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A Devilish Anachronism
This year the Devil had not anticipated coming to London for
Christmas, at all. He was scheduled to be elsewhere. The far east
to be more precise. But for some inexplicable reason his particular
set of senses told him that he was needed there. So here he was.
And a good job too if his current charge was anything to go by.
Perched precariously atop Tower Bridge he was doing his utmost to
talk down a man who seemed intent on throwing himself head long
into the icy waters of the river Thames below. But what had driven
the man to such extremes? And, more to the point, how was it that
he seemed to know who he was? The plot thickens as the Devil
becomes embroiled in a plot to try and prevent Hell itself coming
to Earth.
Christmas, at all. He was scheduled to be elsewhere. The far east
to be more precise. But for some inexplicable reason his particular
set of senses told him that he was needed there. So here he was.
And a good job too if his current charge was anything to go by.
Perched precariously atop Tower Bridge he was doing his utmost to
talk down a man who seemed intent on throwing himself head long
into the icy waters of the river Thames below. But what had driven
the man to such extremes? And, more to the point, how was it that
he seemed to know who he was? The plot thickens as the Devil
becomes embroiled in a plot to try and prevent Hell itself coming
to Earth.
202 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 31, 2025
A DEVILISH ANACHRONISM
by Paul R Stanton
A Book Review by Zea Perez
February 2024
The Devil is befuddled by mankind's attitude of ‘I couldn’t care less!’
The Devil is bemused by mankind's attitude that is prevailing nowadays: ‘I couldn’t care less one way or another!’
In this book, the Devil tries to shake mankind and to ‘wake them up!’ from their ‘all- encompassing slumber’ through solving a mystery and graduating to a threat which entails the survival of humanity.
The narratives are eloquent and very entertaining to read. I love the humor among the scenes and in between the lines.
I am delighted once again to read and to be ushered (same with the other books of PRS - his trademark) in the tour of Old London’s curious, underrated places as the story moves forward.
The characters are endearingly devilish and never forget that at the heart of this tale are the core values of empathy, compassion, awareness of human flaws and better ways to do things, reckoning and redemption which have current social relevance to ponder!
by Paul R Stanton
A Book Review by Zea Perez
February 2024
The Devil is befuddled by mankind's attitude of ‘I couldn’t care less!’
The Devil is bemused by mankind's attitude that is prevailing nowadays: ‘I couldn’t care less one way or another!’
In this book, the Devil tries to shake mankind and to ‘wake them up!’ from their ‘all- encompassing slumber’ through solving a mystery and graduating to a threat which entails the survival of humanity.
The narratives are eloquent and very entertaining to read. I love the humor among the scenes and in between the lines.
I am delighted once again to read and to be ushered (same with the other books of PRS - his trademark) in the tour of Old London’s curious, underrated places as the story moves forward.
The characters are endearingly devilish and never forget that at the heart of this tale are the core values of empathy, compassion, awareness of human flaws and better ways to do things, reckoning and redemption which have current social relevance to ponder!
February 13, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed Paul R Stanton’s previous book A Festive Verisimiltude, featuring the Devil in his role as the maker or breaker of people’s lives, so I was delighted to receive a review copy of this new book. Unlike the prequel, which was a collection of individual stories, this one is a complete novel and a mystery to boot. I found it incredibly compelling and hard to put down as the story threw out clues and hints that had me as puzzled as old Nick. I love Mr Stanton’s writing; he has a wonderfully rich way with words and his eloquence finds a great platform in the Devil’s dialogues with various characters from both the underworld and on Earth. I also love the sense of place, being London at Christmas time, and the fact our Nick is, despite his position, a rather likeable soul. The mystery kept me guessing to the end and had a very satisfying resolution. Well done, Mr Stanton. This is an excellent follow-up to your previous Devil-who-cares books.
February 8, 2026
I was given this novel in exchange for a fair review, and since I've written about Old Scratch in other novels, why not see how other writers handle it?
It was a nice surprise. Here, we have a devil who isn't a devil-may-care guy, but a devil-who-cares guy...in short, he's actually pretty nice, considering all the damage he's caused over the millennia. Here, we have him saving a man--I kid you not--named John Moron who's ready to commit suicide, and this was a death not sanctioned by Hell itself. Therefore, the devil has to figure out who Moron is and why he's trying to end his own life.
I won't give away the story; you'll have to read it for yourself. Overall, a very offbeat look at the netherworld with a lot of snappy dialogue and a solid narrative. The edition I received had a number of punctuation errors, but this was an arc and not the finished product, and those in no way detracted from the novel.
It was a nice surprise. Here, we have a devil who isn't a devil-may-care guy, but a devil-who-cares guy...in short, he's actually pretty nice, considering all the damage he's caused over the millennia. Here, we have him saving a man--I kid you not--named John Moron who's ready to commit suicide, and this was a death not sanctioned by Hell itself. Therefore, the devil has to figure out who Moron is and why he's trying to end his own life.
I won't give away the story; you'll have to read it for yourself. Overall, a very offbeat look at the netherworld with a lot of snappy dialogue and a solid narrative. The edition I received had a number of punctuation errors, but this was an arc and not the finished product, and those in no way detracted from the novel.
August 20, 2025
This is a fun romp with the Devil as he investigates bizarre deaths not sanctioned by him. The Devil's disregard for humanity leads him to see humans as ants who need to up their game. The author's sense of humor is apparent throughout, beginning with the first human the Devil tries to save, named John Moron, which follows through with the Devil's contempt for mere mortals.
Ever since watching Supernatural and Lucifer, I've loved stories that bring the dark creatures to living color with some human traits. I've even written books in this genre.
If you want an easy read with a twist of humor, this is the one for you.
Ever since watching Supernatural and Lucifer, I've loved stories that bring the dark creatures to living color with some human traits. I've even written books in this genre.
If you want an easy read with a twist of humor, this is the one for you.
May 6, 2025
I'm an absolute sucker for re-defining classically 'evil' characters such as the Devil, Death, various imps and demons and whatnot, and I completely enjoyed every step of the Devil's adventure!
Mr. Stanton has created an amazing world full of interesting characters in places and situations you would never expect them to be.
Often humorous, frequently thought-provoking, and at all points making the reader questions what we may or may not know about the Devil, I'm excited to read the rest of the series. Grab a copy and enjoy!
Mr. Stanton has created an amazing world full of interesting characters in places and situations you would never expect them to be.
Often humorous, frequently thought-provoking, and at all points making the reader questions what we may or may not know about the Devil, I'm excited to read the rest of the series. Grab a copy and enjoy!
March 10, 2026
The Devil has a human face. He tries to save a man and fails when the man throws an object at him then jumps to his death. The Devil tries to move on...but something stops him. He wants to understand why. This is the beginning of the mystery as the Devil follows the clues to find the answer.
Loved it.
Didn't expect the ending.
What will the Devil do next? I'm sure the author is working on an answer!
Loved it.
Didn't expect the ending.
What will the Devil do next? I'm sure the author is working on an answer!
November 26, 2025
Devil organizes meetings to deceive people in this book and reveal their secrets. His methods are tricky. The descriptions are poetic and with a dose of humor. Almost philosophical, this book offers a deep insight into humans characters. Will Devil clean some souls or only give inputs , that is the question. Some people could be punished in purgatory or in special kind of hell. In this book, Devil is intelligent, dangerous and toxic, but generous because he gives a choice to people.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews