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Euthanasia, Alzheimer’s and romance collide in veteran Sudbury author's ninth novel

Retired anesthesiologist Sean Costello is known for his horror writing, but this book is a bit of a departure
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The paper version Sean Costello's ninth book, “Terminal House,” is now available. (Supplied)

A retired Sudbury anesthesiologist who's been publishing novels since the 1980s is about to come out with the physical version of his ninth book, entitled “Terminal House,” which was originally published only as an e-book.

Sean Costello's first three novels were put out in the late 1980s and early 1990s by the U.S. publishing company Pocket Books.

But between his high-pressure day job and family commitments, he didn't want the stress of working with a major publishing company anymore, and has since either worked with smaller publishers or self-published.

Costello self-published an electronic version of “Terminal House” in January, and with it doing reasonably well, he's decided to print a limited run of physical copies.

People can purchase the book at two upcoming book signings — the first at the Main Public Library Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. and the second at the Valley East Public Library Nov. 21 at 6 p.m.

They can also purchase the book online through Amazon

Costello is well known for his horror and thriller novels, but this book is a departure from his previous work. If anything, it's a romance novel, although not in a traditional sense, he said.

Set a decade in the future, “Terminal House,” as the book's title hints, is about a seniors' facility specializing in euthanasia.

The novel's topic is definitely something that's ripped from current headlines.

Medically-assisted dying, as it's currently known in Canada, has been legal here for a few years now, although there are no specialized facilities as described in the book, Costello said.

“I've posited that by that time (a decade from now) certain new realities may be in place,” he said. “One may be a shiny ghetto in each province for the elderly where the government kind of nudges you with heavy taxation.”

Like Costello, the book's main character, Ben Hunter, is a retired physician, although a geriatrician in Ben's case.

Ben helped to found the aforementioned seniors' facility where he's now a resident, as he's newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. There he meets up with an old flame — that's where the romance part comes in.

The book “is in a weird category,” Costello said.

“There's horror in trying to look inside something like Alzheimer’s, because none of us want to end up there. Definitely there's romantic elements. I don't know how many people look at romance among the aged — people approaching 80.”

The author, who will soon turn 68 years old, said “Terminal House” was inspired by his own aging process, as well as the experiences of his mother and grandmother, who both died in the end stages of dementia.

Costello said his mom used to mistake him for an old boyfriend. “It's heartbreaking,” he said, adding that he dedicated the book to his mother and grandmother.

Since retiring nine months ago, Costello said he's mostly been relaxing and enjoying life, but wants to get back to writing soon.

“I thought I'd dive right in, but I've been just a lazy ass for nine months,” Costello said, adding that he's a bit bored now, and is probably ready to start focusing on his writing again.

“I'm dabbling. I've got maybe 25,000 words of something new. I could have easily done a novel and gotten halfway through another one by now, but I'm just sitting out in the sun in the summer.”

If you're interested in checking out Costello's full catalogue of work and ordering one or more of his books, visit his website.
 


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