Loss

by Tom Piccirilli

Employing the unique, darkly humorous, and powerful noir voice that is his trademark, Piccirilli demonstrates why he's become a must-read author for admirers of both crime and horror fiction. LOSS concerns a failed writer working as a handyman in an old Manhattan apartment building with a strange history and numerous oddball tenants, not all of whom may be what they seem. The penthouse is owned by a bestselling novelist and his wife, the nameless narrator's longtime unrequited love, who soon goes missing. Is she dead or somehow trapped within the endless corridors of a lair full of twisted memories and half-forgotten ambitions? This is a haunting noir-ghost story fusion that not only spotlights the fear of missing out on one's greatest hopes and romantic dreams, but also features such memorable characters as Mojo the talking monkey and the corpse of the real inventor of aluminum foil.

Genres: Horror

46 pages, Nook

First published November 23, 2010

About the author

Thomas Piccirilli (May 27, 1965 – July 11, 2015) was an American novelist and short story writer.

Piccirilli sold over 150 stories in the mystery, thriller, horror, erotica, and science fiction fields. He was a two-time winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for "Best Paperback Original" (2008, 2010). He was a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award. He was also a finalist for the 2009 Edgar Allan Poe Award given by the Mystery Writers of America, a final nominee for the Fantasy Award, and the winner of the first Bram Stoker Award given in the category of "Best Poetry Collection".

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars*
This is a bizarre little novelette by Piccirilli about a failed writer working as a building manager at Stark House, an old apartment building in New York City, home for a variety of has-beens and other failed artists. There's a murder that occurs in the building and soon after, the love of his life disappears and a talking monkey begins writing him notes. Like I said, it's bizarre. It's hard to summarize and can feel pretty disjointed, but I love the atmosphere that Piccirilli maintains in the Stark House location. With his usual urgent prose, he presents the building as a sad purgatory for failed dreams and lost ambition, and is a perfect place for our narrator, with his regrets, frustrations, lost creativity, as well as his ghosts.

It's an intriguing yet difficult book, open to lots of interpretation. I liked this one the way I liked the movie Mulholland Drive when I first saw it. I don't fully understand it but I'm fascinated enough to explore it more. I decided to read this as part of my horror reading for the season but I realized that it's less of a horror story and more of a psychological portrait. Nothing supernatural was actually happening in the story or at Stark House. Or was there........?

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this long short/short novella for its atmosphere and for the narrator's voice. The story heads into the kind of territory that the title and the art suggest, and Piccirilli's prose is once again great in many parts and exquisite in some. Though the plot isn't exciting, per say, Piccirilli establishes a subtle tension that drew me in. Better still: he gets this story done. I can imagine other writers dragging this plot out into a 300+ page exercise in bloatation.

This is the third novella that I've read from Piccirilli's repertoire of short works, and it is the second that features a failing writer who's tied up in his own bitterness. I hope that Piccirilli isn't venting steam about his own career--and if he is, spread the word about his works so that he gets the audience he deserves.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the first horror story I read by Piccirilli. Where there's no hardboiled elements to the story. It's very psychological, which I love and for the supernatural elements, Piccirilli doesn't hold you by the hand and invites the reader to make his own mind about them. It's short, sure but I dug it. I suppose this is what you call a novelette. If you're like me and looking to try what Piccirilli can do with the horror genre, this is an interesting one-sit reading.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that there was very little “excess” in this brief vignette. Piccirilli crafted an elegant story with atmosphere, character, plot, mystery, and suspense, all in a very brief 2-hour (or less) read. Was initially thinking 3 stars, but the fact that I was left wanting more from this -- to the point that I’m creating the “missing” storylines, pushed me towards the 4 stars review.

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story part murder mystery, part ghost story. Though I'm not sure what it ended up being, I was entertained and found it compelling

Not really sure about the ending but it was a good way to spend a few hours. Piccirilli has a way with words that are almost lyrical. Worth the read.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short book that kept listening. Nothing ground-breaking, but I enjoyed it all the way through to the end.

[timj26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent ghost story made better by the characters
Well narrated and a good quick read
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review

[Kari Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loss

Great writing style, I found myself smiling and even laughing as t times. But still eerie, and somewhat sad. I'm not too sure about the ending, but with the group re at see Tory before it, I guess I'll live.

[Trent Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Pulp300...

http://pulp300.wordpress.com/2013/01/...

[Cristian Marrero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of his best. Now it can be better if this was a vision into a greater work and the mysteries of Stark House.

[4cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subtle, horror/crime noir novella.

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a Pic book. Read it!

For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/loss-b... and follow me on Twitter @josenher

[Penin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm quickly becoming a fan! :)