What Comes After

A Novel

By: JoAnne Tompkins

Narrated by: Mark Deakins, Kristen DiMercurio, Kirby Heyborne

Length: 13 hrs

Publisher's summary

Named a top beach read of summer by Oprah Daily, Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal, and more

“Nail-biting wallop of a debut...a thoughtful, unexpectedly optimistic tale.” (The New York Times)

“If you enjoyed The Searcher by Tana French, read What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins...a mystery - and a gritty meditation on loss and redemption, drenched in stillness and grief.” (The Washington Post)

After the shocking death of two teenage boys tears apart a community in the Pacific Northwest, a mysterious pregnant girl emerges out of the woods and into the lives of those same boys’ families - a moving and hopeful novel about forgiveness and human connection.

In misty, coastal Washington State, Isaac lives alone with his dog, grieving the recent death of his teenage son, Daniel. Next door, Lorrie, a working single mother, struggles with a heinous act committed by her own teenage son. Separated by only a silvery stretch of trees, the two parents are emotionally stranded, isolated by their great losses - until an unfamiliar 16-year-old girl shows up, bridges the gap, and changes everything.

Evangeline’s arrival at first feels like a blessing, but she is also clearly hiding something. When Isaac, who has retreated into his Quaker faith, isn’t equipped to handle her alone, Lorrie forges her own relationship with the girl. Soon all three characters are forced to examine what really happened in their overlapping pasts, and what it all possibly means for a shared future.

With a propulsive mystery at its core, What Comes After offers an unforgettable story of loss and anger, but also of kindness and hope, courage and forgiveness. It is a deeply moving account of strangers and friends not only helping each other forward after tragedy but inspiring a new kind of family.

©2021 JoAnne Tompkins (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Named a Best New Book of the Spring by Parade, Good Housekeeping, Bustle, and more!

“Gripping.... What Comes After juxtaposes the often brutal natural world, with its crepuscular woods, twisty paths, and wild creatures, and the 'civilized' world, with its own dark places and feral inhabitants. Ms. Tompkins’ understanding of both is palpable. So is her compassion.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“If you enjoyed The Searcher by Tana French, read What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins...a mystery - and a gritty meditation on loss and redemption, drenched in stillness and grief.” (The Washington Post)

“Nail-biting wallop of a debut novel.... Tompkins delivers a thoughtful, unexpectedly optimistic tale.” (The New York Times)

“Atmospheric, propulsive...a grieving community grapples with two slain teenaged boys and the young pregnant girl who may hold the key to the their tragic fates. An American Tana French, Tompkins is a writer to watch.” (O, The Oprah Magazine)

Beautiful!!!

I loved every second of this book. Sad but uplifting. Incredibly well written. Amazing characters. Wow! I cannot wait to read something else by this author.

Fascinating and so beautifully written!

This book kept my attention right up to the end. I loved the characters struggles with integrity and love. Issac’s relationship to his Quaker faith was fascinating and enlightening. His struggles are everyone’s struggles for strength and truth and self-honesty. The story or Lorie and her family is heartbreaking and yet beautiful as she is such a generous soul, inspite of of her multiple losses. And the heroine ! What a beautiful young woman, often more responsible than the adults she encounters. Loved this book. Can’t wait for the next one!

beautiful story

There were moments when I wish I had read this instead of listening to it only because I would have loved to have highlighted certain moments or phrases.

Just ok

Although the story line was nice , there were times the book dragged on. The voice of one character Jonas was very annoying. I thought the first half of story was much better than second.

Probably more appealing to mothers

I listened to this book on a recommendation from a friend. Parts of it were intriguing but i kept waiting for it to get better, then finally only finished it just because i had already listened to 75% of it. The heart of the story was about the relationship between parent and child. I do not have any children nor do i desire any and i think that is why i couldn’t connect with this story. So if you’re a non-mother like me, maybe steer clear. The performances by both narrators was very good.

Depressing

This story should come with a trigger warning for sexual assault. Also lots of violence, mental health issues, and violence toward animals. There were parts where I almost returned the book due to the insane amount of anxiety it was bringing to me, but I persisted. I felt that it ended abruptly without putting a nice bow on everything. I don’t think I’d recommend this one.

ehh

there really was no story here. I didn't get it. kind of all over the place

Very well done.

I went into this thinking it a mystery. It isn't -- or at least not THAT kind of mystery. We learn who-did-it early on, so the mystery shifts over to the Why and How people react, and those questions are played out with emotion and intelligence. The characters are complex : sometimes they're likeable, sometimes not, but I take that to be evidence that they are not cardboard cutouts but real people. The very end put me off just a bit, but that was entirely on me. The end was true to the characters. I think the author will be someone we'll hear great things about again.

Excellent performances by all three readers.

First Novels are Always the Best

I truly loved it. Well written; great story;well told. I will give the author another chance in the future.

Soulful

Isaac loses his only child, a son, in a devastating murder committed by his son's childhood best friend who then confesses to the murder prior to committing suicide. Isaac draws into himself and his Quaker faith. In the midst of all of this there is a girl, Evangeline, who emerges and is catapulted into Isaac's life. Evangeline knew both boys and is pregnant. If this plotline seems dark and mysterious it's because it is. However, there is an extremely soulful and meaningful approach to all of these elements. I knew a little about the Quaker faith, but I found it all so interesting as I learned more. This was a deep book with deep feelings and deep reflection.