Work samples

  • See Also

    "See Also" was a devised, site-specific, immersive experience that was run as a part of the "In the Stacks" series held at the George Peabody Library, in Baltimore, in February of 2020. Following threads (both figurative and literal) around the Peabody Library in a choose-your-own-adventure style, participants encountered visual art, soundscapes, and performers portraying character composites based on historical women and non-binary individuals from the collections of the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries and University Museums. The performance culminated in the world premiere of a work by contemporary female composer Briay Conditt.

  • A Kind of Death
    A Kind of Death

    Cav Crawford has a lot going on. He’s a college student. He has a side gig as a PI. Oh yeah—and he sees ghosts.

    When four teenage boys disappear while ghost hunting but only one reappears days later (covered in blood and with no memory of what happened), the police point the finger at the boy. The boy’s parents hire Cav to prove his innocence, and it doesn’t take him long to realize he’s in over his head. To complicate matters, Cav unintentionally summons the ghost of his dead boyfriend, who can’t seem to move on.

    As the investigation deepens, Cav unearths disturbing similarities between his current case and a decades-old murder-suicide. By the time he realizes the power of the dark forces at work, it’s too late—he’s caught the attention of the killer, and he’ll soon learn there’s more than one kind of death….

    2023
    Novel, Dreamspinner Press

    Available for Purchase
  • Set Design for The Boundary
    Set Design for The Boundary

    Set design for The Boundary [Submersive Productions, 2023]: Bar Do, Bar Do Phone Booth, Bar Do, The Underworld

  • Killian Kendall Series
    Killian Kendall Series

    All five books in the Killian Kendall series, currently out of print.

About Josh

Josh Aterovis is an acclaimed author and multi-talented theater artist whose creative journey weaves together compelling storytelling and captivating stagecraft. As a writer, Josh is celebrated for his engaging novels, including the award-winning Killian Kendall mystery series, which blends rich character development with suspenseful, thought-provoking plots. His work often explores themes of identity, resilience, and justice, resonating deeply with diverse audiences.

In addition to… more

H.T. Darling's Incredible Musaeum Presents: The Treasures of New Galapagos, Astonishing Acquisitions from the Perisphere

H.T.Darling's Incredible Musaeum was an immersive theater experience set in a Belle Époque-style cabinet of wonder. Taking place over four floors of The Peale, the first purpose built museum in the United States, audience members created their own pathway through the show to see the plundered riches from another planet.

  • Chaos in the museum
    Chaos in the museum

    A moment of chaos in the museum, featuring Josh Aterovis as Clayton, Fransisco Benevides as GK, Emily Hall as Birdie, Martha Robichaud as Bertie and a guest.

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • Clayton with a Guest
    Clayton with a Guest

    Josh Aterovis as Clayton interacts with a guest.

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • Set Design for HT Darling
    Set Design for HT Darling

    Set design for HT Darling

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • Aku and HT
    Aku and HT

    Trustina Sabah as the alien Aku and Sarah Olmsted Thomas as HT Darling

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • HT Darling
    HT Darling

    Sarah Olmsted Thomas as HT Darling

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • Birdie and Clayton
    Birdie and Clayton

    Emily Hall as Birdie and Josh Aterovis as Clayton

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • Clayton and Birdie
    Clayton and Birdie

    Josh Aterovis as Clayton and Emily Hall as Birdie

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • Clayton at his desk.
    Clayton at his desk.

    Josh Aterovis as Clayton

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

  • HT Darling 1
    HT Darling 1

    2017
    Immersive theater
    Photo by Glenn Ricci

Killian Kendall Mystery Series

The Killian Kendall Mystery Series by Josh Aterovis is a gripping and thought-provoking collection of mystery novels spanning 25 years that follows the journey of Killian Kendall, a young gay man navigating the complexities of identity, relationships, and self-discovery while uncovering dangerous secrets in his small-town Maryland community.

Starting as a high school student grappling with his sexuality, Killian finds himself thrust into the role of an amateur detective when a tragic event changes his life forever. Each book in the series intertwines personal growth with suspenseful investigations, as Killian uncovers hidden truths, confronts prejudice, and faces life-threatening situations.

Throughout the series, Killian evolves into a professional private investigator, tackling cases that explore moral ambiguity, human resilience, and the cost of justice. Whether unraveling murders, exposing corruption, or seeking the truth behind deeply buried lies, Killian's sharp instincts, determination, and empathy set him apart in the world of mysteries.

Josh Aterovis masterfully blends suspense, wit, and emotional depth in the Killian Kendall series, creating a narrative that not only entertains but also challenges societal norms and celebrates the power of authenticity and courage.

  • A Change of Worlds, Book 5 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series
    A Change of Worlds, Book 5 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series

    “Let him be just and deal kindly with my people, for the dead are not powerless. Dead, did I say? There is no death, only a change of worlds."

    When Killian takes on an investigation into a series of thefts from a Native American archaeological site as a favor for an old friend, he never dreamed it would escalate into violence and murder. What started out as a seemingly simple case suddenly has much higher stakes than missing artifacts. One person is dead, one injured, and more lives are on the line...including Killian’s.

    Things aren’t exactly smooth sailing in Killian’s private life either. His boyfriend Micah has given him a huge choice, but his ex-boyfriend Asher’s unexpected reappearance has only clouded Killian’s decision. He must decide who he wants to be with, and quickly, before time runs out for all of them.

    Cover art by Aaron Barlow

    Published in 2018, currently out of print.

  • The Truth of Yesterday, Book 4 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series
    The Truth of Yesterday, Book 4 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series

    "We like to think of life as a story - complete with a nice, neat beginning, middle, and end. Real life is seldom that orderly. We often forget just how powerful the past can be. After all, it's over and done with, so how can the past affect the present? The truth is, while it may be over, it is seldom done. The past has a way of twisting our perception, our feelings, and even our reality. Things we thought long behind us can suddenly be very much before us."

    Killian is thrilled when his first real case takes him on a surveillance trip to Washington D.C. - and with his boyfriend Micah, no less. When Micah takes him out to celebrate the successful resolution of his case, Micah's past comes back to haunt them in a big way. Killian is stunned by what he learns, and even more shocked to hear about the murder of Micah's former lover, Paul. The truth threatens to tear them apart, but at the same time, Killian finds himself drawn to find Paul's killer. Meanwhile, Judy has asked him to investigate an old friend, Jake, whose behavior has changed radically over the last few months. She is worried he may be involved in something dangerous...and she has no idea how right she is. Entering into the perilous and often grim world of male escorts, Killian discovers that things are seldom what they seem and everyone has a past. The truth of yesterday becomes a lie tomorrow.

    Cover art by Aaron Barlow

    Originally published in 2011, republished in 2018, currently out of print.

  • All Lost Things, Book 3 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series
    All Lost Things, Book 3 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series

    Killian Kendall's life is changing faster than he can keep up. He's graduating from high school, breaking up with his boyfriend, and starting a new job with a private investigator. He's barely settled at his new desk when his ex-boyfriend calls with a desperate plea for help. He wants Killian to prove his new boyfriend is innocent in the shockingly violent murder of his abusive father. Killian reluctantly agrees to take the case, little knowing how complicated - and dangerous - things will become before it's over. On the home front, Killian's surrogate parents decide to buy a historic mansion and turn it into a bed and breakfast. The house comes with a rich history... and maybe a ghost or two. Killian doesn't want to believe in such things, but he's quickly becoming convinced that something terrible happened to the home's original owners. The century-old mystery both terrifies and tantalizes Killian. In the end, he may be the only one who can uncover the truth.

    Cover art by Aaron Barlow

    Originally published in 2009, republished in 2018, currently out of print.

  • Reap the Whirlwind, Book 2 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series
    Reap the Whirlwind, Book 2 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series

    "Nothing can stay the same forever. We get in trouble in life when we think it can and will. Everything changes, or as King Solomon said in the Bible and The Byrds sang in the 60's, to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. It's not a particularly easy lesson to learn, or a fun one for that matter. I learned it the summer between high school and college, and my life would never be the same."

    Will's life is changing so quickly he can't keep up. He's moving out of his parents' home for the first time, changing careers, making new friends, and falling in love with the person he least expected. In the process, he's also learning a lot about himself. As if he doesn't have enough going on, his life-long best friend dies in what appears to be a drunken accident. But when Will receives a note hinting that it may not have been an accident after all, he finds that he can't rest until he knows the truth. With the help of Killian Kendall and his friends, Will begins an amateur investigation that will result in even more death. Will thought the biggest changes were behind him, but they had only just begun.

    Cover art by Aaron Barlow

    Originally published in 2003, republished in 2007 and 2018, currently out of print.

  • Bleeding Hearts, Book 1 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series
    Bleeding Hearts, Book 1 in the Killian Kendall Mystery Series

    Killian Kendall is used to being overlooked, even in his own family. That's about to change. With the arrival of a new kid at school, Killian's whole world is about to be turned upside down. The new guy is openly gay and, for reasons he can't really understand, Killian finds himself drawn to him. When the boy is killed in a brutal attack, and Killian is injured in the process, Killian begins to questions everything around him. The police seem eager to write the attack off as a random mugging, but Killian was there and he knows better. With the help of the murdered boy's father and his friends, Killian starts his own investigation. His search turns up hatred in small town America, and before it's over, more people will be dead, and Killian's life will be on the line again.

    Cover art by Aaron Barlow

    Originally published in 2001, republished in 2007 and 2017, currently out of print.

Cav Crawford Mystery Series

The Cav Crawford Mystery Series by Josh Aterovis introduces readers to Cav Crawford, a charismatic and sharp-witted private investigator with a penchant for solving the most perplexing cases. Beneath his confident exterior lies a man wrestling with his own demons, including a complicated past and a knack for getting into trouble.

Set against a vivid backdrop of gritty Baltimore cityscapes and shadowy underworlds, the series follows Cav as he takes on high-stakes cases that often blur the lines between right and wrong. With his razor-sharp intuition and irreverent humor, Cav navigates a world filled with dangerous criminals, complex conspiracies, and morally ambiguous allies.

Along the way, Cav's personal life becomes just as intriguing as the cases he handles. Whether contending with fractured relationships, hidden secrets, or moments of unexpected vulnerability, Cav’s journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about uncovering the truth.

With a perfect balance of humor, heart, and hard-boiled suspense, the Cav Crawford Mystery Series is a fresh and engaging take on the mystery genre, delivering unforgettable characters and page-turning twists at every turn.

  • A Kind of Death, Book 1 of the Cav Crawford Mystery Series
    A Kind of Death, Book 1 of the Cav Crawford Mystery Series

    Cav Crawford has a lot going on. He’s a college student. He has a side gig as a PI. Oh yeah—and he sees ghosts.

    When four teenage boys disappear while ghost hunting but only one reappears days later (covered in blood and with no memory of what happened), the police point the finger at the boy. The boy’s parents hire Cav to prove his innocence, and it doesn’t take him long to realize he’s in over his head. To complicate matters, Cav unintentionally summons the ghost of his dead boyfriend, who can’t seem to move on.

    As the investigation deepens, Cav unearths disturbing similarities between his current case and a decades-old murder-suicide. By the time he realizes the power of the dark forces at work, it’s too late—he’s caught the attention of the killer, and he’ll soon learn there’s more than one kind of death…. 

    Published 2023, Dreamspinner Press

    Available for Purchase

The Boundary

The Boundary is an innovative immersive theatrical experience created by Submersive Productions, exploring themes of memory, grief, loss and the rituals surrounding death. Set within the evocative confines of a fly-by-night tech company promising customized afterlifes and a smoky bar on the other side, the production invites audiences to step into a world where the boundaries between technology and biology, reality and imagination, life and death are fluid and ever-changing.

Through an intricate tapestry of interwoven narratives, audiences become active participants, engaging directly with characters whose stories reveal the hidden layers of the space and the human experiences it contains.

With its signature blend of intimate performance, visual artistry, and audience interaction, Submersive Productions creates a deeply personal and thought-provoking journey. The Boundary challenges viewers to reflect on the limits we place on ourselves and others, daring them to step beyond and consider what lies on the other side.

A masterful convergence of history, myth, and human experience, The Boundary is an unforgettable exploration of the spaces we inhabit and the choices that define us.

The Boundary was created by Josh Aterovis, Kim Le, Megan Livingston, Ursula Marcum and Glenn Ricci, and ran in 2023, featuring multiple fully-explorable set pieces and art installations.

  • The Audiostalgia Room of The Boundary
    The Audiostalgia Room of The Boundary

    The Audiostalgia Room of The Boundary, designed and created by Josh Aterovis.

  • The Underworld set of The Boundary with bioluminescence.
    The Underworld set of The Boundary with bioluminescence.

    The Underworld set of The Boundary showing a chamber lit by bioluminescence, designed by Josh Aterovis and created by Josh Aterovis and Jacob Marrero.

  • The Underworld set of The Boundary
    The Underworld set of The Boundary

    The Underworld set of The Boundary showing a cave with cave paintings and an opening leading to second chamber lit by bioluminescence, designed by Josh Aterovis and created by Josh Aterovis and Jacob Marrero.

  • Bar Do set in The Boundary
    Bar Do set in The Boundary

    Bar Do set in The Boundary, designed by Josh Aterovis.

  • Audience and performers interact in the set of the Office in the Boundary.
    Audience and performers interact in the set of the Office in the Boundary.

    Audience and performer Tina Canady interact in the set of the Office in the Boundary.

  • The Waiting Room Set of The Boundary
    The Waiting Room Set of The Boundary

    Audience and performers Alexander Scally, Jenna Rossman and Betty O'Hellno interact in The Waiting Room Set of The Boundary.

  • Bar Do in The Boundary.
    Bar Do in The Boundary.

    Performers Josh Aterovis and Tara Caraiso interact with audience members in the Bar Do set of The Boundary.

  • Performers in the Rift
    Performers in the Rift

    Performers Marissa Dahl and Dessie Delaplaine perform in the Rift set of The Boundary.

  • The Core Team for The Boundary
    The Core Team for The Boundary

    The Core Team who created The Boundary in the Bar Do set. L-R: Josh Aterovis, Megan Livingston, Glenn Ricci, Kim Le, Ursula Marcum

  • Set of The Boundary: The Lab
    Set of The Boundary: The Lab

    An audience member explores the Lab in The Boundary.