by Will Leitch
First published 2025
Lloyd McNeil gets the worst news of his life twice in one day. The Atlanta beat cop learns he has only months to live. He also discovers that twenty years on the force won't leave enough money to care for his teenage son Bishop after he's gone. Then Lloyd realizes his police benefits will multiply if he dies in the line of duty. He hatches a desperate scheme to get himself killed on the job. Lloyd throws himself into dangerous situations again and again, but he keeps surviving each attempt. His reckless courage transforms him into a local hero, inspiring the community he serves. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking. Lloyd must still figure out how to secure Bishop's future, teach his son how to be a good man, and find a way to say goodbye. Will Leitch crafts a story that balances suspense with unexpected humor as it explores how far a father will go for his child.
Genres: fiction, drama, contemporary, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: father-son-relationship, self-sacrifice
Setting: Atlanta
Period: 20th-century
303 pages · Kindle Edition · Harper
Content warnings: terminal-illness