Dead to Me

Simon Canderous, Book 1

By: Anton Strout

Narrated by: David DeVries

A new urban fantasy featuring a man working on the right side of the law - with talents that come from left field.

Psychometry - the power to touch an object and divine information about its history - has meant a life of petty crime for Simon Canderous, but now he's gone over to the good side. At New York's underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, he's learning about red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it's not the paperwork that has him breathless.

After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the ghost of a beautiful woman - who doesn't know she's dead - he and his mentor plan to find her killers. But Simon's not prepared for the nefarious plot that unfolds before him, involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.

Investigate more extraordinary affairs with Simon Canderous.©2008 Anton Strout (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Fun - worth the credit

Dead to me is based on a different supernatural ability – psychometry, the ability to see the history of an object when it is touched. This was refreshing. I am an urban fantasy enthusiast and it was a great change from vampires, zombies, fairies, werewolves, and sirens.

In urban fantasy there is always a governmental paranormal agency that is diligently at work – with little funding- saving us normal humans from the perilous of the supernatural.

Simon Canderous is the compromised hero out to redeem and find value in his life. He is sensitive, a loner and lonely. Because of his gift (psychometry) and occupation (paranormal agent) having a relationship with women is impossible.

So we have a guy who wants a girl and is working at a government agency. You know what is going to happen right? There is a nefarious group which must be stopped. Simon, who is still in training (being a newbie makes a better comedy), is thrust into a situation where the machinations of the political leaders and “evil” hamper him in doing the right thing.

There are enough of the supernatural characters (discounting the usual, vampires, zombies, fairies, werewolves, and sirens).double agents and damsels in distressed to make it an enjoyable book. There is also a sequel, which I am enjoying right now.

Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs

The main character Simon is a type of psychic cop who can touch things and get a reading. He is the usual downtrodden hero who helps others and often gets kicked in the butt for his efforts. The humor and dialogue in this book are engaging. Also the backdrop is NYC so their are plenty of crazy characters, zombies, demons, vampires etc. It is fun to see them in a present day situation. Another great thing is the continuous digs on politics and bureaucracy. During fights to the death there is banter going on. This is a fun series and the characters will remind you of people you know.

Shockingly Good

What made the experience of listening to Dead to Me the most enjoyable?

I had a hard time getting into David DeVries' voice. He reminded me of a Simpson's character voice, but getting past that the book was very good. I enjoyed it alot.

What other book might you compare Dead to Me to and why?

The Harry Dresden series. The world setting reminds me of Dresden and the way that butcher told the story seemed to be linked in my mind.

What about David DeVries’s performance did you like?

I was not to happy with his voice.

Urban fantasy gumshoe

It’s formula urban fantasy, right down to the Sam Spade-ish white guy checking out ladies’ gams, the damsel femme fetale, and someone quoting Casablanca. The psychometric magic is a ‘touch’ different and Iike that he’s got a partner/mentor.

It’s also a bit dry and I found myself liking his partner more than Simon himself. But, for a matinee listen, the formula was good enough. I appreciate that this stuck to TV level innuendo and skipped the cussing.

MOST ENJOYABLE BOOK. WELL WRITTEN AND WELL PERFORMED.

I bought this series some time back and I loved it. Now I am listening to them again and I am enjoying the whole series more and more. Simon Canderous's character was very well performed by David Devries. Simon sounded like I would expect all from a enthusiastic young man. Full of zest and ambition to help people in need. His love life, though was a bit touchy at times but he did quite well. I love this series and I hope Anton STROUT will come up with books of this genre.