A bright sunny day. But in this rollicking comic novel, Harry O'Toole, a very ordinary guy from your neighborhood, repeatedly encounters his fear and anger at death. Unfortunately, and against every wish since childhood, Harry is surprised to find himself working as an undertaker. In charge of the family funeral business, he oversees responses to the reaper's work, week after traumatic week. Imagine your worst enemy moving into your house. What is to be done about that intrusive visitor? But Harry also experiences life-giving joy. He marries his college sweetheart. If Harry is pedestrian, Antoinette is fireworks, wacky on steroids. Others also bring comic relief. A big-hearted colleague. A scandal-loving local newspaperman. A brother who outshines Harry. A woman who treasures her dog. Alas, the fear of death keeps dialing up Harry. Please hold, he pleads, I have business to attend to. Death's shadow is patient, but relentless. Sanity is at stake. Suddenly, Harry's longstanding terror at death comes up against an unexpected adversary. Harry, skeptical, investigates.
A bright sunny day. But in this rollicking comic novel, Harry O'Toole, a very ordinary guy from your neighborhood, repeatedly encounters his fear and anger at death. Unfortunately, and against every wish since childhood, Harry is surprised to find himself working as an undertaker. In charge of the family funeral business, he oversees responses to the reaper's work, week after traumatic week. Imagine your worst enemy moving into your house. What is to be done about that intrusive visitor? But Harry also experiences life-giving joy. He marries his college sweetheart. If Harry is pedestrian, Antoinette is fireworks, wacky on steroids. Others also bring comic relief. A big-hearted colleague. A scandal-loving local newspaperman. A brother who outshines Harry. A woman who treasures her dog. Alas, the fear of death keeps dialing up Harry. Please hold, he pleads, I have business to attend to. Death's shadow is patient, but relentless. Sanity is at stake. Suddenly, Harry's longstanding terror at death comes up against an unexpected adversary. Harry, skeptical, investigates.
