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In Passing Kindle Edition

3.3 3.3 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

In Passing, has been awarded the Golden Box Books--Readers' Choice Award for Young Adult;Predators and Editors--Readers Poll Top Ten Best Young Adult Book; and was given five-stars from Readers Favorite.Reviewers said: "J.R. Wirth tells a beautiful story of recovery and redemption" with "a sense of mystery and enchantment throughout." "Excellent prose, the narrative expressed" is "flawless.""It totally absorbed me" and the "excellent writing was the perfect vehicle for this tale."
Trying to bring closure to her haunted youth, Mary Elizabeth Stroll's past and present converge during a haunting, day-long interview.
In Passing is a dark, yet romantic, paranormal tale, which thrusts two adolescent, suicide victims into a haunting afterlife odyssey where they find love and meaning. The journey leads them to intervene in the lives of other distressed young people, all the while amorous feelings grow. The two are then reunited with their lifeless bodies to search for the truth and their lost love.
Nine years gone, Mary, now in her early twenties, agrees to an interview with a seminary student, Alex Renteria. Alex is completing his thesis on divine interventions, and near death experiences. Mary recalls her extraordinary afterlife adventure during the course of a daylong interview, which quickly morphs into an equally-haunting, parallel adventure.
In Passing flows between first person (narrated by Mary as a youth [Lizzy]) and third person, creating an intense immediacy that will take the reader on a breath-stealing adventure, and race against death; all the while tackling a variety of controversial issues including: suicide, runaways, school violence, abortion, child abuse, substance abuse, etc.

Editorial Reviews

Review

5.0 out of 5 starsReviewed by Darryl Greer for Readers' FavoriteByJeffrey Wirthon September 12, 2016Format: Kindle Edition|Verified PurchaseJ.R. Wirth's In Passing is labelled fiction suspense and rightly so, but it could easily be tagged as paranormal or fantasy. Mary Elizabeth Stroll, in the first person sections of the story, is known as Lizzie, a fourteen-year-old, and in the third person parts as Mary, now in her early twenties. Lizzie has a disturbing life as a teenager -- a drunken mother, an abusive step-father, and a life so grim that even at that age she decides to end it by overdosing on her mother's pills. In the afterlife, she meets Bart, another suicide victim, and they embark on a paranormal journey of discovery, along the way confronting other youths with equally disturbing backgrounds. In current day, Mary meets Alex, a trainee Catholic priest and psychotherapist, who is preparing a thesis on NDEs -- near death experiences -- and she agrees to a day-long interview. It is during this interview that she relates to Alex her haunting experiences with Bart and the reader is treated to a first hand description of those events as her fascinating narration unfolds. As the story draws to a close, there is the inevitable twist in the tale, and the various questions that scream at the reader from the earlier pages are finally answered. Interwoven throughout the story, in both the 'before' and 'after' sections, are such controversial issues as suicide, runaways, school bullying, abortion, child and substance abuse, all treated with due respect.

A licensed psychotherapist himself, J.R. Wirth obviously knows his stuff and in this, his first full length novel, he is not afraid to delve into issues that some might prefer to avoid. Excellent prose is used in the telling of this story, the narrative expressed in flawless, descriptive text that brings the characters to life. Paranormal they may be, but the scenes are easily visualised, the dialogue carrying the story forward like a suspenseful movie script. In the earlier parts of the novel, I was a little confused as to what was going on and who was who, but as I read on the fog began to clear and before long I realised what a treat this work really is. As the blurb for this book says, here we have a story that is both dark, yet romantic, paranormal yet somehow real. In Passing is a unique tale of love that endures even beyond death.

From the Author

"In Passing" is a dark, yet romantic, paranormaltale, which thrusts two adolescent, suicide victims into a haunting afterlifeodyssey where they find love and meaning. But that's not all-- after reuniting with her body Lizzy--Mary continues to be followed by death 'til the end!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01AWKEBHK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Linkville Press; 1st Edition (January 20, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 754 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 321 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1522908757
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.3 3.3 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

About the author

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J.R. Wirth
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J.R. Wirth is a native of Southern California. Raised in Azusa, he now hails from San Bernardino. J.R. is recognized for his extensive work in the helping field. He is a licensed psychotherapist with a long list of accomplishments, including a 15-year stretch as a domestic violence counselor and trainer, and head of a disaster response team. J.R. had a stint as a university professor, and even spent time as a child abuse investigator -- the impetus for the book "Avenging Angels," which J.R. warns is a dark thriller that may TRIGGER some readers who are sensitive toward such topics. Through all these duties, he continues to provide clinical supervision to young, aspiring therapists. J.R. currently supervises the therapy portion of a forensic psychiatric unit in Southern California. Above all, he is a spiritual man who is dedicated to his children, which often comes out in his writings.

J.R. has several works published via independent publishers, including, but not limited to, two full-length novels and two short story collections. The most recent release, “Twisted Family Holiday Collection” (6/20/21, Books To Go Publishing), is a collection of suspenseful short stories with supernatural and paranormal elements woven into them. Readers’ Favorite described it as, “…a cracking good read. Each story has an excellent plot, one main character, and a great cast of well-developed and believable characters.” Most works can be found in multiple venues and all are featured on Amazon. Currently, J.R. has several projects in the making, including, "The Institute," a thriller with a young adult ensemble cast of unforgettable characters.

Besides traditional publishing, J.R. has several pieces published—including a poem and several short stories in online venues. In all his works, J.R. combines ordinary people with extraordinary circumstances, to create characters that jump off the page and straight into the readers’ heart and psyche. He remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us.

Customer reviews

3.3 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as a suspenseful tale that blends teen tragic fiction with a Dickensian Christmas Carol. Readers enjoy the writing quality and heroine's eloquence.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

5 customers mention "Suspenseful"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful and well-written. They describe it as a compelling tale that blends teen tragic fiction with a Dickensian Christmas Carol. The haunting revelations and twist at the end are a pleasant surprise. The book is described as an absorbing paranormal romantic suspense that blends teen tragedy with a Dickenssian Christmas Carol.

"...The haunting revelations and twist at the end were a pleasant surprise to this reader, and the excellent writing was the perfect vehicle for this..." Read more

"JR Wirth’s In Passing is an oddly absorbing paranormal romantic suspense that blends teen tragic fiction with a Dickensian Christmas Carol and It’s..." Read more

"...It is almost like reading two separate stories, yet each emotional roller coaster is dependent on the other. Well done, JR, well done!" Read more

"In Passing is a tale woven with sensitivity and lots of M & M’s...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They appreciate the insights it provides.

"...I enjoyed this book a lot, especially with the realizations that come with reading Mary's (or Lizzy) account of her childhood tragedies and terrors...." Read more

"Strange but fun reading. Confusing at first as it went from different characters and finding they are the same." Read more

"Great book! Well written and suspenseful!" Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality. They say the author handles it well and with compassion. The heroine's narration is described as superb.

"...at the end were a pleasant surprise to this reader, and the excellent writing was the perfect vehicle for this tale." Read more

"...The night of terror, yet enchantment, is told, with superb eloquence, by our heroine (who went by Lizzy in her youth), in first person...." Read more

"Great book! Well written and suspenseful!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2016
    Jan 30, 2018
    I would have to say I have never read anything like this novel, so this was a refreshing change for me. In that, once I started the story, it totally absorbed me, such that I didn't notice the passage of time. My only regret is that it took so long for me to read this story, consumed as I was with personal stuff during the better part of last year.
    I enjoyed this book a lot, especially with the realizations that come with reading Mary's (or Lizzy) account of her childhood tragedies and terrors. Suicide is not a good subject for me, and so it created a bit of a spot while reading, but I have to say the author handled it well and with compassion. Other serious themes tackled in the book includes child and substance abuse and abortion, but like the other topic, these are all handled well and treated with respect. The haunting revelations and twist at the end were a pleasant surprise to this reader, and the excellent writing was the perfect vehicle for this tale.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2016
    JR Wirth’s In Passing is an oddly absorbing paranormal romantic suspense that blends teen tragic fiction with a Dickensian Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life. The mix of narrators, times and places is unsettling at the start, but once the story gets going, once Mary begins to narrate her near death experience to the listening priest-in-training, this book is hard to put down.

    Terrors and tragedies of childhood come to the fore in this novel—the physical, emotional and sexual abuses that result in suicide or worse, and the search for redemption. Lizzy (or Mary) and her helper may or may not be angels, and may or may not be seen as they slip through the scenes. But their words can change lives, and their lessons are wise.

    Meanwhile, the lesson that we help ourselves through helping others is pleasingly taught. Lizzy might not die. And Mary might not be forever scarred. Plus, love might be real. The “might be” scenarios carry the reader forward, guessing, hoping, dreaming and wondering until “divine intervention” proves its human point. I enjoyed this book.

    Disclosure: I won a copy and I offer my honest review.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2016
    Mary Elizabeth Stroll arrives at an interview she’s volunteered for regarding “near death” experiences. As she primps for the interview, in a church parking lot, Mary drifts toward the memories of the night where she met death. The night of terror, yet enchantment, is told, with superb eloquence, by our heroine (who went by Lizzy in her youth), in first person. Simultaneously, we are shown the lives of other youth who, as the story goes, are intertwined and it all makes sense.
    However, during the interview itself, Mary matches wits with the interviewer, Brother Alex Renteria, who is doing his thesis on near death experiences. JR Wirth lets us in on the thinking and motives of Mary and Alex as they dance their way through a day long fight with death and darkness that has seemingly followed Mary back from the dead. It is almost like reading two separate stories, yet each emotional roller coaster is dependent on the other. Well done, JR, well done!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016
    In Passing is a tale woven with sensitivity and lots of M & M’s. It’s about the interview of Mary Elizabeth Stroll by priest-in-training, Brother Alex. Sexually molested as a child, then nicknamed Lizzy, she recounts the night she overdosed on her mother’s pills to escape the horror that was her mother's boyfriend; setting off on an afterlife adventure similar in nature to that of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s “Christmas Carol” nightmare. However, while Scrooge was a crotchety old man who needed to learn to love again, Lizzy is an innocent needing encouragement and strength to go on living.

    In her afterlife adventure, Lizzy meets a boy who, unknown to her, is there because he needs the same encouragement. Together, they meet several challenges, growing romantically closer with every undertaking and helping each other gain the strength needed to continue with their lives.

    J.R. Wirth tells a beautiful story of recovery and redemption.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2016
    Strange but fun reading. Confusing at first as it went from different characters and finding they are the same.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2016
    This book is one of many I have read as of late, but one that will remain with me for a long time to come. I will recommend to everyone I know!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2017
    In Passing is a paranormal love story with hints of darkness. It explores the possibility of an after life and the existence of ‘angels’, or people who are able to stop others before they make dire mistakes. The book is not afraid to take on gritty social issues, such as child abuse, substance abuse and abortion, and does so in a positive manner. Well worth a read for those who enjoy paranormal romance and books with a religious theme.

    ...read the complete review at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)org
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2016
    Great book! Well written and suspenseful!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • christeena lalonde
    1.0 out of 5 stars disappointing
    Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2016
    There is a good story underneath the excess wording. Its almost like using more words will make it seem more intelligent but really it just drowns the story to the point you give up reading.

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