Do you, every now and then, feel like you need a little something to up the adrenaline in your system without actually being in harm’s way like I do, or are you normal? The former? Delightful! Be my guest and, I’ll try to provide you with a quality scare that’ll make the hair stand on the back of your neck and maybe lose a couple of winks of sleep.
Summary
In a nutshell, this story follows the cast of Fade to Black, a ghost-hunting reality show headed by Matt and Claire Kirklin, with the former being a ‘believer’ while the latter representing rationalism in their matrimonial duo. Episode 13 takes them to a haunted manor that was the headquarters of the Paranormal Research Foundation – a group of scientists that conducted bizarre experiments in the 1970s and have disappeared without a trace one night. They are there to catch something on tape that would prove an afterlife existed but what they stumble into is far grander than a few objects being moved around the house. If they are not careful enough, from hunters they might become hunted.
Thoughts
When I cracked this book open (figuratively of course, since I read it on Kindle) and saw the format it was written, I wasn’t sure I would finish it. This was my first time reading something created in epistolary style and consequently I had a bit of a rough time adjusting. However, a couple of chapters in my mind kind of clicked with it and not only was I able to tolerate it, I enjoyed it. A lot. Actually, I believe it’s the only reason the whole story felt realistically lifelike, and therefore was able to scare the bejesus out of me at some points.
Leaving the format behind, at first glance, the storyline itself appeared to me a bit unoriginal (a gang of people visiting a notorious haunted house just to discover that it is actually haunted * gasps loudly * * covers mouth in surprise * Who would’ve thought?!) but the deeper we dove the more complex and captivating everything became. So, if you’re wondering if I read it in a minimal number of sittings, the answer is yes. Yes, I did. Although when I read the ending, I questioned what was the haste to get there. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate it per se, ‘cause hate is such an intense word, but I did dislike it. Big time. It is what it is, though. Not the first time in literary history that someone tainted a great story with a subpar ending, and undoubtedly wasn’t the last.
Character-wise I loved how the two main protagonists – our married couple, Matt and Claire – could not have been any more different from each other, yet they complimented the other’s shortcomings perfectly. If this doesn’t showcase how opposites do attract and that they can be a great fit, I don’t know what does. As for the rest of the cast, every individual had very distinctive personalities, but DiLouie made it feel effortlessly natural, not forced like in certain other novels. Also, I loved the fact that the chain considered the weakest turned out to be just the antithesis.
Conclusion
All in all, this was a decent read with good scares, despite my finding the ending a bit underwhelming. I would definitely recommend it if you’re in for a thrill and who knows? Maybe the final chapter will be right up your alley.
About the Author
Craig DiLouie is an American-Canadian dark fantasy writer. His previous experiences include journalism and magazine editing. He’s part of numerous writer’s associations and is currently residing in Canada with his children.
What are your thoughts regarding the book? Have you already read it? Or will you? Either way, please feel free to drop a few words in the comments. Also, stay caffeinated and well-read until next time – Your bookish friend, Nat