Death and Taxes

Name: Death and Taxes
Price: 15.92 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798264376726

✍️ Simon Whitmore

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$15.92

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Death goes on strike after a hospital visit, sparking a supernatural murder mystery.

The narrative centers on Thanatos, who refuses to collect a soul from a boy in Great Ormond Street Hospital. This act of mercy or error causes him to stop working entirely. As chaos ensues and murders occur, he must identify the culprit. He relies on Ferryman Harry and Saint Peter for guidance. The story examines the consequences of divine intervention in human affairs. It combines detective genre conventions with mythological characters. The setting moves between Camden and London medical facilities. The tone balances dark themes with moments of humor and wonder. Readers follow a quest for truth amidst supernatural disorder.

Key Themes

Death's strike Supernatural murder Mythological colleagues

Literary Context

The story is set in December 2012, moving between Camden and Great Ormond Street Hospital. It draws on Western mythological traditions involving death figures like Thanatos, Saint Peter, and the Ferryman. The narrative places these ancient entities in a modern urban environment, blending gothic tropes with contemporary life.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Neil Gaiman · Terry Pratchett · Clive Barker · Charles Dickens

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798264376726

📝 Description: Death and Taxes

Simon Whitmore presents a narrative where Thanatos, the Grim Reaper, abandons his duties after visiting a dying boy in Great Ormond Street Hospital. This decision triggers a strike that disrupts the natural order, leading to a series of murders that draw suspicion toward various parties. The story shifts from supernatural duty to detective work as Death seeks to understand why events have spiraled out of control since that initial visit. Assisted by his long-term colleagues, the multi-costumed Ferryman Harry and the dependable Saint Peter, Thanatos hunts for a killer amidst supernatural chaos. Whitmore blends elements of gothic fiction with modern urban settings, exploring themes of mortality and bureaucracy. The plot weaves together woe, deception, love, friendship, mirth, and miracles, grounded in the specific context of Camden and London hospitals. This tale suits readers who enjoy anthropomorphized mythological figures navigating contemporary crises. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional horror or purely historical gothic tales without modern twists.

💎 Our verdict on Death and Taxes

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Whitmore successfully merges the detective genre with mythological characters, creating a distinctive tone that balances dark themes with moments of humor. The narrative’s strength lies in its exploration of divine intervention and mortality within modern London settings, particularly hospitals. While it may not satisfy readers seeking traditional horror or purely historical gothic tales, it excels in its wit and conceptual originality. The integration of Ferryman Harry and Saint Peter adds depth to the supernatural bureaucracy. This is a thoughtful examination of death’s role, suitable for those who appreciate anthropomorphized deities navigating contemporary crises with a blend of wonder and deception.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy the intersection of supernatural mythology and procedural mystery will find this narrative compelling. It offers a unique perspective by placing Thanatos, the Grim Reaper, in the role of an investigator rather than just a reaper. Those interested in how divine entities navigate modern bureaucratic chaos or medical ethics will appreciate the thematic depth. The book appeals to fans who like anthropomorphized figures dealing with contemporary crises, blending dark humor with philosophical questions about mortality. It is ideal for those seeking a story that balances woe and mirth while exploring the consequences of intervention in human affairs through a lens of urban gothic fiction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Whitmore successfully merges the detective genre with mythological characters, creating a distinctive tone that balances dark themes with moments of humor. The narrative’s strength lies in its exploration of divine intervention and mortality within modern London settings, particularly hospitals. While it may not satisfy readers seeking traditional horror or purely historical gothic tales, it excels in its wit and conceptual originality. The integration of Ferryman Harry and Saint Peter adds depth to the supernatural bureaucracy. This is a thoughtful examination of death’s role, suitable for those who appreciate anthropomorphized deities navigating contemporary crises with a blend of wonder and deception.