For Jake Fletcher, the end was just the beginning.
Cursed to wander the streets of London as a ghost, the only way he can earn his spot in the afterlife is to atone for his mortal sins.And so he becomes a spectral detective, a phantom PI who helps restless spirits depart the earthly plane by bringing their killers to justice.When a mutilated body is discovered with wounds matching the first … mutilated body is discovered with wounds matching the first victim of Jack the Ripper, the police realise they have a copycat killer on their hands, and Jake sees an opportunity to even out his balance sheet.
But while he’s busy chasing down the killer, someone from Jake’s old life resurfaces. Someone who wants to make use of his talents in a way that definitely won’t curry favour with Him Upstairs.
Coerced into doing his bidding, Jake must maintain a delicate balancing act as he figures out a way to turn the tide on his blackmailer, while at the same time stopping the copycat from attaining the Ripper’s “Canonical 5” kills.
Will Jake earn his just reward, or will he topple even deeper into the twilight world between life and death?
Mystery, the macabre, and caustic wit collide in this bizarre noir. Fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Mike Carey, and Benedict Jacka will love this page-turning detective story with a paranormal twist.
Praise for the Fletcher & Fletcher Collection:
“Clear a little time for this book as it is really hard to put down.” ★★★★★
“It’s very refreshing to read such well-written, exciting literature.” ★★★★★
“Engaging, entertaining, and totally necessary!” ★★★★★
“I COMPLETELY and TOTALLY recommend this story. Wholeheartedly. For reals.” ★★★★★
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OMG! This was perfectly fantastic! Zombies, demons, Jack the Ripper. So many things all mixed together in such an amazing and enthralling way! I love the books written in this world and this is just another phenomenal addition! I LOVED it!
This is my first book by the author, I was gifted and audiobook code and no review was expected of me. But I ended up enjoying so much that I had to came here and leave my peace.
This novel is a mix of action, mystery, suspense and a dash of dark humor. I understand this story could be read as a standalone and it’s part of a series, and the worldbuilding is great, I didn’t feel lost in any moment.
The characters are likable, I adored Frank with all my heart, can’t wait to see more of him! But not just him, all side characters are bi-dimensional with a lot of depth. The only thing I didn’t like much was the pace. It’s action packed yes, but sometimes it dragged with not much of plot happening.
I knew of Mark Restuccia as another pen name and this is by far his best performance. I always had a tough time understanding him (non native speaker), but this story was easy enough to follow so I had no trouble at all. He is an amazing voice actor
Dead & Deader P.I. at your service beyond the grave
“Necessary Evil” marks the start to the “Fletcher & Fletcher, Paranormal Investigations” Series by David Bussell a mix, mystery, dark humor, the macabre and an irreverent wit so dry it turns to dust by ear
Jake and Frank Fletcher are both and the same, but totally different, let me explain, Jake is a ghost unable to cross to the afterlife before he’s has purged for his mortal sins. Wandering aimless through London doesn’t seem like the best way of atonement, thus Jake decides to be proactive and becomes an spectral detective, catering to restless spirits and by catching their murders, help them to cross over and work his sin-debt off until he is allow to cross himself. And then, there is Frank, who just as Jake was once alive, and now is condemned to an afterlife in zombie—state. Jake and Frank, one and the same in live, so different in dead, a perfect match for ‘each-same’ and a source of endless joy and entertainment for the reader.
The story is excellent: the police found a mutilated corpse that bears all the marks of the ‘Jack the Ripper’ murders, a copycat at work, and the perfect opportunity for Jack to even out his debt balance sheet, would not be for his archnemesis, coming back (Vic Lords), and hooking him up with his own zombified version. And thus, Jake begins to juggle the case, his zombie, Vic’s blackmail and his chance at redemption.
This series is fun, fun, very dark fun, as part of the Uncanny Kingdom verse it fits seamlessly into the verse (with some guest characters in the plot), while being an absolute original and independent addition to the verse. Jake might not the brightest sheet in the cupboard, and Frank rhetoric skills couldn’t win a debate context, nevertheless “they have almost conversations” all the time and get against of all the job done, more or less. The story is, however, not for the ‘weak of tummy’ or the ‘faint of heart’, the plot is gory, chauvinistic, satiric, outrageous at times (not your usual CW YA watered pseudo-horror) and as English as English can be, it can be an acquired taste for newcomers, but it is acquired fast and easy, with lasting reading-satisfaction side-effects.
Necessary Evil is Book 1 of the Fletcher & Fletcher, Paranormal Investigators series by David Bussell. This is a well written story with exceptional characters. Jake Fletcher, Spectral Detective, is a ghost who must deal with his resurrected zombified body. David Bussell has created a unique story filled with fast paced, action packed, page turning adventure that at times the British humor will have you laughing out loud. I loved this story and am looking forward to the next in series. Do yourself a favor and read this series, you won’t be sorry you did. I also listened to the audio book. Mark Restuccia is an awesome narrator. His performance brought this story to life. Received and ARC (ebook and audio book) from the author and this is my voluntary and honest review.
As part of the Uncanny Kingdom, Jake Fletcher is a ghost. And a Private Investigator. This isn’t the first book in the series but does work as a stand-alone. With a cast of characters that includes demons, shifters, and zombies, Jake has his hands full trying to even out his ledger with the big Man upstairs.
This book kept me enthralled. It was hard to put it down. And then there are the easter eggs. I loved coming across a phrase I recognized from other books. These references just made it even more fun. You can’t ask for a better reading experience. Great characters, fantastic storyline and wonderful writing. I absolutely can recommend this for anyone who is a fan of urban fantasy.
Quintessential urban fantasy!
Ghosts, zombies, demons, magic-wielders, fairies and so much more coming at you in this imaginative, action-packed, always fun, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny story about Jake Fletcher (a ghost) and his newly animated remains (yes, his zombie self). As it turns out, life does not get any easier or less complicated after you die – just ask Jake. As Jake, a spectral detective, is forced into working on two different cases each with lives on the line, the pressure builds, risks are taken, and danger lurks around every corner. If you enjoy a good mystery, snarky British humor, and outrageous paranormal chaos, this story will check all the boxes. Clear a little time for this book as it is really hard to put down and it just keeps drawing you in deeper with each chapter. I chose to read along while listening to the audiobook and I must comment on what a perfect choice Mark Restuccia was for the narrator. His performance was outstanding. Highly recommended for all urban fantasy enthusiasts. Brace for a totally epic ride!
While I did purchase a copy of this book, I was given a copy of the audiobook by the author and I am voluntarily offering my honest and unbiased review.
I’m fast becoming a big fan of Urban Fantasy, and I recommend this to all others who do, as well. It was the first book in the Uncanny Kingdom that I have read. Although, it seems to be the 4th in a series, I had no trouble reading it as it stood on its own. I guess I’ll just have to read those 3 next! I love the idea of a ghost being set upon by his own zombie-fied body. I can imagine Jake would have not been happy to have to deal with a rotting corpse, that, unfortunately for him, was his dead and buried body. On top of that, he has a clock ticking on 2 cases (a Jack the Ripper copy-cat and bring a demon’s soul to an old cohort?) before more people die. (Something that Jake has been trying to atone for all along, from what I can gather – again, must read first books! But, I love that he’s so concerned with his after, afterlife and where he might be going…) I don’t know why it took me so long to really get into it…there was plenty of action going on and information enough to fill in someone like me who had not read the previous stories. But, I love long stories, so I was happy with that. I read the rest quickly because I wanted resolution to this story and was eager to find out how it would resolve. I loved FrankenJake. I felt sorry for him – that his resurrection had somehow left him with an awareness of his other, ghost self and the lack in his new so-called existence. And I loved that the old woman, Jazz Hands, told Jake (to quote Dalton, in Roadhouse) “Be Nice” to his zombie self. That goes without saying for the rest of us, too. Here’s hoping that the 2 of them come to a great understanding and a happy partnership, with many more stories. Be forewarned,non-Brits: there’s plenty of slang that the rest of us are clueless about, but I think most readers will be able to glean the meanings of. (I intend to find out, though.)
Received ARC. Really liked the book. Moved along at a good pace. Engaging characters and multiple plots. Only thing that bothered me was it had a couple of gory scenes. I actually threw up after reading one chapter.
Jake Fletcher is back from the dead in David Bussell‘s Necessary Evil: A Supernatural Thriller (Fletcher & Fletcher, Paranormal Investigators Book 1), and this is a very very (very) good thing indeed. I first came across this ghost of a detective in Deathday, a truly excellent prequel which you can get free from the author. I was blown away by the imaginative approach to this character, and this continued in Fresh Hell, the next book featuring Jake (separately reviewed). Set in David Bussell and MV Stott’s wonderful “Uncanny Kingdom” urban fantasy universe, these stories – and this new book – have all been rousing adventures with just the perfect paranormal elements, as well as perfect plot, writing, supporting cast and pretty much anything you could think of in a great tale. Highly recommended.
Fletcher is a ghost, oh and a private eye. He consorts with shifters, demons, and even zombies. This story takes you on a wild ride as he is helping the police catch a Jack the Ripper copycat. These are some real characters and it reads a little like an old detective movie just with some otherwordly characters. I highly recomend this book.
I received an advance copy to provide my honest review. Now I am off to find more Fletcher books….
Before you start, have a Google search tab open. Especially if you are a ‘septic tank’ like me. You’ll need it for all the Cockney slang. This book continues the misadventures of the Spectral Detective. You can read his history in Spectral Detective: A Three-Book Collection: An Uncanny Kingdom Urban Fantasy (Spectral Detective Collection 1). It’s well worth reading first, especially if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited – it’s free for now. You’ll meet many of the Uncanny Characters that appear in this book. The outlandish descriptions and over-the-top dialog are continued, and have gotten even more outrageous. Those with delicate sensibilities should not attempt this book! It is full of swearing, blood, gore, pain, torture, vile creatures and other unpleasant things. But the LMAO humor and incredible adventures make it well worth reading if you’re not easily offended and you don’t have a weak stomach.
Jake Fletcher is in trouble again, with his old nemesis, Vic Lords, who sics a zombie on him. Plus, he finally has another job with Detective Kat Stronge: finding a murderer who left a mutilated body à la Jack the Ripper, but without a ghost for Jake to interview. Now, “On top of having a zombie to take care of, he had a copycat murderer to catch, and a whole other thing going on with Vic Lords”, he is hard-pressed to find the strength and determination to improve his record Upstairs, right wrongs, defend the weak and innocent and punish the wicked. We don’t really find out who the other Fletcher is until Chapter 18, and it’s quite a surprise. It’s finally made official in the last chapter. Meantime, Fletcher & Fletcher have their work cut out for them, dodging demons, Vic and his minions and a horde of other evil denizens, of both the human and the Uncanny kingdoms. Fortunately, there are a few good men and/or women to help him overcome the incredible odds.