Final Arrangements: A Novel

by Miles Keaton Andrew

Ever since his parents' funeral, Casey Kight felt a comfort and ease among morticians that he knew no where else in the world. He decided right then, at the age of nine, what he wanted to be when he grew up...an undertaker. The day he turned twenty-one, Casey joined the ranks of Morton-Albright, a family owned and operated mortuary, in the small Florida town of Angel Shoals.

Immediately, he felt right at home. He seems to have a gift for embalming. The Morton and Albright families welcome him like the family he never had. The quirky and mischievous Natalie Albright is the girl he's always dreamed of. And within the walls of Morton-Albright, Casey feels a reassuring presence that calms him, like nothing ever has before.

But his happiness will be short-lived if the mortuary falls victim to a rapacious funeral-home giant. With family secrets being uncovered, contested wills, and rumors of illegal funeral practices circling, the lives entwined in this funeral home become filled with intrigue, deception, and, of course, death.

Bringing abundant experience and a fresh wit to the page, Miles Keaton Andrew offers a clever, spirited, darkly humorous first novel, rich with dialogue and full of nuanced characters.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Death

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2002

Reviews

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I am systematically reading through my public library's fiction shelves. I don't read the back jacket, I don't do any research, I just put six books in my bag, by six different authors and head to the front desk. Then, each book gets 50 pages (enough for one evening) if I like it, I keep going. If I don't, back to the library it goes. Something should be said about this book when I checked what page I was on, and how far I had to go, and I was on page 75. VERY.GOOD.SIGN.

I read 150 pages in one night and in those 150 pages, I probably laughed out loud or hurt myself giggling at least ten times. This is also a good sign of a very enjoyable book.

I originally thought that this would be a strict romance using the backdrop of a funeral home, which I've seen done before. I've never been impressed with the way that any author tries to mix the macabre with the funny. This book, however, didn't do that. It was far more of a coming-of-age story of a young man who is seeking his own identity within the funeral industry. (And I have my suspicions that some of his feelings are autobiographical.) There IS a romance (which because I'm a girl I love) and I thought that the male POV character would have to relentlessly pursue his love interest and convince her that he is the one. Not so. The author made them like each other immediately, no romantic conflict, which I found fun and refreshing. (Perhaps because he is a male writer and doesn't want to be bogged down with the nuances of the pursuit. I don't know. Regardless, it worked.)

The main story is about how this young man, Casey, finds his identity and family in a small town funeral home in Florida. He also saves the day big time for this honorable little business from the Big Bad Corporation. The plot isn't that original, but the delivery of the lines, the adorable characterization (especially Natalie, our boy's love interest) the wit, respect for death, detail of what exactly happens in funeral homes, the light touch on romance and the internal struggle of Casey's were so fresh and fun and addictive.

The only flaws I found were the almost endless cast of characters. I had a hard time keeping up with who was who. I also wanted more information about Casey's Aunt Margee (I thought her departure from Casey's life was too abrupt and unbelievable.)

I love that this was a debut novel. I love that it was complex and human and fun. I finished it in two days and laughed A LOT throughout all of it. This is a great, enjoyable read that moves quickly, makes you smile and enlightens you as to what's really involved behind closed doors at your local funeral home.

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy whose parents are killed in a plane crash is comforted at the funeral home. When he tells the funeral director he wants to work there, he's told to return when he's 21. He does return on his 21st birthday, is taken on as an apprentice, & adopted into the family of the family-owned & family-operated business, who quickly recognize his gift for the work. He falls in love with the director's daughter & gets involved in an effort to save the family-owned business from the evil funeral-home chain that's swallowing up the other homes in the city & region. Despite lots of sex, foul language, & graphic descriptions of disturbing techniques for preserving the dead, the general impression the book leaves is that this is a sweet, innocent, funny tale that celebrates the value of family-owned funeral homes. Ironic, I know, but true.

[Carin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will sound strange but this is a respectful, and hysterical novel about the funeral home business.

[Larigoodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew working in a funeral home could be so mysterious and funny?

[Pat MacEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a gift, given to me by someone who thought I'd appreciate its dark humor and quirky characters. They were right. I did. The story of Casey Keight, an orphan and a would-be undertaker, has several elements in common with Six Feet Under but comes at them from an outsider's standpoint. For Casey, the Morton-Albright Funeral business is the home he's been hungering for, because he has the Gift - the ability to give comfort to the bereaved in a myriad of ways, large and small, and the strength to tolerate the stresses and strains of learning to embalm the dead, all without losing his own humanity. That the deal includes the death-loving girl of his dreams and a battle royale with a greedy corporate giant is what makes a hero out of him, not just a survivor. Highly recommended, though the detailed description of embalming procedures may be problematic for some.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets of the trade

An interesting read. The Natalie character creeped me out, and I'm a funeral director, it takes a lot to creep me out.

[Patricia Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

A lot can go in on a funeral home. Especially this one. Death, killing, romance, spirits and whatever else you can think of.

[chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books. It's a page Turner for sure. As far as I can tell, the author fell off the face of the Earth after writing this fantastic book. Please release new material!!!

[Julie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Wish there were more in the series. Mr. Miles Keaton Andrew you need to write more my friend!

[Loni Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this fast read, it was interesting and humorous. The characters are quite like able. There are dark parts and it can get quite graphic when discussing how a body is cared for after death (fictionally). Seems more non fiction than fiction in that topic. For the writers first book he did well, if he writes another I would read it.

[Elaine]

Dealing with the dead and a sense of humor.

Much of the book is funny. Some is a bit off such as with "the presence." And Natalie. She's a bit off as well. I think after she was introduced, the book went down hill from there.

[Will]

Funny book about a guy whose lifelong dream is to become a mortician.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's knowledge of the old-school family-owned funeral parlor puts an slightly gritty edge to a hilarious narrative. I found myself laughing aloud on several chapters. I need a laugh lately.

[KateMoxie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Different. Not bad, not good.

[Willie Bushnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in the funeral business should read this

A very good story. What family business doesn't have family secrets? I enjoyed reading this book. Wish there was a part two.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young man goes to work for a funeral home and the strange family who owns it.