I’ve gravitated increasingly to meditative, contemplative fiction during the Age of Covid. When I first heard about “What Comes After’ I thought that it could be a good “palette cleanser”: a kind of thriller with twists and turns, good characters, and bad, easy to digest, not too demanding of my attention.

Well….how wrong could I have been? JoAnne Tompkins’ debut packs a punch, no, make that lots of punches. It is complex, unexpected, harsh, real, honest, cruel. The seemingly implausible story became increasingly real. Characters’ strengths and weaknesses are exposed, tested, often found unable to bear the necessary weight. And, in the end, it is tale of resiliency, courage, and hope.

Ms. Tompkins really understands adolescence - both from the adult lens and, most impressively, from the teen’s. Nothing is taken for granted, nothing is what it first seems. Adults are more often than not found to be arrogant, ignorant, self-indulgent, and vacuous. And you’ve got me every time when the deepest, most salient character is a dog.

There are multiple events that could trigger reactions from those who have experienced trauma in their lives. With that said, “What Comes After” is a book of healing, insight, and hope. Just a wonderful read.

Thank you to Riverhead Books and NetGalley for the dARC.

This is such a bittersweet story. Two dead teenage boys, a mysterious pregnant 16-year-old girl, and grieving parents finding their way through. It's so heavy and yet very much tinged with hope. Beautiful.

Tompkins has written an intense debut novel set in a small community on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It is a mystery as well as a novel about how we deal with grief. Daniel, a high school senior has been killed by his friend and neighbor, Jonah. Jonah then commits suicide leaving no clue who he murdered his friend. Daniel’s father, Isaac, is a Quaker, who after Daniel’s death takes in an abandoned pregnant 16-year-old. Isaac wonders if either Daniel or Jonah is the father. Told from the characters’ different perspectives. Those told by Jonah are particularly difficult to read. Jonah’s mother, a widow, helps Isaac with Evangeline, the pregnant teen. As the story unfolds the truth slowly comes out. For me, the most thought-provoking chapters are the ones told by Isaac as he struggles with his Quaker faith and his look and good and evil. Its eventually, forgiveness and human connections that help ease the pain.

What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins was a very beautifully written book. Unfortunately, at 30% through I found myself skimming and waiting for more to happen. I don’t think I was in the right mindset for this book at the time of my reading it. I think I will definitely revisit it at another time, but I just found myself wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

What Comes After as a title serves this new book well. The characters are not run-of-the-mill upper-middle-class stereotypes, and the plot involves violence and tragic loss. Issac teaches at the local high school in this Washington town. His wife, Katherine, left him for another man. Issac's son, Daniel, was murdered. Issac introduced me to the underpinnings of what it takes to be a Quaker with his stoic stance in all his losses. Rufus, an old dog, stole my heart immediately. Rufus plays the part of the Greek chorus in many ways.



Evangeline enters the picture, and with her, chapters go back to where she came from and who she encountered when she entered the lives of the characters in Port Furling. Lucas got into my heart, as did his mom, Lorrie. All the characters in this sorrowful and moving novel are created perfectly. Evangeline, a damaged teenager, keeps coming back with the possibility of being completely lost at sixteen. JoAnne Tompkins works magic with her writing skills to create a novel that will stay with me for a long time.



Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

Tl;dr: Read. This.

What Comes After is JoAnne Tompkins first novel but it sure doesn't read like it! It's so beautifully written and so thoughtful that I assumed the author had published a lot of books. But no, this is the real deal, a first novel that reads so well that the comparison to Tana French are apt. I was reminded of Helen Dunmore, because the writing is so lovely. I have entire sections highlighted because of the writing and the meaning behind it.

Anyway! What Comes After is about Evangeline, a teenage girl abandoned by her mother and determined to try and find a place to stay, even as she's suspicious of everyone and assumes everything will turn out poorly. She ends up at the home of Issac, whose son Daniel was recently murdered by his friend and next door neighbor, Jonah, who then took his own life. Jonah had a troubled family home life--his father was abusive, his death was brutal--but loved Daniel like a brother. Why did Jonah kill him? The answer seems obvious and it is on the surface, but underneath is tangled up not just in who Jonah was, but who Daniel was.

As for Issac? He's drowning in grief but leaning on his Quaker faith, which he feels helps him see clearly. But he doesn't, and his journey to understanding not just Daniel but those around him and, eventually himself, is brilliantly done.

Evangeline also bonds with Lorrie and Nells, Jonah's mother and sister, and Lorrie's all too human mix of weakness and strength, combined with her innante ability to understand a situation, makes her an integral part of both Evangeline's and Issac's journeys.

Despite the murder that drives it, What Comes After is a quiet journey, like the most important ones are. It looks not just at love and loss but the very nature of good and evil and how neither can exist without the other, at least for people. It asks about this world, and what came before as well as what's after, and came the closest to expressing a view of god and the universe as anything I've read. Ever.

If you're looking for a thriller, this isn't it. It's so much more, so much better--a gorgeous examination of the light and dark within all of us and the beauty that lies in death, life, and every moment in-between. It's about the beauty of silence, the quiet of the soul, and the connections that tie us all together.

The most assured debut I've read in ages, with an author who can write teens and adults and philosophical issues with a deft hand and gorgeous prose, What Comes After is an absolute must read and one of the best books I've read in 2021. If you read only one work of literary fiction this year, make it this one.

Evangeline shows up in town, newly pregnant and homeless at the same time two teenage boys have recently died in a small town. As we read, we learn how the deaths of the boys occur. We find out that Evangeline knew both of the boys and spent some time both of them. Since Evangeline has nothing, she ends up sleeping outside of one of the boys' houses in the back yard. When the dog finds her, the father, Isaac, brings her inside to stay for a few days. Next door lives the mother of the other teenage boy who has died. Evangeline is not forthright and honest with anyone about who she is or what she knows. What follows is the exploration of relationships and friendships as well as the development of a new definition of a family unit. The story is well-written and explores many current issues facing teenagers and their parents today.
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This has a really intriguing plot! I found that I really wanted to discover what had happened with the boys and how Evangeline was involved. I didn't love the structure of the book - the first person narration from Isaac, then the third person narration for Evangeline, then the first person narration from the dead boy. I felt that it was a little hard to follow. But a nice slow burn thriller that many will enjoy!

"You can see the crimes that people commit, see them in their clear brutality, and yet someday, somehow, forgive."

JoAnn Tompkins debut novel is a beautiful, heartbreaking, dark, compassionate story that left me stunned at the conclusion. A small town in the Pacific Northwest is reeling after the deaths of two teenage boys. Isaac, recently divorced, lives alone with his dog, Rufus, and grieves alone over the death of his son, Daniel. His next door neighbor, Lorrie, struggles with the heinous act her own teenage son, Jonah, committed and its resonance in their town, so shortly after the death of her own husband. Soon after, sixteen-year-old Evangeline appears on Isaac's doorstep, harboring secrets of her own. Desperate for the love and a family, Evangeline inserts herself into Isaac and Lorrie's lives, bridging the gap over the damage the deaths of their sons created. Over the course of the novel, secrets are revealed, hard truths are confronted, and the chasm that loss creates is slowing filled in.

This book is a masterful execution in dealing with loss and anger, forgiveness, hope, and what it means to be a family. I felt sadness and grief at some point for all of the characters, and it was wonderful to see how much each of them grew and changed over the course of the book, as their individual stories of loss and shame were brought to the surface and faced head on. Dealing with grief is a very personal experience, and I felt like Tompkins showed how everyone faces it on their own or together in very unique ways. I loved Rufus, such a good boy! So much of our inner turmoil comes out in different ways, and Tompkins gets it right in Rufus when the dog knows exactly where he's needed at all times.

Thank you to NetGalley and RIverhead Books for the e-ARC in exchanged for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I never saw this coming. This book has left me speechless and for all the right reasons. I have never read anything from JoAnne Tompkins but I am quite impressed and can't wait to read more.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Evangeline survived a horrific childhood only to be abandoned by her mother as a teenager. She fends for herself in the only ways she knows how and in her struggles meets two friends. Their rivalry over her affections comes to a disastrous end. Alone, Evangeline reaches out to the father of one of the boys. The relationship that develops between them creates a familial bond that saves them both. Add to their burgeoning father/daughter bond, the love of a wonderful dog, and an expanding circle of family built on forgiveness and acceptance.

This definitely kept me glued to the page. There were a few moments where the teenage characters didn't feel real to me, but for a debut, I can forgive those few issues.

This novel started out really strong, but I ultimately couldn't connect with any of the characters and wasn't compelled by the story.

Firstly, this is categories as a Mystery/Thriller, and I just want to clarify that while at it’s core this is a murder mystery, it’s more the motive behind the murder than a whodunnit. I also would never categorize this book as a Thriller. Going into this book with expectations of a fast paced, thriller will ruin this story for you. With that said, I loved this book. Thompkins had me wrapped up in this story from the very first pages.

A murder/suicide of two boys in a small Pacific Northwest town, has left a path of grief and questions in it’s wake. Recently divorced Isaac, is struggling with the murder of his son Daniel. Lorrie, his next door neighbor, is struggling to fully comprehend that her son Jonah, not only murdered his best friend, Daniel, but unable to cope with his deeds commits suicide. The grief of these two households is palpable until Evangeline, a homeless teenage girl, shows up and reminds the living they have to keep living.

Told in alternating perspectives, Evangeline’s story line really stands out. Abandoned by her mother, she craves a family or even just a friend. Living on the streets has taught Evangeline to be weary of those she meets and who she can trust, and her narrative fully captures her will to survive but also the anger boiling beneath the surface. Tompkins has wonderfully portrayed an teenage girl in turmoil, while reminder the reader that 15 is such a young age to be on your own.

We also see from Isaac’s perspective. Isaac is the opposite of Evangeline. With a deep Quaker faith, he is stoic and uses silence to speak instead of words. Isaac was the most frustrating but also extremely interesting character for me. I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the Quaker faith but also getting to watch his relationships change and grown through the book was a joy.

Our last perspective is from Jonah’s perspective and while a little unsettling, sheds a light on the struggle of mental illness and also blurs the lines of what we, as a society consider to be ‘evil’.

Now my favorite character did not have a point of view because well he’s a dog. But Rufus, Isaac’s dog, is a shining light in this book. Filled with raw emotion, Tompkins has clearing created one of the most genuinely kind souls. All of the character’s emotions could be seen through Rufus’ actions, and honestly I’m a sucker for a good dog character.

As a judicial officer and mediator, Tompkins has completely and utterly ‘nailed it’. Her complete understanding of spiritual health, resiliency, grief, forgiveness, and all around human emotions was impeccable. I know this book is classified as a mystery, and while there is a sort of mystery within these pages, this is much more a contemporary fiction that explores the depth of human interactions.

This book is perfect for fans of Jane Harper’s slow burn mysteries. All the stars for this beautiful portrayal of human interaction.


What Comes After comes out April 13, 2021. Thank you to Riverhead books for my advanced copy for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"What Comes After offers an unforgettable story of loss and anger, but also of kindness and hope, courage and forgiveness. "

An okay read. The 'mystery' aspect is solved early on in the story and the balance of the book is dealing with the aftermath of it and Evangeline’s teen-age pregnancy.

3.25☆

*Thank you to NetGalley, Joanne Tompkins and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Previously posted at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/what-comes-after/

Occasionally, a book comes along that overpowers you and makes you think about things in a way you haven’t in the past. Things such as homelessness, teen pregnancy, and the complicated relations of families and neighbors. What Comes After is this book.

Evangeline has moved to the small Washington town of Port Furlong with her mother. They live in a double-wide on the edge of town. When her mom decides she has had enough, she leaves $200 for her daughter and leaves town. Within a few weeks, Evangeline is homeless and pregnant, having met two boys in a park previously. When she reads about their murder/suicide and finds out that the father of one of the boys is living alone with his dog, she comes up with a plan. Isaac Balch is grieving both the death of his son, Daniel, and the departure of his wife, who had left him nine months before for the man she had an affair with. Lorrie, Isaac’s next-door neighbor, is grieving the loss of her son, Jonah, accused of the murder of Daniel, his best friend.

Shortly after Jonah and Daniel’s deaths, Evangeline is found sleeping outside of the Balch house by their dog, Rufus. Isaac invites her to stay, not knowing her association with his dead son. As Evangeline grows and thrives under Isaac’s care, she makes a strong connection with Lorrie, but Lorrie and Isaac cannot find a way to each other. As secrets come out about her relationship with both boys, Evangeline is worried about losing everything she has fought for, including her home with Isaac.

What Comes After draws you in from the first page. As the reader gets bits and pieces about what really happened to Jonah and Daniel, we savor all the details until the shocking conclusion. All the characters are well developed and relatable in a way I don’t see very often. The book alternates points of view between Isaac, Jonah, Lorrie, and Evangeline. The dog, Rufus, is also very prominent in the story, as a dog who knows things.

Warning: there are some very sensitive topics in this book including rape, animal death, teen pregnancy, and suicide. The author’s portrayal of loss is spot on. It helped the reader connect with each of the characters, all experiencing very real losses.

Religion, particularly the Quaker faith, is prominent in the book. Isaac has been a Quaker all his life and how he grieves is very connected to the Quaker faith. As a reader, I am not normally attracted to religious books, but it was fascinating to learn about the Quakers and their silence and other aspects of their religion. What Comes After is literature and mystery, a bit of supernatural and religion woven into an amazing essay on our times.

I did not finish this book. I found it very depressing. I did not like the characters because I found no redeeming qualities that made me want to continue reading.

Overwritten. There's some heartwarming found-family stuff but it mostly falls flat. Evangeline's chapters are written in the most engaging voice, but Isaac's is distractingly florid.

Wow I absolutely loved this book!

Official release is April 13th and I think everyone will be talking about it.

The story is about what happens after two high school boys are found dead. A mysterious girl shows up in town around the same time. The boys’ two grieving families are hopeful she holds some of the answers to this tragedy.

The writing in this- So good!! So many passages I had to go back to and appreciate. This didn’t feel like a typical thriller, but I still couldn’t put it down. I gave it 4.5 out of 5.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Lately, I have had a hard time finding a book that grabbed my interest right away and actually kept it long enough to get into the story. But What Comes After had me wanting to keep reading, not only because I had to know what really happened and how the story ends, but also because JoAnne Tompkins has such a way with her writing that somehow results in this story that is haunting, yet also beautiful, despite the fact that it is told around the deaths of the two young boys. This book was an emotional one, that will probably stay on your mind for days after you finish reading it, but definitely worth reading!