by Richard Wiley - undifferentiated
First published 2022
Four people gather in a grief support group, each carrying wounds that have reshaped their lives. One member battles suicidal thoughts and pushes others away with abrasive behavior. Another recounts decades of extramarital affairs that defined her existence. A third man struck it rich at Vegas casinos while searching for answers about his deceased wife's hidden life. The fourth carries the heaviest burden of all: she pulled the trigger that killed her lover. As these damaged souls meet week after week, their stories unfold in unexpected ways. Each revelation peels back layers of pain, guilt, and regret. The group becomes a crucible where raw honesty collides with the human need for connection. Through their shared vulnerability, these unlikely companions discover that even the most shattered lives can find fragments of hope and understanding.
Genres: fiction, drama, literary-fiction, grief, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: damaged-characters, found-family, raw-honesty
381 pages · Paperback · Stay Thirsty Press, An Imprint of Stay Thirsty Publishing, A Division of Stay Thirsty Media, Inc.
Content warnings: depression, mental-illness, suicidal-ideation