I See You've Called in Dead: A Novel

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
A 2025 NPR "Books We Love" Pick

USA Today April Pick

"Razor-sharp, darkly comedic, and emotionally piercing. With the satirical bite of Richard Russo's Straight Man, the introspection of Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove, and the reinvention of Andrew Sean Greer's Less, Kenney's vivid prose transforms the mundane into unexpected hilarity."
--Booklist (starred review)

An Indie Next & LibraryReads Pick
Winner of the AudioFiles Earphones Award

The Office meets Six Feet Under meets About a Boy in this coming-of-middle-age tale about having a second chance to write your life's story.

Obituary writer Bud Stanley isn't really living his best life. He's fallen into a funk after a divorce. (She left him for another man, who, in fairness, was far more interesting.) He's not doing his job well. He's given up on dating. And he's about to be fired for accidentally publishing his own obituary one mildly drunken night (though technically the company can't legally fire a dead person).

As Bud awaits his fate at work, he does the only logical thing: He goes to the wakes and funerals of total strangers to learn how to live again.

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Published Apr 1, 2025

304 pages

Average rating: 7.37

81 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Dknj
Dec 06, 2025
9/10 stars
Well written. So many different emotions expressed. I
Mrs Mayo
Nov 13, 2025
8/10 stars
Witty. I enjoyed meeting the characters and witnessing his self-realization as he navigated the dilemma he created. It's kind of a testament to redeeming qualities.
LDM518
Aug 18, 2025
9/10 stars
It's funny and sad and makes you think. Loved it!
AR74
Jun 11, 2025
6/10 stars
Lovely reflection. Sweet, funny, sad, and charming. A quick and enjoyable read!

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