WAKING UP DEAD by Nigel Williams

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WAKING UP DEAD

A Mystery

by Nigel Williams

• Number: 9781250092465
• Release: August 23, 2016
• Author: Nigel Williams
• Availability: Print-Book
• Genre: Suspense
• Tags: * SUSP: Mystery
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

Retired bank manager George Pearmain is, apparently, dead. According to the behavior of everyone around him, it would seem that he is no more. Not only that, but his mother has also passed away too - and on the eve of her 99th year, poor dear. Not only that, it could be that they were both murdered. He feels fine otherwise. As George's family gather for the birthday-celebration-that-never-was, he hovers around the house, watching and listening, entirely unseen. As a result, he makes all sorts of discoveries about himself, his wife Esmeralda, and his supposedly happy family . . . One of internationally bestselling author Nigel Williams' best books to date, Waking Up Dead is both a screamingly funny cozy mystery and startlingly strange ghost story asking the question: What would you do if you could bear witness to your own demise?


THE AUTHOR
Nigel Williams is the author of over sixteen novels -- including the best selling The Wimbledon Poisoner.  He wrote the Emmy and Golden Globe Award- winning Elizabeth I, staring Helen Mirren, and his stage plays are performed around the world.  He is also the host of the long running BBC Radio comedy show HR with Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas Le Prevost. He has living in the London borough of Putney for thirty years. 


 MY THOUGHTS
 If you love murder mysteries, than here's one for you   What makes it unique is it is told from the outlook of one of the victims.   On top of that, the victim ends up solving the mystery.   Now that is different.   In another way, the author makes this mystery different in that it is full of humor.   You'll find yourself laughing as you turn the pages.   Refreshing and on the lighter side.The author gives the reader George, retired and just doesn't care any more.   Life is dull and he just hasn't the inclination to even get out of bed but why is that?   The title of the book tells why.   He may be waking up dead, but he doesn't feel dead.  Is he dead, for real?  or does he just feel like he is?    This "being dead" let's George say and do whatever he feels but on the flip side, he can also hear what everyone else says.  George isn't surprised that he may be dead.   He hasn't exactly led a healthy life.   Then the author gives you another death.  George's mother is found dead, age 99, from a fractured skull.   The author gives us some very interesting characters being introduced at a family gathering.   Now these characters, some being a little in left field, egotistical, eccentric and some may even have murder on their minds.  I found the funniest character of all was the dog, who is dead.  Being dead he is the only one who can see George who is dead.  Now the author gives you much to think about.  You get to be the detective and you have to decide who was the murderer or murderers of George, George's dog, and several other characters.The author makes you laugh at some serious topics like smartphones, families that don't get along, police detectives and lots of the other everyday people and life's emotions.  The author leaves you with a serious ending to balance out the humor.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Nigel Williams and Night Owl Reviews and I voluntarily decided to review it.

I would give this book 3 STARS.