I took a brake from Stephen King for a few months, until one day I passed by this book and the cover immediately drew my attention. I was kind of expecting the same kind of plot I see from average mystery movies but once again Stephen King proved that his storytelling prowess in this book is chilling and suspenseful (we are talking about the same person who wrote about a possessed laundry-folding machine).

The story follows Jamie Conklin, a young boy with an extraordinary ability to see and communicate with the dead. As Jamie navigates us through his life starting from his younger years the story grapples with the consequences of his unique ability, a power that is both a curse and a blessing.

One of the novel's strengths lies in Kings's skillful character development. Jamie's relationship with his mother, friends and the spirits he encounters are richly nuanced, adding depth to the narrative that makes the characters feel like real people in real situations.

"Later" explores themes of morality, the afterlife and the consequences of one's actions in a way that only he can. The horror is not only just in the supernatural occurrences but also in the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

I rate this book 8.5/10. It's a must read.