Lucille and Harold Hargrave lost their eight year old son, Jacob, in 1966 due to an accidental drowning. Fifty years later, he has returned to them, and he is still an eight year old boy. All around the world, the deceased are returning back to their families. They are not zombies but are actual flesh and blood individuals. The government doesn't know what to do with them and not even Lucille and Harold can agree on what or who Jacob really is. How will the appearance of THE RETURNED impact their lives and the small Southern town in which they reside?

THE RETURNED is a deeply moving, haunting tale that asks readers to ponder how they would respond if someone they lost could return, if even for a short while. Would you respond with love and joy to have a second chance to tell them you loved them or would you react in fear, questioning their very humanness? Through Lucille and Harold's story, we explore these possibilities as the country and their town struggles to find meaning and a response to THE RETURNED.

Lucille and Harold are phenomenal main characters. Jason Mott does a marvelous job at showing us the love that exists between them and the heartache that has haunted them since that awful day in 1966. I love how we see each one of them step up to defend their son when the world begins turning against THE RETURNED and groups promoting "The True Living" emerge. Agent Martin Bellamy, the family's government liaison throughout the story, is a bit of a mystery and the author's note at the end puts an interesting perspective on his character.

Jason Mott's exquisite use of language makes the storyline of THE RETURNED flow smoothly and beautifully. THE RETURNED is not an action packed tale but rather is the sort of story that makes you stop and think about your own losses and missed opportunities. THE RETURNED is both heartbreaking and full of love and joy as Jason Mott superbly conveys the emotional quandary a second chance with a deceased love one would cause. THE RETURNED is a beautiful tale of life, loss, and love that haunts the reader long after the last page is turned.