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Nobody expected Ernest to die, least of all Ernest . . .

The death of her husband after sixty years of miserable, abusive marriage, leaves Annie Bentley trying to understand her feelings. Soon afterwards, two uninvited and, at first, unwelcome visitors come into Annie’s life: her teenage granddaughter, Ophelia; and Andrew, a local vicar who is struggling with his own unhappy marriage.

As the story of Annie’s life unfolds and she learns to face her demons, Ophelia and Andrew also find some answers about themselves. Finally, Annie and Ophelia fly to Austria to scatter Ernest’s ashes. But will this allow Annie to come to terms with her past?
A memorable tale of love, redemption, and forgiveness, Dead Ernest offers a tender, sometimes irreverent take on marriage and bereavement. Perhaps, after all, the life – and death – of Ernest Bentley have not been in vain.

Reviews

Michael Allen, Grumpy Old Bookman, February 1, 2007
“….Dead Ernest is remarkably well written, well constructed, and with a bit of luck could be a little bit like A Short History of Tractors In Ukrainian (a book which, by the way, just goes on selling and selling; over a million now, worldwide).”

Kelly Salter, Big Issue Cymru, February 19, 2007
“Garrood’s debut is assured and thought provoking.”

Church Times, July 27, 2007
“shot through with a sense of human sympathy transcending its situations;and that in itself is a considerable achievement.”

Andrew Davies
“Beautifully written, deceptively simple, with convincingly drawn and endearing characters…a delightful read.”