GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Book Review: Living the Good Death by Scott Baron | I Smell Sheep

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Book Review: Living the Good Death by Scott Baron


Living the Good Death
by Scott Baron

November 13, 2017
294 pages
Wearing nothing but psych ward pajamas and fluffy slippers, the odd girl wasn’t really dressed to kill. Being the Grim Reaper, however, she felt confident she could make it work.

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind of day when things just don’t go your way. Like when your botched suicide attempt and claims of supernatural powers get you hauled to the emergency room, placed under observation, then transferred to a locked-down psych facility.

The girl who thought she was Death had failed miserably in her efforts to shed the troublesome human body in which she was trapped. The result? Finding herself surrounded by nutjobs, locked in a mental ward ruled by a humorless doctor with a Napoleon complex and a penchant for sleight of hand. Sure, she did technically bring it on herself, but how was she to know that trying to off herself in public and using her outside voice to proclaim she was Death incarnate would result in a psych ward lockdown?

With that problematic little blunder behind her, the concerns now vexing her were pressing. Escape, both from the mental hospital, as well as from this plane of existence, was vital, but equally so was addressing the other issue haunting her. The big one. The one that could end the world. The issue that with Death missing, people would rather inconveniently no longer die like they were supposed to. Eventually, things would hit critical mass. She just didn’t know when.

The situation was, well, grim, to say the very least. An irony not lost on the girl claiming to be the Death.
$.99


So, imagine yourself plunged into the normal human world after never having to worry about mundane things like: traffic, pain, fear or heartbreak. Then try explaining to people that you are "Death" and see how they react. Especially if you try to kill yourself thinking that would get you back to where you are supposed to be! Yep, you find yourself locked in the psychiatric ward of the nearest hospital.

That's what happens to "Dorothy" (or that's what they have decided to call her) while she still insists that her name is "Death". No powers, no friends or family and a doctor who wants to make a name for himself and accepts no disobedience from his patients. Makes for a pretty frustrating existence for Dorothy.

With the aid of another patient she, is looking for someone or something that will help her get back to her previous existence. This patient has figured a way to "escape" from the locked ward and takes Dorothy with him on his little excursions late at night. Is there more to this patient than meets the eye? How does "death" get a guardian angel?

I thought the plot intriguing and a little quirky but didn't find myself riveted to the story. Would like to have had a little more meat to the characters. There were some "One flew over the Cookoo's Nest" moments and a tame love story but not enough to put on my "Top 40". I would still suggest reading because the storyline if developed, might make a good flick!

Getting 3.75 "reaper worthy" sheep






Jeanie G

About the Author:
A native Californian, Scott Baron was born in Hollywood, which he claims may be the reason for his off-kilter sense of humor. Before taking up residence in Venice Beach, he spent a few years studying abroad before settling into the film and television industry, where he has worked off and on for some time. Scott not only writes, but is also involved in indie film and theater both in the U.S. and abroad.

No comments:

Post a Comment