The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death

The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death follows Web Goodhue, a former teacher who takes a job as a crime scene cleaner in Los Angeles. After experiencing a traumatic event, Web finds himself drawn into the business of cleaning up after deaths - natural, accidental, and violent. The job introduces Web to an eccentric cast of characters in the death-cleaning industry and pulls him into situations beyond the scope of his work. His new profession forces him to confront both the physical aftermath of tragedy and his own personal demons. The novel combines dark humor with gritty realism in its portrayal of the crime scene cleaning business. The narrative incorporates elements of noir mystery while maintaining focus on the day-to-day realities of dealing with death and its aftermath. Through its exploration of trauma, death, and human connections, the story examines how people cope with life's darkest moments and find meaning in unexpected places. The unconventional setting serves as a lens through which to view grief, healing, and the complex bonds that form between people who work in death-adjacent professions.

Readers found this crime noir novel darkly humorous while also noting its graphic violence and gore. The dialogue and character development earned particular praise, with many highlighting the authenticity of conversations between characters. Liked: - Fast-paced narrative - Sharp, witty dialogue - Complex main character development - Dark humor throughout - Unique premise and setting Disliked: - Excessive profanity - Graphic descriptions of death/gore - Slow start in first chapters - Abrupt ending - Some found the protagonist unlikeable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (200+ ratings) "The dialogue crackles with authenticity" appears in multiple reviews. Several readers called it "Pulp Fiction meets Six Feet Under." Common criticism focused on the "unnecessarily crude language" and "gratuitous violence," though others argued these elements served the story's tone.

Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler A wisecracking criminal cleanup man finds himself in escalating trouble with rival gangsters while trying to handle dead body disposal gone wrong.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell A former mob hitman turned doctor must confront his violent past when his hospital becomes infiltrated by members of the crime family he betrayed.

The Wheelman by Duane Swierczynski A getaway driver gets caught between multiple criminal factions after a bank heist goes sideways and bodies start piling up.

Already Dead by Charlie Huston A private investigator who happens to be a vampire navigates Manhattan's criminal underworld while dealing with both supernatural and human adversaries.

The Cleanup by Sean Doolittle A night-shift police officer attempts to help a woman dispose of her abusive husband's body, leading to a cascade of increasingly dangerous complications.

🔹 Charlie Huston wrote this noir novel while working as a bartender in Los Angeles, drawing inspiration from real-life crime scene cleaners he met during his research. 🔹 The book's protagonist, Webster Fillmore Goodhue, reflects the author's interest in damaged characters who maintain dark humor in the face of trauma—a recurring theme in Huston's works. 🔹 Crime scene cleaning (trauma cleaning) became a regulated industry in the United States in the 1990s due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and concerns about bloodborne pathogens. 🔹 The novel won the 2009 Dilys Award, presented by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association for the book they most enjoyed selling during the year. 🔹 HBO optioned the book for a potential television series in 2009, with Huston writing the pilot script, though the project ultimately didn't move forward to production.