Ordinary events turn sinister!
"I couldn't move, not even a little finger, or a flicker of an eye." With this riveting opening sentence the journey begins on a wild ride of suspense, incredible plot twists, and convincing characters. This British author is sure to amass many fans in the U.S. This is a thriller based on everyday events. Superb!
Rated of 5
by Lydia M. (Lakeview, Oregon)
Afterwards
Moving at the speed of a runaway train, "Afterwards" propels the reader through an otherworld and a very real, painful reality brought about by an unthinkable act of destruction. Pulled by the emotional and physical thread invoked in her debut novel "Sister", Lupton brings home the truth that there are some bonds which can never be broken. Outstanding work....can be felt on a visceral level.
Rated of 5
by Lauren C. (Los Angeles, CA)
Like "The Lovely Bones" but in a good way
It is hard to read this book without thinking of "The Lovely Bones", but I thought that this book worked very well even though some elements are similar.
In this book a mother and her daughter are hurt in a fire at a school, and while their bodies are in the hospital the mother follows her friends and relatives around to figure out what happened to them. While this is an unusual way to solve a mystery (although it has some common elements with "The Lovely Bones"), I found it to a compelling read. I very much enjoyed the solving of the mystery and by the end of the book I thought that the emotional twists also worked well without getting maudlin or sappy.
Rated of 5
by Mary Ellen B. (Hebron, CT)
Out of Body Experience
Shocking and suspenseful, this book is about the tangled relationships of parents, children and staff at a private school in England. When an arson fire badly injures a teaching assistant and her mother, it is the unconscious victims who reveal the trail to uncover who is guilty. The author accomplishes this by the clever convention of allowing them to leave their bodies. There are many twists and turns involving a solution to a hate crime as well as the disclosure of financial problems at the school. Many twists and turns keep the reader engaged.
Rated of 5
by Kristen H. (Lowell, MA)
Wow!
"Afterwards" was captivating from the beginning with lots of suspense. I loved this book because it never once gave away who did it and it told another story within that story of just how far a mother is willing to go to save her daughter.
Rated of 5
by Joan N. (Evanston, IL)
Beautiful and Sad
A beautiful and sad book that I couldn’t put down. A woman and her teenaged daughter are badly burned in a school fire. While in the hospital, they get together in an out-of-body experience to solve the mystery of the fire and why and how it happened. A very moving story about love and loss.
Rated of 5
by Marylou C. (Fountain HIls, AZ)
Believe in Out of Body.....or Not
If you are unsure about out of body experiences, this author will challenge you to decide. Compelling is not a strong enough word, as once you start the book, her style and cadence will not let you put it down. A great “Book Club” book as it will promote a very lively discussion. This book can bring you to tears, laughter and deep thoughts. You will have a problem putting it down
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of 5
by Patricia S. (Menlo Park, CA)
