Customer Reviews

In Darkness It Dwells

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Joe Laudati's novel "In Darkness it Dwells" proves beyond any doubt that his future as an author is assured.
This brilliant novel tells the story of Tom DeFrank, an avid Ray Harryhausen fan and keen amateur stop-motion animator. After an unsettling event in a cave once frequented by Devil worshippers, he becomes obsessed with a demonic creature that seems to invade his nightmares. So taken with this creature is he that he builds and begins to animate a likeness of it. Fau' Charoth, as the creature is called, is brought hideously to life through Tom's obsession with it. Together with his girlfriend Julie Parrish, and her psychic father Stephen, they must find a way to send it back through the portal of hell that Tom had inadvertantly opened, before it destroys him entirely.

This is an edge-of-your-seat thrill-ride that does not let up from beginning to end. Joe Laudati is amazing in the way he brings his characters to convincing life. The ease in which you can identify with the characters is equally incredible.

Joe Laudati is an incredible sculptor, and as an author, just as incredible.

If you are looking for a book that is jammed packed with action, horror, romance, and non-stop thrills, then this is the book for you.

Craig Guild.

If you're into supernatural terror, teen heroes and stop-motion animation, this is the book for you.Joe Laudati packs all of that plus mre into it. The book grabbed my attention from the start and didn't let go until the final page. It's a totally fun ride,

In Chapinaw, New York sixteen years old filmmaker Tom DeFrank enjoys emulating his hero Ray Harryhausen in creating stop motion photography to create monsters. Tom accompanies his two friends Kevin and Danny to a cave where unbeknownst to the three teens a satanic ritual involving an infant sacrifice was stopped fifteen years ago. Something occurs inside with Tom muttering in a strange language.

At the high school, Tom meets Julie Parrish, whose father Stephen is considered by locals an eccentric lunatic, but in fact is a psychic. When she sees his drawings and recognizes his words she knows they are an enchantment. As Tom and Julie begin to fall in love, his latest "star" gizmo puppet is possessed by something the teen brought with him from the cave. As people suddenly die and violence explodes, everyone blames Stephen, who is the only hope to free the teen from his monster.

IN DARKNESS IT DWELLS is a fascinating paranormal thriller starring a delightful teen whose only enjoyment in life is the slow stop motion photography (see the movie Jason and the Argonauts as a terrific sample) until he meets Julie. The support cast augments the insight into the young hero and propels the fast-paced action forward. In some ways Stephen is the most enthralling character as his psychic gift is also a curse. Horror fans will appreciate this work and want Joseph Laudati to provide a prequel of what drove Stephen to Chapinaw.

Harriet Klausner

Paranormal thrillers are my favorite genre when they're done well. This one is. The characters are well developed, and that's another thing in novels that keeps me interested and satisfies me. In Darkness It Dwells also delivers a good story that's imaginative and different, and it moves along at a good pace. It hits the right buttons with this reader. Five stars from me.

In Darkness it Dwells is an impressive book. Author Laudati author has written a semi-epic here, detailed in a way that is reminiscent of Stephen King or Dean Koontz. This is a book way above the level of many horror titles.

The author knows every aspect of his characters lives, of the town they live in, of the demonological framework he employs in his story, and of amateur movie making which figures predominantly in the novel in quite an original way.

The writing is clear, crisp and smooth. The book flows and moved and never feels slow, despite it's hefty 600 plus page count.

But despite its demonic goings on, the real core of the book is the strength of the characters and the touching relationship between the young hero and heroine. Laudati paints this burgeoning relationship with such sensitivity that one feels as if he is experiencing what the same feelings the characters are. Characters are fresh, original, and real, never straying into cliché. The characters provide a strong spine to hang the horror on. The horror is affecting, because the characters it is happening to are so real.

The plot is clever, full of twists, and never becomes predictable.

A tremendous effort. Laudati is certainly an author to watch.

Joe Laudati's novel is very well written. He has developed the rare talent of creating a setting where true reality blends smoothly with vivid imaginary characters, and where the reader can easily understand the emotions that drive each character to their ultimate destiny. He cleverly balances the characters fear, anger and anxieties with humor....and paints a landscape full of widely varying character types, ages, and dispositions. This novel is what great, entertaining movies are made of. Riveting...but not stressful. Plus...the author lived much of the story line, thus providing the factual details that give substance to the fast plot and characters personal drive.

If this is his first book then future is BRIGHT for this author. Parts of book remind you of King, Barker. Ending is Like MOST of the horror books!!! if you know what I mean!!!