I See You Called in Dead by John Kenney ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested this book because I felt that it would be funny. And it was so funny. But what I didn’t expect was the heart and brilliance that it turned into. From the embellishments to his own “life story” to the reactions of friends and colleagues about his “death,” laugh out loud moments were plenty. But tucked carefully into the pages of this story was friendship, love, loss, grief, and living. This book turned heavy at times, but it always expertly threw in humor to lighten the load. The characters were all amazing, and I loved every single one of them.

Books that earn 5-stars from me typically make me feel something, and feel I did. For readers looking for stories about life, they should check out this moving novel quite literally about life and death.

I picked up I SEE YOU’VE CALLED IN DEAD expecting a humorous, lighthearted read, and while it certainly delivered on the laughs, it turned out to be much more. John Kenney’s novel is a sharp and thoughtful exploration of love, loss, friendship, and redemption, all wrapped in witty storytelling.

The story follows Bud Stanley, a middle-aged obituary writer from Brooklyn who drunkenly writes and accidentally publishes his own obituary. His employer, a news service akin to the Associated Press, wants to fire him but can't because their system lists him as deceased. Suspended from work, Bud meets Clara, who finds meaning in attending strangers' funerals. Encouraged by her, Bud embarks on a journey of self-discovery with his best friend and landlord, Tim, who is movie-star handsome and confined to a wheelchair.

While the book is packed with humor, it also delivers deeper reflections on life and mortality. Kenney’s writing is engaging and sharp, with a deep appreciation for New York City’s quirks. Though the pacing lags in parts, the story ultimately delivers a rewarding, life-affirming experience.

I See You've Called in Dead is funny, poignant, and beautifully written. It makes you reflect, appreciate life’s absurdities, and embrace the unexpected ways in which we find meaning.

Thank you to Netgalley and Zibby Publishing for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I love a book that can make you smile and laugh while also taking on the most serious subject of grief. Thanks Zibby for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book. It was funny and sad and so true. I laughed out so loud that other family members joined me to read this book.

I had high hopes for this but i couldnt relate to the MC and it was a chore to just finish the story.

I wanted to read this book because I was intrigued by the title, and I found the rest of it to be equally wonderful. After obituary writer Bud Stanley is more or less fired from his job for accidentally publishing his own obituary while drunk, he finds an interest in attending the funerals of strangers and joy through his friendship with his paraplegic landlord. Although the book is a lot about death, it's even more about life, as all good obituaries should be. It's in turn funny, philosophical, poignant, filled with interesting and well drawn vignettes, and just a total delight. I highly recommend it! Many thanks to Zibby Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this really fantastic book.

Thank you #NetGalley and #zibbypublishing for the ARC of #iseeyouvecalledindead. What a fantastic read!! I fell in love with the characters immediately and the relationships they build. It is such an interesting take on life as Bud who is an obituary writer embarks on an unexpected detour in his life. I found #johnkenney to be a wonderful writer with engaging characters. The book made me feel all sorts of emotions and I am grateful for the journey.

Well written, multi-faceted and thoroughly enjoyable, John Kennedy has written another excellent novel. Pick it up, you won’t be sorry.

Wow. A truly incredible piece of writing, with so much heart. Oh, Bud! Sweet Bud.

This novel was driven by the characters, all of them well developed and uniquely written. Bud’s journey of love and loss was at once tragic and hopeful… and his wit was untouchable. I laughed and cried.

Incredible! One to recommend to almost anyone.

Thank you to Zibby Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to like this. I thought the premise was funny, but I never connected with the characters. Bud comes across as a privileged middle aged divorced white man looking for “what it all means” after a massive misstep in which he posts his own obituary to the news wire. (High Fidelity did the whole searching for life’s big meaning better, honestly.) Perhaps I’m not the target audience for this book, though. It’s not badly written, it’s just not for me.

I received an ARC of this book, in the interest of being honest I wouldn't normally pick up a book that I know will be sad, however, the description from the publisher makes this seem more lighthearted than it is, imho. This is a solid 3.5 for me. I enjoyed the book but I did grow tired of Bud's lack of growth no matter how realistic the portrayal of depression is. I really just wanted him to commit to therapy. The cast of characters is lovely, sweet Leo's story left me with more questions than answers-I could have read a whole book based on him. If you can make it to the end, this is a book that gives you a gift of a message.

Bud Stanley is an obituary writer who one evening has one too many glasses on scotch and writes his own obituary which he sends in for publication. This sets the stage for Bud to attend funerals and wakes in this uniquely humorous story of what it means to want to be alive.

Funny, emotional, relatable - totally unexpected. Everyone interested in life, the whys and the why nots should read this book!

Put a disclaimer on it for those of us over 40! Thanks for that existential crisis y'all! Call your therapist because you are gonna need it after reading this one. It's beautifully written. Laugh out loud funny in so many parts! It is a love letter to NYC in the way that those of us who lived there for so long and have embraced it's sheer NYC-ness appreciate and love (shout out to the "not that Pret with the half-man/half-penguin) It makes you think. It makes you reflect. It makes you stare into the void that is life and aging and death and loss and yeah you're gonna need an extra therapy session after reading it.

I'm giving it a 3 because I do think that the Claire plot-line flirted a little too heavy on the "Manic-Pixie Dreamgirl" trope and that included the interesting outfits and the quirky out of season swimming. I fully expected Zoey Deschnel to appear as Claire in the movie on Netflix.

This is one of those books that makes you think. Anyone of "that age" has those moments when you wonder if this is it, if you've lived life to the fullest, if there's a chance to do those things you've always wanted to do but never had the time/courage/money... the list never ends. I love books that make you question yourself and the choices you've made while still offering a hope that there's more. I See You've Called in Dead is one of those books. I laughed, I cried, I pondered. I loved it.

What an amazing book on the meaning of life. The author made me laugh out loud multiple times, question my relationships and decisions. and cry. LOVED it and hope we see more like it from this author.

From the title, I thought this was going to be a bit more lighthearted than it was. It's definitely witty, but more in a wry humor than laugh out loud way. Recommended read.

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.

It’s laugh out loud funny, irreverent, sad, reflective, and thought provoking. It’s a story to be savored as the author has a way with words that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.

I See You’ve Called in Dead
What a read! This was a breath of fresh air. Funny, relatable, and deep all at the same time.

Full video review on my socials. Loved it!