SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZEMrs Death tells her intoxicating story in this
life-affirming fire-starter of a novelMrs Death has had enough. She is exhausted from spending
eternity doing her job and now she seeks someone to unburden her conscience to. Wolf Willeford
a troubled young writer is well acquainted with death but until now hadn't met Death in
person - a black working-class woman who shape-shifts and does her work unseen.Enthralled by
her stories Wolf becomes Mrs Death's scribe and begins to write her memoirs. Using their desk
as a vessel and conduit Wolf travels across time and place with Mrs Death to witness deaths of
past and present and discuss what the future holds for humanity. As the two reflect on the
losses they have experienced - or in the case of Mrs Death facilitated - their friendship
grows into a surprising affirmation of hope resilience and love. All the while despite her
world-weariness Death must continue to hold humans' fates in her hands appearing in our lives
when we least expect her . . .
