Death Is My Life

by Susan Ayres Wimbrow

Elizabeth Barclay was just five years old when her mother was brutally murdered and raped. That event shaped her young life in the most unexpected way - she became the comforting face of her uncle's funeral home. And in doing so, death became her life...

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2019

Reviews

[Cheri Hoyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I want to say that I met this author in Berlin, Maryland. She owns a small bookstore that is absolutely adorable. Plus, the town of Berlin is nestled, small, yet bustling in its own right. The author is very kind and signs every copy of the book (which is great for my collection), but for the sake of rating, I would like to give an honest review.

I want to start off that books like this are some of my favorite to read. I like it when authors haven't been sanitized by the industry, meaning she spoke from the heart. It's her story about how her mother was killed, and then she went on to work at her Uncle's funeral home. The summary gripped me right off the bat. She told me she changed the names of the people in real life to fit into the characters in the book, which makes sense.

Overall, I loved it. It has some parts which need ironing out, but the rawness is there. Her life is literally submerged in death, not just from her childhood, but in her profession. The whole entire story is not just about her childhood, though death remains the constant theme. This is one of the books, that although tragic, offers insight to an entirely different lens of life that I'll never get the chance to know. I'm glad I don't have to.

If you're looking for something indie and original, this is it. You have to have a stomach to take heartache, for there's plenty of it. But there is also a light that is shone and occasionally glimmers through the text--the connections she makes, the happiness that is hidden, and more (I don't want to spoil too much). I recommend if this sounds something you you may be interested in.

[Rev Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful story of growing up with emotional pain hanging over you. She brings the funeral home business to life.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

the first half of this book is absolutely wonderful. the second half just skips around a little too much and there’s a lot of little stories that aren’t really needed. overall, this book is very entertaining and definitely a different story than anything i’ve read before.

i bought this at the authors indie book store in berlin, md. i met her there. she and her store are absolutely wonderful! she was so sweet. a friend and i went together and susan was so excited to see two young people into reading. she offered us plenty of recommendations and made the visit so much fun.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written book about an amazing woman. The story is interesting and inspiring. What a treat to stop by the author's bookstore, meet her, and buy a copy. Here's to strong southern women!

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is one of those books that I would give a 3.5 if available. This author had a very unique life, having a mother who was murdered as well as running a funeral home. Although never want financially, her story spoke of the loneliness of someone born to care for others. I liked the honesty of this book, frankly talking about her families struggles. Clearly apparent was the way small towns, back then, would overlook specific justice in a situation for what was deemed best for the town as a whole which was an interesting dichotomy to the justice the family sought for her mother’s killer. I am not trying to make a judgement one way or the other, since the severity of the deaths/incidents were not equal, it just stood out to me. My main complaint with this book was the conversations, did not feel real, often including more information than what the characters would need and were extended just to inform the reader, albeit I am being overly critical. Overall an interesting book.

[Stacy Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fascinating read, another (hopefully well articulated!) short synopsis:

The setting is Tidewater, Virginia in the mid-20th century. It follows the story of the life of a woman whose mother was raped and murdered when she was 5 years old. Her rich grandparents took her in and raised her as their own, for her father was virtually absent in her life.

She becomes the apprentice, and then the owner, of a funeral home.

Her life, and those of her closest relatives, are hauntingly told from her perspective.

This is in part a non-fiction autobiography, the author of which owns a bookstore, The Greyhound: An Indie Bookstore, in Berlin Maryland. I visited and it's wonderfully quaint! Susan herself will greet you with warmth and knowledge and will steer you to books you will love. (I am reading one of her recommendations right now, The Book Of Lost Friends, which I am flying through!)

For those of us who hail from Maryland, or who have made their lives in Maryland, it is wonderful to recognize parts and places in the story.

She tells of many interesting anecdotes working as a funeral apprentice and owner.

An unputdown-able book!

[David Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Ayres Wimbrow paints a powerful picture of gentile wealth in Virginia's eastern shore that is surrounded by death and betrayal. Elizabeth Barclay's remarkable childhood was one of great wealth that is marred by death and betrayal. Instead of falling back on her money, she takes over her uncle's funeral business and makes it a great success. Despite personal setback after setback, Elizabeth tirelessly tries to build a life with the family she has left. But the constant sadness is palpable due to the unending tragedies she faces. You may think I've given the story away but I have barely scratched the surface of this vigilant and often lonely soul who never stops trying to defend her families' honor and to create a little happiness for herself. This is a magic story well told but with an ending that will leave a smile on your face and the hope that Susan will write another novel soon. I will be the first to buy it.

[Megan Kreider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the lovely author at an indie book store in Berlin, Maryland. While looking over crime best sellers her husband came up to me to explain the work of art his wife created. I was instantly intrigued and just had to purchase the book. I immediately jumped in and read the whole book in just a few days. I did think that the book was going to be more about the funeral side of things, I was pleasantly surprised to read a half crime and half aftermath of such crime. It is not very often that you find yourself learning about what happened after and how the family lives years, even decades after their family is shattered. Overall, I found it a great work of art that did not shy away from gruesome details. I admired the matter-of-fact way of expressing events that took place. Though certain parts were predictable, they were balanced out with parts of extreme shock. I highly recommend this book written by a wonderful author who I had the great chance of meeting.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Off to (what I felt like) a slow start or, rather, a first half that was more dispassionate than personal, the author was a child during the early events and so the first half holds a number of more factual details. The second half dove into the author's autobiography with more intimate details, however selective. She shared what she wanted and I felt like I had questions and wanted more. The handful of funeral home stories were fun to read and there, too, I wanted more. I felt like there was a whole lot missing by the end, but a writer's prerogative is to share what they want.

I met the author and her devoted husband at The Greyhound Indie Bookstore & Fine Art Gallery on vacation this year and I'm so glad I did. Lovely couple - very open, friendly, authentic. I had no idea the author's background and I have to say she's had an extraordinary life that has had more than its fair share of tragedy.

[Eadie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Barclay was just five years old when her mother was brutally murdered and raped. That event shaped her young life in the most unexpected way - she became the comforting face of her uncle's funeral home. And in doing so, death became her life. I met Susan Ayres Wimbrow in Berlin Md when I visited her Indie Bookstore The Greyhound. She told me that she wrote a book about her mother who was murdered in Norfolk VA. I bought her book and read it and found it to be a very interesting story about how her Grandmother and Grandfather raised her. She also had an uncle who owned the Sycamore Creek Funeral Home where she worked for 20 years doing funerals. There is a lot more information but I'll let you read it for yourself and won't spoil the book for you. If you like books about real life situations then you would love this book.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Danis review was spot on. Although the characters, the women of this book have dealt with sorrow, betrayal and losses, I did not feel much empathy or compassion for anyone really.
What happened to her mom is awful, and I can’t imagine what her grand mother went through. But the way the story is written doesn’t make it a page turner.
I met the author at her bookstore in Berlin MD during Oktoberfest weekend, she owns a wonderful independent bookstore that’s worth a detour. She is lovely and regardless of this book I will definitely go back to ensure these indies bookstores stay open.

[Andrea Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at a book store located near me. I will admit I bought the book because I got swept away with the love of Indie book stores and the author owned this one in particular. The more I read the more I found myself wanting to go back and ask the author so many questions. I plan to do that this summer. The author writes about growing up and is confronted with much heartbreak and tragedy. The challenges that she faces along the way gave her strength, and you really see that through the book. I enjoyed the character development and would definitely recommend the read.

[Evva Starr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this (pricey) book in an indie bookstore in Berlin, MD. Written by the proprietor’s wife, it’s her grisly and dramatic life story in third person. The dialogue is about the worst I’ve ever read and the lack of humility is astounding: her “kindness, beauty and wealth” are frequent topics. But the true crime effects on her family and the small town funeral parlor they run are highly entertaining. No regrets.

[William Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story about a woman and the trials that she faces throughout her life. The story is good and inspirational in how she faces the losses of loved ones. Entering the family mortuary business was interesting and my favorite part of the story.

Her grandmother appears from time to time and is also an interesting character. I would have liked to seen more of her views throughout the story.

[Lexi Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this memoir at my local indie bookstore when I met the owner and she told be me a brief overview about the book that she had authored. I was instantly intrigued and invested in her story. I enjoyed the author's candid nature and although her life was filled with so much tragedy I enjoyed hearing her story.

[Jennifer Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I bought this book at “The Greyhound” a small bookstore in Berlin,MD owned by the author who was so inviting and graciously signed my copy. The store was very charming and full of character. The same could be said for the book. She is a wonderful author and the story of her life although tragic is also filled with so many lessons of family, love, and faith.

[Ken Poyner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good work. Slightly marred by a number of typos. The value of a good proof editor cannot be overestimated. Otherwise, the work traced the life of a dying type of family, one rooted in a specific area and specific relationships. Well worth the read.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author as I visited the Indie bookstore in Berlin, MD. At first I wasn’t going to buy the book, but I decided to put on a limb and read it. I’m glad I did. What a great story of sting women and family who face tragedy and adversity!!

[Kimberly Sherwood Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

We went to the town of Berlin MD and there was a Indie bookstore. I met the owner/author and she told me about her story and I was intrigued. I like that it was based off true events, and it was local.

[Gabrielle Silgalis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a 2.5 for me. I really liked the beginning but the middle was meh and it started to jump around a bit towards the end sort of rushing through some of the story lines and I would have liked to see what was in the letters she was writing to Stephen Dennis.

[Sherri Stambaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelf since 2019 when I wandered into the author’s bookstore in Berlin, MD. I have no idea why it took me so long to read it. It held my attention and brought tears to my eyes.

[Sylva Hribkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing author and book to read! I was honored to meet the author in person this year. What a lovely and strong woman at the same time. It was a very powerful story and I highly recommend everyone to read it.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was almost as if I was reading 2 stories in one book...

[Cindy Shogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting the author at her lovely indie bookstore the Greyhound in Berlin Maryland. Very engaging. An amazing life while "fiction" very much based on Susan's life.

[Kathy Manns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed in character development. Many subplots along the way not fully developed. Interesting story line, expected more I guess.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not for me

[Terri Broemm]

I just didn’t know how to rate it! It depends on what lens I am looking through.

[Barbara Moler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting story with some intense moments packed into it. I recommend reading it.

[Pk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I met the author at her bookstore in Berlin, Md. this story is based on her life.