By the time I finished this book, my heart was pounding and I couldn't breath! Talk about a decent into madness!

There's nothing I love more than a good mixed media book, and this one hit all the spots! I had no idea where this book was going to end up, and the journey to the end had me questioning everything! I don't want to say too much and give anything away, so all I'll say is Holy crap, I didn't see that coming! I almost wouldn't mind a follow up book to find out a few more things, but at the same time I'm totally satisfied with the ending.

If you're into strange horror and mixed media style writing, this is totally the book for you!

So, this ended up being just okay for me. I've never read a horror book quite like this before so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I do think this kind of thing fares better as a movie or a show, for me at least. I did like the multimedia elements and I definitely think that was a good addition to the plot. I just didn't find it scary at all and I'm not sure why. I think it may have been a bit more action-oriented than I would've liked and less time was spent creating the atmosphere. It is a fun, entertaining read, though, and I would still recommend it if the concept appeals to you.

Thank you to the author Craig DiLouie, publishers Redhook and Hachette, and as always NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of EPISODE THIRTEEN.

A group of TV supernatural researchers or ghost hunters, decide for their 13th episode to investigate Foundation House, where decades before, a group of medical researchers and patients disappeared without a trace. The book takes the form of a collection of found footage, journal entries, and other multimedia files produced by the ghost hunters.

I love found footage. Blair Witch Project is my baby. But this form didn't work well in writing, unfortunately. Often, I felt like the diary pages were uncomfortably self aware or self referential. Sections, especially diary sections, referred to events that would occur outside the limitations of the format. Breaking the narrative limits might be the point, in certain places. But the technique isn't executed with enough consistency.

But I loved the last scene. I didn't see it coming, and I didn't see *that* coming!

Rating: 👻👻.5 / 5 ghosts on camera
Recommend? Sure, you do you
Finished: March 14 2023
Read if you like:
🎥 Found footage
🧭 Natural horror
⌚️ Time horror

Quick read in the format of journal entries and tv script. Ghost hunters are under pressure to deliver chills to viewers of their reality tv show. The story is told from multiple viewpoints and there are some genuinely scary moments. Fans of horror will not be disappointed.

This book about a group of TV ghost hunters who encounter trouble is written in a disjointed fashion in the form of journal entries, transcripts of interviews and phone messages, etc. The ghost story lacked suspense until around the last 15% of the book. Not certain that the “scary” stuff was actually due to ghosts because the author used some fuzzy science mumbo jumbo. Just throwing in the word quantum doesn’t impress me. The audiobook was full of annoying sound effects. It’s not that I am the wrong audience for this book. I actually like ghost stories. I just didn’t like this one. 2.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved that this book was about a ghost-hunting show. It was also found footage told through journal entries and raw footage. (I love when books have that). This book was everything to me. I found it fascinating. I loved the relationship between the group and how we got to see things from their perspectives through their journal entries. I think this book read just like an actual ghost-hunting show and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I knew immediately when I read the summary of this one that I HAD to read it. Not only did it have amazing horror potential, but anything written by Craig DiLouie instantly moves to the top of my TBR. Let me tell you-it did not disappoint. This was my first 5 star read of the year, and it is so well deserved. The writing was so impressive and immersive, and I was thrilled with the format. It's been a while since I've read something laid out so unique, and it was so much fun. Pair that with the amazing storyline with nail biting suspense, awesome music choice, and amazing characters, and you have just an incredible book all the way around!

Thank you to Netgalley and Redhook books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very intriguing read. Lost journals/lost media and portraying that into novel form was wonderfully executed and kept me reading. Although, the ending wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. I was expecting something a bit more from it. I loved the way this book played out, but unfortunately the writing style was very bland and monotone for me. The science aspect of this novel was so boring and uninteresting that it killed the whole horror feel. The characters were relatable and kept me wondering what would happen with them. So while this read wasn't the greatest most unforgettable story, it wasn't horrible either.

What the actual f did I just read? 😵‍💫

It's been a whole month. I am finally writing this review. I still can not tell you what I read.

I think this is a book is more intelligent than I am.

Seriously, is this supposed to be a satire. What was the bottomless pit under the house that drove them to death and insanity? Was there a meaning to it all?

I truly am at a loss.

I went into "Episode Thirteen" excited to read a book about a team of ghost hunters going to a haunted house. I expected the unexplained.

The unexplained slapped me in the face and then ran me over with two semi-trucks and a Chevy.

Let's start from the beginning.

There is a letter from the author in the beginning that says Foundation House and the Paranormal Research Foundation were real. This whole story was true.

[Now I am questioning if that opening letter was even real. This book has me questioning everything. Am I insane?!]

I BEG TO DIFFER, sir.

Naïve, lil ol' Dani went and Googled all of that. Found nothing.

Whalp...future me finds out why very quickly.

The beginning of the story is cool. They go to this house where the missing scientists did their experiments and were noted to be seen last.

We got the classic. Door slamming. Lights turning on. Ouija Board communication with the paranormal. Cameras surveying rooms all night for the unexplained. Moving objects.

I was INTO it.

Then...The ghost? Demon? Whatever it was reveals itself. All chaos breaks loose.

For the rest of the story, I was lost. This went from ghost-hunting to "what the science-fiction weirdness is this?" real quick.

I am not joking, these people end up in a never ending tomb? tunnel? maze? under the house FOREVER. The house...The demon...The ghost...The missing scientists...WHATEVER IT WAS drive them all to the point of insanity and death. WHAT!?

I think what truly made me just not like this book was when Clare became an entity...Yes, she becomes a ghost. We even get her point of view from the maze where she coaxes her husband to die? Watches over her friends succumbing to mental distress walking in the maze?

I dunno...this was something else.

OH! THE ENDING?! One of the characters SOMEHOW gets out of the endless pit (*cough* never-explained *cough*). Shows up five years later. Screams. Terrifies these innocent families enjoying their summers day at a pool. And we fade to black.

*insert confused math lady gif here*

I just don't understand.

I would adore anyone who has read this book to explain it all to me because wow it was a wild ride. I welcome you into my messages to yell at me for not grasping this books glory.

I am at a loss. I wish I got it. I didn't.

Seriously, I am so disappointed. I was extremely excited for a paranormal horror but it took a science-fiction and fantasy route that I was not expecting from it.

If you're a horror fan looking for something different, this might be the book for you.

Craig DiLouie quite literally wrote a story that I never imagined. It's like NOTHING I have picked up before.

Truly a hidden gem for readers who love weird books.

Thank you NetGalley and Rehook Books for this book! Episode Thirteen is out now! Get it at your favorite bookstore today and don't forget to support your favorite authors on all platforms!

I am sorry to say I could not get through this one. I had such high hopes but found it just didn’t grab me in.

Episode Thirteen is an atmospheric, addictive horror novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story follows a ghost hunting TV reality show crew hoping to find proof of an afterlife to the haunted Paranormal Research Foundation where tons of bizarre experiments were conducted in the 70s. They have no clue what they are walking into. The story is told through found footage, journals, correspondences, etc. Highly recommended!!

This book was so interesting and good! I don’t remember the last book I read with this same style of formatting and letting the story unfold the way it did. I was confused a bit by the ending, but I think that was the point. I love horror and thriller books, and this one did not disappoint! I loved the different POVs and seeing them all unfold in different ways. I wish I could’ve seen the footage and show afterwards!

The description of this book hooked me when it said "House of Leaves meets Haunting of Hill House." Those are 2 books that frightened me and have 'haunted' me for many years. This didn't disappoint in the least. Written in the style of found footage, it ignites the imagination and doesn't let go.

First off thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ARC!
This book was so creepy, I would suggest going in not knowing too much and enjoy the creepy ride, you won’t regret it! ☺️

This is one of the best haunted house books EVER! I didn’t love all the characters, but the atmosphere and building dread was incredible.

Thank you NetGalley and Redhook Books, Redhook for accepting my request to read and review Episode Thirteen.

Published: 01/24/23


This was a miss for me. And certainly not because I didn't try. I was approve and received the E-book, and couldn't get into the story. I tried a couple of times, putting space between each try. Next I decided to try the audiobook. While this did allow me to follow the characters better, there are multiple narrators, I still couldn't connect.

As time went on, 10 hours for the audio, that I'm not certain NetGalley is interested in (I had the E-book.) I found myself annoyed. Just listening with the formatting, the characters take on their individual storylines, and the overall story was nerve-wracking. So many of the ghostly happenings were not original, and I'm still stymied by the ending.

I've read all my life, and take my hat off to the author for trying something new (countless times I've begged), unfortunately this didn't work, and in all sincerity it might at a different time.

If the premise interests you, give it a chance: it is quite an experience.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie.

First things first, I highly recommend listening to this book! It's got a full cast, sound effects, and it will help you fully immerse into this spooky story.

This is a supernatural story about a ragtag bunch of ghost hunters who are desperately trying to hold onto their reality TV show Fade to Black. You have an earnest host with his scientist wife, an actress looking for a big break, a retired cop who can't wait to be the hero, and a camera man who is just trying to earn a living. After finally earning the time that they need in an old haunted house, they are determined to find the spirits lurking within, but none of them could ever anticipate what would happen in the thirteenth episode.

As far as actual listening experience goes, 5 stars, amazing production, so fun. The story in and of itself was cool enough, but it did drag a bit, and the ending had me going uuuuuuuuuuuuh okaaaaaaay. Not the show stopper I was hoping for, but I would read it again just for the fun audiobook.

Thank you @netgalley and the publisher for providing the book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 /5
This book was so good, has got an interesting setup and keeps you hooked from the very beginning. Told in multiple POVs, the plot is revealed as journal entries, videotapes, and recordings. I love when stories are told in unconventional formats.

The story revolves around a ghost-hunting reality TV show, Fade to Black led by Matt and Claire Kirklin. While Matt believes that spirit exists, Claire seeks a scientific explanation. For the thirteenth episode, they explore the Paranormal Research Foundation which is famous for its mysterious stories. In the 1970s it is rumored that scientists did unusual experiments here, trying to contact the spirits, and then all of them disappeared, and no one knows where.
This book is for those who love paranormal documentaries, spooky atmospheres, and ghost hunting. I will recommend the audiobook. As for me it didn't scare me as I anticipated but did a good job of holding my interest till the very end.

4.5 stars.

Horror written with the flavor of Daisy Jones and the Six, this book was a roller coaster of terror and fun. Told via a mix of multimedia, the tale follows the crew of a reality ghosthunter show, something that is not typically my fare but definitely worked. I was gripped and entertained throughout the read and did not want to put this down. I appreciated the addition of the skeptic to the main crux of the plot and how well the characters were balanced in an array of "believe" levels. The plot moved rather quickly and included a couple of good jump scares and some fantastic atmosphere.

So why isn't this a 5-star read, you ask? The ending. It's hard to get a good and solid ending in a horror novel of this type, so it's pretty understandable that this will be hit or miss with readers. For me, it just felt a little too abandoned. The ending had some fantastic qualities to it and I absolutely enjoyed where the plot headed, but it felt like it ended too suddenly and really needed another chapter or two to fully wrap itself up well.

Regardless, this baby was entertaining, intriguing, and perfectly spooky. I very much enjoyed it. HIGHLY recommend the audio for the full atmospheric effect. It is amazingly done with a full cast and some fantastic effects.

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book. I chose to review it and this in no way impacts my opinion of it.

This story unfolds in a series of tapes, journals, and correspondence from the paranormal investigators as they explore the mystery that is Foundation House. An infamous haunted house with wild lore, this is the place all paranormal investigators wish they could get into. Fade to Black will be the very first allowed entry and allowed to film.. But when the house begins to reveal all its secrets, everything starts to go horribly, horribly wrong.

I requested this book because I was feeling in the mood for something spooky and this felt like a novel that would have me looking over my shoulder as I read. While it was a fun read, it took a bit longer for things to get spooky than I'd have liked and it wasn't nearly as creepy as I was hoping for.

I enjoyed the way this novel was written and found it to be a very interesting read. While I found it a fun read, I did find the aspects of the haunting to be a bit weird at times. Some parts almost felt silly to me but I tried to ignore those feelings and just enjoy the story.

I think if you are easily spooked or love spooky stories, you'll enjoy this novel. If, like me, you live for horror, you might find this novel a little tame but still fun!