The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey (ARC Review)

Title: The Dead Take the A Train
Authors: Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey
Type: Fiction
Genre: Adult, Horror, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
Published: October 3, 2023

A complimentary ARC and finished copy of this book were kindly provided by Tor Nightfire in exchange for an honest review.

Bestselling authors Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey have teamed up to deliver a dark new story with magic, monsters, and mayhem, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Joe Hill.

Julie Crews is a coked-up, burnt-out thirty-something who packs a lot of magic into her small body. She’s been trying to establish herself in the NYC magic scene, and she’ll work the most gruesome gigs to claw her way to the top.

Julie is desperate for a quick career boost to break the dead-end grind, but her pleas draw the attention of an eldritch god who is hungry for revenge. Her power grab sets off a deadly chain of events that puts her closest friends – and the entire world – directly in the path of annihilation.

⤖ My Review ⬻

I was intrigued by The Dead Take the A Train from the start! The title alone caught my attention, and when paired with the vivid and horrific cover, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy ASAP. From the moment I cracked it open, I was drawn into a world that blended the familiar with the paranormal, set against the backdrop of modern NYC.

While I didn’t find the main character, Julie, entirely relatable for me personally, there was no denying that she was a captivating protagonist. Her journey through the dark and gritty underbelly of the city was both harrowing and exhilarating to follow, even if her experiences didn’t resonate with me on a personal level. However, the complexity of her character and the challenges she faced kept me invested.

The supporting cast of characters added depth and intrigue to the narrative, with one particular character leaving me guessing about their role in Julie’s life. The uncertainty surrounding their relationship added an extra layer of suspense to the plot, keeping me guessing (which made me happy). And the world…I’m very curious about the world and loved learning more about it. The setting is modern NYC but there’s a paranormal underbelly that’s been added to the famous city in this tale that I almost found believable!

While I’m a big fan of small town horror, I’m finding that big city horror (like this book, and The Marigold for example) are really growing on me (no pun intended). When finishing the book, I was excited to find it was the start of a series rather than a standalone as I’d initially believed. I can’t wait to read more!

⤖ About the Authors ⬻

Cassandra Khaw is an award-winning game writer. Their recent novella Nothing but Blackened Teeth was a British Fantasy, World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, and Bram Stoker Award finalist. Their debut collection Breakable Things is now out.

Richard Kadrey is a writer and freelance musician living in Pittsburgh, best known for his Sandman Slim novels. His work has been nominated for the Locus and BSFA awards. Kadrey’s newest books are The Secrets of Insects, released in August 2023; The Dead Take the A Train (with Cassandra Khaw), released in September 2023; The Pale House Devil, released in September 2023.