Andrew Pyper, a beloved Canadian author, passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 56. Known for his uncanny ability to blend the supernatural with the deeply human, Pyper leaves behind a literary legacy that resonates with fans of both classic and contemporary speculative fiction.
Born in Stratford, Ontario, in 1968, Pyper was a natural storyteller from a young age. While his peers might have been reading comics, young Andrew was toting around New Yorker magazines and novels by Graham Greene. After earning degrees in English literature from McGill University and a law degree from the University of Toronto, Pyper was called to the bar in 1996 but chose to follow his passion for writing instead.
His first publication, the short story collection Kiss Me (1996), hinted at his talent for dark, introspective tales. But it was his debut novel, Lost Girls (2000), that brought him into the spotlight. This haunting story, a courtroom thriller laced with supernatural elements, is often compared to Stephen King’s The Green Mile or Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird with a chilling twist.
Over his career, Pyper continued to explore the interplay between the eerie and the everyday. The Demonologist (2012), a Shirley Jackson Award finalist, brought to mind the existential dread of The Exorcist. The Guardians (2011) evoked the haunting atmospheres of classics like Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, while The Wildfire Season (2005) delivered a visceral look at human resilience, not unlike Jack London’s The Call of the Wild.
Pyper also ventured into speculative fiction under the pseudonym Mason Coile. His works, like the AI-focused William and the forthcoming Exiles, explored themes of humanity and technology with echoes of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot and Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles.
Throughout his life, Pyper’s greatest joy came from his family. Married to Heidi for over 20 years, he was a devoted father to Maude and Ford. From building a family cottage to attending his children’s games and graduations, Pyper cherished every moment with his loved ones.
Andrew Pyper’s passing leaves a void, but his stories endure, a testament to his profound imagination and his deep understanding of the human spirit. For readers seeking the thrill of the unknown mixed with the poignancy of human connection, his books remain an essential journey into the extraordinary.