Casey Maldonado survived a flaming car crash. Now she's walking, with Death as her only companion. Yes, THAT Death. Were it not that a few other people -- mostly children -- can see and hear him too, I would have thought that Death was like Ian Rutledge's Hamish in the Charles Todd books - a figure who may or may not be in any sense "real." Death is not as helpful as Hamish, though; Casey really does her own investigating.This is the first of a series, and there are still many unanswered questions about Casey herself at the end of the book. It appears she and Death fall under the trope, so prevalent in television, of companions on the road who stop occasionally to solve crimes and right wrongs -- think Route 66 or Highway to Heaven.I enjoyed this book and it was a struggle not to go in search of the next in the series immediately, but my TBR pile is much too large right now. I'll save the rest of the series for later. Recommended. Death follows Casey, the main character, around in this book because he thinks she's going to do interesting things. He has a minor place in this book - more as a shadow over the main character than a full character himself. Casey has chosen to be a vagabond temporarily and Death manipulates her choices to put her in the situations he wants to see play out. The author handles this premise well. It doesn't feel gimmicky and it's unique. Casey's character is a little thin but this is the first in the series and I am interested enough to read the next. There were exciting bits and Casey's history makes her uniquely qualified to uncover the secrets she encounters. She has some surprising talents that seem a bit too good to be true at the time they are introduced but the author backfills her past so it becomes believable.
What do You think about Embrace The Grim Reaper (2009)?
A quirky different sort of read - really liked it and will try the 2nd in the series
—Persia
Really good book, can't wait to read each one!
—chicochido
