Later

Later is the third Stephen King short novel published by the Hard Case Crime imprint. And since I enjoyed both Joyland and The Colorado Kid, this one has been on my radar for quite a while. I figured that it was high time to finally give it a shot and I'm glad I did because it's a terrific read!

Indeed, this is Stephen King at his best. The shorter format forces him to keep everything tight, and this coming-of-age horror story is a veritable page-turner.

Here's the blurb:

SOMETIMES GROWING UP

MEANS FACING YOUR DEMONS

The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine – as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.

LATER is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King’s classic novel It, LATER is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.

No one writes children quite like Stephen King. Even though he's now 77 years old, it appears that the author never lost touch with his inner child. This allows him to somehow always get them right, whether it's the Losers Club from It, or the unforgettable foursome from The Body, or young Jamie Conklin in Later. Following a harrowing incident in Central Park, Jamie discovers that he can see the dead. Later on, the boy realizes that he can also communicate with them. The tale follows Jamie growing up and reaching adolescence. Needless to say, this uncanny talent will have grave repercussions on his life and that of his mother. Speaking of which, the relationship with his single mom, with an absent father he's never known, truly is the heart of the novel. Forced to take care of her brother suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Tia is a struggling literary agent who'll do everything to make sure her son has the best life possible. But financial woes will make their lives miserable and Jamie's special power will be called upon to get them out of a jam. This will set in motion a series of unlikely events that will forever change the boy's life.

Some may believe that this sounds a bit like the movie The Sixth Sense, but it's not. Other than the fact that the two main protagonists can see dead people, there are no more similarities between the two. Later is part crime book, part horror story, and part thriller. This compelling hybrid makes for a captivating reading experience and is perfect for newbies. There are a few hidden or not-so-hidden references to It, but Later is a stand-alone work that can be fully appreciated on its own.

The plot is interesting, yet it's the characterization that carries this story. As mentioned, Jamie and Tia take center stage and it's impossible not to root for them. But the supporting cast also adds layers to this tale, especially Liz and Mr. Burkett. Given what takes place and how the novel ends, I wouldn't be surprised if we see Jamie again down the line. Perhaps as a grown man. I believe I'm not the only one who'd like to see what the future has in store for him.

Later grabs hold of you from the very first page. The short chapters move the story forward deceptively well and King's tight focus never wavers from beginning to end. Jamie's POV captures your imagination and draws you in, making it hard to put the book down. We seldom say that when King writes longer works, but this one is paced to perfection.

Highly recommended!

The final verdict: 8.5/10

For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.