Rated of 5
by Justine J. (San Francisco, California) Afterwards
An interesting and fresh twist on your typical whodunnit crime story. Lupton takes her reader on a fascinating ride into the supernatural as her ostensibly comatose female narrator attempts to solve an arson mystery which landed both her and her daughter in intensive care. Well-paced, vividly depicted and raising thought-provoking questions around the afterlife and the bond between parents and their children, this book was an easy and entertaining read. Recommended.
Rated of 5
by Mary M. (Lexington, KY) Fascinating
This book was similar to "The Lovely Bones" but much better. It combines a mystery that will keep you guessing till the end with a story about a family and a mother's love for her children. Having the mother who is in a coma narrate the story makes the book unusual in a good way. The descriptions of how the mother and daughter feel as they move about outside their bodies are very imaginative and well written. I really enjoyed the book and plan to recommend to my friends.
Rated of 5
by Elly M. (Roswell, NM) Afterward
This is a compelling novel that captures interest at the prologue's first line and never lets go. The use of a first person "semi-spirit" voice from our protagonist personalized all of the novel's "residents", pulling the reader well into their world. "Afterwards" is an emotional and thrilling account of family and friends and tragedy and love...a mystery that prods one to keep the pages turning. It not only brings us to an unpredictable climax, but gives birth to thoughts about which we all wonder as we approach the "afterwards". I would, and have, recommended it to many friends.
Rated of 5
by Susan Q. (East Williston, NY) A Good Choice
I found this book very easy to get into right from the beginning. The characters are well developed and the plot kept my attention. Although I found the ending to be predictable, it will be a good book club pick as there are a few twists and good conversation issues.
Rated of 5
by Corinne S. (Paoli, PA) Afterwards
Rosamund Lupton, author of (Sister, 2011), begins the book with thick black smoke billowing from, the British private school, Sidley House, where Grace’s son, Adam, attends. While most of the students are outside for “sports day,” Grace realizes that she does not see her daughter, Jenny, who is the student assistant in the nurse’s office for sports day. Jenny is still in the school! The tension and anxiety escalates as Grace races across the lawn and plunges into the burning building to save Jenny. Now, you are hooked and begin turning the pages to find out if Grace can save Jenny. Next, Grace wakes up in a hospital and is unable to move or open her eyes. Lupton, uses and out-of-body experience for Grace to investigate what happened. During Graces search for the truth, she sees Jenny’s spirit hovering in the same state, and has found out from eavesdropping, the fire was arson not an accident. The paranormal observation is similar to Alice Seabold’s book “The Lovely Bones.” The ability to move around the hospital and investigate the arson with Jenny allows Grace to reflect on the mother-daughter relationship, family, best friends, and just how far are you willing to go to save your child’s life, which reminds me of Lisa Scottoline’s book “Save Me.” You will partner with Grace and Jenny as you speed through this excellent read in search of the arsonist. Book groups will enjoy discussing this book.
Rated of 5
by Elizabeth W. (Newton, MA) Of two minds . . .
Rosamund Lipton's Afterwards is a well-written, riveting novel. The characters are engaging; although the twists and turns of the whodunnit plot are surprising, they are believable. Nonetheless, as much as I enjoyed the fast-paced, readable book, I ended up of two minds about it. Why? The two main characters are disembodied souls of critically injured patients, and that situation felt somewhat forced and prevented me from becoming immersed in the story. I do, however, recommend it as a fun read that touches on a variety of current social issues.
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U.S. ebook sales up in 2012, but rate of growth is slowing(May 16 2013) In 2012, trade book sales (i.e. non academic book sales) rose 6.9%, to $15.049 billion, and e-book sales continued to grow, although the rate of growth...
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of 5
by Justine J. (San Francisco, California) 
of 5
by Mary M. (Lexington, KY) 
