In-Depth Market Research Interviews with Dead People: Tempur-Pedic

A Short Story

By: Alison Espach

Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans, Suzanne Savoy

In this at-once hilarious and heartbreaking series, In-Depth Market Research Interviews with Dead People, Alison Espach explores our collective idiosyncrasies, neuroses, and desires through the consumer choices, big and small, that we face every day.

Caroline’s mattress had nothing to do with her untimely death at the age of 28—this, she wants Tempur-Pedic’s market research representative to know. But as she reflects on her first ever mattress purchase and their interview progresses, Caroline dives into the circumstances and decisions that led her and Nicholas—her boyfriend, 10 years her senior and prone to sleeping on the floor—to that particular bed in that particular shopping plaza. Ultimately, Caroline has the opportunity to reckon with the struggles she faced near the end of her life, and the story of a complex, bold young woman emerges.

©2022 Alison Espach (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.

I love the, they’re all surprising

Surprising, layered, thoughtful. I love the series and I hope more come! Bounty was my favorite so far, this one took me a few times to listen through and I’m still digesting. Thanks for the meal!

Couldn't Get Past the First 10 Minutes

I thought this was going to be comical and humorous, and I really wanted it to work. But when it's boring within the first 10 minutes, you know it's time to move on to the next book.

Clever Story Idea Makes for a Fun Experience

Different from anything I’ve listened to before, I found this quite enjoyable, with good narration that conveyed a bit of snarkiness in just the right places, adding a level of humor the reader wouldn’t get to experience in written format. I probably enjoyed the story more than some because I’ve slept on a Tempur-Pedic mattress for over twenty years, just recently purchasing a new one with an adjustable “old people” base, (according to the boyfriend in the story). My only suggestion to the author would be to research Tempur’s offerings a bit better, as the protagonist supposedly purchased the top-of-the-line mattress that took all of her savings, but the Tempur Cloud is actually a lower end version. The market research questions and commentary had me laughing out loud several times. I really enjoyed this and will listen to the others. Highly recommended.

It was nice and funny

Love it! Made me laugh and also touched me a bit in its short time...

She needed a hug

I feel pity for this character because I think everyone has been that uncertain twenty year old.