John Corey Whaley grew up in a small southern town. He has a BA from Louisiana Tech University and an MA in secondary English education. Where Things Come Back is his first novel.
"[A] smart, darkly funny, and multilayered debut.... Whaley weaves
numerous story lines and themes together with the confidence of a
seasoned writer, resulting in a thought-provoking story about
media, faith, and family." --Publishers Weekly, November 7, 2011, a
"Best Books of 2011" selection
"The author has managed to capture his characters' feelings of loss
and despair with both compassion and empathy. The plot is extremely
well thought out and encompasses the tangle of teenage
relationships, friendships, and life experiences using humor and
thoughtful language...authentic, small-town teenagers; and the main
protagonist, Cullen, is well-developed and convincing. An
unexpected ending brings about a moving close to the novel."
--VOYA, June 2011
"In a build-up that explores the process of grief, second chances
and even the meaning of life, Cullen's and Cabot's worlds slowly
intersect and solve the mystery of Gabriel's disappearance in this
multilayered debut for sophisticated readers. Unexpected,
thought-provoking storytelling." --Kirkus, April 15, 2011
"In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a
taut and well-constructed thriller...Vulnerability balances
Cullen's arch sarcasm, and the maelstrom of media attention
lavished on the woodpecker offers an element of the absurd,
especially when juxtaposed against the mystery of Gabriel's
disappearance. The portentous tone and flat affect of Whaley's
writing is well-suited to the story's religious themes and
symbolism... as Whaley gradually brings the story's many threads
together in a disturbing, heartbreaking finale that retains a touch
of hope." --Publishers Weekly, April 11, 2011, *STAR
"The characters' reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and
yet they continue to hope for Gabriel's return. Cullen is an
eloquent, thoughtful narrator...the ending is worth the wait."
--School Library Journal, July 2011
"What will hold readers most is the moving story of Cullen's
beloved younger brother, who suddenly goes missing, leading to
mystery, heartbreak, and an astonishing resolution on the very last
page...An intriguing, memorable offering teens will want to
discuss." --Booklist, May 2011
"[A] smart, darkly funny, and multilayered debut.... Whaley weaves numerous story lines and themes together with the confidence of a seasoned writer, resulting in a thought-provoking story about media, faith, and family."
--Publishers Weekly, November 7, 2011, a "Best Books of 2011" selection
--VOYA, June 2011
--Kirkus, April 15, 2011
--Publishers Weekly, April 11, 2011, *STAR
"The characters' reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and
yet they continue to hope for Gabriel's return. Cullen is an
eloquent, thoughtful narrator...the ending is worth the
wait."
--School Library Journal, July 2011
--Booklist, May 2011
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