A Wonderful Place To Die

by M.J. Biggs

Raw, Moving, Complex.

Dani Moran is studious, creative, and ambitious. She thinks she’s going places. When she meets Desmond Carvey through their shared love of rock music, the two feel an instant magnetism toward each other.

Desmond is beautiful, street-smart, and exciting. Beneath the charisma he shows to the world lies a darkness shaped by the difficult life he’s had. Dani believes her love can pull him through, but the darkness begins to overtake her as well. She faces critical decisions as Desmond’s demons threaten to devour the life they’ve built together along with the dreams she has for herself.

As Dani navigates her growing struggles, the support and criticism of her family and friends add depth to the narrative, making it both rich and captivating.

Set in the modern American Midwest, the story explores the duality of good and bad in people, abuse, self-empowerment, and the impact of family, for better or worse.

“[R]eaders who enjoy redemptive stories and fans of rock and roll fiction will be sucked into Dani’s world and root for her to right herself.” -BlueInk Review

Genres: Womens Fiction, Abuse

268 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2022

Reviews

[Lisa Schoolcraft]

I liked the relationship between the grandparents and Dani. My mouth watered over the meatballs!!! I wanted to punch Desmond many times throughout the book lol, he made me so mad.

[Maybelle]

“If we let it, hatred can circle forever and destroy everything around us, so I won’t hold grudges or seek vengeance, and when a twinge of malice is felt by my imperfect nature, I will not act on it. My goodness can overcome”

[Wyeth]

I seriously loved and related to this book. The part where she goes on about feeling sullied as the ideal victim when she defends herself really reflects a lot of what I have felt in the past. This was beautifully written and felt like someone audibly telling me a story rather than reading through it, which was wonderful- right down to the little detours in the storytelling. I really can't wait to read what more the author writes!

[Sarah]

I loved this book. I imagine strolling through cleveland and it's many beautiful suburbs while listening to some good music and having coffe with Dani. This book takes you exactly there. It is beautiful and sad but also uplifting.
It for sure leaves you wanting more.

[Cassandra Yorke]

Dani Moran is so many girls I've known in college - smart, resourceful, tough. I could have even gone to college with her myself, since so many girls from Cleveland went to my school. She needs all her nerve and resolve to struggle away from a relationship with a violent narcissist and toward a decent life.

And this story is way too painful to be fiction. Entirely, anyway. While the author never comes out and says it, I know a memoir when I read one. I recognize too much of Dani's pain, and the villains in this story are too real to be made up. The details of growing up in Cleveland are too authentic. Some of this was real.

It's a difficult read, heartfelt and often harrowing. Grownups - especially Midwesterners - will nod and commiserate with Dani. And hopefully it can serve as a sobering reminder for younger readers that true evil wears a pleasing guise until you're enslaved.

Dani is an everywoman all the more sympathetic for her everyday heroism and will to survive. If you've been in thrall to a violent lowlife abuser, you might see some of yourself in her, too.

CW: Tokophobia, domestic violence.

[Francesco Garruzzo]

I took the book on a weekend getaway to Orlando and found myself tucked away in my room reading more than I had expected to. The portrayal of the main character’s family & best friend was magical, heartbreaking, and realistic. I’m looking forward to the author’s second novel.

[Ashleigh]

I liked this book! I found myself thinking multiple times that it almost reads as someone's diary. Would get anxious during parts involving Desmond and couldn't put it down until I knew what happened.

[Addison Mae Taylor]

This book gave me new perspective on things that have happened in my own life. It’s sad but uplifting and kept me hooked. I especially liked the main character’s relationship with her grandparents.

[Kathy]

A tale of two people so wrong for each other yet they can’t seem to break away. Dani is learning that love might mean being with someone because you think there can never be anyone else. As she continues to walk through her journey she finds herself making decisions that she never thought she’d make. Yet they are the ones that end up leading her to a place where she can finally find some peace.

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