The Funeral Cryer is a well-written book. The author presents the story in a somewhat detached manner using the tool of anonymity. The reader never learns the name of the funeral cryer and other characters are simply referenced as the husband, the brother, the daughter, the barber, etc. However, I believe this emphasizes the poignant, intimate thoughts and emotions the funeral cryer shares about her interactions with others. She yearns for a strong emotional connection with another person, something that has escaped her even during marriage and motherhood. Rather than living life, the funeral cryer has just allowed life to happen to and around her through the years and now she is searching for something more. The action of plot is primarily the emotional journey of the funeral cryer. This was not a "can't put it down" type of book for me. It was more of a leisurely read with pauses throughout. However, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. I am interested to see the development of future works by this author.

This was a fun, lighthearted read, which I quite enjoyed. The characters were likable and the juxtaposition of a free-spirited older character and a rather conservative, "younger character don't break the rules" was a nice twist. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a nice escape from the world through reading.

Susanne Pari successfully captures the dynamics of relationships in an immigrant family facing generational cultural clashes, traumatic experiences, long-held secrets, and differing personalities. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, although not always likable - but that is to be expected in a realistic portrayal of family interactions. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will definitely recommend it to others when it is released.

I am not typically a big fan of books about psychics/mediums, but must say I enjoyed Nan Fischer's tale. It was a quick read. I found the characters to be believable. Sylvie struggles with trying to decide whether she herself believes in her psychic-medium "gift". Thomas struggles with overcoming biases based upon personal experience as he looks for evidence that Sylvie is a fraud. They both exhibit both human strengths and weaknesses. The pets are a nice addition to the book, adding a different way to observe the characters personalities. Overall, while the book is not a masterpiece, it is a thoroughly enjoyable story with a satisfying conclusion.