🌙 Paranormal

Secondhand Souls

✍️ Christopher Moore
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$18.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Moore's sequel follows Charlie Asher as he investigates missing souls in San Francisco.

This narrative continues the story of Charlie Asher, who is stuck in a small puppet body. He works alongside Minty Fresh, Alphonse Rivera, Lily, and the Emperor with his dogs to solve the mystery of disappearing souls in San Francisco. The investigation revolves around a large orange bridge and involves little Sophie’s warnings about a future conflict. Readers who enjoy dark comedy mixed with supernatural elements will appreciate this tale. Those seeking serious horror or traditional ghost stories may find the tone too light. The book relies on character interactions rather than complex lore to drive the plot forward.

Key Themes
missing souls San Francisco mystery death merchant
Literary Context

The story is set in San Francisco, known for its large orange bridge. It draws on traditions of death merchants and Buddhist nun characters. The narrative follows the events of A Dirty Job, continuing the adventures of Charlie Asher and his companions in a modern urban setting.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Neil Gaiman · Terry Pratchett · Anne Rice
🌙
Paranormal
🏛 William Morrow & Company 📅 2016 📖 368 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780061779794

📝 Description: Secondhand Souls

Christopher Moore returns with a sequel that follows Death Merchant Charlie Asher. He remains trapped in the body of a fourteen-inch-tall meat puppet while his Buddhist nun girlfriend Audrey searches for a suitable host. The plot centers on San Francisco, where the souls of the dead are vanishing without being collected by any known entity. This mystery involves a large orange bridge and leaves Charlie confused alongside other characters. A group gathers to investigate this strange phenomenon. They include Minty Fresh, a seven-foot-tall death merchant. Retired policeman turned bookseller Alphonse Rivera joins them as well. The Emperor of San Francisco appears with his dogs, Bummer and Lazarus. Lily, described as a former Goth girl, also participates in the effort. The group must operate while dealing with little Sophie, who constantly babbles about an impending battle for the soul of humankind. Moore brings his signature dark humor to this supernatural mystery involving death and the afterlife.

💎 Our verdict on Secondhand Souls

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Moore delivers a spirited continuation that relies heavily on character dynamics rather than intricate world-building. The investigation into vanishing souls around a large orange bridge provides a whimsical backdrop for the eccentric ensemble cast, including Minty Fresh and the Emperor with his dogs. Little Sophie’s warnings add a layer of urgency to the otherwise comedic tone. While not suitable for those seeking traditional or serious horror, the book excels in its blend of supernatural mystery and satire. It is best suited for readers who enjoy lighthearted takes on death and the afterlife, offering entertainment through humor and quirky character relationships rather than complex lore or intense dread.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate dark comedy mixed with supernatural elements will find this tale particularly rewarding. The narrative prioritizes character interactions over complex lore, making it accessible and engaging for those who enjoy witty dialogue and eccentric companions. Fans of the previous installment will follow Charlie Asher’s continued misadventures as he investigates missing souls in San Francisco. The story offers a unique perspective on death and the afterlife through the eyes of a puppet body, providing both humor and philosophical intrigue. Those seeking serious horror or traditional ghost stories may find the tone too light, but enthusiasts of genre-blending fiction will enjoy the imaginative premise and the dynamic group of investigators tackling the mystery.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Moore delivers a spirited continuation that relies heavily on character dynamics rather than intricate world-building. The investigation into vanishing souls around a large orange bridge provides a whimsical backdrop for the eccentric ensemble cast, including Minty Fresh and the Emperor with his dogs. Little Sophie’s warnings add a layer of urgency to the otherwise comedic tone. While not suitable for those seeking traditional or serious horror, the book excels in its blend of supernatural mystery and satire. It is best suited for readers who enjoy lighthearted takes on death and the afterlife, offering entertainment through humor and quirky character relationships rather than complex lore or intense dread.

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