I just finished reading Tosca Lee’s “Demon: A Memoir” and I am blown away, again. This is a great story that grabs you from the very beginning and holds on to you until the very surprising end.

Unfortunately I was not familiar with Tosca Lee’s work at the time of the books original release back in January of 2007. I discovered her work later, while she was collaborating with Tedd Dekker on the “Books of Mortals” series. I next read her novel, “Progeny,” then “Hava,” then “The Line Between” followed by “The Long March home” and finally, “Demon: A Memoir.”

With each reading I have become more and more a fan of her work; and more than a fan, an admirer of her artistry. From what I’ve learned, the original release was very different. In fact it was much like the recent movie, “Nefarious,” which I am convinced was influenced by Tosca Lee’s writing. If you read the original, I urge you to read this latest release. I guarantee you will be as blown away as I am.

In this latest release, Clay, his name is an interesting allusion to his ilk, is struggling with a life that is falling apart around him. In the midst of his woes, he is contacted by a mysterious individual named Lucian, who lures Clay, an acquisitions editor for a small press, into a clandestine meeting in a small Boston café. Lucian, there, informs Clay, “I’m going to tell you my story …And you’re going to write it down and publish it.”

From that first proposition, Clay finds himself consumed in the writing of a demon’s memoir, related to him, piecemeal, over the months to come; months during which Clay begins to recede deeper and deeper into himself, wrapping himself in a dark blanket of depression and loss. All the while, the demon is relating truths that are not commonly known to mortals. Truths that keep Clay hooked on completing the work to the neglect of all else.

A light dawns for Clay, as the demon’s story approaches completion. Clay finds that there is a strong potential for his work on this memoir to succeed in the market, even to redeem his life and situation. But there are many lights in our world, greater lights and lesser. Clay must discern whether the light he sees at the end of his tunnel is a new opportunity, or an oncoming train. So must we all.

Tosca Lee is a literary genius who presents an underlying truth about life and purpose in this novel. It is a story that will interest readers of every kind. Anyone who reads for the purpose of being swept away into other worlds where the lives of literary characters can be either familiar, or exotic, will enjoy this read.

As a bonus I found that the Kindle version includes her novel, “Hava: The Story of Eve,” also a great read from Tosca Lee.