A review by mahardy37
Grave Talk by Nick Spalding

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

An unusual premise for a book. Two people meet at a graveyard. The Graves of their recently deceased loved ones are right near each other. Alice lost her too young husband suddenly to a heart attack. Ben lost his older brother to leukemia.  Ben's practical joker brother stipulates in his will that Ben has to show up every year on his death day dressed in a ridulous costume (specified in the will and different every year). Alice and Ben make a connection because they are both so devastated by grief. over a ten year period they meet each year at the grave site and help each other sort through their crippling pain and take steps to move on in life. This is not a romcom. They become best friends, like siblings in their love and support. In spite of the dark subject matter, it is a light read. It's a good book when you don't want anything too heavy.