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Embrace the Grim Reaper Audiobook
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(3.05) - 263 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In the wake of a tragic accident, Casey Maldonado’s life is over. So she packs up, puts her house on the market, and leaves town, her only companion Death, who won’t take her but won’t leave her alone.
Casey stops in Clymer, a small town in upheaval. The town’s appliance factory and main employer, a company called HomeMaker, is planning to move to Mexico. Not only that, but the town has been rocked by the suicide of a beloved single mother. However, many citizens don’t believe the verdict of suicide at all.
Death encourages Casey to investigate, and she uncovers information that points to the factory. Did the victim truly have the means, as she claimed, to keep the factory from leaving town? Is it possible that her death was a cover-up?
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"I really liked this book. Casey feels like her life is over, she lost her husband and son in a car accident. She has a settlement from the car manufacturer, but has lost interest in everything, so she leaves town for destinations unknown, her only companion is Death. The author leaves enough unsaid and hinted at to lead me to believe this will be a series. I could really see it as a TV show."
— Karen (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Gilbert gives Casey just the right note of pluck despite her vulnerability. Death sounds haughty, and the dead woman’s boyfriend is thoughtful and comfortable. Minor players are voiced distinctly, and the story moves at a pleasant pace. Filled with quirky characters (including the sympathetic Casey) and small-town charm, this will be popular with the cozy crowd.”
— Booklist (audio review) -
“Clemens is adept at creating an appealing cast of characters while keeping the plot moving at a fast clip. Casey and Death make an oddly entertaining pair, and readers will hope to see their relationship fleshed out in future titles.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“An interesting premise and a vulnerable but strong protagonist are the highlights here, though the character of Death adds an unexpected dimension. Clemens, author of the Stella Crown series, could have another winner.”
— Booklist -
“Strong and self-reliant, but operating under a pronounced death wish, Casey attempts to find the truth behind the ‘suicide’ and reluctantly discovers she’s good at helping people. Clemens, author of the well-received Stella Crown series, explores intriguing new territory in this series debut, and adventurous mystery buffs may want to hitch a ride.”
— Library Journal
Embrace the Grim Reaper Listener Reviews
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" This is yet another book series that I have managed to read out of order. However I am very happy about it as I believe if I had started with embrace the Grim Reaper I would have never moved on to the second one. Embrace the Grim Reaper is a very interesting book has great characters and it absolutely hilarious take on death. However this book feels to me as though it was a warm-up there was a little too much time spent getting into the head of the main character is a little too much explanation going around. The mystery of the book seemed to never really form a connection to the main character the way it did in the second book and death didn't turn up nearly often enough "
— Ellen, 1/29/2014 -
" The cover and title would lead a reader to think this myster is closer to the horror genre, but in reality, it is closer to the "gentle reads" genre. The opening reveals that something troubling has clearly happened, but soon witty conversations with "Death" and small-town scenes take over featuring small-town theatre, bed and breakfasts, diners, and more. The ending was not particularly satisfactory, but the characters and overall writing were pleasing. No sex, swearing, and only implied violence. "
— Gloria, 1/29/2014 -
" I was hoping this book would be better. I think it has an interesting concept, but it did not deliver. If she writes a second book (I think she could create a series with this character), I will give it another try, but if it falls short, I won't put any more time into this author. "
— Erf, 1/23/2014 -
" Eh. I noticed the author was an award winner so I chose this book at the library. I felt like vital details about the main character's life were lacking and because of that, I did not feel a strong connection. And I really hate books that read like a movie. Which this one did near the end of the book. It was quite a realistic book until the end. Then it was just too melodramatic. And how "convenient" that her unhidden talents throughout the whole book show up at the end to save herself and others. Like I said, "Eh." "
— Nancy, 12/15/2013 -
" Loved the sense of humor of Death. OK, how twisted am I? Not quite the ending I envisioned...but then there wouldn't have been a sequel in my version. "
— Michael, 11/19/2013 -
" I picked this up since Death was listed as a companion to the main character, and they only had a few scenes together. He's not even fully described. Other than that, it's your typical 'drifter solves murder mystery" "
— Rebalioness, 11/19/2013 -
" Half way through. Excellent mystery. Lots of unanswered questions slowly being answered with wounded spunky talented heroine. "
— Edward, 11/12/2013 -
" Great series - was completely sucked into it and immediately bought the next book when I finished this one. "
— Heather, 8/30/2013 -
" I couldn't get into this book. The main character was completely uninteresting to me and their wasn't enough interaction from the grim reaper. Perhaps I'll try reading this book another time. "
— Colleen, 7/31/2013 -
" I really Liked this book. I wasn't sure what to expect and as a mystery it kept me wondering. "
— Julie, 6/21/2013 -
" Really good book, can't wait to read each one! "
— Marilyn, 6/7/2013 -
" Interesting story, not fabulous but different for sure. Not loving the ending, giving 2nd book a shot to see if it helps with that. "
— Jen, 12/7/2012 -
" Didn't know what to expect..but wound up enjoying it! "
— Linda, 10/4/2012 -
" More fun than grim, a female Matt Helm travels with a sardonic Death as her occasional companion. "
— Steven, 9/30/2012 -
" A very strong debut with a creative premise and an intriguing main character. The ending is somewhat rushed, but I like where Clemens is going with the series and she lays some interesting groundwork for future installments. "
— Jessica, 3/15/2012 -
" A quirky different sort of read - really liked it and will try the 2nd in the series "
— Jule, 3/13/2012 -
" I gave this 3.8 stars. It wasn't bad, but I think this is one that should be read in order and I don't guess I did. "
— Robbie, 11/25/2011 -
" I picked this up since Death was listed as a companion to the main character, and they only had a few scenes together. He's not even fully described. Other than that, it's your typical 'drifter solves murder mystery" "
— Rebalioness, 5/1/2011 -
" nice easy story to read, and it is a good story "
— Mel, 4/5/2011 -
" Really good book, can't wait to read each one! "
— Marilyn, 3/8/2011 -
" Good mystery, but the story of Death's interaction with the main character is what makes this series special. Hope there are more. "
— Alison, 11/5/2010 -
" Love the ambiguity of this novel: either the detective is suffering from a severe psychotic break with reality or this is a paranormal mystery. It reads fine either way. "
— Rosemary, 8/10/2010 -
" I love books that see Death as a person! I am so glad my partner found this book at the library and decided to borrow. I'm very excited to read the next in the series. "
— faelinwolf, 12/30/2009 -
" I enjoyed her seeing and talking to Death but wish the story had an ending. I'm not sure if I will read the next book in this series, maybe. "
— Linda, 12/13/2009 -
" I was hoping this book would be better. I think it has an interesting concept, but it did not deliver. If she writes a second book (I think she could create a series with this character), I will give it another try, but if it falls short, I won't put any more time into this author. "
— Erf, 12/1/2009 -
" Half way through. Excellent mystery. Lots of unanswered questions slowly being answered with wounded spunky talented heroine. "
— Edward, 8/19/2009 -
" More fun than grim, a female Matt Helm travels with a sardonic Death as her occasional companion. "
— Steven, 8/18/2009 -
" Surprised myself. I picked this up at the library .. I guess because I liked the cover and premise. <br/>It was a good read. I enjoyed my time with Casey. I will try other Judy Clemens books and look forward to another in this series. "
— Sheila, 8/16/2009
About Judy Clemens
Judy Clemens, author of the Grim Reaper mysteries and the Stella Crown mystery series, was born and raised a Mennonite and is still involved with the church. She lives in an old farmhouse with her family and their four housecats in rural Ohio, where she is pleased to see women in leadership in every aspect of the community.
About Tavia Gilbert
Tavia Gilbert is an acclaimed narrator of more than four hundred full-cast and multivoice audiobooks for virtually every publisher in the industry. Named the 2018 Voice of Choice by Booklist magazine, she is also winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. She has earned numerous Earphones Awards, a Voice Arts Award, and a Listen-Up Award. Audible.com has named her a Genre-Defining Narrator: Master of Memoir. In addition to voice acting, she is an accomplished producer, singer, and theater actor. She is also a producer, singer, photographer, and a writer, as well as the cofounder of a feminist publishing company, Animal Mineral.