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The Devil #4
The Devil's Cat
The town was alive with cats. Sam, Nydia, and Little Sam had never seen so many of them. The cats' eyes were glowing slits as they watched the newcomers. And their furry tails were slowly switching back and forth. . . The town was ripe with evil. Soon Sam, Nydia and Little Sam would battle the forces of darkness, standing alone against the ultimate predator--The Devil's Cat. Book cover designed with "horror" hologram.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
63 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,041 books1,392 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 11, 2024
This book was like sitting in a theater watching a 1950's horror movie, only with words instead of pictures. All it lacked was the popcorn. It's more than likely also going to offend or even anger readers that are very religious. The author takes a hard, critical view of the local preacher...who really couldn't be viewed as "holy" or "faithful"....at least not for the right side.... but it's the old "good vs. evil idea.
It has been set it up as a "never ending" story that moves from one part of the country to another where the devil uses sinners and false prophets to achieve his goals and to call his minions forth into the world. The book portrays the idea that the Earth is a game, complete with rules between the devil and God, but no one has explained these "rules" to mankind. The main character, Sam, and his wife, Nydia along with their son, little Sam, all seem to understand the "rules" of the game. It is their job to guide the “true believers" in the small town through a three-day ordeal where they face all manners of evil. It was enough to make you seriously considering switching sides:)
I thought the title was a little misleading. The town is overrun by hordes of cats, but I'm not sure they're actually evil or that they bring the evil with them. I think the idea was that they were supposed to be a forerunner to the evil...the devil's minions so to speak. Seems no one explained "the rules" to the cats either. Was it an award-winning novel? No....but it was an interesting enough story that I will try another.
It has been set it up as a "never ending" story that moves from one part of the country to another where the devil uses sinners and false prophets to achieve his goals and to call his minions forth into the world. The book portrays the idea that the Earth is a game, complete with rules between the devil and God, but no one has explained these "rules" to mankind. The main character, Sam, and his wife, Nydia along with their son, little Sam, all seem to understand the "rules" of the game. It is their job to guide the “true believers" in the small town through a three-day ordeal where they face all manners of evil. It was enough to make you seriously considering switching sides:)
I thought the title was a little misleading. The town is overrun by hordes of cats, but I'm not sure they're actually evil or that they bring the evil with them. I think the idea was that they were supposed to be a forerunner to the evil...the devil's minions so to speak. Seems no one explained "the rules" to the cats either. Was it an award-winning novel? No....but it was an interesting enough story that I will try another.
February 17, 2016
THE DEVIL'S CAT is so bad it should be considered a crime against humanity. I tried to enjoy it as sleazy '80s pulp horror but it fails even in that. Turgid, cliched, pompous, dull beyond comprehension; nothing is fun, scary, creepy, interesting, or exciting. Johnstone is a hack of the worst, most dishonest kind and is a disgrace to horror writing--to writing in general. Not even so-bad-it's-good, this is garbage horror pure and simple.
June 6, 2015
If you have the awesome version with the hologram cover ( http://www.jrholocollection.com/holos... ), that almost makes up for everything inside the book.
Maybe going back and reading the first three books (!!!!!![!!!!!!!{!!!!!!!!!!!!}]) would have given me more insight into the strapping young military veteran's struggle against his four-year old but full grown gorgeous woman daughter who is also the spawn of Satan? Do I need more information?
Things there are a lot of in this book:
Cats
Satanists
Exclamation Points
Beasts
Sequences of two sentences in a row which both end in the same word
Rape
Description of how stinky Satanists are
Murder
Maybe going back and reading the first three books (!!!!!![!!!!!!!{!!!!!!!!!!!!}]) would have given me more insight into the strapping young military veteran's struggle against his four-year old but full grown gorgeous woman daughter who is also the spawn of Satan? Do I need more information?
Things there are a lot of in this book:
Cats
Satanists
Exclamation Points
Beasts
Sequences of two sentences in a row which both end in the same word
Rape
Description of how stinky Satanists are
Murder
December 7, 2009
After reading this book as a teenager, I looked for it again upon finding myself with much more time to read than in the past. I decided to also read the remainder of this series of books.
This is the fourth in a series of five novels revolving around Satanic covens gaining power on earth and the supernatural and evil happenings that come along with this.
I must say that this one is much better than the 3 that proceed it. Johnstone seems to have backed off a bit on his strict religious concepts of those who can fight the devil and given some hope to the less saintly members of society. He has also tossed in some new concepts that added some additional interest to the original concept he created in this series.
Fans of pulp fiction should definitely check this out, along with the rest of the series.
This is the fourth in a series of five novels revolving around Satanic covens gaining power on earth and the supernatural and evil happenings that come along with this.
I must say that this one is much better than the 3 that proceed it. Johnstone seems to have backed off a bit on his strict religious concepts of those who can fight the devil and given some hope to the less saintly members of society. He has also tossed in some new concepts that added some additional interest to the original concept he created in this series.
Fans of pulp fiction should definitely check this out, along with the rest of the series.
April 12, 2012
This is an absolutely terrible book, and I knew that going in. I read it for nostalgia's sake. Yous ee, when I was in junior high school, Johnstone's 'Devil' series was some of the most sought-after literature around, mostly because of the incredibly graphic depictions of sex (because what junior high schooler doesn't love that), but also, I think, because there was at the time sort of a perverse fascination with satanism, in part because our parents were busy freaking out so much about it. Sadly, The Devil's Cat is the weakest of the series, but so far it's the only one I've been able to find.
March 28, 2012
Absolutely awful. Cliched plotting, terrible dialogue, wooden characters, !1!!EXCLAMATION POINTS11!1!! in too many sentences that end paragraphs... I could go on and on, but you get the point. Atrocious doesn't even begin to do it justice. This is a flaming sack of cat crap.
April 30, 2015
Actually 3 1/2 stars.
This was part of a series of horror novels—all to do with the Devil. One problem with the story for me is there are too many people. Not a crowd of people or the two hundred kids at one point in the story—I understood them, but those with names—some you will never see again except to die. It got confusing. And those roles we see more of were cardboard silhouettes—not enough substance to flesh them out and it did not even made me care when something got them. I think it could have used less clutter with the people. The clutter extended to the monsters (Beasts), hordes of cats, werepanthers, demons, and Satanists. It has all the elements of horror, just needed less with too many characters and maybe taking time to stick to the main characters, rounding them out. Then this might have made a scarier, better horror novel than it was. That was the final nail in the coffin for me—the goings-on did not scare me, not even once.
Read the rest of the review at http://www.ismellsheep.com/2015/04/bo...
This was part of a series of horror novels—all to do with the Devil. One problem with the story for me is there are too many people. Not a crowd of people or the two hundred kids at one point in the story—I understood them, but those with names—some you will never see again except to die. It got confusing. And those roles we see more of were cardboard silhouettes—not enough substance to flesh them out and it did not even made me care when something got them. I think it could have used less clutter with the people. The clutter extended to the monsters (Beasts), hordes of cats, werepanthers, demons, and Satanists. It has all the elements of horror, just needed less with too many characters and maybe taking time to stick to the main characters, rounding them out. Then this might have made a scarier, better horror novel than it was. That was the final nail in the coffin for me—the goings-on did not scare me, not even once.
Read the rest of the review at http://www.ismellsheep.com/2015/04/bo...
January 10, 2020
2.3 stars
Quick read. At least, I got to play with the hologram cat/devil cover. Its a cat! Its a devil! Its a cat. Below average Zebra horror. Johnstone juggled too many characters. Not scary. Had potential...never reached. My first dip into Johnstone left me unimpressed, but willing to go one more round.
Quick read. At least, I got to play with the hologram cat/devil cover. Its a cat! Its a devil! Its a cat. Below average Zebra horror. Johnstone juggled too many characters. Not scary. Had potential...never reached. My first dip into Johnstone left me unimpressed, but willing to go one more round.
June 1, 2025
I don't know why I'm reading this hot garbage...the first 3 in the series are horrible. This guy was a hack - I'm assuming his Westerns are better since he did pretty good in that genre.
I read The Devil's Kiss back in HS (85) and thought it was a masterpiece - reread it as a almost grey hair & I realize that I was vastly different person back then. I bought the whole series on Kindle & I'm not one to toss $3.99!
Once again, Johnstone is writing the same novel.
Sam, Nydia & now Little Sam & Dog (get it, spelled backwards God) head to a different town & once again, some of the locals act weird.
Like the other books, it's same convos over and over and over about what's happening and blah blah blah. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Johnstone has his characters drink a lot of coffee (check my notes, I've tried to highlight each time coffee pops up - it's the same in the prior ones too - coffee!).
On the plus, he's greatly toned down the violent sex that peppered the first three books - but nothing of substance fills the space.
Also, it's nice to see double spaces between the paragraphs when a scene changes...something that annoyed me in the others. You'd be reading along and all of sudden, it's a new person in a different place - annoying! Anyway...
For a battle of God vs. Satan, there isn't much imagination at all. I get the pulpy B movie vibe, but it's just not interesting. I like cats and even the cat hoard angle isn't fun. Admittedly, I sped-read most of it, so I didn't catch if the cats just show up, or if they're WereCats...some of evil town folk lick and purr. There's also an escaped mental patient, actual WereWolves a WerePanther, Zombies...the Beasts from the other books are on hand to snarl and await their Master's orders. It's so f'ing stupid.
Since I'm bitching - I'll carp about how many characters he has. Every other page in a different set having almost the same conversations.
The best characters are Sam and Nydia, who should be leading the charge, but are too often in the background. Nydia hardly plays a role in this at all.
This book sucks on all accounts - but, I'll finish it and read book #5...eventually.
I read The Devil's Kiss back in HS (85) and thought it was a masterpiece - reread it as a almost grey hair & I realize that I was vastly different person back then. I bought the whole series on Kindle & I'm not one to toss $3.99!
Once again, Johnstone is writing the same novel.
Sam, Nydia & now Little Sam & Dog (get it, spelled backwards God) head to a different town & once again, some of the locals act weird.
Like the other books, it's same convos over and over and over about what's happening and blah blah blah. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Johnstone has his characters drink a lot of coffee (check my notes, I've tried to highlight each time coffee pops up - it's the same in the prior ones too - coffee!).
On the plus, he's greatly toned down the violent sex that peppered the first three books - but nothing of substance fills the space.
Also, it's nice to see double spaces between the paragraphs when a scene changes...something that annoyed me in the others. You'd be reading along and all of sudden, it's a new person in a different place - annoying! Anyway...
For a battle of God vs. Satan, there isn't much imagination at all. I get the pulpy B movie vibe, but it's just not interesting. I like cats and even the cat hoard angle isn't fun. Admittedly, I sped-read most of it, so I didn't catch if the cats just show up, or if they're WereCats...some of evil town folk lick and purr. There's also an escaped mental patient, actual WereWolves a WerePanther, Zombies...the Beasts from the other books are on hand to snarl and await their Master's orders. It's so f'ing stupid.
Since I'm bitching - I'll carp about how many characters he has. Every other page in a different set having almost the same conversations.
The best characters are Sam and Nydia, who should be leading the charge, but are too often in the background. Nydia hardly plays a role in this at all.
This book sucks on all accounts - but, I'll finish it and read book #5...eventually.
November 27, 2017
William W. Johnstone wrote a book that is classic 1950s horror. He does take a hard view on the local preacher and I think it will offend people of that type of faith. The story line is straight forward good against evil. He sets it up as a never ending story that moves from one part of the country to another where the devil uses sinners and false prophets to achieve his goals to call his minions forth into our world. The book is based on the concept that earth is a game with rules between the devil and god. The main character (Sam), his wife (Nydia) and their child (little Sam) understand the rules of the game. It is their job to guide the “True Christians” in the small town through a three-day ordeal where they face all types of evil and sinners.
July 15, 2018
Great book, great series!! This is the best out of the series so far. Still has the good vs evil, the gore the great horror but this one is actually better because he toned it down on how graphic it was. It wasn’t too over the top as was the one before this one. If you enjoyed the style of late 70s and 80s horror definitely check this series out a good gory fun read!
February 1, 2020
Another intense book
And the battle continues between the light and dark forces. Another fight for the Balon's and the town folks. Superbly written and great detail....moving on to the next book of the series.
And the battle continues between the light and dark forces. Another fight for the Balon's and the town folks. Superbly written and great detail....moving on to the next book of the series.
August 14, 2012
I read this book for a work book club. It's the 4th and last book of a series. The books really weren't my style.
January 21, 2017
Classed as a "horror" book due when it was written (1987) but more of a Christian style "good vs evil", "God vs Satan" story. Just involving cats. Except the cats were superfluous to the story.
June 11, 2017
As is all of his book in the Devil series this is not for the weak of heart or those easily offended by language, violence and sexual acts.
December 26, 2019
A very corny book not very well written. The most difficult battle of a lifetime is over in a few punches.
June 5, 2021
One of the worst books I’ve ever read all the way through
January 1, 2021
As horror books go, it's not the best but by no means the worst. After searcging for several years I finally got the complete series. \it is an interestubg take, very graphic which may offend some people, but have to say since my first time reading it (1987 or so) I still enjoy it to this day.
One thing I noticed which no one else comment is some of the French is incorrect.
One thing I noticed which no one else comment is some of the French is incorrect.
October 19, 2021
I was just not able to get through this. That’s something a rarely do as I will slog through most times just to at least complete the story. Unfortunately this one was just not worth it. I didn’t make it to the half-way point. The writing is not good and doesn’t flow well and the story was scattered. Maybe I needed to have read the series to get it but I don’t think it would’ve helped.
February 5, 2024
Fourth book in the Devil’s series. Much better than book three. With a change of scenery to the Deep South and introducing an army of devil cats, it made for a much more fun read. Just like every other book in the series I laughed, I gasp and I had a Hell of a good time. 4 stars and one more to go!
April 24, 2018
first time reading this author. Even though the book is part of a series it was easy to get into and didn't need the other books to understand the story. Will be looking for more book by this author.
December 25, 2022
Pretty good.
April 16, 2024
I'm always entertained by 80's horror shlock, but I did notice one thing:
This author sure does like the word 'squalling' A LOT.
This author sure does like the word 'squalling' A LOT.
December 31, 2023
I knew The Devil’s Cat was gonna suck, but holy shit, I had no clue this was going to be a pile of putrid garbage, so terrible that it was very nearly unreadable.
Granted, sometimes there is a certain charm to books being so bad, they’re good, but let me tell you folks, The Devil’s Cat ain’t one of those. This one is flat out terrible in so many ways.
The story makes literally zero sense with literally no explanation. We are thrust smack dab into a horribly conceived battle of good vs. evil and are left to slog our way through 380 pages of some of the most juvenile and god awful writing ive read since Sergio Gomez’s dumpster fire of a novel, Camp Slaughter. The characters are dumb, their motivations even dumber, and their decisions border on being illegible for special education classes.
Johnstone’s thrillers are…ok, albeit crusty as hell, yet here, his idea of horror is throwing God vs. Satan, cats, zombies, angels and demons, killer kids, rape, sex, dumb as rocks characters and a contrived storyline all against the wall, letting it run into a gooey mess, and then failing at every conceivable moment to pen a story that is even close to being able to be comprehended.
The Devil’s Cat is a massive pile of fetid dog turds and will easily go down in my book as the worst book of 2023 and quite possibly the worst Zebra novel I’ve had the misfortune to read (which is saying a lot when you’re up against the equally awful Stephen Gresham and Patricia Wallace).
Granted, sometimes there is a certain charm to books being so bad, they’re good, but let me tell you folks, The Devil’s Cat ain’t one of those. This one is flat out terrible in so many ways.
The story makes literally zero sense with literally no explanation. We are thrust smack dab into a horribly conceived battle of good vs. evil and are left to slog our way through 380 pages of some of the most juvenile and god awful writing ive read since Sergio Gomez’s dumpster fire of a novel, Camp Slaughter. The characters are dumb, their motivations even dumber, and their decisions border on being illegible for special education classes.
Johnstone’s thrillers are…ok, albeit crusty as hell, yet here, his idea of horror is throwing God vs. Satan, cats, zombies, angels and demons, killer kids, rape, sex, dumb as rocks characters and a contrived storyline all against the wall, letting it run into a gooey mess, and then failing at every conceivable moment to pen a story that is even close to being able to be comprehended.
The Devil’s Cat is a massive pile of fetid dog turds and will easily go down in my book as the worst book of 2023 and quite possibly the worst Zebra novel I’ve had the misfortune to read (which is saying a lot when you’re up against the equally awful Stephen Gresham and Patricia Wallace).
Read
July 12, 2016Another awesome but graphic book. Very well written. I am hoping that there will be more to come
Want to read
April 7, 2019this sounds horrible i need it
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews