Dead Again is a murder mystery book that touches on other genres and gives a new twist to the format. It’s the fourth novel from the horror writer Kevin Grover and is influenced by a range of thriller’s currently on the market. In a crowded genre, does Dead Again stand out?
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The Plot
We learn at the start that Neve has been murdered and is going over her last week to try and figure out who that killer is before they can do the job again. There are marital problems as her husband, Rick, discovers intimate texts on her phone from Neve’s lover. Then her daughter gets involved in a local UFO group who believe the woods at the back of their house is an alien hotspot where lights can be seen at night. Neve falls out with Jenny, who believes she was abducted by aliens. Is there any truth that the woods are haunted? Someone is stalking Neve, and there are plenty of people with a grudge against her.
Thoughts on the Story
The novel follows the format of a typical thriller with multiple suspects that could be Neve’s killer. But each time I think I’ve got it worked out, I’m pointed in a new direction. What makes this story interesting is the subtle use of the paranormal and the idea of aliens haunting the woods. The author doesn’t fully explain exactly what the aliens are, but instead leaves it to the reader to decide. There’s a twist with one of the characters I didn’t expect and when the killer is finally revealed, it’s not quite the end of the mystery. There’re questions about who Neve is once she returns from the dead a year after her death. Is she a copy or an alien? I found this question parallels Neve’s character who seems to be having a life crisis throughout. Sometimes she seems like the victim, other times she’s acting the deranged stalker herself.
Thoughts on the Author
The author’s style is dark and grim with a good hint of horror. His previous three novels were straight horror and this strays into the more popular crime genre. Yet its central idea pulls it back towards the paranormal and will be pleasing to fans of the crime and horror novel.
Overall
The idea of a dead woman coming back to solve her own murder, while trying to figure out what she is, makes for an interesting read. There’s a deeper theme behind this story, one of identity. Neve feels trapped at the start of the novel, and by the end, she’s still trapped by the idea that she might simply cease to exist one day. This novel keeps you thinking while you’re reading it, and after you’ve finished it.
If you have enjoyed this review of Dead Again, then check out some of my other reviews-