Author of adventure/thriller and horror fiction

Advance the Plot Calls EPISODE THIRTEEN a “Terrifying Descent Into Darkness and Madness”

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Advance the Plot recently reviewed EPISODE THIRTEEN coming out January 24, 2023, calling it a “terrifying descent into darkness and madness.”

A snippet:

“It’s one of those trips–a terrifying descent into darkness and madness, where supernatural and metaphysical blend and distort all reality. A classic case of abyss gazing back … pure wow. Nearly impossible to put down, electric ride of a story. Bravo, author.”

Check out the complete review here. Thank you for the kind words, Advance the Plot!

And click here to learn more about my new horror novel published by Hachette.

The Mind Reels on EPISODE THIRTEEN: “May Make You Reconsider the Whole Paranormal Realm”

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The Mind Reels recently reviewed EPISODE THIRTEEN coming out January 24, 2023, telling readers it delivers the novel delivers a “thought-provoking ending that may make you reconsider the whole paranormal realm.”

A snippet:

“DiLouie’s tale was completely captivating, and one of those novels you just don’t want to put down, you want to read just a little more, even as some of the ideas and occurrences leave you a little shaken… I loved this one, it was creepy, twists expectations, and delivers a thought-provoking ending that may make you reconsider the whole paranormal realm.”

Check out the complete review here. Thank you for the kind words, The Mind Reels!

And click here to learn more about my new horror novel published by Hachette.

 

THE LIBRARY JOURNAL Calls EPISODE THIRTEEN “Mind-Bending Terror”

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THE LIBRARY JOURNAL recently reviewed EPISODE THIRTEEN coming out January 24, 2023, calling it “gloriously mind-bending terror.”

A snippet:

“The newest from DiLouie follows a found-footage narrative before veering into gloriously mind-bending terror… VERDICT: In this subversion of the classic haunted-house/found-footage story, DiLouie demonstrates his ability to toy with and eventually upend readers’ expectations. What could have been a story full of the typical tropes becomes an unsettling exploration into what lies beyond life, death, and reality itself.”

Check out the complete review here. Thank you for the kind words, LIBRARY JOURNAL!

And click here to learn more about my new horror novel published by Hachette.

The Library Ladies Praises Creativity and Storytelling in EPISODE THIRTEEN

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Kate at the Library Ladies recently reviewed EPISODE THIRTEEN coming out January 24, 2023, telling readers: “This book is bursting with creativity… Creepy and trippy, and a fun epistolary tale with some unique storytelling devices, EPISODE THIRTEEN is a solid new entry into the found materials genre.”

Check out the complete review here. Thank you for the kind words, Kate!

And click here to learn more about my new horror novel published by Hachette.

THE PALE BLUE EYE (2022)

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In THE PALE BLUE EYE (2022), a weary constable is called to solve a series of murders occurring at West Point military academy, teaming up with cadet Edgar Allan Poe during his investigation. The performances–notably Christian Bale, Harry Melling, and Toby Jones–and an emotionally powerful ending make this a standout Gothic film.

Based on the novel by Louis Bayard, the film is essentially Gothic horror, though it mashes up prominent thriller and mystery elements to make it modern and more engaging. The 1820s atmosphere is suitably dreary, dark, and cold, reflecting not only the inhospitable winter but also Constable Landor’s inner emotional landscape, as he is grieving. Everything comes together properly in the story, and the final reveal is surprising and delivers the goods with a real punch.

That being said, well, it’s just me, but Gothic stories tend to either be bad or at best pretty good for me. They’re slow burners leaning heavily on an overly familiar atmosphere, and as a result I find them a bit of a test of endurance. THE PALE BLUE EYE, however, is pretty good.

The acting, however, is fantastic. Bale conveys his emotions with incredible nuance and subtle power, Melling pretty much inhabits what I think the real Poe might have been like in the flesh, and Toby Jones always delivers as one of the best character actors in the business. The final scenes are riveting.

So overall, this one is a solid film and a standout in the genre, an easy recommendation for fans of Gothic horror.

THE GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (2022)

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In THE GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (2022), the world’s great detective Benoit Blanc returns to solve another mystery, this one rich with sharp social commentary. Overall, I liked it more than I thought I would, as it’s fun and playful and over the top, though I’m not sure about that ending. Let me explain.

The movie begins with a group of influencers receiving a puzzle from billionaire Miles Bron, their financial benefactor who made their careers. We have a governor, scientist, fashion designer and former model, and men’s rights Tik Tok personality. Also attending is Bron’s old business partner Andi Brand, whom he cut out of their business empire and none other than Benoit Blanc himself. The puzzle is an invite to travel to Bron’s Greek island during the pandemic to have a “disruptor” weekend. The plan is for a fake murder mystery to occur, but when a very real murder occurs, Blanc must put his formidable detective skills to the case.

As a mystery, it’s pretty good. Everyone is a suspect, most of the characters are not terrific people and people we wouldn’t mind seeing in handcuffs, and the setting is pretty cool. There’s some good sleight of hand in both the story and the filmmaking technique. I did guess the murderer fairly early, and I usually suck at solving mysteries, so I’m not sure if others found that to be the case for them, but that’s okay, I don’t mind winning one once in a while. As a comedy, it’s amusing enough to have kept me engaged. Nothing laugh out loud for me, as the comedy leans on easy desperate celebrity stereotypes, but it was fun. The cast included great actors, who all delivered great performances.

As social commentary, the film thematically takes aim at the ridiculous myth of the billionaire genius and the corruption of both wealth and how wealth is confused with virtue. Spouting business technobabble and utterly narcissistic and manipulative, Bron comes across as a cross between Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and every other billionaire we put on a pedestal. In the end, he gets his own comeuppance in a sequence that was satisfying for a “tax the billionaires out of existence starting with Musk” guy like me (looking at Bron’s palace, I actually said aloud what ends up happening), but I’m not sure it really fit the movie, it felt a little disjointed.

Overall, though, I liked THE GLASS ONION. That kind of comic ensemble mystery isn’t really my thing, but they make it just fun and engaging enough for me to come along for the ride.