I'm a Believer

Mark Buckle has always been a sceptic about anything that delves into the supernatural or the superstitious, from tarot cards to star signs, yet upon the death of his girlfriend Catherine, his life and beliefs take an incredible turn. The novel is narrated by the male protagonist Mark, who after his girlfriend dies in a car crash, is in an emotional state and in his grief, experiences a relationship with Catherine in her after life. Her presence after her death is felt by Mark, as he sees, feels and eventually communicates with her. Outside of the supernatural component of the novel, the narrative explores the contemporary situation in a witty tale about love, life, and relationships. Despite his connections to Catherine, Mark's life seems increasingly real and he deals with life experiences that any reader can relate to. This novel is a charming account that questions human existence beyond the lived experience and explores the reality of dealing with lifes ups and downs.

Mark Buckle isn't a spiritual kind of guy. But his girlfriend, who has recently been killed in an accident, appears to be trying to make contact ... or is he just falling apart at the seams? This book is about destiny, forgiveness and the `natural order' of things. It's a sweet, optimistic, generous and upbeat book, and even if it doesn't make a believer of you, but it will probably make you wish you could believe.

Jessica Adams' novel was copyrighted in 2002; and is getting its U.S. release in 2004. The novel is told through the eyes of Mark Buckle whose irreverent viewpoint makes the telling of the tale hilarious. The characters shine with gay Australian Felix Saddleton being one of the most unusual. Mark is a heterosexual; so his visit to the meeting of the Felix's Hair Bears, a gay group for hairy men who enjoy hot tubs, is about as silly as silly gets. We get a real sense of Mark's live-in girlfriend Catherine, despite the fact that she's part of the dearly departed for the entire novel. The chapters dealing with the 9-11 tragedy had tears streaming down my face. Noel D. Jupiter, the new age cab driver, and Scott O'Grady, the flatulent middle-schooler, are great supporting characters. Adams has a great sense of pacing and rhythm. The underlying theme of whether there is a God makes thematically universal this unusual entertaining tale. I haven't had a good time with a book like this since Marc Levy's "If Only It Were True." Bravo!

Though he has seen loved ones die before, London junior high school science teacher Mark Buckle struggles with the tragic death of his girlfriend Catherine in a car accident. He has no one to share his loss with except to a degree his gay seemingly always dunk fellow teacher Felix. Mark worries that he is losing his mind because everywhere he goes he senses Catherine is there. Rationally he knows he used her bubble bath and why her perfume permeates his apartment. However, when the radio always plays their song, he wonders if she is reaching out to him.Following the funeral, Catherine appears in Mark's bedroom to help him find someone else. Meanwhile born-again Christian Tess Blake is half in love with Mark. He begins to notice her as a desirable female, but guiltily laments about unfaithfulness while wondering if Catherine is pushing him in that direction.This first person (for the most part) account is two subplots brought together by the lead protagonist. The first segment of the book is Mark's harangue and grief over his loss accented by Catherine's appearance. Readers will wonder if she is a ghost or is he losing his mind. The second part deals with Mark trying to rejoin the living assisted by Felix, but really with Tess at Catherine's urgings. The audience will wonder whether Catherine is playing spiritual matchmaker or is the hero moving on. Though the two sides feel in some ways like separate novellas tied together by Mark, fans will appreciate the droll self deprecating soliloquies that make for a fine tale and turn readers into Jessica Adams believers, ghost or not.Harriet Klausner