When Maggie's parents die suddenly, after her husband abandoned her and their two small children, she needs to earn a living. Reluctantly she takes over the family business and becomes a funeral director.
Now Kate and Nick are grown and Maggie faces the prospect of the rest of her life alone. It's the middle of winter and Queenstown, a resort town in New Zealand, is full of skiers. Betty, her mentor, has just died and Elka, her best friend, needs surgery. Kate, an up and coming chef, has returned from London unexpectedly and won't get out of bed. Nick feels guilty delivering fast food to an ex-champion skier whose injury robbed her of Olympic glory. There is a movie star in town who won't listen to advice. Frustratingly Maggie can't seem to put a foot right with the new doctor in town.
Editorial Reviews:
"Like any good book there is sorrow as well as celebration, but friendship and love is an important thread entwined throughout the pages and anyone who likes an inspiring family drama of modern living will find this a good read and like me, they will find the vivid descriptions around Queenstown to be captivating." New Zealand Booksellers' Review.
"The author has gently moulded the strands of the story together with humour and it moves along at a brisk pace with some very satisfactory outcomes from the twists and turns she created among the characters. The underlining theme highlights strength, reliance and hope while looking to the future." New Zealand Booksellers' Review.
"Death Actually is a light and lovely read; a love story with a healthy dose of comedy, an engaging cast and multiple plot lines. It's full of life (and death) and infiltrated my emotions enough to make me cry at the end. Definitely worth a read." Louise, Wardini Books