Death and Relaxation

By: Devon Monk

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

An exciting new urban fantasy series by national best-selling author Devon Monk.

Monsters, gods, and mayhem....

Police Chief Delaney Reed can handle the Valkyries, werewolves, gill-men, and other paranormal creatures who call the small beach town of Ordinary, Oregon, their home. It’s the vacationing gods who keep her up at night.

With the famous rhubarb festival right around the corner, small-town tensions, tempers, and godly tantrums are at an all-time high. The last thing Delaney needs is her ex-boyfriend reappearing just when she's finally caught the attention of Ryder Bailey, the one man she should never love.

No, scratch that. The actual last thing she needs is a dead body washing ashore, especially since the dead body is a god.

Catching a murderer, wrestling a god power, and rescheduling the apocalypse? Just another day on the job in Ordinary. Falling in love with her childhood friend while trying to keep the secrets of her town secret? That’s going to take some work.

©2016 Devon Monk (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

heartfelt!

i have enjoyed all the books from the ordinary series. I read this book awhile ago then chose to buy it on audible. the narrator is great,perfect! she makes me believe she is Delany.Jean.Mia.carter....EVERYONE

Gods vacation as mortals in a small Oregon town.

In a small costal town, gods and other supernatural creatures are living as mortals (while blending in with an unknowing population) and are protected by a lady sheriff. The lady sheriff, Delaney Reed and her two sister are from the long line of Reeds, who have overseen the town called Ordinary for generations and control the comings and goings of all the non-mortal residents.

Things begin to unravel when an old flame returns to town and a murdered vampire is discovered with mystical glyphs, written in blood, all over the body. The hunt for the murdered begins and it is finally revealed that there is a plot for evil to take over the town. The story is resolved in the third and final book.

I enjoyed this mini-series. The story idea is original, the characters are interesting and the narrator does an excellent job. I enjoyed the series and will try other books by Devon Monk. HOWEVER, the narrator mispronounce the name of "Thanatos" EVERY SINGLE TIME. And Thanatos was a major character and mentioned often. Why didn't Ms Hvam check this out before recording? It wan't once, it wasn't twice . . . . . it was dozens of times. So very distracting. Only goes to show that there are no editors paying attention, or they aren't doing their job.

Death and Relaxation

This was a great book. I enjoyed the audio version I listened too very much. The narrator had me hanging on for more. I can't wait to see what happens next. I like Delaney and her sisters. I am curious to know about Ryder Bailey and how he plays into to the big picture of the town of Ordinary. But I am excited to read book two and have already purchased it.

Pretty good read..

Hmmm! I’m going to give this 3 stars because I neither liked nor disliked it. I liked the 3 sisters, Delaney, Jean and Myra. And it was certainly a different kind of story: Gods who went on vacation to Ordinary, Oregon but while they were there they had to give up their powers and become everyday working mortals. They can be killed and one of them, Heimdall, did just that. So, Delaney had to find the murderer AND find a mortal who was willing to take the place of that God and all his powers.

There was a lot of dialogue in this and several times I found myself laughing out loud. The conversations between the sisters were pretty funny sometimes. I will be reading the second book to see what happens in Ordinary.

There was a LOT of sexual thoughts on Delaney’s part but when it was time to do the dirty it was fade-to-black, and that really surprised me.

So, a lot of lust and not an ounce of sex and the F-bomb was used 1 time.

As to the narration: Khristine Hvam did a great job on the narration. On the voices and the emotions when she read.

Interesting story

Relatable and sometimes fun characters. I really enjoyed Death or Than. Delaney and her sisters were endearing in a fun, stubborn, sisterly way. With enough action, suspense, and small town fun to keep me glued to the story.

Fantastic world building

I enjoyed this book. The world building was excellent. The idea that gods of different parthenons all go to the same little town for a vacation without their powers is awesome. The gods themselves are well defined, well written and well performed. The mystery is good too. I got drawn in to who murdered Heim although I figured out who the god power needed to go to. My only complaint is the single sex scene. It was well written. I just didn’t feel like it was necessary. It didn’t add to the tension between Delaney and Ryder. In fact, it dissipated all the feelings I had for them as a couple because they were so stupid afterwards. I’m not a prude and I’m don’t mind sex scenes when they further the plot. This one just seems stuck in so it could have a sex scene. Overall, though, the story is good and I enjoyed it.

A station full of Barney Fifes

Apparently, if there was a police station run by all women. All of them would have to be the female versions of Barney Fife. None of them would actually know how to do a piece of police work. Instead they would listen to random accusations made by every person. Then they would go harass others, even search a person's house. They would automatically make a suspect out of someone because of a beer competition. 😐

Another example, a vampire tells the Chief that there is something sinister about Ryder because he goes out of town of the weekend... oh my! How suspicious that is!!! Guess what, she believes him. 🤦🏽‍♀️ She is definitely not an Andy Griffith. The old lady from Murder She Wrote was better than her.

I like the idea around the town of Ordinary, but the plot for this book lackluster. A beer competition. Really? That should have been the side story. And worse of all, the main character is sharp as a bowling ball... aka DUMB!

Note: If your kids have a unique power only your family possesses, then maybe train them on all possible scenarios. Duh!

The concept around the town and creatures saves this for me.

Kristine Hvam does an excellent job as always.

enjoyed it!

This is a great beginning, and because of that I got the rest of them, too. I'm not disappointed. The story isn't a difficult read, more engaging and a well-built fantasy world. The narrator does a great job. If you like fantasy, this series is worth your time.

I am here for it

Great start to a series. Can’t wait for the next. Oh wait, I don’t have to lol.

YES!!!!!!!!!!

I was told to give this book a try & HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! I was blown away by how much I loved this story... I'm now super attached to these characters, the story & Ordinary!!!! Take a trip to this tiny coastal town, occupied by vacationing gods, vamps & other creatures! I on the 3rd book now & REALLY hope there are more coming!!!!!