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Kill the Dead: A Sandman Slim Novel (Sandman Slim, 2) Paperback – October 7, 2014

by Richard Kadrey (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,337 ratings
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“Sandman Slim is my kind of hero.”
—Kim Harrison

“Richard Kadrey is a genius.”
—Holly Black

Sandman Slim is back from Hell. After wreaking unholy havoc in author Richard Kadrey’s resoundingly acclaimed Sandman Slim, the demon-slaying anti-hero and half-angel fugitive from the underworld returns in a brutally funny, eye-poppingly inventive, and totally addicting follow-up, Kill the Dead. If you’re a fan of Buffy and Jim Butcher, Christopher Moore, Neil Gaiman, and Warren Ellis, or you dig the dark urban fantasy vibe of Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, and Simon Green, you’ll cheer Lucifer’s onetime personal assassin as he signs on as his ex-boss’ Hollywood bodyguard…and takes on the zombie apocalypse almost single-handedly.

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  1. Book 2 of 12
    Sandman Slim
  2. Print length
    464 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Harper Voyager
  5. Publication date
    October 7, 2014
  6. Dimensions
    1.09 x 5.1 x 6.96 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0061714348
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0061714344
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"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Powerful, entertaining and exotically profane.” — San Diego Free Press

“…endlessly inventive and high-octane…Kadrey’s an excellent writer who’s able to juggle all of it without dropping a single pin.” — Locus

“Think Get Shorty meets Hellraiser.” — San Francisco Chronicle

“Everything a sequel should be; that is, more. … There’s hardly a moment where you’re not chewing your fingernails to the wrist wondering what happens next. … Kadrey is a hell of a writer, versatile and seasoned, and these pulpy, dark, ultraviolent novels are his best work yet.” — Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing

“James Stark, antihero of 2009’s Sandman Slim, returns in this gritty, over-the-top tale of supernatural mayhem…Profane, intensely metaphoric language somehow makes self-tortured monster Stark sympathetic and turns a simple story into a powerful noir thriller.” — Publishers Weekly on KILL THE DEAD

“What’s best displayed by Kill the Dead is Kadrey’s snappy prose. From the first lines...you know you’re in for a Chandler-meets-the-undead treat.” — Locus

“Hilarious … belongs up there with Dresden Files and Felix Castor novels. … some of the best supernatural buddy comedy ever created. ... This is that rare sequel that’s actually better than the first book (which was plenty great) and manages to take several leaps forward.” — io9.com

From the Back Cover

Life's a bitch, then you die . . . if you're lucky

James Stark, a.k.a. Sandman Slim, crawled out of Hell, took bloody revenge for his girlfriend's murder, and saved the world along the way. After that, what do you do for an encore?

You take a lousy job tracking down monsters for money. It's a depressing gig, but it pays for your beer and cigarettes. In L.A., though, things can always get worse.

Like when Lucifer comes to town to supervise his movie biography and drafts Stark as his bodyguard. Sandman Slim has to swim with the human and inhuman sharks of L.A.'s underground power elite. That's before the murders start. And before he runs into the Czech porn star who isn't quite what she seems. Even before all those murdered people start coming back from the dead and join a zombie army that will change our world and Stark's forever.

Death bites. Life is worse. All things considered, Hell's not looking so bad.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Voyager
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0061714348
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061714344
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.09 x 5.1 x 6.96 inches
  • Book 2 of 12 ‏ : ‎ Sandman Slim
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 2,337 ratings

About the author

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Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

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Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.

Some of Kadrey’s other books include The Dead Take the A Train (with Cassandra Khaw), The Pale House Devil, and Butcher Bird. His work has been nominated for both the BSFA and Locus awards.

Aside from books, Kadrey has written for film and comics, including Heavy Metal, Lucifer, and Hellblazer. Kadrey also makes music with the band, A Demon in Fun City.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,337 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this urban fantasy novel as a fun romp with way-over-the-top action scenes and a complete story. The book features Apocrypha characters in a true crime mashup, and customers appreciate its gritty humor, with one noting how the protagonist talks fluent movie quotes. While the writing style and pacing receive mixed reactions, with some praising the descriptions while others find the writing style frustrating, customers consider it a worthy sequel in the Sandman Slim series.

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Story qualityEntertainment valueCharacter developmentHumorSeries qualitySandman slim novelWriting stylePacing
100 customers mention "Story quality"88 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the story's creativity and way-over-the-top action scenes, with one customer noting how it helps explain plot elements from previous storylines.

"...The Sandman Slim novels are a unique combination of a supernatural thriller and a hard-boiled crime novel...." Read more

"...But Kadrey knows how to deliver great scenes that all work, anchored by Stark's darkly funny narration and worldview, to say nothing of the..." Read more

"...whose voice is humorous but also irreverent, impertinent, dark and tough, but I do feel sorry for anyone who did not read that first book because in..." Read more

"...The world of Sandman Slim is rich and compelling, and the author is continuously inventive. If you liked the first volume, you'll love this one." Read more

97 customers mention "Entertainment value"94 positive3 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and engaging, describing it as a fun urban fantasy romp.

"...and worldview, to say nothing of the constantly surprising, inventive, strange world that the book inhabits...." Read more

"...This one only whets the appetite for more!" Read more

"...The book has many surprises and it gets to conserve that feeling I had in the first book of Los Angeles as a magical city, or at least a city where..." Read more

"...The world of Sandman Slim is rich and compelling, and the author is continuously inventive. If you liked the first volume, you'll love this one." Read more

43 customers mention "Character development"36 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the Apocrypha characters in a true crime mashup, with one customer highlighting the monster with a heart and conscience.

"...It's turning out to be a series I don't know how to describe. I love the characters...." Read more

"...Stark is such a great character and this book adds a whole new layer to him. Just a great read!" Read more

"...The book as a whole I like. I like the main character himself. He's got a fun voice, he's just gritty enough...." Read more

"...are never well developed, though many of the secondary characters have good personality. Action scenes are frequent and energetic...." Read more

36 customers mention "Humor"30 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its gritty wit and sarcastic tone, with well-crafted sentences throughout.

"...There's a lot of hard drinkin', cigarette smokin', sarcastic street-smart wit, and two-fisted action...." Read more

"...out to give the reader a character whose voice is humorous but also irreverent, impertinent, dark and tough, but I do feel sorry for anyone who did..." Read more

"...There are confrontations, plotting, violence, sarcasm, insults and rich description that make putting the book down difficult:..." Read more

"...It is at times dark and gritty, comedic, sometimes touching, and, of course, ultra violent...." Read more

35 customers mention "Series quality"35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this book as part of the Sandman Slim series, finding it as good as the first book and a worthy sequel.

"I loved this book. It's turning out to be a series I don't know how to describe. I love the characters...." Read more

"...questions are answered as this over-the-top novel reaches a satisfying conclusion. "..." Read more

"...Everything that is great about Sandman Slim is back in this well put-together sequel...." Read more

"Perhaps better than the first in the series. A thrill ride of conniving angels, nasty zombies, and a murderous hero." Read more

13 customers mention "Sandman slim novel"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this Sandman Slim novel, with one customer noting it's a great follow-up to the series and another highlighting the rich world-building.

"...The world of Sandman Slim is rich and compelling, and the author is continuously inventive. If you liked the first volume, you'll love this one." Read more

"...Kadrey does a great job at continuing the Sandman Slim story, clearing up some of the open questions that came out of the first book, and setting..." Read more

"...from beginning to with a lot of Gore and comedy in between, slim is a perfect antihero and kadrey writes the character into these great situations...." Read more

"Love Kadrey's Sandman Slim series! He has created a universe full of interesting characters and surprising plot twists. I can't get enough!" Read more

16 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some praising the great descriptions while others express frustration with the style.

"...are confrontations, plotting, violence, sarcasm, insults and rich description that make putting the book down difficult:..." Read more

"...Despite the frustration with the writing style, I did enjoy the first story. With this sequel, however, I was bored about 1/4 of the way through...." Read more

"...It's filled with intricate, clever puzzles based on the metaphysics of Hellions (fallen angels), High Plains Drifters (zombies), and the sub rosa..." Read more

"...The main character, despite having major flaws is readily identifiable by the reader and the novel takes on the afterlife is welcome...." Read more

12 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it fast-paced while others note that it takes time to get to the main conflict.

"...Kill the Dead is fast paced , funny, and as is every book in the series, great bloody fun...." Read more

"...much showing off Kadrey's knowledge of the occult which slowed the pace down way too much...." Read more

"...It was a great book, imaginative, very funny, fast paced, and I was instantly a fan...." Read more

"...The plot is wild, fast paced and gritty, full of familiar and new characters. I can't wait to find out what comes next...." Read more

NOT THE COVER PICTURED
4 out of 5 stars
NOT THE COVER PICTURED
Got here 4 days faster than estimated, very excited to read this. Had to dock a star because THIS IS NOT THE COVER I RECIEVED. it is the cover I wanted but could not find anywhere on amazon so I am very happy, it will complete my collection nicely. However if you are collecting THE COVER PICTURED HERE I did not get that cover. I'm happy with the suprise but I don't know if everyone would be!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Greg
    5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars-Unique combination of a supernatural thriller and a hard-boiled crime novel
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2011
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Lucifer has come to Hollywood as an advisor for a movie about his life that's in production. With all the power struggles going on between the old Sub Rosa families, he hires Stark, a.k.a Sandman Slim, to be his bodyguard. Stark has recently been contracting for the Golden Vigil, a special department of homeland security that's overseen by the angel Aelita and defends against God's enemies on Earth. But between Stark's bad attitude and Aelita's "holier than though" one, that job isn't working out so well. So Stark needs the money. However, as one can imagine, when working for the Devil there's always going to be a catch. In a desperate bid to take over, somebody has set zombies loose in L.A., and Sandman Slim is the only person who can stop them.

    Mr. Kadrey's take on the Devil makes me think of the old mafia don depicted in gangster movies: a businessman who has aged very well, and who hides cleverness and fearsome power beneath a charming veneer. Lucifer is currently trying to hold on to his throne, but still wants to one day get back at God for the damnation that happened long before mankind became a player in the universal struggle between Heaven and Hell, which in Kadrey's Sandman Slim books, isn't necessarily the same thing as good vs. evil.

    In Kill the Dead, it's ironic that the harder Stark tries to self-improve -- by not simply killing everything that presents a problem -- the deeper into trouble he gets. He's reminds me a little bit of the guy who represents mayhem in the recent Allstate insurance commercials. No matter what Stark does, calamity follows him. I think the time he spent as an assassin and gladiator in Hell, though, has conditioned him to unconsciously thrive in chaos. Plus, Stark's ultimate goal is to kill Mason, the Sub Rosa magician who murdered Stark's girlfriend. With vengeance as his motivation for existence, it's a given that Stark's life is going to be screwed up.

    Richard Kadrey won me over as a fan with the first book, Sandman Slim, and I enjoyed Kill the Dead even more, which says a lot because I never had much interest in urban fantasy before. Kadrey has opened this reader's eyes to how much fun this kind of fantasy can be.

    The Sandman Slim novels are a unique combination of a supernatural thriller and a hard-boiled crime novel. There's a lot of hard drinkin', cigarette smokin', sarcastic street-smart wit, and two-fisted action. Mr. Kadrey's belief that evil is really just the ignorance or carelessness of one's actions, rather than a universal force that opposes good, makes the perfect underlying theme for the SANDMAN SLIM novels. The hostilities between the angels and demons continues, just as it always has, with humanity stuck somewhere in the middle. I anxiously wait to read about the next battle in the third installment of Kadrey's Sandman Slim series
    One person found this helpful
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  • Josh Mauthe
    4.0 out of 5 stars A little sprawling and shaggy, but no less entertaining and fun for that
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I quite enjoyed Sandman Slim, the first book in a long-running series by Richard Kadrey about a man who escapes from Hell to take revenge on those who put him there, mixing noir, horror, and a pitch-black antihero clearly inspired by Parker to create something deeply entertaining and stylish. Kill the Dead, the second book in the series, may not be quite as successful as its predecessor, but that didn't stop me from having a great time in it, as Kadrey starts to develop his world into a whole shadow society lurking just below the surface of LA - a place where Lucifer meets with movie executives to work on his biopic, where the dead hang out underground, where a severed head makes sure to keep something below his neck so that the beer he drinks doesn't make a mess, and where the government is quite literally on the side of the angels. Kill the Dead steers more deeply into noir territory, with Stark finding himself drawn into odd jobs like being Satan's bodyguard, only to stumble across some truly odd behavior amongst the recently deceased. What follows from there can be sprawling to a fault; there's an ambition to Kill the Dead that I appreciated, but I would be lying if I said that I didn't lose the thread more than a few times, especially as Stark himself seems to do the same along the way. But Kadrey knows how to deliver great scenes that all work, anchored by Stark's darkly funny narration and worldview, to say nothing of the constantly surprising, inventive, strange world that the book inhabits. Kill the Dead is undeniably a little shaggy, and the fact that the ending felt so much like a setup for the next book irked me a bit, but none of it really detracted from having a great time in Stark's bizarre, horrifying, bleakly funny world, nor did it keeps from me enjoying just how far Kadrey was willing to take his plot.
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  • Notlateja
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sandman Slim Series #2
    Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    After the 1st novel, Mr. Kadrey did not disappoint in his 2nd novel of the adventures of the anti-hero and extremely tough and snarky James i.e. Sandman Slim. This one only whets the appetite for more!
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Translate all reviews to English
  • Wortmagie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Der rauchende, trinkende, mordende Halbengel
    Reviewed in Germany on November 29, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Richard Kadrey schreibt nicht nur fleißig Romane und Kurzgeschichten, er ist auch Fotograf. Ich persönlich finde seine Kunst interessant, aber sie ist auch sehr verstörend und es gibt sicher einige unter euch, die sie abstoßend fänden. Seine Fotografie macht deutlich, dass er das Extreme liebt, was sich auch in seinen Romanen widerspiegelt. Seine Figur des James Stark alias Sandman Slim ist da keine Ausnahme.

    Nach 11 Jahren in der Hölle und der eher zufälligen Rettung von Los Angeles ist Starks Leben nun regelrecht langweilig geworden. Für seine Verhältnisse. Ab und zu ein Auftrag für das Golden Vigil, doch sonst ist es ruhig. Bis Luzifer Stark zu sich bittet und ihn zu seinem Bodyguard macht. Wozu der Herrscher der Hölle einen Bodyguard braucht? Offiziell soll Stark ihn zu den öffentlichen Auftritten begleiten, die Luzifer besuchen muss, um die Verfilmung seiner Biografie zu überwachen. In Wirklichkeit? Wen interessiert‘s, denn die Bezahlung ist gut. Schon bald bleibt Stark allerdings nichts anderes übrig, als sich dafür zu interessieren, denn Leute verschwinden, Luzifer wird angegriffen und die Toten erheben sich in Scharen. Irgendjemand pfuscht mit Zombies herum. Stark muss herausfinden, wer es ist und Schlimmeres verhindern, denn es kann ja wohl nicht sein, dass er bei seinem abendlichen Gläschen/Fläschchen Aqua Regia im Bamboo House of Dolls gestört wird. Oder?

    James Stark ist der perfekte Antiheld. Er hat so viele schlechte Eigenschaften, dass ich mich fragen musste, warum ich ihn eigentlich so unglaublich sympathisch finde. Ich weiß darauf keine eindeutige Antwort. Vermutlich hat es viel damit zu tun, dass seine Persönlichkeit wirklich einnehmend und unter der Oberfläche gar nicht so einfach gestrickt ist, wie es auf den ersten Blick erscheint. In „Kill the Dead“ ist mir besonders aufgefallen, dass sein Aufenthalt in der Hölle ihn in bestimmten Punkten für das Leben unter Menschen verdorben hat. Jeder Mensch hat Ballast, aber Stark… Ihr kennt sicher das berühmte Zitat „Die Hölle, das sind wir selbst“ von T.S. Eliot – bei Stark ist es die wahrhaftige Hölle, die er mit sich herumträgt. Er wird seine Erinnerungen an die Jahre dort nicht los, weil er sich nicht richtig damit auseinandersetzt. Daraus entsteht eine ganz merkwürdige Beziehung zu einem Ort, der ihm schon bei dem bloßen Gedanken daran das Blut in den Adern gefrieren lassen sollte. Doch ich wurde das Gefühl nicht los, dass Stark damit angibt, in der Hölle als Gladiator überlebt zu haben. Er ist stolz darauf, trotz all der Schmerzen und der Qual, die er dort erlitt. Hinzu kommt noch, dass ihm seit dieser Zeit die soziale Interaktion mit anderen Menschen sehr schwer fällt. Auf ihn trifft deshalb auch Sartres Zitat „Die Hölle, das sind die anderen“ zu. Er sehnt sich nach der Einfachheit der Arena, weil er sich dort nie die Frage stellen musste, wem er trauen kann. Er trug keine Verantwortung, musste keine Rücksicht nehmen und keine Pläne machen. Jetzt ist er zurück und hat eigentlich keine Ahnung, was er mit seinem Leben anstellen möchte. Diese Entwicklung war zu erwarten und ich finde es wunderbar, dass Richard Kadrey so deutlich darauf eingegangen ist. Stark ist ein verlorener Junge; er steht zwischen dem Golden Vigil und Luzifer und weiß genau, dass beide Seiten ihn eigentlich nur für ihre eigenen Pläne benutzen.
    In „Kill the Dead“ beleuchtet Richard Kadrey aber nicht nur neue Facetten seines Protagonisten, er verrät auch einiges über sein übernatürliches Universum. Die Handlung hat sehr viel mit der Geschichte der Sub Rosas (also der Übernatürlichen) zu tun: wie die verschiedenen Familien nach Nordamerika kamen und warum, wie sich Machtstrukturen entwickelten und wie sie um eben diese kämpfen. Stark erfährt all das nebenbei, während er versucht, die Zombie-Plage in den Griff zu bekommen. Dadurch kommen Action, Blut und Chaos nicht zu kurz – „Kill the Dead“ ist wirklich aufregend und spannend, in seiner Brutalität ganz ähnlich der Bourbon Kid – Reihe. Ich finde, Richard Kadrey versteht es hervorragend, dem Ganzen ein wenig die Schärfe durch seinen unvergleichlichen Humor zu nehmen. Müsste ich nicht so oft lachen, empfände ich die exzessive Gewalttätigkeit seiner Romane vermutlich als zu dominant, doch so ist es eine perfekte Mischung.
    Zu guter Letzt möchte ich noch die Figur des Luzifers hervorheben. Ich liebe ihn. Wirklich. Er ist nicht eindimensional böse, sondern kultiviert, belesen und manipulativ. Er erinnerte mich an einen Politiker oder Unternehmer und in gewisser Weise ist er das ja auch, denn die Hölle will gewinnbringend geführt und organisiert werden. Ich habe eine Schwäche für Luzifer-Versionen in Milton-Manier und Kadreys Vorstellung des Teufels kommt meiner eigenen so nahe, dass es fast schon unheimlich ist.

    Die Sandman Slim – Romane machen mich einfach glücklich. Sie lesen sich leicht und flüssig, sind witzig und herrlich unanständig. Sie sind Urlaub für meine Gedanken und mittlerweile empfinde ich Stark als Freund.
    Ich kann euch diese Reihe nur wirklich ans Herz legen, wenn ihr auf Antihelden à la Bourbon Kid, Joe Pitt oder Harry Dresden steht. Stark wird sicher auch eure Sympathie erobern, er ist einfach außergewöhnlich. Denn wann trifft man schon mal einen rauchenden, trinkenden, mordenden Halbengel?
    Report
  • Crinkly
    5.0 out of 5 stars developing beautifully
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying this series. It's witty, self aware, and secondary characters have no problem pointing out the fallibility and sometimes stupidity of the main character. I'm growing fond of the characters. There's enough moral ambiguity for me to chew on. The one liners are great, and every so often there is a page of theological v pop culture debate that is worth reading twice and leaves me with a smile on my face.

    The plot holds together well, the LA atmosphere hangs like smog, the motivations are viable, the writing is immaculate, and I can't find a single thing to criticise. I need to pace my approach to the next vol, or I will consume them too quickly, stop appreciating them fully, and run out too soon. Like a good box of chocolates, these need savouring, one at a time, slowly.
    Report
  • Virginia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
    Reviewed in Canada on August 17, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Adventurous, funny without being cheesy, and still some deep emotions. Love this whole series.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on August 12, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Love this series. Gritty, full on and lots of fun
    Report
  • Incantus
    4.0 out of 5 stars good book
    Reviewed in Canada on October 29, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    good book
    Report