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How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive
From Bram Stoker Award‑nominated author Craig DiLouie comes a darkly humorous horror novel that sees a famous 80s slasher director set out to shoot the most terrifying horror movie ever made using an occult camera that might be (and probably is) demonic.
Horror isn’t horror unless it’s real.
Max Maury should be on top of the world. He’s a famous horror director. Actors love him. Hollywood needs him. He’s making money hand over fist. But it’s the 80s, and he’s directing cheap slashers for audiences who only crave more blood, not real art. Not real horror. And Max’s slimy producer refuses to fund any of his new ideas.
Sally Priest dreams of being the Final Girl. She knows she’s got what it takes to score the lead role, even if she’s only been cast in small parts so far. When Sally meets Max at his latest wrap party, she sets out to impress him and prove her scream queen prowess.
But when Max discovers an old camera that filmed a very real Hollywood horror, he knows that he has to use this camera for his next movie. The only problem is that it came with a cryptic warning and sometimes wails.
By the time Max discovers the true evil lying within, he’s already dead set on finishing the scariest movie ever put to film, and like it or not, it’s Sally’s time to shine as the Final Girl.
Horror isn’t horror unless it’s real.
Max Maury should be on top of the world. He’s a famous horror director. Actors love him. Hollywood needs him. He’s making money hand over fist. But it’s the 80s, and he’s directing cheap slashers for audiences who only crave more blood, not real art. Not real horror. And Max’s slimy producer refuses to fund any of his new ideas.
Sally Priest dreams of being the Final Girl. She knows she’s got what it takes to score the lead role, even if she’s only been cast in small parts so far. When Sally meets Max at his latest wrap party, she sets out to impress him and prove her scream queen prowess.
But when Max discovers an old camera that filmed a very real Hollywood horror, he knows that he has to use this camera for his next movie. The only problem is that it came with a cryptic warning and sometimes wails.
By the time Max discovers the true evil lying within, he’s already dead set on finishing the scariest movie ever put to film, and like it or not, it’s Sally’s time to shine as the Final Girl.
393 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2024
299 people are currently reading
17989 people want to read
About the author
Craig DiLouie
60 books1,462 followersCraig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 669 reviews
May 11, 2024
My thanks to Redhook Books, Craig DiLouie and Netgalley.
Mr. DiLouie is almost always a.good time!
Honestly? I spent nearly as much time hating this story as I did loving it!
I often find myself bored near to tears when an author lists in book's about horror movies. This was not an exception! However, I was happy as a 🐖 in a poke for most of the book.
I was initially hesitant about these characters, but even the "weirdos" were fun. Well, at least watching them die horribly was fun!
Book's man! Where the hell else can we watch and gloat when arseholes die? Bunch of messed up death's here. Love that!
Not the authors best effort, but still read worthy.
3 1/2 stars.
Mr. DiLouie is almost always a.good time!
Honestly? I spent nearly as much time hating this story as I did loving it!
I often find myself bored near to tears when an author lists in book's about horror movies. This was not an exception! However, I was happy as a 🐖 in a poke for most of the book.
I was initially hesitant about these characters, but even the "weirdos" were fun. Well, at least watching them die horribly was fun!
Book's man! Where the hell else can we watch and gloat when arseholes die? Bunch of messed up death's here. Love that!
Not the authors best effort, but still read worthy.
3 1/2 stars.
April 2, 2025
Most important things first: Does the dog live?
Honestly, this book gave me whiplash and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. First I got super excited because OMG, such an amazing premise! And then I got a little bored because nothing much happens for a whole lot of pages and there's lots of film talk and the characters are all unlikeable. And then all the things happen at the end and it's exciting again!
I mean, the ending is fantastic. The epilogue-y bit at the very end is probably one of the best parts of the entire book. And the climax (which relies heavily on the Final Girl trope) is just about perfect, although I did find the vanquishing of the Big Bad to be a little anticlimactic. But, overall, the ending is exciting and original and totally made the book.
And the premise! A haunted movie camera that gives the wielder an unimaginable power? Yes, please!
I also love how this book is basically one big homage to the slasher movie genre. While I do love horror, slasher flicks have never been my favorites (mostly due to a traumatizing A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 incident when I was nine). But it's obvious that Craig DiLouie has a great fondness for the genre and this book is an endearing tribute to the slasher films and scream queens of the 70s and 80s.
The characters, though. So unlikeable. Sally and Clare were decent, but pretty much everyone else was awful … and Max especially so. I don't normally need personable characters in order to enjoy a novel, but this one was a little tough since I absolutely despised the main character (especially in the latter chapters). Max is only a few steps down from Dolores Umbridge on my “unbearable book and film characters” list, honestly.
I struggled a little with the middle bits of the book too. There were entertaining incidents here and there, but a lot of it just consisted of film talk and Max burying and unburying a camera and rambling on about his new horror movie idea. It wasn't a complete slog, but I'm not entirely sure that it was all necessary – this story probably could have been at least a good fifty pages shorter.
But, overall, was it worth it? I … I think so? I really did adore the ending and the premise is certainly original. It wasn't a perfect read, but I'm pretty sure it's one I won't forget any time soon.
My overall rating: 3.49 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
Honestly, this book gave me whiplash and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. First I got super excited because OMG, such an amazing premise! And then I got a little bored because nothing much happens for a whole lot of pages and there's lots of film talk and the characters are all unlikeable. And then all the things happen at the end and it's exciting again!
I mean, the ending is fantastic. The epilogue-y bit at the very end is probably one of the best parts of the entire book. And the climax (which relies heavily on the Final Girl trope) is just about perfect, although I did find the vanquishing of the Big Bad to be a little anticlimactic. But, overall, the ending is exciting and original and totally made the book.
And the premise! A haunted movie camera that gives the wielder an unimaginable power? Yes, please!
I also love how this book is basically one big homage to the slasher movie genre. While I do love horror, slasher flicks have never been my favorites (mostly due to a traumatizing A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 incident when I was nine). But it's obvious that Craig DiLouie has a great fondness for the genre and this book is an endearing tribute to the slasher films and scream queens of the 70s and 80s.
The characters, though. So unlikeable. Sally and Clare were decent, but pretty much everyone else was awful … and Max especially so. I don't normally need personable characters in order to enjoy a novel, but this one was a little tough since I absolutely despised the main character (especially in the latter chapters). Max is only a few steps down from Dolores Umbridge on my “unbearable book and film characters” list, honestly.
I struggled a little with the middle bits of the book too. There were entertaining incidents here and there, but a lot of it just consisted of film talk and Max burying and unburying a camera and rambling on about his new horror movie idea. It wasn't a complete slog, but I'm not entirely sure that it was all necessary – this story probably could have been at least a good fifty pages shorter.
But, overall, was it worth it? I … I think so? I really did adore the ending and the premise is certainly original. It wasn't a perfect read, but I'm pretty sure it's one I won't forget any time soon.
My overall rating: 3.49 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
June 2, 2024
Ever wondered what it’s like to read a book that feels more like a DIY manual? Well, "How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive" certainly delivers on that front. The "How to" in the title isn't just for show—it's a big part of the experience.
Max Maury should be living the dream. Picture this: he's a renowned horror director. Actors adore him. Hollywood can't get enough of him. He’s raking in the cash. But here’s the kicker—it’s the 80s, and Max is stuck making cheap slasher flicks for bloodthirsty fans who don’t care about true horror artistry. And to make things worse, his sleazy producer won’t bankroll any of his new, innovative ideas.
Enter Sally Priest, who aspires to be the ultimate Final Girl. She’s confident she can land the lead role, even if she’s only had bit parts so far. When she meets Max at his latest wrap party, she’s determined to show off her scream queen skills.
Then things get spooky. Max stumbles upon an old camera that once captured a real-life Hollywood horror. Despite a creepy warning and the camera’s eerie wailing, Max decides he must use it for his next film. But by the time he realizes the camera’s true malevolence, he's already hell-bent on making the scariest movie ever. And whether she likes it or not, Sally’s destined to be the Final Girl.
The premise Craig dreamed up is definitely intriguing and unique. However, the execution left much to be desired. I found myself bored and disconnected from the unfolding events. Given the genre, I expected a slow build followed by a thrilling sprint to the finish. Sadly, this book didn’t deliver that rush. 3 stars for the concept and the ending that pulled it through.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for giving me the chance to read and review this ARC.
Max Maury should be living the dream. Picture this: he's a renowned horror director. Actors adore him. Hollywood can't get enough of him. He’s raking in the cash. But here’s the kicker—it’s the 80s, and Max is stuck making cheap slasher flicks for bloodthirsty fans who don’t care about true horror artistry. And to make things worse, his sleazy producer won’t bankroll any of his new, innovative ideas.
Enter Sally Priest, who aspires to be the ultimate Final Girl. She’s confident she can land the lead role, even if she’s only had bit parts so far. When she meets Max at his latest wrap party, she’s determined to show off her scream queen skills.
Then things get spooky. Max stumbles upon an old camera that once captured a real-life Hollywood horror. Despite a creepy warning and the camera’s eerie wailing, Max decides he must use it for his next film. But by the time he realizes the camera’s true malevolence, he's already hell-bent on making the scariest movie ever. And whether she likes it or not, Sally’s destined to be the Final Girl.
The premise Craig dreamed up is definitely intriguing and unique. However, the execution left much to be desired. I found myself bored and disconnected from the unfolding events. Given the genre, I expected a slow build followed by a thrilling sprint to the finish. Sadly, this book didn’t deliver that rush. 3 stars for the concept and the ending that pulled it through.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for giving me the chance to read and review this ARC.
April 1, 2025
**2.5-stars rounded up**
This hurts my heart to not be giving this a higher rating. While I truly appreciate the topics explored here by the author, I can't say I enjoyed my time with it and I have to be honest. Otherwise, what are we even doing here?
This just had way more of a Literary-feel than I am interested in, and for me, it lacked my number one desire, atmosphere. Overall, I was bored; really bored.
It didn't start out that way though. For the first 25%, I was definitely intrigued. We had met Max, the Horror director, and Sally, the actress with dreams of playing a Final Girl on the big screen. I did enjoy meeting them and was pulled in by the beginning of their stories.
Max ends up with an old camera that once belong to a deceased Horror director, who gained the level of a cult-like status. Max hatches a plan to utilize that camera to make his own infamous movie, pushing the limits of the genre.
As Max begins to use the camera though, a dangerous power is revealed. Will he continue using it, in pursuit of his goal, no matter the risks? And will Sally get her dream of becoming the Final Girl?
Unfortunately, for me, the longer the story went on, the less interested I became. The devil is in the details, and IMHO, the details of this killed the story. It was slow-moving, bogged down by endless things I didn't care about.
This is clearly a love letter to the Horror genre, and for that, I give it full props. I am, first and foremost, a Horror Lover, Reader and Reviewer. It's my roots.
I appreciate how DiLouie examined the genre, specifically its place within the movie industry, and how it is treated, viewed, etc., in comparison to other, for lack of a better term, more mainstream, genres.
I could see this working very well for a niche market of film buffs, or even film students, as it does explore the industry deeply. For me it was just too subtle, slow, and by the time we got to the final showdown, too little, too late.
With this being said, the writing is strong, the characters are well-developed and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this story. It just sadly wasn't a story that was a good fit for my tastes.
I would still encourage absolutely anyone interested in this synopsis to give it a try. I know a lot of Readers are going to love this, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if I end up in the minority opinion on it. Please take everything I have said with a grain of salt. It is just my personal experience.
Thank you to the publisher, Redhook, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Even though this wasn't a great fit for me, I will absolutely be picking up more from this author!
Content Warning:
This hurts my heart to not be giving this a higher rating. While I truly appreciate the topics explored here by the author, I can't say I enjoyed my time with it and I have to be honest. Otherwise, what are we even doing here?
This just had way more of a Literary-feel than I am interested in, and for me, it lacked my number one desire, atmosphere. Overall, I was bored; really bored.
It didn't start out that way though. For the first 25%, I was definitely intrigued. We had met Max, the Horror director, and Sally, the actress with dreams of playing a Final Girl on the big screen. I did enjoy meeting them and was pulled in by the beginning of their stories.
Max ends up with an old camera that once belong to a deceased Horror director, who gained the level of a cult-like status. Max hatches a plan to utilize that camera to make his own infamous movie, pushing the limits of the genre.
As Max begins to use the camera though, a dangerous power is revealed. Will he continue using it, in pursuit of his goal, no matter the risks? And will Sally get her dream of becoming the Final Girl?
Unfortunately, for me, the longer the story went on, the less interested I became. The devil is in the details, and IMHO, the details of this killed the story. It was slow-moving, bogged down by endless things I didn't care about.
This is clearly a love letter to the Horror genre, and for that, I give it full props. I am, first and foremost, a Horror Lover, Reader and Reviewer. It's my roots.
I appreciate how DiLouie examined the genre, specifically its place within the movie industry, and how it is treated, viewed, etc., in comparison to other, for lack of a better term, more mainstream, genres.
I could see this working very well for a niche market of film buffs, or even film students, as it does explore the industry deeply. For me it was just too subtle, slow, and by the time we got to the final showdown, too little, too late.
With this being said, the writing is strong, the characters are well-developed and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this story. It just sadly wasn't a story that was a good fit for my tastes.
I would still encourage absolutely anyone interested in this synopsis to give it a try. I know a lot of Readers are going to love this, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if I end up in the minority opinion on it. Please take everything I have said with a grain of salt. It is just my personal experience.
Thank you to the publisher, Redhook, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Even though this wasn't a great fit for me, I will absolutely be picking up more from this author!
Content Warning:
May 16, 2024
If I'm being honest this book was not at all what I was expecting.
What I was expecting was a horror novel but this...isn't that. Not really, anyways.
Yes, there is a possessed camera, a horror director trying to make the most terrifying horror movie of all time, a final girl, and plenty of dead bodies but it never delivered any chills. In fact, there was almost a horror comedy vibe to it. Kind of like the Scary Movie franchise.
For me the fatal flaw of this book is all the ins and outs of movie making. So many technical details that had me bored to tears. If you're a cinephile then this will probably be a heck of a lot more interesting to you than it was for me.
I will say that DiLouie is a great writer and I have read and enjoyed his books in the past. His knowledge of horror movies and the genre itself is astounding and it's obvious that this is a book he holds near and dear to his heart but I do think reader enjoyment will vary. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for my complimentary copy.
What I was expecting was a horror novel but this...isn't that. Not really, anyways.
Yes, there is a possessed camera, a horror director trying to make the most terrifying horror movie of all time, a final girl, and plenty of dead bodies but it never delivered any chills. In fact, there was almost a horror comedy vibe to it. Kind of like the Scary Movie franchise.
For me the fatal flaw of this book is all the ins and outs of movie making. So many technical details that had me bored to tears. If you're a cinephile then this will probably be a heck of a lot more interesting to you than it was for me.
I will say that DiLouie is a great writer and I have read and enjoyed his books in the past. His knowledge of horror movies and the genre itself is astounding and it's obvious that this is a book he holds near and dear to his heart but I do think reader enjoyment will vary. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for my complimentary copy.
August 29, 2024
A lot of good ideas, but unfortunately I felt the execution was just ok.
I liked it at times but was never really invested in it.
I liked it at times but was never really invested in it.
May 25, 2024
“That’s what heroic stories do for us. They show us the way. They remind us of the good we are capable of.”
- Sam Raimi
Director, The Evil Dead
Max Maurey is a director who is desperate to make the greatest horror movie in recent years. he dedicates his whole life to this goal and when he finds a cursed camera of a previous director named Arthur Golden, things take a sinister turn. Arthur’s camera is actually cursed and whoever gets filmed on it ends up dying in real life. Max is conflicted about this fact and vows never to use it, but when things start to fall through with his movie that all changes. we also have Sally whose a up and coming actress looking for her break out role as a horror final girl. Max and Sally become entangled with each other in search of their respective ambitions.
“Monsters in movies are us, always us, one way or the other. They’re us with hats on.”
- John Carpenter
Director, Halloween
although this book has it’s darker elements (won’t mention specifics), there’s a major focus on moviemaking in general and the unfair judgement the horror genre gets compared to it’s counterparts. i appreciated the discussion on this since there’s a lot of unnecessary hate towards horror when sometimes there’s more to it than people will give credit for. i’m just a big fan of movies and everything that goes into making them, so i loved all the references to actual horror movies and their directors. but if you’re not into that you might be lost, or even find those sections not as interesting. i had such a fun time reading this one and it felt like it was written just to my tastes since horror is my favorite movie genre. the ending was really cool too, loved the way this story played out!
↠ many thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the arc! all opinions are my own.
July 19, 2024
2.5 Stars
Video Review https://youtu.be/ylbSUYXdIsI
As a horror novel about horror films, this one should have been easy to love. I have read and enjoyed previous books from this author so I was hopeful this could be another solid addition.
The story ended up being fine, but just fine. I didn't find it particularly interesting or memorable. This is very much a case of a missed opportunity.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Video Review https://youtu.be/ylbSUYXdIsI
As a horror novel about horror films, this one should have been easy to love. I have read and enjoyed previous books from this author so I was hopeful this could be another solid addition.
The story ended up being fine, but just fine. I didn't find it particularly interesting or memorable. This is very much a case of a missed opportunity.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
August 12, 2024
Horror is as healthy as eating carrots. It's therapy for the human condition- Max Maurey
This was one goofy campy horror book with over the top kills. It was exactly what I expected and it delivered.
This was one goofy campy horror book with over the top kills. It was exactly what I expected and it delivered.
July 21, 2024
2.5 ⭐️s
For a novel with horror in the title, horror was notably absent. I was bored to tears through most of this. Unless you are into the behind-the-scenes aspects of movie making, and literally every single thing that entails, you might struggle with this like I did. Make me scared… do something scary… mention something scary… do scares!
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You shouldn’t. Because it’s boring, and you’ll be bored. So don’t get bored
Themes
Greed, self-aggrandizement, and a willingness to do anything to fulfill one’s perceived calling
One Thing I’ll walk away with
Stank-face because boring
For a novel with horror in the title, horror was notably absent. I was bored to tears through most of this. Unless you are into the behind-the-scenes aspects of movie making, and literally every single thing that entails, you might struggle with this like I did. Make me scared… do something scary… mention something scary… do scares!
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You shouldn’t. Because it’s boring, and you’ll be bored. So don’t get bored
Themes
Greed, self-aggrandizement, and a willingness to do anything to fulfill one’s perceived calling
One Thing I’ll walk away with
Stank-face because boring
July 7, 2024
Underwhelmed. While June 2024 is filled with new releases from the horror and thriller genres. So far, I am not impressed.
The new Riley Sager. Meh. The new Craig DiLouie. Disappointing at a minimum.
358-pages long. Almost every page is devoted to monologuing.
Monologuing with a capital "M".
MONOLOG with all caps.
The main character is a Hollywood horror movie director. He monologs about how horror movies in Hollywood are no longer real horror. Monologs about his dream of making a real horror movie. Monologs about what is a real horror movie. Monologs about the injustice of the pure horror genre being manipulated, and ruined by the current "fake" horror that Hollywood produces.
This is not a horror story. It is a story "about" horror.
Again and again, I've experienced books marketed as one thing then the reality is not as sold. It's incredibly frustrating. I would have passed on this if it had been described accurately. As such, it was not. The result was a disappointing and boring reader experience. Along with a very low rating, that is public. Which result is better?
The new Riley Sager. Meh. The new Craig DiLouie. Disappointing at a minimum.
358-pages long. Almost every page is devoted to monologuing.
Monologuing with a capital "M".
MONOLOG with all caps.
The main character is a Hollywood horror movie director. He monologs about how horror movies in Hollywood are no longer real horror. Monologs about his dream of making a real horror movie. Monologs about what is a real horror movie. Monologs about the injustice of the pure horror genre being manipulated, and ruined by the current "fake" horror that Hollywood produces.
This is not a horror story. It is a story "about" horror.
Again and again, I've experienced books marketed as one thing then the reality is not as sold. It's incredibly frustrating. I would have passed on this if it had been described accurately. As such, it was not. The result was a disappointing and boring reader experience. Along with a very low rating, that is public. Which result is better?
July 24, 2024
DNF @ pg 200
I'm so sad to say that I'm going to put this one down. Despite it being one of my most anticipated releases of 2024, it just didn't hold my attention! I'd love to blame it on my reading slump, but I actually think this book was part of what put me in the slump in the first place. 😅 It had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, the pacing dragged and I wasn't invested in any of the characters or anything that was happening. When I realized continuing this book was only going to make my slump last that much longer, I decided to let it go, no matter how much it upset me after loving DiLouie's Episode Thirteen so much!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Content warnings for:
———
bookstagram | booktok | blog | storygraph | twitter/x
I'm so sad to say that I'm going to put this one down. Despite it being one of my most anticipated releases of 2024, it just didn't hold my attention! I'd love to blame it on my reading slump, but I actually think this book was part of what put me in the slump in the first place. 😅 It had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, the pacing dragged and I wasn't invested in any of the characters or anything that was happening. When I realized continuing this book was only going to make my slump last that much longer, I decided to let it go, no matter how much it upset me after loving DiLouie's Episode Thirteen so much!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Content warnings for:
———
bookstagram | booktok | blog | storygraph | twitter/x
June 19, 2024
TW/CW: Language, death of parent, anxiety, death of animal, sexual harassment, gory scenes, blood
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Max Maury should be on top of the world. He’s a famous horror director. Actors love him. Hollywood needs him. He’s making money hand over fist. But it’s the 80s, and he’s directing cheap slashers for audiences who only crave more blood, not real art. Not real horror. And Max’s slimy producer refuses to fund any of his new ideas.Sally Priest dreams of being the Final Girl. She knows she’s got what it takes to score the lead role, even if she’s only been cast in small parts so far. When Sally meets Max at his latest wrap party, she sets out to impress him and prove her scream queen prowess.But when Max discovers an old camera that filmed a very real Hollywood horror, he knows that he has to use this camera for his next movie. The only problem is that it came with a cryptic warning and sometimes wails.By the time Max discovers the true evil lying within, he’s already dead set on finishing the scariest movie ever put to film, and like it or not, it’s Sally’s time to shine as the Final Girl.
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Genre: Horror
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Cheesy b-movie feel
What I Didn't Like:
1. Book cover looks cheesy
2. Writing style is convoluted
3. Characters are annoying
4. Story is boring
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read.}}
How is the most anticipated horror movie a third movie in the series? I've never heard of people being on their seats for the third movie, unless it's fantasy. Or unless it's been 20 years since the last one.
In the beginning we meet Max Murray and he is the creator of the horror franchise. He then meet Jordan Layman who is the producer of the movie.
Okay so the first Jack the Knife came out in 1979 and it's 1988 so this is the third movie it appears like a new movie comes out maybe every 3 years.
The film synopsis for Jack the Knife;
Back in the fifties, a young man named Jack drove in a drag race on the Fourth of July. As a result of sabotage, he died in a fiery wreck. Decades later, he returns from the dead on Independence Day as an angry spirit of vengeance aimed at the town’s teens.
Weirdly enough in that synopsis it doesn't say that Jack was sabotaged.
Love that Sally passes out and rather than Nicholas telling Max where she lives he just let Sally go home with Max while she's passed out. I imagine that necklace knew where Sally lived.
Oh talking about Big Bear Lake - I just went there a few years ago for Thanksgiving. It's beautiful up there.
Omgosh this book keeps explaining what horror is but if you are already reading a book with horror in the title then you already know what horror is. It felt like it was over explained to you.
What is with this book and going to the 100,000 locations that Max goes to? We drive here and there and everywhere.
Final Thoughts:
I tried really hard to get interested in this book. It all felt basic and just there. I'll end up forgetting everything about this book in a week. Very meh feeling. I really tried to think about what I enjoyed about this book but ultimately I had to dnf it. It was so boring I kept waiting for something interesting to happen but Max just travels from location to location and we just keep getting this story he's writing inside the story, but it wasn't good. Like I said it all just seemed so basic. This is a story that maybe a new author would write in their first novel but this author has but has a lot of books.
I ended up dnfing it around page 175. I wanted to love this book honestly but after getting through Paul Tremblay's Horror Movie I can't suffer through another terrible book written about horror movies that's boring.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Redhook for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Max Maury should be on top of the world. He’s a famous horror director. Actors love him. Hollywood needs him. He’s making money hand over fist. But it’s the 80s, and he’s directing cheap slashers for audiences who only crave more blood, not real art. Not real horror. And Max’s slimy producer refuses to fund any of his new ideas.Sally Priest dreams of being the Final Girl. She knows she’s got what it takes to score the lead role, even if she’s only been cast in small parts so far. When Sally meets Max at his latest wrap party, she sets out to impress him and prove her scream queen prowess.But when Max discovers an old camera that filmed a very real Hollywood horror, he knows that he has to use this camera for his next movie. The only problem is that it came with a cryptic warning and sometimes wails.By the time Max discovers the true evil lying within, he’s already dead set on finishing the scariest movie ever put to film, and like it or not, it’s Sally’s time to shine as the Final Girl.
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Genre: Horror
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Cheesy b-movie feel
What I Didn't Like:
1. Book cover looks cheesy
2. Writing style is convoluted
3. Characters are annoying
4. Story is boring
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read.}}
How is the most anticipated horror movie a third movie in the series? I've never heard of people being on their seats for the third movie, unless it's fantasy. Or unless it's been 20 years since the last one.
In the beginning we meet Max Murray and he is the creator of the horror franchise. He then meet Jordan Layman who is the producer of the movie.
Okay so the first Jack the Knife came out in 1979 and it's 1988 so this is the third movie it appears like a new movie comes out maybe every 3 years.
The film synopsis for Jack the Knife;
Back in the fifties, a young man named Jack drove in a drag race on the Fourth of July. As a result of sabotage, he died in a fiery wreck. Decades later, he returns from the dead on Independence Day as an angry spirit of vengeance aimed at the town’s teens.
Weirdly enough in that synopsis it doesn't say that Jack was sabotaged.
Love that Sally passes out and rather than Nicholas telling Max where she lives he just let Sally go home with Max while she's passed out. I imagine that necklace knew where Sally lived.
Oh talking about Big Bear Lake - I just went there a few years ago for Thanksgiving. It's beautiful up there.
Omgosh this book keeps explaining what horror is but if you are already reading a book with horror in the title then you already know what horror is. It felt like it was over explained to you.
What is with this book and going to the 100,000 locations that Max goes to? We drive here and there and everywhere.
Final Thoughts:
I tried really hard to get interested in this book. It all felt basic and just there. I'll end up forgetting everything about this book in a week. Very meh feeling. I really tried to think about what I enjoyed about this book but ultimately I had to dnf it. It was so boring I kept waiting for something interesting to happen but Max just travels from location to location and we just keep getting this story he's writing inside the story, but it wasn't good. Like I said it all just seemed so basic. This is a story that maybe a new author would write in their first novel but this author has but has a lot of books.
I ended up dnfing it around page 175. I wanted to love this book honestly but after getting through Paul Tremblay's Horror Movie I can't suffer through another terrible book written about horror movies that's boring.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Redhook for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 7, 2025
2.5 stars.
I, unfortunately, did not love this. It didn't hit the way Episode Thirteen did. I was super intrigued in the beginning, it got interesting again towards the end but the middle, dragged. For me personally, it felt like a lot of waffle and I just felt a bit bored honestly. I had high hopes for this one after loving Episode Thirteen last year, so I am pretty gutted about the outcome.
I do have Suffer the Children on my kindle and I am still intrigued by the latest release My Ex The Antichrist, but yeah, this didn't hit sadly.
I, unfortunately, did not love this. It didn't hit the way Episode Thirteen did. I was super intrigued in the beginning, it got interesting again towards the end but the middle, dragged. For me personally, it felt like a lot of waffle and I just felt a bit bored honestly. I had high hopes for this one after loving Episode Thirteen last year, so I am pretty gutted about the outcome.
I do have Suffer the Children on my kindle and I am still intrigued by the latest release My Ex The Antichrist, but yeah, this didn't hit sadly.
December 20, 2024
I usually try to keep my reviews spoiler-free, just to avoid ruining things for folks. I won’t be able to do that for this review, as there are just too many specific pain points that need to be called out. Abandon all hope ye who enter here…
There are so many crucial parts in this novel that just don’t work for me. The characters are unlikable. The story is uninteresting as it stumbles along to its unsatisfying ending. Ultimately, this book feels like it’s lacking soul. It feels like horror by and for folks who WANT to love horror, but without any true passion or affinity for the genre. Even the very obvious name-dropping of 80’s slashers feels like a kid trying to gain cred by googling “What are the best 80’s horror movies?”
It just feels like it is trying so hard, down to the super pithy line that the author tries to end every chapter with.
Those are the reasons this book didn’t work for me based on vibes.
As for the specific reasons:
How about the lack of diversity? There is one queer character in the entire book, and she is promptly used as a prop for our straight protagonist to have sex with, in order to show our protagonist’s rebellious nature. This whole chapter was a dumpster fire, focused on the “violence” of the absolute caricature of the punk rock scene and ending with the aforementioned pithy line of “maybe she was a little punk rock after all.” Because nothing says punk rock like a straight woman eating pussy. Don’t worry, this is never mentioned again and DiLouie kills our lesbian character off and buries the gay.
How about anybody that is not white? Well, we get one BIPOC character and she reads as a stereotypical Black woman with no real depth. Even the audiobook narrator couldn’t figure out how to make this less ridiculous by sometimes reading her dialogue with a southern accent and sometimes not. But hey, at least she survives?
The list goes on. He kills the dog, while mentioning the horror rule of never killing the dog. Edgy. The mean girl actress is somehow portrayed as a worse villain in the middle of a chapter where the actual villain (you know, the insane, murderous director) is literally killing people for his art. Remember how the camera was able to kill people just by recording them at the park in the beginning of the novel but by the end, Max has to chant some incantation? Yeah, the author didn’t remember either, because why have internal logic?
Ironically, the whole point of the story is that Max is sick of making horror movies that folks laugh at and he wants to make something truly unique and horrifying. Max would have hated this novel. It hits all the usual and expected beats. It is uninspired at best.
All of the themes in this novel have been done better in other novels. Do you want to read a novel that also name-drops horror films but you can actually tell the author deeply loves the genre? Check out Stephen Graham Jones’ My Heart is a Chainsaw.
How about a novel that deals with supernatural occult cinema? Check out Silvia Morena Garcia’s Silver Nitrate.
Want a book that deals with a haunted item from an artist? Check out Scott Leeds’ Schrader’s Chord.
And lastly, if you want your indictment of the Hollywood scene and film industry, pick up Chuck Tingle’s Bury Your Gays.
There are so many crucial parts in this novel that just don’t work for me. The characters are unlikable. The story is uninteresting as it stumbles along to its unsatisfying ending. Ultimately, this book feels like it’s lacking soul. It feels like horror by and for folks who WANT to love horror, but without any true passion or affinity for the genre. Even the very obvious name-dropping of 80’s slashers feels like a kid trying to gain cred by googling “What are the best 80’s horror movies?”
It just feels like it is trying so hard, down to the super pithy line that the author tries to end every chapter with.
Those are the reasons this book didn’t work for me based on vibes.
As for the specific reasons:
How about the lack of diversity? There is one queer character in the entire book, and she is promptly used as a prop for our straight protagonist to have sex with, in order to show our protagonist’s rebellious nature. This whole chapter was a dumpster fire, focused on the “violence” of the absolute caricature of the punk rock scene and ending with the aforementioned pithy line of “maybe she was a little punk rock after all.” Because nothing says punk rock like a straight woman eating pussy. Don’t worry, this is never mentioned again and DiLouie kills our lesbian character off and buries the gay.
How about anybody that is not white? Well, we get one BIPOC character and she reads as a stereotypical Black woman with no real depth. Even the audiobook narrator couldn’t figure out how to make this less ridiculous by sometimes reading her dialogue with a southern accent and sometimes not. But hey, at least she survives?
The list goes on. He kills the dog, while mentioning the horror rule of never killing the dog. Edgy. The mean girl actress is somehow portrayed as a worse villain in the middle of a chapter where the actual villain (you know, the insane, murderous director) is literally killing people for his art. Remember how the camera was able to kill people just by recording them at the park in the beginning of the novel but by the end, Max has to chant some incantation? Yeah, the author didn’t remember either, because why have internal logic?
Ironically, the whole point of the story is that Max is sick of making horror movies that folks laugh at and he wants to make something truly unique and horrifying. Max would have hated this novel. It hits all the usual and expected beats. It is uninspired at best.
All of the themes in this novel have been done better in other novels. Do you want to read a novel that also name-drops horror films but you can actually tell the author deeply loves the genre? Check out Stephen Graham Jones’ My Heart is a Chainsaw.
How about a novel that deals with supernatural occult cinema? Check out Silvia Morena Garcia’s Silver Nitrate.
Want a book that deals with a haunted item from an artist? Check out Scott Leeds’ Schrader’s Chord.
And lastly, if you want your indictment of the Hollywood scene and film industry, pick up Chuck Tingle’s Bury Your Gays.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
I loved Craig DiLouie’s previous works so I was expecting to love this. This book wasn’t really a horror book. It’s a book about Hollywood and making movies. There wasn’t enough of the cursed camera element of the story for me, and when we finally do get it, it was too late for me. The story had interesting parts, but it dragged on too long. Unfortunately, I found this mostly boring and struggled to finish it.
I also read this immediately after Paul Tremblay’s Horror Movie and I think I’m getting burned out on this topic already lol.
I also read this immediately after Paul Tremblay’s Horror Movie and I think I’m getting burned out on this topic already lol.
April 1, 2024
Review in the April 2024 issue of Library Journal
Three Worlds That Describe This Book: cursed object, constantly intensifying dread, love letter to Horror genre
Drat Review:
It’s 1988 and Max Maurey is a Horror movie director at the top of his game, but he wants to make something new, a film that can capture the authentic Horror of life. Sally has been making a name for herself as “the bad girl” in Maurey’s films, but what she really wants to be is the “final girl.” When the two of them find the camera with which a director filmed the horrific, accidental death of most of his cast, Maurey realizes that it may hold the power to help him realize his filmmaking dreams. Told from both Sally and Maurey’s points of view, readers learn very quickly that this will be no ordinary movie, as the camera’s deadly intentions make themselves known. However, despite this slasher’s high body count, DiLouie adds a tenderness to the story, encased in the horror of the camera itself, that ultimately allows Maurey to create the authentic experience he was striving for all along. A love letter to Horror itself, this novel affirms the genre's ability to help its fans safely confront the darkness in their lives while at the same time, terrifying them to their core.
Verdict: A great read for fans of authors who embrace slasher movie tropes in their storytelling such as Brian McAuley, Grady Hendrix, and Stephen Graham Jones, but also those who love tales where artists and cursed objects collide such as Gothic by Fracassi.
2 narrators:
Max, the director-- 1988 and he is at the top of the 80s Slasher market, but being Jason, Michael Myers, and Freddy.
Sally the actress and potential Final Girl
This is a story of a cursed film protector and a director who will do whatever it takes to make the most authentic horror movie ever. It is unnerving and upsetting, the dread builds relentlessly to a point that could be too much, but DiLouie is too good a writer for that, and it is not. A lot of that has to do with the world he built around the camera itself (really original and serves the story well as it doesn't allow it too get too bleak-- no more on that). That extra level of world building allows the novel to end still unsettled, but in a much better place. Again, no spoilers. But in the afterword, DiLouie talks about this novel being his love letter to Horror-- both the emotion and the genre. Without that extra world building about the camera itself, he would have lost that thread and just given us a bloody slasher with a high body count.
Sally is a memorable character, one I would spend time with again.
Readalikes: The closest book to this one is about a cursed writing desk and its creator-- GOTHIC by Fracassi (which I LOVED). Curse of the Reaper by McAuley is also a good readalike. There is a lot of discussion of the allure of Horror as a genre and the Slasher in particular here, so readers who like that as portrayed in My Heart is Chainsaw by SGJ or The Shoemaker's Magician by Pelayo made like this one, but I would probably steer those readers to The Final Girl Support Group by Hendrix first.
A love letter to Horror itself, this novel affirms the genre's ability to help its fans safely confront the darkness in their lives while at the same time, terrifying them to their core.
Verdict: A great read for fans of authors who embrace slasher movie tropes in their storytelling such as Brian McAuley, Grady Hendrix, and Stephen Graham Jones, but also those who love tales where artists and crushed objects collide such as Gothic by Fracassi.
Three Worlds That Describe This Book: cursed object, constantly intensifying dread, love letter to Horror genre
Drat Review:
It’s 1988 and Max Maurey is a Horror movie director at the top of his game, but he wants to make something new, a film that can capture the authentic Horror of life. Sally has been making a name for herself as “the bad girl” in Maurey’s films, but what she really wants to be is the “final girl.” When the two of them find the camera with which a director filmed the horrific, accidental death of most of his cast, Maurey realizes that it may hold the power to help him realize his filmmaking dreams. Told from both Sally and Maurey’s points of view, readers learn very quickly that this will be no ordinary movie, as the camera’s deadly intentions make themselves known. However, despite this slasher’s high body count, DiLouie adds a tenderness to the story, encased in the horror of the camera itself, that ultimately allows Maurey to create the authentic experience he was striving for all along. A love letter to Horror itself, this novel affirms the genre's ability to help its fans safely confront the darkness in their lives while at the same time, terrifying them to their core.
Verdict: A great read for fans of authors who embrace slasher movie tropes in their storytelling such as Brian McAuley, Grady Hendrix, and Stephen Graham Jones, but also those who love tales where artists and cursed objects collide such as Gothic by Fracassi.
2 narrators:
Max, the director-- 1988 and he is at the top of the 80s Slasher market, but being Jason, Michael Myers, and Freddy.
Sally the actress and potential Final Girl
This is a story of a cursed film protector and a director who will do whatever it takes to make the most authentic horror movie ever. It is unnerving and upsetting, the dread builds relentlessly to a point that could be too much, but DiLouie is too good a writer for that, and it is not. A lot of that has to do with the world he built around the camera itself (really original and serves the story well as it doesn't allow it too get too bleak-- no more on that). That extra level of world building allows the novel to end still unsettled, but in a much better place. Again, no spoilers. But in the afterword, DiLouie talks about this novel being his love letter to Horror-- both the emotion and the genre. Without that extra world building about the camera itself, he would have lost that thread and just given us a bloody slasher with a high body count.
Sally is a memorable character, one I would spend time with again.
Readalikes: The closest book to this one is about a cursed writing desk and its creator-- GOTHIC by Fracassi (which I LOVED). Curse of the Reaper by McAuley is also a good readalike. There is a lot of discussion of the allure of Horror as a genre and the Slasher in particular here, so readers who like that as portrayed in My Heart is Chainsaw by SGJ or The Shoemaker's Magician by Pelayo made like this one, but I would probably steer those readers to The Final Girl Support Group by Hendrix first.
A love letter to Horror itself, this novel affirms the genre's ability to help its fans safely confront the darkness in their lives while at the same time, terrifying them to their core.
Verdict: A great read for fans of authors who embrace slasher movie tropes in their storytelling such as Brian McAuley, Grady Hendrix, and Stephen Graham Jones, but also those who love tales where artists and crushed objects collide such as Gothic by Fracassi.
April 6, 2024
For me, horror has always been a way to explore my own fears in a safe environment and I think this book perfectly encapsulates horror lovers appreciation of the genre and the ability to allow us to face the monsters that haunt us, the sub genre of horror literature that's aimed at horror lovers in all its forms are my favourite, very much a love letter to the slasher genre of the 70s/80s this marries dark humour and final girls in a way that fans of Hendrix and SGJ will appreciate, the cursed item trope is also up there with tropes I particularly enjoy (think Gothic by Fracassi) in this case the camera serves as a metaphor for the dark underbelly of Hollywood and what people are willing to do for a good scare, theres a lot of attention paid to character development which creates an evocative experience, a fun and self aware horror that takes an unflinching look at the way we relate to our protagonists, Craig's writing is incredibly suspenseful and I really enjoyed this, highly recommend especially if you enjoyed My Heart is a Chainsaw, The Final Girl Support Group, Silver Nitrate or Gothic
April 20, 2024
At 10%, nothing has really happened 🤷🏻♀️ the found footage scene recharged my interest, but then we fell back into this pseudo-biographical 'the real history of the slasher film.'
I think I'll come back to this title later because I'm holding out hope it ramps up; I just don't have the care to muscle through all the exposition.
I think I'll come back to this title later because I'm holding out hope it ramps up; I just don't have the care to muscle through all the exposition.
June 9, 2024
Thank you Redhook Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Cursed film stories are always a favorite of mine and Mr. DiLouie delivers. An obsession, some gore, some shocking and chilling scenes, all made for an entertaining ride. Check this out when it publishes June 18, 2024!
July 16, 2024
Should be called, "how to make a boring book and fall asleep"
August 28, 2025
That third act was so darned fun. Just what I needed this week.
May 26, 2024
‘Horror isn’t horror unless it’s real.’
This story starts out following the likeable Max Maurey, a director who’s famous ‘Jack the Knife’ movies are getting reviews of being too campy, too famous and too laughable. He obtains a camera with sinister motives and Max is hooked on using it to make his next movie the scariest film one would ever witness.
Also following the lovely Sally Priest, who is always the bad girl but never the final girl. She so desperately wants to prove herself in Hollywood. She sees Max as a meal ticket, but gets way more than she wished for.
Thoughts:
This book was a fun, entertaining read. It had a lot of what I was hoping for; all the glamour and the behind the scenes of Hollywood film making in the 70’s/80’s, actors doing everything they can to make it, and directors pushing to their ultimate limits. I enjoyed the numerous movie facts and references; also the different interpretations of ‘what horror is.’
Although the pace was slow at times throughout the book and with some parts I would have taken out altogether, the details the author offered made up for it. I did also love the character building for both Max and Sally.
The last quarter of the book picked up a great deal and ended beautifully and just how I wanted. It’s one of those endings where you know what’s coming but so satisfying to read.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Redhook Books for the ARC!
This story starts out following the likeable Max Maurey, a director who’s famous ‘Jack the Knife’ movies are getting reviews of being too campy, too famous and too laughable. He obtains a camera with sinister motives and Max is hooked on using it to make his next movie the scariest film one would ever witness.
Also following the lovely Sally Priest, who is always the bad girl but never the final girl. She so desperately wants to prove herself in Hollywood. She sees Max as a meal ticket, but gets way more than she wished for.
Thoughts:
This book was a fun, entertaining read. It had a lot of what I was hoping for; all the glamour and the behind the scenes of Hollywood film making in the 70’s/80’s, actors doing everything they can to make it, and directors pushing to their ultimate limits. I enjoyed the numerous movie facts and references; also the different interpretations of ‘what horror is.’
Although the pace was slow at times throughout the book and with some parts I would have taken out altogether, the details the author offered made up for it. I did also love the character building for both Max and Sally.
The last quarter of the book picked up a great deal and ended beautifully and just how I wanted. It’s one of those endings where you know what’s coming but so satisfying to read.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Redhook Books for the ARC!
April 25, 2024
If you aren’t horrified, you aren’t paying attention. If you aren’t terrified, you aren’t really living. That’s what Max Maurey believed.
Like many others, Max Maurey leaned on horror films for comfort; preferring the fictional horrors to the horrors of reality. Feeling called to be a director, he worked his way through film school at UCLA—where even his peers and professors thought of him as uncultured for wanting to create horror films—and through odd jobs in the film industry until he finally caught his big break. Now, it’s 1988 and Max has just created and directed the most anticipated horror film of the year. Jack the Knife is a series of slashers that have been as big and as brilliant as Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street. But Max and the producer are having creative differences… While the producer wants to make films that appeal to the public—cheap and predictable—Max is dying to get back to making real art, real horror.
Horror is only horror if it’s real.
Enter Sally Priest. A B-list horror movie actress who is trying to prove herself worthy of the role of her dreams—The Final Girl. When the pair find an old camera that once filmed a real, horrific, Hollywood accident, Max considers it as “an omen from the movie gods” and uses it as his golden ticket to make the scariest movie viewers have ever seen.
Thoughts:
This book is set in and around the Hollywood hills and, for me, it made it feel all the more real as it struck close to home—mentioning cities and landmarks that I conduct my own life around.
I wouldn’t consider myself a film buff so I was worried that a lot of this book and its lingo might go over my head but I was genuinely pleased with the way DiLouie brought it down to “normie” level while still making it interesting and I even found myself learning a few things.
All of the references to real-life beloved slasher films and the making of slashers were, of course, welcomed by me and reading this has me dyyyying to go watch my favorite slashers.
This book takes on a slower pace and readers spend a lot of time getting to know Max and Sally which will be problematic for some but it wasn't for me. Parts of the story got a little convoluted and I didn’t understand some of the MC's decision making process but overall… Loved the characters, loved the plot, loved the writing.
Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for the digital copy! Out 06/18/2024!
Like many others, Max Maurey leaned on horror films for comfort; preferring the fictional horrors to the horrors of reality. Feeling called to be a director, he worked his way through film school at UCLA—where even his peers and professors thought of him as uncultured for wanting to create horror films—and through odd jobs in the film industry until he finally caught his big break. Now, it’s 1988 and Max has just created and directed the most anticipated horror film of the year. Jack the Knife is a series of slashers that have been as big and as brilliant as Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street. But Max and the producer are having creative differences… While the producer wants to make films that appeal to the public—cheap and predictable—Max is dying to get back to making real art, real horror.
Horror is only horror if it’s real.
Enter Sally Priest. A B-list horror movie actress who is trying to prove herself worthy of the role of her dreams—The Final Girl. When the pair find an old camera that once filmed a real, horrific, Hollywood accident, Max considers it as “an omen from the movie gods” and uses it as his golden ticket to make the scariest movie viewers have ever seen.
Thoughts:
This book is set in and around the Hollywood hills and, for me, it made it feel all the more real as it struck close to home—mentioning cities and landmarks that I conduct my own life around.
I wouldn’t consider myself a film buff so I was worried that a lot of this book and its lingo might go over my head but I was genuinely pleased with the way DiLouie brought it down to “normie” level while still making it interesting and I even found myself learning a few things.
All of the references to real-life beloved slasher films and the making of slashers were, of course, welcomed by me and reading this has me dyyyying to go watch my favorite slashers.
This book takes on a slower pace and readers spend a lot of time getting to know Max and Sally which will be problematic for some but it wasn't for me. Parts of the story got a little convoluted and I didn’t understand some of the MC's decision making process but overall… Loved the characters, loved the plot, loved the writing.
Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for the digital copy! Out 06/18/2024!
August 21, 2024
Although I liked the story, I just didn’t jive with the characters. I was just wanting more. The audiobook was performed well.
Read
January 9, 2025DNF at page 200.
Since I am not finishing this, I'm not rating it.
Welp, I’m calling it with How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive.
For a novel with horror in the title, the horror feels absent, and I couldn’t care less if anyone else survives.
At this point, not only am I bored and disconnected with the book, but the characters are unlikeable and seem like they were cut out of a cookie “movie horror” template.
✔️ You want a Final Girl with mommy issues?!
✔️ How about moody and emo Horror Director?!
✔️ Want an opinionated, curvy Black Woman for some diversity in the movie?!
✔️ Well, let’s not forget our Sleazy Producer to round out the movie package?!
Right?! Good grief…🤦♀️😂🤣
The longer this book continues, the less I seem to care, and it feels like a manual on how to direct a horror movie with little to no horror involved in the plot.
Maybe it gets better by the end but it's putting me in a book slump, and I need to move on.
Next!
Since I am not finishing this, I'm not rating it.
Welp, I’m calling it with How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive.
For a novel with horror in the title, the horror feels absent, and I couldn’t care less if anyone else survives.
At this point, not only am I bored and disconnected with the book, but the characters are unlikeable and seem like they were cut out of a cookie “movie horror” template.
✔️ You want a Final Girl with mommy issues?!
✔️ How about moody and emo Horror Director?!
✔️ Want an opinionated, curvy Black Woman for some diversity in the movie?!
✔️ Well, let’s not forget our Sleazy Producer to round out the movie package?!
Right?! Good grief…🤦♀️😂🤣
The longer this book continues, the less I seem to care, and it feels like a manual on how to direct a horror movie with little to no horror involved in the plot.
Maybe it gets better by the end but it's putting me in a book slump, and I need to move on.
Next!
June 26, 2024
Disappointing book from DiLouie about a horror director's passionate love of the genre which takes a wicked turn when he finds a camera that has the power to kill. DiLouie tries way too hard to make an ode to horror so that it eventually becomes a sledgehammer to the face. Those of us who read and watch the genre already know how good it is, we don't need it rammed down our throats. We get it. The story gets very silly and dopey as it progresses, with stilted dialogue and way too much philosophizing, the same problem in his last effort. Another book that thinks it's way cleverer than it really is. Not sure I'll read another by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2024
Horror is as healthy as eating carrots. It's therapy for the human condition. -Max Maurey
Horror lovers rejoice! This book has it all! For me it was all about the old camera. I love a cursed artifact! Bonus points if it summons evil.
This book is packed full of horror tropes and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The ending comes to a very satisfying conclusion.
My thanks to HBG Canada for this gifted copy!
Horror lovers rejoice! This book has it all! For me it was all about the old camera. I love a cursed artifact! Bonus points if it summons evil.
This book is packed full of horror tropes and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The ending comes to a very satisfying conclusion.
My thanks to HBG Canada for this gifted copy!
July 2, 2024
How to make a Horror Movie and Survive follows the successful director Max Maury as he attempts to make the most scary horror movie using a haunted camera. Readers also meet and follow up and coming Hollywood actress Sally Priest as she tries to win her mother’s approval and finally break big into the industry by landing the lead final girl role in Maury’s film. Through this book we see what lengths some people will go and what costs they will pay to achieve success.
I enjoyed how fast paced this read was and played with the different character perspectives. It was like watching an animal clip where viewers cheer for whatever animal the narrator has crafted a perspective from. Sometimes it’s the lion to catch a meal and other times it’s to hope the zebra escapes. In How to make a Horror Movie sometimes I felt myself cheering for the director and sometimes for the actress.
The ending did seem a little anticlimactic and felt rushed but the final chapter put a nice cherry on top to tie it together somewhat. Overall, it was a fun read.
I enjoyed how fast paced this read was and played with the different character perspectives. It was like watching an animal clip where viewers cheer for whatever animal the narrator has crafted a perspective from. Sometimes it’s the lion to catch a meal and other times it’s to hope the zebra escapes. In How to make a Horror Movie sometimes I felt myself cheering for the director and sometimes for the actress.
The ending did seem a little anticlimactic and felt rushed but the final chapter put a nice cherry on top to tie it together somewhat. Overall, it was a fun read.
July 2, 2024
I was really looking forward to this book as I enjoyed his last book, Episode Thirteen. Unfortunately, I was disappointed as half the book I found to be rather boring although the end did help me enjoy it more.
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