Later
Title: Later

Author: Stephen King
Published in: 2021
Date read: 30th August 2021
Score: 5/5
Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Thriller
Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Later" by Stephen King, published in 2021 as a Hard Case Crime original, is a captivating blend of coming-of-age story, supernatural thriller, and noir-tinged crime novel. It's narrated in retrospect by an adult Jamie Conklin, who recounts the extraordinary and often terrifying events of his childhood.
The central premise of the story is that Jamie has a unique, inexplicable ability: he can see and speak to the ghosts of people who have recently died. These spirits linger for a few days after their passing, and critically, they are compelled to answer any questions Jamie asks them truthfully. This isn't like "The Sixth Sense," as Jamie himself states – his connection is different, with specific rules and limitations.
Jamie's life begins in relative normalcy in New York City with his single mother, Tia Conklin, a struggling but resilient literary agent. Tia is the only one who knows Jamie's secret, and she urges him to keep it hidden, warning him that some secrets are best left buried, especially those held by the dead.
However, Jamie's gift proves to be both a blessing and a curse, and it inevitably draws him into situations far beyond a normal childhood. When Tia's star client, a successful novelist, dies suddenly before finishing his last book, leaving Tia's agency in financial jeopardy, she makes a desperate decision. She enlists Jamie's help to "interview" the deceased author's ghost to get the plot details for the unfinished novel, a move that saves her business but exposes Jamie's ability to her then-girlfriend, Liz Dutton, an NYPD detective.
Liz, a morally ambiguous and increasingly corrupt police officer, quickly sees the potential for Jamie's talent to further her own career. She begins to exploit Jamie, forcing him to use his ability to extract information from the ghosts of murder victims or criminals, particularly in her pursuit of a dangerous serial bomber named Kenneth Therriault, known as "Thumper," who has recently committed suicide after setting a final, devastating bomb.
Jamie's encounter with Therriault's ghost is different from his previous experiences. This ghost is not only unusually malicious and powerful but also appears to be possessed by something even older and darker – a cosmic entity. This confrontation thrusts Jamie into a terrifying realm of supernatural horror that echoes some of King's more expansive mythology (with subtle nods to "It" and "The Ritual of Chüd"). The entity tries to claim Jamie, leading to a desperate struggle for control.
As Jamie grows older, he battles not only this lingering supernatural threat but also the increasingly manipulative and dangerous Liz, whose life spirals into drug addiction and criminality. He learns the hard way that the most dangerous monsters aren't always supernatural.
The novel is a poignant exploration of innocence lost, the burdens of a unique gift, the complexities of family relationships, and the moral ambiguities of justice and survival. It culminates in a tense and brutal showdown where Jamie, now a teenager, must finally confront both his human and supernatural demons, leading to a shocking revelation about his own lineage and a hard-won understanding of the world's hidden darkness. "Later" is a compact yet impactful novel, showcasing King's ability to craft a compelling story that combines elements of crime, coming-of-age, and his signature horror.
Comments:
The book certainly did not go in the direction that I expected but I loved it all the same. I always get excited when there is a supernatural element and this did not disappoint.
Books that we've read by Stephen King (68):
Carrie (1974), 'Salem's Lot (1975), The Shining (The Shining, #1) (1977), The Stand (1978), Night Shift (1978), The Dead Zone (1979), Firestarter (1980), Cujo (1981), The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1) (1982), Different Seasons (1982), Christine (1983), Cycle of the Werewolf (1983), Pet Sematary (1983), The Talisman (The Talisman, #1) (1984), Skeleton Crew (1985), It (1986), The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, #2) (1987), The Eyes of the Dragon (1987), The Tommyknockers (1987), Misery (1987), The Dark Half (1989), Four Past Midnight (1990), The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3) (1991), Needful Things (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1992), Gerald's Game (1992), Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), Insomnia (1994), Rose Madder (1995), The Green Mile (1996), Desperation (1996), Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4) (1997), Bag of Bones (1998), The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000), Black House (The Talisman, #2) (2001), Dreamcatcher (2001), Everything's Eventual (2002), From a Buick 8 (2002), Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, #5) (2003), Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, #6) (2004), The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, #7) (2004), The Colorado Kid (2005), Cell (2006), Lisey's Story (2006), Duma Key (2008), Just After Sunset (2008), Under the Dome (2009), 11/22/63 (2011), Full Dark, No Stars (2011), The Wind Through the Keyhole (The Dark Tower, #4.5) (2012), Dr. Sleep (The Shining, #2) (2013), Joyland (2013), Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1) (2014), Revival (2014), The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015), Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #2) (2015), End of Watch (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #3) (2016), Elevation (2018), The Outsider (2018), The Institute (2019), If It Bleeds (2020), Billy Summers (2021), Later (2021), Fairy Tale (2022), Holly (2023), You Like It Darker (2024)
This page was updated on: 26th July 2025