Fiction Review

Thursdays with Death
By Scott Knutson
ISBN-10: 1430318481
Review by Heather Froeschl


Loss is the key to finding. Without losing control, how do know you need to find it again? Without losing love, how do you know it is worth seeking out? In Scott Knutson’s book, “Thursdays with Death,” readers will take a spiritual journey unlike any other, and they may find an understanding about life that they hadn’t realized they were missing.

Looking for answers, as we all are, Lanny Stone invited a spiritual guide into his life. He was surprised to find that his teacher was Death. In a game of poker, he places a bet and come up in debt. Debts must be paid and Lanny signs a contract. Now, Lanny Stone has a standing appointment with The Grim Reaper, on Thursdays, at 9am. During these appointments it is learned that Death adores Krispy Kreme donuts, as well as other interesting things about past lives, present plans, and future opportunities. Other realities are now in view and Lanny is learning to be open to them. As far as spiritual lessons go, he is getting the Cliffs Notes version in a hurry. Surprisingly though, this doesn’t all seem like new material to him. He begins to understand life, and death, as well as his teacher, Death himself. It does come as a bit of a surprise, at least to the reader, when Lanny learns that there isn’t just one being known as Death. He wonders what The Grim Reaper is getting out of these visits, and this contract, besides all the donuts he can inhale. What could Death possibly want from Lanny Stone?

This entertaining, fast paced, deceivingly simple read is actually a lot deeper than you might first think. The humor involved (and dealing with death with humor is much better than dealing with it with sorrow) lightens the impact of spiritual lessons. The hope and promise of better things, the non-permanence of death, the lighter look at a sometimes terrifying icon, is a testament to the author’s spirituality. The writing style is modern and fun; the plot one that is fresh and deliciously twisted. I simply adored reading “Thursdays with Death” and hope to see more from this author soon.