books

And the Story Goes On . . .

I’m hard at work on the next book, which will take place 100 years after the the first.

dome the future is soon

They both share a common universe, but each book stands fully on its own.

If Diamond-T is the purgatory, then the next book will be the final descent into the depths of Hades, with a triumphant redemption towards the end.

And yes, you can expect off-kilter characters, wacky situations, and both pop-cultural and mythological references — not to mention stretches of dialog which sound lifted verbatim from people once overheard arguing about lawnmowers and transcendence outside of a nudie bar somewhere near Elko, Nevada. That’s just how I write. Sometimes.

Anyway, please get “Eye of the Diamond-T” and start the mystical journey through love, war, the American West, mental illness, CIA mind-control, sheep, explosions, semi-trucks, and Perry Como today.

PS: And thanks to all who’ve already started! Keep those cards, letters, and reviews coming.

https://diamondtbook.com/

Knowing is Half the Battle: Keeping People Ignorant is the Other Half.

Almost nothing in my novel “Eye of the Diamond-T” is historically accurate. But the one thing that is absolutely truthful might still astound some of the innocent among us.

hypnosis_mkultra_hypno

To observe the effects of the drug on unwitting subjects, they secretly administered LSD to hundreds of mental patients, prisoners, foreign nationals and private American citizens without their consent. — From History Channel

My protagonist Nick Pente is the classic subject for CIA mind control: A decorated WW2 veteran with severe PTSD who wandered aimlessly until happening upon a psychologist who “cured” him using what he only thought were cognitive methods: psychotherapy and long talks in a darkened office. The hypnosis and strange substances he just explained away. He didn’t want to make waves.

But these secret therapies succeeded in turning Nick into the perfect foil–and the ideal driver of a truck carrying a secret and sinister cargo. The book is about Nick’s journey back to sanity and his psychic and spiritual redemption despite the government and society that betrayed him. His combination of basic good nature, patriotism, and psychological disturbance would have made him the ideal “mark” for MKULTRA, and followers of the program will find plenty of hints at what’s really going on even at the beginning of the story.

I’d also point out that Americans are big thinkers and the ultimate popularizers. We’re really egalitarian that way. What worked on a small cadre of the disturbed would have likely been used on the populace at large, and likely was tried — under one name or another. That’s regardless of what the CIA testified during the Church Committee hearings in the 1970’s. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Anyway, Diamond-T is only partially an indictment of mind-control. It doesn’t really fit into the genre of “conspiracy lit.” My use of MKULTRA can be seen to represent all of mankind’s desire to just fit in and just let things slide, and how curiosity and critical thinking are rarely valued as highly as just going with the flow.

Pick up a copy of Eye of the Diamond-T today. I think you’ll enjoy the ride.

Excerpts, reviews and purchase links at www.diamondtbook.com

Another Great Review for Diamond-T!

“I really loved reading this book. The character weaves in and out of time, and LaBrie is able to paint such vivid pictures with his writing, capturing drastically different settings of the first half of the 20th century in rich detail.

The book flows easily and yet it’s also rich with layers of meaning. It’s suspenseful, action-filled, witty, and deeply psychological, so I think anyone would really enjoy reading it and get a lot out if it. Plus, the protagonist is really relatable, even for me as a female. Even after finishing, I still find myself thinking about him and his journey. I’m going to buy several copies of the book for people for the holidays because I’m so eager to talk about it. There’s so much to take away.

Highly recommended!”

— Kate Goldhouse
Check out Kate’s nutrition and wellness page at http://goldhousegourmet.blogspot.com/

Diamond-T available in print/Kindle on Amazon HERE

kate-goldhouse-diamon-t

Great Picture of a Diamond-T

Ahh, the Diamond-T.

Try to think of a time when this design graced the front of a piece of industrial machinery. Is it any wonder that it inspired a book about a mystical journey, one that tries to capture the essence of the America that produced such a thing? This is the mysterious flying-Diamond-T. Stare into it long enough and it stares back at you.

diamont-hood-ornament diamond-t-hood

Reviews are In!

Some great reviews for Diamond-T on Amazon now.

I was sure it would have something in it for everyone: Something to love, something to hate. It’s anything but “default lit.”

The book begins with a seemingly straightforward, harrowing action scene. A tractor trailer dangles precariously over an icy bridge overlooking railroad tracks. A train approaches, and the disoriented, injured driver wonders if his violent demise approaches with it. But to give a simple plot synopsis does this book a disservice. A much broader story is being told than is contained within the events on the page.

As the story progresses (often by digressing, in unexpected but satisfying ways), the driver, Nick Pente, is revealed to be more than just another faceless pop-fiction hero. Both relatable and mysterious, it is exceedingly easy to root for him as he slowly discovers the degree to which his life is (or isn’t?) under his own control. Troubling but telling memories of his past are interwoven with his current predicament, forming a narrative that both engages and intrigues. Nick Pente is a protagonist that maintains familiarity without risking the reader losing sight of what he represents. However he is well-crafted enough as a character, that “what he represents” will differ from reader to reader.

One indicator that an author knows his craft, and has a firm grasp on the story he’s trying to tell, is the degree to which the seemingly unimportant details end up speaking to a larger theme. Bill LaBrie’s writing allows almost all of these details to become full-fledged symbolic elements in the mind of a thoughtful reader. Beyond the evocative and very satisfying narrative lies a thick layer of broader meaning that qualifies “Eye of the Diamond-T” as top-notch fiction. It is a Hero’s Journey story that balances ample entertainment with a clear sense of mythological import.

Read more reviews and purchase at Amazon: CLICK