I See You've Called in Dead - John Kenney

 I See You've Called in Dead - John Kenney

Pub. Date: April 1, 2025

She read

Touted as “The Office meets Six Feet Under”, this tells the story of Bud Stanley, a divorced, middle aged, lonely, on the down slide writer of obituaries who, one drunken night, writes and files his own obituary, greatly exaggerating his accomplishments. His newspaper wants to fire him but is prevented from doing so because the company’s computer has him listed as dead, and they can’t fire a dead man. Dismissed pending a hearing, Bud learns some life lessons from both the living and the dead. 

I had to think a bit about how I felt about this read and then realized how much I really liked it. Well written by a Thurber prize winning author,  there are witty lines, laugh out loud moments, and profound observations. It is also poignant and at times sad, but, ultimately, an affirmation of life. I also loved Kenney’s vignettes of life in New York City.  

Thanks to #NetGalley and @ZibbyPublishing for the DRC.

*****