Life Flashes
About
Seattleite Austin Teph may not be the man he thinks he is.
While studying for finals, a white flash of light causes him to pass out. When he awakens, he finds himself in a Colorado hospital with no idea of how he got there. A woman named Valerie Jonson claims he’s her son, Tyler, a belief compounded by a man known only as Keith, who says he’s Tyler’s boyfriend. Austin soon discovers he may be a replacement for the actual Tyler Jonson who, according to local news reports, has died in a car crash.
As time passes, Austin experiences more of the white flashes. Soon, he finds himself shifting back and forth between Seattle and Colorado. Even worse, Keith starts torturing Austin on both sides of the reality divide. But if Austin heeds the clues on the Seattle side, he may find out the truth of who Keith really is.
By then, however, it may be too late to do anything about it.
Praise for this book
"Life Flashes is a fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, while providing you with some comfort and slice of life amidst these hurricane days of Austin Teph's life.
Jeff Beesler infused a warmth that is soaked in fear into Austin's first person perspective.
Couldn't put it down once I started it!"
The Kind of Fear That Wears a Familiar Face
Strong 4.5-5 star
This one had my mind racing from the start.
Austin Teph doesn't know who he is and neither, for a good stretch of this story, do you. The shifting realities concept is handled with a pace and confidence that keeps you guessing, forming your own theories, then watching them unravel as the story twists again. It is genuinely enjoyable in that unsettling, can't quite get comfortable kind of way.
Keith is the standout. A character who walks the line between good guy and villain with a precision that is quietly terrifying. I could see him. I could fear him. That balance is hard to pull off and Beesler does it well.
Fear has always fascinated me. In many ways it has controlled me. And this novel tackles that in a deep and twisted way that I loved. The kind of fear that doesn't announce itself. It creeps. It shifts. It wears a familiar face.
The novella moves quickly, which works in its favour. There is no fat here, no wasted pages. Every flash of light, every shift between realities pulls you closer to answers you are desperate to find.
The ending ends where it ends. It will keep you guessing and wondering, both as a completed story and an unanswered one. I dare not push back too far to see what comes of it.
I dare not speak of it really.
For fans of psychological thrillers and speculative fiction this is well worth your time. I will be reading more from Jeff Beesler.
A compelling and suspenseful sci-fi read!
This is a wonderfully creative and fast-paced novella that immediately hooks you with its high-concept mystery and keeps you guessing from start to finish. Without giving anything away, the narrative does a fantastic job of building relentless tension and keeping the reader on edge as reality begins to blur. It’s a tight, highly entertaining read that doesn't waste any time with filler, making it a great pick if you enjoy punchy, imaginative storytelling. Highly recommended for fans of quick sci-fi thrillers!