<p><b>''A truly delightful debut novel . . . Funny, moving, tender and wise, I ate up every delicious word'' <br>Liane Moriarty<br><br>''I adored this novel. Charming, poignant and moving but also very funny''<br>Cathy Rentzenbrink</b><br><br>It''s winter in Sydney and the lives of two strangers have fallen apart. Newly separated and in need of a distraction, Clare agrees to help her neighbour Louisa with a funeral catering business that has bitten off more than it can chew. Meanwhile, emergency doctor Chris has witnessed too many deaths but still feels compelled to attend the occasional wake.<br><br>When Clare and Chris meet, the good in their lives is slowly illuminated. After all, the thing about death is that it makes life matter.<br><br>Funny, moving, wise and hopeful, <i>The Wakes</i> is an irresistible debut novel about old friends, lost love, good food and new beginnings.<br><br><b>''Few people can write about food and heartbreak like Nora Ephron - that was until Dianne Yarwood