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The Devil Himself
"Take care, brother. What you did was worthy of a demon. But I am the Devil himself."
Jack Finch has returned to Greystones on the East Coast of Ireland. As a pariah. A murderer. He has lost his wife, his daughter, his home. But he has new skills now. And before the week is out he will revenge himself on the man who framed him and took his place in his bed. The man who he calls brother.
"I am still reeling from the ending, but I don't want to spoil it, so I will just say that this novel was a terrifically suspenseful read—each page gripping and leaving me wanting more. Loved the ending and realized I hadn't figured everything out; far from it. And that's a good thing. Mystery novels should be mysterious, after all, and lead you down a path that might not be exactly what you thought it was. Which is precisely what a good suspense novel should do, and which is what this story does so well. Unpredictable, realistic and gripping. Loved every page!
International Review of Books
"Kept me up way longer than I planned three nights in a row.. what a wonderful page-turner."
John Whelpley, Author & Screenwriter
"The characters are believable and the twists (both twists!) at the tail took me completely by surprise. And the writing flows 'effortlessly', which is how it should be, both in dialogue and description."
Margrit Cruickshank, Author of 'Circling the Triangle'
Jack Finch has returned to Greystones on the East Coast of Ireland. As a pariah. A murderer. He has lost his wife, his daughter, his home. But he has new skills now. And before the week is out he will revenge himself on the man who framed him and took his place in his bed. The man who he calls brother.
"I am still reeling from the ending, but I don't want to spoil it, so I will just say that this novel was a terrifically suspenseful read—each page gripping and leaving me wanting more. Loved the ending and realized I hadn't figured everything out; far from it. And that's a good thing. Mystery novels should be mysterious, after all, and lead you down a path that might not be exactly what you thought it was. Which is precisely what a good suspense novel should do, and which is what this story does so well. Unpredictable, realistic and gripping. Loved every page!
International Review of Books
"Kept me up way longer than I planned three nights in a row.. what a wonderful page-turner."
John Whelpley, Author & Screenwriter
"The characters are believable and the twists (both twists!) at the tail took me completely by surprise. And the writing flows 'effortlessly', which is how it should be, both in dialogue and description."
Margrit Cruickshank, Author of 'Circling the Triangle'
- GenresAmazon
Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2021
220 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 21, 2021
This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in 2021. Duggan's writing style is so appealing and his dry wit had me giggling often. You are drawn into the story from the first page and there's a lovely twist right at the end. Highly recommend!
November 30, 2022
Wow I did not see that ending coming. I really enjoyed this book.
July 26, 2023
Never saw it coming!
This book is mostly about a man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. There are twists and turns while he tries to prove his innocence. Then things get worse. I never saw the real story. What an ending! Recommend this book for suspense readers.
This book is mostly about a man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. There are twists and turns while he tries to prove his innocence. Then things get worse. I never saw the real story. What an ending! Recommend this book for suspense readers.
May 18, 2024
Had my interest all the way to the end!
Very interesting plot! Don’t think you have it all figured out until you reach the end. In fact, I read the epilogue twice just be sure I got it right! Going to read more from this author.
Very interesting plot! Don’t think you have it all figured out until you reach the end. In fact, I read the epilogue twice just be sure I got it right! Going to read more from this author.
July 6, 2022
Wow
Just wow. This was a hard book to read. I know it's not necessarily realistic, but injustice still makes me angry and there's a lot of injustice in this book. Even so, it was hard to put down. It's a heck of a read.
Just wow. This was a hard book to read. I know it's not necessarily realistic, but injustice still makes me angry and there's a lot of injustice in this book. Even so, it was hard to put down. It's a heck of a read.
August 9, 2022
Well, I'll be damned Steven Duggan, you've completely mindf**ked me! Not only was this story about redemption and revenge, but it's true meaning is also about people true selves. This novel is very psychologically sociopathic! It truly keeps your friends close and your enemies closer!
December 21, 2022
The devil himself
Difficult to read- brutal - unnerving - I guessed part of the ending but never saw the second ending! WOW ! Lots of descriptions and detail that made reading boring at times .
Difficult to read- brutal - unnerving - I guessed part of the ending but never saw the second ending! WOW ! Lots of descriptions and detail that made reading boring at times .
July 25, 2022
👍
Very good read but could have left some of the vulgarity out!!! It takes too much away from the conversation!!
Very good read but could have left some of the vulgarity out!!! It takes too much away from the conversation!!
November 8, 2022
Awesome
Wow! What amazing twists! Didn't get it until the last couple pages! Clever, and very well written. Will read more from this author!
Wow! What amazing twists! Didn't get it until the last couple pages! Clever, and very well written. Will read more from this author!
March 7, 2023
4.5 stars
Jack Finch was accused of a murder he didn't commit, and sent to prison for eight years after taking a plea deal. While he's away, his wife divorces him and marries his elder brother. Jack knows that going back to the small town where the murder took place is not the wisest move, but he cares more about clearing his name than about the reception he will have to endure.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, loved the writing style, and I liked Jack very much, which always helps. There is much description about life in prison, a stark portrayal of the desperation and fear that an inmate can go through, the total despair.
I'd seen in reviews that the ending is particularly good, and I echo this, wholeheartedly - I thought I'd guessed the twist early on, but I was so, so wrong - especially as it's a double twist. It's (they're) so well done; a round of applause well earned. Made me want to flick back to see if I could spot any clues. I liked how the second one hinted at what happened without actually giving all the details; this worked so well.
I've taken a half star off because of one issue - the proofreading. I spotted the odd wrong word and incorrect punctuation mark, but mostly it was the excessive use of exclamation marks in dialogue that kept making me wince; the vast majority were not needed and should have been removed. Aside from that, though, it was great. Excellent plot, a great main character, and the sort of writing style that keeps the pages turning.
Jack Finch was accused of a murder he didn't commit, and sent to prison for eight years after taking a plea deal. While he's away, his wife divorces him and marries his elder brother. Jack knows that going back to the small town where the murder took place is not the wisest move, but he cares more about clearing his name than about the reception he will have to endure.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, loved the writing style, and I liked Jack very much, which always helps. There is much description about life in prison, a stark portrayal of the desperation and fear that an inmate can go through, the total despair.
I'd seen in reviews that the ending is particularly good, and I echo this, wholeheartedly - I thought I'd guessed the twist early on, but I was so, so wrong - especially as it's a double twist. It's (they're) so well done; a round of applause well earned. Made me want to flick back to see if I could spot any clues. I liked how the second one hinted at what happened without actually giving all the details; this worked so well.
I've taken a half star off because of one issue - the proofreading. I spotted the odd wrong word and incorrect punctuation mark, but mostly it was the excessive use of exclamation marks in dialogue that kept making me wince; the vast majority were not needed and should have been removed. Aside from that, though, it was great. Excellent plot, a great main character, and the sort of writing style that keeps the pages turning.
December 29, 2024
This Book Has Nothing to do with The Devil or Deviousness nor Anything Serious …
The Author devotes more than the first 90% of this book to delving into the mind of a (perhaps wrongly?) Convicted Murderer … a person who just can’t let go of being railroaded into serving and being abused by 8 years in prison. Some of this is interesting, but in reality it is just a bunch of his thoughts and thinking that just go on and on and on and on. This isn’t just a matter of “How do you convince someone that you’re innocent, when practically everyone in the world believes he’s guilty?!?” — nor is it his repetitively banging his head against a wall, nor never giving up. Really, it’s just pitiable writing.
The title of this book implies a person who is devious enough to harass or otherwise torment another. But, truthfully — if this interpretation is correct, then the title certainly does not apply to the Main Character, but to the real (mostly silent) guilty party (? parties ?).
The book’s ending seems just about right, for an Author who doesn’t know how to piece together something more interesting. Instead, The Author just leaves the last few pages to ‘tidy up’ the story, and he doesn’t show any cleverness — but desperation at having dug a deep hole, and The Author not knowing how to get out of it. All of which is to say to a potential Reader — save yourself! This book is not worth your trouble to read!
The Author devotes more than the first 90% of this book to delving into the mind of a (perhaps wrongly?) Convicted Murderer … a person who just can’t let go of being railroaded into serving and being abused by 8 years in prison. Some of this is interesting, but in reality it is just a bunch of his thoughts and thinking that just go on and on and on and on. This isn’t just a matter of “How do you convince someone that you’re innocent, when practically everyone in the world believes he’s guilty?!?” — nor is it his repetitively banging his head against a wall, nor never giving up. Really, it’s just pitiable writing.
The title of this book implies a person who is devious enough to harass or otherwise torment another. But, truthfully — if this interpretation is correct, then the title certainly does not apply to the Main Character, but to the real (mostly silent) guilty party (? parties ?).
The book’s ending seems just about right, for an Author who doesn’t know how to piece together something more interesting. Instead, The Author just leaves the last few pages to ‘tidy up’ the story, and he doesn’t show any cleverness — but desperation at having dug a deep hole, and The Author not knowing how to get out of it. All of which is to say to a potential Reader — save yourself! This book is not worth your trouble to read!
July 31, 2023
A man was in jail for 8 years due to being charged wih murdering a young girl . After getting out after all those year he had lost his wife to his own brother. His Brother got married to his wife and got the house. Finch hated his brother and felt he set him up to take the fall for this murder. He brother always hung around Finch and his wife Kate before he go sentenced. After he was released from prison months later the police came to his place and arrested him again for another murder of a young girl. Tho Finch did not do it but he went to jail hoping he would be able to clear himself for this murder and also the one he spent 8 years in jail for. His thoughts still was his own brother set him up again. But he had to prove it.
August 7, 2023
Wow... what a twister end
So many times these ki fs of stories become predictable and Steven Duggan made sure we only focused on what he wanted us to focus on that I was like...tsk deuce ex machina... then the twister end ... woah
So many times these ki fs of stories become predictable and Steven Duggan made sure we only focused on what he wanted us to focus on that I was like...tsk deuce ex machina... then the twister end ... woah
December 28, 2024
crime
It is surprising how the mind works, what humans can find a way to justify. The justice system is flawed and unjust the ending was a complete surprise, and very scary at how possible.
It is surprising how the mind works, what humans can find a way to justify. The justice system is flawed and unjust the ending was a complete surprise, and very scary at how possible.
November 16, 2024
Read this!!
Wonderfully written you really feel sorry for the main character and i never saw the twist at the end coming! Very sly mr. Duggan! Well played!
Wonderfully written you really feel sorry for the main character and i never saw the twist at the end coming! Very sly mr. Duggan! Well played!
January 16, 2025
Four stars, one for the ending, three for the rest of the story. I've never read a more brutal description of life in prison or life as an ex-con. It gets a little verbose mid stream, luckily it is well written.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews