Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable

by Danielle Crittenden

144 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Lucy Ellis-Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and is a true celebration of Miranda's life, as well as the author's expression of pain and attempt to make 'sense' of it all. Although it is devastating, it is very moving too. This book conveys beautifully how the bereaved actually want to talk about their loved ones. It's comforting to read a book that understands grief and its myriad of symptoms, difficulties, and everyday struggles. The author also conveys how she's not the same person, and this makes complete sense. I appreciated the 'those who know' analogy and 'those who don't'. I also appreciated when the author says she doesn't want the weight of her daughter's death to lighten, and the passage where she describes laying down next to her daughter's grave. My heart ached when she said she misses the intensity of early grief, and I understand this completely. As one 'that knows', I was very glad to read this book and wholeheartedly recommend it. As a grieving reader, this book was a companion. I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and the publisher.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book within a few hours as I simply couldn’t put it down and it really resonated with me, perhaps more so than any other book on grief and bereavement (and I’ve read A LOT of them!). This memoir on the completely unexpected death of their young daughter, Miranda, is extremely powerful, highly emotional and the pain visceral.

I found Danielle’s honesty astounding (in a good way), relatable and refreshing and I also found I got to know Miranda and their family through her words too. I probably spent half of the book in tears but found myself nodding and silently humming in agreement to so many things Danielle said, encountered or had to navigate through what is a truly horrible experience.

I cannot recommend this memoir highly enough and thank the publisher and NetGalley again for this advance copy.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one sitting. This is a first hand account of a mother’s grief. I loved learning about Miranda and who she was as a person and a daughter but I also got to know her mother Danielle. The book is so well written and it will certainly be a relatable tool for others that may experience a similar loss. This book is a great tribute to Miranda. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.