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M.V. Stott
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Necessary Evil: A Supernatural Thriller (Spectral Detective Book 4) Kindle Edition

by David Bussell (Author), M.V. Stott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 134 ratings

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 realise 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 favour 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 5” kills.

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

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

Praise for the Fletcher & Fletcher Collection:

“Clear a little time for this book as it is really hard to put down.” ★★★★★

“It’s very refreshing to read such well-written, exciting literature.” ★★★★★

“Engaging, entertaining, and totally necessary!” ★★★★★

“I COMPLETELY and TOTALLY recommend this story. Wholeheartedly. For reals.” ★★★★★

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  1. Book 4 of 6
    Spectral Detective
  2. Print length
    368 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    December 9, 2019
  6. File size
    3.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 6 books in this series.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Experience The Uncanny and explore more from the Uncanny Kingdom Urban Fantasy Universe:
Spectral Detective
  • Deathday (exclusive mini-story)
  • Spectral Detective
  • Corpse Reviver
  • Twice Damned
  • Necessary Evil
  • Deadly Departed
  • Dread Spectre
Hexed Detective
  • Hexed Detective
  • Fatal Moon
  • Night Terrors
Dark Lakes
  • Magic Eater
  • Blood Stones
  • Past Sins
Branded
  • Sanctified
  • Turned
  • Bloodline
Uncanny Ink
  • Bad Soul
  • Bad Blood
  • Bad Justice
  • Bad Intention
  • Bad Thoughts
  • Bad Memories
London Coven
  • Underground Magic (exclusive mini-story)
  • Familiar Magic
  • Nightmare Realm
  • Deadly Portent
  • Other London
  • Darkly Dreaming
Receive EXCLUSIVE titles and never miss a new release by heading to uncannykingdom.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07ZBF869Z
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Uncanny Kingdom
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 9, 2019
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 4 of 6 ‏ : ‎ Spectral Detective
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 134 ratings

About the authors

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  1. David Bussell

    David Bussell

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    ​David Bussell is a best-selling British author renowned for his contributions to the urban fantasy genre. He is the co-creator of the Uncanny Kingdom, a series that explores a secret Britain teeming with paranormal suspense stories. His notable works include the "Spectral Detective" series. David's writing prowess has been recognized with the P.G. Wodehouse New Comic Writer Award. Beyond his literary achievements, he is an avid fencer, a lover of synthwave music, and a committed comic book fan.

    See more on the author's page
  2. M.V. Stott

    M.V. Stott

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Co-owner and author of the Uncanny Kingdom, publishing fun, fast, and magical urban fantasy stories.

    TWITTER:

    @uncannykingdom

    FACEBOOK:

    https://www.facebook.com/UncannyKingdom

    WEBSITE:

    https://uncannykingdom.com

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
134 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's characters and find it action-packed with a strangely compelling story. They appreciate the humor throughout the narrative.

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9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting how well the narrator brings the storyline to life.

"...This book has humor, ghosts, zombie, and Dames. Narrator does a Great job with the storyline and characters voices." Read more

"The thing that makes this book so worth reading is the main character. He is very good and funny at the same time...." Read more

"...You can't help but feel for Fletcher no. 2. His character really starts to come alive (pun intended) towards the end which really sets up a new..." Read more

"I love the Jake Fletcher character and all his crazy antics. This has so many variables that it’s hard to keep up...." Read more

7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, describing it as action-packed with a wonderful plot.

"...This book has humor, ghosts, zombie, and Dames. Narrator does a Great job with the storyline and characters voices." Read more

"...know why it took me so long to really get into it…there was plenty of action going on and information enough to fill in someone like me who had not..." Read more

"...magic-wielders, fairies and so much more coming at you in this imaginative, action-packed, always fun, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny story about..." Read more

"...This was a one of a kind, and strangely compelling story with unusual characters and plot. Well done!" Read more

6 customers mention "Humor"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor.

"...This book has humor, ghosts, zombie, and Dames. Narrator does a Great job with the storyline and characters voices." Read more

"...If you enjoy a good mystery, snarky British humor, and outrageous paranormal chaos, this story will check all the boxes...." Read more

"...He is very good and funny at the same time. The story line was different and way out there, but the book is good." Read more

"...Loved the addition of the shape changer, too. Bissell still mixing humor and different takes on both human and non human, and previously human..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Georgia McNabb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Noir Style Story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    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. Narrator does a Great job with the storyline and characters voices.
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  • A' Winter
    5.0 out of 5 stars What would your ghost do with your zombie body?
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I’m fast becoming a big fan of Urban Fantasy, and I recommend this to all others who do, as well. It was the first book in the Uncanny Kingdom that I have read. Although, it seems to be the 4th in a series, I had no trouble reading it as it stood on its own. I guess I’ll just have to read those 3 next! I love the idea of a ghost being set upon by his own zombie-fied body. I can imagine Jake would have not been happy to have to deal with a rotting corpse, that, unfortunately for him, was his dead and buried body. On top of that, he has a clock ticking on 2 cases (a Jack the Ripper copy-cat and bring a demon’s soul to an old cohort?) before more people die. (Something that Jake has been trying to atone for all along, from what I can gather - again, must read first books! But, I love that he’s so concerned with his after, afterlife and where he might be going…) I don’t know why it took me so long to really get into it…there was plenty of action going on and information enough to fill in someone like me who had not read the previous stories. But, I love long stories, so I was happy with that. I read the rest quickly because I wanted resolution to this story and was eager to find out how it would resolve. I loved FrankenJake. I felt sorry for him - that his resurrection had somehow left him with an awareness of his other, ghost self and the lack in his new so-called existence. And I loved that the old woman, Jazz Hands, told Jake (to quote Dalton, in Roadhouse) “Be Nice” to his zombie self. That goes without saying for the rest of us, too. Here’s hoping that the 2 of them come to a great understanding and a happy partnership, with many more stories. Be forewarned, non-Brits: there’s plenty of slang that the rest of us are clueless about, but I think most readers will be able to glean the meanings of. (I intend to find out, though.)
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Not my favorite Jake Fletcher book. It seemed darker, maybe because it had less humor. Kat Stronge seems out of character for most of the book, I really didn't care for that.
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  • txdoc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quintessential urban fantasy!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The thing that makes this book so worth reading is the main character. He is very good and funny at the same time. The story line was different and way out there, but the book is good.
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  • PhotoMoeR56
    3.0 out of 5 stars Would have been more stars but for the rehashing
    Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The rehashing and restating of everything that happened to Jake Fletcher got so old, I was flipping past so many pages before the story got to the point and interesting. By book four, we know about Jake's history. Please get on with the new story!
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  • Linda Collister
    5.0 out of 5 stars Making atonement
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Seeking atonement and a way to repay for his past mistakes, Jake uses his skills and knowledge of the uncanny to help solve cases with detective Strong. Can he figure out who is copying Jack the Ripper and stop the horrendous murders and at the same time evade that scumbag Vic Lord? Vic’s threat to have Jake’ s zombie kill him only angers him more. Losing friends to the demon ripper and Vic forces Jake to acknowledge his zombie is more than a soulless, mindless thing. See the direction he takes to save his partner , himself and his meatsuit from death.. A great read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Shastas
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is not your ordinary read - it's better
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is not what I expected? You can't help but feel for Fletcher no. 2. His character really starts to come alive (pun intended) towards the end which really sets up a new character for the beginnings of a great new series. I'm really looking forward to how this will go!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lonewolf
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Read From Start to Finish. Unputdownable!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Unputdownable, a brilliant read from start to end. I thought that when I read that Fletcher was becoming Fletcher & Fletcher, it must be a sibling or other family member, when I realised it wasn't, I couldn't understand how, then when I realised the who and how I was impressed and delighted. Now I want there to be more of the partnership, I can't wait. And I am not saying more as this is a review not a spoiler. But I will say that the pace of the story kept me reading and not upset by any of it. I easily get bored by the pace of some books but not this one. By the way I hope Shift is going to be a permanent feature from now on. A sort of ying to F & F's Yang.
    Read this you won't be sorry.
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  • Phoebe D
    4.0 out of 5 stars WOW
    Reviewed in Australia on February 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This reads like a old Bogart's private eye story and I enjoyed it. I was not sure at first but then I had to find out how it all turned out. A very different but enjoyable story.
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  • Hayley B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I have read all the books in this series and they just keep getting better. Brilliant storylines, good strong characters you get to know and care about, and nothing at all predictable. It’s very refreshing to read such well written, exciting literature. I hope there will be more to come.
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  • Jonathan Pyne
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fiction
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Amusing look at a ghost world around us, worth the read
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  • jonathan nicholas-gibbs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book. Part with your cash!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely brilliant.
    So easy to read but quick witted, clever turns and a nod to the old school detective stories. If Amazon video made an original show this should be it.
    In fact...
    Genuinely great book.
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