Always Carry Your Scythe by Pip Paisley is a paranormal adventure through several dimensions as Death’s daughter tries to help a friend.
Death’s daughter Trixie is a waitress, serving both living and alternative-living customers at Quandors with Zizi, her best friend forever tending bar. When Zizi gets into the worst trouble, Trixie will not give up until she has rescued her friend.
The only person willing to help Trixei in her desperate quest is Maybell, agent-in-training for the Angel Investigative Bureau. She’s on assignment investigating Death’s role in Hell’s massively popular but suspicious game show To The Wheel.
Writing
The biggest thing that struck me while reading is that the book reminds me quite a lot of 1970s screwball science fiction comedies. The author has created a world that uses a lot of classic fairy tales, legends, religious folklore, and contemporary society to weave a story with fascinating characters, dire situations and not a little humor. There are a lot of unexpected, creative twists of both the plot and the landscapes Trixie travels through on her odyssey.
The book is not a romance, but populated with queer characters like Aunt Harry and his husband and Bell the predatory waitress who has her eye on Trixie.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
There are a slew of interesting characters, from demon game show hosts to a couple paving the road to hell with good intentions. (The bricks are yellow.) Death, who I tended to hear in my head with a Bronx accent, is an ultimate absentee mother who renders very little aid to her daughter and the King of Hell is the ultimate nouveau riche dictator.
A screwball odessey is always fun, and this one is especially well laid out. Humor is maintained throughout and the gritty parts of Trixie’s adventures are no walk in the park. More than a couple of times I was super surprised where the story took me, and it was always an interesting turn to a new obstacle for Trixie to overcome. I enjoyed the little pops of old, worn sayings used casually with a twisted meaning as a method of delivering humor along with clever uses of changed up folklore.
Heads Up
The story is violent in some parts.
The Conclusion
Death’s daughter Trixie sets off on an odessey to rescue her BFF with only the help of agent-in-training Maybell of the Angel Investigative Bureau. The story veers into situations and settings that are continually surprising and is full of characters drawn from all manner of religious and fictional stories.
The humor never lets up and the worlds are beautifully portrayed with many cleverly twisted takes. There is no romance in the story, but a lot of dedication to someone Trixie loves with all her heart. This is screwball comedy with grit and had me laughing then holding my breath in suspense.
Excerpt from Always Carry Your Scythe by Pip Paisley
Getting vamp drunk wasn’t on my list of happy places, even if I was wallowing in self-pity at the time. Regardless, he remained one of my favorite vampires.
“It’s been too long,” Dax said, giving me an appreciative once over. “You look fantastic.”
“Thank you,” I said, appreciating his appreciation. “How’ve you been?”
He started to answer but a woman’s voice cut in, saying, “Trixie? Zuzi?”
Looking past Dax, I saw Beets walking towards our group with a broad smile on her ruby lips, grey eyes sparkling under rockabilly bangs and body encased in a figure-hugging wiggle dress. As much as I hated to admit it, she was stunning.
Was everyone at RuJean’s tonight?
“Hi Beets,” I said in a flat tone before making introductions. “Beets, this is Dax. Dax, this is Beets.”
“Delighted,” Dax said, kissing Beets’ hand. “Any friend of Trixie’s is a friend of mine.”
She dimpled at him in delight.
“You know RuJean too?” I asked Beets, curious about her presence.
“Nope,” Beets said, dimples now directed at me. “Zuzi invited me.”
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Zuzi said, giving Beets a hug.
Over Beets’ shoulder, Zuzi shot me an innocent glance. I wasn’t buying it. She wouldn’t have invited Beets and not told me if she wasn’t up to something. Zuzi had to be playing matchmaker.
I gave her a I-know-what-you’re-up-to-and-I’m-not-falling-for-it glare.
Her smile widened into an I’m-sure-I-don’t-know-what-you’re-glaring-about grin.
I gave a “hmph” and rolled my eyes at her, arms crossed over my chest.
Zuzi gave me an ok-ok-I-was-matchmaking grimace.
I sighed and gave her a resigned I-know-but-you-shouldn’t-have look.
Zuzi gave me an I’m-sorry face.
I gave a small nod of my head, accepting her apology.
And like that, the unspoken tiff was over.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8-9892770-0-1
Publisher: Indie Author
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