A steady 4.5 stars.
Death Mask and Eulogy is a novella set in what I guess is an alternate Italy (or perhaps just some created place) where death mask artists and eulogy writers vie for the best jobs, those of the bourgeoisie. This story follows Nova Coates, a young man who guards the tomb of an upper class family in the catacombs of the city. He is told to never open the tomb for fear of demonic wizards coming for the newly dead.

This is a quick read but worth every moment. I wasn't really sure where the story was headed until after the suicide party (gotta read to figure that one out). What happens next is so fast you may want to go back and reread the whole story again. The length allows for this to be easily done. And again I say it's worth it.

My only issue was I had some moments of confusion when reading some of the dialogue. I can see that it was possibly meant as a mechanism to follow the conversation, as if you are involved in it yourself. It was a bit distracting though.

This author has become a fast favourite of mine. I haven't been disappointed with what I've read so far. ( )