Following on from the highly entertaining prequel novel ‘Genesis’ (2025) – which ideally should be read first when embarking upon the series – we have this second instalment which takes us through Dyson Devereux’s life immediately post-University.

If you’ve already read the first book, or indeed any of the other books in the ‘Necropolis’ series, perhaps as and when the latter instalments were originally released, then you will no doubt know the tone and style to expect. Essentially, we have a dark, satirical comedy about a suave, charming and somewhat sophisticated serial killer.

However, in this book we see a tad more of Dyson’s lack of self-awareness coming through. It’s again, written from Dyson’s perspective, telling his story from behind his own eyes. But through this we glimpse the reaction of others to his increasingly self-absorbed behaviour, more and more. His frequent moments of daydreaming and sudden outbursts of laughter, as he internally reminisces about past glories or comical ponderings. It’s a detachment from his surroundings which is frequently observed by others.

We also see glimpses of Dyson exhibiting a mild form of the Dunning–Kruger effect, where his over-confidence leads him to believe he’s unquestionably the best at everything he does, but reality now appears to be a tad different. His ability with driving, both whilst undergoing his driving test, as well as immediately post passing, provides us with a good sight of this, as does his first attempts at trying to land himself with a decent job. And it makes us wonder what else Dyson is seeing through a distorted perspective. What else he’s not in reality the absolute epitome of?

I’m hoping if you’re reading this review, then you’ve already read the aforementioned prequel novel. If not, I advise you to stop reading this review, and instead pick up the first book - ‘Genesis’ (2025) – before reading any more of my ramblings on this second instalment. Mild spoilers regarding the first book await. You are warned!

So, as we saw in the previous book, Dyson’s had his first kill during his early teen years. His nasty and vindictive cousin – Beatrice – takes a tumble over a cliff edge at Beachy Head courtesy of our protagonist. One kill does not a serial killer make! But we know there will be more. And by the end of the first book, we’re pretty sure we know who Dyson will have his eyes upon – the Tollington Twins and of course the corrupt sociopath GP Trenton.

The planned murder of these individuals forms the main focus of this particular instalment. However, as always, we have other subplots and parallel running story arcs. We have the reignition of a relationship with Amelia Burlington – who Dyson hasn’t seen for eight years, since he left Tollington. Ameila’s now the epitome of a young professional in her early twenties. An estate agent who spends most of her time hanging out with her boss and other colleagues – always boozing, always waking up the next day with a pounding hangover.

Their relationship, as well as others in Dyson’s life, help to emphasise and exhibit Dyson’s carefree and sociopathic nature. His lack of connecting with anyone other than merely at a surface level. His inability for him to really be there in the same room as them, despite being physically present. Author, Guy Portman, doesn’t make a big song and dance of this, but instead inserts the subtleties of his beloved character’s sociopathic personality and traits.

There’s a very tight connection between this book and the previous one. The continuation of the Garbage Pail Kids-style nicknames that Dyson prescribed to characters from when he was a young teen. We even see good old Edgerton-Smythe making an appearance in the book.

What we have in this book is a voyeuristic view of Dyson’s life as he matures further. Where we see his over-confidence in his abilities coming to fruition more and more. We see how much he’s able to project himself and progress in life largely through this confidence, but slowly, this starts to crumble when he pushes his natural flair for getting away with shit too far.

It’s again an insanely entertaining read. Laced with dry wit throughout. Dark humour that’ll have you roaring with laughter in more than a few places.

It’s now edge-of-the-seat time as we wait for the third and final book in this prequel trilogy to conclude the early years of Dyson Devereux, and tie in the final links to the spectacular novel that started it all – ‘Necropolis’ (2014).

The novel runs for a total of 153 pages.