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Product Description
Review
“The latest novel from Canadian author Pyper is an ambitious excursion into Stephen King territory. . . . With a well-executed narrative, both past . . . and present, strong characterization and some truly arresting images, The Guardians is a compelling and genuinely creepy read.”
— The Guardian (UK)
"Everything you could ask for in a thriller. It's psychologically unnerving, moves like a bullet, and is fraught with so much tension you might crack a tooth reading it. Outstanding in every way."
– Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River
"Pyper reveals his skill with pacing as the story takes on the speed of midnight dash through a graveyard. And please note: This is not schlock horror dripping with gore. Pyper expertly creates terror through mood and setting. We hear what keeps going bump in the night, but never quite see it."
— The Globe and Mail
"A splendidly eerie haunted house story, and a superb evocation of small town life. The Guardians gripped me from its opening line and never let go."
– John Connolly, author of Every Dead Thing and The Lovers
“A perfect haunted-house story, a crisp, eerie October night of a book that had me in its clutches from page one."
– Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat
“So much more than a thriller. Truly great writing, haunting, intelligent, human, terrifying. Pyper is a genius.”
– Deon Meyer, author of Thirteen Hours
"A master of psychological suspense at its spine-tingling best, Andrew Pyper knows just how to lure you in to all the deep, dark places of the human heart, and then, twist."
– Lisa Gardner, author of The Neighbor
“A dark, brooding, compelling story about the loss of innocence and the ubiquity of evil, with a finalé as bittersweet as your fiftieth birthday party.”
— The Times (UK)
"Beautifully written...The characters are drawn with extraordinary skill."
— de Volkskrant (Netherlands)
"Pyper is the most striking Canadian crime writer to emerge in recent years and The Guardians is a characteristically intelligent move into Stephen King territory."
— Mail on Sunday (UK)
— The Guardian (UK)
"Everything you could ask for in a thriller. It's psychologically unnerving, moves like a bullet, and is fraught with so much tension you might crack a tooth reading it. Outstanding in every way."
– Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River
"Pyper reveals his skill with pacing as the story takes on the speed of midnight dash through a graveyard. And please note: This is not schlock horror dripping with gore. Pyper expertly creates terror through mood and setting. We hear what keeps going bump in the night, but never quite see it."
— The Globe and Mail
"A splendidly eerie haunted house story, and a superb evocation of small town life. The Guardians gripped me from its opening line and never let go."
– John Connolly, author of Every Dead Thing and The Lovers
“A perfect haunted-house story, a crisp, eerie October night of a book that had me in its clutches from page one."
– Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat
“So much more than a thriller. Truly great writing, haunting, intelligent, human, terrifying. Pyper is a genius.”
– Deon Meyer, author of Thirteen Hours
"A master of psychological suspense at its spine-tingling best, Andrew Pyper knows just how to lure you in to all the deep, dark places of the human heart, and then, twist."
– Lisa Gardner, author of The Neighbor
“A dark, brooding, compelling story about the loss of innocence and the ubiquity of evil, with a finalé as bittersweet as your fiftieth birthday party.”
— The Times (UK)
"Beautifully written...The characters are drawn with extraordinary skill."
— de Volkskrant (Netherlands)
"Pyper is the most striking Canadian crime writer to emerge in recent years and The Guardians is a characteristically intelligent move into Stephen King territory."
— Mail on Sunday (UK)
Book Description
From acclaimed author Andrew Pyper, a gripping novel of psychological suspense about four men haunted by a secret from childhood.
There's no such thing as an empty house...
Trevor, Randy, Ben and Carl grew up together in the small town of Grimshaw as many boys do--playing hockey on the local team, the Guardians, and forging friendships that run deep. Twenty-four years later, Trevor, recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and faced with his own mortality, learns that his old friend Ben has committed suicide. He returns to Grimshaw to pay his respects and to reunite with Randy and Carl.
But going home means going back to the memories of a sinister crime that occurred in the abandoned house at 321 Caledonia Street--a crime that claws its way into the present, leaving its indelible mark on everyone. Chilling to the core and gripping in the extreme, The Guardians is taut psychological suspense that will leave you at once breathless and moved.
There's no such thing as an empty house...
Trevor, Randy, Ben and Carl grew up together in the small town of Grimshaw as many boys do--playing hockey on the local team, the Guardians, and forging friendships that run deep. Twenty-four years later, Trevor, recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and faced with his own mortality, learns that his old friend Ben has committed suicide. He returns to Grimshaw to pay his respects and to reunite with Randy and Carl.
But going home means going back to the memories of a sinister crime that occurred in the abandoned house at 321 Caledonia Street--a crime that claws its way into the present, leaving its indelible mark on everyone. Chilling to the core and gripping in the extreme, The Guardians is taut psychological suspense that will leave you at once breathless and moved.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging middle age fears,
By
This review is from: The Guardians (Hardcover)
A novel more about male friendships and aging, than about ghosts, the story is engaging, authentic, and yes, scary (by implication - nothing explicit) at times.It is a nice bonus that Canadian small city values and culture (and hockey) also form the stage for the unfolding narrative. PS. The featured review of this book in the Globe & Mail (Jan 8th, 2011) gives it much praise.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
best a horror novel can get,
By
This review is from: The Guardians (Hardcover)
I loved this book and think it deserves to be where it is...on the best selling list of Canadian books (Number 2 on Maclean's Reading List). To me, it was one of the best horror novels I have ever read....as good or better than the best books of Stephen King. I was actually afraid at some points to turn the pages and continue but the story is so gripping and I cared about the characters so much, I had to.I also enjoyed how small town life was portrayed in this novel, having grown up myself in a small town in Canada. There was the rink and the ubiquitous haunted house. But this is a book about more than just a haunted house. It is a great look at what is inside of us and about loyalty and friendship. Pyper's Lost Girls was a great read as well....but he is getting better and I am looking forward towards his next project.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing and shallow,
This review is from: The Guardians (Hardcover)
I became an instant fan of Andrew Pyper after reading Lost Girls, so I could not wait to read the Guardians soon after its release. The story line sounded intriguing and I'm a sucker for a good plot with supernatural overtones. I could not have been more disappointed. This latest novel has none of the magic, depth and subtle spookiness of Lost Girls. The supernatural element is blatent and unbelievable. The characters are never fully developed so it is difficult to get inside their heads. The writing style is for the most part undistinguished and ordinary. I found that the crucial events of the novel happened too suddenly with insufficient build-up. I can only think that the author was in a hurry to pump this novel out without bothering to weave a story and draw the reader in. I know that Mr Pyper has talent but it was rarely apparent to me in the Guardians. I felt like I was reading a trashy second-rate novel written for mass consumption. On the positive side, he did an adequate job in painting a picture of small town life from the viewpoint of adolescent boys and later middle aged adults returning home and in creating 1980s nostalgia. He also has a hip sometimes quirky sense of humour, which helped add levity to a rather absurd story. Maybe it will make a better film than it does a novel.
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