What? Christy read another book with a supernatural, paranormal twist? Of course she did.
I did.
“Grim Tidings” is the first book in the Aisling Grimlock Mystery series by Amanda M. Lee. It’s not the first story, including Grim Reapers, that I’ve read, either. I read “Grin Repears” which is still just a fascinating concept. I should write about that one next.
“Grim Tidings” is part of a series. I’ll probably read the next one because I really liked this one. There are nine in total. The premise is that there are grim reapers who look and live like regular humans, but obviously, they are part supernatural. They are told who is going to die and where to go to collect the soul. They then deliver the soul to the appropriate afterlife based. It’s all so interesting to me. How do I get in on this? I think I’d make a great soul collector. Well, now that I typed that and read it out loud, it does sound ominous. But it really isn’t in the book. It’s a job, it’s their family job.
The Characters
Aisling Grimlock didn’t want to join the family business. She tried other avenues, other careers and schooling, but nothing fit. Eventually, she goes to her Dad, and she says, alright, clearly this is my destiny; I’m meant to be a Grim Reaper like the rest of you. She has four brothers, one of which is her twin.
Aidan Grimlock is Aisling’s twin and they are very close. Aidan is openly gay and his family is super supportive of him. I totally love that. He’s a little cocky, but he’s also a really great brother. The dialog between Aisling and Aidan is so great, but not as great as her banter with Jerry.
Jerry is Aisling’s roommate and gay best friend. He and Aidan have a new thing blooming in Aisling, and she is trying to wrap her head around it. Jerry is the only full human who is an insider to the family. He knows all the details of who they are and what they do as grim reapers.
Detective Griffin Taylor, ah yes, the character who knows nothing about the family but sees them around dead bodies far too frequently. What could go wrong? Especially considering the very clear sexual tension between him and Aisling. I mean, what does he have to worry about? He’s a detective; who cares if she has four very protective older brothers, right?
The three other protective brothers are Cillian, Redmond and Braden. We don’t learn too much about these characters. I imagine that will happen in follow-up books. Her dad’s name is Cormack.
Below are two of my favorite quotes from the book. Both happen to be from Jerry.
“He makes me mad – and sad. I’m smad.”
Amanda M. Lee, Grim Tidings
“I asked myself if you were really a liar,” Jerry said. “I knew you weren’t. When I searched my heart, I knew you were telling the truth. So, I just believed what you said.” “I still don’t understand why,” I sniffed. “Neither do I,” Jerry admitted. “Bug, when I met you, I just knew you were my forever. Not my wife. Not my partner. Just my forever. When I believed what you were telling me – I mean, really believed – things fell into place.”
Amanda M. Lee, Grim Tidings
The Plot
We can deduce that a lot of the story revolves around collecting souls from those who have passed on. There’s a timing to this, you don’t want the soul to get away because then you’ll never find it and it. Grim Repears want their souls to go to the afterlife meant for them. That can mean a number of things depending on the life they lived and their faith. So each day members of the Grimlock family are given a list of names. The names are of people who will die that day and where they will be.
The plot thickens when Aisling stumbles upon a dead body that’s not on her list of souls to collect, indicating that someone has stolen the name from the list – a serious problem in the world of reapers. And who finds her and Aidan at this murder scene, none other than the hottie Detective Griffin Taylor. Instant sparks fly between Aisling and him. This is tricky since at first she and Aidan are taken into the precinct and questioned as murder suspects.
I don’t want to give it all away, I want you to read the book, obviously, but there is a lot of really great, witty banter the whole way through. Some definitely curve balls. Some moments when I wanted to throw my Kindle because WHAT AN ASS. And then you know, those endearing moments where aaaawww look what an awesome family they are.
Five out of five
I’m giving this one a 5 out of 5 because it kept me entertained when I was in my own head over many other things in life. It’s not a deep book my any means, but intriguing and again I really loved the banter between the characters. I love the idea of grim reapers not being some tall, dark and broody hooded cloaks, but rather people working a 9 to 5 as soul mail carriers.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy, quick read. I think the characters need a lot more development, but since this is book one of nine I can only imagine the author felt the same way.
The music
Shall we add some musical ambiance to the vibe of this stellar book? Sure!
Come on, baby (and she had no fear)
And she ran to him (then they started to fly)
They looked backward and said goodbye (she had become like they are)
She had taken his hand (she had become like they are)
Come on, baby (don’t fear the reaper)
