This is a story about a dying marriage, a dead father, decaying morals, a pregnant woman unable to conceive, and a dozen other demons and devils that inhabit the lives of these characters. But it is a comedy - or rather a dark  (very dark) and humorous look at the foibles of the Foxman meshpuchah (family): screwed up, twisted tightly, Jewish kin who try to keep it light when life goes black.

"Dad's dead," Wendy says offhandedly, like it's happened before, like it happens every day. It can be grating, this act of hers, to b e utterly unfazed at all times, even in the face of tragedy. "He died two hours ago."

"How's mom doing?"

"She's mom, you know? She wanted to know how much to tip the coroner?"

The gallows humer in Tropper's narrative style has seen him compared to Nick Hornby and Tom Perrotta, though he has not quite reached those levels - at least not in this book. There are too many jokes and not enough insights (where Hornby and Perrotta thrive in their work), but there are a lot of good moments here. Waiting for Tropper's next book it probably time well-spent.

• One Last Thing Before I Go
• How to Talk to a Widower