The Returned by Jason Mott Review and GIVEWAY!

Harold and Lucille lived through the worse tragedy that a parent can face; their eight-year old son Jacob tragically drowned on his eighth birthday in 1966.  The years have passed by and they’ve grown old together without him.  Then one day, eight-year old Jacob shows up on their doorstep with Agent Bellamy of the Bureau of the Returned.  Jacob looks the same, acts the same, and has the correct memories.  He has no memory of what happened to him and is overjoyed to see his parents.

Harold and Lucille are not sure what to believe.  Why has Jacob returned?  Why are people that were previously dead returning all over the world? Is it a miracle?  A curse?  Lucille has nothing but love for Jacob, while Harold is mistrustful.  As more and more people are returned, the infrastructure is not able to care for so many more people.  Although some are overjoyed to see their loved ones again, many feel that the dead are taking over what should be for the living.  Tensions increase to a boiling point.  What will happen?  How will the world survive?

I loved the premise of this novel and had a hard time putting it down.  I really wanted to know how this novel would end.  I’m still pondering the end of the novel.  I enjoyed how the novel showed that what would seem like a miracle (a dead son alive again!) could be a curse if too many people came back alive and we didn’t have enough food, water, housing, sewer, etc.  Where would these people go?  I also enjoyed how the novel delved into humanity and ethics.  How would you treat these people?  They are as alive as you or me, but they were once dead.  Do they deserve the same respect and regard as those that have never died?

I also think it is interesting that this novel is already being made into a new TV series by Brad Pitt's Production Company - Plan B.  http://youtu.be/0e7vp9yMTuA  I will be watching!  This trailer brings tears to my eyes.

I reviewed this novel as part of the TLC Book Tour.  For more review and information, please click here.

 Giveaway
Author Jason Mott and publisher Harlequin Mira has graciously offered a giveaway of one copy of  The Returned.

If you would like to win this book please leave a comment about what most intrigues you about this book.

As part of your comment, you must include an email address. If I can't find a way to contact you I will draw another winner.

For an additional entry, blog about this giveaway or post it on your sidebar. Provide a link to this post in your comment.

I will be using random.org (or a monte carlo simulation in excel) to pick the winners from the comments.

This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents (Sorry!).

No P.O. Boxes.

The deadline for entry is midnight on Friday October 18th, 2013.

Please make sure to check the fourth week of October to see if you are a winner. I send emails to the winner, but lately I've been put in their "junk mail" folder instead of their inbox.

Good luck!