Under the Whispering Door

TJ Klune's novel Under the Whispering Door (#1,111) came highly recommended, although it might not be to everyone's taste.

Wallace Price is a highly successful lawyer who has no time for anything or anyone other than his work.  His marriage has failed, and those in his office go out of their way to avoid him at all costs.  One Sunday when he's in the office preparing for the work week in casual clothes, he suddenly finds himself looking down at himself while a young woman tries to coax him away.  Wallace is dead, and his Reaper has come to escort him to the place where he will transition.

Wallace refuses to believe that his is dead, but Mei persuades him to accompany her to the place where he will meet the ferryman, who will explain all.  Who would have expected that place to be a cozy tea shop with other residents who come and go?  Wallace finally has a chance to discover what he's missed while he was still alive, and to make up for some lost time before he himself must move on.

It's funny, it's touching, and it's deeply sad.  It this book doesn't make you examine your life and the choices you've made more closely, you've missed the point of the book.  Have a book of Kleenex handy!