Shaking up the spirits of Manhattan
The spirit populace of Manhattan doesn't appreciate its well-deserved RIP being disturbed, and ... read full description
The spirit populace of Manhattan doesn't appreciate its well-deserved RIP being disturbed, and ... read full description
reviews
Apr 28, 2010
Caroline
rated it: 
Out of the three current Simon Canderous novels, I have to say this is the strongest and most entertaining. They're all solidly fun books, of course, but this one had the best balance of crazy shenanigans with interesting and serious themes involving humans co-existing with the supernatural.
The story picks up a few months after the events of the previous novel, when Connor is on extended vacation to follow leads to try and find his missing brother. Not only does Simon gets mixed up i More...
The story picks up a few months after the events of the previous novel, when Connor is on extended vacation to follow leads to try and find his missing brother. Not only does Simon gets mixed up i More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 22, 2011
Taraza
rated it:
This paranormal series has been called "Harry Dresden in a government job." Simon Canderous is employed by the Department of Extraordinary Affairs as a 'psychometrist' who can tell the history of this object by touching it. The initial scene shows Strout's humor.
...I'm facing the "the hardest decision of my life.
"Choose, Simon," my ex-cultist-turned-girlfriend Jane said in a stern tone.
"I..I can't."
"For God's sake" she said, gi More...
...I'm facing the "the hardest decision of my life.
"Choose, Simon," my ex-cultist-turned-girlfriend Jane said in a stern tone.
"I..I can't."
"For God's sake" she said, gi More...
Aug 17, 2010
Steven
rated it:
[Full disclosure: I know Mr. Strout.]
Dead Matter is Anton Strout's third book in the Simon Canderous series, and they simply keep getting better. This time, Simon must face an ancient, terrible threat... but without the support of the Department of Extraordinary Affairs.
The story is fast-paced and fun. The jokes feel natural, the humor a part of the character's everyday lives. The problems that Simon faces are organic to the plot - and he can't always count on his pow More...
Dead Matter is Anton Strout's third book in the Simon Canderous series, and they simply keep getting better. This time, Simon must face an ancient, terrible threat... but without the support of the Department of Extraordinary Affairs.
The story is fast-paced and fun. The jokes feel natural, the humor a part of the character's everyday lives. The problems that Simon faces are organic to the plot - and he can't always count on his pow More...
Apr 09, 2010
J.
rated it: 
I happened upon Simon rather accidentally. A huge fan of Jim Butcher, I was in between Dresden books when I decided to search out similar books. I found Anton Strout's first Simon book and instantly became a huge fan. Because of that, I couldn't wait to read Dead Matter, the third book in the Simon Canderous series by Anton Strout...and I wasn't disappointed.
This time, Simon, an agent with New York's super-secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, has had the training wheels removed. More...
This time, Simon, an agent with New York's super-secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, has had the training wheels removed. More...
Feb 19, 2010
Tiffany
rated it:
Anton Strout's books continue to get better me with each new release. Dead Matter, the third book in the Simon Canderous series is a fast paced and exciting urban fantasy read. While it is #3 in a series, I think it stands on its own just fine if you absolutely can't read books 1 and 2.
Simon Canderous is an agent with the Department of Extraordinary Affairs, a super secret branch of the government dealing with paranormal activities. The backstory of the agency gives the series a humo More...
Simon Canderous is an agent with the Department of Extraordinary Affairs, a super secret branch of the government dealing with paranormal activities. The backstory of the agency gives the series a humo More...
Mar 05, 2010
Joe
rated it:
Any Simon Canderous novel is always a fun read. The detective has a wonderful balance of snark, pop culture and hero to not only keep me interested, but keep me laughing. Not to mention he is like the Timex of Urban Fantasy – he takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Speaking from experience with the amount of head trauma the poor man has suffered, it is amazing he remembers his own name! Although he might just be using his psychometry to fill in the blank spots.
His main strengths are More...
His main strengths are More...
Apr 07, 2011
Cathy
rated it:
Another fun ride. Lots of funny pop culture references without being too kitchy (ok, maybe a tiny bit, Mr. Brandon Walsh, but I chuckled). Even though Simon and Jane sometimes seem painfully young to me, that's more about me than them and in fact reflect a bit of the realistm of their portrayal. And despite the sometimes silly nature of the story and the constant banter, there's always something going on that I relate to, whether dealing with their first serious relationship, work pressures, or
More...
Jan 26, 2011
Joshua
rated it:
I finished Dead Matter the other night and I have to say that Anton Strout is definitely improving as a writer as this series progresses. With the first book, I thought there were some "debut book/new writer" issues (of which I suffered from myself with my books). Mostly these were things like a little bouncing around and looseness in the plot and a few odd emotional reactions from the characters. Things like an extreme mood swing that wasn't properly motivated, etc. In the second
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 23, 2010
Alejandra
rated it:
After being surprised by some unknown creature while grocery shopping for Taco Night with Jane, Simon realizes there is something fishy going up in town [again.:] And with Connor having certain visions at night and being in such a deplorable state, Simon begins to worry. Thinking that his partner is loosing his marbles, he decides to go and do some researching [and spying:] on his own. From that moment on, action ensues and all sorts of surprises come to light. What happened to Connor and his br
More...
Feb 19, 2010
Wicked Lil Pixie (Natasha)
rated it:
When an outbreak of ghost sightings happen in NYC, Simon is left to deal with it on his own because Connor has taken all his vacation time and disappeared. Simon finally catches up with Connor and realizes he’s close to loosing his sanity due to nightmares plaguing him. On top of the ghosts, there have been sightings of a new type of monster, one that almost threatens Jane & Simon’s Taco Night. Well, they come across this monster while grocery shopping for Taco Night. In the third installment of
More...
Jan 26, 2012
Mirjam
rated it:
While helping his mentor Simon discovers a secret that challenges everything he thought he knew. Now it’s up to him to save the day and hopefully the future in Anton Strout’s Dead Matter…
With Simon’s mentor Connor on an extended holiday, Simon is forced to handle a double workload just when there are ghost and weird monsters sightings all over town. When Simon finally finds a moment to look in on Connor he finds him plagued by nightmares and frantically searching for clues regarding h More...
With Simon’s mentor Connor on an extended holiday, Simon is forced to handle a double workload just when there are ghost and weird monsters sightings all over town. When Simon finally finds a moment to look in on Connor he finds him plagued by nightmares and frantically searching for clues regarding h More...
Sep 24, 2011
Cheryl
rated it:
Deader Still by Anton Strout is the third book in the Simon Canderous series. Based in New York City, the series revolves around reformed thief Simon, trying to use his power of psychometry (the ability to learn about an object's past via touch) for good by joining the Department of Extraordinary Affairs. The DEA has been set up to protect NY citizens from the supernatural, and to hide the supernatural from ordinary beings. Simon finds his power a mixed blessing, as touching objects and people o
More...
Feb 12, 2010
Heather
rated it: 
This would have been a fabulous book if the author had not overloaded it with nonsensical claptrap like naming a paranormal investigation department "The Department of Things That Go Bump In The Night," and giving his British Department head a ridiculously ethnic name like "Argyle." And can someone explain to me why Simon's girlfriend Jane, who can communicate with technology, suddenly can't "handle" a card reader that's blocking their entrance into a building?? S
More...
Apr 10, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
Has it been that long since I updated my books? Oops!
Simon Canderous seems to have a handle on his psychometry (the ability to read the history of an object through touch) but then a fancy new mall electronically eats his girlfriend. The attack was an effort to keep hidden a centuries old secret. The bad news is the Simon doesn't like secrets, especially ones that suck Jane into their electrodes. Things get a lot more complicated when Simon's mentor is slowly going crazy, thinkin More...
Simon Canderous seems to have a handle on his psychometry (the ability to read the history of an object through touch) but then a fancy new mall electronically eats his girlfriend. The attack was an effort to keep hidden a centuries old secret. The bad news is the Simon doesn't like secrets, especially ones that suck Jane into their electrodes. Things get a lot more complicated when Simon's mentor is slowly going crazy, thinkin More...
Oct 04, 2011
James
rated it: 
This series is definitely improving and becoming... mature as a series. In the previous books review I slated parts of it for being too immature, and whilst there are still facets of immaturity within this, there is a definite step towards a serious series.
The plot was fun and non stop from the start. The characters were well developed and the pace exhilarating; so much so that despite the fact that I have an exam tomorrow I spent most of the day reading this rather than revising for a More...
The plot was fun and non stop from the start. The characters were well developed and the pace exhilarating; so much so that despite the fact that I have an exam tomorrow I spent most of the day reading this rather than revising for a More...
Jun 09, 2010
Kalyn
rated it:
This is the third book in the series following Simon Canderous, psychometrist and investigator for NYC's Dept of Extraordinary Affairs. The writing is stronger and the pace less frenetic than previous installments but it's still a light, quick read.
This time Simon, Connor, and Jane have to deal with vampires who have been living in a specially-created haven in the middle of NYC. Now it's up to the team of 3 to hold back a vampire-hating Exchancellor and a human-hating vampire fro More...
This time Simon, Connor, and Jane have to deal with vampires who have been living in a specially-created haven in the middle of NYC. Now it's up to the team of 3 to hold back a vampire-hating Exchancellor and a human-hating vampire fro More...
Oct 29, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
As enjoyable as the second book in the series. Strout's writing is sometimes distracting, but I'll most likely get the fourth book when it's available.
Mar 08, 2010
Marilynn
rated it:
Anton can write well. He can even make Vampires seem friendly from time to time.
Sep 29, 2011
Paula
rated it:
I'm realling enjoying this series, with Simon Canderous being a not so macho crime fighter. It is funny without being a try hard and in this installment there were vampires. Creepy ones, ones that are supposedly friendly and they all look to Simon as their saviour. A lot of fun and I have the next one ready to go as well so straight on with that. Yippee!!
Mar 05, 2010
aaron
rated it:
this is the third book in the simon canderous series by anton strout and the action just keeps continuing at the torrid pace he set with the first two novels. simon and his group come up again the possibility that vampires may not be in hiding, but rather just biding their time. simon's partner continues his search for his missing brother while simon's girlfriend goes missing. all the while they come against a group of vampires that have been living under their noses for years. all in all an
More...
May 06, 2010
Lori
rated it:
A solid third book in the series... good on its own, and also took the series forward in a meaningful way.
Apr 07, 2010
Kathryn
rated it:
Fast paced. I like the characters.
But......spoiler alert
I mean it this may spoil part of the story for you.
Come on, getting sucked into a kiosk computer? That is so lame.
But......spoiler alert
I mean it this may spoil part of the story for you.
Come on, getting sucked into a kiosk computer? That is so lame.
May 14, 2010
Kim
rated it:
More sly nods, more adventure,and more backgroud. Jim Butcher look out, here comes a Dreseden contender!
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 09, 2012
Feb 06, 2012
