Reviews for All Lost Things

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Josh Aterovis"><B><IMG SRC="57fa77d0.jpg" border=0 width="167" height="125" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="news_and_events.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Events">News & Events</A></div> <div> <A HREF="novels__short_stories.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writings">Writings</A></div> <div> <A HREF="order_books.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Order Books">Order Books</A></div> <div> <A HREF="blog.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blog">Blog</A></div> <div> <A HREF="press_room.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Press Room">Press Room</A></div> <div> <A HREF="contact_the_author.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact the Author">Contact the Author</A></div> <div> <A HREF="art_gallery.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Art Gallery">Art Gallery</A></div> <div> <A HREF="resources_and_links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Resources and Links">Resources and Links</A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Courier New" ><B>Josh Aterovis</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Josh Aterovis">home</A>     <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Lost Things">All Lost Things</A></div> <div> <A HREF="all_lost_things_cover.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Lost Things Cover">All Lost Things Cover</A>   ·   <A HREF="all_lost_things_excerpt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Lost Things Excerpt">All Lost Things Excerpt</A>   ·   <B>Reviews for All Lost Things</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Reviews for All Lost Things</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="3d4ba050.gif" border=0 width="442" height="5" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.lambdaliterary.org/reviews/fiction/03/23/gunnshots-spring-2010/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.lambdaliterary.org/reviews/fi"><B>Lambda Literary Foundation</B></A></div> <bR> <div> In the third in a whodunit series that deserves to be better known, young Killian Kendall’s life is changing fast. He graduates from high school, breaks up with his boyfriend, Asher, and takes a job as an assistant in the office of a Salisbury, Maryland, private investigator, Shane Novak. There is more than a touch of the supernatural in Killian’s life. Intermittently he has dreams of a horrendous murder and visits from his murdered friend Seth (from Bleeding Hearts, the first novel in the series). More psychic visitations occur when one of his foster dads buys a haunted house. Then Asher asks him to prove that their former classmate Caleb Cohen did not commit the murder that Killian has been foreseeing in his nightmares. Novak offers to help but has trouble reining in his gung-ho amateur sleuth. In the process of solving the murder, Killian must examine his own hidden motives behind what he chooses to reveal to Asher about Caleb. The case becomes an important stage in his growth towards adulthood. Curiously, in the entire history of the gay mystery, save for some porn examples and Mabel Maney’s parody of the Hardy Boys, this is only the second series (after two novels by R.J. Hamilton, a.k.a. Ruth Sims) to have a gay teenage sleuth. Adults can certainly relate to this fast-moving story, but the three Killian Kendall mysteries would be ideal presents for a gay teenager.</div> <bR> <div> Rewiewer: Drewey Wayne Gunn, Author of <I>The Gay Male Sleuth in Print and Film</I> and <I>The Golden Age of Gay Fiction</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> * * *</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.echomag.com/between-the-covers.cfm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.echomag.com/between-the-cover"><B>Echo Magazine</B></A></div> <bR> <div> It has been a very hectic year for 18 year old Killian Kendall.  Not only is he graduating from high school, and looking forward to going away to college with his boyfriend, Asher, but he manages to score a summer intern job with a local private investigator he ran into (literally, with his car).  But things start to unravel when, in the final month of school, it becomes apparent that Asher is interested in someone else (perhaps Caleb, a sophomore member of the school Gay/Straight Alliance, who claims to be beaten regularly by his homophobic father), and is planning a future without him.  Home life appears a bit shaky too, as his guardians Steve and Adam seem to be arguing about Steve's plans to relocate everyone to operate a bed and breakfast in a large, reportedly-haunted house in the country.  And Killian is haunted by disturbing dreams, first of a bloody murder, and later visits from a deceased friend, escalating into strange sensations and visions he has at the house Steve plans to buy.  When Caleb is arrested for suspicion of murdering his father, Killian becomes involved in the investigation, adding his safety to Steve and Adam's concerns. </div> <bR> <div> This is the third in the "Killian Kendall" series, and the first I have read.  It is an extremely well-written, riveting mystery, as well as a commendable "coming of age" story as Killian's faces some difficult changes in his life.  The supernatural/psychic subplot is handled intelligently, to the point where even the most cynical reader could not possibly object.  Wonderful, realistic fully-drawn characters, both straight and gay, cooperate in tackling obstacles, keeping their sense of humor intact throughout.  Despite the age of many of the characters, this is not just a book for teens, but likely can be enjoyed by all ages.  I loved it ... and give it five "gifted" stars out of five.</div> <bR> <div> Reviewer: Bob Lind</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> * * *</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=10290" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=102"><B>Reviews by Jessewave</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <I>All Lost Things</I> provides a gritty  mystery into which readers can really sink their teeth as well as be taken unawares by the twists and turns of the plot as it gradually gains momentum towards the whodunnit climax. My addiction to Killian Kendall is confirmed.  This series keeps on getting better and better.  Please to be giving me the next book now, Mr Aterovis. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> * * *</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.rainbow-reviews.com/?p=4647" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rainbow-reviews.com/?p=4647"><B>Rainbow Reviews</B></A></div> <bR> <div> This book is labeled as paranormal, and indeed there are definite paranormal aspects/events; but there is much more to be found here. First and foremost, this is an excellent mystery with bloody crime scenes, red herrings, and characters dying. No one is safe in this story and that leads to quite a roller coaster ride! </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> * * *</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://threedollarbillreviews.com/2010/03/30/all-lost-things-by-josh-aterovis/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://threedollarbillreviews.com/2010/0"><B>Three Dollar Bill Reviews</B></A></div> <bR> <div> Overall this is another great addition to the series and the unique voice afforded Killian sets up a charming, engaging narrator. The interesting mysteries seamlessly combine personal drama without one or the other overwhelming the story. The series is addictive and has numerous possibilities. The large cast matures with each offering showing flaws and strengths side by side; offering an honest and relatable appeal. You can read All Lost Things as a stand alone but really read Bleeding Hearts first so you can understand the incredible growth Killian goes through to really appreciate the change. Start now so you can be ready for the new offering in the series.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> * * *</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.bookwenches.com/November09reviews.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bookwenches.com/November09rev"><B>BookWenches.com </B></A></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="bookwenches"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>The summer after his senior year signifies change for Killian Kendall. With high school in his past, college to look forward to, and a brand-new summer job working for a private investigator, life should be sweet, but Killian’s excitement is tempered by the fact that he and his boyfriend, Asher, have recently split up. When Asher’s new boyfriend is arrested on suspicion of killing his father, Asher asks Killian to help prove he is innocent of the crime. Blessed with an insatiable curiosity, Killian agrees to help, but his motives aren’t entirely altruistic. Buried deep in his heart is the hope that he might uncover something during his investigation that will break up Asher’s new romance.</div> <bR> <div> Making life even more stressful for Killian is a series of what can only be called ghostly phenomena. Not only he has been having bloody nightmares of the killing he is currently investigating, but his best friend who died two years ago has chosen this time to begin visiting. Moreover, one of Killian's guardians has purchased a house reputed to be haunted, and that ghost is not shy about making herself known to Killian.</div> <bR> <div> With the help of his new boss, Killian wades into the not-so-glamorous world of private investigation. It’s not easy when the suspect refuses to cooperate and appears to be a compulsive liar, and despite his promise to find proof of the boy’s alibi on the night of the murder, Killian has reservations about whether he is as innocent as he proclaims. Killian has an uncanny talent for uncovering the truth. His curiosity will not let him leave questions unanswered; it could also very well get him killed.</div> <bR> <div> Josh Aterovis’s novel <I>All Lost Things</I> is the third of a series of stories featuring teenaged sleuth Killian Kendall, who was introduced to the world in 2001 in a novel titled <I>Bleeding Hearts</I>. This unique blend of paranormal and mystery kept me entertained for hours, featuring an irresistible main character and an intriguing storyline, and I would be hard pressed to decide which I preferred: the mystery or the ghost story. Both are very well done, and they work quite well together.</div> <bR> <div> I waffled between classifying this book as a Young Adult novel or not and finally decided to leave the label off. I believe that this story is enjoyable regardless of the age of the reader. This can be considered something of a coming of age story, because Killian is leaving his childhood behind. Although he is young, he is no longer a child, and his life is moving quickly towards adulthood and all the realizations and responsibilities that are a inherent to that time of life.</div> <bR> <div> <I>All Lost Things</I> is a complex story with a number of different subplots and a large and distinct cast. We meet people who must have appeared in the two previous books, but Mr. Aterovis does an excellent job keeping this from being confusing to a reader who hasn’t read those novels. Also, Mr. Aterovis keeps the storyline well-organized enough to keep us from getting lost.</div> <bR> <div> Killian Kendall is a very personable character who displays a mixture of childish reactions and adult behavior. He is prone to typical youthful rebellion against adults, gets caught up in his own relationship drama with his ex-boyfriend, and tends to pout a bit when things don’t go his way. However, he also has a tender heart and a very sharp mind.</div> <bR> <div> My attention was hooked early on in this story as the teen drama between Killian and his friends develops into something much more serious and the promise of paranormal activity becomes reality. The investigation proceeds in a methodical fashion, as Killian is mentored by his boss Novak, who encourages him as he investigates and takes him to task when he missteps. Killian’s teenaged impatience causes him to rush a bit and forge out on his own, and we can never truly anticipate what kind of trouble his sometimes hasty actions and unguarded mouth will create for him. This keeps the investigation lively, and I have a distinct feeling that it probably ages his mentor prematurely as well.</div> <bR> <div> I found <I>All Lost Things</I> to be a very diverting read and will be looking forward to reading more about both Killian and his social circle as Mr. Aterovis continues this series. Since Killian is at this halfway point between youth and maturity, it will be very interesting to see what his direction his life takes in the future.</div> <bR> <div> Reviewer: BD Whitney</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>