This is an 'end of the world' storyDuring a summer heat wave a large number of the elderly appear to be dying for no apparent reason. Doctors are baffled and an investigation leads to eliminating many causes. People react in different ways to the loss of loved ones, and it soon becomes apparent society will have to adjust to fewer elderly people and what this means for those left behind.However, it seems this tragedy is not limited to the older generation as younger people begin to die off too. Adjustments have to be made as circumstances change, too rapidly for some people to cope with.A cause is found, but it is bad news. The problem is global and different countries react in different ways. The younger generations have to become responsible, taking over businesses and governments, and many struggle to manage.When all adults are gone, young people and children are left to fend for themselves, degenerating into savagery.The epilogue covers what life is like on Earth once all the people are gone.