Death by Roses

January 26, 2015
A catchy premise and entertaining characters mostly outweigh the unpolished writing of Probstâs debut. When smalltown housewife and busybody Mae Rose dies ignominiously on the toilet, killed by a lifetime of rage against her husband and just about everyone else, sheâs set up to learn a heavenly lesson in forgiveness and being careful what you wish for. Mary Lee is a famous horror-movie writer, terrible mother, and outrageously difficult cancer patient with a burning desire to finally win an Oscar before she kicks the bucket. Nearly dead, she is revived when Mae Roseâs spirit joins hers in Mary Leeâs body, leading to hilarious situations and an unlikelyâyet oddly believableâconnection between their family members. As their families, friends, frenemies, and others circle like curious vultures, the two women cobble together one life between them, irrevocably changing both their destinies. Humorous and flowing despite awkward prose, this should elicit giggles all the way through. Agent: Neil Gudovitz, Waterside Productions.