Afterwards
The second novel from the international bestselling author of Sister.
There is a fire and they are in there. They are in there . . .
Black smoke stains a summer blue sky. A school is on fire. And one mother, Grace, sees the smoke and runs. She knows her teenage daughter Jenny is inside. She runs into the burning building to rescue her.
Afterwards, Grace must find the identity of the arsonist and protect her family from the person who’s still intent on destroying them. Afterwards, she must fight the limits of her physical strength and discover the limitlessness of love.
'A bold, impossible-to-categorize, and riveting blend of psychological suspense, literary thriller and the paranormal…How Lupton pulls this off, making it believable even to this skeptical reviewer, is a wonder. Like the author’s remarkable debut, Sister, a major subtext here is the all-powerful tug of family bonds. Afterwards proves that Lupton isn’t just good — she’s wickedly good.’
The Seattle Times
In a Lovely Bones-style conceit…Lupton works her theme of the corrosive effects of ambition with insight and gusto.'
The Guardian
‘Chillingly good’
Red magazine
'Extraordinary…heart-stopping.’
Mail on Sunday
'Lupton pushes the boundaries of our imagination with the manner in which the mystery is solved, creating a stunningly good read that’s impossible to second-guess. A literary crime novel that’s as clever in its premise as it is well written.'
Glamour
‘In Afterwards, we see a master’s touch on every page. Uncompromising emotional impact, a poet’s sonorous style and a gripping story all come together to make this a transcendent literary experience. I guarantee this novel will touch everyone’
Jeffery Deaver
I became insanely gripped…The word ‘compelling’ is used lightly of mystery and crime novels – this one will define it for you.'
Daily Mail
‘Lupton takes her readers on a totally harrowing ride as she melds a suspenseful procedure with an emotionally fraught drama. Within a taut and sinuous narrative, heartbreak over a broken family vies with fear that the arsonist will return…Masterful pacing and a highly charged atmosphere combine to make this an exceptionally gripping read.’
Booklist, starred review
