The Near-Death Experience of Justin Parks by R.A. Williams

The Near-Death Experience of Justin Parks by R.A. Williams
Series: a standalone
Publisher: Fall Haven Press; September 23, 2021

REVIEW BY GWEN M. PLANO

The Near-Death Experience of Justin Parks by R.A. Williams is a Christian suspense novel set in Atlanta, Georgia. As the story unfolds, the protagonist, Justin Parks, is a rookie police officer on his first solo mission. It’s late at night, and he’s in a crime-riddled area. His radio sounds and within minutes he’s in pursuit of a dangerous armed criminal. There’s an exchange and the perpetrator is shot, but he’s not the wanted person.  

The story skips ahead two years, and Justin now works at his uncle’s apartment complex as a handyman. He is busy outside by the pool when a man attacks him with a baseball bat. He falls into the pool, where he is clinically dead for several minutes. Justin suffers a severe concussion, and from this point forward, the story shifts.

With the brilliance of a supernova star, an intense light flooded his mind. The light was impossibly bright – as if it was the center of the universe, the source of all light . . . and now he was immersed in warm healing waters of pure, unconditional love.

R.A. WILLIAMS, THE NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE OF JUSTIN PARKS

During Justin’s recovery, he sporadically experiences another realm – a celestial realm. Within that loving space, he sometimes sees himself as a child and lives through situations from both his perspective and that of others. He also glimpses future events. Most importantly, he encounters a loving presence and realizes he is Home.

I’ve read many nonfiction books about the Near-Death Experience, but this was the first novel I’ve read that included the topic. I wasn’t disappointed. The story is well-paced and believable. Several themes run throughout – regret, forgiveness, trust, compassion, hope, and emergent faith. The author intertwined these themes in common settings and used relatable characters to showcase the journey we all take.

I still think about Justin Parks and that is a testimonial to the skill of author R.A. Williams. I recommend this book to all, but I especially recommend it to readers interested in the Near-Death Experience.