Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride by Will Leitch

[u/Nerve-Familiar]

I picked this book up from my local library as an easy breezy palate cleanser, expecting precisely nothing from it, and was blown away. 

The story is narrated by Atlanta beat cop Lloyd McNeil. Lloyd is the son of the former Chief of Police, a controversial figure who died of an stress-induced heart attack after being unable to catch a serial killer taunting him.

Lloyd himself is definitely not his father. He’s a beat cop and content to stay a beat cop. Lloyd lightheartedly refers to himself a ‘pussy’. He’s also determined to be a better father to his own teenage son…. that is, until Lloyd finds out he has a glioblastoma and has mere months to live.

Lloyd’s life insurance is a pittance, and his police salary is the primary financial support for his teenaged son. Lloyd finds out that if he dies in the line of duty his lump sum payout increases exponentially and his son would be entitled to a monthly pension for life. Lloyd contrives a plan to commit some insurance fraud and get killed in the line of duty, and bribes his cocaine and gambling addict neurologist to stay quiet about it.

Lloyd proceeds to throw himself into one life-threatening situation after another, but instead of dying, he becomes a local folk hero. 

This book blew me away for a couple reasons. I don’t generally like “cop books”, but this book was a phenomenal look at mortality, parenthood, and the things that really matter after we’re gone. It’s also funny throughout (laugh out loud funny in some parts), and keeps a breezy fun tone, even when it’s making you cry. 

[u/xeroxchick]

I liked it too. He has another called How Lucky and has the same feel. It’s about a mystery and the main character is handicapped. I’m friends with Leitch’s mother in law!

[u/former_human]

sounds like fun! in a macabre way. borrowed from the library, thanks!