Rating: 4⭐️
Although listed as the first book in The Corpse Whisperer series, The Prodigal is considered by its author the prequel to the series. Its actual introduction to the corpse whisperer, Allie Nighthawk.
These are my first books I’ve read by Boldwood so it’s my introduction into her writing as well as the universe of Allie Nighthawk.
Allie is a ghost whisperer, someone who can raise the dead and equally important, put them back into the grave. In a world where zombies have been on the rise for the last few years, her talents are in demand. But the pay gap between the damage caused by the zombies and their destruction is seeing her bank account empty.
That’s got her heading back to Cincinnati, where she has a house and a past.
There Allie’s got a rough landing into a situation where she’s in need of revenue, law enforcement is leery of her help, and the zombies are not behaving like normal.
I really enjoyed this. It’s short but the characters, including Headbutt the Bulldog, are interesting and layered. And there’s a past darkness following Allie that seems to be a huge part of the series that is hinted at by the end of the book.
It’s an entertaining read and sets the foundation for the series. A definite winner.
Cover art by Dar Albert at Wicked Smart Designs
The Corpse Whisperer series:
The Prodigal
The Corpse Whisperer
Corpse Whisperer Sworn
Corpse Whisperer Torn
Buy link
Book 1 of 5: Corpse Whisperer, the Series
Blurb
The Prodigal is a 2021 Imadjinn Award finalist, and H.R. Boldwood is a Pushcart Prize nominee and winner of the Thomas More College Bilbo Award for creative writing.
Murder. Mayhem. Zombies. Just another day in my hometown.
Welcome to my world—I’m Allie Nighthawk, a flat-broke zombie hunter with more attitude than cash. When I roll back into Cincinnati, I’m hoping for a fresh start. Instead, I land knee-deep in not one but two murders, a mess of mayhem, and more zombies than you can shake a machete at.
The good guys? They might not be so good. And the blast from my past? Yeah, he’s back—and not exactly bringing flowers.
Now I’ve got to juggle the walking dead, the maybe-not-so-living, and the very real chance I won’t get out unscathed. But hey, it’s all in a day’s work when you’re me: the Corpse Whisperer.
Oliver Heber Books
Publication date
March 18, 2025
Language
English
Print length
188 pages
Book 1 of 5
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 