The Nearly Departed

It is 1975 and fifteen-year-old Julie Ann Wilson is living the good life. Her future is bright. It has to be. She is a good girl, a smart girl, a fortunate girl. Nothing can stop her—except death.

So begins Julie's journey with death in the cemetery where she resides with The Discontents—those like her who cannot move on to their next place. She is persuaded to return to her life, learn her story, and hopes to be released. She awakens to her Forever Summer at the family's lake house. But the idealistic Forever Summer turns dark when a wealthy widower moves into the community. Is he the friendly. charismatic man he appears to be or someone more sinister? Julie is determined to find out, which leads to dark. unforeseen consequences.

Can Julie save herself and undo the past or is she doomed to remain in In-Between Land? The Nearly Departed explores the dark side of humanity and the resilience of the human spirit.

©2024 Jeanne Johnson Martin (P)2025 Jeanne Johnson Martin