Necessary Evil

Fletcher & Fletcher, Paranormal Investigators, Book 1

By: David Bussell

Narrated by: Mark Restuccia

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

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 victim of Jack the Ripper, the police realize that 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 favor 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 five” kills.

Will Jake earn his just reward, or will he topple even deeper into the twilight world between life and death?

Mystery, macabre, and caustic wit collide in this bizarre noir. Fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Mike Carey, and Benedict Jacka will love this thrilling detective story with a paranormal twist.

©2019 David Bussell & M.V. Stott (P)2020 David Bussell & M.V. Stott

Always a pleasure

Yet another feast for the ears! Narrator Mark Restuccia does an incredible job delivering the snarky, the dry, the sassy, the waspish, just as facilely as the not-firing-on-all-cylinders, shall I say? He’s quite adroit. But in order to be that good he’s got to have clever material & that is why I adore anything set in Other London or really anywhere in the Uncanny Kingdom.

There are some series that have that je ne s’ais quoi that leads you from one story to the next, one web of characters to others, seamlessly. They make it so interesting, cause you to become so invested, or are just so madcap & adventure filled that you trip along behind them merrily. These are those kinds of series. Buy them a few at a time, though, because you’ll want to just keep going.

A spectral detective and a zombie walks into a bar...

I really enjoyed this book, it is such an amazing instalment to the Uncanny Kingdom. I really liked getting to know FrankenJake, too, and still feel for poor Jake — the original spectral detective. I liked the other characters, some I knew from before (hi, Jazz hands!) but I loved Shift. The narrator was good, too. All round greatness.

Paranormal Investigating book-Ghosts and a Zombie

The book is has two parallel plot lines running through it of the case Jack Fletcher is helping the Police solve even though he is a ghost and can only be seen by one person on the force. He is also working on a case for the local crime boss even though he did not want to due to coercion. He is working on the two cases with the assistance of other paranormal 'people' and some humans.

You need to pay attention to the plot line to keep the two investigations straight and understand who is assisting with the investigation and who is working against Fletcher. I enjoyed the book and found the book believable in the realm of other paranormal works - not the same thing once again but realistic in this genre. Looking forward to Book 2 in the Fletcher and Fletcher Series.

Excellent Beginning To A New Series

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 zombie body as well as help the police with a Ripper copy cat case. 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 as you won't be sorry you did. I also had the pleasure to listen to the audio book. Mark Restuccia is an awesome narrator. His performance brought this story to life.

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.

just couldn't

I just couldn't get into this book like I did other books in the same world.

some zombies are good

I love Fletcher's snark , but most of all I liked the glimpses of heart and compassion starting with Frank and Fletcher's favorite meat suit. I found Shift to be an intriguing addition to the story. What an epic wrap up!! The double cross was icingon the cake. Looking forward to more. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters and story to life.

Great Noir Style Story

Fletcher is Dead and a ghost and one of the people he use to work with when he drew breath broght his body back as a Zombie and sent it after him. Fletcher unknowingly was destroying dead peoples soul by Extrosie them, and now that he is dead he is trying to get right with the man upstairs by doing the right thing as a PI. This book has humor, ghosts, zombie, and Dames.

Necessary Evil

This is a fast paced and action packed read that has great humor in it. The Narrator brings out the characters so well. And the Author has brought a fantastic read to life that once you start listening you won't want to put it down. It's a great Audio
Shauna Joesten

Action-packed and funny urban fantasy

As a The Dresden Files fan myself, I can tell you with certainty the fans of Jum Butcher's work will love this book because it has everything that made The Dresden Files so popular. It's fast-paced, action-packed, and hilarious. The narrator is doing a great job too. Looking forward to listening to book 2!