Last Night At The Lobster by Stewart O'Nan

The Red Lobster chain restaurant perched in the far corner of a run-down American mall hasn’t been making its numbers and has pulled the plug. But manager Manny DeLeon still needs to navigate a tricky last shift with a near-mutinous staff and the final onslaught of hungry retirees, lunatics, and office parties.

All the while, Manny wondering how to handle the waitress he’s still in love with, what to do about his pregnant girlfriend, and how to find the Christmas present that will make everything better.

(Allen & Unwin)