A Dirty Job

By: Christopher Moore

Narrated by: Fisher Stevens

Charlie Asher is a pretty normal guy. A little hapless, somewhat neurotic, sort of a hypochondriac. He's what's known as a Beta Male: the kind of fellow who makes his way through life by being careful and constant, you know, the one who's always there to pick up the pieces when the girl gets dumped by the bigger/taller/stronger Alpha Male.

But Charlie's been lucky. He owns a building in the heart of San Francisco, and runs a secondhand store with the help of a couple of loyal, if marginally insane, employees. He's married to a bright and pretty woman who actually loves him for his normalcy. And she, Rachel, is about to have their first child.

Yes, Charlie's doing okay for a Beta. That is, until the day his daughter, Sophie, is born. Just as Charlie, exhausted from the birth, turns to go home, he sees a strange man in mint-green golf wear at Rachel's hospital bedside, a man who claims that no one should be able to see him. But see him Charlie does, and from here on out, things get really weird.

People start dropping dead around him, giant ravens perch on his building, and it seems that everywhere he goes, a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Strange names start appearing on his nightstand notepad, and before he knows it, those people end up dead, too. Yup, it seems that Charlie Asher has been recruited for a new job, an unpleasant but utterly necessary one: Death. It's a dirty job. But hey, somebody's gotta do it.

©2006 Christopher Moore (P)2006 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

• 2006 Quill Award Nominee

"Moore's enthusiasm and skill make it convincing, and his affection for the cast of weirdos gives the book an unexpected poignancy." (Publishers Weekly)

Don't listen to this on an ipod in public!

Don't listen to this on an ipod in public because people are going to think you're a nut. They do that when you bust out laughing seemingly for no reason every couple of minutes. A little dignity please! (I wouldn't drink any milk either)

Loved it

This is a great book. Fischer Stevens narrates to a "T". Silly and strange, I some how cared about the characters. I never wanted it to end. One of my top 10 reads.

Funny, Funny, Funny

Any additional comments?

A little slow to start but worth the wait. It is a great listen.

A FUN AND ORIGINAL READ. Be ready to laugh.

If you like outrageous humor can endure a little gore, little respect for many of what most hold sacred, then be ready for a great listening ride while laugh works it magic. True you have to be able to laugh at yourself, political correctness, and for sure not take his worlds too seriously, and if so then Moore is your writer. He is truly and original writer who tackles sensitive subjects with definite wackiness and humor. And the reader makes the book a double pleasure, his voices are great not annoying as in many other books, and just double the laughs. This is a must listen and has left me wanting for more of both Moore and Fisher. What kind I say “Moore and Fisher…Like Bear”.

Absolutely Loved this Book

I was hesitant about spending a credit on this book, but the other reviews sold me. I couldn't be happier. A Dirty Job is a very fun listen, full of unexpected characters and plot turns. Well read, very engaging and very funny!

Great Character Development Naration A+

I typically do not like "fantasy" type books, but the writing and development of the characters in this book is a joy. Beyond that, Fisher Steven's narration of this book is quite frankly the best I have ever heard. He puts a different voice to each character and does a remarkable job.

Amazing book!

I love this book!
The theme and ideas are so amazingly unique!
Will get the sequal!

Great story, weird music

The book is great, the reading is great: what is that music?? Why do they let it continue to play as the narrator begins? Gross.

The author is not normal

I am so pleased Christopher Moore is slightly askew. Because he's not normal he writes the most entertaining books around. "A Dirty Job" is just the latest in what are some the most surprisingly unusual and funny books I've had the complete pleasure to read. Add to that a fabulous job by the narrator and this is just a delight. Don't expect normal, just enjoy.

Laugh out loud funny

Christopher Moore's wicked and twisted sense of humor is right up my alley. I have only read two other books by him (before this one) but now, I'm going to have to get them all!