The Returning

The Returning #1

by Russell J. Perry

There are happenings in this world that we don’t understand and won’t believe. ..... Until they happen to us.An old man dies at the precise moment that a baby is born, and a bond is forged between them which will last for eternity. Jacob Shaunessy is having vivid dreams, of romantic interludes with a beautiful young woman. She is familiar to him, and yet, he can't find her in his memories. He knows instinctively that the exotic locations of the dreams are in the northern tropics of Australia; however, he has never been to that part of the world. The dreams lead him to a small town in Far North Queensland, where he and his best mate Mick Dyson are drawn deeper into a dark mystery which reaches back almost 80 years, and will plunge them into the depths of revenge and violent death, as the past comes forward in a final attempt to end a deadly vendetta.

263 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2011

About the author

Hello readers, thank you for taking the time to read my bio. Just a little about myself. There's more on my website http://russellperry.com.au/

I was born in the tropics of North Queensland, Australia, in the small coastal town of Innisfail, just south of Cairns. Warm, Sunny, a lot of rain in the monsoon season. But what a great place to grow up. Idyllic; swimming and diving on the reef, fishing, exploring the plethora of creeks and rivers which gurgle through the ancient rain forests of the far north.
I worked in Marketing and Sales for most of my adult life, moving to the State Capital, Brisbane, as a young adult, to further my career, and I continue to live there today.
I still do a bit of marketing, mostly web based these days. However I'm now devoting more and more time to my love of writing stories.
Always an avid reader of fiction, I enjoy many genres, from Historical and Family Sagas to Fantasy and Science Fiction.
My favorite authors, over the years, have been as varied as Bryce Courtenay and Wilbur Smith, to Stephen King and Dean Koontz, and it is in a similar genre to the latter, that my first offerings are written. Although I have an historical saga on the drawing board, and I'm currently trying my hand at MG Fiction stories for my Grandson.
I have a new joy in my life these days, and I will write forever.
Please try my first offerings, The Returning Series of books. I've published two so far, and now
the characters are urging me to let them out for another run. Who knows how many there are to come.
If you come back for more you will help this author to live his dream.

Reviews

[Samyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book I read with an Australian setting was The Thorn Birds, before it was Hollywoodized. I know, showing my age. The Returning is an entirely different world, however. The story begins with the gripping first chapter defining the death of an old man in the mid sixties. The reader then jumps into the life of Jacob and his dreams. This is a story that will intrigue you and having you staring into space mumbling to yourself, “what if…..” regarding the mystery of reincarnation. Exactly what I’ve done for years :-). It’s a wonderful story of mystery, murder, and reincarnation. A few billion people believe in reincarnation … somehow I don’t think they are all living with self-delusion.

[Linda Beauvais · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good read. It is interesting from the beginning to the end, very well written. One wonders if a past life can really come back to us in dreams. Personally I defiantly think they can. The author brings us to Australia where mysterious murders happen. The past life dreams give Jacob clues to conflict that seem to have conspire a generation ago. He is compelled to go to North Queensland to discover what these dreams mean. Interesting links to past lives is discoved mixed with a murder intrigue that keeps us guessing. I enjoyed the book and I got to spend a little time traveling and getting a feel for of Australia. Excellent.

[Wayne Marinovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb of the book, grabbed by attention right from the get go and after a few chapters in, I knew that I was going to really like it.

I don't do spoilers, so here are a few things that I really liked. The characters were well developed and continued to be so, as the story developed. Loved the pace of it.

I spent a year in Australia, so it felt like I was personally taking a trip through the northern parts of the vast and wonderful country. Russell delivers the crossover of reincarnated souls incredibly well. Look forward to reading more of his work