BOOK:   Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral

AUTHOR:   Kris Radish

SUMMARY: The cover of Kris Radish's new book gets me interested in the story right away. Ladies in a red Cadillac convertible, red high tops, a red bandana and a license place that reads "Divas 50" signals to me an exhilarating ride. Staying true to form, Kris writes about women for women. This is a story about women forming bonds with strangers. The common denominator is their friendship with Annie Freeman. The author also tackles some fairly heavy issues with her usual love of life and a robust sense of humor. The following quote is an example of this humor. "Breakfast begins at 12; 30 P.M. as they stagger to the kitchen and share their night terrors while dressed in an assortment of clothing that would make the boys on Queer Eye collapse in shame and disgust." The author moves from the present to the past recounting different episodes in Annie's life and the women who helped move her through her rich life. Kris uses themes of water, parades and the fact that funerals are for the living to showcase the protagonist. I think two quotes from this novel exemplify this last theme:"…age sets you free instead of ties you down." and …"life has so many pages to turn and that this page does not mean the story is over. The story is never over."

PLOT: The book opens with Katherine Givins receiving an unusual package from the UPS woman. What does this package contain and how is it going to change her life in the short term and the long run? Upon opening the package, Katherine finds a pair of red tennies complete with ashes and a set of instructions from an old and dear friend. Annie Freeman has died of cancer at the age of 56. Before dying she has set up a trip for her "pallbearers ", none of whom has met one another. We meet Laura, Rebecca, Jill and Marie. Their journey starts in Sonoma County California, with future destinations in the Florida Keys, New York City, the north shore of Lake Superior and a small island close to Seattle. Is the author using this theme of water as rebirth? As the women travel around the country, they solve the mysteries that Annie has left for them. These mysteries involve a revelation about Annie but also serve to help them move ahead in their respective lives.