Dead Vengeance

ExorSquad

by W.H. Lockwood

Haunting #389: Gravely Stables.

Number of ghosts: Catastrophic.

Location: The picturesque English village of Big Spanking cum Bottomly-on-the-Wold.

History: Converted 1600s stables. No confirmed deaths. Current owner ‘has no idea what’s causing any of this but it’s definitely not him.’

Wanted: ‘Just please get someone over here before everyone in this village dies horribly.’

The ExorSquad Team: New recruit, Liam Locke, first day on the job. (Company note: try to find someone - anyone - to go with him. Whoever’s still alive will do.)

The Complication: Archer Gravely. Too-hot-for-words antiques dealer who keeps distracting Liam on the job. Not that Liam seems to know much about ghosts. While, weirdly, Archer seems to know rather a lot…

Liam Locke

A chronically unemployed high school dropout, living with my overprotective mum at the age of 25, I didn’t think things could get much worse.

Not until I got a job with The ExorSquad. The hours are bad, the boss is weird, and the work itself… Well, let’s just say I might make a better ‘Spirit Extraction Expert’ if I actually believed in ghosts. But this is the first job opportunity I’ve been given in years, and I’m determined to not mess it up.

So what if it’s nothing more than soothing paranoid people with overactive imaginations? That’s important work! And, as an added bonus, my first client is actually super hot.

Shame he’s also, clearly, stark raving mad.

Oh well. What’s the worst that could happen?

Archer Gravely

Everything is massively, catastrophically, irrevocably screwed. I cannot overstate how screwed we all are. This is a disaster from start to end and back again.

So yes, maybe I’m a necromancer, and yes, maybe I slightly, kind of, very much opened a gateway for spirits to enter my home/this astral plane. But I did NOT give permission for whatever that THING is to cross over. Or to bring with it whatever THAT is.

But it’s okay. Help is at hand. I’ve called The ExorSquad, and they’re going to put these spirits back in their bottle. Or so they say.

The problem is, one of these guys looks incredibly dodgy. And the other? Very cute, very sweet, and very, very naive. So despite the catastrophe that awaits, I can’t help but keep an eye on him, while also trying to hold this evil at bay, while also trying not to let on to either of them that this is all my fault.

Because if they find out, and if I go out of business, the consequences could be worse than even The Exorsquad could imagine.

The ExorSquad Series is a collection of standalone MM romcoms centred around the unfortunate employees of ExorSquad Ltd, the UK's shadiest ghost-busting operation. Expect supernatural shenanigans, things that go bump in the night, sizzling encounters, and hard-won happy-ever-afters.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Horror, Suspense

582 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 10, 2026

About the author

Author of the Endymion College series, W. H. Lockwood writes gothic romance, MM action-romance, historical fiction, dark academia and cosy horror.

Raised on a diet of teen horror books and Pepsi, only willing to leave her den to attend chess club at public school, W.H. Lockwood started writing at a young age and has kept this passion throughout her life.

Always a voracious reader, she obtained an undergraduate degree in literary studies from a gorgeous sandstone university, following that with a masters in publishing and editing, then a masters in astronomy, thus uniting her two great loves of the arts and science, leaving her utterly unqualified to cope with the real world.

These days, W.H. Lockwood can often be found aimlessly wandering the coffee shops and bookstores of the beautiful city she calls home.

Reviews

[Jine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was a big boy in more ways than one!! So first off I’m thinking you don’t sign up for a job with the exorsquad because they be losing people left and right LOL this story is about Liam who’s down on his luck and needs a job desperately so he signs up for the squad! His first job is well the location is hilarious “At sixty-nine Cockshoot Grove, Big Spanking cum Bottomly-on-the-Wold.” And it’s for Archer Gravely who’s a necromancer but they don’t know it yet! Seems like archer has got himself into a bit of trouble with a giant big daddy meanie whos letting alllll kinds of ghosts into his house! So Liam is working with a d-bag named Raul who thinks he knows everything basically and whips out a gun to shoot one of the ghosts well Simon one of the house ghosts has ptsd with guns and ends Raul naturally Liam freaks out and archer puts him in a room and when he comes out Raul is fine! Necromancy at its finest!
This book has so many funny and sweet moments first off we have a crow who’s kind of Archers familiar named Edgar well Edgar Allen crow LOL
Their connection is instant and intense and they both have an attraction
Even though Raul quit they send Liam back with a new recruit Fabian who has his own set of problems but his connection to Simon and what he does to be with Simon LOL the poor boy!
So Liam’s brother has been missing 5 years and the cops have no leads! When in the house the spirit keeps showing Liam bits and pieces of what happened to his brother but they don’t know if it’s real or not! Not until Liam is brave and goes up to the attic and fully sees what happened to his brother and the cops knew all along and let his mother suffer!
I love that when Liam wanted to go head long into the police station to confront the detective archer was by his side! I love how archer threatened the cop after Liam left and got all the information! Of course archer had a big scary plan that would maybe result in him dying! But he wanted to do this for Liam because he felt such an intense connection too him their spicy times were so intense and they couldn’t figure out why! They felt things so fast and didn’t know why!
Simon tries to talk archer out of bringing back Liam’s brother because it could truly kill him but he’s locked in he’s going to do it! Normally Edgar brings him little animals enough to bring someone back but this is someone who was dead for 5 years! Simon’s Fabian sweet sweet Fabian! He knew archer needed a big energy shift for this and sacrificed himself because he knew he wanted to be with Simon forever!! As archer was getting Jem back it was hard very hard but he did it just as the idiot cop showed up and shot archer!! Liam was freaking out but Jem it turns out was connected to the big spirit! They were sort of boyfriends so he “fixed” Liam! Turns out he’s a necromancer too!! All he needs is his big energy so they turn to the dirtbag cop! I love how the spirits took him apart and Edgar got his eyeball!!! Liam got working and was able to resurrect archer! Thank god!
One thing that was so sweet was Edgar and Liam! He instantly liked Liam and kept bringing him presents and one was the cops eyeball!!
I loved their relationship so much it was fast instant connection
Their spicy times were magical because they both were necromancers but they didn’t know that!
The first time in the car 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The time in archers office! Which his brother was sorta watching LOL 🔥🔥🔥🔥
The Christmas versatility was my absolute favourite!!!
Some favourite quotes and spots
Chapter 6/7 titles
Well fuck it gets worse LOL
When Simon was possessing Raul’s body and did a little wave I lost it LOL
Edgar Allen Crow
Sweetness “Tell me what you’re seeing, honey.”
“Can I touch your bird?” Deceased! LOL

Not to mention the apron. Did I mention the apron? And damn it, now all I can see is Archer in that apron and nothing else. Reaching beneath it… undoing the string… Jesus, fuck, fucking job I need to do…

“If you’re the one helping someone. Or lots of someones, in your case. And there’s no one else to help you.”

“Welcome to Dead Vengeance.” “What the fuck is Dead Vengeance?”

“You’re the first person I’ve ever told about this. My business. What I do. And for the last… I don’t know, for a really long time… you’re the only person I’ve told about my ability. What I see.”

“Because for the first time in… ever, you just… you were okay with the weirdness. With my weirdness. My weird life and my weird raven. And because my ghosts all really like you.”

“For what it’s worth, I don’t see you that way at all. Whenever I picture you, you’re wearing that apron.”

“What can I do to make you forgive me?” Sirrrrr the moments after that!!!

“Yes, Mr Gravely.” That hits a certain spot with archer LOL

Being fucked on a necromancer’s pentagram was not on my bingo card for literally ever, but this feels like winning every lottery in the world all at once. Is that weird? Is this a new kink? Satanic sex?

Pleasuring him is… pleasuring me.

“Would you be my boyfriend?” The instant smile could light up half the planet. “Yes!” he cries. “Yes! Yes, I’ll be your boyfriend. Yes!”

“Smart and hot,” he observes, and I totally don’t melt. I’m fine. Not at all begging him with my eyes to bend me over his desk. He does not bend me over his desk. Sadly.

“I’m a necromancer, not a godromancer!”

We’re going to work through this problem like…” I blush over the words, but I force them out anyway. “Like boyfriends. And we’re going to… to have breakfasts. Those nice breakfasts you make. And maybe that picnic in spring. And one of these days, Archer, I’d really love to wake up in bed next to you.

“This—you and me—feels like fate.”

“Do you think we’re under some spell? Is that why you feel this way?” “No. No, not at all.” “What if it snaps? And you wake up one morning after he gets his mirror back, and you think, what the fuck am I doing in bed with this guy?”

“You’ve always been my type. Ever since I had one.” “Oh yeah? Ill-prepared and poorly employed?” “Sweet. All the way through. To the very core. Sweet and kind and determined. And I think, whether Tezcatlipoca had a hand in this or not, once we fix this problem, we’re going to be very happy together

“You’ve got me in your corner now. And if there’s one thing I’m very good at, it’s dead vengeance.”

“Every day, honey. You and me. I don’t ever want to go a day without seeing you.”

Archer. My beautiful Archer. The one who completes me, when I hadn’t even realised how much of me was missing.

“Look ’ere! ’e ’eard ya, ’e did,” another shouts. “What?” “’e’s another one of them whatchamacallits,” says a third. Then he claps his hands together. “Necromancer!”

My brother—my real, flesh and blood, living brother—slams a foot down onto his stomach. Simon and Fabian take their places either side of Marsden, and “Kraa!” screams Edgar. With that, he swoops down onto Marsden’s face and dips his beak into his eye socket.

Why their spicy times felt so different!

“The point is,” Jem carries on, forcefully casual, “you wanted to know why that was… um… special. That’s why. Double necromancer stuff.”

Liam’s new job with archer LOL

Vice Presidential Chief Executive Fuckboy?” He smiles against my lips. “I don’t know. Do you take good dicktation?” “I thought I proved myself during the training module…” “Good point. You’re hired.”

“You know, I hear beds are a whole thing.”

Maybe it is all down to a bit of meddling from an ancient Aztec god. Or maybe this is just the kind of magic that comes of two necromancers meeting and falling in love. If it is, that’s even better.

[Stepphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story by W.H. Lockwood so much! Liam and Archer’s adventures had me laughing at their ridiculousness, blushing at their cuteness, sweating at their spiciness, and horrified by what they had to go through. This was an excellent second instalment of the ExorSquad series!

Liam Locke is a broken man. Since the disappearance of his brother, Jem, 5 years ago, he has had to pick up the pieces of his mother’s life, as well as his own. Broke and unable to hold down a steady job, his luck begins to change when a flier with a job advertisement for ExorSquad lands in front of him. At his wit’s end, he applies for the job, not really thinking he will get it. But he does! And he quickly gets sent on his first job at Gravely Stables.
Liam is a little ray of adorable sunshine. He’s had a lot happen to him in his 25 years, but he doesn’t let it show. He’s insecure and has a low opinion of himself but will go out of his way to help those he likes. He likes to believe the best in people, even when they’re obviously shady AF (looking at you, Gerald)

Archer Gravely is a necromancer, so he should be able to deal with all of the hauntings that have been plaguing him lately, but something dark has taken up residence in his attic. He reaches out to ExorSquad for help, and they send him their “best” spirit extraction specialists. But their best happen to be a self-absorbed asshat named Raul, the most attractive man in the world, Liam, and then the hapless idiot that is Fabian. Dealing with ExorSquad is the most challenging, yet rewarding, time in Archer’s life and career. Who would have thought he’d be forced to resurrect so many people in such quick succession?
Archer is another little ray of sunshine; even though his profession can be quite dark, he doesn’t let it get him down. He’s very protective of Liam and will do whatever it takes to make him happy and keep him safe, even if it means sacrificing his own life for him.

I loved the relationship between Liam and Archer so much. Their connection is immediate and strong; the only thing keeping them apart? Lack of communication and the secrets they are both hiding from each other. But as soon as they get those out of the way, they are FIRE!
I loved the host of side characters; I enjoyed Simon and Fabian, and Helena and Edgar, learning their history and then seeing how they all worked together to find out what was happening in Archer’s attic, and what actually happened to Jem. The story was so enthralling, I just couldn’t get enough of it!

The Big Bad of the story is not who you would expect it to be, and I LOVED the twist that W.H. Lockwood spun at the end. She is a Master Storyteller, and this was One Hell of a book!
Edit Review

[Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2, Dead Vengeance, part of the ExorSquad Series, was a ride and I didn't know where it was going. I laughed, cackled, started to tear up a little, and found myself going no, no that isn't a thing...oooh, oh it is and he is persistent.

I had so many unhinged notes through out this book. Liam venturing off to his first job, that address, gah 😄. Archer meeting Liam, adorable but also so gruesome, but it works for this duo. Who and what is Gerald up to? Pentagram, you saw what? I wish I could chat with Ravens. Like I said, lots going on, it was a fast paced, packed read of mystery, delight, and two adorable idiots.

I couldn't imagine spending my day surrounded by ghosts, managing all their personalities and expectations. But that is what Archer has been doing, isolating, but its the only thing he knows. Then enter Liam, Archer's normally structured life changes. He was dressed so classy, put together but introduce a gorgeous man in coveralls, blah blah what was I saying. Perfect. Archer's bumbling and stammering was so endearing. Liam had similar issues, with communicating. Liam's stems from thinking he wasn't enough, damaged. He has been living a life paused for the past 5 years. Both these men, really aren't living.

Following these two character arcs, as they grew to trust each other, discover their world, love each other, well it was done so well. They had hurdles, self imposed and from outside sources. Liam came into his own and knew what he wanted, Archer in his apron 🥵. And Archer realized he could have it all 🥰.

Enter the side characters and their quests for love. Epic. What would you do to be with your soul mate? Even a God can't resist a gorgeous face. Simon and Fabian, I mean they had me in stitches while simultaneously saying eew no, ahhhh he's his lobster. Helena just wanted to help, girls just want to have fun. There was a chatty raven, Edgar 👁. He had no problem telling Archer what he thought.

I loved the lore, and research Lockwood put into this book. I don't like spoilers, so all I will say is I wasn't expecting the story to go the way it did at all. I loved it and now I want to read more about a certain character named Tez.

Also the imagery, there were some gruesome scenes and my mind reveled in it. The description of Archer's home, wallpaper 👌. I could see the cemetery scene playing out as a movie in my mind's eye.

And you know your limits, so read the author's content warnings
Thank you WH Lockwood for this ARC. I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this is amazing read that i enjoyed reading. This is a fun fast paced read that is dark and funny. i was pulled in to tis amazing story and read in one sitting as it had me hooked.

Haunting #389: Gravely Stables.

Number of ghosts: Catastrophic.

Location: The picturesque English village of Big Spanking cum Bottomly-on-the-Wold.

History: Converted 1600s stables. No confirmed deaths. Current owner ‘has no idea what’s causing any of this but it’s definitely not him.’

Wanted: ‘Just please get someone over here before everyone in this village dies horribly.’

The ExorSquad Team: New recruit, Liam Locke, first day on the job. (Company note: try to find someone - anyone - to go with him. Whoever’s still alive will do.)

The Complication: Archer Gravely. Too-hot-for-words antiques dealer who keeps distracting Liam on the job. Not that Liam seems to know much about ghosts. While, weirdly, Archer seems to know rather a lot…

Liam Locke

A chronically unemployed high school dropout, living with my overprotective mum at the age of 25, I didn’t think things could get much worse.

Not until I got a job with The ExorSquad. The hours are bad, the boss is weird, and the work itself… Well, let’s just say I might make a better ‘Spirit Extraction Expert’ if I actually believed in ghosts. But this is the first job opportunity I’ve been given in years, and I’m determined to not mess it up.

So what if it’s nothing more than soothing paranoid people with overactive imaginations? That’s important work! And, as an added bonus, my first client is actually super hot.

Oh well. What’s the worst that could happen?

Archer Gravely

The problem is, one of these guys looks incredibly dodgy. And the other? Very cute, very sweet, and very, very naive. So despite the catastrophe that awaits, I can’t help but keep an eye on him, while also trying to hold this evil at bay, while also trying not to let on to either of them that this is all my fault.

Because if they find out, and if I go out of business, the consequences could be worse than even The Exorsquad could imagine.

The ExorSquad Series is a collection of standalone MM romcoms centred around the unfortunate employees of ExorSquad Ltd, the UK's shadiest ghost-busting operation. Expect supernatural shenanigans, things that go bump in the night, sizzling encounters, and hard-won happy-ever-afters.
Genres
M M Romance
Horror
Suspense

[Nikki Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, Dead Vengeance was EVERYTHING I wanted from a paranormal rom-com! 👻🖤

Meet Liam, broke, grieving and struggling to support his mum while still carrying the pain of his brother Jem’s disappearance five years earlier. When he stumbles across an ad for a ghost-hunting job, he somehow gets hired despite having absolutely zero experience—and, perhaps more importantly, not even believing in ghosts. 😂

His first client is Archer, an antiques dealer whose home is definitely haunted… but not by the usual kind of ghost. Archer is a necromancer, and something much darker has taken up residence in his house. When Liam’s first work partner is killed, he’s sent back with another partner, only for that partner to meet an equally bizarre fate—dying by his own hand to reunite with the lover he lost in another life.

And then there’s Archer and Liam. 👀 Their attraction is impossible to ignore, and while Liam sets out to help Archer with his supernatural problem, he ends up seeing something—or rather, someone—from his own past: Jem, his long-lost brother.

The two team up to uncover what really happened to Jem, and just when you think you have everything figured out, W.H. Lockwood throws in a twist I absolutely DID NOT see coming. Jem’s death was no accident—it was orchestrated by the very police officer who was supposed to investigate his disappearance, revealing a whole web of corruption and betrayal.

And then comes the BIGGEST twist of all… because that dark entity and Jem? They’re not exactly strangers. 😳 Somehow, this entire supernatural mess has been carefully orchestrated to bring everyone exactly where they need to be—with Archer and Liam falling in love and Jem finally finding his way back to his family.

Add in Edgar, the overly friendly raven who completely steals the show 🐦‍⬛, and you have a story that is hilarious, quirky, dark, chaotic and completely addictive.

I absolutely loved this one! The perfect mix of paranormal mayhem, romance, mystery, humour and just enough darkness to keep things interesting. Dead Vengeance had me laughing, gasping and desperately trying to figure out what the hell was going on—and I loved every second of it. 🖤

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love MM romance + ghosts + necromancers + dark entities + ridiculous humour + unexpected twists + a very entertaining raven, you absolutely need this series on your TBR! 👻🐦‍⬛🖤

ARC received for an honest review.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to WH Lockwood for letting me ARC read this masterpiece!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GOD. I don't know if it's possible to have a perfect series, but ExorSquad is really shaping up to be a top contender! Dead Vengeance by WH Lockwood was, much like Love at First Fright, somehow over 500 pages but felt like it only took me an hour to read because I was so incredibly invested in Archer and Liam (and [redacted] and Tez). It's going to be so hard to not have spoilers because the side characters and plot twists were just so fantastic!

Speaking of side characters, I'm SO glad there wasn't a Brad situation in this one (iykyk) because I don't think my heart could have taken it if someone was revealed to be a shit person. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop with Fabian, but you'll be happy to know that he's just a little freak weirdo with lovely, sweet motivations. My favorite character other than my darling baby boy Liam is probably Tez, for his new, uh, coat and his idgaf attitude. I can't say much more about it because spoilers, but just know that I will be expecting a full spinoff book about him and [redacted].

I love interconnected standalone series because of how we get to learn about some characters over the course of the entire series, and it really feels like little Easter eggs that I'm picking up on. I need the Gerald and Ted lore IMMEDIATELY, and also for Ted to get a raise and maybe some Lexapro. It can't be easy to work for a guy that's got such a high turnover rate and has to climb out of the window to escape the cops.

Everything else I want to say is mega major spoilers, so just go read it and get back to me so I can talk about them!

[Sharon Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great ghost story! 👻

The Exor Squad Series is quickly becoming one of my favorite series.. and I’ve only read two books! 🤭

I’m a sucker for ghosts, haunted mansions, and murder mysteries, and this one has all three. 👻🏚️🔪

This time, we meet Liam, another inexperienced new member of the Exor Squad, who is sent to help Mr. Gravery with his rather unusual “ghost problem.”

Except… Archer Gravery is very good-looking, and he has more than one ghostly problem that needs solving. 👀

Little by little, Liam discovers more about ghosts, Archer, and the strange situation surrounding the house.
We get to know more about Liam’s family. His missing brother..


And also the attraction those two feel for eachother 🥵

Things quickly take a darker turn, and Liam and Archer have to work together to figure out what’s really going on. And they’re not alone…

There’s Edgar Allan Crow 🤣who is, in fact, a raven🐦‍⬛
Archer’s not-so-friendly ghosts Simon, Helena, and the rest of the gang… And then there’s Fabian, Liam’s colleague, who is… well… special. 😅😂

This story was definitely dark at times, but it also had me laughing so much! I was completely invested and desperately wanted to know what was going to happen😅

There were some great twists and turns, and this book absolutely deserves to be read! 🖤

Also - Liam and Archer are serious goals! These two stole my heart 🩷

I can’t wait to continue the series.
🤩🤩🤩

Bring on more ghost stories! 👻

[Amanda Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start....I loved everything about this book! W.H Lockwood has absolutely smashed it with this instalment in ExorSquad.

Both characters are amazing, I love Liam and Archer. Liam needs a job and falls in with Gerald and ExorSquad, then we meet Archer, the Necromancer. Their first meet is both cute and gruesome but it's perfect for this book. They have phenonmenal chemistry and banter but you can also see how much they care for one another at the same time.

This book is spicy but in such a good way...never thought of use of a Pentagram like that before! I think their connection really shines through in these scenes and draws you in.

All the side characters are so likeable, really have a soft spot for Helena, Fabian and Simon. They all bring a smile to my face and I will forever be amused by Fabian's antics. Can we also talk about Gerald, after meeting initially in Love at First Fright, I was intrigued and now getting to see more of him in this...I need to know more about him!!!

It does have dark themes so I would recommend checking trigger warnings but once you get past that point, this book is great. The dark themes fully integrate with the plot and are a critical part of what takes place. It can be gruesome but also so funny, W.H Lockwood does dark and humorous so well!

This book will definitely be staying with me for ages to come!!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me quite a while to fully get into this story. Something about the flow was not working for me. I enjoyed what it was trying to be, I found it funny when it was meant to be. I guess I wasn’t really connecting with Archer or Liam.

They definitely had an instalove connection, which isn’t an issue for me. Plus the way the story was told it actually felt like a much longer time frame. There was a lot of action in a little time! When I got around 70% the story really got me hooked though. The accelerator was slammed to the floor! I really enjoyed how it played out and totally appreciated the speed with which it happened. If it had been steeped in angst I probably would’ve skimmed or bailed.

I was hoping for some more conclusion on Old Tony! But perhaps he was just there to do what Old Tony does.

Loved Edgar! The side characters were quite enjoyable. Especially Helena in her active role in the later part of the book.

Satisfying conclusion to the main plot points. There is some over arching themes that will carry on throughout the ExorSquad series and I’m excited to see how they go. Also interested to see how each author portrays recurring characters.

Thank you W.H. Lockwood for this ARC. This review contains my own opinion and personal thoughts on the book.

[Claudia Simeone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archer and Liam stole my heart, this was such a fantastic book. This was such a good story that was paced well with a plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat and spice so good that it’s well worth the wait 💙.

Liam struggles to hold down a job so when he’s offered a position at ExorSquad as a Spirit Extraction Expert it’s an offer he can’t refuse. Meanwhile Archer a necromancer is use to ghosts but the thing that lives in his attic is way more powerful than anything he has experienced. So he calls the “experts” at ExorSquad.

Archer and Liam struggle in different ways but both feel extremely lonely and they both make eachother feel seen and what a fantastic feeling that can be. I loved how Liam can be shy but also very confident in different situations😉. Archer and his sexy little apron❤️. THE SEX MAGIC? 🥹 The humor in this book was so good! The side characters in Dead Vengeance were written so well with their own stories interwoven into the plot. I loved all the supernatural elements in this. The ending was a masterpiece- it was everything I wanted!

I loved these two- every time Liam calls Archer Mr. Gravely I melt a little inside lol🫠

[Rochelle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this little chonker is 582 pages. Normally I feel like a romance novel that long tends to be a bit of a slog somewhere in the middle, but I never felt that with Dead Vengeance. Liam and Archer had my heart right from the get-go, and I really liked (most of) the side characters in this book as well - especially Simon (obviously). The beginning (and ending) very short chapters that are basically Archer's stream-of-consciousness may be my favorite part of the whole book, LOL.

582 pages seems like a lot, but W.H. Lockwood really keeps the reader engaged with Liam's ExorSquad job, Archer's secret, the side story about Liam's brother, and how they all interweave their way together.

This is the second book in the multi-author shared universe ExorSquad series, and can be read as a stand-alone. I giggled every time Liam and Archer said something alone the lines of "Who would possibly want to bang/date a ghost?" because that's the plot for a couple of the other books in this series, including the VERY good first book, Love At First Fright by T.J. Rose. It felt like a little inside joke and made me smile. :) Now I can't wait for the rest of the series!!

[Zoe Belew · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Received from Author

Another great addition to the Exorsquad series!

Liam (our Spirit Extraction Specialist (TM)) is a down-on-his-luck guy juggling a missing brother and his mother’s grief. When he sees a flyer for the Exorsquad, he finds himself assigned to what he believes to be an old curmudgeon with a ghost problem - which couldn’t be further from the truth. What he finds is a young (and hot) Archer Gravely who not only sees ghosts, he sometimes revives humans from the dead.

Their fates and lives intertwine over a dark, evil thing in Archer’s attic, and the emotional, grief-ridden, semi-slow-burn unravels from there.

Liam is a full on cutie patootie, and Archer matches him very well. Both overwhelmingly sweet and incredibly downbad. The twists and turns were a bit more aggressive (in my opinion) than the first book in this series, but I still remained thoroughly entertained.

Absolutely would recommend, and I’m genuinely looking forward to the rest of this series.

[Heather Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! These two are so gone for each other and I ate it up!

Liam joins the ExorSquad and his first job has him at Archer’s doorstep. What Liam doesn’t know is that Archer is a necromancer and partly responsible for what’s going on. These two have an instant connection and it’s so sweet! Their first meeting is full of cute moments followed by some horrifying ones. Which is basically how the rest of the book goes.

There was a great balance of humor, spooky and emotional moments! One minute I’m laughing and the next I’m slightly grossed out. There was also the perfect amount of spice. I approve of how they used that pentagram 👀

I had no idea where this one was going but it was such a fun ride! Liam needed someone to care for him and Archer was all about it. I loved their relationship! The side characters are great. The plot was so intriguing! The twists kept me guessing until the end.

This was a great spooky read! Thankfully there were not as many spiders in this one. Thank you to the author for my early copy!

[Holly Deacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the first book in this series, this was an absolute blast to read. Archer and Liam had me in stitches at points.
The side characters in this book was absolutely brilliant. Simon and Fabian having the most comical relationship. And my girl Helena just being the woman that she is 😂
That ending though had me shook! I dont want to spoil anything but I was NOT expecting it to go like that, yet I was so glad it did! It was such a happy ending for everyone ( except you know who, they had it coming and it was deserved ) 😂
At points I was giggling, kicking my feet with how cute it was.. to laughing out loud because these ghosts are absolutely crazy 😂.. to crying.
This series has been an absolute delight so far! Definitely going to be one of my favourite series so far.
Thank you to W. H Lockwood for letting me Arc read this masterpiece!

[Chasary Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advance Review copy book from the author

Omg! This book had so much of everything.
Liam is looking for a stable job, to help his mom he’s also dealing with grief and missing his brother Jem.
He ends up going to Exorsquad interview and is given his assignment. Which I found the name of the place had me cackling. He’s met with Archer.

Archer was a surprised me! He’s was an anomaly. He’s sweet as well as protective. He loves to bake as well. His mansion has ghost but something dark is hiding upstairs.
Archer is keeping a secret from Liam.

I loved Archer and Liam they had this chemistry. They were both lonely but at the end they are so adorable.

Let’s not forget EDGAR!! The raven 🐦‍⬛

If you want to know what happens please read the book. It’s so good. Please check trigger warnings

[Rebecca Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Honor. I love them 😩

Okay but Liam??? 😩 I absolutely fell in love with this man. Like genuinely. I just wanted to give him a hug and keep him 😂

This was incredible. Literally loved it so much.

And WHY did I end up loving half of the background characters too?? 😂 I was supposed to be focusing on Liam and Archer and instead I’m sat here emotionally attached to ghosts.

The whole thing was just so much fun. The chaos, the ghosts, the necromancy, the romance… and of course the weird Raven who we loved. I genuinely never knew what was going to happen next.

But really, I absolutely loved the characters and their dynamics. Liam and Archer were just so good together and I was completely invested in them.

Another ExorSquad book that has me wanting to know what everyone else is getting up to and what the bloody hell is up with Gerald 😩

10/10. 5 stars. I loved this so much. 🖤

[Cam Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

So lets start off with just a little bit of yelling so excuse me
Ahem
WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK, I WILL NOT GET OVER THIS WORLD, THE CHARACTERS? OMG I MEAN I JUST LOVED IT, I WANNA GO BACK AND RE READ IT ALREADY.
Phew okay with that done lets get back to it! Dead vengeance really was such an incredible book, i mean i had a blast reading it and can fully say that i need 200 more chapters of just liam and archer plus the whole gang of fun side characters (my personal fav tho its hard to choose was of course edgar allen crow i mean how could it not be)
In this book you get to meet both liam and archer who are just so spectacular not only as characters but also for eachother i mean there chemistry? O m g when you read this book im telling you will giggle, blush and laugh, it really is a great time.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series is gonna be an infinity read; I can just tell. This book was so incredibly funny. I can’t even. The banter between Liam and Archer was next level. And then you add all the side characters which are basically family. Ahh I just can’t stand how cute and adorable and hilarious this was.
It was also absolute chaos. There is one scene in the beginning where we meet Edgar, Simon, and Tony (Tony? Where are you?) and it’s basically anarchy. Impeccably-Written. I was literally dying.
This is definitely insta-love. They were both smitten at first glance. They were so so perfect. Like they would just look at each other and want to eat each other’s face 😂 I love them your honor ♥️
Thank you so much WH for this ARC. This was literally the best time!

[Julia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received ARC from author for review

Just when I think I know where a WH Lockwood book is going to go, it swerves into a completely different place.

Liam and Archer were both lovely MMC's. The side characters were very interesting and the mystery was engaging. This book covered extremely dark themes but managed to handle them with the perfect amount of levity and care to keep it both serious but somehow still light. I do hope a future book with deal more with Gerald the exorsquad founder since he is clearly up to no good.

I have never read a multi-author series so I wasn't sure how much overlap to expect within this little universe, but after reading the first 2 books in this series I am excited to see where the rest go.

[Nicola Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

What i would give to have what Liam and Archer have in their relationship lol. The early readers will understand 😅.

These two were just so gone for eachother from the minute they met.....the fireworks went crazy.

I loved this book and all the extra characters, especially Simon and Fabian (Would love to read their book) and not forgetting 2 others who I won't name because it would be a huge spoiler.

This was the 2nd arc in this series I've read and I'm so looking forward to the rest.

Brilliant, funny, scary (at times👀), love and spice, this book had everything i love about paranormal reads.

[Kayla Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is book 2 in a multi author collab and I can honestly say that the first 2 I have read have been fantastic! This book was so much fun. I love all of the shenanigans that the exorsquad get up to. The main characters in this one were so much fun! I couldn’t put this one down. This series has started out so well that I am feral for the rest and can already tell this is gonna be one of my favorite series this year!

[Natasha Mcintosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely stayed up all night reading this one too!

Absolutely loving these books so far, and not just for the main characters, the ghosts are all amazing too! Simon and Fabian had me absolutely cracked up.

Again this story took me by surprise, it didn't go how I thought it might and I loved it. So many things I want to say but I really don't want to spoil anything. Bump up these up the list for your spooky season reads now!

[Luvlyclouddz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC copy from the Author.

genuinely the best experience of my life, once I started this book I PHYSICALLY could not put it down until I finished the whole thing. the plot was a 10/10 I yearn for more of this 🙏. extremely well written and everything was so well thought of, it all just connected.
I am honestly speechless it has been so long since I've read a book that impacted me like this. just read it yall its worth it 😂

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I told myself I’d read a couple of chapters before going to bed... Instead, I literally couldn’t stop reading, and now it’s 3 AM. 😂

I completely fell in love with these guys, and I’m not just talking about Liam and Archer, but Simon, Fabian, Tez, and Jem too.

P.S. Reading this as a Mexican while on vacation in Oaxaca feels like Tezcatlipoca himself planned this for me. 😂 Honestly, what are the odds?!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wild ride. I did not expect the necromancer to be so funny. Honestly I loved Edgar and Simon and Fabian as well. The side characters were absolute gold in this. I loved the story. With the missing brother angle and a house full of ghosts it was so fun. Surpringly emotional as well for a book that had me laughing at some of the antics, especially Fabian. This was such a fun read.

[Jessica Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 stars
This was really enjoyable! I liked the characters and the plot was entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed book one in this series more but this was still very well done.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta read! Review to come closer to release.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

These were the sweetest characters! This book was so great at balancing suspense and action with heart - I really loved it. And the pentagram scene - one of the best 🔥 scenes I think I've ever read.