Lost Things

by John Rector

Evan Teller has everything going for him: a good job, a beautiful fiancée, and the prospect of making partner at his firm. But it all comes crashing down one dark night on an empty street, when one bad decision turns his dream life into a nightmare of cover-ups and lies.
What begins as a celebration with his old college friend, Peter, ends with a deadly confrontation so heinous the two make a pact to never tell anyone about it—especially the police. The truth has a way of getting out, however, and when the trail of bodies doesn't stop at just one, Evan realizes the truth about Peter may be far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.

Lost Things is a taut, suspenseful tale of secrets, lies, and murder that builds to a shattering, surprising climax.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Mystery Thriller

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2012

About the author

John Rector is the bestselling author of the novels Broken, The Ridge, The Cold Kiss, The Grove, Already Gone, Out of the Black, and Ruthless. His short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines and has won several awards, including the International Thriller Award for his novella, Lost Things.

He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau]

Wow - blew me away - what do you do when your best friend is a serial killer that you have helped 'awaken' to his calling? The tension between loyalty and what you would do (in any other case) is palpable! If you like Dexter then you will enjoy the nuanced situation characters find themselves in this book. Really chilling read!

[Richard]

I've been discovering some great authors lately and John Rector is definitely one of them. I've had him on my radar this year and I decided to start with this tight novella, which did not disappoint! This is a tense, tragic noir thriller about two men whose close friendship is put to the test after a violent altercation with drunk muggers one late night. Rector is really a natural when it comes to that great, propulsive writing that never lets up, but somehow never feels rushed. I had a lot of work to do at home today and I kept taking a break to return to this story, needing to see what happens next. Now, more of John Rector's books have rudely elbowed their way to the top of my reading list!

[Alex Freitag]

An engaging page-turner that doesn’t let up until the last few pages. The concept is intriguing and would have benefitted from being a longer book! Reading a novella was a nice change of pace, but I felt myself longing for more depth of plot and characters. The lack of a true ending made the entire book feel inconclusive.

This is my first read of John Rector, and I definitely see the appeal of his writing. I’m interested to check out one of his full-length novels and see if they fill in the gaps left by Lost Things.

[Josh]

An encounter with a drunken would-be-robber leaves lifelong friends Evan and Peter in a state of shock and a world of hurt. The ultimately fatal encounter results in one of the would-be-robbers being killed and the other severely beaten in the name of self-defence. It’s what happens next that turns author John Rectors’ thriller from run of the mill to deeply suspenseful and gratifying.

LOST THINGS exhibits all the hallmarks of a modern day crime thriller with shades of noir where the victims/perpetrators are at the forefront and the police procedural aspects next to non-existent. This results in the reader being given the opportunity to connect with the characters on a more intimate level and develop an understanding of the reasons behind their actions.

What I really like about LOST THINGS is the level of detail Rector goes to in depicting a very much damaged and dangerously confronting serial killer from what initially resembles one half of a buddy relationship. It’s this dramatic and almost demonic evolution that provides the highlight of the novella.

As the story progresses we see a deeper seeded evil emerge and subsequent shudder inducing elements that bring fear and an unabridged sympathy for the protagonist, Evan.

Much like the other works of John Rector I’ve had the pleasure of reading (THE GROVE being my favourite); LOST THINGS captivated me from start to finish.

Review first published on Just A Guy That Likes To Read: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...

[Nigel Bird]

Lost Things was described as a short story when I bought it, which has now been corrected to 'A Novella (An Original Short Story)'. It's an important distinction in so many respects, not that the quantity matters when a work is this good. It's superb.

The opening is straightforward enough. A couple of youmg guys are walking home after a night out when they ate attacked. In an act of self-defence one of the muggers is killed. Evan and Peter spend a while working out whether they should call the police or not. Thing is, they both have plenty to lose.

From this point on Rector really turns the screws and sends his main character through the mincer. It's tight, uncomfrtable and tense and puts me in mind of some of the best noir writers of all.

Outstanding.

And the best thing of all? I got myself a ticket to see the man himself at the 'Bloody Scotland' festival later this year and this book leaves me with no doubt that I made the correct decision when I did.

[Ali Maggs]

With work being crazy, and my coffee intake preventing me from focussing on anything for a substantial amount of time, I've really gotten into these Kindle Single books - short stories, mostly from well established authors. They're a bit hit and miss - trying to tell a story is tricky in a hundred pages - but this book is very successful and probably my favourite to date aside from the Stephen King books. This is a short story about two childhood friends who cover up a crime and, as the book unfolds, the repercussions become apparent. Considering how short a story this is, I was impressed by the amount of back story. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed, but that's my only complaint. A good book that I finished in two sittings.

[Benoit Lelièvre]

I love John Rector for knowing how to play his strength. His thrillers have very little in common with what's currently on the market. In fact, his approach has more to do with Dostoevsky's complex characterization, except that his prose is straight like an arrow. Almost disembodied. It lets the reader concentrate on what Rector is trying to say with the story. In this case, the fall of a man, from having everything to having nothing. LOST THINGS is a crystal clear portrait of a terrifying ordeal that's original enough to feel real. If hardboiled literature specializes in characters who lost then sensitive side, Rector writes about that process of loss.

[Steven]

Nasty noir novella. Rector just keeps ratcheting up the stakes as the plot moves forward and I love the way the bad seed friend gets progressively more twisted. Primary technique that I appreciated is the constant push-pull between don't-want-to and have-to that the narrator wrestles with in just about every scene. Great way to maintain tension. Some of the dialogue was tedious, but that just could be my impatience. Book description gives the plot so I won't elaborate. The lead up to the ending is a knockout.

[Mandyhello]

Like all John Rector novels, it's less about the writing than the completely engrossing plot. This was a pretty good one, but I wish it was a full book instead of a novella. Read 110 pages in under an hour though, so you could call it a quick read :)

[Tonya Lucas]

What a book. Can our actions of one day alter, our lives forever?
Well this book certainly will make you think. One act does alter Evan snd Peter’s lives and changes the course of their eternity.
An amazing book that will keep you thinking about who you can trust and who you want knowing all your little secrets.

[Scott]

This is KILLING me that it's not available on Nook or in a B&N store. One of my favorite authors, and I can't get the latest from him. What's a guy gotta do, buy a Kindle too?

OK. I got around the Kindle quandary by getting a Kindle app for the tablet. Glad I did. John Rector is one of my favorites. I loved this mini-noir story. His writing is so spare and really gets to the meat of the emotions that are going on. Heavy. Dark. Ugly. At times hard to read, but I loved all of it all the same. That's what the genre's all about, right?

I wish nothing but good things on John Rector. Keep 'em coming, my friend!

[Michele]

Evan Teller has everything going for him: a good job, a beautiful fiancée, and the prospect of making partner at his firm. But it all comes crashing down one dark night on an empty street, when one bad decision turns his dream life into a nightmare of cover-ups and lies.
What begins as a celebration with his old college friend, Peter, ends with a deadly confrontation so heinous the two make a pact to never tell anyone about it—especially the police. The truth has a way of getting out, however, and when the trail of bodies doesn’t stop at just one, Evan realizes the truth about Peter may be far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.


The ending was NOT what I expected at all.

[Nicole]

Aaaaaaaa that was so good and so Anxiety™ my wife had to stay with me for the last fifteen minutes because I was so worked up. I love horror but I hate thrillers, I hate the way they forcefully drag me to the edge of my seat while I'm just trying to have a nice relaxing read in bed before sleep and yet I find myself dying instead. This is the worst review because I adored this book, it's definitely one of John Rector's best, but ughhh don't read it if you don't like edge of your seat. Rather, do, because it's fantastic, but prepare yourself. Absolutely don't read it just before bed because it will definitely not calm you down and get you ready for sleep xD

[David]

Am not really that keen on short stories but read this as way of getting to know John Rector. Having finished it in one sitting I believe that i might well enjoy a full length story. Lost Things certainly whetted my appetite but the ending felt rushed and incomplete. And I was left unfulfilled. That said i shall probably read a full length story at some point, but may not get around to that for a fair while yet.

[John Hillis]

Rector's sparse, tight prose keeps the pages turning. The story has moments that will leave you feeling uncomfortable. Fast-paced and short, can be enjoyed in a sitting. Don't expect a plot as intriguing or characters as developed as in Rector's novels--this is more chilling horror than suspenseful thriller. It's good entertainment, but Rector isn't treading on new ground here. The material reminds me a good, albeit low-budget, horror movie.

[Andrea Knott]

It seemed familiar......

I was reading this fabulous story, enjoying the characters and the plot, but I had a strange feeling that I had been to some places this story might have been to as well. And then I read the author's bio, and he is from Omaha! So it is a small world after all (I am also in Omaha). I hope he keeps writing the good stories, because I will keep reading them.

[Ross Cumming]

Bought this on Kindle as it was cheap and had good reviews and I was not disappointed. It's a novella length story and I devoured it over two sittings on the same day, as I found I was hooked and couldn't wait to find out what happens. I look forward to seeking out and reading more of Rector's novels now that this has whetted my appetite.

[David]

A novella that packs all the frightening tension of a full-length thriller. Evan Teller thought he knew his friend Peter pretty well. He was wrong. When a night at a bar ends in a violent confrontation, it has far reaching effects on Evan's friendship with Peter and his entire life will never be the same.

[B K McIntire]

A violent incident causes lives to spiral out of control

John Rector is such a good writer that he could probably make a recipe book exciting. After being violently accosted, one of the victims appears to develop bloodlust and is determined involve his friend.

[Kim]

The ending stunk.

[Amy Wofford]

Edge of your seat

This novella was an edge of your seat type of thriller. All you could do is hope that the pyschopath of the story didn't get his way.. It was good.

[John Byam]

Ok but different

Not comfortable with the story line. Not my type of story. I was unable to get into the story or the plow.

[Esha]

This was my first time reading something by John Rector and I was pleasantly surprised. I decided to ease my way in with a new author and bought a couple books on my kindle. The descriptions pulled me in and I hoped the content would hold up. Lost Things is a Novella about two men, best friends who make one mistake that changes everything. For a novella, admittedly I was captivated, edge of my seat while reading. I rated this novella 3.5 stars because I wish this was a novel. I would've loved to see more character development and more detail on some scenes. The ending was rushed, I need closure, my curiosity after that ending is at its peak and it is killing me. All in all, great quick read and would recommend. I will be reading another JR book next!

[Ursula Johnson]

Great Set Up, Not Complete

This was my first book by this author. A friendship is tested when a violent act is covered up by two friends and one man learns that he didn't really know his friend at all. It was a good suspense novella, with gradual tension building. The bad part is there is no ending. I listened to this via audio book and narration was good, though a bit rote. Still should've had an ending.

[maria carstensen]

Okay so I listened to the audiobook on the plane and I did not think this book would be this good. I was so surprised and so hooked throughout the entire book. The audiobook made it so much more captivating (imo) with the different voices and stuff. And the plot twists omg like nearly every chapter was a cliff hanger. I went into this book knowing nothing and it’s a fairly random book too and I was pleasantly surprised. It was actually really good imo and plus I love thrillers.

[Libby A.]

I listened to the audiobook on a round trip flight as it was offered as part of free entertainment on board. Good listen, and I was drawn in right away. The author made the characters believable. The plot involves 2 men who are best friends who encounter a drunk homeless man and the never ending events and effects afterwards. I had to give it 4 stars because the author left me hanging at the end. But that’s what good writers should do!

[Sarah Northup]

Listen to this on Audiobook on a plane. Interesting concept for a book; what to do when your best friend is a serial killer. I found the writing style to be a little exotic and felt like it was written by a European. I enjoyed the length of the book, however I feel like the plot could have been expanded on and turned into a longer book.

[Mardi]

Enjoyed the book very much. Page turner for sure. But disappointed that the story wasn't longer, that questions go unanswered. Disappointed by the way it ended.

[June Sadlick]

so far not a fan of the Amazon prime free novellas.

[Rhonda]

Even Teller does not realize just how dangerous his friend Peter can be. Now he has heard everything over the phone. This event is devastating to his life.