A former rock radio DJ with a wobbly moral compass. A geriatric pilot who smells like Bob Marley's favorite sweater. An illegal immigrant harboring an antagonistic relationship with the English language. And an actor who would rather be anywhere else.
What begins as your everyday "make a deal with the devil to save someone you love" story becomes a battle between warring factions of the underworld that could destroy humanity.
And these four strangers must come together to save everyone on earth.
Dick Wybrow is a Canadian author. His novels are mainly set in the US, where he grew up. A former stand-up comedian, Wybrow is a humor writer who crafts thrillers that incorporate elements of suspense, horror, mystery, science fiction and fantasy.
At the age of six, Dick was given his first book by his father. It was Wind in the Willows. Naturally, that put Dick off reading for several years.
After discovering Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, the love of reading returned. And with it came the compulsion to get lost worlds like Douglas had created.
Dick lives in Auckland, New Zealand with one wife and two cats.
What would you do in order to keep your beloved wife from dying of cancer? Would you make a deal with the devil? Raz did.
I really enjoyed this series and most of the humorous stuff in the stories/characters' heads. I felt bad about that, because, as I said in my review of one of the first books, one character, whose name is only mentioned like once somewhere in the series, is only referred to as The Actor and he's a drunk guy who's a little person and seems to be based on the author's fantasy about a certain real-life actor and what he'd be like if he were a gruff, burnt-out drunk. I guess he's supposed to be another thing that we laugh about in the books, and that's not ok. It would work fine with the actor not having any unusual physical characteristics (not that exploiting his alcoholism is ok). Oh, also, there's a Latina whose English accent doesn't take into account the way that a Spanish speaker would say things if they were translating directly.
Otherwise, Rasputin is a likeable character, as is this character Painter Mann, who is, unexpectedly-but ride with it - the main character in the books in mid- and late- series. I almost took a break after the first chapter or two of the first book that stars Painter, because it seemed like it was taking place in a whole different world with a bunch of all-new characters to wrap my brain around. That book is not the best of the books that have Painter, so keep going. The series does get back to Rasputin.
This series is truly unique. To envision Hell (and its minions, hangers on and accidental employees) as well as its impact on the living and the dead in such an amusing, but also potentially accurate way was a joy to experience. The world created by Dick Wybrow is full of action, emotion, and incredible humor. I had to make excuses a number of times for literally laughing out loud in public. Give it a shot. You won't end up Hell-bound for partaking in this delightfully guilty pleasure...I don't think.
What a fantastic wild ride!! This series is totally outstanding!! It’s a ride that has you on the edge of your seat , laughing out loud( ALOT!!) talking to the characters , who are all fantastic!! reading when you are supposed to be doing other stuff like “ sleeping “ !! I highly recommend this entire series, what an amazing adventure you are about to go on!!!
It's difficult and almost unfair to rate all nine books together. When I got to the In Between I very nearly put the books down. The writing wasn't as sharp as the previous story line had been and words were frequently missing. I couldn't relate what was happening to what had happened or get interested in the new plot line. I struggled through it and managed to finish all of the books, but would have happily skipped six or seven in the middle.
I love the characters in this series that is crazy and the reader must !just totally suspend belief, but getting to know these people and how they join together on adventures too wild to believe but the reader does want to believe them. Im going to be the lookout for more from this author. It would make such a fun, wild movie.
Hell of a great series. This is probably my favorite series that I have read. Dick Wybrow did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life and bring you onto the story. I'm definitely going to read more from him.