Devil Born Without Horns

by Michael A. Lucas

Modern day crime fiction generally falls squarely into one of two dull whodunits that might more properly be labeled who cares whodunits or half-baked exercises in hard-boiled attitude. In a field so overrun with generic output, we are tempted to call Devil Born Without Horns a breath of fresh air except that it might imply a sweetness and light that the author studiously avoids in this darkly humorous, but at times brutal, tale of crime and consumerism in the high-end furniture industry.

Genres: Fiction

285 pages, Paperback

First published October 19, 2007

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a part in this book where the main character's college sweetheart turned junkie tries to tell him about "Burroughs."

"Edgar Rice Burroghs?" He replies. I nearly fell out of my chair on the BART while reading that one. I've been reading a lot of ERB lately. It struck a chord.

Lucas acutely depicts a man shielded by the unwavering assumption that he is smarter than furniture store hacks, druggies and hipsters around him and couldn't possibly end up as a run-of-the-mill junkie. By the book's bloody conclusion, he makes the same kinds of dumb and dangerous decisions any run-of-the-mill junkie would make while still maintaining his lofty airs. It takes a little while to get to the good stuff but there is more than enough humor along the way to keep you thoroughly entertained. This isn't just a solid first effort, it's adamantine (and no, I'm not making an X-Men reference).

[Megan]

On the cover: The high-end furniture racket paid well... but crime paid better!

This book is horrible.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in a day and a half. On the surface this story is ridiculous, but it's really funny/original, if not a bit dark.

[Maximilian Montez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone who has worked with/for extraordinarily incompetent people.

[Francis Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parang umiilaw mga neon lights at disco balls habang binabasa mo itong librong ito. Maganda ang plot, straight to the point at ang feeling na iniiwan niya sa akin bilang reader yung "things can be fucked. Chill. Tapos bukas ulit". Perfect pang beach reading or airplane reading or pag gusto mo ng trip na hindi dragging o nakakainip

[Schnaucl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was actually really depressing. The main character is all bright-eyed and full of energy and enthusiasm about his job and I remember feeling that way when I first started working. I also remember being frustrated by inefficiency. Reading this book I felt guilty that I no longer feel that way and that the main character gradually loses his enthusiasm doesn't really help.

The summary on the back of the book is misleading. There's no actual hitman plot.

[Bill Florio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a most excellent read. Could not put it down and thanks to horribly timed construction by the Metropolitan Transit Authority, a 3 hour subway ride forced me to lose myself in the dark corner of furniture delivery and for this I will be forever grateful to Mr. Lucas.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a typical crime novel. Less action than I expected and more minutiae regarding the furniture moving business and the futile struggle to maintain dignity and humanity in the face of bureaucracy.

[Utrillo Kushner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book written by a friend.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A San Francisco treat.