GENRE: Horror
RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2008
BINDING: Trade Paperback
PAGES: 269
ISBN: 978-0-9800339-3-9

Ebook $2.95

Paperback $6.95

Robbed at gunpoint while working the nightshift at a convenience store, Benny Assissi takes stock of his life. His good-paying factory job is gone—outsourced overseas. His wife sits in a hospital emergency room with his dying son. And
there’s a gun under the counter, one he never saw until now.

Determined to gain control over his life, he grabs the gun and runs after the thief. One bullet later, he finds out how precious life is and how far he must go to keep it, even if it means walking straight through Hell.

In the fog of death, he discovers that life isn’t about what you have, but how much you love—and how far you’ll go to see your love again.

PRAISE FOR VARGO AND LOW MAN:

“King and Koontz may be the masters, but T.J. Vargo isn’t far behind. A bitter man’s Purgatory turns into a race against the clock to save the one he loves. Complete with the scariest of demons that will, no doubt, invade your dreams at night, I found myself wanting to read the last page halfway through the book—something I haven’t done in years. The suspense was overwhelming. Low Man will definitely keep you coming back for more of Vargo’s chilling work. Brilliant.”

—Stacy Dittrich, author The Devil’s Closet and  Mary Jane’s Grave

"... An enlightening and frightening story of reflection and redemption. Benny must literally go through Hell in order to save his son and his own soul. Low Man is reminiscent of the early works of Stephen King, delivering a tale that is both horrifying and captivating. Author Tim Vargo takes readers down a seriously dark path, drawing shadows around us with a terrifying vision of the afterlife."

—Christine Filipak, Dark Realms Magazine

"There's only so much a man can take before going over the edge. "Low Man" tells of Benny Assissi and his breaking point. His career outsourced, his son near death, and robbed at his temp job at a convenience store, he finds a gun and goes after the man who robbed him. His adventure in pursuit is not what it seems as Benny learns much about himself and life in the process. Low Man is a riveting and philosophical thriller, a strong pick for fiction readers."

—Midwest Book Review

"Low Man is an artfully executed love letter, mythological and well-written; it’s a character-driven tour-de-force filled with rich and touching characterizatios... an enjoyable and, strangely enough, uplifting read. In the end, Vargo ultimately delivers the goods in this creepy tale about the transcendent power of love."

—Paul Stotts, Blood of the Muse Reviews

"Low Man is a story about one man willing to travel the darkest paths of Hell in order to keep the ones he loves alive. It is told with an amazing sense of reality, with characters that are so vivid that they could be your next door neighbours or the shifty men you see standing in dark alleys. T.J. Vargo is a skilful writer that brings his characters emotions alive on the pages. Low Man is a fast-paced story that keeps the reader intrigued and the pages turning. I found myself completely ensnared and unable to stop reading until the conclusion." Read the full review here

—Book Zombie Reviews

"Vargo writes some of the most vividly detailed scenes I've read in years. The characters are as real as anyone you'll meet on the street (and a few you'll hope you never meet.) Fans of dark fantasy and suspense should rejoice and welcome Vargo with open arms."

—Brandon Massey, author of Vicious and The Other Brother

“Vargo introduces the reader to tangible characters in the presence of ancient and impure evil. A must read, preferably during the day in a well-lit room.”

—T.M. Gray, author of Ghosts of Maine

“Vargo is a writer who’s not afraid to take chances, a writer who understands how to craft characters with whom a reader can relate, a writer to watch very, very carefully.”—Brian A. Hopkins, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author

"Vargo is a voice with a certain place in the future of horror.”

—David Whitman, author of Deadfellas

"Low Man marks the arrival of a new horror talent. With a refreshingly different story and chock full of great characters, this is one fun read!"

—Nate Kenyon, author of Bloodstone and The Reach

NEWS AND INTERVIEWS:

Interview by Blood of the Muse Reviews

About the Author

Born in Parma, Ohio, the land of pierogies and polka bands, I’ve been a lifelong and long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan. Had a Catholic school upbringing overseen by wonderful nuns like my first-grade teacher, Sister Saint Maxim, but finished my last three years of high school at James W. Robinson, a huge public school in Fairfax, Virginia. Made it to the state wrestling tournament twice. Finished with a broken hand and a fourth place medal. Graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

My memories of Richmond are suffocating heat, the best barbecue, and big time parties in the old rowhouses of the Fan neighborhood. Playing inside center on the VCU rugby team screwed up my back, but I wouldn’t trade the pain for the fun and friends the sport gave me. Got married the day I graduated (love you Beckie) and was blessed with three of the greatest kids you’d ever want to meet.

As a kid, I was hooked on Robert E. Howard stories. I eventually moved on, reading everything I could get my hands on across a wide range of genres and styles, but I’m partial to character and plot-driven novels. My first novel was nearly picked up for movie adaptation, receiving favorable coverage from Creative Artists Agency (I know—nearly is only good in hand grenades and horseshoes). Wrote four more, getting one published to an outstandingly bad review by Publishers Weekly. That was my moment of truth. Get better or hang it up.

I forged ahead and joined a writing group run by Neal Chandler at Cleveland State University. This novel and another one I’m working on are better because of Neal’s writing group. I mess around with painting, playing electric guitar, graphic design and trying to mix the next great American cocktail at my in-house bar. A particularly scary-looking bottle of absinthe should make for an interesting night in the near future.

Visit the author's site at www.tjvargo.com