In the Event of Death

A Novel

By: Kimberly Young

Narrated by: Elise Arsenault

When the Recession crushes their splashy event business in Silicon Valley, Liz Becker and Gabbi Rossi realize that parties are on hold—but funerals must go on.

Planning a memorial with flowers, music, and food isn’t that different from a wedding, right? But Liz has had a crippling fear of death since losing her younger sister in a childhood tragedy.

Knowing her husband and twin sons depend on her income, she reluctantly agrees to produce end-of-life events. As Gabbi promised, the money starts rolling in.

When an old real estate tycoon hires them to plan his “after party,” Liz finds an unlikely mentor. Just as things are looking up, she learns that someone she loves has a serious illness. Death planning gets personal.

©2023 Kimberly Young (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

Who's Afraid of Death?

I’ve read that all fear is “fear of death.” But in our society, who talks of death, gets ready for death, makes peace with death? So, how do we let go of the ever-present fear, face the truth of life and death and all that comes between?

Liz Becker, the heroine of this story, not only has to deal with the memory of her sister’s death many years earlier, but memorializing death is her only business option when the economy tanks on her event planning business. All with a wise-cracking business partner, an unemployed husband, twin teenage boys, and a sick mother making her life a rollercoaster ride. Entertaining for the reader; not so much for Liz. But we laugh and cry with her as she finds resilience and acceptance.

Riding the rollercoaster with Liz may just revolutionize your own resilience in facing death in general and in your own life, as you watch her learn to bring a measure of peace and joy to the grieving process.

While Liz's company organizes memorials unlike “your father’s funeral,” the author has written an unusually engaging book tackling the tough subject of death.

Enjoyable

I love the main character Liz, she’s so relatable. I hope there is more books in the future.

Death tamed by family love and friendship

The protagonist’s arc dealing in a meaningful way with everyday life and death. This book could have been trite or prosaic but the characters’ complexity draws the reader through. A journey worth taking.

Captivating story that pulls at your heart strings

I absolutely flew through this audiobook. Kimberly Young’s brilliant story telling paired with Elise Arsenault’s engrossing narration made me long for free moments where I could listen to the next chapter. Literature rarely elicits emotional and physical responses from me, but I found myself laughing, tearing up, and gasping out loud (you will know which chapter I’m referring to when you get to it!) as I progressed through this novel.

Young’s beautiful writing style skillfully transports you to a new world while simultaneously making the story so relatable and personal. You can’t help but think of your own loved ones as you accompany Liz on her growth as a parent, daughter, spouse, and friend. The first thing I did after listening to the final chapter was call my parents to tell them I love them. I could not recommend this book more highly.

An entertaining yet real examination of family, aging, and death

A very satisfying novel, with relatable and engaging characters, while skillfully addressing the heavy issues of family, aging, financial challenges, and death.

A well composed, gradual evolution of the main character as she faced her fears, traumas, and triggers about death, especially of those closest to her. Thought-provoking for the reader to examine your own perceptions about death as the story unfolds.

Having lived on the SF Peninsula, I enjoyed the use of local businesses and landmarks, which added to the life of the story. I smiled at the familiar challenges of parenting teenagers.

Satisfying ending, without trying to tie up every story line with a bow. Would be a great choice for a book club.