What do you think?
Rate this book
Avec le Diable
1990 : James Keene, fils d'une famille influente de Chicago, vient d'être jugé pour trafic de drogue et condamné à dix ans de prison. Désespéré, il reçoit dans sa cellule une visite inattendue, celle de l'assistant du procureur à l'origine de sa détention. Conquis par l'intelligence et l'habileté de James, celui-ci vient lui proposer un incroyable deal : sa peine sera annulée s'il aide le FBI à piéger un serial killer, Larry Hall. Suspecté d'une vingtaine d'assassinats, Hall a été inculpé pour un seul d'entre eux lors d'un procès qui risque d'être bientôt révisé en appel, faute d'éléments suffisants. Keene devra amener le tueur à se confesser, et réunir assez de preuves contre lui pour le faire tomber définitivement. Tâche ardue, qui ne peut être confiée à un agent du FBI du fait du flair légendaire de Hall. Après quelques hésitations, Keene accepte de relever le défi. Il est alors transféré à Springfield, dans l'unité psychiatrique de la prison de haute sécurité dévolue aux criminels les plus dangereux, où Hall est détenu. Seuls le directeur et le psychiatre en chef sont au courant de sa mission. Là, au milieu des psychopathes, il va devoir gagner la confiance du plus redoutable d'entre eux pour lui faire avouer où il a caché les corps de ses victimes.
328 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2010
584 people are currently reading
5519 people want to read
About the author
James Keene
33 books30 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
November 14, 2012
Very hard for me to read this one. I grew up with Jessica Roach, the girl Larry Hall was eventually convicted of murdering. She was four years younger than I was; I was 18 when she went missing. We grew up in the same very small town (Georgetown, IL, population 3,600), belonged - at the time - to the same very tight-knit religious sect (Jehovah's Witnesses), and I never in a million years believed something like that could happen in my town, to someone I knew. The story saddened me, but knowing that Mr. Hall is in prison for the rest of his life brings some measure of relief.
I admit that I picked up the book for Jessica's story, but I was sucked in by the ups and downs of the author's personal history. He was a young man who paid dearly for his mistakes, but in the end, doing what he did to help bring justice for Jessica and Larry Hall's other victims is truly marvelous.
Kudos to James Keene for his bravery. Jessica would thank you if she could.
I admit that I picked up the book for Jessica's story, but I was sucked in by the ups and downs of the author's personal history. He was a young man who paid dearly for his mistakes, but in the end, doing what he did to help bring justice for Jessica and Larry Hall's other victims is truly marvelous.
Kudos to James Keene for his bravery. Jessica would thank you if she could.
September 7, 2022
3.75 Stars — Still need some time to ruminate and cogitate on this one. A good-read, a cracker of a tale & well written. But I need to take some time to better understand how I feel about the writer and protagonist, and whether he heroised himself overtly or not!
August 12, 2022
I had no idea this was also a TV series when I picked up the audiobook, but now that I do I'm going to watch it too.
This was really interesting, even though a few times there were perspective jumps like a few reviews mentioned, and I was like wait where are we now, who's talking, what's going on etc.
Eventually I got the hang of it, and overall I had a good time listening to this.
This was really interesting, even though a few times there were perspective jumps like a few reviews mentioned, and I was like wait where are we now, who's talking, what's going on etc.
Eventually I got the hang of it, and overall I had a good time listening to this.
August 31, 2022
السيرة الذاتية لجيمي كين الذي ساعد المباحث في تثبيت تهمة القتل علي المجرم والقاتل المتسلسل لاري هول
عرفت الكتاب من دراما ابل الحديثة black bird
دراما حوارية ممتازة شاهدوها ممتعة وشاهدوا أيضا وثائقي CNN عن لاري هول
عرفت الكتاب من دراما ابل الحديثة black bird
دراما حوارية ممتازة شاهدوها ممتعة وشاهدوا أيضا وثائقي CNN عن لاري هول
October 8, 2022
Falls under the technically, you told a story category, for me. It’s very oddly written in a way, since Keene is a third person perspective but it’s ostensibly his book? Clearly, it is written by the other person with details supplied by Keene, which makes it odd he’s the predominate name, but I guess it’s more upfront than ghostwriting. It’s just a bit odd at the start as you acclimate.
It’s also fairly self aggrandizing and probably would have been better served just inserting testimonials for those sections. Who cares that he got laid a lot? Most people are probably like me and picking it up because of the tv show, Black Bird, which markets itself as being insider knowledge on Larry Hall, a convicted serial killer. That aspect was fairly interesting, though extremely superficial, with no insights; mostly, it’s just how he went about gaining the convicts trust and subsequent fallout, and then has small exposition at the end.
The audiobook is narrated well and I listened to it at over 2x speed with it sounding natural, making it far quicker than watching the show. Pleasantly surprised to find some of the more dramatized stuff from the show is pulled from this, when it had the look of artificial pacing injected into the script. Sometimes truth is as strange as fiction, I guess.
It’s also fairly self aggrandizing and probably would have been better served just inserting testimonials for those sections. Who cares that he got laid a lot? Most people are probably like me and picking it up because of the tv show, Black Bird, which markets itself as being insider knowledge on Larry Hall, a convicted serial killer. That aspect was fairly interesting, though extremely superficial, with no insights; mostly, it’s just how he went about gaining the convicts trust and subsequent fallout, and then has small exposition at the end.
The audiobook is narrated well and I listened to it at over 2x speed with it sounding natural, making it far quicker than watching the show. Pleasantly surprised to find some of the more dramatized stuff from the show is pulled from this, when it had the look of artificial pacing injected into the script. Sometimes truth is as strange as fiction, I guess.
February 27, 2014
It was OK. The narrative jumped around too much without much preamble. Was this James Keene's story or Larry Hall's? Keene certainly was not a sympathetic protagonist. While it was a true story, and therefore one would want things in a straight forward manner, it got rather tedious to read when it pertained to him- it is difficult to stick with the narrative when the main character is so self satisfied. He justified his criminal behavior while superficially taking responsibility, and seems rather impressed with his own ability to connect with notorious mafia figures. I actually think that a problem with the way it was written is that it never fully defines the "devil" from the title. While Larry Hall's crimes are heinous,the narrative actually makes him more sympathetic than Keene. Since Hall is, indeed, the devil of the title and there is some obvious symptoms of his evil character, this often got lost in describing his meek veneer. Disappointing book.
July 9, 2023
Very thorough...
Levin's portraits of both Keene and Hall are thoughtful and thorough. Obviously the arcs of each man's story are grossly different, but Levin weaves through both in a way that helps explain without excusing the worst behaviors of either.
Keene's sweeping rise, fall and hellish climb towards redemption are in stark contrast to the small peaks and deep valleys of Hall's lifelong tightrope walk between relative normalcy and disturbing evil.
Levin's research really revealed how Hall's meek doughboy facade belied a cunning intelligence capable of the terrible crimes of which he was accused. I couldn't stop thinking that the "wannabe" role he played with the local cops allowed him to hide in plain sight. For Keene's part, he's definitely a flawed hero but one that seems genuine in seeing the error of his ways. You definitely root for him.
For those who've watched the apple tv limited series, the book absolutely clarifies a few things that were mish-mashed or slightly glossed over for viewers. You can see where the show is tightened up for drama and pace, but I don't think it detracts from the overall story. Being a true crime fan, however, I wanted to get the whole picture and the book does that perfectly.
Levin's portraits of both Keene and Hall are thoughtful and thorough. Obviously the arcs of each man's story are grossly different, but Levin weaves through both in a way that helps explain without excusing the worst behaviors of either.
Keene's sweeping rise, fall and hellish climb towards redemption are in stark contrast to the small peaks and deep valleys of Hall's lifelong tightrope walk between relative normalcy and disturbing evil.
Levin's research really revealed how Hall's meek doughboy facade belied a cunning intelligence capable of the terrible crimes of which he was accused. I couldn't stop thinking that the "wannabe" role he played with the local cops allowed him to hide in plain sight. For Keene's part, he's definitely a flawed hero but one that seems genuine in seeing the error of his ways. You definitely root for him.
For those who've watched the apple tv limited series, the book absolutely clarifies a few things that were mish-mashed or slightly glossed over for viewers. You can see where the show is tightened up for drama and pace, but I don't think it detracts from the overall story. Being a true crime fan, however, I wanted to get the whole picture and the book does that perfectly.
March 25, 2022
I read this one because I was about to graduate high school when Tricia Reitler was abducted 15 minutes from my home, so the story has stayed with me. This story is compelling, and the book was a quick, but emotionally difficult, read. I admire Keene for all he did to help bring justice to the Reitler family, but find it frustrating that he couldn't keep his ego in check for another 24 hours or less, so that the authorities could have hopefully provided closure to this (and maybe other) cases.
November 4, 2010
What a hard road to redemption James Keene took. Looking forward to the movie.
March 7, 2025
Ultimately, it’s not as much about Keene but I enjoyed it
October 3, 2022
All I can really say about this is that I enjoyed the Apple+ series much, much more than I did the book on which it's based. That's unusual for me, although it's also kind of rare for me to still seek out the source material after I've watched a movie or series, but I loved the screen adaptation so much I thought I'd like to dig deeper.
Seriously, though, go watch BLACK BIRD.
The book does elaborate on some details into which the show didn't delve too deeply, but -- and maybe I'm just shallow -- Keene the person is so much less likable than his televised counterpart. And considering I wouldn't call TV Keene "likable" in his own right that's saying something. I found myself reading and getting annoyed with how smugly pleased Keene sounded with himself throughout, bragging about his exploits like he's learned little if anything since getting out of prison. Who would've thought Taron Egerton would make him seem less arrogant??
It's probably unfair of me to rate this when I'm so obviously unable to separate it from a truly fantastic TV series, but it's just my take. The bones of the story about how Keene got Hall to trust him is still worthwhile, so no matter which way you prefer to take it in -- TV or book -- I absolutely recommend that. If you asked me which route to take, though, I think you can suss out what I'd say. I mean, the use of this music choice in the final scene of episode 3 alone (no real spoilers there) is worth the price of the subscription.
Seriously, though, go watch BLACK BIRD.
The book does elaborate on some details into which the show didn't delve too deeply, but -- and maybe I'm just shallow -- Keene the person is so much less likable than his televised counterpart. And considering I wouldn't call TV Keene "likable" in his own right that's saying something. I found myself reading and getting annoyed with how smugly pleased Keene sounded with himself throughout, bragging about his exploits like he's learned little if anything since getting out of prison. Who would've thought Taron Egerton would make him seem less arrogant??
It's probably unfair of me to rate this when I'm so obviously unable to separate it from a truly fantastic TV series, but it's just my take. The bones of the story about how Keene got Hall to trust him is still worthwhile, so no matter which way you prefer to take it in -- TV or book -- I absolutely recommend that. If you asked me which route to take, though, I think you can suss out what I'd say. I mean, the use of this music choice in the final scene of episode 3 alone (no real spoilers there) is worth the price of the subscription.
September 21, 2022
#JeffRecs
August 17, 2022
My husband started watching the tv show adaptation of this book, and I ended up getting pulled into this story about a charismatic drug dealer who turns prison informant to help keep a serial killer from getting out on appeal. While the plot is obviously dark, the acting is fantastic and convinced me to read the book to find out more. Luckily, the book held up to the expectations I had from the show (which happens to be pretty accurate compared to how adaptations can often go). The book offers a great inside look at how officials tracked down and ensnared a serial killer without getting really gory. It also goes further than the tv show could into the backgrounds and psyches of Hall and Keene, which was interesting, while also offering more background on some of the more known victims and their families, which felt appropriate. Overall, this book does a great job of focusing on the many intricate steps and pure luck it takes to bring down a serial killer without hyper focusing on the gruesome nature of the crimes itself, which is a thin line many such true crime stories miss.
April 13, 2020
I listened to the audio book read by Robertson Dean. Completely engaged me. A middle level drug dealer can get his sentence reduced by befriending a serial killer and getting information. This is a true story! Very interesting, and also a look inside prison, deals, and the criminal justice system. Couldn't put it down!
August 14, 2022
(Audiobook) Story was interesting but the narrator didn't differentiate between the different sides of the story, I sometimes had to think whose story is this. Not a read. Good but voices could've been different (story and narrative)
August 6, 2022
AppleTV series was very well done. The book was extremely informative and interesting to read, especially after having watched - something I don’t usually do in that order.
July 3, 2024
I'm a fan of true crime and the premise of this book which has also been adapted for the screen, was very intriguing. The concept of one prison inmate being asked to go undercover to get information from another inmate was something I didn't know happened.
That's exactly what James(Jimmy) Keene the author of this book, was asked to do.
In prison serving a much longer sentence than he anticipated for his drug dealing offence, Jimmy was offered a chance to get out early if he agreed to get close to Larry Hall, a man convicted of murdering one young girl and suspected of several more. The prosecution wanted a confession from Hall and information on where he had buried the bodies of the other young women he was suspected of killing so their families could get closure. Wanting to get back to his ailing father and turn his life around, Jimmy agreed.
It sounds like an incredibly dangerous task to undertake and it was, especially as no one could or would openly help him inside the prison and he had to use his smarts to get close to Larry Hall and ensure none of the other prisoners knew he was essentially a snitch, which would put him on their most hated list. Hall himself was a very psychologically disturbed person from the way he has been described, often admitting to killing the girls and then backtracking saying they were just dreams he had.
Building a rapport with Hall while negotiating the other tough and often violent inmates while also navigating horrible prison conditions was something Jimmy had to do with a lot of caution. Along with his experiences, the investigation of the FBI, the miserable conditions of the prisons and the plight of the affected families as they hoped for answers are all part of the narrative.
I felt while reading that this would be a great plot for a fiction book with its cast of unreliable characters, unthinkable mission and even twists! Truth is definitely stranger than fiction.
That's exactly what James(Jimmy) Keene the author of this book, was asked to do.
In prison serving a much longer sentence than he anticipated for his drug dealing offence, Jimmy was offered a chance to get out early if he agreed to get close to Larry Hall, a man convicted of murdering one young girl and suspected of several more. The prosecution wanted a confession from Hall and information on where he had buried the bodies of the other young women he was suspected of killing so their families could get closure. Wanting to get back to his ailing father and turn his life around, Jimmy agreed.
It sounds like an incredibly dangerous task to undertake and it was, especially as no one could or would openly help him inside the prison and he had to use his smarts to get close to Larry Hall and ensure none of the other prisoners knew he was essentially a snitch, which would put him on their most hated list. Hall himself was a very psychologically disturbed person from the way he has been described, often admitting to killing the girls and then backtracking saying they were just dreams he had.
Building a rapport with Hall while negotiating the other tough and often violent inmates while also navigating horrible prison conditions was something Jimmy had to do with a lot of caution. Along with his experiences, the investigation of the FBI, the miserable conditions of the prisons and the plight of the affected families as they hoped for answers are all part of the narrative.
I felt while reading that this would be a great plot for a fiction book with its cast of unreliable characters, unthinkable mission and even twists! Truth is definitely stranger than fiction.
October 20, 2025
A incredible and chilling story, I had goosebumps the whole time. The Apple TV series “Black Bird” which is based on this book is gripping and absolutely impossible to not binge watch, I would highly recommend it. It also stays very faithful to the book as I’m pretty sure the author was a producer on the show which is very cool.
This is a true story about a serial killer, Larry Hall, and the man who was sent to elicit a confession from him, James Keene (a fellow prisoner).
Highly recommend both the book and the show, perfect for a chilling October read!
This is a true story about a serial killer, Larry Hall, and the man who was sent to elicit a confession from him, James Keene (a fellow prisoner).
Highly recommend both the book and the show, perfect for a chilling October read!
July 30, 2024
It was a good read, I just didn’t like how I would read 1/2 a chapter about someone, get kinda engrossed in that chapter and then randomly it’ll go into a 25 page summary of the prison and everything that’s happened in the one prison since it opened.
October 2, 2023
Fascinating true story about befriending a serial killer in prison. Quick basic read but the reality of what Jimmy accomplished is really interesting.
June 19, 2024
Better then the show
June 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I didn’t like the dialogue at all, the writing was not it. Interesting story though.
I didn’t like the dialogue at all, the writing was not it. Interesting story though.
September 21, 2022
Very informative and interesting for anybody interested in criminal psychology and psychopath profiling, I need to check now if it is a true story it was so good if it is I'm not surprised it has been made into a drama!
August 20, 2023
This is now one of my most cherished books.I loved it from start to finish. Keene is a man to be respected and admired. Glad there are people who are willing to die to do the right thing!!!😋❣️ Bravo Written by Cathy R.
January 21, 2023
Interesting story, but the writing style is kind of all over the place. Would’ve been better if it was written from James’s POV.
September 18, 2022
5⭐ - 2⭐ = 3⭐.
– 1'5⭐ por la presencia de James Keene. Entiendo que es una forma de darle un enfoque novedoso a la historia del asesino en serie: el criminal que se redimió aceptando ir a una prisión peligrosísima para encerrar a un asesino de mujeres.
El problema es que Keene resulta muy desagradable y parece ser un vendehumos. Con haberlo introducido en los dos últimos capítulos habría bastado.
–0'5⭐ porque el estilo de escritura se torna errático a ratos y puede resultar tedioso. Gana en interés, fuerza, ritmo y estructura cuando se centra en la vida de Hall, en comportamientos estándar de asesinos similares, en los avances de los (infinitos) cuerpos de policía y en la construcción e historia del MCFP (el centro penitenciario de máx seguridad de Springfield en el que ingresa Hall).
Ps. Me alegro de haber visto primero la serie. Si hubiera leído este libro antes ni habría tocado la serie por no soportar de nuevo a Jimmy. Una oda a quienes decidieron suavizar tantos aspectos desagradables de Keene.
– 1'5⭐ por la presencia de James Keene. Entiendo que es una forma de darle un enfoque novedoso a la historia del asesino en serie: el criminal que se redimió aceptando ir a una prisión peligrosísima para encerrar a un asesino de mujeres.
El problema es que Keene resulta muy desagradable y parece ser un vendehumos. Con haberlo introducido en los dos últimos capítulos habría bastado.
–0'5⭐ porque el estilo de escritura se torna errático a ratos y puede resultar tedioso. Gana en interés, fuerza, ritmo y estructura cuando se centra en la vida de Hall, en comportamientos estándar de asesinos similares, en los avances de los (infinitos) cuerpos de policía y en la construcción e historia del MCFP (el centro penitenciario de máx seguridad de Springfield en el que ingresa Hall).
Ps. Me alegro de haber visto primero la serie. Si hubiera leído este libro antes ni habría tocado la serie por no soportar de nuevo a Jimmy. Una oda a quienes decidieron suavizar tantos aspectos desagradables de Keene.
December 6, 2023
*2.5
**not judging what the people have been through**
I feel like this book was hugely disadvantaged when it could have been done so much better! tThere was too many unnecessary ‘fillers’, while they were enjoyable I kept feeling agitated and restless wanting the writing to go back to what’s important, the story.
I also really did not like how the book was narrated.
**not judging what the people have been through**
I feel like this book was hugely disadvantaged when it could have been done so much better! tThere was too many unnecessary ‘fillers’, while they were enjoyable I kept feeling agitated and restless wanting the writing to go back to what’s important, the story.
I also really did not like how the book was narrated.
August 12, 2022
3.5 Rounded up
September 8, 2022
Read this book after watching, and becoming gripped, to the Larry Hall story via the TV programme Black Bird.
It cleared up a few details and answers some questions left open but the tv series but sadly the book is a bit rushed for me.
It’s worth the read if you’ve watched the tv series. Good but not brilliant.
It cleared up a few details and answers some questions left open but the tv series but sadly the book is a bit rushed for me.
It’s worth the read if you’ve watched the tv series. Good but not brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews