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Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride
From the award-winning author of How Lucky and The Time Has Come, this heartfelt and humorous novel follows an Atlanta police officer who learns he has months to live and determines to get killed in the line of duty to provide for his son . . . but keeps failing in unexpected ways.
Lloyd McNeil has served as an officer with the Atlanta Police Department for 20 years while being a devoted father to his teenage son. But then he learns the worst possible He has learned he has an inoperable brain tumor, and he has only months left to live.
Lloyd begins throwing himself into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, but things don’t go according to plan. Instead of dying, he becomes a civic hero. Meanwhile, a malevolent force from his past shadows Lloyd as he tries to get his affairs in order, teach his son the lessons he needs to be a good person, and to say goodbye.
Told in Lloyd’s wistful but wonderfully comedic voice, Untitled is a masterful blend of suspense, humor, and compassion. It is a novel about what we leave behind and what we learn along the way, a bighearted story that brings into focus the depths of a father’s love for his son.
Lloyd McNeil has served as an officer with the Atlanta Police Department for 20 years while being a devoted father to his teenage son. But then he learns the worst possible He has learned he has an inoperable brain tumor, and he has only months left to live.
Lloyd begins throwing himself into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, but things don’t go according to plan. Instead of dying, he becomes a civic hero. Meanwhile, a malevolent force from his past shadows Lloyd as he tries to get his affairs in order, teach his son the lessons he needs to be a good person, and to say goodbye.
Told in Lloyd’s wistful but wonderfully comedic voice, Untitled is a masterful blend of suspense, humor, and compassion. It is a novel about what we leave behind and what we learn along the way, a bighearted story that brings into focus the depths of a father’s love for his son.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2025
443 people are currently reading
15359 people want to read
About the author
Will Leitch
17 books443 followersWill Leitch lives in Athens, Georgia with his family and is the author of seven books, including the novels Lloyd McNeil's Last Ride, How Lucky and The Time Has Come. He writes regularly for New York, MLB.com, The New York Times and the Washington Post. He is the founder of the late website Deadspin. He also writes a free weekly newsletter that you might enjoy at williamfleitch.substack.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
February 21, 2025
Each word in this book is locally sourced, free range, farm-to-page. No nouns were harmed in the production of this novel, and while the author can indeed confirm early, somewhat sensationalist press reports that a few participles were lightly scratched during an unusually perilous stunt sequence, he wishes to stress that their wounds were lovingly mended with caution, care and the latest cutting-edge medical technology. (They now live upstate, where they roam freely and comfortably.) Several adverbs, unfortunately, did have to be executed, but humanely, and in full accordance with the tenets of the Geneva Convention. All readers of LLOYD MCNEIL'S LAST RIDE can rest assured that each sentence was constructed with their ethical consumption foremost in mind, though if symptoms persist for longer than three weeks, please consult with your primary care physician.
May 25, 2025
Will Leitch is back with another of his signature heartwarming humorous stories. I love how Will crafts perfectly flawed and relatable main characters. The bits of wisdom and Lloyd’s philosophies were my favorite part of the book. Even though the main character is dealing with death, the story is written with an uplifting tone.
Readers looking for the perfect summer escapist read that will give you all the feels, will adore this one!
Will Leitch is such a remarkable author and he definitely deserves more hype! I highly recommend checking out Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride as well as the author's prior works (which I also loved) How Lucky and The Time As Come.
Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride by Will Leitch was published on May 20 so it is available now. Many thanks to Harper Books for the gifted copy!
Readers looking for the perfect summer escapist read that will give you all the feels, will adore this one!
Will Leitch is such a remarkable author and he definitely deserves more hype! I highly recommend checking out Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride as well as the author's prior works (which I also loved) How Lucky and The Time As Come.
Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride by Will Leitch was published on May 20 so it is available now. Many thanks to Harper Books for the gifted copy!
September 4, 2025
This is the second book I've read by this author & both times I really enjoyed how original and unique his stories are.
Lloyd McNeil's Last Ride is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. When veteran, second generation police officer, Lloyd, finds out he is terminally ill he hatches an unconventional plan to ensure his young son is financially secure in his future absence. As he tries to carry out his plan, much like life, things don't go exactly how you'd expect them to. Can he keep his diagnosis a secret and will time be on his side?
Just how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
3.5 ⭐️
Lloyd McNeil's Last Ride is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. When veteran, second generation police officer, Lloyd, finds out he is terminally ill he hatches an unconventional plan to ensure his young son is financially secure in his future absence. As he tries to carry out his plan, much like life, things don't go exactly how you'd expect them to. Can he keep his diagnosis a secret and will time be on his side?
Just how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
3.5 ⭐️
April 23, 2025
What an intriguing book about dying.
We follow police officer McNeil who is trying to come to terms with a grim diagnosis and leaving behind his teenage son. We read as he struggles to cope with the situation and find a way to overcome the challenges in leaving the world before he’s ready.
It is funny, the tone is upbeat although the story is bleak. It’s an incredible mix of emotions that kept me level due tot eh way it was written. I felt that some of the things he thinks about or goes on about for pages becomes boring and not worth reading. I felt it was more filler to an anything which is why I took off a star.
I appreciated what appears to be some really decent research in the cop world. My husband retired and a lot of what the author depicts is factual. There were still some things that were off but I didn’t knock if anything for that. Pulled me out of the story though.
Overall, if you’re looking for a light read about a sad thing but are looking for a ride through perspective lane, this was a pretty good one.
Thank you to the author, Harper Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
We follow police officer McNeil who is trying to come to terms with a grim diagnosis and leaving behind his teenage son. We read as he struggles to cope with the situation and find a way to overcome the challenges in leaving the world before he’s ready.
It is funny, the tone is upbeat although the story is bleak. It’s an incredible mix of emotions that kept me level due tot eh way it was written. I felt that some of the things he thinks about or goes on about for pages becomes boring and not worth reading. I felt it was more filler to an anything which is why I took off a star.
I appreciated what appears to be some really decent research in the cop world. My husband retired and a lot of what the author depicts is factual. There were still some things that were off but I didn’t knock if anything for that. Pulled me out of the story though.
Overall, if you’re looking for a light read about a sad thing but are looking for a ride through perspective lane, this was a pretty good one.
Thank you to the author, Harper Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 8, 2025
Gah. 😭
I could just leave that as my entire review, but I’ll elaborate, in case you just need more details. #highmaintenancereaders🙄
This book is beautiful. It’s a man’s love-letter to his son. And probably his father. And maybe just the world. Lloyd is a cop. He’s dying. He’s dying AND he’s trying to teach his son what it really means to LIVE—all at the same time. Lloyd isn’t really anyone in particular (other than a cop), he’s nothing special. But also, he is a beautiful, ordinary, special, precious human. And that’s what I love about this book. It’s about an ordinary amazing human doing every day courageous things because that’s what decent humans do. He wants to be better, and make the world better for the son he loves more than anything else in the world.
The writing is clean, un-frilly, almost journalistic, but with enough poetry in it to make you cry. It’s giving Frederik Backman, but slightly less sob-y. Only slightly…
I could just leave that as my entire review, but I’ll elaborate, in case you just need more details. #highmaintenancereaders🙄
This book is beautiful. It’s a man’s love-letter to his son. And probably his father. And maybe just the world. Lloyd is a cop. He’s dying. He’s dying AND he’s trying to teach his son what it really means to LIVE—all at the same time. Lloyd isn’t really anyone in particular (other than a cop), he’s nothing special. But also, he is a beautiful, ordinary, special, precious human. And that’s what I love about this book. It’s about an ordinary amazing human doing every day courageous things because that’s what decent humans do. He wants to be better, and make the world better for the son he loves more than anything else in the world.
The writing is clean, un-frilly, almost journalistic, but with enough poetry in it to make you cry. It’s giving Frederik Backman, but slightly less sob-y. Only slightly…
April 19, 2025
Thank you to Harper Collins for allowing me to read this early via #NetGalley (out May 20). I have enjoyed two previous works by this author so I was excited to see he had a new one coming out. This is the story of Lloyd McNeil, a police officer in Atlanta that receives a terminal diagnosis. Faced with the reality of leaving his young son fatherless, he decides to try to die in the line of duty, ensuring his son will be provided for financially at least, but his efforts don’t go according to plan. I have some quibbles with the plot of the book, but they were overridden by how much I enjoyed the tone of this book. My favorite type of book is one that handles a heavy topic with a light hand and despite this book starting out as bleak as possible with Lloyd’s diagnosis coming right at the start, the book was still frequently funny and infused with so much warmth and heart. Lloyd’s love for his son is the heartbeat of every page, including some wonderful sections where he writes down advice that he wants to leave for his son (“10 gentle edicts”.) Heartwarming without being schmaltzy, as much as a book about dying can be a feel good book, this is it.
June 9, 2025
"Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride" by Will Leitch, published in 2025 by HarperAudio, is a masterful blend of dark humor, heartfelt emotion, and gripping suspense, brought vividly to life through Chris Andrew Ciulla’s stellar narration. This novel, already slated for a Lionsgate film adaptation, follows Lloyd McNeil, a 49-year-old Atlanta police officer diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and given mere months to live. Determined to secure a financial future for his teenage son, Bishop, Lloyd hatches a daring plan: to die in the line of duty, ensuring a substantial police benefit payout. What unfolds is a poignant, often absurdly funny exploration of mortality, fatherhood, and legacy that transcends its grim premise to deliver a deeply human story.
Leitch’s narrative shines through its intimate, conversational prose, which balances raw vulnerability with sardonic wit. Lloyd is no saintly hero - he’s a flawed, relatable everyman grappling with his impending death while trying to impart life lessons to his son. The novel’s heart lies in the father-son dynamic, particularly through Lloyd’s “Ten Gentle Edicts,” a set of life guidelines he hopes will guide Bishop into adulthood. These moments, rich with wisdom and tenderness, are both touching and authentic, avoiding sentimental clichés. Leitch’s ability to weave humor into tragedy - such as Lloyd’s comically failed attempts at heroic death, like tackling an undercover cop or botching a hostage situation - keeps the story buoyant without undermining its emotional weight.
Chris Andrew Ciulla’s narration elevates the audiobook to another level. His warm, gravelly voice captures Lloyd’s weary optimism and self-deprecating humor with precision, grounding the character’s wild schemes in genuine humanity. Ciulla deftly handles the novel’s tonal shifts, from laugh-out-loud absurdity to gut-wrenching introspection, making every scene feel immediate and alive. His pacing mirrors the story’s urgency, particularly in the action sequences, which pulse with cinematic energy. The Atlanta setting, vividly rendered through Leitch’s love for the city, comes alive in Ciulla’s delivery, with subtle inflections that evoke the urban bustle and Southern cadence.
The novel’s strengths lie in its unique premise and Leitch’s refusal to lean on melodrama. Instead, he crafts a story that feels both propulsive and reflective, exploring how we confront death while celebrating life’s messy beauty. However, the middle act occasionally lags, with Lloyd’s repeated failed “heroics” feeling slightly repetitive before the narrative regains momentum. Some secondary characters, like Lloyd’s ex-wife, could have been fleshed out further to deepen the emotional stakes.
"Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride" is a testament to Leitch’s skill as a storyteller who finds hope in despair, and Ciulla’s narration makes it an immersive listening experience. It’s a novel that lingers, urging readers to reflect on what we leave behind. The audiobook has emotional depth, humor, and a compelling performance by Ciulla. This will appeal to fans of character-driven stories that balance laughter with tears.
Leitch’s narrative shines through its intimate, conversational prose, which balances raw vulnerability with sardonic wit. Lloyd is no saintly hero - he’s a flawed, relatable everyman grappling with his impending death while trying to impart life lessons to his son. The novel’s heart lies in the father-son dynamic, particularly through Lloyd’s “Ten Gentle Edicts,” a set of life guidelines he hopes will guide Bishop into adulthood. These moments, rich with wisdom and tenderness, are both touching and authentic, avoiding sentimental clichés. Leitch’s ability to weave humor into tragedy - such as Lloyd’s comically failed attempts at heroic death, like tackling an undercover cop or botching a hostage situation - keeps the story buoyant without undermining its emotional weight.
Chris Andrew Ciulla’s narration elevates the audiobook to another level. His warm, gravelly voice captures Lloyd’s weary optimism and self-deprecating humor with precision, grounding the character’s wild schemes in genuine humanity. Ciulla deftly handles the novel’s tonal shifts, from laugh-out-loud absurdity to gut-wrenching introspection, making every scene feel immediate and alive. His pacing mirrors the story’s urgency, particularly in the action sequences, which pulse with cinematic energy. The Atlanta setting, vividly rendered through Leitch’s love for the city, comes alive in Ciulla’s delivery, with subtle inflections that evoke the urban bustle and Southern cadence.
The novel’s strengths lie in its unique premise and Leitch’s refusal to lean on melodrama. Instead, he crafts a story that feels both propulsive and reflective, exploring how we confront death while celebrating life’s messy beauty. However, the middle act occasionally lags, with Lloyd’s repeated failed “heroics” feeling slightly repetitive before the narrative regains momentum. Some secondary characters, like Lloyd’s ex-wife, could have been fleshed out further to deepen the emotional stakes.
"Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride" is a testament to Leitch’s skill as a storyteller who finds hope in despair, and Ciulla’s narration makes it an immersive listening experience. It’s a novel that lingers, urging readers to reflect on what we leave behind. The audiobook has emotional depth, humor, and a compelling performance by Ciulla. This will appeal to fans of character-driven stories that balance laughter with tears.
April 11, 2025
I received an ARC of Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher; it’s much appreciated.
This book is thoughtful, sad, life affirming and so very witty. The humor and sadness merge perfectly. Lloyd, his family and colleagues are so real and relatable, which is something that’s not always easy to find. It’s a really quick read, and I generally don’t remember plots of books like that but I certainly will remember having a lot of feelings while reading it. I definitely recommend.
This book is thoughtful, sad, life affirming and so very witty. The humor and sadness merge perfectly. Lloyd, his family and colleagues are so real and relatable, which is something that’s not always easy to find. It’s a really quick read, and I generally don’t remember plots of books like that but I certainly will remember having a lot of feelings while reading it. I definitely recommend.
October 6, 2025
“This little book” is exactly what I needed. Witty yet deeply profound. Atlanta cop has days to live while desperately seeking ways to provide for his son after his death. Thank you, Will, for another enjoyable read.
April 27, 2025
Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride by Will Leitch. Thanks to the author for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lloyd McNeil has learned he only has a few months to live. His main concern is leaving enough money for his teenager son but his job as a cop hasn’t done that. But if he dies in the line of duty, his son will be taken care of. However, as a beat cop in Atlanta, that is harder than one would think.
This was an easy and fast read, but also very meaningful. I loved that the main character was a cop, which I wasn’t sure about, but Lloyd is the cop we wish all cops would be. He has a heart of gold. While the plot is somber in nature, the book does not have a somber tone. It has a lot of humor to it, as well as wise words and wisdom Lloyd is passing down to his son.
“Don’t worry about death. Just live. You won’t regret it.”
Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride comes out 5/20.
Lloyd McNeil has learned he only has a few months to live. His main concern is leaving enough money for his teenager son but his job as a cop hasn’t done that. But if he dies in the line of duty, his son will be taken care of. However, as a beat cop in Atlanta, that is harder than one would think.
This was an easy and fast read, but also very meaningful. I loved that the main character was a cop, which I wasn’t sure about, but Lloyd is the cop we wish all cops would be. He has a heart of gold. While the plot is somber in nature, the book does not have a somber tone. It has a lot of humor to it, as well as wise words and wisdom Lloyd is passing down to his son.
“Don’t worry about death. Just live. You won’t regret it.”
Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride comes out 5/20.
April 28, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ This book is good if you are looking for an emotional, heartwarming story of someone coming to terms with their own death. Lloyd is struggling with his legacy and handling this in a very isolating way, when the people around him care deeply for him and want to help.
Based on the cover and the summary on the back, I was expecting as very different tone to this book. I thought this sounded like it had a ton of potential to be both entertaining and emotional, but was expecting more humor and more of a focus on his failed attempts to get killed on duty. Lloyd came off as a fairly hopeless, cynical man more concerned with his legacy than being with his loved ones in the time he has left.
Thank you to Harper Books for sending me a copy for review!
Based on the cover and the summary on the back, I was expecting as very different tone to this book. I thought this sounded like it had a ton of potential to be both entertaining and emotional, but was expecting more humor and more of a focus on his failed attempts to get killed on duty. Lloyd came off as a fairly hopeless, cynical man more concerned with his legacy than being with his loved ones in the time he has left.
Thank you to Harper Books for sending me a copy for review!
July 1, 2025
if policing wasn’t such a violent and fraught institution this would have been a fun read. instead, it’s a story of a cop who engages in high risk behavior trying to die on the job, in the same atlanta neighborhood where (in real life) a high speed police chase killed a teenage bystander two weeks ago… lotsa references to where i live, which was fun, but the out of control behavior of police gets people killed in the real world, and it’s not possible to suspend that fact to engage in the fantasy of this story
Read
September 10, 2025What a complete and total surprise this book was!
Full RTC
Full RTC
June 29, 2025
This is a wonderful book. Don’t let the cover fool you: it’s heartbreaking. I would probably not have picked this one up if I had paid close attention to what it was about. But then I would have missed an incredibly unique novel about dying.
I’m hoping more people will post quotes so I can find the ones I didn’t manage to catch—because audiobooks are amazing, but they do not make it easy to highlight anything 😭 Here are two I managed to capture.
Excuse the capitalization and punctuation. These are from my Notes app and I’m too lazy to fix them. You’ll get the gist.
an enterprising therapist should specialize in helping parents cope with how their kids stop hugging them once they get into middle school. When it becomes uncool to show affection to their family. when the last thing they want is to admit they need their parents. or ever did. we spend the first decade plus of our lives with them grabbing us constantly. holding on for dear life. one day, it just stops. they go from asking you nonstop questions from the backseat, to staring at their phone as if you’re not there at all. Like that. you understand. it’s what growing up is. that’s how this is supposed to work. but you miss the hugs. they’ll never come back. not the way they once were. they’re gone.
(regarding his son thriving without him)
this is all anyone could ever want for their children. it’s important. it’s wonderful. but it just kills you. you’re child discovers him or herself in a new place and takes all you’ve tried to teach them, all the preparation you tried to lay down for them, and they use it to build themselves a life in that new place. that’s the goal. but the new place they are building has a place that doesn’t involve you. they can breathe on their own. they always could. what is the beginning of their story is in many ways, is an end to our own.
The audiobook is fantastic—honestly a perfect way to bring Lloyd McNeill to life.
I’m hoping more people will post quotes so I can find the ones I didn’t manage to catch—because audiobooks are amazing, but they do not make it easy to highlight anything 😭 Here are two I managed to capture.
Excuse the capitalization and punctuation. These are from my Notes app and I’m too lazy to fix them. You’ll get the gist.
an enterprising therapist should specialize in helping parents cope with how their kids stop hugging them once they get into middle school. When it becomes uncool to show affection to their family. when the last thing they want is to admit they need their parents. or ever did. we spend the first decade plus of our lives with them grabbing us constantly. holding on for dear life. one day, it just stops. they go from asking you nonstop questions from the backseat, to staring at their phone as if you’re not there at all. Like that. you understand. it’s what growing up is. that’s how this is supposed to work. but you miss the hugs. they’ll never come back. not the way they once were. they’re gone.
(regarding his son thriving without him)
this is all anyone could ever want for their children. it’s important. it’s wonderful. but it just kills you. you’re child discovers him or herself in a new place and takes all you’ve tried to teach them, all the preparation you tried to lay down for them, and they use it to build themselves a life in that new place. that’s the goal. but the new place they are building has a place that doesn’t involve you. they can breathe on their own. they always could. what is the beginning of their story is in many ways, is an end to our own.
The audiobook is fantastic—honestly a perfect way to bring Lloyd McNeill to life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
“It’s like you’re taking out a hit on yourself but hiring, like, humanity to do it.”
This book was incredible. Five stars, no question.
Lloyd McNeil is an Atlanta cop who finds out he only has a few months to live. When he realizes his son won’t be left with much -unless he dies on the job, he decides that’s exactly what needs to happen. But carrying out his plan proves harder than he expected, especially as his acts of “heroism” start to draw public attention.
Leitch had me laughing from page one. Lloyd’s dry, sarcastic internal thoughts are hilarious. I loved how the book felt like Lloyd was just talking to me. His stream-of-consciousness style made it a fun and easy read. “Anyway. Anyway!”
The short chapters also make for a quick read, and the fast-paced plot kept me hooked. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” over and over again. It was heartbreaking at times, knowing that this character you immediately love and totally relate to is going to die. I also appreciated the poignant commentary on raising a child and watching them grow. It’s good to see them become independent, it’s good not to be needed anymore, but it’s also sad, no matter what we tell ourselves.
I’m a sucker for artistic formatting, and Leitch does this beautifully. Chapter 18: Chef’s kiss.
This book had me laughing out loud, in tears, then laughing again —all within a single chapter. It would make a fantastic book club pick —lots of moral questions to explore. And that ending!
Get a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed.
This book was incredible. Five stars, no question.
Lloyd McNeil is an Atlanta cop who finds out he only has a few months to live. When he realizes his son won’t be left with much -unless he dies on the job, he decides that’s exactly what needs to happen. But carrying out his plan proves harder than he expected, especially as his acts of “heroism” start to draw public attention.
Leitch had me laughing from page one. Lloyd’s dry, sarcastic internal thoughts are hilarious. I loved how the book felt like Lloyd was just talking to me. His stream-of-consciousness style made it a fun and easy read. “Anyway. Anyway!”
The short chapters also make for a quick read, and the fast-paced plot kept me hooked. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” over and over again. It was heartbreaking at times, knowing that this character you immediately love and totally relate to is going to die. I also appreciated the poignant commentary on raising a child and watching them grow. It’s good to see them become independent, it’s good not to be needed anymore, but it’s also sad, no matter what we tell ourselves.
I’m a sucker for artistic formatting, and Leitch does this beautifully. Chapter 18: Chef’s kiss.
This book had me laughing out loud, in tears, then laughing again —all within a single chapter. It would make a fantastic book club pick —lots of moral questions to explore. And that ending!
Get a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed.
October 18, 2025
this is an amusing book it's about Lloyd McNeil who goes to the doctor and finds out that he's got glioblastoma. he works for the police force and he realizes he doesn't have much money to leave in the future for his son Bishop so he tries to do all these crazy things at his job to try to die and it kind of doesn't work out that way.
His boss who is awesome and also worked at the time when his dad was a police officer figures out and confronts him about it it was really funny when he yells at the family about his shenanigans at his home Jessica's his ex and she seems really nice she has a new husband Gary and Bishop and his dad Lloyd have a genuine relationship that people can relate to.
Many times I laughed out loud in this book I really enjoyed it if you need a quick book this would be one to pursue it also was very good in audio
His boss who is awesome and also worked at the time when his dad was a police officer figures out and confronts him about it it was really funny when he yells at the family about his shenanigans at his home Jessica's his ex and she seems really nice she has a new husband Gary and Bishop and his dad Lloyd have a genuine relationship that people can relate to.
Many times I laughed out loud in this book I really enjoyed it if you need a quick book this would be one to pursue it also was very good in audio
May 16, 2025
3.5 stars
Thank you Harper Collin’s for an ARC!
We follow Lloyd McNeil, a cop who just found out he has brain cancer. He then realizes if he dies his son won't get very much money, so he decides to commit insurance fraud and try to die in the line of duty. Only problem is it's actually way harder to die while on the job than he expected.
I was expecting this to be more satirical and funny but I am so glad it wasn't. Don't get me wrong it still is both of those things but thankfully also has it's more serious, emotional moments. I feel like parents would connect to this book a lot. I mean I'm not even a parent but I was still on the verge of tears reading this.
Thank you Harper Collin’s for an ARC!
We follow Lloyd McNeil, a cop who just found out he has brain cancer. He then realizes if he dies his son won't get very much money, so he decides to commit insurance fraud and try to die in the line of duty. Only problem is it's actually way harder to die while on the job than he expected.
I was expecting this to be more satirical and funny but I am so glad it wasn't. Don't get me wrong it still is both of those things but thankfully also has it's more serious, emotional moments. I feel like parents would connect to this book a lot. I mean I'm not even a parent but I was still on the verge of tears reading this.
September 16, 2025
I enjoyed this book. it was touching.
September 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and the way it was written.
Following Lloyd with his recent brain tumor diagnosis through the streets of Atlanta as now HappyCop really was enjoyable to me. I have family all throughout Georgia so I was able to easily relate to the landmarks, behaviors and traditions mentioned about the South. All in all, the guideline provided and heartfelt messages left for his son Bishop, as well as themes of a father's love, heroism and legacy all were interwoven in a good style.
(The only complaint I had was the ending; not satisfying!)
Following Lloyd with his recent brain tumor diagnosis through the streets of Atlanta as now HappyCop really was enjoyable to me. I have family all throughout Georgia so I was able to easily relate to the landmarks, behaviors and traditions mentioned about the South. All in all, the guideline provided and heartfelt messages left for his son Bishop, as well as themes of a father's love, heroism and legacy all were interwoven in a good style.
(The only complaint I had was the ending; not satisfying!)
October 29, 2025
Waited like 3 months for this from the library and I am definitely glad I did. All the Atlanta references were great and it is also cool that I work in one of the buildings on the cover. Also I definitely know one of the Atlanta people referenced. A couple minor things like the King & Spalding spelling and also you can't get out of the Ritz onto Andrew Young and also if your patrol zone is in Inman park how do you always end up at calls in Buckhead but that is fine. Appreciated the attention paid to all the time everyone spends sitting on I-85. It is just a tremendous amount of time. The only major thing about this book is that it was kind of rambling but I really enjoyed reading it and the ending was appropriately bittersweet.
September 24, 2025
Very moving. I cried a lot. Fun and funny too. This author seems to carefully research the disabilities he writes about and really listen to disabled people and capture how they feel.
August 20, 2025
I had the luxury of reading this in one sitting on a flight, and was grateful to have Lloyd on my journey. We could do with more outlooks like this man, and Will Leitch has provided another enjoyable novel that I will be happy to recommend to anyone looking for a fresh story.
April 29, 2025
Thank you Harpers Collins for an ARC copy of this book!
This book was filled with so many important discussions, the main emphasis being on death and the legacy you leave. There is so much humor mixed in with the sadness of this book. I loved following our main character through this book, and found his love for his son and him wanting to be the best father he can be so refreshing. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but definitely have tissues on hand!
This book was filled with so many important discussions, the main emphasis being on death and the legacy you leave. There is so much humor mixed in with the sadness of this book. I loved following our main character through this book, and found his love for his son and him wanting to be the best father he can be so refreshing. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but definitely have tissues on hand!
June 21, 2025
This book is just plain maudlin.
It reminded me of a bad funeral. It dragged. The officiant was boring and not that likeable. The elegy was filled with dime-store wisdom and quips to try, and fail, to break the mood.
The concept of trying to cheat death by beating it to the punch was an excellent. The execution was not. The book was so boring, it did not even depress me! I finished hoping for a revelation or some impactful ending, but was disappointed in the ending as well.
I'd pass on this one
It reminded me of a bad funeral. It dragged. The officiant was boring and not that likeable. The elegy was filled with dime-store wisdom and quips to try, and fail, to break the mood.
The concept of trying to cheat death by beating it to the punch was an excellent. The execution was not. The book was so boring, it did not even depress me! I finished hoping for a revelation or some impactful ending, but was disappointed in the ending as well.
I'd pass on this one
April 10, 2025
I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I am torn on this one. I wouldn’t say I disliked it. It was a heartwarming story and managed to make me laugh a few times despite the macabre theme. I just found some elements disappointing and the ending felt rushed and fell flat for me. I am giving it 2.5 starts rounded up to 3.
May 20, 2025
Meandering and not at all humorous.
July 3, 2025
It started out beautifully and then just got boring. I still don’t know what happened in the end.
July 19, 2025
Lloyd McNeil has glioblastoma, and the prognosis isn’t good. He is an Atlanta police officer, just like his dad was. Divorced, his biggest accomplishment in life is his 13 year old son Bishop. He has an idea. If he dies in the line of duty, his son will get nearly $500,000. So he starts putting himself into dangerous yet heroic situations. All the while dealing with debilitating headaches and his body falling apart.
I think what makes this story so incredible is Lloyd’s inner dialogue, wrestling with his mortality and wanting to make an impact. Lloyd isn’t perfect, but he is a mediocre cop and great dad. The thoughts he has about the world and his place in it are so relatable and pure hearted. He doesn’t spend a lot of time feeling sorry for himself. What happens as he grows to accept his fate is that he becomes ever more who he was always destined to be.
There are interstitial chapters in which Lloyd is writing directly to Bish giving him life advice. Absolutely brilliant and emotionally draining. While this is dark subject matter, it has more of a heartwarming and even comical tone. I found myself rooting for Lloyd. To be successful at getting himself killed. Yep. That’s a first for me.
In the Hollywood version, Lloyd will be played by Woody Harrelson, and his sergeant will be played by Queen Latifah. Atlanta is so much more than the setting, it’s practically a side character.
This book is best for those who enjoy a hero’s journey, especially stories about police officers and fatherly advice. It’s a story that will stay with me.
I think what makes this story so incredible is Lloyd’s inner dialogue, wrestling with his mortality and wanting to make an impact. Lloyd isn’t perfect, but he is a mediocre cop and great dad. The thoughts he has about the world and his place in it are so relatable and pure hearted. He doesn’t spend a lot of time feeling sorry for himself. What happens as he grows to accept his fate is that he becomes ever more who he was always destined to be.
There are interstitial chapters in which Lloyd is writing directly to Bish giving him life advice. Absolutely brilliant and emotionally draining. While this is dark subject matter, it has more of a heartwarming and even comical tone. I found myself rooting for Lloyd. To be successful at getting himself killed. Yep. That’s a first for me.
In the Hollywood version, Lloyd will be played by Woody Harrelson, and his sergeant will be played by Queen Latifah. Atlanta is so much more than the setting, it’s practically a side character.
This book is best for those who enjoy a hero’s journey, especially stories about police officers and fatherly advice. It’s a story that will stay with me.
August 28, 2025
The premise of the book: a police officer has just been diagnosed with brain cancer, and needs a fast and creative way to guarantee financial security for his teenage son, after he passes.
So, his solution is to die in the line of duty, as a “hero cop.” That way a large benefit package will leave his son secure.
The trouble? Lloyd McNeil keeps surviving. Through the drug busts and battles with gunmen, he is bruised but alive. He’s hailed as a community hero; his colleagues salute his bravery.
Then a twist from his past appears, and the plot thickens.
Some lessons I gleaned:
- Lloyd used his imminent death as a reason to act boldly.
- He’s faced to examine fatherhood, and emotional presence vs financial security.
- Is a “final act” more impactful than a lifetime of care and love?
The reader easily finds himself rooting for Lloyd - a man who’s always, although sometimes clumsily, trying to do right.
I also liked the author’s writing style: a consistent pace with escalating tension towards the end, some dark humor, and a front row look at Lloyd’s transformation inside his own mind.
All in all, a great fiction read that combines wit and emotion, relationships and mortality, and laughter and tears. Although the climax was somewhat predictable, the book serves as reminder of what life has to offer.
So, his solution is to die in the line of duty, as a “hero cop.” That way a large benefit package will leave his son secure.
The trouble? Lloyd McNeil keeps surviving. Through the drug busts and battles with gunmen, he is bruised but alive. He’s hailed as a community hero; his colleagues salute his bravery.
Then a twist from his past appears, and the plot thickens.
Some lessons I gleaned:
- Lloyd used his imminent death as a reason to act boldly.
- He’s faced to examine fatherhood, and emotional presence vs financial security.
- Is a “final act” more impactful than a lifetime of care and love?
The reader easily finds himself rooting for Lloyd - a man who’s always, although sometimes clumsily, trying to do right.
I also liked the author’s writing style: a consistent pace with escalating tension towards the end, some dark humor, and a front row look at Lloyd’s transformation inside his own mind.
All in all, a great fiction read that combines wit and emotion, relationships and mortality, and laughter and tears. Although the climax was somewhat predictable, the book serves as reminder of what life has to offer.
May 31, 2025
The book is joyously filled with humor and heart. I loved the character of Lloyd so much, and as a parent, his relationship with his son gave me all the feels. The emotion in the story was real in so many ways
Lloyd leads a pretty ordinary life as a loving single dad, living in the same house of his childhood, on the same police force as his late father, with the same relationships he’s had for years. Upon receiving a devastating diagnosis, he embarks upon a plan to die in the line of duty so he can appropriately take care of his son in his absence. What ensues is the tale of the unlikeliest of town heroes, whose love for his son supersedes any level of self imposed dangers.
I laughed and I teared up throughout the story. His lessons to his son weee so well placed on what matters in life and I longed for the happy ending. So well written, I will definitely dive into this author’s backlist.
Lloyd leads a pretty ordinary life as a loving single dad, living in the same house of his childhood, on the same police force as his late father, with the same relationships he’s had for years. Upon receiving a devastating diagnosis, he embarks upon a plan to die in the line of duty so he can appropriately take care of his son in his absence. What ensues is the tale of the unlikeliest of town heroes, whose love for his son supersedes any level of self imposed dangers.
I laughed and I teared up throughout the story. His lessons to his son weee so well placed on what matters in life and I longed for the happy ending. So well written, I will definitely dive into this author’s backlist.
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