The First

A Prequel to 'The Returned'

By: Jason Mott

Narrated by: Victor Bevine

In Jason Mott's haunting and unforgettable debut novel, The Returned, an impossible miracle is occurring all across the globe. Read how it all begins in this short story, The First.

It's been just over a year since Edmund Blithe died, and just over a month since his fiancee, Emily, stopped wearing her engagement ring. Emily has finally begun to move on… Until Edmund mysteriously and inexplicably returns, sending the world - and Emily - into a tailspin.

Edmund is only just the beginning. Around the world, people's loved ones are returning from beyond, seeking only to reenter the lives they left behind. As the world dives deep into uncertainty, Emily and Edmund are determined to find their way back to one another…even if it means risking everything.

The reappearances continue in The Sparrow, and look for The Returned from Harlequin MIRA, a moving tale of a family given a second chance at life and a world where nothing - not even death - is certain.

©2013 Jason Mott (P)2013 Audible Inc.

too early to tell

Prequel to The Returned. I have seen the French tv version of this story line on AMC. I wanted to read before the US version called "The Resurrection." Since it is a prequel - only had the character development of one couple. It is a little early for a full review.

First of Three Prequels

Imagine a world in which the dead start coming back to life. They have no memories from when they were gone; they simply start appearing all over the globe. This is the premise of Jason Mott's novel, The Returned. In this prequel to the novel, the first of the returned is introduced. Edmund Blithe died a little over a year ago, but this morning, he showed up for work.

As if this were not alarming enough, Edmund's fiancee, Emily, only just stopped wearing her engagement ring. Now, she learns that he is back. The government has intervened to question Edmund, and Emily goes on a quest to find him and get him back. She and Edmund want nothing more than to be back together--despite the odds that are clearly against them.

I read this prequel because it was free, and the premise was interesting. By the time I was done with the story, I had pre-ordered The Returned. I was completely wrapped up in the story, and I was eager to find out what would happen to this couple as well as to the other returned and their families all over the world. Jason Mott has created a great story and a great marketing tool for his debut novel.

Very Interesting.

The story is interesting, but I hope it dosen't end up like the 4400 did. It is hard not to see the tparallel in some instances, although they didn't appear out of a lake. Still the return of dead people is interesting. to see how the story will progress.

a taste of things to come

If you could sum up The First in three words, what would they be?

sad, happy, amazed

Who was your favorite character and why?

I suppose my favourite character should be the Returned man but I really enjoyed his fiancee's reaction to having him come back.

Which scene was your favorite?

Towards the end there is a scene in a hospital. I can't say more or I'll spoil the outcome for you. You'll know it when you read it.

If you could take any character from The First out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The fiancee's mother is rather interesting. The way she accepts everything is unusual but the writer makes it believable.

Any additional comments?

After you read this you'll want to read the other prequels and The Returned.

Can't Wait for the Full Novel!

I know this was only half an hour, but it made me eager to try the book The Returned. The premise is very interesting, and it really allows the reader to imagine what it would be like to return from the dead from the perspective of the no-longer dead and the loved ones and acquaintances of the no-longer dead. With that said, the perspective from the no-longer dead could have been a little more in-depth. I would freak out if I learned I hadn't been around for the last year, but the author seems to gloss over this a bit. This could be intentional, but the book may potentially have some logical gaps. Regardless, this had me excited to listen to the whole book.

Hard to Rate

This is really hard to rate, because it is so short. It did get my attention and I enjoyed the premise. I was not quite ready for it it end, because I wanted to know more about how people were being brought back to life and why. This is just too short to know if I would listen again.

Liked it

I liked it. It was well written and the narrator was believable. I immediately made sure I had the other short stories/prequels downloaded and now I am even spending a credit on the first actual book. I think it's a very interesting concept.

A s0-so shortie prequil

Maybe worth the couple of bucks it cost, this 40 minute prequel is fairly blah. I purchased all 3 prequels after I'd heard the story and frankly, it is a waste of money by them. Listen to them first if you plan on listening to The Returned.

Exciting and Interesting

This was exciting, interesting and you can't go wrong with it being free! This definitely hooked me into buying "The Returned".

Wonderful Prequel To The Returned

Having really enjoyed The Returned last year I was excited to see these short story prequels come out. In The First, we get to see how it all began with the return of Edmund Blithe and how this mysterious occurrence not only effects him but his fiancé and the rest of the world as they try to navigate through this unusual, frightening and exciting miracle.

It has been about a year since Emily's fiancé, Edmund Blithe, was hit by a bus and died. Edmund had proposed the day before he died and it has taken Emily this entire year to try and move on with her life. So imagine her surprise when the news shows Edmund, very much alive and being held somewhere in Washington DC after walking into work like no time had passed. Emily wants answers and sets out of Washington DC to try and find Edmund.

Edmund, for his part, has no recollection of his death and feels like he just woke up like any other day. After going to work and seeing the terror and surprise on the faces of his coworkers, Edmund is taken to Washington to answer round after round after round of questions. Scared himself and wanting to speak to Emily he is told he will need to wait to see her and needs to help those questioning him figure out what is going on. Everyone is fascinated and terrified of what this means and are determined to get to the bottom of it. But one man will be touched enough by Edmund's need to see Emily to help him make it happen.

Going back and forth between Emily and Edmund's points of view, The First is a fascinating look at not only the world's attempt to solve the mystery of why Edmund came back but the smaller, much sweeter, attempt by Emily and Edmund to come back to each other and reestablish that relationship Emily thought she had lost. It is short and sweet and very satisfying. I am excited to see where Mr. Mott takes the other two short stories!