Death needs a sabbatical: Life is exhausting, the Boss takes centuries to mull over every change in their image (really, he needs a marketing department), the VP for Pandemonium & Perdition is up to all his usual shenanigans, and the Human Communications Director has stretched his three-day vacation into more than two millennia. (He hasn't been totally slacking, though: He has a side gig as a hair model.)

So yes—Death needs a sabbatical. Unfortunately, her sabbatical coincides with the first Unplanned deaths she's seen in her career...and those deaths could have devastating consequences if she doesn't figure out who (or what) is behind them.

This was just about as tongue-in-cheek as I could have hoped for, with a serving of murder on the side. It's a pretty delightful romp (if that can be said about a book about Death): Death is fed up with the black robes and scythes and eager to mix and match the loudest patterns and brightest colors she can find, but for all her experience, she doesn't always quite...get...humans, and she often doesn't understand when she gets things not quite right, or why.

It's worth noting that the setup here is oriented in a *very* Specific Western Religion direction; although Death mentions having spent time all over the world (picking up souls—it's not clear how she is managing the workload of tens and tens of thousands of people dying each day, but that's kind of beside the point), nearly the entire book takes place in London, which for whatever reason seems to be favored not only by Death but also by the VP for P&P and the HCD, and there's never any mention of how Death comes into play when, for example, a Hindu or Buddhist or Muslim etc. etc. etc. person dies. In some ways it's maybe for the best that that isn't explored (I do not want a book that tried to make it global but in which the answer is "it's all the same outcome for everyone! But oh, haha, it just so happens that it looks a lot like a very white version of Christianity!"), and it would have had to be a very different book to get into the weeds without making it super problematic, but...well, just a heads-up that the vision here is pretty specific.

All that said—it was a ride. I'd love to have a coffee with this version of Death.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Rating: (3.5/5 stars)
I really enjoyed Veronika Dapunt's take on Death in this one. Instead of some dramatic, cape-wearing figure, we get Death dealing with the mundane annoyances of her job—like paperwork and office politics, but make it cosmic. It's such a fun twist that immediately drew me in and kept me chuckling throughout.
What I loved most was that Death doesn't throw away her power for some guy—thank goodness! We've all read those stories where the badass heroine suddenly becomes helpless because of romance, and Dapunt completely avoids that trap. Death stays true to herself, which made me respect both the character and the author.
The writing is pretty solid overall, but I'll be honest—there were parts in the middle where I kind of zoned out. Not terrible, just some sections that felt a bit slow and made me want to skim ahead. The beginning hooked me and the ending was satisfying, but that middle bit could've used some tightening up.
Also, can we talk about Jesus being a hair model? I'm sorry, but that had me cracking up. The humor throughout is pretty great and never feels forced—it just flows naturally with the story.
But honestly, what really got me was the way Dapunt writes about human experiences through Death's perspective. Those introspective moments hit hard in the best way—they made me stop and think about life and mortality without being preachy about it. And the sisterly bond? *Chef's kiss* That relationship felt so real and was definitely the emotional heart of the whole story.
Overall, this was a fun read with some really thoughtful moments. The pacing issues in the middle kept it from being a total winner for me, but there's definitely enough here to recommend, especially if you're into urban fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously while still having something meaningful to say.
Good for: Anyone who likes their fantasy with humor, strong female characters who don't lose themselves for love, and stories that make you laugh and think in equal measure.

Death need a vacation. So she, yes SHE, takes a break on earth. She has some things to learn and a concept of her that she would like changed. What she actually finds is a mystery and some new understanding. Death and Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt is a medium stakes mystery. It gave me cosy vibes but a lot of things happen that don’t make it a cozy mystery.

I found this book surprising. I didn’t fully know what to expect starting this book and even while reading it couldn’t always predict what would happen next.

Things I loved about this book: it was quirky, funny, and unique. Death’s fashion. The mystery plot line. Everything about Death.

Things that may turn people off but still give it a chance: it is done in first person. There are moments where it is verbose. But it was 100% worth it.

Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the delightful chance to review this book.

I bet you thought that death was a skeletal looking guy with a black cape and a scythe. Well, almost right. It turns out that Death is actually a woman. And she is really good at what she does. But there is just one problem. She is getting burnt out. So, she requests a sabbatical and the boss (God), agrees.

Taking on a human form, Death gets a job, gets a flat, and begins to learn the joy of eating. But she soon notices an unplanned death. As Death, she follows a strict plan dictated by the boss. But one murder and then another is unplanned. Death and her sister, Life, set out to solve the murder.

This is a really unusual story. Call it a novel novel! The plot is unique. I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you Netgalley, Poisioned Pen Press and Veronica Dapunt for the eArc of Death and Other Occupational Hazards.

When I read the synopsis for Death and Other Occupational Hazards, I had no idea what a great journey I was in for. From the first page to the very last, I was fully engaged and went through a variety of emotions whilst reading! I loved Death, and how through this book, Death becomes relatable as she sheds her black cloak and Sith to a women who loves pink heels so she can investigate some unauthorised deaths. Along the way, she meets an a-ray of lovable and unsavoury characters as well as trying to listen to her sister, Life.

The mix of character building, the dynamics between them and the plot direction makes for a greatly engaging, humorous read that can be read on a few levels. I loved the deeper meaning that's to be had from this book and I will confess that the end made me tear up a bit, in a good way of course,

4.25 stars for story graph. 4 stars for other sites.

This was a ride from start to finish and its one you dont want to miss!

Death taking a little break and all the things that come with it? A super interesting plot and one thay I havent really seen before so it was refreshing as well.

3.5
Death is on vacation on earth, what could go wrong?
I love the premise of the book and I liked the world and overall mythology take
Death is nice, surprisingly relatable (wondering why humans do weird stuff) and I was routing for her
The mystery was also nice though I felt that in the revelation some of the world building started to crumble and it was a lot of additional stuff and quite a few answers left open
The romance was there and I honestly dont know why. It is not that it was bad per se but way too fast and then still almost inconsequential. This book would have been better without the romance and more focus on the relationship between the two sisters (death and life).
Still it is a fun read, I had some laugh-out-loud moments and an overall good time

Thanks to netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC for this book.

Perhaps one of the best books I have read for a long time.
Very clever premise of Death taking a sabbatical and all the ensuing problems.
Well worth reading, especially as it is currently free.
Will watch out for future books from this author!

Death is not human but we often humanize the concept of death and Dapunt presents that example. This is an attempt to make death quirky and relatable. Which I understand metaphorically but I like the idea of death being removed from the human condition. To enforce the circle it makes sense for death to be separate. A fast paced simple good versus evil adventure. Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy before the 2026 release!

4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a genuinely funny and interesting fantasy mystery. There was a lot I really liked about it but the pacing lost me at times and the story seemed to drag a bit.

What I loved:
- The take on life and death as a kind of business with the boss, the VP as the devil and the temp.
- Cerberus and Garm, I love a dog sidekick and we get two in this story.
-the unplanned deaths were all horrific, especially the one with the spiders but they kept the mystery at the centre of the story interesting.

Overall this was well worth reading and I will look out for the next book Veronika Dapunt writes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I should pay more attention to the title of books I grab.

This one seemed like a fun humorous story about the reaper and the potential chaos they run into in the job. Sold.

The book starts off funny and then it’s giving corporate vibes trying to be funny and it’s making my body hurt. I think it’s due to the British language potentially? I don’t fund struggling to get a day off work to be humorous unfortunately (I also feel like this overworked at a job theme is slightly overdone at this point as it seems to infiltrate so many novels). Burn out is a very real thing. I tried so hard to laugh with this book. It’s clear I’m just not the audience or the reader for it. I could not get into this one and gave up before hitting 10%. Due to this, I can’t say this is a bad book. In fact I think it’s a lovely one for the right reader! Plus the cover is super cool.

Thank you for the ARC. I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

My Thoughts
What an utterly delightful surprise this was. Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a smart, funny, and utterly original take on death, duty, and what it means to feel human. I was hooked from the very first page by Veronika Dapunt’s sharp voice and wholly refreshing perspective on a figure we rarely imagine wearing fuchsia trousers and designer sunglasses.

Death—as Delara—is fantastic: not just a cosmic force, but a fully realized, sardonic, emotionally complex character. Her desire for autonomy, frustration with divine micromanagement, and hesitant vulnerability make her feel painfully relatable despite being, well... eternal. The mystery element works beautifully, but it’s the humour, emotional depth, and character-driven narrative that elevate the book to something truly special.

Who Should Read It?
-Readers who love snarky, powerful women
-Anyone who enjoys dark comedy
-Lovers of quirky fantasy, found family, and magical realism with heart
-Mystery fans looking for something with a fantastical twist

Final Verdict
Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a debut with bite. It’s wrapped in high heels, cosmic ennui, and a truly excellent murder plot. Veronika Dapunt manages to make you laugh, ache, think, and cheer in a single paragraph. It’s heartfelt. It’s hilarious. And it’s a hell of a good time.

Grateful to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Veronika Dapunt for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

I’m genuinely impressed with how witty and humorous this debut novel is, Veronika Dapunt’s first book is an absolute bang!

This story follows Death a no-nonsense woman just doing her cosmic job. When she finally takes a much needed break to live among humans, chaos erupts: people are dying off-schedule, and the balance of life and death begins to unravel. Now Death must track down the rogue killer, navigate her tense relationship with her sister Life, and figure out if the intriguing parasitologist in her path is friend or foe.

I picked this up because of its striking cover and interesting title, and I’m so glad I did. Veronika does a phenomenal job personifying Death and Life. From the very first page, the humour lands perfectly. I rarely laugh while reading. I cry, rage, get upset but this one had me laughing out loud, a lot. Death is a woman and she is absolutely hilarious, headstrong and a lovely entity. Her experience of living like a human was funny, touching, and oddly inspiring. The HCD, omg, he’s adorable and so funny. Death and Life’s relationship felt especially personal to me. I adore my own sister, so reading their dynamic made my heart ache in the best way. And Marco… oh Marco. The romance was subtle, more of a subplot, but it was the perfect touch for Delara’s character development. Also, how could I possibly forget Garm and Cerberus? They now hold the closest spot in my heart.

The central mystery of the “Unplanned Deaths” did feel a little shaky at times. It couldn’t keep me engaged entirely but the ending wrapped up everything beautifully. A little sad, yes, but the better choice by far.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards is many things, part murder mystery, part light fantasy, part dark comedy and for me, it nailed them all. There’s something about picking up the right book at the right time and this was exactly that. It unexpectedly became a favourite, and I’m so glad I discovered Veronika Dapunt. I’ll be eagerly waiting for whatever she writes next. Veronika if you’re reading this, you’ve got something magical here. Thank you for writing this.

Would I Recommend? Yes
For readers who like: Light fantasy with dark comedy, sisterhood, murder mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Veronika Dapunt for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Death and Other Occupational Hazards has a spin on Death as a character, or Delara, who is bright and not at all like the grim reaper personae bestowed by humans. In the story she takes a sabbatical amongst those same humans and has a chance to fall in love, really experience life (and her sister, Life) and of course - solve a mystery. Delara’s journey ultimately brings out her compassion and makes her more of a human than you’d imagine Death can be.

I loved the humor in the story and the twists in bringing in some religious figures and casting different lights on them, along with turning the picture of Death on its head. Of course the mystery of the unplanned deaths helped add some conflict and intrigue to the plot, but I do think I’d have been just as happy to read about Delara, her growth and experiences, and the balance between life and death.