Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: A Novel
Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated blew me away. It is full of joy and human warmth and it has very wise things to say about the value of kindness. It immediately became one of my all-time favourite reads.”
—Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors


Perfect for fans of The Dead Poets Society, It's A Wonderful Life, and A Man Called Ove.

A lifetime ago, Ray “Spike” Thorns was a well-regarded caretaker on a boarding school’s grounds. These days, he lives the life of a recluse in a house rammed with hoarded junk, alone and disconnected from family or anyone he might have at one time considered a friend.

When his next-door neighbor drops dead on Spike’s doorstep, a case of mistaken identity ensues: according to the police, the hospital, the doctors—everyone—Spike is dead. Spike wants to correct the mistake, really he does, but when confronted with those who knew him best, he hesitates, forced to face whatever impression he’s left on the world. It’s a discovery that brings him up close to ghosts from his past, and to the only woman he ever loved.

Could it be that in coming face-to-face with his own demise, Spike is able to really live again? And will he be able to put things straight before the inevitable happens—his own funeral? The result is a beautiful look at life and what we would all do if given a second chance.
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Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: A Novel
Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated blew me away. It is full of joy and human warmth and it has very wise things to say about the value of kindness. It immediately became one of my all-time favourite reads.”
—Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors


Perfect for fans of The Dead Poets Society, It's A Wonderful Life, and A Man Called Ove.

A lifetime ago, Ray “Spike” Thorns was a well-regarded caretaker on a boarding school’s grounds. These days, he lives the life of a recluse in a house rammed with hoarded junk, alone and disconnected from family or anyone he might have at one time considered a friend.

When his next-door neighbor drops dead on Spike’s doorstep, a case of mistaken identity ensues: according to the police, the hospital, the doctors—everyone—Spike is dead. Spike wants to correct the mistake, really he does, but when confronted with those who knew him best, he hesitates, forced to face whatever impression he’s left on the world. It’s a discovery that brings him up close to ghosts from his past, and to the only woman he ever loved.

Could it be that in coming face-to-face with his own demise, Spike is able to really live again? And will he be able to put things straight before the inevitable happens—his own funeral? The result is a beautiful look at life and what we would all do if given a second chance.
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Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: A Novel

Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: A Novel

by James Goodhand
Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: A Novel

Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: A Novel

by James Goodhand

Paperback(Original)

$18.99 
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Overview

Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated blew me away. It is full of joy and human warmth and it has very wise things to say about the value of kindness. It immediately became one of my all-time favourite reads.”
—Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors


Perfect for fans of The Dead Poets Society, It's A Wonderful Life, and A Man Called Ove.

A lifetime ago, Ray “Spike” Thorns was a well-regarded caretaker on a boarding school’s grounds. These days, he lives the life of a recluse in a house rammed with hoarded junk, alone and disconnected from family or anyone he might have at one time considered a friend.

When his next-door neighbor drops dead on Spike’s doorstep, a case of mistaken identity ensues: according to the police, the hospital, the doctors—everyone—Spike is dead. Spike wants to correct the mistake, really he does, but when confronted with those who knew him best, he hesitates, forced to face whatever impression he’s left on the world. It’s a discovery that brings him up close to ghosts from his past, and to the only woman he ever loved.

Could it be that in coming face-to-face with his own demise, Spike is able to really live again? And will he be able to put things straight before the inevitable happens—his own funeral? The result is a beautiful look at life and what we would all do if given a second chance.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780778387466
Publisher: MIRA Books
Publication date: 07/01/2025
Edition description: Original
Pages: 336
Product dimensions: 5.30(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

James Goodhand has written two YA novels. His YA debut, Last Lesson, was called "a powerfully charged study in empathy," by the Financial Times. This is his adult debut. He lives in Englad with his wife and young son.
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