THE BEGINNING

An accountant with a paranormal intuitive ability is invited to join a research project at a mysterious company in Johnson’s debut novel.

Linda Russell, a middle-aged CPA, is living comfortably and dreaming of retiring to the Caribbean. There is something unique about her: Linda has the ability to sense whether another person is in trouble, and if so, she knows it before they do. (She once had an ambulance called for her boss moments before it became clear that it was necessary, saving his life.) Lately, she has been having chance encounters with a man named John Bates. At first, he was a stranger talking to her at the mall—then he appeared at her daughter’s card game. The meetings are too dubiously coincidental, so he comes clean. Bates works for Genesis, a think tank that is a part of a data collection corporation. He says they work on research projects, but Linda isn’t sure why Bates is so interested in her, a seemingly typical middle-aged Black female. Bates wants Linda to be a data analyst, revealing that he is aware of her intuition and that Genesis wants to study her. (They are also interested in her granddaughter, who has the same gift.) Linda agrees to join Genesis, though the transition is a bit rocky (“Whenever there is change, it seems chaos occurs all around you”). Another, racist organization is also aware of Linda’s unique talent, and only Genesis can keep her and her granddaughter safe. Johnson’s novel creates a sharply drawn portrait of a mild-mannered accountant who only wants a comfortable life and a happy family but is drawn into something extraordinary. The characters are easy to picture and relate to; something initially intriguingly mysterious about Genesis builds some tension. The novel is fairly short, and, as the title suggests, just scratches the surface of the narrative’s potential. Here’s hoping a sequel will expand the plot to fully develop the many good ideas introduced in this offering.

A clear-cut, concise thriller about an ordinary woman with a special gift.