An elderly couple in the small town of Arcadia North Carolina answer their door one afternoon to find a government agent on their doorstep with their son Jacob. A child who died when he was eight years old, nearly thirty years ago. Their story becomes one of many as the deceased start turning up looking for their loved ones, and the living attempt to grapple with what it all means.

Definitely an unusual read. The writing is riveting, at times lyrical, and other times sparse.

We are told the stories of numerous Returned . . . some are only briefly introduced, their stories short, others are quite involved. I liked the brief snippets the author used between longer chapters to highlight the lives of different Returned.

The ending made the book. It left me thinking.

Overall a very satisfying read.

Taking to the meet-up.

Picked up at meet up …. forgot to journal !!