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As a child, Michael Evans possessed the miraculous ability to see and communicate with the dead. By 1988, Michael's life has taken some unexpected turns, and the loss of both parents has led him to drop out of medical school and work at St. Mark's Hospital as an orderly. If Michael thinks he can avoid the past, he is disabused of this idea after realizing he has seen and spoken to a deceased person. St. Mark's rests on the site of a tragic accident dating back to the Civil War. Michael keeps his increasingly disturbing visions to himself as he wants to avoid a straitjacket and a padded room for his future. Yet some visions prove helpful, and Michael relays clues he gleans from them to the police to aid in various investigations.
Life after death is a much-debated topic in religion and society, yet the appeal of this excellent paranormal mystery is undeniable. While the first appearance of a ghost comes to Michael as a whimsical youth, the latter appearances of men, women, and children occur when Michael is a dispirited adult with his future uncertain. The drama peaks when Michael realizes he's had a conversation with a walking, talking apparition. The narrative ably picks up its pace as Michael interacts with the police regarding his hunches. The introduction of a romantic interest for Michael provides an extra spark to the story and provides some depth to the protagonist's character. This is a beguiling story that possesses a type of Sixth Sense edge and allows for surprises to pop out without resorting to excessive carnage.