A Dirty Job

By: Christopher Moore

Narrated by: Fisher Stevens

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Charlie Asher is a pretty normal guy. A little hapless, somewhat neurotic, sort of a hypochondriac. He's what's known as a Beta Male: the kind of fellow who makes his way through life by being careful and constant, you know, the one who's always there to pick up the pieces when the girl gets dumped by the bigger/taller/stronger Alpha Male.

But Charlie's been lucky. He owns a building in the heart of San Francisco, and runs a secondhand store with the help of a couple of loyal, if marginally insane, employees. He's married to a bright and pretty woman who actually loves him for his normalcy. And she, Rachel, is about to have their first child.

Yes, Charlie's doing okay for a Beta. That is, until the day his daughter, Sophie, is born. Just as Charlie, exhausted from the birth, turns to go home, he sees a strange man in mint-green golf wear at Rachel's hospital bedside, a man who claims that no one should be able to see him. But see him Charlie does, and from here on out, things get really weird.

People start dropping dead around him, giant ravens perch on his building, and it seems that everywhere he goes, a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Strange names start appearing on his nightstand notepad, and before he knows it, those people end up dead, too. Yup, it seems that Charlie Asher has been recruited for a new job, an unpleasant but utterly necessary one: Death. It's a dirty job. But hey, somebody's gotta do it.

©2006 Christopher Moore (P)2006 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

• 2006 Quill Award Nominee

"Moore's enthusiasm and skill make it convincing, and his affection for the cast of weirdos gives the book an unexpected poignancy." (Publishers Weekly)

Witty, Funny, Entertaining and great characters

Any additional comments?

Chris Moore's casual, engaging writing style, great characters and Fisher Steven's narration create an incredibly entertaining combination. This was my first intro to Moore's work and I'm already 5 books deep in after just a few weeks. If that's not an indicator of what I think of his work, I'm not sure what is.

Fabulous read!

This is my first review, but I felt compelled to add a few more words in praise of this fabulous book. The story is incredibly creative, and the plot moves along at a good clip. The characters are well developed with exceptional dialogue. Very funny, as is to be expected with any Moore book. I laughed so hard I actually cried in a few places. The narration by Fisher Stevens is so well done, I wish more books used him. I highly recommend this book!

Dry, Dark Comedy at its Best

Christopher Moore leaves you wanting more, and more, and more. His comedic timing and dark, dry wit bring the concept of afterlife to a hilarious conclusion. This, combined with the perfect Beta-male recitation by Fisher Stevens will make you want to listen over and over. Oh, and you will never be able to hear your children to say "kitty" again without breaking into that knowing sly smile that only you and other "Dirty Job" listeners will understand.

Christopher Moore fan

I listen while I walk. I definitely found myself walking more often. It would be cool if they had the author do the reading. I wasn't fond of the guy reading, but now that I've listened to two books he's starting to grow on me.

Greatest Book of Death

If you could sum up A Dirty Job in three words, what would they be?

This Book Rocks

What did you like best about this story?

The Humor of the Characters

What about Fisher Stevens’s performance did you like?

it never got slow

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the Hell Hounds

That was the most fun. This is my new favorite book!

This was awesome. Lots of snark in the story. Just my sense of humor. The audio production is the best I have experienced on audible. It's worth the purchase just for the audio work.

Moore and Stevens are the perfect pairing!

Having never read a Moore book I had no idea what I was getting into but...boy am I glad I did! Fisher Stevens narration is great with varied vocal nuances that really brought the characters to life.
Get this book...you WON'T regret it!

Die Laughing

Would you listen to A Dirty Job again? Why?

Yes, I have. Read and listened, twice, once on a road trip with a friend wanting to share it.

What did you like best about this story?

The imagery, humor, characters. Who wouldn't want to imagine the "squirrel people"? I'm inspired I'd like to make my own army.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

An adventure to die for! (Imagine... Tim Burton could do wonders with this, plus isn't there already that Disney connection?)

Any additional comments?

Moore books are the best to turn on while doing a mundane task, suddenly something like a long road trip flys by or cleaning the house turns into fun. I'm about to do just that.

laugh out loud

great absurd hilarious story, narrator was perfect, sorry it was over. Can't wait to start the next book

One of my all time favorite listens

With a sequel coming out, I just listened to A Dirty Job after reading years ago. I laughed out loud throughout which I remembered. What I had forgotten was just how smart the writing was. Super smart and fun. Highly recommended.