I love anything paranormal, occult, ghost hunting, etc. but I often find that authors struggle to end the story in a meaningful and somewhat satisfying way. That’s not the case at all with Episode Thirteen. What a ride! Once I hit around the 60% mark, I couldn’t put it down.

Firstly, huge thanks to Craig, the publisher and Netgalley for approving me for a digital ARC!

I gotta admit – going into this one I was very very leery. Why? A few reasons. I’m a huge fan of DiLouie’s writing, but (and I say this with utmost respect) – his last novel ‘The Children of Red Peak’ frustrated me to some degree while reading it. Secondly – I really struggle with epistolary storytelling. BUT – and I do mean BUT – ‘Suffer the Children’ is one of THE best books I’ve ever read. So, I was right down the middle of road for what to expect. I knew I wanted to read this, I just knew I needed to have an open mind going in.

As a side note – and I usually hate mentioning my own writing in my reviews – but while reading this, I was working through writing/adapting my first screenplay, based on my own work. I think that exercise in processing my novella in screenplay format actually worked to my advantage for reading this.

What I liked: The story follows a team of ghost hunters, during their first season of filming their show ‘Fade to Black.’ Having now received permission to investigate a notable location that hasn’t been investigated before, the group heads to Foundation House and dives into their filming and investigation full-on.

DiLouie does a phenomenal job of letting each character breathe and get their footings before things begin to go sideways. We get to meet each of them and learn what makes them tick, as well as see what role they play within the dynamic of the group.

While normally this type of storytelling takes me away from the character development and I struggle to really stay engaged, this one rang different. And, as the story progresses, it worked well to give us different POV’s of events that happen, as well as working as a form so that each character gets to contribute instead of it being purely a singular main character tale.

I do have to say – this story goes to places you’ll never expect. It’s so hard when you have to remain spoiler free regarding what happens, but it was such a pleasure to see where this went as it’s so far away from the normal ‘haunted house’ trope.

What I didn’t like: While the different mediums of telling this story was really well done, I personally didn’t find much benefit or engagement from the text message convo’s between one character and their sister. The other pieces/forms used worked really well, but this particular one wasn’t one I enjoyed.

Why you should buy this: DiLouie doesn’t shy away from telling a story with dark subject matter and this one goes to some truly bleak places. Don’t let the epistolary aspect turn you away – it really does work in this particular case and the story hums along. I loved how this one started, where it went and how it ended. It was a perfect 1-2-3 punch and does leave a glimmer of potential for a further ‘investigative’ piece in this world.

Really well done!

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Episode Thirteen sucked me into the thrill of wanting to know what happens next! Growing up I was obsessed with the show Ghost Hunters so this was right up my alley. The book is told by each characters viewpoints through journal entries and a written visual of their filming interactions. The reality is you may think you know someone but as humans we all hold our own secrets or hold back in the fear of hurting others. Fear itself is our biggest enemy and can be so mind crippling. I could feel the fear of each character fighting their own demons in the unknown and made me want to know more! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC on this book!!

I thought that Episode Thirteen was not only a great story but was also written in such an engaging way that it kept your attention throughout. It is like reading a diary and the text from a reality show. It is easy to get into the characters through their diary entries. I loved the ghost-hunting aspect and the science that went with it was very convincing. The characters were well-written and each really added something to the plot. The setting was fantastic, the house perfectly creepy, and the claustrophobic atmosphere in the tunnels was really something. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this author.

I honestly have to say that this book was unlike any other book that I've ever read. I enjoyed how the author wrote the entire book via different forms of media like journal entries, emails, text messaging, transcripts of the footage from the episode, etc.

It did initially take time getting used to the fact that there was no one main character telling the story, that it's told via 100% mixed media. It was such a novel, interesting way to tell a story. I loved it

I was very excited to read this book when Netgalley approved me. I have always enjoyed learning about the paranormal and I've watched countless ghost hunting shows.

This book was written like a true TV show, with behind the scenes directions and technical information. I found myself skimming through some of that, along with a few of the diary entries from the investigators. I wanted to get to the meat of the book, the Ghosts! And, there were some very creepy paranormal parts.

The last 1/4 had some great spooky action. But the very end wasn't satisfying for me. I guess I expected an ending that would more closely follow what the characters had been going through. And, perhaps, that it would give at least a couple of the characters a happy ending of sorts. But, instead it was more of an existential ending that left me feeling disappointed.

For the spooky parts and tension filled action, I give this 4⭐️.

Episode Thirteen


Episode Thirteen could be one of the best horror books to bring a shiver to your spine when its set to grace the shelves come January of 2023!

The cast and crew members of the TV reality show Fade to Black have chosen for their thirteenth episode a house so twistedly haunted that they are assured to be a network hit. They have decided to take on the site of the famous Paranormal Research Society that in the 1970’s conducted sick and torture filled experiments in attempts to reach the spirit world leaving behind broken participants, a wake of terrifying hauntings, and even the disappearance of the researchers themselves.

Once firmly implanted in the house, and starting their paranormal research, the ghosts inhabiting the house come alive and the horror begins. Will anyone make it out alive?

This is a dark descent into a horrific nightmare is so well written that it will give you nightmares. The tension and unbelievable layers of gruesome horror will leave you reeling. This is definitely one not to be missed for fans of paranormal horror, ghost hunting shows with found footage, and lovers of tense, creepy horror that builds in the form of mixed media telling. This is one I will be highly recommending and re-reading for the immersive experience it provides.

A big thank you to #NetGalley, #RedhookBooks, and the beyond talented author #CraigDiLouie, for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. As a horror lover, I have added DiLouie to my ever growing list of horror favorites and will be seeking out more novels from him.

My full review will be posted on all social media sites, blogs and retail upon release day.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Episode Thirteen releases January 24, 2023.

“What happens to us after we die?”

Episode Thirteen is a ghost-hunting story written entirely through mixed media — transcripts, website/blog/journal entries, documents, magazine articles, emails, text messages, and more.

Fade to Black is a reality style documentary show that was created by lead paranormal investigator Matt, who is a true believer in spirits. Alongside him in his crew, we have Claire (Matt's wife), who is a scientist and born skeptic, and is there to debunk their findings. Rounding out their dynamic, we also have Jake (the camera man), Kevin (the tech manager), and Jessica (the understudy investigator and actor).
For episode 13 of their show, they have been granted access to the illustrious Foundation House, where they will be staying overnight for a minimum of 72 hours before it will be torn down in place for a new hotel. It's been abandoned for many years, and said to be haunted. It's also where some highly questionable experiments took place in the '70's, in which the participants still don't have all the answers as to what was going on.
Will the crew of Fade to Black find what they're looking for? Or will they be faced with things that not even they could have imagined to be possible?

This was highly enjoyable and fully immersive from start to finish!
The maze?! The ending?! I — wow.
I also loved how Matt and Claire first met, it was such a cute bookish meet-cute.

I wasn’t really sure that a full length novel could sustain being only written through mixed media, while also fully developing 5 different character narrations, but this was so great and fascinating. It’s clear that the author spent a lot of time plotting this out.

If you like found footage, this is definitely the book for you!

“Not all ghosts haunt houses. Some try to live in your head.”

Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie was a phenomenal reality TV show filming about a paranormal story.
Craig DiLouie did an outstanding job at setting the creepest tone ever.
This was a hard one to put down.
It's unique, different but so interesting.
I enjoyed his writing style. Like I said it was different but good.
A really good story that hooked me and one I didnt want to end so soon.
Compelling, clever and very entertaining... I enjoyed Episode Thirteen tremendously.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Redhook,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Episode 13 is a story about a reality TV show filming the thirteenth episode of their ghost hunting show. When reading this, you can tell that Craig Dilouie obviously did his research because he captures the essence of ghost hunting television. The characters are straight out of reality television. The scenes and actions are similar to a ghost hunt. The only difference is that there are actual ghosts in this story.
I loved the energy of the story. It was fast paced and full of action. The atmosphere was so detailed that I felt as though I was there with the characters. I felt their fear, their anger, and their confusion as the events unfolded. The story embodies a feeling of excitement, mixed with foreboding, but it is not overtly scary.
Episode 13 pulls you into the storytelling. I read this quickly as I didn't want to close the book until it was finished.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hatchett Book Group for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

Release Date: January 24, 2023
*Thank you to @netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

This book was SO DIFFERENT than anything I've read. The entire book is told through different forma of media - emails, journal entries, transcripts of the footage from the episode, text messages...

I did have to adjust myself to get used to the fact that there's no one "main body of story" with mixed media thrown in. It's 100% media. That was so interesting and honestly a really well done idea for this type of "found footage" book.

I did start to lose interest at short moments (usually during scientific talk 🤪) And quite literally none of the characters were likeable to me. 🤣 But that doesn't matter, it was such a fun/interesting/spooky ride.

⭐⭐⭐.5

I really enjoyed this book but I really thought the ending could have been better. I read this in about two days because I couldn't put it down. It really cemented my love for mix media books. I was hooked on this book because of the synopsis because I love the ghost hunting shows. It did drag in some parts and it was a little predictable but I think it is because I watched shows/movies like this a lot, I do recommend this to first time horror readers. I will be reading more from Craig DiLouie in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and Redhook Books read this for an honest review.

Having never watched a “ghost hunters” reality show, other than ads between Supernatural episodes (and of course the Ghostfacers cross-over), this book reminded me of a better version of The Blair Witch Project mashed with Supernatural. I’m a sucker for journalistic entries, along with a script format, to tell a story. I could easily see this being translated to the small screen, though a few changes would need to be made for those not appearing in the book (such as communication to the TV station folks). I always have to take a leap of faith with supernatural stories, but this one held my attention. Enjoyable writing style (and format) and for once I really liked the “X years later” follow-ups. If horror or supernatural stories are something you’d like to explore, try reading this book for an introduction to the genre. And if you think you’ve read it all regarding horror, this book may just surprise you.

The most unique book I have ever read! It was based on a ghost hunter type reality show, so the whole story is told through transcripts, journal entries and emails. It was wild! And had me guessing even after it ended what exactly happened! A great read if you’re a fan of Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and any other paranormal reality show. This will be released in January.

This was definitely one of a kind. This author did amazing at creating a found footage book, a feat that I would of thought to be next to impossible to do. The setting was eerie in itself and while I disliked each of the characters, they worked well in the story. Some parts I found a little dull and almost too scientific which may have worked better in a movie setting. The creepy parts were there and hit you when least expected. While I didn't care for this personally, many others will. I applaud this author with what he accomplished and his writing was well developed. Four Stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Redhook Books for this ARC.

If you are a fan of found footage horror movies and ghost-hunting reality TV, look no further: Episode Thirteen is a found footage/ghost-hunting mash-up in book form, and it's wildly entertaining, completely immersive, and incredibly unsettling.

Fade to Black is a ghost-hunting reality TV show, led by husband and wife co-hosts Matt and Clare Kirklin, that's landed the Holy Grail: They've been given access to Foundation House, former headquarters of the Paranormal Research Foundation. Back in the 1970s, a group of fringe scientists performed disturbing experiments on human subjects before disappearing from the house without a trace. The house has stood crumbling and vacant ever since, until Matt and Clare show up with their crew to explore its mysteries.

Told in a mixed media format comprised of journal entries, e-mails, text messages, and video transcripts, we follow the Fade to Black crew during the filming of Episode 13 of their show, as Foundation House reveals its secrets in ways more horrific than they could ever have imagined.

Episode Thirteen is a well-constructed, propulsive novel that grabs the reader from the first page and doesn't let up. The mixed media method of storytelling works so well here; it enables you to get to know the characters intimately, while also propelling the plot forward at a relentless pace, ratcheting up the dread by degrees as you go. There's so much tension here, both between the characters and with the mysteries of the house itself, and Craig DiLouie releases it at just the right moments in the plot.

You might think there's no new ground to cover in the "haunted house" subgenre of horror, but Episode Thirteen will prove you wrong. It's inventive and frightening and completely absorbing from beginning to end. Craig DiLouie is a new author for me, and I can't wait to delve into his backlist. Episode Thirteen was a reading experience that's going to stay with me for a long time.

WHAT A WILD RIDE!

This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish and loved every second of it. For horror fans out there this book is a perfect mash up of "SMITHY" and "HOUSE OF LEAVES". A lot of the book reads like "HOUSE OF LEAVES" but keeps a format that you can actually follow. I was impressed on how the supernatural element held up throughout the book because normally supernatural plots fall through. I loved this book so much

Episode Thirteen is a nightmare delivered as a novel. Fade to Black, an almost successful ghost hunting reality TV show featuring the husband and wife team of Matt and Claire Kirklin, has received permission to film at the long abandoned Foundation House, soon to be torn down and replaced by a luxury hotel. The house was the scene of long ago bizarre pseudo-scientific psychological experiments bordering on torture that ended when the researchers disappeared. Matt has three nights to learn what happened to them, film a few spectacular ghost interactions and boost the show’s ratings to guarantee another season. All of these things may or may not happen but not in the way Matt planned. Or could imagine.

This thriller grabs you with the first words of the “Editor’s Note” and doesn’t let go until the final page. Even then, it stays with you. Written in the voices of the main characters, Episode Thirteen also contains interviews, texts, magazine excerpts and more. The characters are all well described and somewhat sympathetic. Craig DiLouie is a talented writer and that talent makes you feel so invested in each character that you believe that Episode Thirteen is a true story. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Redhook Books and Craig DiLouie for this ARC.

Loved this book!
Episode Thirteen is the 13th episode of a unique ghost hunting television program. For the duration of the season, Matt has lead his team to multiple hauntings hoping to find proof of ghosts while his wife Claire, a trained scientist, debunks every find. In the 13th episode, the crew visits that the Paranormal Research Foundation, a supposedly haunted mansion where experiments on humans took place in the basement.

As the weekend moves forward we follow the crew via POV, journals, episode clips and more. Slowly, but surely, they move closer to a finding and transcend the line between observer to participant in what can only be called a nightmare. DiLouie slowly tightens the screws as you suspect what is happening but like any horror story, you can't bring yourself to turn away. If you like horror stories, hunt for ghosts and believe in hauntings, Episode Thirteen is for you!
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