Whiteboy

by Niv Kaplan

Is it possible that the mind and the brain are distinct and separable? Can consciousness survive death and link up with another physical body?

1973—Charlie Miller, a junior high school kid from Queens, just back from the Knicks-Celtics game six of the 1973 Conference final, exits a subway train. He sees a wounded cop in the subway tunnel, helps him, and then is pushed under an oncoming train.

1993—Toddler Sonny Ray Jackson is suffering from terrible nightmares; when conventional medicine offers no answers or help, his parents begin to explore other explanations—including the outlandish notion of past life visions.

2016—After infiltrating a drug cartel as an undercover detective, Sonny Ray is exposed and shot by a cartel member, falling into the Hudson River. Saved by two fishermen and an emergency operation, Sonny Ray tells FBI agent Tina Weber that, while he was clinically dead for several minutes, his recurring childhood dream resurfaced and he recognized a cop who had pushed his previous self under the train, realizing that it was the current NYC chief of detectives, Leonard Duke, his current boss.

Recovered from his chest wound, Sonny Ray turns to his ex-girlfriend, Attorney Geena De Luca, to try and help him indict Duke for the forty-year-old murder of a white teenager—his previous self in a past life. Deputy District Attorney Indiana Hicks agrees to investigate Sonny Ray's allegations and brings Duke in front of Judge Paula Quinn, who, after much debate, decides to indict Leo Duke for the murder of Charlie Miller forty years before.

The media stirs up a frenzy as it becomes apparent that Duke will be brought to trial, and the case becomes a world focus, with opinions split, the Church keeping a low profile, and jury selection proving difficult.

The theory of reincarnation is put to the test in a court of law. The testimonies for the prosecution all point to Sonny Ray's recurring nightmares as proof of his past life as Charlie Miller, but Duke's attorney, Gilbert Marsh, lines up witnesses who unequivocally dismiss the theory of reincarnation, rejecting any claims that the mind and brain are distinct and separable or that consciousness might survive death and can link up with another physical body.

After weeks of deliberations, the jury hands in a verdict that is spread worldwide by the media in a matter of moments.

Can consciousness survive death and link up with another physical body? Does reincarnation exist? Is there life after death?

513 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2025

About the author

Grew up in the Kibbutz and in NYC.
Studied Audio Engineering in NYC.
Studied Physics & Eng in CAL POLY Pomona.
BSc from CSUN (Northridge) in Marketing.
Started Writing "Disappearance" in 1992.
Published "Disappearance" in 2012.
Started Writing "Tracks" in 1997.
"Tracks" was published this year (2014).
Married with Tali + 7 kids.
Lives in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Reviews

[Sourav sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: WHITEBOY

AUTHOR: NIV KALPAN

MY RATINGS: 5/5

This book hooked me right from the start with its wild, thought-provoking premise: What if our mind and consciousness could survive death—and even find their way into another body?

The story moves between three timelines—1973, 1993, and 2016—and somehow ties them all together in a way that’s both fascinating and unsettling. It starts with a tragedy on a subway track and evolves into a courtroom drama that questions everything we think we know about life, death, and identity.

The character of Sonny Ray Jackson stands out. From being a toddler haunted by disturbing dreams to a detective who realizes those dreams might actually be memories from a past life—his journey is intense. When he accuses his boss, the NYC Chief of Detectives, of murdering him in a past life… things get even crazier.

What I liked most is how the story blends suspense, law, and spirituality. It doesn’t just ask if reincarnation is real—it puts it on trial. The courtroom scenes are full of tension and the media frenzy around the case felt all too real. You’re constantly wondering: Is this science fiction, or something that could actually happen?

The writing keeps the pace quick, with just enough depth to make you stop and think. It’s bold, imaginative, and leaves you with lingering questions.

If you enjoy legal thrillers with a philosophical edge—or just love books that push boundaries—you’ll find this one hard to put down.

Thankyou
Happy reading

[Calista Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the subway tunnels of 1973 to the high-stakes courtroom of today, Whiteboy pulled me into a story I couldn’t put down. Sonny Ray’s nightmares and the haunting idea of a past life made the book both eerie and deeply emotional. I found myself feeling his pain, his determination, and his struggle to be believed in a world that dismisses reincarnation as fantasy.

The courtroom tension is electric, but what I loved most is how personal this story feels. It’s not just about proving a case, it’s about identity, justice, and whether the soul truly survives. By the time I finished, I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes.

This is more than a novel, it’s a journey that challenges the heart as much as the mind.

[anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whiteboy

by Niv Kaplan

Niv Kaplan’s Whiteboy is an extraordinary fusion of thriller, mystery, and philosophy that grips readers from the very first page. Spanning three decades, the novel weaves together a teenager’s tragic death in 1973, a child’s haunting nightmares in 1993, and an undercover detective’s near-death experience in 2016. These threads converge into a powerful courtroom battle that dares to test the idea of reincarnation before the law.

Brilliantly written, Whiteboy is more than just a crime story—it is a bold exploration of memory, justice, and the eternal question of whether consciousness can outlive the body. Suspenseful, thought-provoking, and unforgettable.

[johnny smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read my share of legal dramas, but Whiteboy truly stands apart. Niv Kaplan takes a bold idea reincarnation put on trial and turns it into a story that is as suspenseful as it is original. Sonny Ray’s battle to expose his own past-life killer had me completely invested. The pacing is sharp, the twists are clever, and the mix of crime investigation with spiritual mystery is absolutely fascinating.

By the end, I wasn’t just entertained, I was questioning what I really believe about life, death, and consciousness. This book is smart, gripping, and unforgettable. Highly recommended for fans of John Grisham with a supernatural twist.

[RASHMI · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding narrative that blends crime fiction with speculative elements in a seamless way. Whiteboy made me question everything I thought I knew about identity and justice. The main character’s journey across lives is emotionally gripping and morally complex, offering readers a unique perspective on redemption. Kaplan’s writing is sharp and cinematic, and the pace never drags.

[Lauren James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The mix of crime thriller, courtroom drama, and deep philosophical questions about reincarnation kept me hooked from beginning to end. Sonny Ray’s journey was intense, and the way past and present lives intertwined gave me chills. Brilliantly written and thought-provoking.

[justine charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Niv Kaplan has created a masterpiece that blends suspense, philosophy, and emotion. The reincarnation angle wasn’t just fascinating—it was believable. The trial of Leonard Duke was so intense, and I loved how the media frenzy, public opinion, and spiritual undertones all collided. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year.”

[Katherine Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whiteboy is one of those rare novels that manages to be both an edge-of-your-seat legal thriller and a deep exploration of life’s biggest questions, consciousness, reincarnation, and whether the mind and brain are truly separate. From the very first chapter, when young Charlie Miller’s tragic subway encounter sets off a chain of events spanning decades, I was hooked.

[kayley dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping story with a powerful question at its core: what if reincarnation could be proven in a court of law? The characters were complex, the pacing was perfect, and the ending left me stunned. This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a journey into the biggest mysteries of existence. Five stars without hesitation.

[Liora Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The courtroom scenes are masterfully written. I found myself torn, just like the jury, as testimony after testimony challenged everything we think we know about life, death, and the possibility of reincarnation. It’s rare to find a novel that entertains so powerfully while also making you stop and reflect on such profound questions.

[Liora Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a story but it’s an experience. The suspense, the moral dilemmas, and the ultimate verdict had me turning pages late into the night. Whiteboy deserves to be widely read and discussed, not only for its thrilling narrative but for the important conversations it sparks about science, spirituality, and justice.

[kessy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew my mind. It combined the heart-pounding tension of a detective story with the depth of a philosophical exploration. Sonny Ray’s recurring nightmares, the shocking connection to his past life, and the trial that followed were riveting. I couldn’t stop reading, and I’ll be thinking about the questions it raised for a long time.

[Daniella liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary blend of suspense and spirituality. The reincarnation theme was handled so cleverly, and the courtroom drama made it impossible to put down. I was torn between doubt and belief right up until the end.

[Naomi Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaplan writes with the precision of a crime novelist and the depth of a philosopher. Sonny Ray is a fascinating protagonist, and the past-life connection to Charlie Miller was brilliantly executed. The trial sequences gave me goosebumps

[Kelsey Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those rare books that you want to talk about with everyone after finishing. It’s suspenseful, emotional, and raises questions that stay in your head long after you close the last page. A bold, unforgettable novel.

[Johnny Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the subway tragedy in 1973 to the high-stakes courtroom battle decades later, this book had me on edge the whole way. The mix of mystery, drama, and philosophy is perfect. If you enjoy novels that make you think as much as they thrill, you’ll love this

[Bob Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, original novel. Kaplan delivers a gripping thriller while weaving in thought-provoking ideas about the mind, the soul, and the possibility of reincarnation. The ending left me speechless.”

[Alexa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and thought provoking story that explores life, death, and what may lie beyond. The blend of mystery and emotion kept me hooked until the very end.

[Lil Mhikel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly written and deeply engaging. The way past lives and consciousness are woven into the story is both gripping and unforgettable.

[Damian Cartt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An original and powerful read. The characters feel real, the suspense builds beautifully, and the concept of the mind living beyond the body is explored in a unique way.

[Rayner Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing and captivating. Whiteboy raises big questions about identity, memory, and the soul, all within a suspenseful and emotionally rich narrative.

[Daniel Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The idea of tying reincarnation to a murder trial is genius. Every twist surprised me, and the ending left me stunned. Easily a five-star read.