What if death wasn’t the end? What if the voices of the lost still echoed in the world of the living, seeking justice, refusing to fade into oblivion? The Nearly Departed by Jeanne K. Johnson is a story that challenges our perception of life, death, and what lingers in between. It’s a haunting yet deeply moving tale that blends the supernatural with an all-too-real horror—the danger hiding in plain sight.
A Girl Stuck Between Worlds
Julie Ann Wilson was just fifteen, a girl full of dreams, laughter, and summer memories. She should have had a lifetime ahead of her—high school dances, first love, and college plans. But one fateful summer, her life was stolen. Not by illness. Not by accident. By something far more sinister.
Yet, Julie isn’t gone. Not completely. Trapped in the In-Between Land, she watches as the world moves on without her. But she isn’t alone. Other spirits linger, each carrying their own burdens, their own unfinished business. Some long for love, others for closure. But Julie? She longs for truth.
The Predator in the Perfect Neighborhood
At first glance, everything about her final summer seemed perfect—the shimmering lake, the laughter of friends, the long, lazy days filled with promise. But then Roger Fenson arrived. A charismatic doctor, wealthy, respected, and seemingly adored by the community. Her parents welcomed him, and his neighbors trusted him, yet Julie’s instincts screamed that something wasn’t right.
As she pieced together fragments of overheard conversations, missing girls from neighboring towns, and Fenson’s strangely meticulous habits, the puzzle became terrifyingly clear. He was a monster wearing the perfect mask. But in a world where adults dismiss the concerns of teenagers, Julie knew that uncovering the truth would be dangerous. She never imagined it would cost her life.
Unfinished Business: A Spirit’s Quest for Justice
Death should have silenced her. But Julie refuses to be forgotten. In the realm of the nearly departed, she has one mission—to ensure Fenson is exposed.
Through a series of supernatural encounters, she learns she isn’t the only one he’s hurt. The spirits of others whisper their stories, fueling her determination. Each fragment of truth brings her closer to unraveling the web of deception that has allowed Fenson to slip through the cracks for years.
But can a dead girl make a difference? Or is she doomed to watch as another innocent fall into his trap?
A Legacy That Can’t Be Buried
Julie’s story doesn’t end with her own tragedy. In the living world, her family struggles to cope, and her younger sister, Alise, is drowning in grief and anger. But grief has a way of shaping destinies. Inspired by Julie’s unrelenting pursuit of justice, Alise grows up to become an FBI agent dedicated to tracking down predators like Fenson.
What Julie couldn’t accomplish in life, her story ensures in death—justice.
Don’t Just Listen to the Dead—Hear Their Stories
Julie Ann Wilson’s voice may be fictional, but the truths this novel uncovers are very real. If you love thrillers that blend the supernatural with real-life suspense, The Nearly Departed is a must-read.
Get your copy today and experience a story where justice doesn’t end with death—it begins there.
