Andrew Piper, the renowned and acclaimed author of literary thrillers based in Toronto, has died at the age of 56, his family has confirmed.
Piper was best known for his bestselling spine-tingling novels The Lost Girls and DemonologistMany of which were acquired for TV or film development.
He died at his home on Friday, January 3 death certificate says
“Andrew was unable to live, write, raise his children or love his wife but accepted his illness with great courage and grace,” the obituary said.
“In the past year he often remarked how grateful he was, if someone offered him more time, but a different trip, he wouldn't trade anything.”
Piper was born in Stratford, Ont. and was the youngest of five children. His love of literature began early, choosing to carry a briefcase of New Yorker magazines and Graham Greene novels to grade school, earning him the nickname “The Professor,” his obituary said.
Before establishing a successful writing career, he obtained a law degree from the University of Toronto. Although called to the bar in 1996, the same year he published a collection of short stories, he never practiced law.
Instead, he chose to pursue a career as a writer, going on to publish 14 novels.
His most recent novels were published under a pseudonym, including Mason Coil William In 2024. Two more will be published posthumously.
Piper is survived by his wife of 20 years, Heidi, his two children, four siblings and several extended family members.
