She Died on a Monday

by Kevin McLeod

Picture the kind of enduring love that most of us would wish for; the kind of elderly, married couple we might see on the street, or in a café, so in tune with each other that it’s hard to imagine one without the other.

John and Elizabeth have a love like that, but John’s world is suddenly shattered when Elizabeth is brutally taken from him. For some people it can feel as though it’s just too difficult to go on when one half of you is missing. How will John cope with his broken heart? Who, or what, can help him?

Kevin McLeod is a best-selling children’s author, but this is his first adult short story, inspired by the love his grandparents shared. Kevin writes beautifully, in heart-rending detail, about the numbness, shock, and crushing grief that John faces. He explores challenges that we will all face when someone we love dies, made all the more poignant by his tender evocation of a long and happy marriage.

‘She Died On A Monday’ is a story of love and loss that you’ll want to read time and again, to enjoy each perfect detail and the clever twists and turns. But, be warned, you might just cry every time that you do.

49 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2021

About the author

Kevin is the author of The international best selling Amazon Series, The Viking's Apprentice which has 29 genre number 1's between the 4 books. Now on audio.
Kevin has recently moved into a new genre with his novella, She Died on a Monday.

Kevin's twitter is here https://twitter.com/bannon1975

Kevin's Instagram is here
https://www.instagram.com/kevinmcleod...


As well writing Kevin loves reading, 'I love to discover new authors and will give anything a go. All suggestions are welcome.'
Kevin lives with his two daugthers. They live in Hamilton in Scotland.

Reviews

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good for a short story. It really highlighted how weird it is that when someone dies unexpected, we have a funeral so fast within a few days when that is not even enough time to properly grieve and then you are expected to just go back to normal after that. In this story, he was not able to.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator describes the shock/emotion that he feels for the 7 days that succeeds his wife's sudden death. Writing this book in the third person was really smart!!! It really gives you the right insight into the whole unexpected death trauma. You dissociate completely from yourself, like you're entirely another person. As if you're watching yourself from above but you aren't really you.
The reason why I gave it 3 stars was that it was very realistically descriptive that it became really boring. With every page, I'm like you totally right but as a book it's not conveying the right emotions.
So, very nice short story with an unexpected plot twist at the end but a little too long despite it being 50 pages!!!

[Robin Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really felt like the pain was real. Like maybe the writer had somehow experienced this. The feeling explained are very realistic. I relate this to when I lost my husband unexpectedly. Not sick and no medical concerns. Just died. This book brought back all of the old memories. It was a nice reflection. This book isn't very long but it has a powerful message.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously, there’s a death. What I wasn’t ready for was the raw feelings of pain, grief, and loneliness. This story was so well written, I felt the emotions. All the way to the depth of my soul. Such a powerful message that was delivered exquisitely. I would definitely read more by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DALIP · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I Received An Advance Review Copy For Free And I Am Leaving This Honest Review Voluntarily.*
How Truly Impressive I Actually Found Author Kevin McLeod Introductory Read Can Be Gauged From The Fact That Even Though She Died On A Monday Happened To Be My Maiden Read That Was Gut Wrenchingly Painful That Lingers On The Psyche Of The Reader One Could Not Help Wanting To Reach Out And Find Out More Books Penned By Kevin McLeod And If There Are Anything Like This One That Stirs The Conscience And The Pain And Loneliness Lingers Long After This Short Read Is Over.
The Honesty With Which Kevin McLeod Has Penned This Book Almost Makes It Impossible To Believe That It Is Actually Fiction. The Pain Is So Raw And The Loneliness So All Engulfing That It Comes Across As If The Author Is Actually Baring His Own Soul As He Pours Out His Tale For The Readers.
This Soul Numbing Tale Revolves Around John And Elizabeth But If You Happen To Have Lost A Life Partner Then The Grief Is Almost Palpable As It Makes An Instant Connect With The Reader.
Handling Death And The Pain That Follows Of Losing A Life Partner Not To Any Prolonged Illness But Out Of The Blues Like Being There A Moment Ago And Forever Gone In A Blink Of The Eye Is Never Easy To Comprehend Of Even Grasp The Enormity Of The Pain That The Trail Leaves Behind For The Grieving Partner.
She Died On A Monday Is Woven Around John And Elizabeth But It Could Be Any Couple Who Is Silently Grieving The Loss Of Their Beloved.
Even Though This Tale Is All Of 23 Pages Between The Covers The Impact It Is Bound To Leave On The Sensitive Reader May Not Be Easy To Comprehend As The Climax That Follows Actually Pulls The Rug From Under The Feet As It Comes Charging Out Like A Bat Out Of Hell Leaving One Numb Because Nobody Saw It Coming.
All Said And Done Kevin McLeod Has Done A Sterling Job Penning She Died On A Monday.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each chapter of this book is titled by the weekday it is taking place on, and I have to say it wasn't really until Thursday that I truly felt the emotion consuming the main character. It was a quick read with some touching and emotive moments, I felt that maybe the book was a little too short to deal with the tangle of emotions that the death of a loved one creates. Also, although the ending was lovely in a happily ever after sort of way, I also felt a bit cheated. Overall, it is heart-breaking story told in a gentle manner but for me there was just a little something lacking.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[GothicGiggleCiCi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. A haunting story of how intense and profound grief can be, especially when it hits unexpectedly.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Died on a Monday is Kevin McLeod’s newest release. Sales went live on 20th September 2021 and hopefully some of you have already grabbed yourself a copy, but if not then I am here to tell you it is worth it.


The story follows a Man who has experienced the sudden loss of his wife, following him through the turbulent emotions of the week. From the very first paragraph this is a heartbreaking story. I am known to my family as the ice queen and by the end of this book I had prickly eyes and a lump in my throat.

Be warned, if you’re an easy crier then this story is going to get you, so tissues and icecream on standby please! Also, as mentioned, this is about the loss of a loved one with a very strong look at grief so if that’s not something you can handle then please be safe and think about your own needs by either giving it a miss or being sensible with self care during and following reading.

This is very different from Kevin’s past work as his series The Viking’s Apprentice (which I absolutely adored) is aimed at a much younger market. So give Kevin some love and go and grab this book. I have been honoured to be a part of the process of bringing this book to it’s audience and it’s well worth a read.

From a successful children’s adventure to a story of love and loss this author’s skills are strongly showcased in his work. Can’t wait to see what he does next!

[Christina McCaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished and the tears are still flowing. What a beautiful little book.

I saw Kevin McLeod do a quick reading of the first few paragraphs of this book on a TikTok video. His reading was so powerful I ordered the book immediately.

Tonight I finished it and I am madly impressed. He did a fabulous job capturing the sense of loss and loneliness we feel when we are left to face the world on our own after an unexpected loss.

I won't give too many spoilers about the story but I can say it really felt realistic in the portrayal of pain and the longing for the love that has left.

Anyone who has endured the grief of a sudden loss will recognise the aches, and descriptions of that strange sense of otherworldlyness that goes with the mourning process.

It's a beautiful little book about love and all the beauty and heartache that goes with that.

I highly recommend it even if you end up crying. It's well worth the read.

[Sara McClaflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive this book from the author. I hope the prospective reader will read this review fully before making any prejudgments on the book. I will give the book my thoughts. These thoughts are completely my own and not swayed in any way by anyone else’s reviews or opinions.

Check out my blog for more: www.onreviewbysara.com

Rating: I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. While wonderfully written, I do not think my heart can take another read anytime soon. I usually say I am wanting more, but in this case, it was perfect and haunting. My 1 star down is not for the writing, but my own wanting to read it for a second time. I do not think this should detract you from reading this book. The disclaimer I have would be to know beforehand the context of the book. If you are not in the mindset to read anything sad, I would wait a little bit before you read it.

[Maria Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok , this was a short story , but i needed something to break up my other reads , something to bring me back to reality , this is a story of a mans wife who had died , and him and his 2 adult children coping with the afterwards of it all , it was sad but , realistic in its sentimental way , he was seeing quick glances of his wife , because he could not let go , but his love for her was what helped him get through the funeral , and after wards too . until not going to say any more ,.. Great read made me cry in places but thats what you need to read , after to much fantasy or dystopian reads . i would re read this again too . great read , like i said a short read but worth it .

4*/5* recommended .
but not if your an easy crier lol
this is a book that rings true for most older couples with kids , and it definetely hit home abit too .

[LADY BUGG · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I enjoyed this calm read.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Kathryn Spurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender story

A sweet, short story that is well written. I would have liked more detail, but really, everything was said. Thank you for sharing this.