Darkly funny, heartfelt, and unexpectedly uplifting, I See You’ve Called In Dead by John Kenney is the next featured title in the Libby Reads program. From July 9–23, readers can borrow the ebook and audiobook with no waitlists or holds through the Libby app.

This witty and moving novel follows Bud Stanley, a 44-year-old obituary writer who has quietly drifted through life since his divorce. After an especially disastrous blind date, Bud heads home, pours himself a few drinks, and writes his own obituary—only to accidentally publish it on his company’s website for the entire world to see.

What follows is a sharp, funny, and deeply human story about second chances, connection, and learning how to truly live while you still can.

About I See You’ve Called in Dead

At the center of the novel is Bud’s journey to rediscover purpose after feeling stuck in grief, loneliness, and routine. As the mix-up with his obituary spirals into chaos, Bud begins attending the wakes and funerals of strangers alongside his best friend and mentor. Along the way, he starts to reevaluate his life, relationships, and the kind of story he wants to leave behind.

With humor and heart, John Kenney explores themes of mortality, friendship, reinvention, and what it means to show up for your own life.

Meet the author

John Kenney is the New York Times bestselling author of Love Poems for Married People and the novels Talk to Me and Truth in Advertising, which won the Thurber Prize for American Humor. He is also a longtime contributor to The New Yorker and lives in Larchmont, New York.

A letter from the author

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for downloading this copy of I See You’ve Called In Dead. I’m so thrilled and honored that the book has been selected as the featured title for OverDrive’s international book club.

At its heart, I See You’ve Called In Dead is about an obituary writer who is afraid to live. Our hero, 44-year-old Bud Stanley, is two years into a divorce. No kids. His wife left him for a far more interesting, richer man with an English accent. Since then, he’s lost his way a bit.

As we meet him, one cold rainy evening in early April, after a particularly awful and embarrassing blind date (she brings her ex, with whom she’s decided to get back together), Bud goes home and, a few glasses of Scotch later, writes his own obituary. And accidentally publishes it on his news company’s website, worldwide.

His company wants to fire him. And tries to. But the system has him listed as dead. And the company can’t fire a dead person.

So Bud does what any intelligent person would do in this situation. He goes to the wakes and funerals of strangers with his best friend and mentor.

Bud writes the story of people’s lives after they’ve died. Can he write his own while he’s still alive?

(Also there are funny parts.)

Thank you so much. I really hope you enjoy reading I See You’ve Called In Dead.

All best,

John Kenney

Promotion & Programming Ideas for Your Library 

Easy ways to promote the title to your readers 

Get the marketing kit on the Resource Center   

• Highlight the book in your favorite fiction or Librarians Recommend sections in your library. 
• Share on social with easy-to-use graphics and copy. 
• Add the QR code flyer to your bulletin boards or meeting rooms to encourage easy checking out on Libby. 
• Promote the title with bookmarks or screen-sized graphics around your community space. 

Looking to build excitement around the Libby Reads selection? Here are a few programming ideas inspired by I See You’ve Called In Dead:

• Libby Reads LIVE – Q&A with John Kenney: Encourage patrons to register to attend the live Q&A with author John Kenney to talk about his writing style, favorite reads, the inspiration behind the book, and the meaning of life.
• Death Over Dinner Discussion: Host a thoughtful community conversation around life, purpose, reinvention, and mortality — themes explored throughout the book. Pair the discussion with guided prompts, refreshments, or a community journaling activity.
• Read & Discuss Club: Create a low-lift book discussion centered on the ebook and audiobook experience in Libby. Use prompts that explore Bud’s emotional journey, the balance of humor and grief, and how the novel encourages readers to reconsider what makes a meaningful life.
• “Rewrite Your Story” Vision Board Night: Inspired by Bud’s personal reinvention, invite patrons to create vision boards or goal maps focused on aspirations, second chances, and future dreams.
• Dark Comedy Book Display: Curate a themed display featuring humorous yet heartfelt reads that balance comedy with emotional depth. Pair I See You’ve Called In Dead with other witty contemporary fiction and memoirs that explore life’s messier moments.

These programming suggestions are based loosely upon themes featured in I See You’ve Called in Dead. Whether you use these to inspire your programming or come up with ideas on your own, let us know by emailing us at libbyreads@overdrive.com.  

Join the discussion

Readers can join the worldwide book club discussion and connect with fellow fans throughout the program. Visit the Libby Life event page for discussion guides, event details, and more ways to participate.

Whether readers are drawn in by the humor, the emotional depth, or the quirky premise, I See You’ve Called In Dead offers a memorable story about embracing life’s messy, meaningful moments.

The title will be available to borrow in the Libby app from July 9–23 with no waitlists or holds.