Founding DEAD. When democracy dies, the dead rise.

America didn’t collapse in a single moment. It rotted slowly; law by law, lie by lie.

By 2026, the Constitution is a suggestion, protests are met with bullets, and a president called the Boss rules by fear while the country argues with itself instead of fighting back.

Then the dead rise.

Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson return, not as legends, but as undead witnesses to the nation’s failure. They see what America has become, and they know exactly how it’s supposed to work.

Their weapon isn’t just history. It’s their unusual bite, and the radical idea that democracy is worth resurrecting.

Founding Dead is a brutal, satirical zombie novel about power, memory, and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried.

Diane Lilli writes a masterful blend of historical fiction, political commentary, and supernatural intrigue.

Founding DEAD is one of those once in a lifetime, I have to read this book, and share it with the world type of books. Welcome to dystopian American, where three of America’s Founding Fathers rising as zombies to save democracy—is bold and imaginative, but the Lilli's writing and storytelling ability is what truly makes this book shine. ​

Lilli expertly weaves together historical quotes, modern political struggles, and a gripping narrative to create a story that is both entertaining and deeply relevant.  If you didn't know them before, you get the chance to see who they really are, right? Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison are brought to back to life with vivid personalities, each grappling with their own flaws and legacies while fighting to restore the ideals of liberty and justice. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights at the end of the book is a powerful touch, reminding readers of the importance of protecting the freedoms that define the United States. ​

I must say, if you haven't read the Constitution in a while, you probably should. The story tells of unity, empathy, and the fight against tyranny resonate strongly, making it a timely and necessary read in today’s divided world. ​With its compelling characters, clever dialogue, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I know a few politicians who should read this book. What an unforgettable tale that will inspire readers to reflect on their own role in preserving democracy. 

This is five plus stars. What an enthralling story. Unpredictable, with twists all the way to the end, and I love the world that Lilli has created, and hope, that we never enter a dystopian American. Yes, it's the end of the world as we know it. Founding Dead is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that readers of this book, be kind, and also write a review.

"I am obsessed with Benjamin Franklin and hysterical about our country's major issues. Founding DEAD caught my eye, on TikTok.
The idea that Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison would rise from the dead, in Philadelphia, was a surprise. It's not a typical zombie book.
The author is very funny, which is important, because she doesn't shrink from taking her novel and showing the decay and senseless hatred dividing the US. What I loved about the story is that you can tell the founder zombies are going to do something magical to save the democracy and the constitution, but it's never preachy or boring.
Ms. Lilli used real words from the three founders; real life events of ICE violence, murders, warring political parties, a missing Congress, and so on.
I was surprise with every chapter, because the tragedy and stress of our nation was balanced with humor and dare I say it, a sexy love affair with the First Lady.
I loved it. I don't know how it happened, but by the end of the book, liberals and Maga are different towards one another, without losing their beliefs.
And the president, called 'the Boss' suffers a fate that shocked me: with no violence, no shouting, and no zombie fantasy,
Give it a read. It is so much more than zombie tale." 

Maria, Good Reads review

"Founding DEAD turns the zombie genre on its head." 

- NYC Book news, Patch

Darkly comic, sharply satirical, and threaded with genuine tragedy, Founding Dead blends political satire, horror, speculative fiction, and romance into a bold reimagining of America's founding myth. It confronts hero worship, questions the durability of democratic institutions, and explores whether a nation built on revolutionary ideals can survive its own mythology.

Can democracy be resurrected?

Or must it fully die before anyone remembers how to fight for it?