Atmosphere

by Michael Laimo

When New York City detective Frank Balloro follows a trail of blood from the curb outside his apartment to an alley, a naked man runs and is hit by a cab. Before he dies, the man whispers, Atmosphere.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843950412
• ISBN13: 9780843950410
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Leisure Books
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Scary Stuff!

This novel was my introduction to Mr. Laimo's beguiling literary talents and, I must tell you, I was left breathless by this debut novel. It combines my favorite types of midnight reading delights, a hybrid of horror, science fiction, mystery and police procedural. This novel hits the ground running, opening with short-timer Detective Frank Ballaro's accidental discovery of a horribly mutilated young man who sprints past the shocked detective and directly into the path of a speeding taxicab. As the young man lay dying, he clutches a bizarre object in his torn hands and whispers his last word into Detective Ballaro's ear: "Atmosphere". And the game is afoot. Detective Ballaro finds himself investigating a string of grisly deaths suddenly plaguing his town, New York City. What he uncovers is far more dangerous to mankind than a bloodthirsty serial killer, although the killings are as brutal as anything he could imagine. Mr. Laimo has constructed an intense, visceral rollercoaster ride of terror and violence that doesn't let up until the last page. An absolutely stunning first novel from a writer from whom I have come to expect, and have received, great horror fiction. Nominated for a Bram Stoker Award!

An outstanding debut!

If Jack Ketchum and Lawrence Block ever wrote a book together, I'd wager it would look a lot like ATMOSPHERE. Laimo's detectives are tired but determined characters, out to discover the truth about a string of gruesome deaths which seem to revolve around a strange black object and one whispered word, "Atmosphere". From the opening chapter until the mind-blowing finale, Laimo keeps you riveted. His characters feel very real and likeable. The bad guys are menacing, and a little pathetic - victims themselves and lost in their own tempestuous minds by a strange (and admittedly pretty cool) dark force lurking under the streets of New York. With an equal mix of horror, sci-fi and police procedural, ATMOSPHERE is an outstanding debut for Michael Laimo.

Unbelievable!!!!

Michael Laimo's ATMOSPHERE is a stunning debut novel from this writer that's breaking out from the small press into the pros. A truly dark urban horror tale, we follow two gritty cops from the very beginning and don't let go until the very end. Non stop action from page one on. A great mystery story coupled with disturbing horror elements makes this one gratifying read, reminiscent of Dean Koontz's The Bad Place, or Cold Fire. Folks, you won't be dissapointed here. The only sad part about the book is how quickly the end comes. You're gonna wish for more, take my word for it. I bought the Limited Edition of this book, and read it in three days. You won't be able to put it down.

A stellar debut

As a fan of the Leisure Books line, I always pick up the new ones each month. So I picked this up and wasn't sure what to expect. "Atmosphere" is one of the best new sci-fi books from the last few years and it was never boring. When Detective Frank Ballaro steps in a stream of blood, he investigates and finds a mutiliated man. From there, he finds another body and realizes something very horrible and strange is going on. The only clue to the abnormal is the sight of a strange black object and the whispered word "atmosphere" from the dying man. From there, its a race to find the killers and the two detectives realize that there is more than just murder. A strange cult of techno obsessed bald men in black begins to reek havoc in New York City. When Frank's daughter is kidnapped, the story begins.This is one of the best premises for an alien invasion story I've read in a long time. With the added mix of intrigue and the great plot, this one will keep you turning pages until the very end. This has conspiracy theories, murder and aliens which mix to become a satisfying read. Its exciting and extremely well-written. A definite A+ read.Take a chance on a new author and pick up "Atmosphere". You'll never think of bald men and techno music the same!

A stunning debut

Michael Laimo is a writer I've become familiar with through the list of short stories he's had published. He certainly doesn't dissapoint with his debut novel ATMOSPHERE. The story is a thrill ride from page one all the way to the end, non-stop action and suspense filled with gut wrenching horror elements. A great police procedural plot with buckets of gore!! This is a truly electrifying read. You won't be let down. Just make sure you have time to read this, because you won't be able to put it down.His characters a very real. Frank Ballaro is a believeable character that we can all associate with. Teamed with his ex-partner Hector Rodriguez, we are led all through Manhattan as they uncover clue by clue the horrific cause to a series of cult like serial murders. The ending is truly genius, a twist that'll keep you smiling. I truly recommend this book!!