Review: 'Afterlife' is mind-bending thriller
"Afterlife: a Novel" (Thomas & Mercer), by Marcus Sakey
The line between life and death is a mere dimension that's easier to breach than previously thought in "Afterlife," Marcus Sakey's latest mind-bending thriller.
FBI Agent Will Brody finds himself falling in love with his boss, Claire McCoy. They have only been together for a short time, but it feels to both of them that they have known each other forever. They both begin thinking about their future and starting a family when a case intrudes. A terrorist has been randomly killing people in Chicago, and when Brody discovers a lead, he pursues it. Brody has no idea it's a trap, and he doesn't survive an explosion.
McCoy identifies Brody's body and vows revenge. While she pursues clues, she's devastated by grief. Soon she begins having dreams providing her information as if Brody is sending her messages from beyond the grave. Of course that isn't possible - or is it?
Brody finds himself wandering a desolate Chicago with everyone there afraid of what's coming. He's learned that death is only the beginning, and the veil separating the living from the dead is very thin.
Sakey has crafted an original and unpredictable tale that puts a different spin on the battle between good and evil.