Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gloriously goth demon series finale full of mature content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DEAD BEAT, Alex, Darlington, Dawes, and Turner run ragged chasing down demons all over New Haven. Calling them to task: the guilt of leaving the door ajar for lesser demons to sneak through on their last jaunt to hell. They need to close the door, yes, but they also need to find a way to stop the greater demon Golgarot before he claims Alex and Darlington as his forever minions. And for this, they need more protection. A vampire may have the answer to this problem—while creating quite a few more. Problems multiply further when the head of the powerful Lethe board—with mysterious links to Alex's deadbeat dad—calls on Alex to use her formidable powers to enrich him and his Yale grad cronies. They know she's a Wheelwalker and know she can create a nexus, but the price, as always, is murder.
Is It Any Good?
As the gates to hell close on this gloriously goth and academically ambitious demon series, most readers should feel well satiated. It rather depends on what parts of the story readers are drawn to. Yes, the amazing main characters all get their moments. For Alex and Darlington, they finally explore their attraction. (Darlington, gentleman of Lethe, makes spontaneously sprouting demon horns look good, of course.) Yes, there are more rituals in the societies that go awry and more fascinating artifacts to gather. Yes, you can expect power-hungry Yale grads to throw their weight around. Add to that, flashbacks about the first descent to hell in 1933 and Darlington's connection to one of the hapless pilgrims.
It almost seems like too much to include Alex's family history as well, but her deadbeat dad is the reason for the title and the reason for her powers. But if you're anticipating more quality father-daughter time and more time sorting out Dad's ties to the smarmy Lethe board chair, this is where the story falters. The ending opens the door for a spinoff series, so maybe there's more family angst and Alex Stern adventures to come, and fans will follow Alex wherever she goes next.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about religion in Dead Beat. Only Mercy and Detective Turner find comfort in their Christian beliefs when faced with the demonic. How do other characters see the demonic in the mortal world?
Alex repeatedly questions her own integrity, but how does she show it in the end? How many Lethe rules and longstanding traditions does she break in the process?
If you were part of Lethe, which role would you be most suited for: Virgil, Dante, Oculus, or Centurion? Why?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Family Stories ( Dads ) , Fantasy ( Ghosts , Magic , Monsters ) , Friendship , School ( College & Graduate School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Empathy , Humility , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Flatiron Books
- Publication date : September 15, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18
- Number of pages : 496
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 28, 2026
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