“It’s like you’re taking out a hit on yourself but hiring, like, humanity to do it.”
This line made me laugh so hard I had to put the book down. But that’s exactly what Will Leitch does best—he finds the absurd in the profound, the comedy in our deepest fears.
Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride isn’t your typical death-and-dying novel. It’s a masterclass in failing upward, wrapped in the story of a man who discovers that the harder he tries to die heroically, the more vibrantly he begins to live.
The Setup That Changes Everything
Lloyd McNeil has months to live. A brain tumor has handed him an expiration date, and he’s accepted it. What he hasn’t accepted is leaving his teenage son without financial security. His brilliant (if twisted) solution? Engineer his own death as a “hero cop” to maximize the insurance payout.
The only problem? Lloyd is spectacularly bad at getting himself killed.
Drug busts, shootouts, death-defying car chases, dangerous interventions—Lloyd survives them all, earning genuine hero status while desperately seeking the opposite outcome. The irony is delicious: a man running toward death discovers he’s never been more alive.
More Than Dark Comedy
While the premise delivers consistent laughs, Leitch weaves in profound themes without ever feeling heavy-handed. Instead of surrender, Lloyd uses his diagnosis as permission to live boldly—with unexpectedly beautiful results.The novel asks a profound question. Are we better remembered for one spectacular moment? Or are we remembered for a lifetime of quiet presence. As Lloyd chases financial security for his son, he stumbles into something more valuable, deeper and genuine connection.
When a figure from Lloyd’s past emerges, everything shifts. The final act becomes a reckoning that forces both character and reader to confront what dying well—and living well—truly means.
Leitch’s Masterful Touch
The prose here is conversational brilliance—clean, direct, and utterly authentic. Leitch writes like he’s sitting across from you at a bar, sharing the most important story he knows. No literary gymnastics, just pure emotional honesty.
The Atlanta setting breathes without overwhelming. The father-son dynamics feel lived-in, not constructed. Most importantly, the humor never feels cheap—it emerges organically from character and circumstance.
Why This Book Matters
Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride succeeds because it understands a fundamental truth: the best stories about death are really stories about how we choose to live. Lloyd begins by choreographing his exit but ends by discovering what it means to truly show up—flawed, frightened, but finally present.
Yes, the subject is dark but it’s also a novel that doesn’t apologise for making you laugh. It’s a meditation on mortality that never forgets the absurdity of being human. And it’s a father-son story that earns its emotional payoff through genuine character growth rather than manufactured sentiment.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
- Fiction with genuine humor and heart
- Character studies that explore mortality without preaching
- Stories about second chances and unexpected redemption
The Soundtrack to Lloyd’s Journey
This book inspired me to create a Spotify playlist that captures the novel’s blend of dark humor, emotional depth, and unexpected heroism. The songs reflect themes of second chances, the struggle for meaning, and the beautiful mess of life.
Playlist: Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride – The Soundtrack
“Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen
The perfect, darkly humorous opening that sets the tone for Lloyd’s initial goal of a dramatic final act. The upbeat tempo ironically undercuts his serious intentions.
“Heroes” – David Bowie
A classic anthem for accidental heroism. It captures Lloyd’s journey—he’s not trying to be a hero, but becomes one anyway, even if it’s “just for one day.”
“Alive” – Pearl Jam
This song directly addresses the central irony of the book. As Lloyd gets closer to his supposed end, he feels more “alive” than ever.
“The Mess I Made” – Parachute
Reflects on the mistakes and complications of life, which is key for Lloyd as he grapples with his past relationships and his son. The contemplative tone fits the novel’s introspective moments.
“I’m Still Here” – Sia
About resilience and enduring through hardship. It speaks to Lloyd’s journey of facing mortality and choosing to live, even when he had planned the opposite.
“Float On” – Modest Mouse
A song about pushing through bad times and staying optimistic. The casual, almost resigned tone of “and we’ll all float on anyway” mirrors how Lloyd keeps surviving his elaborate death schemes.
“Second Chance” – Shinedown
A rock anthem that directly addresses getting a do-over—perfect for all the characters given unexpected second chances.
“Don’t Give Up On Me” – Andy Grammer
Reflects the father-son dynamic and the plea for understanding and connection. It represents Lloyd’s quiet desire for his son to see him for who he truly is.
“The Funeral” – Band of Horses
While the title is somber, the song has a haunting beauty that fits the book’s moments of poignant reflection on life and death.
“Accidentally in Love” – Counting Crows
A playful finale that sums up the irony. Lloyd accidentally becomes a hero, accidentally starts living, and perhaps even accidentally finds a new kind of love for his life.
This playlist moves from humorous and ironic beginnings to the deeply emotional core of the story, with each song representing a different facet of Lloyd McNeil’s unforgettable journey.
The Final Verdict
Will Leitch has crafted something rare: a novel that makes you laugh, cry, and think—sometimes all in the same paragraph. Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride reminds us that even in our final chapters, we can still surprise ourselves.
In a literary landscape often obsessed with darkness for darkness’s sake, this book offers something more valuable: hope disguised as humor, wisdom wrapped in wit, and the radical idea that it’s never too late to become the person you were meant to be.
Sometimes the best way to face death is to finally learn how to live.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What books have surprised you with their blend of humor and depth? And what songs would you add to Lloyd’s soundtrack? Share your recommendations in the comments below.
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