The Devil's Key

by Kevan Dale

A novel of supernatural horror unlike anything you’ve heard.

How can you stop the Devil from taking what’s his?

Finn Carey never quits. A young Irishman working in the mills of Massachusetts, he’ll fight tooth and nail for his family. But when the ship carrying them from Ireland drifts ashore with no one left alive, Finn refuses to believe they’re gone.

Tales spread of an evil escaped from the ship, of churches and cemeteries defiled. Convinced they’re connected to the whereabouts of his kin, Finn leaps into a desperate race against a foe whose determination matches his own.

When a beautiful devil-hunting nun from Latvia arrives claiming to hold the terrifying truth, Finn realizes there’s more at stake than just his family.

What really happened on the doomed ship? Can Finn stay one step ahead of the darkness stalking the canals? And can he keep the Devil himself from taking what he came looking for?

From the author of Ghost at Dusk comes this atmospheric, pause-resisting novel of supernatural horror.

Genres: Horror

Audible Audio

Published February 10, 2021

About the author

Kevan Dale grew up in a Massachusetts home full of books, next to a winding patch of woods full of stories (in his already vivid imagination). Books and stories eventually pointed him to a degree in English. That degree in English inspired him to pursue a career as a professional guitar maker (long story.) A decade of luthiery led to a second career, this time in video games (another long story) where he remains. It all made sense at the time, honestly.

Throughout all, books and stories. History, fantasy, horror. All of them tug at his imagination, and he happily follows.

Kevan is once again in Massachusetts, glad to live in his own home full of books, next to a winding patch of woods full of stories.

Join Kevan's private newsletter: www.kevandale.com

Reviews

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amid the chaos of a deadly shipwreck in 1862 Massachusetts, someone stole the Devil's Key, and the Devil desperately wants it back. Finn is an Irishmen living under oppression who just barely managed to escape from the carnage with his life and family intact, but from the wreckage something else emerged, a sinister shadow that wishes to paint the gaslit streets of night red with blood in search of what was stolen from him. Enlisting the aid of a lovely devil-hunting nun from Latvia, Finn uncovers long buried secrets from the distant past and confronts pure evil for the sake of protecting his family.

A very unique novel. While the book is promoted as a horror novel, I think it would be more accurate to call it a gothic thriller. It's less about scares and more about the smothering atmosphere of vengeful seas, vampiric shadow creatures and 18th century drama. It feels like it could fit right in next to the classics of the genre like Dracula and Frankenstein, capturing the visuals, superstitions and historical struggles of the age extremely well. It gave me similar vibes to Penny Dreadful which I really enjoyed.

Finn and his nun companion were badass leads, the villain was like a better-written version of Nosferatu and the overall grim atmosphere tinged with dark fantasy elements made for a very unique modern horror story that feels like it originated from two-hundred years ago.

***

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[Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil's Key is a page turner filled with rich eerie descriptions and ever-building tension to the very end. Kevan has a natural ability to create fully formed believable characters. The setting is done so well you can see, feel, hear and smell the mill city of 1860s Lawrence, Massachusetts. If you enjoy demonic horror stories, you'll really enjoy this take on it.

[Amie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Devils Key did keep me reading, but for me I didn't find as scary as I hoped. We got a little detail for a few parts of the story, the corpse and the examination of one of them was interesting to read, and I think I wanted more form the murders too. 2.5 stars.

[Vikas Jadon · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED IT.

[Rebecca M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. Will probably read again.

[David Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. This is a very atmospheric tale set in America where a washed up ship is located full of dead bodies. If this sounds similar to Bram Stoker's Dracula, yes, the influence is obvious, but this is a great read in its own right. There are some really nice gritty descriptions of the squalid areas that the Irish immigrants are living in and the stereotypical fights that take place. Among this, the story details how some of the characters came to America to make a better life, but something else came with them. There are some very graphic images, violent outbursts between the residents, and a nice tense, doom ridden atmosphere in certain parts, that all gel really well to add substance to make this a book that you easily get drawn into. The human element is nicely described between the 'haves' and 'have nots' in an almost Dickensian manner and the infighting amongst themselves adds an extra challenge for the local law enforcement and the lead characters when it becomes apparent that things are not well.

A must read for fans of vampire fiction, historical horror or anyone who likes a well thought out story that is easy to get into and will keep you interested to the final page.

[Barakiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always wary going into a book with angels and demons. There's always a chance for blasphemy. And while one would expect it from the evil side, our culture being anti-Christianity lately, the chances are it's the protagonists who are going to be swearing and blaspheming. And sure enough, there is some of that in here.

I actually enjoyed it, in spite of the above. It might have been fully due to the audiobook's Irish accent. XD

This book is a mixture of Dracula and Fallen (with Denzel Washington). "Tiiiiime is on my side... yes it is." If you know you know. Instead of a male Van Helsing we have a pretty bad-ass nun.

Age restriction PG 16, I'd say.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. I really wanted a scare but this story lacked that. It’s quite adequate as a period piece with sprinklings of devilry. Really covers life as it was for the working class Irish in America post potato famine

[John Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool characters, great setting. I thought the dialogue ran smooth and added to the fun. This book would make a fun movie.