The Body Departed

by J.R. Rain

Two years ago, a man broke into James Blakely's apartment and shot him in his sleep. Twelve times, killing him instantly. Dead and confused, James discovers he has a choice: he can move on into the afterlife, or he can stay behind. Unfortunately, since James has done some very bad things, moving on into the afterlife can only mean one thing: the fires of Hell. Or so he thinks. Forgoing eternal damnation, James instead chooses to haunt his old apartment building.

Now James's days are mostly spent visiting his daughter and ex-wife, welcoming new neighbors, and talking to those who can see the dead. It's a simple, peaceful life, but with each passing day, James discovers something more and more alarming: memories of his former life—and even his own identity—begin slipping away. Faced with the prospect that he is rapidly deteriorating into a state of nothingness, James sets out to save his eternal soul. With the help of his daughter and a world-class medium, his journey to peace and forgiveness will not be an easy one, especially for a ghost who still wishes to be a father—and who fears he is destined for a fiery Hell as punishment for sins he cannot remember. Now, as James begins to uncover the devastating secret that connects his soul to earth, he will discover that even in death life has a few surprises.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Ghosts, Horror, Supernatural

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 12, 2009

About the author

J.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.

Reviews

[Kat Montemayor · Rating 4 out of 5]

James is a thirty-something ghost haunting his old apartment building. He is afraid to pass on because he is sure he is going to go to hell. He doesn't know why. In J.R. Rain's universe ghosts have severe memory problems. When his former music teacher is murdered, he believes solving her murder could be the key to getting into heaven.

Along the way James meets Jacob, a young ghost, Pauline a medium, Eli a murderer, and sees the death of his music teacher through another ghost's eyes. He must put the pieces together and figure out what they all have in common.

The plot was original and intriguing, but some of the execution could have been better. I did enjoy the book and it was a quick, short read.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was caught up in this story immediately. I hadn't read J R Rain before but the storyline and concept intrigued me.

The story is told from the perspective of James who was murdered and is now a ghost. He knows he did something bad but has no idea why he was murdered and feels he has to find out who and why before the memories of his life and who he is fade away completely. He has help from a medium, Pauline, who can see and communicate with him.

James needs to work through some things and make amends for others before he feels able to 'move on' and he is desperate at the thought of leaving his daughter.

There's quite a bit of religious theory/belief woven into the story but not in a heavy, preachy kind of way, it is mainly focused on the protagonist's wish for atonement and, as he sees it, to save his soul.

The writing is excellent and brings up all sorts of questions about life after death, how people interact with each other and the consequences of actions.

It's a touching and emotional story, very good ending and the last few chapters were slightly tear jerky.

Performance

The audio was good, for me Peter Berkrot can be a little hit and miss but this was a great job and very enjoyable.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I expected it to be. I expected more of a Stephen King type thriller, but this book had a very simple plot, and toward the end it turned oddly geological, & kind of reminded me of The Shack. I also never quite was sold on the narrated-by-a-ghost thing. Was sort of like reading an episode of Ghost Whisperer.

[cEe beE · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were religious, I would find this quite touching and inspirational. But since I'm not, it's just an interesting and ok supernatural mystery that is a cross between the films, The 6th Sense and Ghost.

[Kanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too bad Goodreads doesn't allow half stars because this is better than a regular three, but still not quite a full four rating. Of the other investigative stories I've read by this author, I enjoyed this one the most.

Generally, the common theme in Rain's novels is crime solving private investigators for hire with a paranormal twist. The paranormal spectrum ranges from vampires and werewolves to present day Elvis (alive after faking his death) while this particular story centers around ghosts with unfinished business. Although still fantasy, The Body Departed strays from the writing formula normally expected from Rain. It's a refreshing variant when the main character isn't a PI, but a confused victim in afterlife limbo.

Overall, it wasn't a particularly clever book, but still quite enjoyable. It had some humor, a little bit of weird (awkward, quite frankly questionable), and a few touching moments between characters that gave me a warm & fuzzy feeling.

[Doreena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I find myself saying "I love love love this book!" But this one is truly heart-warming and makes you think. I want to say so much, but then it would contain huge spoilers and I want everybody to read this for themselves. Truly unique.

[Joe Stamber · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Body Departed is told in first person POV by James, a man who was murdered but still hangs around his old apartment block 2 years later, in spirit form. James has issues that need resolving before he can "pass over", and these are explored with the help of a psychic and other, mainly dead, characters that pop up. This involves a fair amount of hand wringing that sometimes borders on excessive, but also leads to some fascinating situations. The Body Departed is well written and fairly short, which makes for a quick read. It isn't a genre I would normally go for, but it's an interesting premise and worth a read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fairly quick read, something you can read in an afternoon, and I am glad I found it. I was reminded a lot of the movie "Ghost" while reading this - the author quickly engages you into the story and characters, the sucks you into the middle of things and you don't want it to end. I guarantee 99% of the readers of this book will fanaticize a "what if" moment with themselves as the main character.

This is also one of those heart-pulling type of books similar to a Nicholas Sparks book, and I could see this one being a blockbuster movie. If you like a feel-good book with a little bit of the supernatural, love, and a light dose of theology I'd recommend this one.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a man who is killed while sleeping. He doesn't cross over but stay behind to find his killer. I medium who lives in his apartment building helps him along the way. I love how Jesus is brought into the story to help him learn about forgiveness. It 's not 'overly religious' at all if someone might be concerned about it. There are several twists throughout the story. I couldn't put this down. I read it all in one day. Great story. I am giving it five stars be/c it kept me reading all day. I couldn't put it down. Loved it.

[Krystl Louwagie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like I got tricked into a religious story when I didn't know it was going to be one. Attempts at humor and making the character relate able/normal fall short. The whole plot felt like a bad, cheap vehicle for the end agenda and just wasn't very satisfying to me. It felt like one of those rambling stories that doesn't know where it's going until it gets there, but then it tries to pass it off like it had everything planned from the start. It felt pretty directionless and unstructured to me overall.
I did like the physic and the relationship the main character had with her.

[Antigone Walsh]

Haunting

A murder victim afraid of the afterlife remains earthbound. Haunting his former apartment he befriends a medium. He can't remember what he did that convinced him he would be punished.But when his former music teacher is murdered he is determined to investigate. With the medium's assistance he relocates to the church where the murder occurred. Little does he know the church holds the secrets he's been looking forward.

This is an easy read. It is not terribly spooky or scary and there are some humorous moments. It is relatively short but entertaining.

[Christine Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting novel overall of James who was murdered in his bed at an apartment complex who decided he wanted tor redeem himself of his wrong doings. He was able to communicate with a “medium” within his apartment building and traveled a a church and found his past life came to a front when attempting to right a wrong to make way to heaven when he believed he’s doomed to hell. It took a more religious turn towards the end.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novella where an accidental murderer, who was then murdered himself, is now a ghost too afraid to move on as he knows he's bound for Hell. When an old teacher of his is murdered, he goes in search of the killer. This is a tale of repentance and redemption based in Christian mythology. Might be too religious for dyed in the wool atheists (of which I'm one), I suppose, but it didn't bother me. Quick and easy read, not really a horror.

[Donna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected from this book but I found myself loving it the more I read. It is a book about love, faith, hope, healing and forgiveness. I listened to the audio book and found myself hating to turn it off after my drive home. It is a short book but really packs a punch.
Looking forward to reading this author again.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a man who refuses to "move on" after his murder preferring to stay on earth as a ghost in order to try to prevent himself from going to hell by finding his own murderer. Things don't exactly work out as planned. In addition this is also a tale about how we think about the afterlife and how different it might actually be.

[TRACY BONDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a brief, easy read that made you think about the possibilities that we are all tied together in one way or another. It was very uplifting and I didn't want it to end! I would love to see this as part of a series. Ghost stories that are not meant to be scary are rare and this one was wonderful. Happy Reading!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for J.R. Rain & his writing!!

This book is totally unlike anything I have read. Fast read, Well paced, very unusual but not for Mr. Rain....Very fast read for this unique story. Not sure if I would have liked it by another writer. Very different, but real feeling. Very descriptive to point where Mr. Rain always takes you. Well done!!!!

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written

This book is great! It sounded interesting in the cover excerpt and delivered! I have smashed my way though this book so quickly, always a good sign, and have enjoyed every minute. Thank you JR Rain for a wonderfully written story with so many emotions and great characters that I actually felt attached to!

[Debra Chiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I love ghost stories and this one has been the best one yet! I can't imagine how Mr Rain came up with all the details about the dead but all the rules are very interesting indeed. You just have to read this book. It's really enjoyable and interesting how things come about. Many thanks to Mr. Rain for his stories. I intend to read them all.

[Christine Del Cotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

This book wasn’t too bad it was way too quick of a read if I had bought and it straight out I would’ve been disappointed. But I have Kindle unlimited so it wasn’t too horrible. The ending was really sweet but all together like I said I was quiet disappointed.

[Blagica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't usually the type of book that I read but I thought that I would give it a chance. I'm glad that I read it. It was very interesting. I wasn't sure where the story was going and I really enjoyed finding out. The characters were very interesting. I will be reading more from J.R. Rain.

[Allison Mahoney Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting. Hard to put down

Intriguing plot. Interesting characters. JR Rain always comes up with a page turned and this novel is no different. Funny and irreverent. Great characters and excellent character development.

[maria seilius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall this is a very entertaining tale . Quirky and definitely humorous it's a well paced quick read . I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author . Not often a book leaves me feeling light hearted but this one did .

[Mrs. J.P. Cantle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghostly murders solved

I sat up reading until the early hours too involved in the ghost mystery to put it down. Ghostsa medium, his murderer and Jesus all get James safely on his way to the afterlife.

[Sandra Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very different kind of read

This book, had people who had been killed in a church. They came back as ghosts. The ghosts, were trying to right the wrongs they committed in life. Except for two, who were innocent. The little boy and the piano teacher.

[Samantha Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

insightful story on forgiveness

The Body Departed is simple read but heartwarming story. I enjoyed the religious aspect and how it was addressed in an open minded and sparsely critical manner. It gives the reader depth of story without feeling evangelical.

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really should be 3.5 stars.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...

Totally loved this. The twists and turns made this just an amazing story. Very different from the vampire books (which I also love), but equally captivating.

[B. Shaun Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story! Really liked the characters. It could have been longer, because of the characters!

[latricia y. roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay Read

It was interesting enough to continue reading as a pastime. A little than the norm that I read for enjoyment