Edna Reid is 79 and has just lost her partner Ted. She is having a hard time with her new title of widow and decides to start The Death Café held evenings in the Happy Oatcake Café. The entire purpose is to discuss the taboo topics of death, everything from the costs to regrets. But then it seems someone has it out for Edna and is going out of their way to make her life difficult. There are break in at the café, a new person in the little town, and Ted’s own estranged daughter.

There are some odd things happening and it looks like Martine Shaw, the Canadian outsider may have some dealings with them. But we can’t leave out the estranged daughter and possible local trouble makers. There is so much more than what we see on the surface, just like in real life when someone dies.

I loved the concept of the Death Café. The whole idea of a group of people sitting down and discussing death is an amazing idea and I honestly think something that has possibilities in the real world. I admit that I ended up getting wrapped up in this part of the book more than anything. It made me think about when I lost both of my parents.

This is a great cozy mystery in an amazing setting. I loved this book and how it proceeded. I really hope that there will be a second book. There is room for a potential sequel and I know that I would be right there to get my grubby little hands on a copy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

An unconvincing soap-opera of a novel. The dialogue is sub-Archers and the “twist” is shocking to no one. There’s a beautiful gem of a story in here – revolving around how we talk about death and dying. But it is smothered in a dappy plot.

As someone who lost a parent I related to this book so much. I appreciated the nuances and the handling of the subject while it still being a book I enjoyed. It was a very lighthearted story about something every deep.

. . . . .

This is one of those books that grabbed my attention from the title of the book itself. It’s certainly not a title that you are likely to forget in a hurry. I read the synopsis and I just knew that this was one book that I would have to read as soon as I could. I was not to be disappointed as I absolutely loved this interesting read about getting people talking about death but more about that in a bit.
Edna is one of those characters that I couldn’t help but take to. When the book opens, Edna has recently lost her partner and she is trying to cope with his passing. Edna is strong, feisty, determined and at times she can be funny. She is so likeable and friendly that I couldn’t help but want to jump inside the pages of the book to give her a hug when she was having a wobble. I loved the fact that she tries to break the taboos around death by holding ‘death cafe’ sessions at the café that she owns. Then certain things start to happen and go wrong, which could threaten the future of Edna and her café.
‘Edna’s Death Cafe’ is very, very well written. The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn into the book from the moment you start to read and then bam before you know it, you are addicted to reading and you know that you are just not going to be able to put the book down. That’s what happened to me anyway. I would try to ration how much I read at once but that intention soon went out of the window because I was enjoying the book so much that I found it nigh on impossible to put it down and I just kept on reading. There were so many things that I loved about the book. I loved the various different characters in the book and certain things that they said or did made me chuckle. I loved the fact that through this book the author is encouraging people to talk about topics that were previously classed as being taboo or uncomfortable to discuss. A local café where I live also holds ‘death cafe’ sessions and by the title you might think that such sessions would be morbid but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I loved the way the author writes so compassionately and movingly about some pretty difficult subjects and nor is she afraid to tackle such topics.
In short I absolutely loved reading ‘Edna’s Death Cafe’ which is definitely a bit different to my usual sorts of reads. They do say a change is as good as a rest and this was certainly the case for me. I would definitely recommend this book and this author to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Angelena Boden comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

I really, really liked this story! I absolutely loved the fact that it centred around the older generation, and that fit well around the premise of the story. Death. And it brought to light that although there are many older people out there who have a different outlook of death than some young people, it all comes down to the same feelings of anxiousness about Death and what lies beyond.

The reason that I rated this story three stars, was due to some structuring issues that I couldn’t just forgive. There were times many spelling mistakes and sentence structure mistakes, but the biggest one for me was the fact that sometimes you couldn’t understand or know who was talking when. Now, I’m not sure if this was done intentional or not to give the feeling and impression of the Death Cafe being very busy and bustling and therefore people would be talking over one another, but it was still very unclear to me and left me re-reading parts of the paragraph wondering if I missed something!

On the other hand, I think this story really hits the nail on the head when it comes to grief and that everybody’s experience with loss and grief is not 100% the same. I love the messages that are conveyed throughout the story: friendship, love, the importance of communication, trust, and family.

Thank you to Netgally for giving me the chance to read this book, in exchange of an honest review. It was a great experience.

An uplifting story about a difficult subject...

”Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

This story was such a little quirky Jem... I loved the setting of the quaint village and all the colorful characters... it seems strange to call a book about death fun, but it was... fun and lighthearted.... it was emotional, and there were tears, but there were also plenty of smiles and laughs... I think this idea of a death café is quite brilliant, a place where people can come to discuss a topic often avoided... in a safe environment and bonus you get cake! I googled death café and found this is a growing movement that started in Europe...

Edna was prompted to start the death café after the death of her beloved partner ted... loved Edna and her spunk... she really wanted to help this village out and wasn’t always met with the most positive of reactions.... The secondary characters were an eclectic group of quirky characters... all of them dealing with some type of Grief either the loss or pending loss of a parent, child,or significant other... you really saw how grief really impacts each of us very differently and yet similarly... but the death café is not just about dealing with grief it is also about confronting your own immortality....

This book also had a bit of mystery and a sinister newcomer to the village.... this definitely added some flavor to the story, also rallied the villagers around Edna.... a lovely cozy story filled with Hart and humor... i’d absolutely recommend you add this one to your winter TVR!

*** many thanks to the publisher and Sarah for my copy of this book ***

I’m not crying honest...*sniffs*

So this another book that has been out of my comfort zone this year and what an emotional ride this was!

Edna is a 79 year old woman who is still reeling from the death of her beloved Ted. She starts a death cafe out of The Happy Oatcake, the cafe she inherited from her mother, to not only give herself some closure but the others in the village around her.

I loved Edna. She’s a such a caring character running a cafe, trying her hardest to help people. Also she proves that no matter how old you are you can still follow your dreams after she graduated from university at the age of seventy five.

We meet an interesting bunch of characters along the way too. Gordon a sheep farmer who’s mum is dying. Lionel and Ruth who’s daughter died in a tragic accident. Nigel who’s been drinking his life away after the death of his wife June. Manny, Edna’s best friend, who even thirty years after losing his boyfriend, still feels the loss. Finally Martine Shaw, a Canadian who turns up in the village suddenly and seem intent on making Edna’s life a misery.

There’s also a nice injection of humour here and there, that makes something as depressing as discussing death, not feel so bleak.

I have to be honest this was not an easy read for me but in a good way, if that makes sense. It made me confront some feelings which I didn’t even know I had from when my mum died almost ten years ago, especially when they were discussing things they wished they’d said to their loved ones before they died, I got a real lump in my throat reading that!

There were certain parts of the storyline did feel a little rushed. The introduction of the Death Cafe idea at the beginning of the story for instance, I would have like to know a bit more about where it came from and the history behind it etc. Also the ending while it was satisfying I felt that one of the character had an about turn in opinion and behaviour that could have been done a little less abruptly.

Overall Edna’s Death Cafe is a poignant and thought provoking tale that will make you both laugh and cry in equal measure.

“Doing the right thing is very liberating”

Edna’s Death Café, is a quirky and unique read! Perfect for cosying up with in the long winter nights. It is set in Hope Valley, Derbyshire and focuses on many current modern day themes such as loneliness and isolation in the older community.
The novel opens following the death of Edna’s partner Ted Eyre, with Edna struggling with her new identity as a widow. This leads her to begin a series of ‘death cafe’ evenings at the Happy Oatcake Café.

The novel has lots of quirky characters and I loved getting to know their individual stories. You get a real sense of the small town community and gossiping locals. The Derbyshire humour is present throughout, despite the serious nature of the themes within.

“Promises to the dying were often driven by duty to stop them fretting”

The novel discusses the themes of grief/loss in both the aftermath and prior to death. Yet this is not done in a morbid way at all. It is thought-provoking and moving, making it perfect for book groups and debate.
After all, all cultures have a different outlook and approach towards death and living. Which means individuals in communities hold differing opinions, yet it has become a taboo subject to be openly talked about.
Personally, I found the themes very interesting and wondered myself, if I could have attended a death café after the loss of my mothers at 21ys old. Would it have changed my views and helped with my bereavement?

As we come to know the various characters, we learn that they are all effected by death/loss in some way. Ruth in particular was a character that struck at my heartstrings. Ruth is in a deep state of grief over the loss of her daughter. I rooted for Ruth and her husband Patrick my entire way through the story. It is a sub-plot that really moves the reader.

However, with all great stories not everything is what it seems and someone is keeping an exceptionally close eye on Edna and her death café; waiting for their moment to strike. Edna is a tough 80yr old Derbyshire woman, she makes it clear from the get go, she is nobodies victim. What will happen when Edna and her foe come face to face?
Then the local psychics issue Edna with a stark warning!!!!!

Edan’s Death Café is the perfect read, for someone looking for something a bit different and unusual. I have actually been stuck in a reading slump this month and this title brought back my reading mojo.
After I finished Edna, I read two other novels, in one day! 5*

I was really interested after reading the description of this ok and didn’t know what to expect. I was really pleasantly surprised! It is a book with a rather heavy subject - death and the ones we leave behind - but it handles the topic with compassion, grace and humor.

Every character in the book has a story and a reason to attend the death cafe. Each story is moving in its own way and is very relatable in the emotions the characters are feeling and grappling with. I had never heard of a “Death Cafe” before this book, but now I am interested in them and hope that one day I have a chance to attend one.

There’s a small “mystery” in the book, which adds another layer to the story - it’s not too intense and doesn’t take away anything from the main storyline, however. I enjoyed the bit of intrigue it added and was happy with how everything turned out.

Overall, I found this book very comforting and thought-provoking. It helps the reader see different sides of an issue and brings its characters and their struggles to life. I really enjoyed it!

An entertaining read with a (suitable) smile around a subject we spend our lives avoiding. Edna lost Ted 13 weeks and two days ago. Ted who was the love of her life- her Teddy bear as she called him. Struggling to cope with the grief she decides to open “The Happy Oatcake”, the cafe she owns and runs on a Wednesday evening as a Death Cafe. Free tea and cake and sympathy. A chance to talk through things with others in a similar situation. As Edna rightly says, death is one of life’s certainties but is a highly avoided topic. I didn’t know that Death cafes were a “thing”. There is a death cafe movement www.deathcafe.com. “At a death cafe people often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death” “ Our objective is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. There are no agenda’s objectives or themes, It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. Do not, for a second, think that this book is morbid or negative- nothing could be further from the truth. Edna has everyone's best interest at heart a there is humour and a smile to be had. This is a lighthearted read albeit around serious topic. An interesting entertaining read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
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A heartwarming story, written is an inelegant style.

Perspective shifts happen several times a chapter with no warning. Dialogue is often written without any indicator of who is speaking, which is confusing when many characters are in conversation. The "big twist" had been obvious for at least half the book before it was finally revealed.

It was, however, nice to read a book that was focused on older characters in what felt like a realistic way. And much like the concept of a Death Cafe itself, it was great to read about death discussed in such a way to make it less of a taboo.

Please see my Goodreads profile for my star rating system.

Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. Edna's death cafe takes a very different look at death.

I would definitely recommend this book for its roundabout, humorous approach of looking at /talking about death. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I wanted to like this book as it I did enjoy the different perspectives and the idea of a death cafe seemed great however there just wasn't enough plot for me.

The storyline was so obvious- there was no mystery at all.

The plot jumped around so much it was often confusing trying to understand who was speaking and it flittered all over the place at times. There were so many errors throughout the book that it really detracted from the story- I hope this gets sorted out because it is a shame and easy to fix with a final proof read.

I liked the concept but for me it didn't work.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with arc in exchange for an honest review.

I desperately wanted to like this book. Alas, it was not to be. So much was right: the cover, the title, the premise and setting. Yet, somehow what could have been a fascinating exploration of the death cafe movement, discussions of death and how it affects people you have known for ages....well, it just never pulled together for me. Unfortunately, I had to abandon before I went further than 50 pages, the entire time hoping for solid setting, deep character development, profound relationships, knowing it was there, just not finding it on the page, at least not for me. I received a complimentary book in exchange for my honest review.

Edna's Death Cafe focuses on a death cafe hosted by Edna in her cafe - Happy Oatcakes. Edna starts the death cafe after hearing about the concept just after her partner, Ted, passed away and in the hope of trying to make sense of his death and demystify death for everyone.
Modern life has pushed the natural process of death to the unspoken, hushed backrooms. No-one wants to talk freely about death anymore and all that is associated with it, so death ends up becoming something everyone fears - a taboo subject.
The attendees of the Death Cafe are all residents of a small Derbyshire town, each one dealing with their own struggles with death.
Lionel and Ruth - with the lose of their only child in an accident. Gordon - with his mom's impending death due to illness weighing heavy on him. Nigel - fighting his own demons after losing his wife, June. Agatha and Lettie - twins in their 90's who aren't afraid of death. Alisa, Manny and of course Edna all dealing with their losses or impending losses.
And into all this comes Martine Shaw, a Canadian stranger that has ulterior motives according to the townsfolk and who is battling her own demons.
The mysterious goings-on at Happy Oatcakes cafe burden Edna down even further. The break-ins - what are they linked too? The mysterious Canadian? Ted's long lost estranged daughter? Local troublemakers? Or something even more sinister?

It is refreshing to read a book with a 79 year old lead who isn't insipid and annoying. There were one or two story points that I thought could have been developed a bit further, but they didn't detract from the story. A lovely read and thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

There's a lot going for Edna's Death Cafe. The idea's lovely and some of the discussions that came out of it early in the book were interesting to read. The main character, Edna, is likeable, sympathetic, and above all things, compelling. It's also been a while since I've come across a book with a mystery without a murder, which was in itself was quite refreshing.

The dark humour that runs throughout contrasts nicely with the small village setting, stops it falling on the wrong side of cosy. Granted, that might not be the case for a lot people, but personally I do have a low threshold for that sort of thing.

Rather enjoyed this one.

With thanks to Netgalley and Matador for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A very unique look at talking about death. The death cage idea is brilliant and in this book you get to see a lot of what makes this author so good.

She writes passionately about Edna and what has went on in her life and what she attempts to do with her death meetings. People are misunderstanding as to what this is and this book will help you understand the idea of a support group.

It is well written with a solid group of characters. There is even a family secret almost conflict is better term as you try and piece together just what is happening.

Wonderful book and this is not my normal genre but it was so good.

"It was the icecream that killed him."
How's that for an opening line?!

Edna's death cafe is a bit of a mystery, tucked inside a story, about the one unavoidable truth in life - death. Edna's partner Ted has just passed away and in order to deal with her grief she decides to start a death cafe.
In the midst of all the sometimes morbid, sometimes sweet meetings, some odd and slightly sinister things are happening around the village.

I have never heard of a death cafe before. The idea is interesting.
Death being a taboo subject, even though every one of us will have to deal with it at some point, I can see how a death cafe could be both intriguing and morbid, but also helpful.
Death is something we cannot escape. Each one of us will pass on, and taking some of the unknown out of it, gaining a little control in some way, being able to prepare, and try and help others through their losses, definitely has potential to make it a little less scary.

"We value life, because it is short. It gives us a kick up the backside to do what we need to do."

I enjoyed the majority of the characters - each a little broken, each searching for something to help the pain of loss. I especially liked that the main character is a septuagenarian; that does not happen often, and it was refreshing. The villain in this story is a good one too - easy to dislike, definitely a bit of a sociopath.
I also really enjoyed the setting - this quaint village has quite a lot of life considering its size, and the best part is the name; Hope.
But really, honestly, the intriguing part is the mystery. That is the bit that kept me in it.

There were a couple of things that snapped me out of the story a little. The pacing is a little bit off sometimes,
with too much switching between characters to give snapshots of their lives.
The main character, Edna, has the majority of the narration. However, at least 6 other characters also get to narrate, making it a little confusing at times.
There is also a bit of confusion at the beginning, when all of the characters introduce themselves via dialogue.

Ultimately, is very easy to read. Some light hearted quips amoungst the heavy topics. A soft mystery you see coming but are still invested in.
And random wee gems like this: "Grief was a tumble dryer of emotions. You never knew that a pair of tights had strangled the life out of a best blouse until the door was opened."

The concept of a cafe where people gather to discuss death was intriguing. This book isn't all dark and gloomy, there are bits of humor and insight found in this book. I enjoyed it and think others will as well..

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.