I See You've Called in Dead - an aimless man searches for meaning in his life.

Meet Bud Stanley, a middle-aged obituary writer from Brooklyn who is recently divorced. In a drunken moment, he writes and accidentally publishes his own obituary, violating numerous rules of his employer, a news service similar to the Associated Press. Although the company wants to fire him, they can't because he appears as deceased in their system. Consequently, he is suspended. At his ex-mother-in-law's funeral, he meets Clara, who seeks meaning by attending the funerals of strangers. She encourages Bud to explore life through this experience. Intrigued, Bud, along with his best friend Tim, a kind and wise man confined to a wheelchair after an accident, embarks on this journey.

I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney is many things. It's thought-provoking, moving, and very, very funny. While death is typically not a topic associated with laughter, this author skillfully uncovers humor in it. However, there were moments in this book when I cried my eyes out, showing how facing mortality can reveal life's value and preciousness. It's a life-affirming story that will surely stay with me. 

Many thanks to Zibby Books for the gifted advance of this memorable book.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Contemporary Fiction.

Publication Date: April 1, 2025.

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