What Grows from the Dead

By: Dave Dobson

Narrated by: Tim Alexander

Morris Drummond is not at his best. Well, he hasn't been at his best for a while now. But having just suffered two crushing losses, he's almost at rock bottom, which for him means driving ride-share in his mom's beat up Chevy, drowning his sorrows in tacos and spray cheese, and avoiding anything related to ambition, self-care, or laundry.

Morris is about to learn that he didn't even know what rock bottom looked like, and it's all thanks to his mom. A secret she left behind comes to light, and that brings down a lot of unwanted attention on Morris, the kind that looks likely to send him either to prison or to the hereafter. Blood and treachery from long ago rise to the surface, and Morris has only his lawyer Annie, who's an old high school friend, and a few unexpected allies to call on as he tries to figure out what his mom was up to and why so many people want him out of the picture.

A humorous mystery with elements of suspense and thrillers, What Grows from the Dead is set in present-day small-town North Carolina, not far from the mysterious Uwharrie Forest.

Content warnings: Coarse language throughout; some gun violence (not graphic).

©2024 Dave Dobson (P)2025 Dave Dobson

Excellent story and narration

I enjoyed this crime fiction story very much, there was lots of action and twists throughout. Morris' character was well written and relatable. I also enjoyed his daughter Mindy and his attorney was a hero in disguise. There was several lighthearted moments which made me chuckle keeping the story entertaining amongst the police corruption.

I received a free copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Laugh-Out-Loud Mystery

What a great book. I listened to the audiobook version of What Grows From the Dead, and I was hooked from the start. Morris Drummond is one of those characters you can’t help but root for, even when his life is an absolute mess. Driving rideshare in his mom’s beat-up Chevy, surviving on tacos and spray cheese, and actively avoiding adulthood… he feels painfully real and incredibly relatable.

Things take a sharp turn when a secret his mother left behind comes to light, and suddenly Morris realizes he didn’t actually know what “rock bottom” looked like. The story quickly ramps up with danger, old grudges, and people who very much want Morris gone. The mystery kept me guessing, the suspense was solid, and there’s just enough romance and paranormal flavor (Steve!) to keep things interesting without overpowering the plot.

I have to give special praise to the narrator, Tim Alexander. His delivery was fantastic and genuinely made me laugh out loud in several spots. I honestly think some of the humor landed so well because of how perfectly he voiced Morris and the supporting cast.

This book had everything, mystery, violence, humor, heart, and a bit of the unexpected. Set in small-town North Carolina near the eerie Uwharrie Forest, it has a great atmosphere too. I’ve officially discovered a new author I really enjoy, and I’ll definitely be looking for more of his books. Highly recommend, especially in audio form.

A Fascinating & Fun Mystery Thriller

I was entertained by this story, and I thought it was great fun. I enjoyed the complex mystery. I felt for Morris Drummond who was struggling to deal with all the complications of his life. I liked Morris' relationship with his daughter and his quirky passenger. There were moments when I was very amused by the dialogue and events. I thought Tim Alexander's narration was great, and his performance was entertaining. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

What a fun!

This wasn't my first Dave Dobson book/audiobook. Another fun book. the story is intriguing and balanced by fun, wit, and light-hearted notes. In particular, I liked the fact that the everyday guy that gets caught up in the big event stays everyday and common in many ways and doesn't suddenly become some super-human. He has growth, but it felt more real.
The book was performed well. and the combination led to a fun listen. I started on a Tuesday and finished it on Friday - just to say I was compelled to listen to it to find out what happens next.