What To Do When You Are Dead

by August Verona

When Jack Blane is murdered in his Colorado estate, he finds that his afterlife is full of new obstacles. He must traverse new realms and old ones in order to find out who was responsible for his death and why he was targeted. Through his adventures, Jack is able to find out just what he is capable of, and who he wants to be, the hero or the villain. This mystery/thriller explores what may lurk in the worlds beyond our own.

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2015

About the author

August Verona began writing stories at a young age. He lives in Roosevelt National Forest, is 31 years old and is an amateur astronomer.

Reviews

[Rick Bylina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book based on a friend's recommendation. I'm not sure what fringe fiction is, the author suggests that's what he writes, but I haven't seen a good definition for it. Nonetheless, "What To Do When You Are Dead" is a fantasy dealing with what you can do or should do after you die. It has, for me, a feel similar to the Robin Williams' movie "What Dreams May Come." The murder mystery aspect to the story isn't hard to figure out by about 33% of the way through the Kindle version, but that wasn't the author's main thrust, which I believe is a man finding his true inner strength and calling.

WTDWYAD is pulled together without the grammar or technical hiccups that plague self-published books. The story gives me pause. You can't argue about the nature of afterlife. No one has come back to give you their experience on NPR with any kind of evidence that would stand up to a Snopes investigation. That being said, the rules in the afterlife in the book seemed to shift situationally to help the protagonist accomplish his goals. That part bugs me. I liked that the protagonist wasn't perfect, and his flaws stayed with him to the bitter end. The author could and should have dug deeper into the philosophical aspects of death since he made up his rules and destinations for death.

The resolution to his murder is a downer for me I don't think that it worked as well as it could have, but won't reveal the downside so as not to deny a reader the benefit of the read. The story rambles in places, which is disconcerting considering the novella size of the book. And though the protagonist has to overcome many obstacles, when he needs a tool (object, power, person, or demon), he readily finds it. For me this is a high three, but for those interested in this genre of books, it is a low-end 4.

[Grecia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, it had a good pace, well narrated and the characters were kind of unique. I hated the betrayal and all the sad and suffering parts it had, but I loved that Jack turned out to be a great man even after dead. I disliked that there wasn't like closure within some relationships between characters, like with Jenny, the detectives, even with Katie. In my thinking there was still a chance to extend some of the story's sides. However it's definitely a cool book with some thrilling experiences.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A guy (Jack) is murdered and goes to purgatory to fight demons. When Jack Blane is murdered in his Colorado estate, he finds that his afterlife is full of new obstacles. He must traverse new realms and old ones in order to find out who was responsible for his death and why he was targeted. Through his adventures, Jack is able to find out just what he is capable of, and who he wants to be, the hero or the villain.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this book was a very interesting read for me, out of my "normal" realm of mysteries. Dealing with his own after death experience, the main character goes in search of his murderer as he can't be at peace until he does. This adventure takes him on a journey of demons, torture of the dead, etc.. Doesn't make sense, I know, but it's a pretty good read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique take on the afterlife. I actually enjoyed this, though normally I do not read stories like this. It was a quick and easy read and kept me captivated until I finished, though I figured out who killed Jack early on. Jealousy is an evil thing and causes all sorts of crimes in the world.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was able to make it through this book, but the plot rambled in places and drug the reader along in other places. It was very easy to see early on who the killer was going to be. I wasn't really sold on the entirety of the rest of the plot so the story didn't really flow for me.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

That's such a powerful read, I'm sorry I'm done with it already. Took me only 3 days to read this and I only read at night in my bed. Awesome story , I'm going to go find another like it.

[Maurean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had an interesting premise (murdered guy sets out to find his own killer while transversing the 'realms' of the afterlife), but I think the killer was too easily identified (for the reader), and I just wasn't very taken with the way the story played out.

[Coffeerequired · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish

Just not my type of book I guess. I got bored about 30% in and decided to give it up.

[Vicki Scullion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about a murder and the afterlife in which the victim finds himself. Strange story.

[Ann Marie McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

A different fantasy fiction that makes you think, on many levels. About justice, spirituality, human nature and the price of our decisions.

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose this is just not my genre.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars due to the betrayal aspect in the book, it made me very upset throughout the read, and somewhat regretful for starting the book in the first place.