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The Devil's Lieutenant
In the blink of an eye, Michael loses his family. As his life spirals out of control with grief, he is presented with the possibility that the souls of his family might be trapped in Hell.
Thus begins an unimaginable and nightmarish journey to rescue his family from the depths of Hell, with the Devil as the puppet master pulling his strings.
Warning: Graphic violence and profanity included.
"Fast paced, dark, cleverly plotted" - S.G. Redling, author of Flowertown.
"An excellent first book from a promising new author" - Robert Cowan, author of The Search for Ethan.
"Jamali's work read like fishing with dynamite. And I mean that in a good way" - Bradley Ernst, author of the Law of Retaliation series.
Thus begins an unimaginable and nightmarish journey to rescue his family from the depths of Hell, with the Devil as the puppet master pulling his strings.
Warning: Graphic violence and profanity included.
"Fast paced, dark, cleverly plotted" - S.G. Redling, author of Flowertown.
"An excellent first book from a promising new author" - Robert Cowan, author of The Search for Ethan.
"Jamali's work read like fishing with dynamite. And I mean that in a good way" - Bradley Ernst, author of the Law of Retaliation series.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2016
19 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Shervin Jamali
7 books42 followersI've been writing for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until recently that it just seemed to click. I've had stories locked away, but suddenly, and unexpectedly, they now need to get out. I completed the first draft of "The Devil's Lieutenant" in just two months, and that was as a result of writing when I had the opportunity to do so. My 8-5 job and family still came first. I look forward to the day when I can be a full time writer who can take my children to school, pick them up and chauffeur them to various activities, with a healthy dose of writing in between. I believe that day might be right around the corner.
Also, my favorite punctuation mark is the semi-colon; it's often used incorrectly, but it's always winking at you!
Also, my favorite punctuation mark is the semi-colon; it's often used incorrectly, but it's always winking at you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 6, 2018
The author penned a modern-day supernatural thriller that dates back to early childhood and played to our worst of fears. Only now I’m too old to seek safety hidden under the covers. The graphic scenes took me on a guided path through the menacing hallways of a tortured mind consumed with evil. It was time to buckle up for a rough ride.
Lucifer walks among us and made his presence known to someone he could easily manipulate, Michael. But then again, he could easily manipulate anyone. The main protagonist was clearly defined.
It was only five years ago when Michael, a police officer, walked in to find his wife with a gun in her hand kneeling over their murdered son, Eli. She began to raise the weapon and without hesitation he drew his backup piece and shot her in the forehead killing her instantly. From that moment on, life as he had come to know came to a screeching halt.
The only form of solace he could find would be in the familiar mind-numbing brown liquid inside a bottle. Deep down, he knew all too well, his never-ending grief could never be drunkenly washed away. Every day was one tortured moment after another. This was no way to live. It was only a matter of time until he ate a bullet.
Then one day in a typical blind drunken stupor, he was visited by Lucifer. At first, he thought he was having a hallucination. Even in his inebriated state, the king of Hell convinced him that he was indeed the devil. With the wave of his hand, Michael was instantly sober. That made a believer out of him.
Satan produced a crystal ball right there in the kitchen and showed him the pain and suffering his wife and child were going through in the bowels of hell. It was one endless, tormenting moment after another. Turning his head, he could not bear to watch and said he'd do anything to get them released, sent to heaven. It was just what the devil wanted to hear.
This brought a broad smile across Satan's face. In return, he offered Michael a way out. Of course, there’d be many strings attached. He knew his human sufferer would do anything to secure his family's timely release. Anything.
Michael was tasked to commit abominable acts upon his fellow man that in his wildest dreams he would never consider doing. He agreed to do them on blind faith not knowing if the devil would honor their agreement. There was only one way to find out. As far as he was concerned, he had no choice. Let the savagery begin.
I extend my thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this digital edition in exchange for an unbiased review.
Lucifer walks among us and made his presence known to someone he could easily manipulate, Michael. But then again, he could easily manipulate anyone. The main protagonist was clearly defined.
It was only five years ago when Michael, a police officer, walked in to find his wife with a gun in her hand kneeling over their murdered son, Eli. She began to raise the weapon and without hesitation he drew his backup piece and shot her in the forehead killing her instantly. From that moment on, life as he had come to know came to a screeching halt.
The only form of solace he could find would be in the familiar mind-numbing brown liquid inside a bottle. Deep down, he knew all too well, his never-ending grief could never be drunkenly washed away. Every day was one tortured moment after another. This was no way to live. It was only a matter of time until he ate a bullet.
Then one day in a typical blind drunken stupor, he was visited by Lucifer. At first, he thought he was having a hallucination. Even in his inebriated state, the king of Hell convinced him that he was indeed the devil. With the wave of his hand, Michael was instantly sober. That made a believer out of him.
Satan produced a crystal ball right there in the kitchen and showed him the pain and suffering his wife and child were going through in the bowels of hell. It was one endless, tormenting moment after another. Turning his head, he could not bear to watch and said he'd do anything to get them released, sent to heaven. It was just what the devil wanted to hear.
This brought a broad smile across Satan's face. In return, he offered Michael a way out. Of course, there’d be many strings attached. He knew his human sufferer would do anything to secure his family's timely release. Anything.
Michael was tasked to commit abominable acts upon his fellow man that in his wildest dreams he would never consider doing. He agreed to do them on blind faith not knowing if the devil would honor their agreement. There was only one way to find out. As far as he was concerned, he had no choice. Let the savagery begin.
I extend my thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this digital edition in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 3, 2017
Devils Lieutenant is writer Shervin Jamali’s 2016 novella about good and evil.
Not for the faint of heart or the easily offended; Jamali offers up a quick blast of graphic violence and unpleasant scenes. Michael, a former police officer, has lost his wife and son and is slowly drinking himself to death when Lucifer comes to offer him a deal.
Fast moving and action packed, Jamali has done a good job of pouring a lot of story into a novella-sized work. Using a shifting, now and before narrative style, the writer describes Michael’s struggles in a modern day Everyman morality play.
*** A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review
Not for the faint of heart or the easily offended; Jamali offers up a quick blast of graphic violence and unpleasant scenes. Michael, a former police officer, has lost his wife and son and is slowly drinking himself to death when Lucifer comes to offer him a deal.
Fast moving and action packed, Jamali has done a good job of pouring a lot of story into a novella-sized work. Using a shifting, now and before narrative style, the writer describes Michael’s struggles in a modern day Everyman morality play.
*** A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review
May 26, 2017
This action-packed thriller follows the story of Michael after losing his family to an accidental shooting. Put on the path of evil by his desire to save them from the grips of Lucifer, he spirals out of control. This is both a quick read and a powerful one, pulling you into the plot right away and holding you in until the very last page. The dialogue is natural and flowed in a way that created well-rounded characters without any hint of an info dump.
Not to mention the fantastic twist at the end. This is a must-read thriller novella!
Not to mention the fantastic twist at the end. This is a must-read thriller novella!
November 12, 2017
Michael, a now ex-cop, thought that he had faced his darkest hour a year ago when he found his son dead in his wife’s arms and his gun in her hand, within seconds she was dead too but now he faced a more horrific thought. The Devil was stood in front of him with a deal. Michael’s son and wife were not in heaven but in hell being tormented for eternity unless he agreed to do the Devil’s bidding. Then he would release their souls so they could enter heaven.
This is an incredible story from debut author Shervin Jamali, a story that literally rips into your heart and plays with your mind. I ashamedly felt little pity for the victims but I felt compassion for Michael for what he had to do. The more he did the harder the next task was. I really doubted that he would be able to complete what he had begun.
This is a very descriptive and graphic story that holds back on nothing but wow what a story it is. Superbly written it is a very quick paced read that packs what feels like a lot of story into a novella of under 200 pages. It flows beautifully, is very original and for the best reasons possible, as I didn’t want this story to end, I needed Michael’s torment to continue because it was such an awesome read, even though he had suffered for the last 5 years! Ok I aren’t a good person. The good news is there is another novel out now, which I have just got and a further book in the making.
One of my favourite characters has to be God, yes the big fellow himself puts in an appearance, he did make me smile, a brilliant character, in fact a perfect creation, sheer perfection!
This is an incredible story from debut author Shervin Jamali, a story that literally rips into your heart and plays with your mind. I ashamedly felt little pity for the victims but I felt compassion for Michael for what he had to do. The more he did the harder the next task was. I really doubted that he would be able to complete what he had begun.
This is a very descriptive and graphic story that holds back on nothing but wow what a story it is. Superbly written it is a very quick paced read that packs what feels like a lot of story into a novella of under 200 pages. It flows beautifully, is very original and for the best reasons possible, as I didn’t want this story to end, I needed Michael’s torment to continue because it was such an awesome read, even though he had suffered for the last 5 years! Ok I aren’t a good person. The good news is there is another novel out now, which I have just got and a further book in the making.
One of my favourite characters has to be God, yes the big fellow himself puts in an appearance, he did make me smile, a brilliant character, in fact a perfect creation, sheer perfection!
August 10, 2018
Dark. Twisted. Devious. Spine-chilling. Wow!! ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ is Shervin Jamali’s super strong debut novel – a book about the battle between right and wrong. The unbearable loss of his wife and little son and the subsequent immense grief force Michael in one direction: to a highly violent and immoral entanglement with the Devil himself…
| Introduction |
“All of us will die, and most of us will suffer before we do so.”
– Nicholas Hardy Walter, anarchist, atheist, humanist (1934-2000)
Five years ago, Michael was confronted with the greatest shock of his life: upon coming home he finds his little son’s lifeless body, covered in blood, his wife, Sara, next to him with a smoking gun. Before Michael has time to act, she puts the gun to her mouth and pulls the trigger… This cannot be the end of a happy marriage of ten years, of their beautiful little family! It is horrific and tragic, Michael is overwhelmed with grief and inwardly seething with a burning anger towards Sara. At their funeral, Michael ceases to be a cop. He knows his suffering will continue but will he be strong enough to bear it?
| Storyline |
After a year of drowning away his sorrows, Michael is nowhere near coming to terms with his grief. We see the flashbacks to that fateful day he met Sara when he was stabbed multiple times and she came to his rescue. Theirs was a love story from the start and five years after, their beautiful baby boy, Eli, was born. Eli, who would never reach the age of six. His feeling of utter despair after their deaths made Michael turn to alcohol with a vengeance. Not a day goes by he isn’t drowning his sorrows. Is it his alcoholic intoxication that makes him see the man in his apartment? He tries to shake the hallucination but the man is still in his line of vision. Who is he and why won’t the bullets, fired by Michael’s gun, hit the man? Perhaps they did…
The man standing before him prefers to be called ‘Lucifer.’ Yep. The Devil himself! A man on a mission. A man, if a man he is, who adds to Michael’s anguish by telling him that it is he who is responsible for killing their son, not his wife and that both Sara and Eli’s souls are ‘burning in Hell.‘ Michael wants to scream in agony and lash out but has no other option than to accept the Devil’s proposal as it is the only way to save his family from eternal damnation… This is how Michael becomes the much-feared, violent and ferocious avenger also known as ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant.’ A role he utterly despises but also a role that speaks to the violent man he has become: an aggressive, bloodthirsty killer out to settle his score with the world.
| My Thoughts |
What a terrific and awesome read! I love it! The story, the character of Michael and his interactions with the Devil himself, also excellently portrayed, crawled under my skin and my thoughts just hurdled through another. What a tale to tell! Shervin Jamali’s debut is powerful and lashes out at all you believe in – or, better yet, all you thought you believed in! The gripping story has such a fast-paced plotline and incredible twist that it stayed with me long after I closed the book. As it happens, I read it late at night and well, I just could not get to sleep, had to calm down first.
The engaging writing style that draws you in and keeps you captivated, the snappy chapters with their titles instantly clarifying where you are in Michael’s life, it all adds to that satisfying feeling of reading something extraordinary. I do not know where to start nor what to tell you more because frankly, I’d rather you read this novella for yourself as it simply is an outstanding story! The author challenges all our beliefs whilst taking us on an utterly exciting journey spiralling down to the depths of Hell and the inflamed (!) aggravation of those forced to live there. I highly recommend ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ and very much look forward to reading the author’s next book, ‘Escape from Hell.‘
| Introduction |
“All of us will die, and most of us will suffer before we do so.”
– Nicholas Hardy Walter, anarchist, atheist, humanist (1934-2000)
Five years ago, Michael was confronted with the greatest shock of his life: upon coming home he finds his little son’s lifeless body, covered in blood, his wife, Sara, next to him with a smoking gun. Before Michael has time to act, she puts the gun to her mouth and pulls the trigger… This cannot be the end of a happy marriage of ten years, of their beautiful little family! It is horrific and tragic, Michael is overwhelmed with grief and inwardly seething with a burning anger towards Sara. At their funeral, Michael ceases to be a cop. He knows his suffering will continue but will he be strong enough to bear it?
| Storyline |
After a year of drowning away his sorrows, Michael is nowhere near coming to terms with his grief. We see the flashbacks to that fateful day he met Sara when he was stabbed multiple times and she came to his rescue. Theirs was a love story from the start and five years after, their beautiful baby boy, Eli, was born. Eli, who would never reach the age of six. His feeling of utter despair after their deaths made Michael turn to alcohol with a vengeance. Not a day goes by he isn’t drowning his sorrows. Is it his alcoholic intoxication that makes him see the man in his apartment? He tries to shake the hallucination but the man is still in his line of vision. Who is he and why won’t the bullets, fired by Michael’s gun, hit the man? Perhaps they did…
The man standing before him prefers to be called ‘Lucifer.’ Yep. The Devil himself! A man on a mission. A man, if a man he is, who adds to Michael’s anguish by telling him that it is he who is responsible for killing their son, not his wife and that both Sara and Eli’s souls are ‘burning in Hell.‘ Michael wants to scream in agony and lash out but has no other option than to accept the Devil’s proposal as it is the only way to save his family from eternal damnation… This is how Michael becomes the much-feared, violent and ferocious avenger also known as ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant.’ A role he utterly despises but also a role that speaks to the violent man he has become: an aggressive, bloodthirsty killer out to settle his score with the world.
| My Thoughts |
What a terrific and awesome read! I love it! The story, the character of Michael and his interactions with the Devil himself, also excellently portrayed, crawled under my skin and my thoughts just hurdled through another. What a tale to tell! Shervin Jamali’s debut is powerful and lashes out at all you believe in – or, better yet, all you thought you believed in! The gripping story has such a fast-paced plotline and incredible twist that it stayed with me long after I closed the book. As it happens, I read it late at night and well, I just could not get to sleep, had to calm down first.
The engaging writing style that draws you in and keeps you captivated, the snappy chapters with their titles instantly clarifying where you are in Michael’s life, it all adds to that satisfying feeling of reading something extraordinary. I do not know where to start nor what to tell you more because frankly, I’d rather you read this novella for yourself as it simply is an outstanding story! The author challenges all our beliefs whilst taking us on an utterly exciting journey spiralling down to the depths of Hell and the inflamed (!) aggravation of those forced to live there. I highly recommend ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ and very much look forward to reading the author’s next book, ‘Escape from Hell.‘
August 2, 2016
5 I WANT MORE Stars
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Yeap, I can only find one issue with this story, and that is: It was too short!
Michael, an ex-cop, makes a deal with the Devil to transport his family from the depths of hell into heaven. But it’s never that simple when the Lucifer himself is involved. Michael, who devoted his life to protecting people, is now forced to kill. With every victim he’s getting closer to his goal but further away from the man he used to be. In the end, he becomes a pawn in the fight between good and evil, heaven and hell, numbing his feelings of guilt and pain in alcohol.
But there is no room for failure, when it comes to protecting the people you love. Michael is willing to endure any pain and do anything the Devil requests. It is truly amazing what a man is capable of in order to rescue his family.
The way this story is written, brings out all kinds of emotions. Conversations, laced with witty humour, are followed by horrific scenes of murder.
The book is structured in a different way as well. You jump from one timeline to the other, and every single scene is a puzzle piece that helps you see the full picture. I thought it might make the plot difficult to follow, but each timeline is so different from the other, that there is no way to get them confused.
I really enjoyed this story, and can only hope that the author’s got more plans for Michael and his family in the future.
More reviews on Facebook and at Adrianne's Book Cave
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Yeap, I can only find one issue with this story, and that is: It was too short!
Michael, an ex-cop, makes a deal with the Devil to transport his family from the depths of hell into heaven. But it’s never that simple when the Lucifer himself is involved. Michael, who devoted his life to protecting people, is now forced to kill. With every victim he’s getting closer to his goal but further away from the man he used to be. In the end, he becomes a pawn in the fight between good and evil, heaven and hell, numbing his feelings of guilt and pain in alcohol.
But there is no room for failure, when it comes to protecting the people you love. Michael is willing to endure any pain and do anything the Devil requests. It is truly amazing what a man is capable of in order to rescue his family.
The way this story is written, brings out all kinds of emotions. Conversations, laced with witty humour, are followed by horrific scenes of murder.
The book is structured in a different way as well. You jump from one timeline to the other, and every single scene is a puzzle piece that helps you see the full picture. I thought it might make the plot difficult to follow, but each timeline is so different from the other, that there is no way to get them confused.
I really enjoyed this story, and can only hope that the author’s got more plans for Michael and his family in the future.
More reviews on Facebook and at Adrianne's Book Cave
May 22, 2018
This is a quick read that took me about an hour in total to devour.
The chapters are short and snappy and have you racing through the pages. They alternate from present day to different timescales in the past, due to this you do have to have your wits about you with them changing so quickly.
The opening of the story certainly hits you hard. I won't go into what actually happens but needless to say I was desperate to carry on to know the why's. Through Michael we are taken on a very dark road with startling revelations that just kept on coming.
The Devil's Lieutenant is very much about good versus evil. It makes you consider how far you would go for loved ones. A really enjoyable read that took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Was great to see that there is a sequel to this also of which I will certainly be checking out.
The chapters are short and snappy and have you racing through the pages. They alternate from present day to different timescales in the past, due to this you do have to have your wits about you with them changing so quickly.
The opening of the story certainly hits you hard. I won't go into what actually happens but needless to say I was desperate to carry on to know the why's. Through Michael we are taken on a very dark road with startling revelations that just kept on coming.
The Devil's Lieutenant is very much about good versus evil. It makes you consider how far you would go for loved ones. A really enjoyable read that took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Was great to see that there is a sequel to this also of which I will certainly be checking out.
May 21, 2016
Totally enjoyed this debut story by Shervin Jamali. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next! Give this short story a try, I don't think you'll be sorry. Enjoy!
August 5, 2018
The theme of someone working for the devil and/or getting in some way involved in a fight between light and dark powers has been done and done and done some more. This random novella found on Netgalley brings nothing new to the table, but it does its take on the subject fairly decently, if only all too predictably. Gee wiz, who can a guy named Michael with a wings tattooed on his back and a convenient amnesia be? And should he really be making deals with the devil? Well, he does, he can’t help himself, the immortal souls of his dead wife and child are on the line. So he becomes a contract killer, but it’s never the good guys, clean conscience all the way, although not without moral qualms. And then there’s a showdown of sorts and then it’s left up for the sequel. So really just a tease, but it’s pretty much ok for quick (60 minutes at most) mindless entertainment if you don’t expect too much and in the mood for something like thriller with a supernatural angle. Thanks Netgalley.
January 31, 2017
Reviewed by: Annie Arcane
Initial thoughts:
Thank you for the amazing ride. May I go again? Please? I'll pay. Not kidding.
What I loved:
You know what I never read? Thrillers. You know what I keep taking a chance on? Thrillers. You know what hasn't disappointed me? Freakin' thrillers!!! This book...
What a crazy trip! Luckily it was so short because I cracked the cover at an insane hour in the morning and had it been 900 pages instead of 90? I'd still have finished the darn thing in one sitting. This may have just convinced me to switch my preferred genre. Okay, not really but it was THAT good. Loved, loved, LOVED. Man-oh-man, where do I even start...
The plot was lightning fast, yet filled to the brim with substance. My brain was constantly on high throughout this novella. Each scene was like a mystery to be solved and the story overall was just so darn impressive. Intricate details that somehow all managed to fit together. The dialogue? Wow. Incredibly well-written, not to mention witty and funny in some parts. One second I'm grinning to myself, the next second I'm witnessing a gruesome murder. And you know what? It worked. On so many levels.
The ending. OMG, the twisty, WTF ending. Yes. So much yes.
Oh, I must say that Jamali's writing was vivid, fluid, and smooth like butter. Perfectly suited to this story!
What left me wanting:
Final thoughts:
I can't even write a coherent review AND I've resorted to using gifs for the first time ever. Doesn't that say enough?
Fans of paranormal thrillers? Recommend.
Fans of reading? Recommend.
Fans of not reading? Recommend.
Folks that can't read? I will read this to you.
Initial thoughts:
Thank you for the amazing ride. May I go again? Please? I'll pay. Not kidding.
What I loved:
You know what I never read? Thrillers. You know what I keep taking a chance on? Thrillers. You know what hasn't disappointed me? Freakin' thrillers!!! This book...
What a crazy trip! Luckily it was so short because I cracked the cover at an insane hour in the morning and had it been 900 pages instead of 90? I'd still have finished the darn thing in one sitting. This may have just convinced me to switch my preferred genre. Okay, not really but it was THAT good. Loved, loved, LOVED. Man-oh-man, where do I even start...
The plot was lightning fast, yet filled to the brim with substance. My brain was constantly on high throughout this novella. Each scene was like a mystery to be solved and the story overall was just so darn impressive. Intricate details that somehow all managed to fit together. The dialogue? Wow. Incredibly well-written, not to mention witty and funny in some parts. One second I'm grinning to myself, the next second I'm witnessing a gruesome murder. And you know what? It worked. On so many levels.
The ending. OMG, the twisty, WTF ending. Yes. So much yes.
Oh, I must say that Jamali's writing was vivid, fluid, and smooth like butter. Perfectly suited to this story!
What left me wanting:
Final thoughts:
I can't even write a coherent review AND I've resorted to using gifs for the first time ever. Doesn't that say enough?
Fans of paranormal thrillers? Recommend.
Fans of reading? Recommend.
Fans of not reading? Recommend.
Folks that can't read? I will read this to you.
May 22, 2016
Fellow readers,
The Kindle edition of my little book is now available on Amazon for 99 cents! I hope you decide to give it a try! Happy reading!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZGQEV2
Regards,
Sherv
The Kindle edition of my little book is now available on Amazon for 99 cents! I hope you decide to give it a try! Happy reading!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZGQEV2
Regards,
Sherv
September 1, 2017
Feel like selling your soul?
A dark and pulpy tale of love, loss and the Devil. If you're a fan of such movies as Angel Heart or The Prophecy, I highly recommend this modern and bloody twist on the "deal with the Devil" mythology.
A dark and pulpy tale of love, loss and the Devil. If you're a fan of such movies as Angel Heart or The Prophecy, I highly recommend this modern and bloody twist on the "deal with the Devil" mythology.
September 20, 2016
‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ combines the hardboiled grit of a bare-knuckle brawl with an intriguing twist into the realm of divinity and the damned.
There’s plenty of death, despair and destruction in this supernatural noir – suicide, murder, incest, betrayal and a bullet through the brainpan all come barrelling off the page within the opening chapters.
Lucifer offers Michael a way to redeem his beloved wife and son from damnation in the fires of hell. Inevitably, Satan’s solution involves the kind of dirty work which leaves a soul stained for all eternity…
The result is an agreeably sophisticated story which mixes explicit ruthlessness with convoluted moral ambiguity. Is Michael really doing the wrong thing for the right reasons? Or – given that his targets are themselves the very worst beings that masquerade as human people; mass murderers, torturers and cold-blooded killers – could he actually be on the side of the angels?
Jamali has a fluid, engaging writing style that yanks you into the action. He employs a nifty flashback technique, craftily revealing just enough back story amid the scenes of bone-cracking action to keep the pages turning and the narrative in full swing. The pace never falters; the tension tightens in irresistible fashion. It all ramps up to a precisely plotted payoff – a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment.
The themes and situations in ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ aren't new, but Jamali imbues them with new vitality and visceral vigour. There are a couple of moments where tighter editing might’ve improved it a touch – but overall this is a polished and assured performance from a new writer, which promises much for the future…
8/10
There's a longer version of this review over at
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
There’s plenty of death, despair and destruction in this supernatural noir – suicide, murder, incest, betrayal and a bullet through the brainpan all come barrelling off the page within the opening chapters.
Lucifer offers Michael a way to redeem his beloved wife and son from damnation in the fires of hell. Inevitably, Satan’s solution involves the kind of dirty work which leaves a soul stained for all eternity…
The result is an agreeably sophisticated story which mixes explicit ruthlessness with convoluted moral ambiguity. Is Michael really doing the wrong thing for the right reasons? Or – given that his targets are themselves the very worst beings that masquerade as human people; mass murderers, torturers and cold-blooded killers – could he actually be on the side of the angels?
Jamali has a fluid, engaging writing style that yanks you into the action. He employs a nifty flashback technique, craftily revealing just enough back story amid the scenes of bone-cracking action to keep the pages turning and the narrative in full swing. The pace never falters; the tension tightens in irresistible fashion. It all ramps up to a precisely plotted payoff – a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment.
The themes and situations in ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ aren't new, but Jamali imbues them with new vitality and visceral vigour. There are a couple of moments where tighter editing might’ve improved it a touch – but overall this is a polished and assured performance from a new writer, which promises much for the future…
8/10
There's a longer version of this review over at
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
August 14, 2016
In a word: Whirlwind.
It best describes this novella of a thriller.
Michael is a hot mess. The deaths of his wife and child affect him still as if it happened the day before.
Which leads me to note the interesting choice the author made in order in which scenes occurred with relation to the timeline. In my experience, this is a hit or miss tactic. In this case, I think it worked well. In fact, it's rather easy to keep track because instead of having to add/subtract dates, the chapters are headed up like so "6 years ago".
Back to Michael. He makes a desperate bargain with the Devil and becomes an anti-hero. Or did he? That's why people should take the time to read it. Because many things are not what they seem.
Thanks to Shervin for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Keep on banging that typewriter.
It best describes this novella of a thriller.
Michael is a hot mess. The deaths of his wife and child affect him still as if it happened the day before.
Which leads me to note the interesting choice the author made in order in which scenes occurred with relation to the timeline. In my experience, this is a hit or miss tactic. In this case, I think it worked well. In fact, it's rather easy to keep track because instead of having to add/subtract dates, the chapters are headed up like so "6 years ago".
Back to Michael. He makes a desperate bargain with the Devil and becomes an anti-hero. Or did he? That's why people should take the time to read it. Because many things are not what they seem.
Thanks to Shervin for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Keep on banging that typewriter.
January 4, 2018
This is a very quick paced novella with a lot of action. When Michael loses his family he is at the lowest point. He is given a chance to save his family from hell and a life of damnation, he obviously is going to agree to this. But this is the Devil he is dealing with, so there is going to be a catch, or two!
This does have some language and also some scenes that may cause offence. I will say that these scenes are quickly summarised so you get an impression of what the author has in mind. The chapters are very quick and flit over several years, but are quite easy to follow. The cast that join Michael and the Devil are given a quick introduction and a brief history, but that is all that is needed.
This book takes a good look at good, evil, second chances, choices and reactions. I really enjoyed the surprising twists, especially the one at the end.
This novella was an enjoyable read and I think would suit reader of fantasy based crime, action, thriller books. A good fast paced, well laid out and a good plot.
This does have some language and also some scenes that may cause offence. I will say that these scenes are quickly summarised so you get an impression of what the author has in mind. The chapters are very quick and flit over several years, but are quite easy to follow. The cast that join Michael and the Devil are given a quick introduction and a brief history, but that is all that is needed.
This book takes a good look at good, evil, second chances, choices and reactions. I really enjoyed the surprising twists, especially the one at the end.
This novella was an enjoyable read and I think would suit reader of fantasy based crime, action, thriller books. A good fast paced, well laid out and a good plot.
June 24, 2017
If your faint hearted or easily offended this book is not for you. If your not then read it!!Wow!!! What an opening!! Absolutely gripping from start to end. An action packed thriller filled with murder, horror, suspense and an unexpected ending. Follow Michaels journey as he makes a deal with the devil to save his families soul. Loved the storyline, loved the twist, loved the book!!! What a talented author and I am looking forward to reading more of your work!! Recommend to fans of short stories and anyone who's not easily offended.
FREE ON KU
FREE ON KU
April 28, 2017
The Devil's Lieutenant is a fun, pulpy, pacy little thriller from an author who shows a great deal of promise. The story starts with a bang and doesn't let up until its electrifying climax. Can't wait to dig into the sequel.
October 16, 2018
I got this as a e book from tbc review facebook page. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I lt is my first book by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
October 18, 2017
I couldn’t stop reading. I wanted to know how far the author would go. And he did. That takes a lot of imagination. The dynamics between Michael and Lucifer, the reason they met, the horrible things Michael does, is it worth it? is it right? You keep wondering whether you want to identify with Michael or want to hate him. And then you find out all the secrets. I was actually supposed to be working but once I started reading I just had to keep going. It’s a quick read and a great one. The story is truly creative, makes you think a lot about human nature and how far we would go when facing a very personal ultimatum. The structure is beautiful and I didn’t even realize that once in a while I was stopping my breath. Brilliant storytelling.
October 12, 2016
I tried posting this on Amazon, but that organization appears to have a ban on reviews by user "123752," so I'll give it a try here.
Have you ever been sucker-punched?
I mean, really knocked on your a$$? Well, that's how this book reads. I'm not an erudite inidividual or a member of the terribly well-read literati. I read to decompress and take myself out of the crap I see at work every day. This book was a ticket for an entirely different kind of trip.
Another analogy for those amongst you who have spent any time on ice skates - a bit like being the terminus of snap the whip. Skating along complacently and then being catapulted in a trajectory you didn't see coming. Highly recommended & looking forward to subsequent works.
Have you ever been sucker-punched?
I mean, really knocked on your a$$? Well, that's how this book reads. I'm not an erudite inidividual or a member of the terribly well-read literati. I read to decompress and take myself out of the crap I see at work every day. This book was a ticket for an entirely different kind of trip.
Another analogy for those amongst you who have spent any time on ice skates - a bit like being the terminus of snap the whip. Skating along complacently and then being catapulted in a trajectory you didn't see coming. Highly recommended & looking forward to subsequent works.
September 5, 2017
What would you do for the devil if your family was trapped in Hell? That's the question Michael is faced with in this fast-paced thriller. Unpredictable twists make this a 5 star read.
Warning - this novella isn't for everyone 18+
Warning - this novella isn't for everyone 18+
January 6, 2017
THE REVIEW
The Devil's Lieutenant is the debut novella from writer, Shervin Jamali. And, blimey, it packs a punch. Here is a sense of what I mean - from the very opening page:
I walk into the apartment with my standard greeting.
'Daddy's home.'
The scene that greets me would forever be etched into my brain: my five year old son, dead on the floor, laying in a pool of blood; my wife kneeling beside him with a gun in her hands, still smoking, my gun, the one I keep in the bedroom safe.
'What have you done?'
She looks up at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. I draw my gun from my holster, and aim for her head, just as she lifts the one she is holding to her mouth. I fire, but so does she, and her bullet accomplishes what mine was intended for. She falls backwards, as my shot blasts through her throat senselessly. I rush to my son, pick him up in my arms, crushing him against my chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
That was five years ago. I used to be a cop.
Bang. And on it goes. Relentless. But just as you think this is going to be just another one of those noir descents into self-destruction, it all goes supernatural - in a fantasically brilliant way. The Devil turns up. And the Devil wants something from Michael. Oh, Michael will get something in return, so the Devil says, but, you know, this is the Devil talking, offering you something, the only thing, you want. Michael signs up, and bang, bang, bang . . . the pages turn and the Devil gets his way.
As a writer, Jamali puts me in mind of the brilliant Josh Stallings and his incredible Moses McGuire trilogy in terms of writing with such courage, such brutality, yet such humanity. Yes, this book is violent, and Michael does some violent things, but this is a man that has seen everyone he loves die before him. When the ending comes, the twist that turns the dagger in your gut, you will be floored. As I was.
The Devil's Lieutenant is the debut novella from writer, Shervin Jamali. And, blimey, it packs a punch. Here is a sense of what I mean - from the very opening page:
I walk into the apartment with my standard greeting.
'Daddy's home.'
The scene that greets me would forever be etched into my brain: my five year old son, dead on the floor, laying in a pool of blood; my wife kneeling beside him with a gun in her hands, still smoking, my gun, the one I keep in the bedroom safe.
'What have you done?'
She looks up at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. I draw my gun from my holster, and aim for her head, just as she lifts the one she is holding to her mouth. I fire, but so does she, and her bullet accomplishes what mine was intended for. She falls backwards, as my shot blasts through her throat senselessly. I rush to my son, pick him up in my arms, crushing him against my chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
That was five years ago. I used to be a cop.
Bang. And on it goes. Relentless. But just as you think this is going to be just another one of those noir descents into self-destruction, it all goes supernatural - in a fantasically brilliant way. The Devil turns up. And the Devil wants something from Michael. Oh, Michael will get something in return, so the Devil says, but, you know, this is the Devil talking, offering you something, the only thing, you want. Michael signs up, and bang, bang, bang . . . the pages turn and the Devil gets his way.
As a writer, Jamali puts me in mind of the brilliant Josh Stallings and his incredible Moses McGuire trilogy in terms of writing with such courage, such brutality, yet such humanity. Yes, this book is violent, and Michael does some violent things, but this is a man that has seen everyone he loves die before him. When the ending comes, the twist that turns the dagger in your gut, you will be floored. As I was.
February 19, 2017
Unpredictable and unusual in a great way. First time reading this author and I will have to look for more to come.
January 3, 2017
This is the tale of Michael, a former policeman who's enlisted by Satan to perform the task of killing five seemingly random people in order to take their souls, in exchange for Lucifer releasing Michael's dead wife and child from Hell and sending them upstairs to Heaven. Cue transformation from unwilling grieving father to murderer battling bloodlust.
I enjoyed this book, despite my initial apprehension about the potential handling of the theme. I've seen the Heaven and Hell come to Earth theme done fantastically well in the last few years in Gerard Brennan's Fireproof and Mark Wilson's On The Seventh Day in particular, both of which I've never hidden my admiration for. Anyway, Shervin Jamali was always going to be up against it with the benchmark already set so high, but in this nasty little novella he's surprised me.
He gives a good shot of entertainment that I hammered in two sittings, with the action pushing the tale on in dramatic fashion. The banter between Michael and Satan is sharp, and a few little surprises along the way kept it fresh enough to hold me throughout. The leaps in time were well sign posted, also.
I'm docking a star because I wanted it to be longer. I would have liked the theme and the protagonist to have been fleshed out more, because I thought the writing was strong otherwise. On the whole, though, it's an impressive debut from a writer I'll no doubt follow.
I enjoyed this book, despite my initial apprehension about the potential handling of the theme. I've seen the Heaven and Hell come to Earth theme done fantastically well in the last few years in Gerard Brennan's Fireproof and Mark Wilson's On The Seventh Day in particular, both of which I've never hidden my admiration for. Anyway, Shervin Jamali was always going to be up against it with the benchmark already set so high, but in this nasty little novella he's surprised me.
He gives a good shot of entertainment that I hammered in two sittings, with the action pushing the tale on in dramatic fashion. The banter between Michael and Satan is sharp, and a few little surprises along the way kept it fresh enough to hold me throughout. The leaps in time were well sign posted, also.
I'm docking a star because I wanted it to be longer. I would have liked the theme and the protagonist to have been fleshed out more, because I thought the writing was strong otherwise. On the whole, though, it's an impressive debut from a writer I'll no doubt follow.
September 15, 2016
This novella. So legit.
Michael comes home one day to see his son dead and his wife holding the gun, blood everywhere. He shoots to kill as she kills herself. Then someone walks in on him, drunk, and makes him an offer he can't refuse....
The plot for this was amazing. Fast paced but full of story, the back and forth of the storyline hits all the marks. Michael and his guilt, Lucifer and his manipulations, and just where is God anyways?
This was honestly awesome. I sat here at work and just ignored everything so that I could finish it. And the ending?? HOLY WOW! Such a twist that I should have seen coming, but definitely did not.
I would definitely recommend to those who like revenge/redemption stories, for sure.
*Free PDF copy given by author in exchange for an honest review.*
Michael comes home one day to see his son dead and his wife holding the gun, blood everywhere. He shoots to kill as she kills herself. Then someone walks in on him, drunk, and makes him an offer he can't refuse....
The plot for this was amazing. Fast paced but full of story, the back and forth of the storyline hits all the marks. Michael and his guilt, Lucifer and his manipulations, and just where is God anyways?
This was honestly awesome. I sat here at work and just ignored everything so that I could finish it. And the ending?? HOLY WOW! Such a twist that I should have seen coming, but definitely did not.
I would definitely recommend to those who like revenge/redemption stories, for sure.
*Free PDF copy given by author in exchange for an honest review.*
September 15, 2020
Interesting premise that combines a bit of religion, a dose of psychology, a dash of romantic memories, and brews it all into a creatively noir concoction.
The author is quite talented as he weaves past memories, with future deeds. If I had one criticism it would be a lack of detail and texture. This is a short novel that could have easily been expanded into something epic instead of just excellent.
The plot revolves around some of my favorite concepts to explore: loss, regret, revenge, forgiveness, and justice.
While reading the novel a quote from another author that I greatly respect played through my mind, "I'd burn the world to save the woman I love. The world never cared about me anyway."
The author is quite talented as he weaves past memories, with future deeds. If I had one criticism it would be a lack of detail and texture. This is a short novel that could have easily been expanded into something epic instead of just excellent.
The plot revolves around some of my favorite concepts to explore: loss, regret, revenge, forgiveness, and justice.
While reading the novel a quote from another author that I greatly respect played through my mind, "I'd burn the world to save the woman I love. The world never cared about me anyway."
August 29, 2016
A dark, gritty but very entertaining novella, with plenty of drama and surprises to keep the pages turning. I read it in a couple of days. The main character is a convincing anti hero out to revenge his murdered family, a familiar concept but Jamali puts an inventive spin on it, avoiding the usual ‘Death Wish’ clichés.
The non-linear time line could have been confusing but it’s skilfully pulled off and very effective adding to the twists in the plot itself.
An excellent first book from a promising new author. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The non-linear time line could have been confusing but it’s skilfully pulled off and very effective adding to the twists in the plot itself.
An excellent first book from a promising new author. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 21, 2016
Plenty of surprises and dynamic scenes in this good vs. evil tale. It is bold, in your face, dark, and not for the feint of heart. I loved it, did plenty of reflection, and the character development was great.
May 1, 2018
Dark. Twisted. Devious. Spine-chilling. Wow!! ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ is Shervin Jamali’s super strong debut novel – a book about the battle between right and wrong. The unbearable loss of his wife and little son and the subsequent immense grief force Michael in one direction: to a highly violent and immoral entanglement with the Devil himself…
| Introduction |
“All of us will die, and most of us will suffer before we do so.”
– Nicholas Hardy Walter, anarchist, atheist, humanist (1934-2000)
Five years ago, Michael was confronted with the greatest shock of his life: upon coming home he finds his little son’s lifeless body, covered in blood, his wife, Sara, next to him with a smoking gun. Before Michael has time to act, she puts the gun to her mouth and pulls the trigger… This cannot be the end of a happy marriage of ten years, of their beautiful little family! It is horrific and tragic, Michael is overwhelmed with grief and inwardly seething with a burning anger towards Sara. At their funeral, Michael ceases to be a cop. He knows his suffering will continue but will he be strong enough to bear it?
| Storyline |
After a year of drowning away his sorrows, Michael is nowhere near coming to terms with his grief. We see the flashbacks to that fateful day he met Sara when he was stabbed multiple times and she came to his rescue. Theirs was a love story from the start and five years after, their beautiful baby boy, Eli, was born. Eli, who would never reach the age of six. His feeling of utter despair after their deaths made Michael turn to alcohol with a vengeance. Not a day goes by he isn’t drowning his sorrows. Is it his alcoholic intoxication that makes him see the man in his apartment? He tries to shake the hallucination but the man is still in his line of vision. Who is he and why won’t the bullets, fired by Michael’s gun, hit the man? Perhaps they did…
The man standing before him prefers to be called ‘Lucifer.’ Yep. The Devil himself! A man on a mission. A man, if a man he is, who adds to Michael’s anguish by telling him that it is he who is responsible for killing their son, not his wife and that both Sara and Eli’s souls are ‘burning in Hell.‘ Michael wants to scream in agony and lash out but has no other option than to accept the Devil’s proposal as it is the only way to save his family from eternal damnation… This is how Michael becomes the much-feared, violent and ferocious avenger also known as ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant.’ A role he utterly despises but also a role that speaks to the violent man he has become: an aggressive, bloodthirsty killer out to settle his score with the world.
| My Thoughts |
What a terrific and awesome read! I love it! The story, the character of Michael and his interactions with the Devil himself, also excellently portrayed, crawled under my skin and my thoughts just hurdled through another. What a tale to tell! Shervin Jamali’s debut is powerful and lashes out at all you believe in – or, better yet, all you thought you believed in! The gripping story has such a fast-paced plotline and incredible twist that it stayed with me long after I closed the book. As it happens, I read it late at night and well, I just could not get to sleep, had to calm down first.
The engaging writing style that draws you in and keeps you captivated, the snappy chapters with their titles instantly clarifying where you are in Michael’s life, it all adds to that satisfying feeling of reading something extraordinary. I do not know where to start nor what to tell you more because frankly, I’d rather you read this novella for yourself as it simply is an outstanding story! The author challenges all our beliefs whilst taking us on an utterly exciting journey spiralling down to the depths of Hell and the inflamed (!) aggravation of those forced to live there. I highly recommend ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ and very much look forward to reading the author’s next book, ‘Escape from Hell.’
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/devils...
| Introduction |
“All of us will die, and most of us will suffer before we do so.”
– Nicholas Hardy Walter, anarchist, atheist, humanist (1934-2000)
Five years ago, Michael was confronted with the greatest shock of his life: upon coming home he finds his little son’s lifeless body, covered in blood, his wife, Sara, next to him with a smoking gun. Before Michael has time to act, she puts the gun to her mouth and pulls the trigger… This cannot be the end of a happy marriage of ten years, of their beautiful little family! It is horrific and tragic, Michael is overwhelmed with grief and inwardly seething with a burning anger towards Sara. At their funeral, Michael ceases to be a cop. He knows his suffering will continue but will he be strong enough to bear it?
| Storyline |
After a year of drowning away his sorrows, Michael is nowhere near coming to terms with his grief. We see the flashbacks to that fateful day he met Sara when he was stabbed multiple times and she came to his rescue. Theirs was a love story from the start and five years after, their beautiful baby boy, Eli, was born. Eli, who would never reach the age of six. His feeling of utter despair after their deaths made Michael turn to alcohol with a vengeance. Not a day goes by he isn’t drowning his sorrows. Is it his alcoholic intoxication that makes him see the man in his apartment? He tries to shake the hallucination but the man is still in his line of vision. Who is he and why won’t the bullets, fired by Michael’s gun, hit the man? Perhaps they did…
The man standing before him prefers to be called ‘Lucifer.’ Yep. The Devil himself! A man on a mission. A man, if a man he is, who adds to Michael’s anguish by telling him that it is he who is responsible for killing their son, not his wife and that both Sara and Eli’s souls are ‘burning in Hell.‘ Michael wants to scream in agony and lash out but has no other option than to accept the Devil’s proposal as it is the only way to save his family from eternal damnation… This is how Michael becomes the much-feared, violent and ferocious avenger also known as ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant.’ A role he utterly despises but also a role that speaks to the violent man he has become: an aggressive, bloodthirsty killer out to settle his score with the world.
| My Thoughts |
What a terrific and awesome read! I love it! The story, the character of Michael and his interactions with the Devil himself, also excellently portrayed, crawled under my skin and my thoughts just hurdled through another. What a tale to tell! Shervin Jamali’s debut is powerful and lashes out at all you believe in – or, better yet, all you thought you believed in! The gripping story has such a fast-paced plotline and incredible twist that it stayed with me long after I closed the book. As it happens, I read it late at night and well, I just could not get to sleep, had to calm down first.
The engaging writing style that draws you in and keeps you captivated, the snappy chapters with their titles instantly clarifying where you are in Michael’s life, it all adds to that satisfying feeling of reading something extraordinary. I do not know where to start nor what to tell you more because frankly, I’d rather you read this novella for yourself as it simply is an outstanding story! The author challenges all our beliefs whilst taking us on an utterly exciting journey spiralling down to the depths of Hell and the inflamed (!) aggravation of those forced to live there. I highly recommend ‘The Devil’s Lieutenant’ and very much look forward to reading the author’s next book, ‘Escape from Hell.’
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/devils...
July 20, 2017
From the very first sentence of The Devil’s Lieutenant, I felt I was in the hands of a skilled writer, and I was fully captivated. Shervin Jamali did not disappoint me for even a moment. His opening bid is steeped in the dark, lamp-lit, foggy nights of a Raymond Chandler mystery and you can practically taste the whiskey-soaked breath of the narrator, Michael. Jamali swiftly moves you from the moment Michael’s life is irrevocably changed on to his deepening demise. When Michael meets the enigmatic, Lucifer, the dialogue sparkles with electricity and wit. From there the story takes flight.
Imagine for a moment what it takes for a writer to tackle a tale about the battle for an embittered soul of a damaged man; a gruff cop who has lost his purpose and meaning in life. Jamali’s characters are well-drawn, psychologically complex and deeply human. By rights, we might despise Michael’s descent into indecency, but instead we care about him and the losses that fuel his quest for redemption; even if it is not his own. Who can resist a tough cop, who has lived amongst the underbelly of society, yet loves his son and wife with all the innocence and intensity of a teenager’s first love. Jamali expertly crafts a tight story here, with every layer critically thought out. Though in one passage he may stretch the limits of believability when Michael drags a corpse through miles of ocean to reach shore, but I was so enchanted with the story I easily flowed back into the rhythms of his words. Jamali choreographs a tightly woven dance between Michael and Lucifer with a shoulder tap from a God, to break up the two-step. I won’t give away what happens.
The relationship between Michael and Lucifer is the most compelling part of the novel for me. Their exchanges are clever, highlighting the unwavering cold intelligence of Lucifer and the angry, petulance of Michael, who never fails to reach for another drink to dull the pain of his intolerable life. The novella comes with a warning that there is profanity and violence, but it emerges organically from the story; never drawing attention to itself for its own sake.
I didn’t know about Shervin Jamali before I picked up this book, but I’ve become a fan and I’m looking forward to what is next from him.
You can visit Shervin Jamali at his website here: http://www.shervjamali.com and purchase his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Lieuten...
Cindy Stone is an author, registered psychotherapist/hypnotherapist, internal martial artist. Her new novel, Scorpion from The Myriad Series, is an epic adventure about the empowerment of a young woman who learns internal martial arts from the man who saves her when she is pushed into an oncoming subway train from a crowded platform. Http://www.cindystoneauthor.com @cindystonewrite on Twitter. You can find Cindy’s book here: http://amzn.to/2ksXf8S
Imagine for a moment what it takes for a writer to tackle a tale about the battle for an embittered soul of a damaged man; a gruff cop who has lost his purpose and meaning in life. Jamali’s characters are well-drawn, psychologically complex and deeply human. By rights, we might despise Michael’s descent into indecency, but instead we care about him and the losses that fuel his quest for redemption; even if it is not his own. Who can resist a tough cop, who has lived amongst the underbelly of society, yet loves his son and wife with all the innocence and intensity of a teenager’s first love. Jamali expertly crafts a tight story here, with every layer critically thought out. Though in one passage he may stretch the limits of believability when Michael drags a corpse through miles of ocean to reach shore, but I was so enchanted with the story I easily flowed back into the rhythms of his words. Jamali choreographs a tightly woven dance between Michael and Lucifer with a shoulder tap from a God, to break up the two-step. I won’t give away what happens.
The relationship between Michael and Lucifer is the most compelling part of the novel for me. Their exchanges are clever, highlighting the unwavering cold intelligence of Lucifer and the angry, petulance of Michael, who never fails to reach for another drink to dull the pain of his intolerable life. The novella comes with a warning that there is profanity and violence, but it emerges organically from the story; never drawing attention to itself for its own sake.
I didn’t know about Shervin Jamali before I picked up this book, but I’ve become a fan and I’m looking forward to what is next from him.
You can visit Shervin Jamali at his website here: http://www.shervjamali.com and purchase his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Lieuten...
Cindy Stone is an author, registered psychotherapist/hypnotherapist, internal martial artist. Her new novel, Scorpion from The Myriad Series, is an epic adventure about the empowerment of a young woman who learns internal martial arts from the man who saves her when she is pushed into an oncoming subway train from a crowded platform. Http://www.cindystoneauthor.com @cindystonewrite on Twitter. You can find Cindy’s book here: http://amzn.to/2ksXf8S
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