| Title | : | Sort of Dead |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1646565150 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781646565153 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 198 |
| Publication | : | First published October 31, 2020 |
With the help of Voltan, a diminutive mystic with a predilection for turbans, and Clark, a nerdy computer geek eager to shed his loner past, plus a ghost accountant Bruce, Bruce's drag queen brother Eve O'Destruction, and Nord's kick-ass mom, the newly enamored pair set out to hunt for the murderer, and are quick to discover how much they'd taken for granted when they were alive.
In this hysterically funny and often poignant mystery about fate and love and family, it ultimately takes dying for our heroes to have the times of their lives.
65,171 words
Sort of Dead Reviews
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A
Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Wielding his humor like a scalpel in the hands of a world renown surgeon, Rob Rosen sends down a raucous, quirky new comedy/romance story called Sort of Dead. Featuring a drag queen and some exceptionally well-endowed men, living and dead, this novel is one insane moment of brilliant comedy writing after another. If you aren’t familiar with Rosen’s work, then you will find this story to be just a hair short of crazy, but let me tell you, the journey he takes you on is well worth the time.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety
here. -
4.5 Stars
(FYI) I find Rob Rosen very funny. His writing clicks with me. You have to walk into this book looking for a pick-me-up not a sexy "mm romance," although there is romance. There's also some outrageous shenanigans, everyone is pretty damn gay or a gay icon... or is packin'. It also delivers emotional depth via son and mother and one brother and his drag queen sibling, Eve O'Destruction. I shouldn't forget to mention there's is a murder/mystery also happening via the living and the sort of dead.
Sort of Dead is zany, camp, funny as fuck. We definitely need humour and fun in our lives right now. This is released on October 31st, so here's your Halloween reading taken care of.
Audio-visual review at
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3.5 stars! Rosen’s writing works really well for me. It has a good amount of humor but also always an intriguing story line to back it up and keep me interested. In this one we have three sort-of dead people trying to solve one of their murders with the help of a lonely IT guy and a tiny turban wearing medium. It was ridiculous, you definitely have to suspend all disbelief, but its worth it for a truly fun tale. The one downside with this one is the romance is kind of lacking. It’s definitely an instant kind of love, and then the two don’t actually spend all that much time together, but the end message is very sweet.
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Wielding his humor like a scalpel in the hands of a world renown surgeon, Rob Rosen sends down a raucous, quirky new comedy/romance story called Sort of Dead. Featuring a drag queen, some exceptionally well endowed men, living and dead, and two of whom just had to be destined to meet one day but never got the chance, this novel is one insane moment of brilliant comedy writing after another. If you aren’t familiar with Rosen’s work then you will find this story to be just a hair short of crazy but let me tell you the journey he takes you on is well worth the time.
Nord (Nordstrom—he was born in a Nordstrom’s department store) wakes up one morning to clouds rather than a ceiling, naked rather than clothed and lying beside a handsome man, Max, who he has never met before. Max becomes Nord’s guide in a place that Nord christens as Arby’s (his favorite restaurant because of the jamocha shakes, apparently) which is a half way place where spirits who have unfinished business await the final “poof” that will send them on their way. Nord learns that while Max knew his own death was imminent (due to him having advanced Leukemia) Nord lost his rather abruptly—by being shot in the back while at work. Once the two of them work out that they can communicate via a connection with a psychic found on YELP the race is on to discover who did the deed that landed Nord at, uhm, Arby’s.
First they go back to Max’s prior apartment where they discover Clark who, shall we say, enjoys self-gratification—a lot. He is a computer geek; just what Nord needs to figure out what was on his computer that got him killed. From there Clark is told by the two ghosts to get the help of a medium in order for them to communicate their needs more effectively since trying to type out directions drains both Max and Nord way too quickly-sending them back to…Arby’s. Enter Voltan from YELP—or Lewis as he is actually named. The two men hit it off immediately, an investigation ensues with Nord taking the lead and a friend from Arby’s (Bruce) tagging along. It is all insanely hilarious, just shy of crazy and the most entertaining story I have read in a long time.
Needless to say the five main characters get into some very tight spots, as they uncover a major plot, adultery in spades, and so much more. This novel races to the finish with each piece of the puzzle falling slowly into place and keeping the reader guessing pretty much up until the end. But it’s the love story or really stories that put the icing on this cake. Do Nord and Max go “poof” together? Does Clark give up his lonely life to date Lewis? Well to tell you that would spoil the ending but I will say that regardless of who gets to stay with who this book it is so worth the time it takes to find out. I love how silly and happy this book makes me feel—and I hope you do as well. -
This was a fun book and I enjoyed the ghostly shenanigans. I did find the humour a bit childish but that's just me. I just thought it a bit silly.
This is not focused on the romance as most of the book is about solving the reason behind Nord's death. But there is a romance, actually two. Nord and Max are cute together. Voltan and Clark are adorable too. Both are insta love but really sweet.
If you're looking for a fuuny, fast, pick-me-up with a mystery this ghostly season, then you should definitely pick this up.
*ARC provided by the author via Gay Book Promotions in exchange for an honest and unbiased review -
A slow start for me but then it hits the ground running and we have a comedy caper with a murder mystery to solve. Poor Nord did nothing to deserve his ending but after meeting Max and Bruce sets off on adventure with Voltan, Clark and a drag queen to figure out a most intriguing puzzle. I really enjoyed everyone's banter with each other especially Nord and Voltan, Nord and company just kept on popping in the at the most awkward of times but laced with humour throughout. You will have fun trying figure out just who dunnit but a swerve at the end doesn't quite give Nord that feeling that he can move on. Cue haunting, shocks and revelations, and a really heart warming ending. Great paced plot with quirky characters you can't help but form a bond with.
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One morning, Nord wakes up to a fuzzy sensation… only he is not waking up, he is dead. He soon finds a friendly spirit, Max, who eagerly explains where he is. Not heaven exactly… it is some place in between where “people” waits until they poof away to regions unknown. Deducing that the poofing has something to do with earthly business unfinished, Max and Nord set out to find out what it may be. Only to find that Nord has been murdered…
Soooo… this should have worked. I guess it should have been hysterical, in theory it had all the elements to be hilarious.. but somehow it did not resonate with me. I found the humour childish. I would have appreciated a bit more of sarcasm, and a little less of silliness.... Besides I did not care at all for any of the characters, so I just dragged along until I finished.
In short, this is a typical case of “it is not you, it’s me”. Humour is something very personal, what makes a person laugh leaves another one cold. This is simply not my kind of humour
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review -
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters and intriguing storyline held my attention throughout the entire story. The adventure was fun and I enjoyed the mystery aspect. It was a perfect read right before Halloween (which is when I got to read it). And, let's face it, how often do we all get a chance to help solve our own deaths (well, never mind that question lol) as we find a romantic interest? There were a few moments I was left scratching my head, but all in all, I definitely had a blast reading this one and would recommend it to anyone a fan of mystery, suspense, MM romance, paranormal... well, you catch my drift, right?
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4,5☆
Oh my god! This book was hilarious!
The characters were funny as hell, the storytelling really enjoyable and the whole ghost thing was really interesting and exciting! I need more books like this in my life. The afterlife romance with ghosts is such a good theme.
Loved that it has two romance in one, all the characters are really interesting. The murder investigation was exciting and I really enjoyed reading this book. And the ending, ahh so sweet.
This was a lovely and funny read, highly recommend it! -
A quirky, lol cozy mystery that has all the feels!
I had so much fun with this cast.
Nord was murdered but instead of awakening to the pearly gates or the firey pits, he found himself at "Arby's"? (you are going to have to delve into the adventure to get that answer) Thankfully Max stumbles upon him and offers him a hand. Seems they both have some unfinished business and the divine fates have decided it's a team assignment.
Nord and Max set out together to wrap things up so they can both go "poof"
This was a sweet romance, a cozy mystery, a few moments of "huh?" and a whole lot of laughs all wrapped up into a delightful storyline.
Easy to follow storyline with wonderfully crafted characters that easily steal your heart
Definitely recommend this one -
This was my first Rob Rosen book and given the description, I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I got was a MM version of The Good Place with a mystery thrown in. Only it really is a "good place. " Limbo, I guess you'd call it.
The main romantic characters are dead, sort of, so it's a totally different dynamic than a regular romance, but it's funny. The mystery was fun to follow, too. If you're looking for something quirky, with plenty of sex talk but not a lot of actual sexy times, then give this a try!
I received an advance copy of this book. -
When I first started reading this story, I thought it was a little silly and was just going to be a fun read but I was very surprised on where Rob Rosen took this story, filled with many questions for Nord and Max!
Nord is “sort of dead”, as is Max who finds him. They and many others seem to be in a state of waiting, because it’s not: heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo, no St. Peter and no pearly gates or walking into the light. Both Nord and Max have an idea about getting to that final “poof” destination and it may have to do with finding some type of closure.
Everyone waiting to go “poof” has different reasons for why they ended up in the “sort of” state. But Nord’s is very different and he may not be able to find closure since he was murdered and the guilty party or parties have not been found.
In their exploration of their strange predicament Nord and Max find in the “world of the living” Max’s apartment that’s occupied by Clark. After they work together to get Clark’s undivided attention, they get him to call in a medium. The cape and turban wearing Voltan shows up. With the help of Clark and Voltan, Max and Nord find out there are many things they can accomplish by working together.
This is a fist time read for me from Rob Rosen. “Sort of Dead” is excellently done with creative world building, characters on the paranormal side and a twisted mystery to be solved. The storyline melds around a very famous movie of 1990 and several celebrities are mentioned at random.
Along this fun, humorous and dangerous adventure Nord has made many friends, living and “sort of dead”. It has Nord looking back on his “alive” life and how he would have liked to be friends with those he meets. He and Max have gradually become more than friends and the question remains, if Nord’s murderer is caught and he finds closure to go “poof”, what will happen to Max? Rosen comes up with some interesting conclusions that all connect to closure for his characters.
There’s sadness and some emotional moments for Nord and his mother Sylvia. Sylvia was a wonderful addition to this novel. Besides the interesting characters of Clark and Voltan there’s: Bruce and Eve O’Destruction that are surprising. Arby’s also plays a very big part in the way of a recharging station, providing rest and comfort to many of the “sort of dead”. There’s also the suspicious characters on the alive side: Chaz, Glenn, Didi and Paula.
Rob Rosen made “Sort of Dead” a page-turner for me and I can say I was not disappointed in this fascinating look into the paranormal and what may be the afterlife for Nord and Max. -
'Sort of Dead' by Rob Rosen
Rob Rosen is one of my fave authors! You know why? Because he can evoke such sad scenarios that you catch yourself weeping into your coffee...
BUT, then he flips the storyline 180° so you're snort-laughing so hard you have to excuse yourself to go hide somewhere (meat locker? jk) to finish the damn chapter you're reading (not supposed to be reading, at work, unless you're on a break...a break that ended 10 minutes ago)!
This book is a wry commentary on some people's experiences of being "sort of" dead, as some of the players in this storyline have ended up in a sort of waystation... an all-white, featureless space without walls, where lots & lots of people are wandering around waiting to go "poof!", to wherever their Karma sends them to next.
Everyone is naked...and sort of reverted to how they were born without being babies; for instance: if the male person was circumcised after birth, they no longer are, or if anyone had any kind of surgery, or life-threatening condition, it's all disappeared. They revert back to an apparently "healed" version of themselves, even though they appear at whatever the age was they were, when they died. No surgeries, no trauma wounds, not even hair dye, lol. Just a mass of naked adults wandering around...no babies or young children, (or pets/animals), although I couldn't figure that part out; part of the death mystery, I suppose, and it was intriguing to try to find out what exactly was happening!
(sorry, I'm not doing justice to explaining this quirky book)
Rosen is one of my fave writers and on my permanent "read list", as he manages to be both hilarious, thought provoking, and imagnitive. And spot-on in creating interesting personalities, as well as always throwing our MCs into unusual life situations! Or death situations, as it were! Often there are drag queens involved (gotta love it)!
I suggest you read his works with an eye to the outrageously flamboyant and entertaining storylines they are, and not some skewed version of "Truth"...oh wait (grin), that's exactly what they are!
Even when addressing types of problems that crop up in real life, he makes you laugh and makes you think and makes you wonder...about life, and about yourself.
Well done Rob! -
Sort of Dead
MMy Thoughts and Review:
So, what happens when you wake up in a strange place surrounded by people you’ve never met before, who aren’t wearing any clothes, and you have no clue how you got there, and there are no instructions or directions on how to leave?
This happens to the MC in, “Sort of Dead,” a quirky comedy about a guy and a ragtag gang of the living and the not so living, all brought together for the single purpose of solving his murder. This hoot-nanny bunch includes a reclusive IT genius who spends an inexorable amount of time in the buff watching porn. A medium who looks like Woody Harrelson in a turban and cape. A drag queen dog groomer, with hair so High and tight cans of hair spray, can hide in her wig. Then of course the after-lifers who include our MC, Nord, and his special blue-eyed friend, Max, who helped him get his bearings in the place they lovingly call, Arby’s (because Max loved Arby’s when he was alive). Bruce who is built like a brick house with all the appendages to match his height and width, and even Anna Nicole Smith who tags along once in a while.
There are a plethora of pop culture references and even a few old-school throwbacks for the older kids like me. The mystery, antics, and even “schmaltz,” are all that make this a fun read. This was my first time enjoying a Rosen story, but I will absolutely be back for more.
Sharonica’s Logic: 4.00 we-could-all-use-more-schmaltzy-stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gay Book Promotions to read and review.
🌈📚🌈 -
Nord wakes up and finds himself not at home and lots of nude people around him. A man named Max tries to explain where he is to the best of his knowledge and that Nord is sort of dead. they are in like a holdover until they tie up unfinished business. They are tethered to places in their past only. so they can only travel to home, work, family. They go to Max's old apartment where a lonely man named Clark lives. he works from home, pleasures himself a lot but never goes out. They go to Nor's office to find that he has been shot. He has no idea why or who would want him dead. Here is where the mystery starts. He and Max need help and they meet Bruce a muscle-bound computer geek and go enlist Clark's help as well. they have Clark hire a medium and the five of them go to work to find Nord's killer so he can go Poof to wherever he is supposed to go.
Sort of Dead is a great halloween read if you like ghosts and something less horror. There are lots of funny, wonderful characters, the plot is good, it's like a cozy mystery with ghosts. There are lots of twists and turns and some sex for those of you that like things a little erotic. -
This book is very interesting from the get go. I was intrigued. If you’re looking for stories with a lot of steam, this is not it, BUT....everyone’s naked in Arby’s. I’ll just leave it at that. This is a witty, often quite funny, and sweet book. There is romance involved, so there’s that. The biggest storyline is finding out what happened to Nord, and how did he wind up ‘sort of dead’.
The shenanigans between the sort of dead and the non dead characters, along the way, was absolutely great. I was grinning through most of the book. I couldn’t help it; it was funny without trying to be funny. That’s great comedic writing right there. Rob Rosen did a fantastic job with this book. Between the storyline, and the mixed bag of characters, I was hooked.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it’s not gonna be the last. This was a great light, charming, and quite funny read. I’m glad I picked it up! With everything going on this year (2020) it’s the absolute perfect thing to read. I highly recommend it.
***I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions*** -
This was a very cute and funny book with a different sort of afterlife. I had fun reading this story and getting to know these characters. Nord was alive one moment and then he was sort of dead or maybe dead or not. He didn’t know but there was definitely something interesting going on. Turns out he has unfinished business and he meets Max pretty soon. They also now have to finish Nord’s unfinished business which they assume is to solve his murder. I loved the crazy things these characters got up to. I loved the living and dead characters they were both a lot of fun. I liked getting to see Max and Nord interact with each other and get to know one another as the story progressed. I laughed a lot at the different things these characters managed to do and enjoyed the light hearted tone this book took. All these sort of dead characters who are stuck in between unable to move on because of some sort of unfinished business which was definitely interesting. This was definitely a fun mystery with a great cast of characters.
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As I was already familiar with Rob Rosen's writing style so I was excited to read Sort of Dead. All the kudos to the author, as this story is at the same time intriguing, somewhat spooky and fun.
Forget about ghosts that linger around after death, waiting in vane for resolution to their unfinished business. In Nord's case, when he woke up sorta dead but somehow not, he had the opportunity to solve his own murder. Interesting premises, right? With Max offering to help and the involvement of other people along the way, the investigation became an entertaining adventure. Ok, sometimes it bordered on absurd and made me shake my head in disbelief, but it was always gripping and kept me turning the pages.
I liked the romantic subplot and the mystery. The secondary characters were interesting, adding color and hilarity to the story. With also twists and turns mixed in, this book was a great, enjoyable reading experience. -
Sometimes a premise catches you off guard and promises something you just have to give a chance to, and this is one of those times. I did laugh, but more of a chuckle because I didn't expect something or a line was delivered just right, but not out of a "Wow, this is funny!" kind of feeling. It was mildly humorous and the set up was really what sold the book. But I can't say that I truly remember too many moments on their own, it was just sort of a good read that passed the time but didn't grab my attention and compel me to read, you know?
Nord is amusing, Max is along those same lines, but it's mostly the situation they find themselves in that gives it the humor and not because either of them are funny on their own as a character trait. I didn't find either of them memorable either, and some of the switches between them and the other couple lost me for a second. It felt a little scattered but I think I'd actually read this again at some point in the future. -
Nord wakes up dead and meets Max. Turn out they are in some sort of nonexistent, possibly heaven, and they are pretty sure it’s not hell. Then along comes Bruce. Nord was murdered, Max had cancer, and the beautiful large (in every way) Bruce died because of steroids. Three men (not quite ghosts/but maybe they were) set out to figure who killed Nord. Hilarity ensues, (with dead people should there be hilarity?).
This book was laugh out loud funny. I can’t even begin to say how much I liked all the characters. Except the bad guys of course. I really liked the thought of finding your soulmate after you die (kind of die?). Even with the subject matter this was a goofy, happy book. If I am using the term right, it was a tour de force. Very entertaining.
I received an arc of this book. -
One minute Nord is sitting at his computer and the next thing he knows he is waking up dead. Or is he? Wait, yes he is! He finds himself in a whole lot of nothing with lots of other people...er spirits...or are they souls? Anyway he quickly meets Max. They have to try and figure out what Nord’s unfinished business is. It must be to solve his murder. What ensues is shenanigans that only a “ghost” could get up to. WIth new friends both living and dead, Nord and Max set out to solve a murder and just mind find themselves going “poof” into something other than the in between place. This book has a lot of humor involving mediums, drag queens, and computer nerds. This book is rather an irreverent take on what happens when you die and if you didn’t mean someone when you were alive but after you are dead. A fun book and worth the quick read.
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I think this is the first time I've ever given a cozy mystery a 5 star rating. I'm not a fan of the genre or of mysteries in general, and though this book isn't specifically listed as a cozy mystery, that's what it is. The other thing it is, is very funny, zany, and sweet. The mystery itself wasn't particularly interesting, but I never think they are. However, the characterizations and the fun were so strong that it didn't really matter whodunnit in the end. This story has a lot of moving parts and a lot of characters, so you have to drink some coffee before you start it maybe just to make sure you're nice and alert. But I thought the pacing was great and the writing was great and there's nothing that I would really improve about it. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fun books and particularly fans of cozy mysteries or low heat.
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2.5 stars with mixed feelings.
A new author for me with this book which I had to grab just cause there's a ghostie. 👻
A good start as "Don't freak out" was spoken to Nordstrom who didn’t know where he was. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments. This is a send up of the movie, Ghost. Similar scenes included but enjoyable to read if you like books form movies (sorry its not my thing). Super sleuthing to find the killer for Nord for his not so dead status well he is but a ghost. Includes two m/m romance relationships in this kind a different book. A pov from a ghost perspective for Max and Nord. I had mixed thoughts, whilst this has funny scenes and a okay storyline its too much like the movie for me. Nord has a guide, Max who explains the ropes so to speak, Nord 32 finds himself sort of dead, murdered.
Clark's in Max's old apartment and they try to get his attention. -
Well, that was different, but in a good way. At first I was having trouble getting into the story, but once all the key players and relationships were established, I began to get more into it. A lot of reviewers found this to be quite funny and hilarious. For me, I found humor in it but nothing particularly funny. Nord and Max made a great couple and it was so relieved when they were reunited with Bruce. This is the first thing I’ve read by this author and would certainly read more. I would really like a story for Clark and Voltan. They were such great supporting characters to Nord.
Overall, the writing and editing was pretty good. I did come across a few error such as a character discrepancy and a couple of wrong names, but certainly nothing to take away from the story. -
What a unique romance novel. What a unique murder mystery novel. And what a unique comedy! All post-death, the story told from the POV of the ghosts, also, yep, uniquely! Rosen never fails to offer plenty of laughs, steam, and pathos. Nord and Max were impossible not to root for as they searched for Nord's murderer and found in death what they missed out on in life. The supporting living cast was no less original and funny and amazing, all with their own obstacles to overcome. And I won't spoil the ending, but it was spectacular. I laughed and cried right on up to the last word. LOVED this book!
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So, the book started off slow for me. It was funny, but a little too campy, and most of the time I found myself rolling my eyes and the absurdity of it. Once I got used to the style and the story picked up, the book got more interesting and I began to enjoy it overall. There was a neat mystery-solving component, which added to the intrigue of the story. The idea of being sort of dead and the shenanigans the characters got up to was fun, but (like I said earlier) a bit campy. It was clever, though, and not something I had read before. It was different and cool.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews -
Refreshingly different.
This is the first time I’ve read this author and I was pleasantly surprised.
Nord wakes up ”sort of dead” in a very unusual place where he has the fortune of meeting Max. These two spirits then set about finding out who murdered Nord and why. Along the way they collect a wonderful cast of interesting side characters to add to their adventure. So this rag tag group of chosen family begin the task of bringing the person responsible to justice, with a hearty dose of humour on the side.
Through it all, Nord and Max manage to forge new friendships, fall in love and earn themselves a HEA.
This is a very enjoyable low angst, low heat/steam read which kept me smiling.
