The Black Bird of Chernobyl

Lambda Award winner McMan follows up 2020’s The Big Tow with a goofy romance for goth mortician Lilah, the sister of book one’s heroine, Frankie Stohler. Thirty-something and resolutely single, Lilah has spent her whole life in mortuary science and is about to be rewarded with control of her family’s funeral parlor. But dear old Dad isn’t retiring without one more power move: hiring Sparkle Lee Sink as “community outreach liaison.” Lilah is outraged and intrigued at once, a snarl of emotion that tangles further when Sparkle’s marketing success leads to Lilah’s reluctant elevation to Instagram stardom. Buyout offers and a joint junket to a Vegas convention up the ante as the two enemies pratfall their way toward becoming lovers. McMan relies on relentless one-liners to cover for spotty characterization and plotting, but she’s not entirely successful in encouraging the suspension of disbelief. It makes no sense, for example, that Lilah has spent her life in funeral homes yet refuses to interact with grieving families and resents the idea that anyone would think it a part of the job. Nor is the central love story likely to set readers’ hearts aflutter; it’s primarily a comedic exercise. Fans of McMan’s particular brand of quirky, pop-culture infused humor may find something to enjoy, but newcomers will be left scratching their heads. (July)