Hereafter

Thirty-six-year-old Irene Dunphy didn't plan on dying any time soon, but that’s exactly what happens when she makes the mistake of getting behind the wheel after a night bar-hopping with friends. She finds herself stranded on Earth as a ghost, where the food has no taste, the alcohol doesn’t get you drunk, and the sex...well, let’s just say “don’t bother.” To make matters worse, the only person who can see her—courtesy of a book he found in his school library—is a fourteen-year-old boy genius obsessed with the afterlife.This sounds suspiciously like hell to Irene, so she prepares to strike out for the Great Beyond. The only problem is that, while this side has exorcism, ghost repellents, and soul devouring demons, the other side has three-headed hell hounds, final judgment, and eternal torment. If only there was a third option …Excerpt:She got up and got dressed, her back to him.“I’m leaving,” she said. “Tonight. Now. As soon as I get my stuff.”He blew a cloud of smoke and didn’t say anything.“Well, it’s been nice knowing you!” she cried, stung by his lack of response.“What is it you modern girls say?” he asked sardonically. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch? If you wait twenty minutes I’ll get some pants on and come with you.”She whirled around. “I mean I’m going through the tunnel.”He stubbed out his cigarette. “I know what you meant.” He threw back the covers and stood up. For a second relief flooded through her. Then it faded. She shook her head. “Ernest, you can’t…”He was hunting for his clothes. “Don’t worry about it, Princess. I suspect if anyone tries to give me any grief you’ll clonk them over the head with one of these clogs of yours.” He tossed a shoe to her.She shook her head again, even though he wasn’t looking at her. “It’s not that. It’s just that…you and me…”He heard the uncertainty in her voice and straightened up quickly. “Don’t be stupid,” he said, but he sounded more alarmed than irate.__