Dead in Long Beach, California looks at how different people cope with grief

? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

Identity theft takes a new page out of Dead in Long Beach, California. Venetia Blackburn takes a twisted turn in a story of a sibling’s loss who’s actions have severe consequences.

Sounds a bit much? It gets better: The grieving process takes an unethical turn when Coral, the protagonist, starts impersonating her deceased brother, Jay — after she finds him dead by suicide — through texts and calls in a misguided attempt to shield his nearest and dearest from the painful truth. But Coral doesn't see an issue and continues her daily routine, going to work and pursuing her life as a science fiction graphic novel author.

The novel is narrated in the first-person plural by her science fiction characters, the story introduces entities called “machine librarians” from the future tasked with studying humans after a catastrophic event. They serve as Coral's support, exploring her memories and staging flashbacks that delve into Coral and Jay’s childhood past.

Although the identities, personalities, and narratives intertwine a lot, it’s a poignant look at how different people cope with grief as it looks at the aftermath of Jay’s death without questioning why Coral behaves the way she does. The book has dark humor that makes it a “freshly devastating exploration of loss,” the New York Times says.