The Diabolist by Layton Green

By Don Helin

In his gripping thriller, THE DIABOLIST, Layton Green unleashes the bizarre murder of a Satanic priest in San Francisco which 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.

Layton Green practiced law at a large firm for nearly a decade. He has also been an intern for the UN, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of knives on the streets of Brixton, and the list goes downhill from there.

He has traveled to more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung speck on the map.  He currently lives in the Atlanta area with his family.

I had the chance to catch up with Layton and ask him a few questions.

Is there anything special you’d like to tell us about THE DIABOLIST?

I will say this novel inspired even more reflection than usual along the way — which is why I wanted to write it.  I’ve had test readers describe the book in many different ways, from a fast-paced international thriller, to a mediation on the nature of good and evil, and to a controversial look into the history of the devil.  I hope the novel not just entertains, but makes people think and feel, because in my view a good novel must do all three.  I’m curious to see how it’s received.

Did any particular event inspire the plot?

Ever since I started The Dominic Grey series, which I describe as “international religious thrillers,” I knew I would eventually feature a satanic cult or some derivation thereof.  This is that novel.  The explosion of social media and how it might fuel a global mega-preacher also inspired the plot.

What are you doing to promote your book?

Stressing a lot.  Does that count?  Being a social media Luddite myself, I tend to focus on getting my books in the hands of reviewers.  And honestly, just trying to increase my platform by writing the best books I can.

What’s next?

I plan on writing Dominic Grey novels for a very long time.  I also have a couple of stand-alone novels I am polishing, as well as a new fantasy series that is taking shape.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing (hobbies, family, etc)?

My lovely wife and I have two young kids, and that is enough to keep any army busy.  Lots of reading of course, and I squeeze in travel and jujitsu when I can.  I also spend a good amount of time thinking about all the interesting things I used to do.

Praise for the Dominic Grey Series:

“THE SUMMONER is one of those books that make you want to turn on all the lights in your house and lock the doors . . . The settings are authentic and you can feel and smell the countryside . . . This is a wonderful read for those who enjoy both suspense and action stories.” –SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Praise for THE EGYPTIAN:

“Stirring and imaginative, with an engaging premise that is briskly paced.  Both the characters in the story and the reader are in for a wild ride.” –Steve Berry, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE KING’S DECEPTION

“[If] James Bond and the X-Files had a love child, this book would be it.” –Keryl Raist, TO PUBLISH OR NOT TO PUBLISH

“Wow. Layton Green has become the new master of gripping, chilling, and suspenseful stories.” –TWO READERS REVIEWS

“[A] fantastic thriller that leaves the reader breathless and on the edge of their seat. Green’s writing reminds me of Michael Crichton’s works with the mysteries, thrills, and the life-changing scientific discoveries.” –Cherie Reich, SURROUNDED BY BOOKS 

Your book looks great, Layton.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

*****

In addition to writing, Layton Green practiced law at a large firm for nearly a decade. He has also been an intern for the UN, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of knives on the streets of Brixton, and the list goes downhill from there.

He has traveled to more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung speck on the map. He currently lives in the Atlanta area with his family.

To learn more about Layton, please visit his website.