Yvonne
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week.
Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
Your host for June 2013 is: Bellezza over at ‘Dolce Bellezza’
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!
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I can’t believe that it was way back in 2010, when author Layton Green first contacted me with regard to Fiction Books reviewing his debut novel, ‘The Summoner’. This was actually to become the second in a series of thrillers featuring the new character of Dominic Grey, although it was written before the first book ‘The Egyptian’, which was released the following year.
From Africa, to The Middle East and Eastern Europe, Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults and the occult, must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth – before that truth kills them.
Now, after a short break, Dominic and Viktor are back and poised for their latest adventure, which is even more deadly and dangerous than before, taking the pair from the streets of San Francisco to Europe, as part of their quest to travel the world, investigating the bizarre…one cult at a time.
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‘THE DIABOLIST’ by LAYTON GREEN
In this gripping thriller, the bizarre murder of a Satanic priest in San Francisco draws Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, to the scene. Witnesses claim a robed figure, seemingly able to appear and disappear at will, set fire to the priest. When the leader of another Satanic cult in Paris dies under similar circumstances, the case only grows stranger… and more dangerous.
Convinced that a charismatic New Age prophet is behind the murders, the investigators undergo a perilous journey into the world of the occult as they try to penetrate the prophet’s inner circle. From the catacombs of Paris to London’s nefarious East End, from the haunted walls of York to a monastic fortress in the Sicilian wilderness, the case plunges Viktor and Grey into a vortex of black magic, ancient heresies, and the dark corners of their own pasts.
The Diabolist is a chilling novel that not only pulsates with action and suspense, but also mines a trove of fascinating historical, philosophical, and paranormal research to probe some of our closest held beliefs. From the opening pages to the astonishing conclusion, this latest installment in one of today’s most original new thriller series is not to be missed.
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THE AUTHOR – LAYTON GREEN
In addition to writing, Layton Green has held down a diverse and varied array of jobs over the years, although he actually attended law school in New Orleans, qualified and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door-to-door phone book deliverer, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton is, as you may have gathered, a prolific traveller, having visited more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them and still carries a burning desire to visit every far flung dot on the map.
Religion and cults, as well as all things spiritual and supernatural, have also been a lifelong interest, together with a long-term passion for Japanese Jujitsu.
Combine all of these elements together and it isn’t too difficult to see just where Layton found his inspiration for the character of Dominic Grey and the storylines for this excellent series of adventures.
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IN LAYTON’S OWN WORDS …
I think a good story is one that is, above all else, interesting. Assuming a well-written story, no matter the genre, my advice for aspiring writers is: Don’t be boring. That doesn’t mean you have to write a novel at a breakneck pace, it just means that readers shouldn’t want to put it down because they have to see what you’re going to say next.
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I can only say a profound thank you to Layton for putting his trust in Fiction Books for a third time and I look forward to joining Dominic and Viktor on their latest investigation….
My review of ‘The Summoner’ can be read here ..
My review of ‘The Egyptian’ can be read here ..
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Always a joy when an author puts their trust in you not once, not twice but three times.
Most definitely my kind of read, as Layton isn’t an author I’m familiar I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for his books.
Hi Tracy,
I must admit that, until I came across Layton’s books, I had no real interest in the occult as a genre. Now I am totally hooked and I can’t wait to read ‘The Diabolist’ and can’t thank Layton enough for the opportunity.
I general, I am always delighted when an author makes a return visit to Fiction Books, it makes the whole review process so worth while.
I hope that you have enjoyed the same great weather ‘up North’, that we have had down here in Cornwall. We have gone AWOL for a few days, so my posting may be a little sporadic, however I still appreciate you stopping by.
As you know, I love crime thrillers! This isn’t an author I’ve read, but the books do sound good. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Hi Nikki,
Layton’s books are so much more than your traditional crime thriller.
‘Think ‘Return Of The Mummy’, meets ‘National Treasure’ meets ‘Indiana Jones’ and you might get close to the storylines of the first two books in the series, so I am hoping that ‘The Diabolist’ carries on the excellent storytelling tradition!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you have had a good weekend.
Satanic cults in Paris and London’s East End? This sounds like an adventure. It is nice when an author trusts you with their work. Happy reading Yvonne 🙂
Hi Naida,
Layton’s characters Dominic and Viktor certainly have plenty of adventures, although they are seldom out of danger and life threatening situations.
I have really enjoyed these dark, occult stories, much more than I ever anticipated I would and I am only grateful that Layton thought to contact me for a third time for a review.
Thanks for stopping by and for leaving your comment. I am out of town for a few days and although I can reply to all your comments, I am unable to make return visits to anyone’s sites to comment, so I hope to catch up with you next week.
Take Care.
This sounds like an excellent crime thriller Yvonne – happy u chose to profile it.
Hi Diane,
I am just so pleased that Layton thought to contact me and that I didn’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.
Layton’s fast-paced, action-packed style of writing suits me down to the ground and although the character of Dominic Grey is quite complex and deep, a little more of his true personality is revealed with each book, so that I feel as though I am really getting to know him quite well.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, your comments are always appreciated.