Here After, by Sean Costello
Long-listed for the 2009 ReLit Award for Fiction
Honourable Mention in the 2009 Sunburst Award.
Short-listed for the 2009 Northern "Lit" Award of the Ontario Library Services--North.
Following the death of his ten-year-old son, physician Peter Croft embarks on a desperate, seemingly random search for a missing child, sacrificing even his career in a grief-induced quest. His journey propels him into the darkest reaches of human loss, and pits him squarely against an adversary whose own obsession defies all reason.
Here After is a story of love, loss, obsession and redemption with gripping action sequences and a subtle supernatural underpinning. A compelling read from a seasoned storyteller, Costello’s sixth novel will keep you reading deep into the night.
“Sean Costello is a master of the poignancy of everyday living. In Here After he tackles a difficult subject with wit and humanity—and a couple of really good scares. It's a father and son story that will touch your heart.”—Susie Moloney, author of The Dwelling;
“In Here After Sean Costello grabs his readers with both hands; one closes deftly around the heart, offering a touching and devastating glimpse of the loss of a child; the other propels you on a breathless quest, sometimes eagerly, the way a child might lead a parent through a fairground—and sometimes with a startlingly quick choke hold on the windpipe.”—Mark Leslie, author of One Hand Screaming
Now Available!
Book Details
October, 2008; 2nd printing November, 2008; 3rd printing May, 2009
ISBN 978-1-896350-29-5
317pp. softcover
Price $20.00
About the Author
Sean Costello has been practicing anaesthesiology in Sudbury since 1981. In the late 80’s and early 90’s he published a series of mass market horror novels that garnered him not unrealistic comparisons to Stephen King, and a fan following (Eden’s Eyes, Pocket Books, 1989; The Cartoonist, Pocket Books, 1990; Captain Quad, Pocket Books, 1991). Gradually, however, Sean found the pace and constraints of mass market publishing too frenetic and confining, and jumped off that bandwagon. Roughly 10 years later he returned, but his work now displayed a significant shift to the psychological side of the spectrum from the horror side (Finders Keepers, Red Tower, 2002; Sandman, Red Tower, 2003). While still faithful to Costello’s roots in horror and the supernatural, Here After continues that shift. His fans haven’t waited in vain. For more information, check out Sean's website here.Praise for Sean Costello's earlier novels
Sean Costello could easily be our next Stephen King—Rave Reviews“A wonderful blend of horror, psychology, and the power of suggestion that leaves you guessing right up to the very end!” --The New Jersey Grapevine
“The best horror novel I’ve read since Stephen King’s own Pet Sematary…Costello knows how to tantalize his readers, priming them for the horrors to come…” --Rave Reviews
“Spine-chilling…Impeccable research and pacing…[a] riveting psychological thriller.” Charles de Lint, author of Greenmantle and Jack and the Giant Killer
“Eden’s Eyes is slithery, stylish, sure, slick, subtle and surprising!” –Rex Miller, author of Slob
“Sean Costello is a writer to watch. He will be an important writer.” –Robert McCammon
“Sean Costello is one of the horror genre’s bright new stars and his third novel, Captain Quad, will only enhance his position.” –Other Realms
“A fast moving read that mounts in tension while mixing horror with psychological anguish…The Cartoonist will not disappoint.” --Rave Reviews
“Costello is in fine form with his newest novel, Finders Keepers.” –Richard Dubé, author of The Haven