Most people’s death is untimely but Auckland standup comic Ian Lethe is shocked to hear about his own demise on the radio, not least because as far as he can tell he’s still alive. As might be expected, depressed and misanthropic Lethe’s view of the world shifts as, in his new precarious corporeal state, he encounters a series of emergencies both minor and major and finds himself in situations that require him to help members of the local Mangere Bridge community. A chance meeting with charismatic community police constable Rose Topana at the scene of an armed robbery precipitates an unlikely friendship. Rose identifies a special ability in him after seeing one of Lethe’s standup gigs, and he’s soon undergoing police training as a crime scene negotiator. But Lethe’s interpersonal style doesn’t always lead to the success he and his trainers hope for. Rose’s elderly mother Pat suffers from dementia and lives in a rest home. Rose introduces Lethe to her and an unexpected bond develops. Rose inspires him to explore his material and nurtures Lethe’s appreciation of art, causing him to think about its relationship to his stagecraft. He talks his way out of an armed holdup, securing the safe release of a number of hostages, but he is unconvinced that the credit for bringing the bank robbery to a peaceful conclusion belongs to him. The story of Lethe’s suburban escapades is punctuated by insights into his eccentric comedic technique; rants about technology, teenagers, Auckland drivers, poverty and ageing, among other things. ‘Deadpan’ culminates in Lethe’s intervention at what appears to be another hostage-taking. He does his best to talk sense into Ari, the perpetrator, with whom he’s vaguely acquainted. He tries to persuade Ari to be remembered for what he creates, not what he destroys but on this occasion neither luck nor experience are on his side. Fortunately Rose by now cares enough for Lethe to see past the bleakness of his worldview to comfort him in a loss that appears to be both local and universal. By the author of ‘Liquidambar’ (bit.ly/2aygloV); ‘Saccade’ (bit.ly/2aygjxn); ‘The Bumper Book of Lies’ (amzn.to/2aVhhs8); and ‘The Concentrated Essence of Any Number of Ravens’ (bit.ly/2aHZG3l).