Later

Later is a crime/horror novel written by American author Stephen King, published on March 2, 2021 by Hard Case Crime. The book is available in paperback format with a limited hardcover release. The paperback edition features cover art by Paul Mann, and the limited hardcover features cover art by Gregory Manchess. The 7 hour audiobook is read by Seth Numrich. This is King's third published work with Hard Case Crime, following the release of The Colorado Kid and Joyland. The story is told in first person perspective using Jamie Conklin as the protagonist, who has the ability to see the ghosts of dead people. The novel entered The New York Times fiction best-seller list at number two, in the week ending March 6, 2021. Story Set in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Later is narrated by Jamie Conklin, a young boy living with his single mother, Tia, in New York City. Jamie has the ability to see and talk to the ghosts of dead people. These ghosts must answer all his questions truthfully. When he was very young, Jamie was traumatized after a man who was killed in a car accident near Central Park waved at him, despite being dead. When he is a few years older, he also talks to Mona, the late wife of the Conklins' neighbor, Professor Martin Burkett. At the beginning of the story, Tia is the only person who knows about his special skills. His uncle Harry (Tia's older brother) lives in a care home due to having early onset Alzheimer's disease.