Welcome to Future Fiction, my reimagining of the Waiting on Wednesday meme! There are so many amazing new books coming out, that I can no longer pick just one. My goal with Future Fiction is to share at least three new books each week, a combination of recent cover reveals and books that I’ve recently added to my TBR pile. I’m still going to be linking up with Wishful Endings/Can’t Wait Wednesday, and I also want to give a shout out to Jill at Breaking the Spine for starting the original Waiting on Wednesday meme. I hope you’ll find some new books to add to your TBR piles, and as always, I look forward to hearing what YOU’RE looking forward to:-D
Today, a trio of 2023 releases: two horror titles and a fantasy series starter!
A ghost-hunting reality TV crew gain unprecedented access to an abandoned and supposedly haunted mansion, which promises a groundbreaking thirteenth episode, but as they uncover the secret history of the house, they learn that “reality” TV might be all too real — in Bram Stoker Award nominated author Craig DiLouie’s latest heart pounding novel of horror and psychological suspense.
Fade to Black is the newest hit ghost hunting reality TV show. It’s led by husband and wife team Matt and Claire Kirklin and features a dedicated crew of ghost-hunting experts.
Episode Thirteen takes them to Matt’s holy grail: the Paranormal Research Foundation. This crumbling, derelict mansion holds secrets and clues about the bizarre experiments that took place there in the 1970s. It’s also, undoubtably, haunted, and Matt hopes to use their scientific techniques and high tech gear to prove it.
But, as the house begins to slowly reveal itself to them, proof of an afterlife might not be everything Matt dreamed of.
A story told in broken pieces, in tapes, journals, correspondence, and research files, this is the story of Episode Thirteen — and how everything went horribly wrong.
Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie. Releases in January 2023 from Redhook. This was not even on my radar, but when I saw the unexpected cover reveal, I knew this book would have to be my lead off for Future Fiction this week. DiLouie is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve read and loved several of his recent books (One of Us, Our War and The Children of Red Peak). He has a bunch of backlist books I need to catch up with, but until then I’m thrilled to see a new book on the horizon!
Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he’s desperate for money–it’s not easy to find safe work when you can’t provide references, you can’t stay in one place for long, and you’re paranoid that your past is creeping back up on you.
When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break. The Masson property, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in Texas, needs a caretaker of sorts. The owner is looking for proof of paranormal activity. All they need to do is stay in the house and keep a detailed record of everything that happens there. Provided the house’s horrors don’t drive them all mad, like the caretakers before them.
The job calls to Eric, not just because there’s a huge payout if they can make it through, but because he wants to explore the secrets of the spite house. If it is indeed haunted, maybe it’ll help him understand the uncanny power that clings to his family, driving them from town to town, making them afraid to stop running. A terrifying Gothic thriller about grief and death and the depths of a father’s love, Johnny Compton’s The Spite House is a stunning debut by a horror master in the making.
The Spite House by Johnny Compton. Releases in February 2023 from Tor Nightfire. I’ve been running across lots of haunted house stories lately (and I’m highlighting two today), and this debut sounds like it has potential! Nightfire is such a solid publisher and I can’t wait to check this out.
The Foxglove King (The Nightshade Kingdom #1) by Hannah Whitten. Releases in March 2023 from Orbit Books. Whitten just wrapped up her fantasy duology, and now she’s got a new series starting next year. I love this cover to pieces, and I’m very curious about the story.
Two equally intriguing ghost stories, and one from Craig DiLouie, whose works I’ve always enjoyed! The only negative aspect is that the wait is a bit long… 😉
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I know, waiting is so hard, especially when it’s a favorite author’s book. But luckily there is no shortage of books to read between now and then:-)
The cover for Episode Thirteen immediately caught my attention. That cold gothic exterior, the warm, almost inviting, glow from within, until you notice the pair of hands with fingers and wrists that just seem too thin…. Yup. Granted, at first I didn’t even notice the little writing along the edges indicating it was from film, likely used by the team investigating the hauntings.
I didn’t notice that either until you mentioned it. That detail makes me love the cover even more:-)
Ooh, Craig DiLouie has a new book coming out. Thanks for putting it on my radar, Tammy. The cover is great too.
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I hope we both get the chance to read it:-)
Me at “A ghost-hunting reality TV”: YES GIMME!
The Spite House (that name alone is awesome!) also sounds great. I love a good Gothic thriller!
I’ve read Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf but didn’t totally love it. I do have to say this new one sounds incredible!
I’ll admit I didn’t love Whitten’s first book either, but I do want to check out her new series:-)
Oh, an absolute yes to a new Craig DiLouie!! His books freak me out in all the best ways. 🙂
Me too, and he never writes the same book twice, so it’s always an adventure:-)
These all sound amazing, especially The Spite House and Episode Thirteen! I am such a sucker for a haunted house story, I’m excited to see so many lately.
It’s weird how different subgenres come in waves, lol. I guess it’s haunted houses right now:-)
The Foxglove King is the one more appealing to me, but Episode Thirteen has the most beautiful cover!!
I know, I love the cover so much:-)
Some great books Tammy. I’ve been so MIA lately but wanted you to know I still lurk. My new job, well I guess it isn’t new anymore, has me in front of the computer ALL day so when my day is over, I find it hard to find the motivation to blog. I swear I will find a schedule that suits me someday and at least open the blog back up for a few posts each week.
I’m so glad things are going well on your end and I love your husband’s photography. I been reading a lot of horror and romance lately – I know what a combo huh? Cass and Apollo send their doggy love as well!
I’m so glad to hear from you Barb!!! I totally understand about jobs taking all your motivation away. Big hugs to Cass and Apollo!
That first one looks so spooky!!!
I know, that weird hand in the window takes it to the next level:-)
The Foxglove King and Episode Thirteen sound excellent. Thanks for introducing me!
My pleasure!!
I LOVE that cover for The Spite House – what a fabulous name:). Sadly it won’t be on my TBR given my wussiness regarding horror reads – but I do love the sound of The Foxglove King. Thank you for sharing, Tammy!
It’s OK to love a cover even though you probably won’t read the book:-) Thanks for visiting, Sarah!
Episode 13, told in tapes and journals etc sounds atmospheric and engrossing — and the cover with the single window is so perfect for it!
Yes! I love the epistolary format, and I think it’s going to work well with a horror story:-)
Ooh, lots to look forward to. And a Craig DiLouie
Lynn 😀
Craig DiLouie, enough said:-)
I really want to check out The Spite House! This is the first I’ve seen the cover, I love it!
I agree, it sounds so good:-)
I prefer the cover of the Foxglove King and I think it’s because it’s closer to my fantasy covers LOL
It’s definitely a pretty cover:-)
WOW, Episode Thirteen sounds really good, going to have to add this one to my TBR!
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