Wow. This one packs a punch. I was reminded of Greg Gifune's "A View from the Lake." I am not saying that it was derivative. Not in the least. I say that because it explored the same dark paths that people take through grief's landscape. Less internal than Gifune's "Lake", Krisch's novel and its main character, Angie Chandler is more grounded in the real world and its demons more tangible. I found myself cringing at her very realistic downward spiral, sort of like watching a horrible event that you know is about to happen, yet you cannot turn away. Characterization this deep and believable is rare. When a story is really well told, when the characters become truly real, in my view, the author disappears, and that is what happened--it was just the reader and Angie travelling that dark road. Beyond that, her relationship with Paul was beautiful, which made the aftermath that much more tragic. I was horrified, deeply sympathetic, and genuinely moved. And then the fun started when the final act reveals a twist that I did not see coming and crashed into a very chilling yet gratifying conclusion. ( )

This was a relatively quick read and I absolutely LOVED it.
Rarely do I say that I could not put a book/novella down, but in this case it is true. This story was fast paced, the characters were very likeable and I could feel the ache of the main character as if it were my own. Spend a couple of hours and see for yourself. ( )

I recently read Loss during a long flight. The story starts strong and with each subsequent chapter the mystery grows and the "emotional atmosphere" builds up. Unfortunately the story ends rather abruptly and a bit unsatisfactorily. I don't want to give too much away so I will just say that the antagonist's behavior as well as the final resolution are a bit at odds with the rest of the story. Although an entertaining read, I would recommend the Nightmare Within or Where Darkness Dwells by the same author over this one. ( )

Angie Chandler is married to Paul, one of a family of rich people. At a Christmas party with the family, Paul announces that they are going to adopt a child since they couldn’t have one. Embarrassed and put out, Angie leave the party early with Paul, but on the way home they are involved in a car accident in which Paul dies.

Angie has a hard time coping with the death. It’s worse when she starts seeing Paul. Because of the alcohol and pain pills, she has a hard time getting through the visions. Then she ends up pregnant. What is happening to her?

I liked this story. I really hated Paul’s mother. Angie can’t get over Paul’s death and I felt for the poor woman. The ending was a good twist, it creeped me out. This is a good, quick story that those that like thrillers won’t want to miss. ( )