The Devil Device

by Dave Jeffery

The coastal town of Dorsal Finn is no stranger to the fantastic and the bizarre. A dark heart beats beneath its cobblestone skin and the rhythm is a beacon for all things devious and evil. Only its reluctant sentinel, Beatrice Beecham, keeps the town free from the terrible entities that it attracts.

Now Dorsal Finn has four new visitors. They look like a regular gang of youths, yet they are anything but human. Masters of manipulation and skilled in deception, these beings have their own agenda. Their tools to move their plans forward include an esoteric device and a terrifying cosmic creature with deadly intent.

And, unless she can stop them, the ritual sacrifice of Beatrice’s best friends.

***

“ The Devil Device builds to a lengthy, dizzying, thrilling denouement that will leave you feverishly turning the pages to find out how it all ends.”—DARREN SHAN, bestselling writer of CIRQUE DU FREAK and ARCHIBALD LOX

“ The Devil Device is in intriguing blend of fantasy and horror with heroine Beatrice Beecham and her friends defending her beloved town of Dorsal Finn from relentless supernatural attacks. Beatrice is this generation’s Buffy Summers.”—TONY JONES, Ginger Nuts of Horror, Horror DNA and School Librarian

“Without a doubt The Devil Device , which will particularly appeal to fans of King and Lovecraft, will attract those who are already Dave Jeffery fans as well as a growing band of new disciples.”—JOHN GILBERT, Phantasmagoria Magazine

“Part-urban fantasy, part cosmic horror, The Devil Device features an exciting world loaded with wonder, creatures, and esoteric secrets. Jeffery weaves the modern world together with the fantastical in such a way, you’ll want to book a trip to Dorsal Finn as soon as possible!”—ROBERT P. OTTONE, author of THE VILE THING WE CREATED and the Bram Stoker Award-winning novel THE TRIANGLE

“ The Devil Device , the latest in Dave Jeffery’s ripper YA mystery series, features dark secrets, shadowy strangers, and small seaside-town singularity. A cosmic conflict of dark and light, and with characters to believe in, these are the books I wish I’d grown up with.”—LEE MURRAY, five-time Bram Stoker Award-winning and Shirley Jackson Award-winning author of DESPATCHES and INTO THE MIST

Genres: Novels, Horror

293 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2023

About the author

"Jeffery has a connoisseur's eye for the grotesque and mind-bending."—STEPHEN VOLK, writer of GHOSTWATCH and AFTERLIFE,


Dave Jeffery is a British Fantasy Award and The Bridport Prize Finalist. He is author of 19 novels, two collections, and numerous short stories. His Necropolis Rising series and yeti adventure Frostbite have both featured on the Amazon #1 bestseller list, while the A Quiet Apocalypse series continues to garner critical acclaim. His YA work includes the Beatrice Beecham supernatural mystery series and Finding Jericho. His screenwriting credits include award winning short films Ascension and Derelict.

Before retiring to write full-time, Jeffery worked in the NHS for 35 years specialising in the field of mental health nursing and risk management. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Health Studies. His novel Finding Jericho is an amalgamation of his experiences of working with service users who have experienced stigma and social exclusion due to their mental illness. As a novel, Finding Jericho (Demain Publishing) has featured on both the BBC Health and Independent Schools Entrance Examination Board's ‘Recommended Reading’ lists

Jeffery is a member of the Society of Authors, British Fantasy Society (also as a regular book reviewer), and actively involved in the Horror Writers Association where he is a mentor on the HWA Mentorship Scheme and recipient of the HWA Mentor of the Year Award, 2022. He was also co-chair of the HWA Wellness Committee for a three-year tenure.

Jeffery is married with two children and lives in Worcestershire, UK.

Forthcoming Releases:

SEPTEMBER 2025

False Prophet: A Novel (Eerie River Publishing)

This Way Lies Madness Anthology (co-edited with Lee Murray, Flame Tree Press)

MAY 2026

Screams & Whispers Collection (Horrorsmith Publishing)

Reviews

[Benjamin Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a great time reading this book. One thing (among many) that Jeffrey does well is create characters that feel real. They have their own ambitions and goals, their own lives going on which makes you care about them as they get involved in the shenanigans of four aliens creatures (hiding in the bodies of teens) who bring corruption and chaos. It's told through multiple perspectives, allowing the story to evolve quickly. The story quickly captivates and builds in intensity to a great conclusion. I had a great time reading this book.

[Jordan Encee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange Tale Indeed

In way it very entertaining and confusing. I like the idea of the characters being from another place entirely. It makes you wonder if anyone is actually a human. But it did make things just a little hard to follow along. It’s definitely a slow burn to get to craziness. I can see where people can enjoy this story but for me it wasn’t a great as I hoped it to be. But for those who found it enjoyable that is great!
It also seems like a start to a series. I’m curious what is next.

[George Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely cracking YA read. If you enjoy fantasy with a good dollop of horror with a fantastic heroine thrown in for good measure, this is the book for you. Dave Jeffery has excelled himself with The Devil Device. I read it in one sitting and was so glad I did. The ending was exceptional.

[Kayleigh Dobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Dave Jeffery :)

[Happy Goat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/05/0...

If you enjoy body-snatching fiends (sort of!), realistic and well fleshed out characters, and stakes of the highest order, you'll probably enjoy this!