Julia Alvarez is from the Domincan Republic and this is her 6th novel. AFTERLIFE  is her first adult novel in 15 years. She is also the acclaimed author of TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES and HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS LOST THEIR ACCENT.
The main character, Antonia Vega, has just retired from the college where she taught English when her doctor  husband Sam suddenly dies. To add to this trauma, her big-hearted but unstable sister disappears which causes her and her other two sisters to hire a detective to find her. Antonia is part of a hilarious sisterhood —she has three sisters scattered across the U.S all  in their 60’s.Of course Antonia leaves for Chicago to help find the missing sister.
Also, living next door to Antonia is a Vermont farmer employing immigrants,who are actually hiding out. When Antonia returns to her home, she finds a very young pregnant girl who is a girlfriend of one of the immigrants next door. Antonia thought widowhood would be lonely and quiet, but it has turned out to be just the opposite!
AFTERLIFE is a fairly short novel showing the bonds of family and the power of being needed and loved. Alvarez has written a gem and I really liked it. 

Reviewed by Terri

Available via Hoopla HERE