Customer Reviews

The Body Departed

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

MINOR SPOILERS alert...
Hmmm - if I'd known this was about Christian redemption, complete with bleeding Christ pulling himself free from the cross to offer a chance of eternal salvation,I'd never, ever have selected this book for review. The blurb gave me the idea it was a whodunnit, a murder mystery, and as it's listed, on my Amazon at least, with other urban fantasy books, that's what I was expecting - a sort of ghostly Sam Spade. This is not, however, urban fantasy as I understand and read the genre. It's a Christian ghost story with a feel-good God-forgives-just-about-anything ending.

I thought the idea of someone solving their own murder had potential, but there's no real mystery here, the back story emerges with very little sleuthing, and the 'hero' takes only one truly decisive step that I can recall, otherwise others do the work for him, or just tell him the stuff he needs.

There's a red herring murder of sorts - although it was that murder that led to James and Jacob meeting, and ultimately climbing the crystal stairway to heaven (cue Led Zeppelin!) - so you might say she was sacrificed for their greater good, poor soul.

So I am, as is probably clear from the tone of this review, annoyed by this book. If feel-good christianity is for you, then you'll enjoy it. If it isn't, avoid this book. And if you're after an urban fantasy Sam Spade mystery, this isn't that either! In its defence it's tightly written, not too long and easy to read.

A nice gentle story about a ghost told from the point of view of the ghost. It covered issues such as innocence, love, forgiveness and loss. I found it to be well written with a lot of thought provoking moments. It was fairly lengthy (a good few hours of reading) and flowed easily.

The end was a little mushy with Jesus and Heaven mentioned, but not at all in a preachy way. It was all very open-minded about belief and spirituality and the reader can make up his own mind about the meaning. I really liked it, well worth a read.

Although once again, the editing in this book is not the best, I found this a very enjoyable book from a writer I had not previously experienced. It is not the longest of books, but well worth the read and I have gone on to read 2 more of J R Rain's books, in the Vampire Series and am awaiting release of the next one with anticipation. Would definitely recommend this one, even with the poor editing.

Hmmm strange ghost story about remorse and redemption. We are introduced to the ghost of James, who has been murdered. He has trouble remembering why he is dead or who he was. In essence the story is about the ghost coming to terms with his actions during life before he can be at peace in the afterlife. I thought the discovery of his past was done well and the concept of us having to be accountable in some way even when we are dead is a good one. I found some of the scenes a little jumbled, but Rain tends to have a lot of creativity floating around and wanting to be ingrained onto paper, so it was a little busy at times. It is a mystery, murder, ghost and somehow even a story about spirituality all rolled into one.

Not the sort of book I normally read but I enjoyed it. Not one I would recommend to friends and family

This book grabbed my attention and I read it in one sitting - all I knew about it was that it was written from the point of view of the ghost and there was a bit of a mystery. Perhaps having no preconceptions helped in the sheer enjoyment of it. It was funny and sad and comforting all at the same time. I have cried only twice when reading a book and this is one of those times. I loved the way it was written and the interaction with the psychic. What he had to do to the 'statue' was a really clever piece of writing. There wasn't much of a plot but it was really about the journey - nomally I'm not too keen but this was quirky and so well written. I think I also enjoyed because it's how I'd like the afterlife to be (wishful thinking I know but ever the optimist). I'm aware his other books are different but I'll definitely be reading more - I really enjoy his writing style

A vey original story and it kept me interested till the end. However, I wonder how a young lad can drop someone from the roof of a church and forget about it.

The title of this book grabbed my interest, have just bought a new kindle paperwhite so downloaded it. It is an enjoyable book that keeps you interested to find out what happened!! It is easy to read too.

Book- The Body Departed......short story but I loved it - made me sad and made me smile! Would recommend to everyone.

Great read, read this in a couple of days. Touching and funny, not exactly a murder mystery just a really enjoyable book. Would recommend.