Description
18th-century highwayman Ross Ferris met his end at his favourite Cornish inn, and his soul was condemned to the flames of Hell. When an unexpected turn of events earns him a reprieve from the demons stoking the fires, he is recruited as a Reaper, Third Class. His job: to gather the souls of those departed, also destined for the Inferno, who refuse to leave the temporal plane. He’ll spend eternity at the job unless he can find a way to avoid the final fate that awaits him.
He hates the job, and despite a developing relationship with team leader Caroline, is increasingly sympathetic to those he binds to their own doom of everlasting torment. Ross wants out and when he hears a rumour that someone once succeeded in getting away, not only from the job but from Hell itself, he is determined to follow.
Can Ross piece the clues together and discover Anya’s escape route before the daemons of Hell catch up with him? And can he persuade a reluctant Caroline to take that perilous step with him?
The Reluctant Reaper is the first novel of prizewinning author Denarii Peters’ long-awaited Ross Ferris Trilogy and follows hot on the heels of her first collection of short stories.
Details:
Publication Date: 31st July 2025
Author: Denarii Peters
ISBN: 978-1-0684474-0-2
Additional Buy Now Links:
- Apple Books – Coming Soon
- Amazon Kindle
- Universal Book Link – for other retailers
- Paperback version also available
Praise for The Reluctant Reaper
Real page turner
“From the opening paragraph I realised that Denarii Peter’s novel The Reluctant Reaper would be a real page-turner. I immediately bonded with the protagonist, Ross, a likeable highwayman who I feared would make an early exit, but who died to fight another day – and many more besides.
Betrayal and lost love are featured, as well as plenty of gory scenes, but there is so much more, in particular Denarii’s humour which I loved. Her clever use of this tricky commodity means that the suspense level is never reduced; if anything, the lighter touches made me more desperate to find out what happened next.
‘Time does not exist in Hell’ – next time you’re fighting against the clock, you may or may not find this thought consoling. This and other pithy observations are reminders of Ross’s difficulties, compounded by being given a job he really doesn’t want.
The ending of the book is extremely satisfying, while cleverly leaving the way open for Ross’s story to continue. I for one very much hope it does.” HC
Highly recommended
“I have just finished reading and it was brilliant from start to end, I couldn’t put the book down! I would highly recommend the Reluctant Reaper.” LW
Another highly impressive work from Peters
“After the success of her collection of short stories, Will You Walk Into My Parlour?, Denarii Peters returns with her debut novel, The Reluctant Reaper.
A tale that plays upon themes of redemption and damnation, I’m happy to say that Peters is as skilled a novelist as she is a short story writer. The Reluctant Reaper is a confident and enjoyable work, the work of an author that has found her own voice and is happy to play to her strengths.The protagonist, 18th-century highwayman Ross Ferris, is a fascinating anti hero. I’d go as far as to say that he deserves to stand alongside classic anti heroes like Fagin or John Constantine. He’s certainly no knight in shining armour. Indeed, he’s enough of a wrong ‘un to have found himself in hell. But he’s still a good enough person that he wants to help the people we meet. There’s something instantly likeable and human about Ferris and his moral struggles.
This characterisation is a strength throughout the book. Not just Ferris, but everyone we meet feels like their own fully realised person with their own quirks and foibles. Each feels like an individual. This is no mean feet in a book where some of the characters are literal demons.
The other point that makes The Reluctant Reaper stand out among its peers is Peters’ expertise in tonal shifts. The book jumps comfortably from action scenes to humour to moments of pathos skilfully, always feeling organic and regaining coherence. This leads to a work guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and think in equal measure.
Overall, another highly impressive work from Peters, with its long form nature working even better for her than the short story format. The book is the first in a planned trilogy and I look forward to hearing more about the adventures of Ross Ferris.” SF
Fascinating and original
“What a fascinating and original way of describing how ‘lost souls’ are collected and dispatched to Hell! I really enjoyed the read and I found myself sympathising with Ross on many occasions (he didn’t seem to be that bad!). He’s a reluctant hero as well as a lost soul and I felt for him when he eventually found out about Tessa’s fate. Loved the unconventional view of heaven and how it is countered by hell and the unlikely relationship between Caffiaes and ‘Doris’ is very intriguing. Looking forward to finding out how Ross manages in the afterlife!” SW
An engaging adventure
“I enjoyed the book very much and found the story an engaging adventure. The different situations that Ross finds himself in are interesting and entertaining. I liked the interplay between the characters, especially the relationship between the two leading figures. The book kept me coming back to discover what happens next. I’m looking forward to finding out what is to come for Ross.” SW
Score 5/5
“This book is stunning. The idea of the reaper is very creative and the different scenarios in each chapter, with their twists and turns, are very cleverly crafted. The language used in the book is carefully chosen for maximum impact and there are some very funny moments. All the characters are extremely believable and the interaction between them all is fantastic. The way the characters are developed and the way the plot builds is brilliant. The ending is ingenious and I can’t wait for book 2 . An absolutely amazing first novel. Definitely a must read. Score 5/5 .” SS
Exuberantly inventive
“This exuberantly inventive novel is rooted firmly in the world of the supernatural. Denarii Peters offers us mystery, romance and humour through the central character of Ross Ferris, a ghost working reluctantly on behalf of Hell while trying to find an escape route from the overheated eternity in which he is trapped. The author has great fun with her otherworldly settings – who knew that Hell is as tediously bureaucratic as any government department, or that Heaven might be (whisper it) just a little dull?
The tasks Ross must carry out allow for plenty of narrative twists, an imaginative cast of minor characters, and a ghost’s-eye view of places that range from seedy flats to country club hotels, airports to decaying mansions. I could go on, but far better you read and enjoy it for yourself! The intriguing ending beckons to Ms Peters’ next book, the second in what will be the Ross Ferris trilogy.” AI
An inimitable mixture of humour, dark imagination and exquisite story telling
“If you thought corporate life was hell wait until you enter the corporate Hell described by Denarrii. A world of rules, office politics, disgruntled staff and thankless tasks. With her inimitable mixture of humour, dark imagination and exquisite story telling Denarrii takes us on a quest with the “reluctant reaper”. We meet likeable daemons, unlikable humans, crafty angels and heartless compassionate individuals.
As each mission throws up challenges and riddles we discover more about the lives, deaths and eternal prospects for the main characters. Each a complex mixture of human qualities and failings that make them fallible and determined. Unlikely friendships and even more unlikely love affairs keep the reader guessing. Who can be trusted, what lengths will individuals go to and what risks would they take to be with the one they love and free? Although this is a genre I am not usually drawn to I have enjoyed discovering a new hellish world with the Reluctant Reaper”. SB
An enjoyable read
“Denarii Peters first novel, The Reluctant Reaper, follows the life and death of a highwayman. Following his death we are introduced to his “new life” where he crosses paths with Hell Hounds, Daemons, Pearly Poodles and Angels. Denarii combines superb storytelling and gentle humour with twists and turns and a gentle new approach to an ancient concept of after-life. An enjoyable read which is also thought provoking regarding the concepts of Heaven and Hell.” JS
The devil has all the best tunes
“As an accomplished short story writer, Denarii Peters has, for many years, hooked readers with tales of the off-beat and macabre. Her substantial body of work has appeared in countless on and off-line platforms and she has won awards for the brevity, wit and imagination she brings to these short stories. Her credentials as a novelist, however, are unknown. Until now.” Dave Jordan continues his review on the Anansi Archive Website. Just scroll down to find it.
