After Oz is the story about what happens to Dorothy after she returns home from Oz. It definitely took a dark turn. This book had so much potential. In the beginning, I loved the snarky humor shown in Dorothy. But then the point of view switched to the Doctor as she was writing the events in a letter to her mentor. And we didn't hear directly from Dorothy again. It was a struggle to get through the rest of the book as it became dry and preachy. I would have liked to have read more about Dorothy's experience with the Doctor after they left.

I received a digital ARC thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.

Know that this isn't really a Wizard of Oz book but rather about attitudes and challenges when there's a murder in a small town- and Dorothy is the accused. A woman in town was murdered with lye, Dorothy is telling wild stories, and the town is divided about her guilt so she's sent to the asylum. Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford is the only one who thinks she didn't do it and she tells part of the story in her letters while an unnamed townsperson takes the other side. This is a novel about mental health, prejudice, witches. and lots of other things-perhaps too many. That said, it kept me engaged and turning the pages. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

A murder mystery set in July, 1896 Kansas, After Oz (2024) by Gordon McAlpine is a fantasy tale of what happened to Dorothy after she arrived back from Oz. The story begins with the twister and the days that follow until the missing Dorothy turns up later, revealing she killed the wicked witch. This sets off a series of calamitous events that lead Psychologist Dr. Evelny Grace to investigate the mystery of what happened to Dorothy. As authorities act on Dorothy’s admission, it is up to Evelny to prove Dorothy’s innocence. An imaginative murder mystery, that will keep the reader’s interest, as Dorothy‘s fate plays out against the religiosity of her small mid-west hometown. A gentle murder mystery that rates a four stars read rating, due mostly to its setting. With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free e-book in exchange for my honest review.

So Wicked is what happened before Dorothy came to OZ and The WIzard of Oz is Dorothy in Oz...this is the story of what life for Dorothy was like when she returned home to Kansas after her fantastical trip.

The story is told from the perspective of the Doctor who is trying to prove Dorothy's innocence and an unnamed resident of her small Kansas town who is convinced of her guilt. The townsperson is full of hatred and vitriol (complete with bible verses to justify both), while Dr. Wilford is a much more sympathetic character. Dorothy, Toto, and Oz are surprisingly not all that prominent in the story. Its hard to imagine Dorothy being locked away in the Topeka Insane Asylum for most of the book.

This is definitely an unusual twist on a classic tale! Maybe Dorothy should have stayed in Oz as her overly pious town residents think she is nuts.

3.5 rounded up.

Thank you to Crooked Lane books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely not what I was expecting, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, quite the opposite. This book had a slight twist from the movie with Dorothy's birth parents and the interactions she had in OZ comparing to the people in Kansas. The book seemed to touch on Dorothy and her stay in a mental hospital for "killing" the witch, but took a slight turn as to the mystery of who did it really and why......the end that turned into almost a beginning was phenomenal and I loved this book for the uniqueness it represented. For a shorter read it packed a bigger punch and I was reeling the whole time with some aftershock when I put the book down. Definitely a must read for any fan of Oz, mysteries and who dun its!! Highly recommend this one for the fall!!

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint!! 🙌

Despite the title, this is more of a dark prequel of sorts to Wizard of Oz! Definitely had some religious cult and The Alienist vibes! ❤️

I was definitely invested in seeing Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford prove Dorothy’s innocence in the murder of Alvina Clough! There was even a twist I feel I should have seen coming but didn’t! 👏

I will say at times the pace seemed to slow down a little too much, but all in all I really did enjoy the book and look forward to reading more from the author! ❤️

Highly recommend to Wizard of Oz enthusiasts, fans of towns/cults you love to hate, and mystery and thriller lovers! 🙌

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Gordon McAlpine for allowing me the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review!! ❤️

What really surprised me about this book was the fact that there was very little of Dorothy in the story. The story is told from two points of view, one being an unknown neighbour/townsperson and the female psychologist who travels to Kansas to get to the bottom of Dorothy's tale. Dr Wilfred’s sections are done in letters she is writing to her mentor to describe the situation and the discussions she has with the townsfolk. I very much enjoyed that as I love epistolary novels. And although the writing style is fairly dry it didn't disappoint me.

I love that the book reads more like a murder mystery because after Dorothy describes melting the witch a woman is found dead, killed and melted by using lye and Dorothy is blamed. I was really sucked into the mystery and doctor Wilford's investigation because I wanted to know the truth. There were a few surprises along the way and the tornado isn't the biggest twister between these pages. I was honestly surprised by the ending and the reveal in the best way possible.

The townsperson's point of view is done in a narrative style and I really enjoyed that, it felt personal that way and that’s where the dry writing is. Mental health, prejudice and religion are all themes and at the forefront. Like Baulm’s Oz, the story is dark but an utterly unique take on a story that's been redone to death.

Thank you t0 Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I love all things OZ. When I saw that this book was on NetGalley, I knew that I needed to request it.

Dorothy Gale goes missing after a tornado touches down in her small Kansas town. She shows up a bit later in someone's pumpkin patch telling wild stories of killing a witch, scarecrows, and other animals that talk. A disliked woman in her town ( some call a witch) turns up dead and the town Blames Dorothy.Is Dorothy a murderess? When Dr. Wilford comes to talk with Dorothy, she gets very involved in her story. Can she help unravel the mystery of what happened in this small town?
This was not exactly what I was expecting, but I did really enjoy it. I really liked the murder mystery plot and thought that they story wrapped up in a neat way. I also loved the nods to L. Frank Baum and the original OZ books.

This was not quite what I was expecting, so just make sure you read a lot of the reviews before going in!

Not my favorite

After Oz is an interesting concept of a book. Gordon McAlpine has taken the story that we've known for most of our lives and has given it an origin story.

Told in two voices, one - a member of the community where Dorothy lives and two - Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford - a 28 year old psychologist who wants to find out if Dorothy's story is true, or if she truly belongs in an asylum.

11 year old Dorothy Gale disappears from the Gale farm during a tornado. (same old story....) When she returns, she tells the story of talking animals, a scarecrow and a city of emeralds. She tells everyone that she didn't mean to kill the witch by splashing her with water. She's sent to live with the local pastor, for safekeeping. At the same time, the local spinster has been found dead inside her house, with her face melted off by a lye mixture. Dorothy is quickly put into an asylum to live out the rest of her days.

Dr. Wilford meets Dorothy and finds a gentle girl, with a wild tale. She's sure that there's more to the story both behind Dorothy's entire life and the town where she grew up.

This is an interesting take on the Wizard of Oz story. Dorothy and her friends are side characters. The story is about a town and its prejudice. Sexist ideas are coming from the men in town. The treatment of local spinster was abhorrent.

I've seen that many people are upset that the story doesn't focus too closely on Dorothy, but that's where I see the brilliance. There's always more to the story, there's always the 'what happened afterward'. This book dares to dream about it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

After Oz - A Novel by Gordon McAlpine is simply brilliant! I am a huge fan of all incarnations ad interpretations of this literary classic (yes, the film too, I admit it) But this reimagining is a whole different ball gae

Dorothy disappears for two days after an immensely destructive twister has destroyed the community of Summer Bonnet. Dorothy is then found asleep in a field, and upon waking talks of a wonderful land of Witches, Wizards and talking animals. In this deeply religious Mid-West community, this talk is that of a heretic or someone light in the head and as such, Dorothy is consigne to the care of the local Pastor and his wife.

However, when the murder is discovered, Dorothy is blamed due to it reflecting her story of throwing water on the witch and her melting. Without any contradictory evidencce and with Dorothy being the only beneficiary in the neighbours will, it's an open and shut case . Or is it?

McAlpine artfully uses symbols such as yellow brick in houses, the unaliving of a neighbour with Lye, even a file box marked O to Z to create a real world suspicion of Dorthy G's story. The inclusion of Psychologist Dr Evelyn Grace Wilford as the narrator and specifically her dialogues with Dorothy as she is confined in the pastors home and teh asylum is genius

I love love love this book and yes, I absolutely recommend this dark imagining of what happened when Dorothy got back to Kansas and found that there really was no place like home, Just not in the way it first seems

Thank you to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Gordon McAlpine for ths ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This is a what if story. What if Wizard of Oz was based on the delusions of an 11 year old who disappeared for weeks after a twister touched down? What if a murder occurred after the twister that mimics the death of the wicked which of the west's melting. The story deals with with circumstantial evidence and how it colors one's beliefs to the point of ignoring the possibility of others having committed the crime. Definitely a darker read, but interesting.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own .

An intense version of the events after Dorothy came home from the land of Oz. Unlike the book and movie, Dorothy was not welcomed with open arms and the warm embrace of Auntie Em but came back to skeptical townspeople. It was a miracle she survived the tornado and how she just appeared days later unharmed ranting about a magical land and how she regrettably killed a bad witch. Sadly someone did die a horrible death during the tornado and Dorothy becomes the only suspect. Was it madness or is this young girl a cold hearted killer? Dorothy is committed to an asylum seemingly for the rest of her life until a young psychologist comes to study her case. There are so many fantastic twists off this yellow brick road as Dr. Evelyn and the reader discover. It will take a miracle to get the truth out of the ultra conservative town of Topeka who would rather hang her for being a witch than find the killer. A fascinating revisitation of the books and movie we loved as children that also speaks to the treatment of asylums, the fate of orphans and the fear of being different in the rural midwest of 1890's. Sinister and deliciously dark this will appeal to readers of true crime, historical mysteries as well as THE WIZARD OF OZ fans. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Loved this. I am a huge Oz fan - the movie. This sophisticated retelling of the story of Dorothy after the twister, after she returns highlights the dark side of our world - that sepia-toned Kansas we were all to happy for Dorothy to escape. In the end, there was no place like home. Except when home becomes a nightmare. A brilliant book from Gordon McAlpine, his final book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I absolutely loved this book. I also have the audio version as well. Both were great.
Well written re telling of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Parts of it reminded me of the movie Return to Oz. This was well researched and phenomenally written. I loved the psychiatric aspect thrown in and the insight into the time period and how people were treated when they didn’t conform with the rest of society. Also great insight on the judgments a small town can place on one person.

“Then, through the swirling chaos, Emily thought she saw Dorothy inside the farmhouse, darting recklessly from window to window. ”
Here are reasons to read the Historical Fiction Mystery book:

Retelling - in this retelling of The Wizard of Oz, we follow Dorothy
Tornado - through the aftermath of what takes place after the tornado hits and Dorothy is missing and returns to tell her story,
Dead Woman - She claims she accidentally killed a witch, so when a dead woman is found days later, Dorothy is the one they accuse
Small town - after all this is a small town and who can believe a fantastical tale about another world?

If you are a fan of The Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz, any of the books, or have seen the old tv movie The Dreamer of Oz, this book is for you. It is a compelling mystery, and the ending is so well conceived. I was surprised to learn that this book has been in the writing for a while and the author lost his battle with cancer before it was published. But it is so nostalgic that I couldn’t help but finish it in a day.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this before publication! I am always excited to see Wizard of Oz stores, and this was a fun kind of alternate history. In this story, Dorothy disappears for days while her family worries. She returns with an odd story and ends up being accused of murder.
Dorothy's Kansas community is highly religious and the person trying to help clear her name is a more modern young woman. The contrast is interesting and the voices are distinct. Things are never what they seem, and the area has more secrets than expected.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love the original Wizard of Oz so I was really excited for this book! However, it really wasn't at all what I expected.

The story starts with Dorothy missing for four days after the tornado passes through town. In the original she was found in her house when the tornado finished so I was already a bit leery at this point. When she is found, we learn that she tells everyone about her adventures in Oz and admits to "melting" a witch. At this point, everyone who encounters Dorothy from the doctor who helps her, her family, and of course the pastor, are ridiculously over the top nuts about how her story goes against everything the Bible preaches. The fact that she talks about witches, including a good witch, wizards, talking animals, etc. makes her an outrage for being diabolical and evil.

Then, when the town "witch" is found melted, Dorothy is of course made out to be a murderer. But, the crux of the story is told from alternating points of view between the doctor who tries to vindicate Dorothy who is now in an insane asylum and an unnamed townsperson. The author did a great job of making me outraged at the townspeople and their religious sanctimonious attitudes as well as the misogyny that was so apparent towards all the women, but especially the doctor. It was set in 1897 so I know that this would be historically accurate. But, I thought this would be a fun Wizard of Oz type book and it was anything but that. However, there were some really great twists that I appreciated.

This was a good story, but I personally didn't like all the religious elements, sermons, etc. that were in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Gordon McAlpine for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of After Oz.
I am a big fan of The Wizard of Oz and this book continued my obsession with this story and its characters. This is a dark, disturbing and thought provoking account of what happened when Dorothy returned from Oz and how the town and characters are connected before and after the horrific storm. I found this story fascinating as all the unanswered questions fit together like a puzzle. Memories of the wicked witch and the flying monkeys
still frightens me today and this book is just as chilling.
I loved the background of Auntie Em and Uncle Henry. If you think about it, all the characters have undesirable flaws and a bit of darkness along with a few secrets There are some twists and turns which surprised me and kept me on the edge of my seat. I wanted more from Dorothy and her thoughts about her early life. There could have been fewer bible verses quoted, it was very clear this is a part of the country that contains fire and brimstone. Overall, I had a good time reading and thinking about this book.

Going into this book, I thought OK another Wizard of Oz type thing going on, but it literally had me on the edge of my seat sweating and needing more so good