Dead To Me (A Simon Canderous Novel)

by Anton Strout

Book Overview

A new urban fantasy featuring a man working on the right side of law-with talents that come from left field. Psychometry-the power to touch an object and divine information about its history-has meant... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441015786
• Release Date: February 2008
• Publisher: Ace
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 0.9" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

I loved this book and am glad that I listened to all of the people who recommended it as a great rea

Simon Canderous decided one day to leave the criminal life and go straight. But what kind of jobs are out there for someone who has the power of psychometry? He had resigned himself to the fact that he might end up in a dead end job when he found the advertisement for a scryer. When he was hired for the job, he found himself working for the DEA, not the drug agency but the Department of Extraordinary Affairs. Despite the mounting paperwork, there were days when Simon's job was definitely not boring. Where else could he find a job where he dealt with ghosts, zombies and learned to use his powers? When a confused ghost shows up in the Lovecraft one day, Simon and his mentor Connor are thrown into a case that involves a wooden fish and cultists. By the end of the case, Simon will be reminded that life is for the living. I had heard so much about this book but had not had a chance to read it until I was flying back from vacation. I was anxious to get home but almost found myself wishing that the flight had been slightly longer, so engrossed had I become in Dead To Me. I have to give this book 5 tombstones. Simon is a fascinating character and his shady background makes him even more interesting. Simon meets a host of interesting characters throughout the book, each of which is fascinating in their own right, from the ghost Irene to the cultist Jane. Dead To Me is nonstop action. Anton Strout has a way with painting vivid pictures throughout the book and draws the reader deeper into the story. The irreverent description of the DEA almost is reminiscent of all the bureaucratic red tape stories that are told of working with a government agencies. I loved this book and am glad that I listened to all of the people who recommended it as a great read. If you have not picked this book up yet, I highly recommend that you do. I know I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Deader Still, which is due out at the end of February 2009. If you cannot wait until February, then pick up The Dimension Next Door, which contains a short work by Anton Strout. Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Virginia

A great debut -- wickedly weird and fun -- highly recommended

I loved this book. It's completely quirky and funny and suspenseful... I mean, how could you not love a debonair divination-having, ghost-seducing, cultist-abusing detective? It's like Law and Order, but with hot ghosts and rampaging bookcases. I glanced over some of the other reviews... One calls this book a rip off of Men in Black, which is crazy. I found Dead to Me totally fresh and inspired. I can't wait for the sequel!

Magically Delicious

I really enjoyed this book. Urban magic, tormented souls, good vs.evil. It's got what I like and personally...I've often suspected that zombies would love hot dogs.

Fun, Funny and Witty

Dead to Me by Anton Strout... his first entry into the fabtastic world of urban fantasy. It's a fun read full of quick wit and pithy quips. I couldn't put it down, though I didn't thoroughly get into the book til the third chapter. I love the characters, especially Simon whose sarcasm and dry humor keep me chuckling and the story rolling. My favorite was the climax which mixes both action, humor and the unexpected. Anton has taken the Ghostbusters, Men in Black and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, tossed them in a blender, added a few fish and created a great book. He has some new twists on old ideas, new things and it has the best use of Lifesavers and fish ever in a book. I expect to see great things coming from Anton in the future!!

Fantastic Urban Fantasy Debut

Simon Canderous has the gift of psychometry - when he touches an object he can view its history. But this isn't necessarily a gift when it comes to information he doesn't want to know, especially when it comes to the women he dates. Recently recruited to the DEA (District of Extraordinary Affairs), Simon uses his gift to help others. His latest case involves a woman who doesn't know she's dead. As Simon begins to uncover the reasons behind her death, he soon finds himself in escalating, dangerous situations. Dead To Me has all the fun and mystery of the Dresden Files with great secondary characters as well. Paranormal creatures and danger, infused with comedic relief, made this debut stand out from among the rest. Simon is a wonderful character that I look forward to seeing more of and how he develops. The women in his life are just as complex, and only add to Simon's difficult life. From bookstacks that attack to cultists who are into inhaling ghosts for a high, this exciting urban fantasy has tremendous potential. With plenty of suspense and humor, I highly recommend this debut to any fantasy fan.