The Library of Unfinished Business

by Patricia Bell

Maurice, a small-town librarian, dies one Monday morning in a fiery car crash. Finding himself in a very unexpected afterlife, he befriends Kit, who knows more than he should about Heaven—and about Maurice’s life on Earth.

Meanwhile, Maurice’s daughter Andy struggles to come to terms with the death of her ineffectual father. Tasked with preparing his eulogy, she starts writing letters to him, trying to make sense of her family’s complicated history.

As Andy comes closer to discovering a long-hidden secret, Maurice and Kit uncover a terrifying heavenly plot, and for the first time ever Maurice must decide: will he stand and fight for something...or risk losing everything?

The Library of Unfinished Business is the story of a sad and disillusioned man who searches for the courage to transform his life—even after it has ended—and of a daughter who learns that her father’s love is mighty beyond imagining. It’s about the magic of storytelling, the importance of living bravely, and the power of love to triumph, even over death.

Genres: Fantasy

293 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2022

About the author

Patricia Bell is an author and editor/proofreader. Her short stories, poems, and non-fiction articles have been published in anthologies, literary journals, and online.

Her short story “Dandelion Clocks” won first prize in the 2021 New Zealand Society of Authors Graeme Lay Short Story Competition, and her fiction has twice been highly
commended in national (New Zealand) competitions.

Patricia has a widely read author website (www.patriciabellauthor.com) where she shares some of her creative writing and offers writing advice, as well as musings on language, reading, and the writing process.

Reviews

[Hamish Mouat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a thrill to read this debut novel of a dear friend - one which was equally humorous and thought provoking. The book was filled with clever metaphors and witty language. It was fun to hear Trish’s voice (author) in amongst the voices of her characters Maurice and Andy. So looking forward to whatever comes next Trish xx

[Nikki Crutchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an original and insightful story! I got teary in places and actually laughed out loud in others. A fabulous read and looking forward to whatever Patricia does next.

[Susan Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable!

[Elisa Valentini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your main character dies in the first sentence of a novel, you know you're in for something a bit different. Something extraordinary, if you like. And The Library of Unfinished Business delivers exactly that - unexpected, funny, and really touching in parts.
The subject matter - set mostly in the afterlife (really different to what any of us ever thought, by the way) - is not in my comfort zone, but that might be a good thing. It was intriguing, and I absolutely had to know what happened to Maurice - knocked off in chapter one with a lot of unanswered questions left hanging in the air.
Biblical and religious characters abound - not exactly behaving as they do in "the good book". We meet Adam and Eve, Jezebel, Noah, Michael, Judas and Moses among others.
The writing is really, really good - with those little touch points a reader looks for and longs for - and re-reads because they sound, and feel, so good.
Fabulous. It won't sit unfinished, that's for sure.

[JoE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up from a display at my local library, it was 'Library Week' so lots of books with 'library' in the title were on one display. When I realised it was classed as a 'fantasy' book I nearly didnt read it, but it was finally the last book in my TBR pile from the library, so I picked it up. Its certainly a quirky read. I liked the characters - even the unlikeable Maurice. There were lots of well thought out and perceptive 'traits'. My lesson from this is to try what might be a little different to the norm for you. 3.5 stars

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, not least because I found myself chuckling a lot. Heaven was a total riot. Coming up with the whole concept of the letters and Maurice's access to them was deft. I wish I'd been a fly on the wall the day the author came up with that device. A woo-hoo moment perhaps.
There are serious themes throughout. Yet overall I was left with feeling like it was a delicious romp of a read and there's nothing wrong with that.

[Susan Wiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise and most of the characters were interesting, albeit a bit one- dimensional. And the depiction of 'heaven' was superb. But I found the relentless negativity of the dead father and terrible relationship described by his daughter just went on a bit too long for my liking. Although I may have been influenced by my reading of the second half during a bout of insomnia from 3 to 6 am.

[Lauren Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb book. It is warm, incisive, hilarious, touching.
What happens when we die?
What of all those things unfinished, those dreams set aside until we have more time or more courage?
Read and maybe find the answers you seek.
I borrowed this from the library but will now buy my own copy as I know it is a book I will read again.

[Bethany Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how quirky this book was! The characters and references throughout were fun and surprised me. I enjoyed the contrast between real world grief and the heavenly shenanigans. I found the ending a bit unsatisfactory and the intensity of the earthly story felt a bit forced towards the end but I appreciate what the author was trying to wrap up. It was great to read something so different.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the humor in synchronicity with the very genuine and raw topics explored in this book, however I found it difficult to get into, as it is very whimsy and random. I don’t have much to say about it.

[Daria Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and intriguing tale - there was so much to love about this book!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not even know what to say! A pleasant surprise but can be disturbing for some....lol

[Gabby A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little risky to be playing around with religion.

[Trish B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stumbled across this in a second hand store and was drawn to the cover. Clever and funny at times, but certainly not a read for anyone with any amount of religious belief.

[Glenys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different!
I thought this was a weird fantasy that I would not read past the first couple of chapters.
Not so, It becomes more and more interesting and amusing, then finally sad and poignant.