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seang81's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this as i'm a huge fan of 'urban fantasy' which I would place this novel in. The problem is the main character just wasn't likeable and, honestly, it felt to me like he thought he was better than everyone around him. Usually this would not be an issue but the setup of the plot in the novel meant that the main character came across in a way that I was not sure he was meant to. Apart from this, the novel itself was okay, with some good world building and other interesting characters, however, for me, I couldn't get past how much I disliked the main character which isn't useful!
kevinscorner's review
3.5
Detective Inspector Joe Lazarus is on a stake out of a drug den and stumbles upon his own dead body. He is then told by a mysterious young woman Daisy-May that he has been chosen to join the Dying Squad, a spectral police force, and must find out who killed him. Otherwise, he may become another mindless soul trapped in Purgatory. Together, they navigate through the living world while battling postmortem amnesia and other forces that seek to hinder their investigation.
The Dying Squad’s plot was sold to me as the ghost of a police detective solving his own murder, and that just got me hooked. So upon deciding to read it, I was in the mood for and (rightfully) expecting a police procedural with supernatural elements. And that was *sort of* what I got, but then with the addition of a world-ending otherworldly cataclysm as well. Had I not had some preconceived ideas of what the book would be based on its description/synopsis, I may have been more receptive to the story I got.
Adam Simcox has some great ideas and brings some truly surprising twists along the way. It’s just that it just felt like he threw in every idea he got into the book, adding multiple layers to the plot that was not warranted nor wanted (at least by me). I would have wanted a more focused story on just solving the crime that was done to Joe (and Daisy-May) with some sprinkling or hints of more going on in the supernatural world, but saving that for a potential sequel. This way, readers would get what they expected going in, with the option to continue on if they like what’s been hinted at. The end result as it currently stands is a mishmash of great plot points that were jumbled together to tell one overly complex story.
The Dying Squad’s plot was sold to me as the ghost of a police detective solving his own murder, and that just got me hooked. So upon deciding to read it, I was in the mood for and (rightfully) expecting a police procedural with supernatural elements. And that was *sort of* what I got, but then with the addition of a world-ending otherworldly cataclysm as well. Had I not had some preconceived ideas of what the book would be based on its description/synopsis, I may have been more receptive to the story I got.
Adam Simcox has some great ideas and brings some truly surprising twists along the way. It’s just that it just felt like he threw in every idea he got into the book, adding multiple layers to the plot that was not warranted nor wanted (at least by me). I would have wanted a more focused story on just solving the crime that was done to Joe (and Daisy-May) with some sprinkling or hints of more going on in the supernatural world, but saving that for a potential sequel. This way, readers would get what they expected going in, with the option to continue on if they like what’s been hinted at. The end result as it currently stands is a mishmash of great plot points that were jumbled together to tell one overly complex story.
breezer's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Such a good premise but the plot just did too much. Strangely compelling tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Police brutality and Suicide attempt
stndash's review against another edition
Maybe i picked up the book not in the best time. but it’s boring just listening to audiobook
lewiscain's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one. A great original idea with some good characters and plenty to keep you entertained. It definitely sets the scene for more to come but I thought it was a brilliant intro to the series and the ending hints at the cool places this series could go!
stressgirl70's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
witless's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
goddess_of_gore_vix's review
3.0
A cop lies dead on the floor. The same cop stands above him, not quite believing his eyes. Waiting to offer him a new job in an afterlife cop squad ready to right the wrongs and solve how the cop died is his comedy sidekick. Sound familiar? It should, this is the basic premise of RIPD a favourite film of mine so I couldn't wait to get my hands in this book.
The story is somewhat similar, but thats all.
Not a bad book by any means, I did enjoy the story of Joe's detective life and Daisy-Mays awful life. I was left wondering if there would be more books to follow with this ghost team of cops?
The story is somewhat similar, but thats all.
Not a bad book by any means, I did enjoy the story of Joe's detective life and Daisy-Mays awful life. I was left wondering if there would be more books to follow with this ghost team of cops?
gem_mc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thebooktrail88's review
3.0
Meet the author and his version of Lincolnshire in The Dying Squad
A detective who has to solve his own murder? What a premise! It's all set in a very alternate Lincolnshire and the setting chosen by the author reveals a lot about the backstory and the atmosphere he creates in the novel.
A quirky and unusual read but a lot of fun and one you will never forget!