Chair Repair and Other Ways to Die is an adorable exploration of parents, death, and the inevitability of life. I could absolutely see myself in Harper and it made a world of difference. I tend to isolate and curl inward when I'm grieving or even just a little bit upset and I could see how Harper initially focuses on the chairs and then comes out of her shell more and more.

Chair Repair and Other Ways to Die | Jody Wenner | ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

So, I picked this book up exactly 12 days after my 35 year-old husband passed unexpectedly, just before our 5th marriage anniversary.

So, of course this hit different. A darkly humorous yet heartfelt exploration of death and grief might not be what the Doctor ordered. But reading this was cathartic, to say the least.

Harper, 48, has lost her Mother to cancer a year back. Her daughter Soph has left for college and she is finding it really difficult to find a rhythm with her husband of 20 years. Repairing and restoring antique chairs, a work that her Mum had left unfinished, is Harper's new found passion and also her only coping mechanism.
When suddenly out of the blue, her Father invites her to his newly bought lake side cottage, to introduce her to his new girlfriend, Peggy; Harper takes up the offer with trepidation and dread, if only to clear her head and confront her reality.

But something is off at this new cottage.
With her father MIA, a mighty storm cutting off all connections to the outside world, including electricity and Peggy acting all suspicious, Harper and her pup turn detectives.

What unholds is a page-turning mystery which is also an honest exposition on love, loss, death, grief, self-exploration and our misplaced priorities.

I finished this in one seating so of course Jody Wenner does well to hold our attention. The pacing varies, it's fast paced at times, medium at most but the story flows beautifully forward. The prose is simple but effective. It is at once heart-rending and humorous.
And somehow, the grief-stricken me was definitely waiting more eagerly for Peggy's meditation and spiritual sessions than Harper was.

I would have appreciated a bit more nuanced ending, that's why half a star less.

But if a story has the power to soothe a grieving soul, without being preachy and while being entertaining, I think all of those four and a half stars are more than well-deserved.

Jody Wenner, if nothing, you have touched this one life and made it a little easier to breathe.
Thank you. ❤️

I was a little confused by this book. There were so many variables to the story. Harper was grieving the loss of her mother which made her borderline obsessed with taking on the chair repairs her mom had started. She was living in a haze of sorrow where nothing more was important than her grief. She was obsessed with these chairs over her daughter going off to college, her marriage and job. After her stay at the lake and now she’s seeing life in a different perspective? I just found her shallow and the supporting characters to be flat. Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy. These are my opinions given voluntarily

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

In "Chair Repair and Other Ways to Die" by Jody Wenner, protagonist Harper finds herself in a situation far more ominous than she could have ever imagined. When her father invites her to his new cabin for a weekend getaway, Harper's initial reluctance soon turns into a deep sense of foreboding. As she navigates through a series of bizarre events and encounters, Harper discovers that the familiar world she once knew is unraveling before her eyes. Wenner's gripping narrative takes readers on a thrilling journey of suspense and survival, where the only solace lies in an unexpected source: the chairs. From the moment Harper arrives at her father's cabin, the atmosphere is thick with an unsettling tension. Her father, inexplicably absent, leaves her feeling isolated and anxious. This uneasiness only amplifies as she becomes acquainted with Peggy, her father's new partner, whose eccentricities and strange behavior raise more questions than answers. Wenner skillfully builds a sense of impending danger through Harper's intuitive observations, creating a palpable sense of suspense throughout the story. As an unexpected storm strikes, trapping Harper and her companions inside the cabin, the true nature of Peggy begins to unravel. Harper's discovery of the numerous deceased husbands left in Peggy's wake amplifies her growing fear and suspicion. With no means of communication and lacking survival skills, Harper must rely on her wits and the one thing she believes can provide answers and protection: the chairs. The author's clever incorporation of chair repair as a recurring theme throughout the narrative adds depth and symbolism to the story. Chairs, typically associated with comfort and stability, become a lifeline for Harper as she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding her father's cabin. Wenner expertly juxtaposes the mundane act of chair repair with the perils and treachery Harper faces, emphasizing the contrast between the familiar and the unknown. Through this unique narrative device, the author highlights Harper's resilience and resourcefulness amidst chaos. "Chair Repair and Other Ways to Die" by Jody Wenner captivates readers with its atmospheric portrayal of suspense and a protagonist on the edge of danger. Harper's journey serves as a metaphorical exploration of the fragility of trust and the lengths one must go to in order to survive unforeseen circumstances. Wenner's skillful storytelling and clever use of symbolism make this book a must-read for fans of gripping mysteries. Brace yourself for a thrilling adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own .

I enjoyed Chair Repair and Other Ways to Die. I found it rather relateble and had a nice humor to the grieving and growing into new life stages.

I also found myself google chairs which is also fun

Easy, breezy light mystery!!!

Harper’s mother has died almost a year ago from cancer. Now her dad has invited her to his new lake place and to meet his new sweetie, Peggy. Her father is not there to greet her on her arrival and she knows something is not right. After being trapped by a downed tree from a storm, she begins to fear Peggy and the cabin aren’t quite what they seem.

I really enjoyed this quick easy mystery read. From the title I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I found it both heartwarming and yet mildly chilling. An odd but fun combination.

Thanks to Jody Wenner and net galley for the digital ARC.

I had high hopes for this book but I never got into it. It seemed to be too conscious of trying to be witty and just came off as overdone.

This was a cute quick read. I liked the character development of Harper, she was likable and relatable. The twist was a big twist and I really enjoyed it. I understand the connection with chairs to people but I skimmed over a lot of that - it’s not a hobby I’m overly interested in. The realization of Harper’s life and coming-of-age/processing being in her midlife crisis was very relatable. I personally think the title doesn’t really grab you but I get it relates to the story.

Okaaaay, wow. That's what I thought when finishing this book!

The story flows easily, before you know it you are immersed in this book with its painful and funny scenes. However, it took me a while to warm to Harper who is grieving the loss of her mother (which I didn't mind) and somehow keeps thinking she is defined by being a mother herself (which I did mind).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.