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The Devil's Due Collection #1
The Devil's Lieutenant
Jake Holyfield, a rookie Homicide Detective, is assigned a murder case that evolves into a series of murders. Then, as Jake is on the edge of uncovering the killer, his pregnant wife is attacked in their home and given a warning for her husband. Within days, his phone rings. A mysterious caller claims he can help Jake solve the murders and protect his family. But can this unexpected savior help him in time?
The Devil’s Lieutenant is a stay-up-all-night-reading novel for horror fans with its memorable characters and strong storyline.
The Devil’s Lieutenant is Book 2 in The Devil’s Due Collection.
The Devil’s Lieutenant is a stay-up-all-night-reading novel for horror fans with its memorable characters and strong storyline.
The Devil’s Lieutenant is Book 2 in The Devil’s Due Collection.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2014
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28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 2, 2015
In “The Devil’s Lieutenant” Suzi Albracht weaves a tale of evil horror that made my skin crawl. With characters that jump off the page I was drawn into the story, following Jake Holyfield as he battles the malevolent forces that seek to destroy those he loves. In a story where good looks bad and bad looks good and shockers lay in almost every chapter, I couldn’t put the book down.
Starting with a horrifying and very gruesome killing Jake sets out investigating similar crimes. Meeting a strange and ethereal young girl at that first crime scene he is given a tool that will come in handy down the line. With dead bodies that have been dissolved into “globs” of fat and blood the story unwinds in growing tension. Interwoven in the story is the relationship between Jake and Bobby Holyfield and their childhood friend Max Wilson. Along with the mysterious Mikael Ruskoff, Jake battles the minions of the Devil himself. Filling out the story are the personal relationships of the characters; important relationships that carry the story forward neatly. Always terrifying and often heart-breaking, The Devil’s Lieutenant is a must read for horror fans.
Since this is book one of a collection I can hope my favorite characters will continue their war against evil in future editions.
Starting with a horrifying and very gruesome killing Jake sets out investigating similar crimes. Meeting a strange and ethereal young girl at that first crime scene he is given a tool that will come in handy down the line. With dead bodies that have been dissolved into “globs” of fat and blood the story unwinds in growing tension. Interwoven in the story is the relationship between Jake and Bobby Holyfield and their childhood friend Max Wilson. Along with the mysterious Mikael Ruskoff, Jake battles the minions of the Devil himself. Filling out the story are the personal relationships of the characters; important relationships that carry the story forward neatly. Always terrifying and often heart-breaking, The Devil’s Lieutenant is a must read for horror fans.
Since this is book one of a collection I can hope my favorite characters will continue their war against evil in future editions.
February 14, 2015
If the devil really does have a lieutenant, chances are they are,eerily similar to the sinister, shadowy characters in Suzi Albracht' s fantastic and fear-laden fiction.
You can smell the brimstone and visualise the fiends and fury of Hades as you race through the narrative all too easily. I barely put the book down after I was drawn in after a quick run through the first few chapters just to see what it was like!
I found myself liking and loathing Royce, who like all good villains has just the right level of wit and panache. I also loved how the story was never straightforward, with twists and unexpected turns cropping up regularly. As for scares, it's definitely a read with the light on story. Give it a go!
You can smell the brimstone and visualise the fiends and fury of Hades as you race through the narrative all too easily. I barely put the book down after I was drawn in after a quick run through the first few chapters just to see what it was like!
I found myself liking and loathing Royce, who like all good villains has just the right level of wit and panache. I also loved how the story was never straightforward, with twists and unexpected turns cropping up regularly. As for scares, it's definitely a read with the light on story. Give it a go!
May 8, 2015
I have to confess, I'm not a great fan of horror genre, but Suzi Albracht made me change my mind. The Devil's Lieutenant" is a great story with believable characters that got my attention from the first chapter. It was not only a battle- good versus evil, it's about loyalty, friendship and family values. Jack Holyfield will do everything in his power to protect and save his family and friends. I can't wait for the next book.
January 18, 2015
I am not usually a big fan of the horror genre, but I really enjoyed reading this new novel from Suzi Albracht. It's like an elegantly woven tapestry where each thread carries a special significance. It's captivating reading from the first page, and I look forward to reading more from this author. Well done!
March 7, 2015
"The Devil's in the detail!"
I'm a firm believer that if something is 'real' then it's okay to write about, however gory or terrifying it might be. This means I don't normally read books of this horror genre. However, I found 'The Devil's Lieutenant' to be very well written, easy to read (apart from the bloodthirsty parts!) and the vast majority of the characters were totally believable. In between the description of the painful ramifications of reneging on a deal with the Devil, there were all manner of relationship issues unfolding too. A challenging read but one I warmed to in the end.
I'm a firm believer that if something is 'real' then it's okay to write about, however gory or terrifying it might be. This means I don't normally read books of this horror genre. However, I found 'The Devil's Lieutenant' to be very well written, easy to read (apart from the bloodthirsty parts!) and the vast majority of the characters were totally believable. In between the description of the painful ramifications of reneging on a deal with the Devil, there were all manner of relationship issues unfolding too. A challenging read but one I warmed to in the end.
February 14, 2017
Horror novels are always my go to when I am looking for a good book. This had been on my to read pile forever! I am glad I finally sat down and read it! It hooked me from the first chapter and I barely put it down! Who doesn’t like a good story of good vs evil? And the horror in it wasn’t over the top and those with a dark sense of humor will appreciate this work as well. The best part of this is the relationships between the characters. Weaving in the real world problems and making them easy to relate too makes the reader invested in the work and they thirst for more, I was no exception. I really could not put this book down until I was finished. The reason I give this book five stars is because the characters were easy to relate to and that made the story. If you choose to pick this book up you will not be disappointed. It isn’t your typical deal with the devil novel and worth every moment reading it.
December 18, 2014
This is a really scary read about a serial killer with a difference. It is about good and evil, right and wrong and is quite blood thirsty in parts. But with a title like this it's hardly going to be about fluffy lambs. There are a multitude of characters who each have their own defined personalities and their own stories. I like Albracht's style of writing. It is fluid and meaty. I don't usually read this kind of book but I was certainly engrossed from the start. This is a really good read.
July 5, 2017
First I am not sure if this is book 1 or book 2. I thought it was book 1 as that is what my kindle said and read it but I found Death Most Wicked (which I just started) says it is book 1 and the story does actually seem to precede this one. Not the first time I have read a series in the wrong order, probably won't be the last. I see now that Amazon at least has fixed this.
My review...WOW! I was hooked by the first sentences, "The Devil never does his own dirty work. He relies on the cruelty of others who come in the dark of night, carrying death in their pocket." I was captured! A trio of friends, Jake Holyfield is a cop who is working on a serial murder case, his brother Bobby is in love with Marie who treats him like dirt, and Max who is currently unemployed and dealing with the fact his mom is very ill, are a means to an end for the Devil. Each has something they really want. Max takes a deal he shouldn't and Jake figures out there is no way he will be bringing the murder in for justice to be served. Come see how Jake is forced to believe in the devil as an entity wreaking havok on the world. See which of his friends betrays him.
This is a face-paced story with lots of twists and turns. Can't wait to see what happens to everyone! Will Jake be able to get justice himself? Will the world be safe? I have the next two books lined up to find out!
Awesome book!
My review...WOW! I was hooked by the first sentences, "The Devil never does his own dirty work. He relies on the cruelty of others who come in the dark of night, carrying death in their pocket." I was captured! A trio of friends, Jake Holyfield is a cop who is working on a serial murder case, his brother Bobby is in love with Marie who treats him like dirt, and Max who is currently unemployed and dealing with the fact his mom is very ill, are a means to an end for the Devil. Each has something they really want. Max takes a deal he shouldn't and Jake figures out there is no way he will be bringing the murder in for justice to be served. Come see how Jake is forced to believe in the devil as an entity wreaking havok on the world. See which of his friends betrays him.
This is a face-paced story with lots of twists and turns. Can't wait to see what happens to everyone! Will Jake be able to get justice himself? Will the world be safe? I have the next two books lined up to find out!
Awesome book!
June 12, 2017
This is a clever book, well written and engaging. The horror genre is not one I have tried before and I’m glad my first foray into it was to read The Devil’s Lieutenant. The characters are fleshed out and believable, the dialogue credible and flowing, and the descriptive passages and build-up of a dark atmosphere are excellent. The author has a vivid imagination and puts her fast-paced story across in a manner that keeps the reader gripped by the action. I wanted to know what happened next and many times I was reluctant to put the book down in order to do routine tasks and sleep.
The story of Jake Holyfield, a police officer in Annapolis, his weaker brother Bobby and their families and friends, form the basis of a compelling tale. Jake, newly promoted to detective, confronts strange deaths in his home town, the like of which he has never seen before. He begins to realise that there is far more to the gruesome deaths than the effects of enraged human behaviour and he enlists help to find out what forces are behind them. That places him, and everyone he knows, in danger.
The author is masterful in being able to create an atmosphere in which the reader fears for the characters’ lives. This is storytelling at its best, a credit to the author. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a superbly constructed thrill ride.
The story of Jake Holyfield, a police officer in Annapolis, his weaker brother Bobby and their families and friends, form the basis of a compelling tale. Jake, newly promoted to detective, confronts strange deaths in his home town, the like of which he has never seen before. He begins to realise that there is far more to the gruesome deaths than the effects of enraged human behaviour and he enlists help to find out what forces are behind them. That places him, and everyone he knows, in danger.
The author is masterful in being able to create an atmosphere in which the reader fears for the characters’ lives. This is storytelling at its best, a credit to the author. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a superbly constructed thrill ride.
May 28, 2017
I usually don’t read the horror genre but I’ve heard so much about this author so I had to try and I absolutely have no regrets. The Devil’s Lieutenant is exactly what you want in a book. Something to get your Adrenalin pumping. A page turner and a sleep depriving novel full of twists, mystery, the ancient battle of good vs evil and intense characters that keep you wanting more. I highly recommend this book and will absolutely check out her others.
June 6, 2017
Fantastic book! This is a gripping thriller with a great supernatural element. It's exciting, original and very unsettling- there are some scenes which are definitely not for the faint-hearted! The book has a great and varied cast of characters with their own beliefs and struggles. I particularly enjoyed the complex relationship between Jake, Bobby and Max.
A great read!
A great read!
February 17, 2017
The Devil's Lieutenant is a novel with a dark story about the Devil's representatives on Earth as conjured up by Miss Albracht. I found it fascinating.
At first, I had to see the parallels with the ancient German legend of Faust's pact with the Devil. In return for his soul, Faust is given wishes by the Devil. Mephistopheles helps Faust achieve these goals.
In The Devil's Lieutenant, Mephistopheles is replaced by Ivanovich, but this is where the stories diverge. Miss Albracht adds her own ingenuity to the original tale, making the story her own.
I found The Devil's Lieutenant a real page-turner, with plenty of twists, turns and originality to keep me not only interested but fascinated.
It is difficult to talk about Miss Albracht's treatment of this story without giving away too much, but I did like the twists concerning the serum, and the pills given to the one of the main characters by a 'young girl'.
Miss Albracht's method of killing immortals is ingenious and 'believable'.
I recommend The Devil's Lieutenant to all aficionados of horror, black arts, fantasy fiction genres.
The story is satisfying as it stands although it does end rather abruptly, which only gives the reader the hope and expectation that there is a sequel waiting in the wings.
August 2, 2016
The author does a good job with the primary relationships in this story, namely between Jake, his brother, bobby, and their best friend Max. All of them are up against real-world problems that are all-too real, making them easy to empathize with. Their bond that extends up through childhood where times were good to adulthood where innocence has long since been lost and tough times befall all of them adds a lot of dimension to the story.
The terror-elements in this novel are handled exceedingly well; the murders leave you reeling, and the weirdness of them, the horrific, dark forces driving them leave you shaking long after.
Perhaps my favorite element of all in this drama was how the bit characters who agree to a pact with the devil do so because they’re facing burdens that would break most people several times over. Still they have persevered, and attempted to hold on to the good in themselves and the value in their lives. It adds to the creepiness factor of the tale because it makes it all-too easy to believe, there but for the grace of God, go I. So when their darker natures win out, or when they become seduced by temptation, the tendency is to think, yeah, maybe in the same situation, I would too. It’s another great way for the writer to get her hooks into you, and it makes the characters just pop.
The reason I went 4 stars is the author frequently forgets to advance the A-story in her effort to focus on and develop relationships, and to make her characters all-too real. There is virtually no forward momentum on the investigation in act one as more weirdness, mystery, murder, and mayhem piles up. The pacing tends to drag when this pattern maintains throughout the book. Better balancing of the main plot with character development would have made a world of difference for this reader. Still, this one is well worth your time.
The terror-elements in this novel are handled exceedingly well; the murders leave you reeling, and the weirdness of them, the horrific, dark forces driving them leave you shaking long after.
Perhaps my favorite element of all in this drama was how the bit characters who agree to a pact with the devil do so because they’re facing burdens that would break most people several times over. Still they have persevered, and attempted to hold on to the good in themselves and the value in their lives. It adds to the creepiness factor of the tale because it makes it all-too easy to believe, there but for the grace of God, go I. So when their darker natures win out, or when they become seduced by temptation, the tendency is to think, yeah, maybe in the same situation, I would too. It’s another great way for the writer to get her hooks into you, and it makes the characters just pop.
The reason I went 4 stars is the author frequently forgets to advance the A-story in her effort to focus on and develop relationships, and to make her characters all-too real. There is virtually no forward momentum on the investigation in act one as more weirdness, mystery, murder, and mayhem piles up. The pacing tends to drag when this pattern maintains throughout the book. Better balancing of the main plot with character development would have made a world of difference for this reader. Still, this one is well worth your time.
June 18, 2016
Always one for a good thriller and picked this one up to add to my TBR pile. Read it quickly and was enthralled from the first few pages. The story starts with a spate of strange killings, yet there's an undertone that there is more going on than first appears. What looks to be a "simple" serial killer is bigger than anyone could imagine! I loved it and will be looking forward to the sequel. Albracht knows how to spin a good tale and used the right amount of intrigue, horror and down right gruesome! Excellent story, with so many twists and turns that will leave you sitting up, mouth open and then digging in to finish the book! Recommended!
July 17, 2015
What a fantastic horror story! Ms. Albracht delves deep into the gritty underbelly of our world and the Devil himself has his hands all over it. When our guy Jake has to figure out what is with all these murders, eveything he's believed geta thrown into a talespin.
What makes a story wonderful, especially in this genre os believability. When I finished the last page, my heart was racing. Everything that happened in The Devil's Lieutenant was that believable where it could happen in real life. And God be with us if it ever does.
What makes a story wonderful, especially in this genre os believability. When I finished the last page, my heart was racing. Everything that happened in The Devil's Lieutenant was that believable where it could happen in real life. And God be with us if it ever does.
April 3, 2016
The Devil's Lieutenant is a unique and satisfying story of good versus evil. It was grossly fascinating, in a good sort of way. The horror parts of the book are not overdone, but add to the intensity of the story of Jake, Mikael, and Max as they try to beat the Devil at his own game. It has an underlying message of hope: Where there is evil, God also provides a way to overcome it, but as in all things, it requires personal choice. But even if you read it only for the story itself, you won't be disappointed.
April 12, 2016
Top-notch Thriller!
This is an incredibly engrossing, well-conceived read for any horror lover. I loved the pace and rhythm. I'm a hard-core, lifelong horror-fed gal ... any author who can keep me white knuckled deserves high praise. Albracht does just that!
This is an incredibly engrossing, well-conceived read for any horror lover. I loved the pace and rhythm. I'm a hard-core, lifelong horror-fed gal ... any author who can keep me white knuckled deserves high praise. Albracht does just that!
April 4, 2017
Having read Albracht's Death Most Wicked, I was prepared to find another page-turner in The Devils Lieutenant. I wasn’t disappointed. I found the writing compelling and powerful.
I could almost feel the dark in Albrachts scenes. Her bits of light in the story make the dark all the more horrifying.
Of course when dealing with the devil or his lieutenant, the evil is going to be pervasive as mystery piles on top of mystery. Some scenes are horrifyingly graphic, but that is why we read horror.
I highly recommend this book for those who love thrillers and horror.
I could almost feel the dark in Albrachts scenes. Her bits of light in the story make the dark all the more horrifying.
Of course when dealing with the devil or his lieutenant, the evil is going to be pervasive as mystery piles on top of mystery. Some scenes are horrifyingly graphic, but that is why we read horror.
I highly recommend this book for those who love thrillers and horror.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews