seemed fairly obvious, and there was little suspense or much at stake to keep me engaged.

There are some good aspects to this, though, like the sisterly dynamic of Life and Death.

DNF after the first chapter. I just wasn't vibing with the writing, the info dumps, or the main character. Felt like a bad omen for the rest.

The cover is great. The premise is an interesting and unusual one, but the book falls flat. I didn’t care for the authors style of writing. Thank you NetGalley and publisher.

The premise for this book was amazing but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I went into this expecting a funny, murder mystery but everything fell flat. The plot was interesting but didn’t grab me, the characters didn’t feel likeable to me but the writing was easy to read.

I can see how people can love this and I know I’m probably in the minority with this one. I just wish I loved it more.

What a whimsical, quirky take on Death! Death takes a holiday as a human and well, you can only imagine the chaos!

Yes, Death is a woman and her name is Delara Donn.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt is a sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt take on the classic themes of mortality, purpose, and cosmic burnout. Death is tired of reaping souls and decides to take a much needed break, stepping into human life in a way that brings both chaos and unexpected clarity.

What follows is a layered and clever story filled with humor, existential musings, and just the right touch of religious mythology. There is sibling tension, office drama, mysterious deaths, and a conspiracy that spirals in wild directions. Despite the absurdity, the emotional core hits hard in places and the worldbuilding is both creative and grounded in heart.

This was such an entertaining read that balances plot and depth with ease. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories that blend dark comedy, theology, and just a bit of apocalypse.