The Obituary Writer: A Novel

The Obituary Writer: A Novel

by Ann Hood

4.2 (1,738)

4.2 stars from 1,738 reviews. Top 83% of Historical Fiction books we track.


$2.99KU75% off peak

Last checked: May 26, 2026

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Price history: $1.99 $11.99

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Fans of these authors will like this...

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Fans of these books will like this...

  • All the Light We Cannot See
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Perfect for you if...

  • You enjoy literary fiction that weaves multiple timelines together with emotional depth and historical detail.
  • You're drawn to stories exploring women's difficult choices about marriage, ambition, and the life they actually want versus the one expected of them.
  • You appreciate narratives where the mystery isn't about whodunit but about how two seemingly unrelated people's fates become connected.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You prefer fast-paced plots with clear resolutions and don't have patience for slower, more introspective storytelling.
  • You want your historical fiction centred on major historical events rather than intimate personal stories set against a historical backdrop.
  • You're looking for straightforward contemporary romance without the weight of grief, regret, or moral ambiguity.

About this book

A novel following two women across different time periods. In 1961, on the day of John F. Kennedy's inauguration, Claire is a young wife and mother drawn to the glamour of Jackie O. She faces a difficult choice between remaining in her unhappy marriage or pursuing a relationship with a man she loves, who may be the father of her unborn child. Decades earlier, in 1919, Vivien Lowe works as an obituary writer while searching for her lover, who vanished in the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Through writing obituaries, Vivien helps others process grief while grappling with her own profound loss. The novel explores an unexpected connection between Claire and Vivien that transforms one of their lives in surprising ways. Blending literary mystery and love story, the book examines marriage and love, the expectations placed on wives and mothers, and the experiences of grief, regret, and hope.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

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Free$6.00$11.99Mar '21May '25Jul '25Dec '25
$1.99$11.99

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 75% off peak. Price has dropped 8 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 52 days. Typically stays discounted for 21 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

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#6,285#325,416#644,546Apr '18Jul '23Sep '25May '26

Currently around #68K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller.

Rating & Reviews

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3.5★4.3★5.0★Jul '23May '24Oct '24Nov '25RatingReviews

Currently 4.2★ from 1,738 reviews

Review activity has been quiet recently. Rating has remained stable at 4.2 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

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Free$6.00$11.99Mar '21May '25Jul '25Dec '25PredictedMay '26

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $11.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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Ann Hood

1 book on Vagrant Press

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