Better the Devil

get ready for queer mayhem in the gritty psychological thriller from the bestselling author of All That's Left in the World

By: Erik J. Brown

Narrated by: Daniel Henning

Get ready for queer mayhem in this gritty psychological thriller filled with stolen identity, true crime and first love, from the bestselling author of All That's Left in the World. For fans of One of Us Is Lying, The Reappearance of Rachel Price and They Both Die at the End.

Desperate to escape a family who will never accept him, a queer runaway in police custody borrows the identity of a boy who vanished years ago: Nate Beaumont. But when Nate's family come to take him home, he's trapped in a web of lies.

Then he meets Miles - the cute, clever and true-crime obsessed boy next door - who knows more than it seems. Unexpectedly, Miles agrees to help, in exchange for uncovering the truth about what happened years ago to his childhood best friend. As their investigation turns dangerous, their feelings turn real.

Time is running out.
They don't know who to trust.
And someone is watching who wants to keep this case cold.

Will they find the missing boy . . . or will they find each other?

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"Brimming with darkness and suspense, each page of Better the Devil ramps up on a slow, creeping dread until the explosive, incredibly tense climax. A smart, sinister book that also explores themes of self-acceptance and identity - I flew through it"
- Ravena Guron, author of This Book Kills

"Twisty, thrilling, unputdownable - Better the Devil will grip you, break your heart, and make you constantly look over your shoulder."
- David Fenne, author of Overemotional©2026 Erik J. Brown

Critic reviews

Brimming with darkness and suspense, each page ramps up on a slow, creeping dread until the explosive, incredibly tense climax. A smart, sinister book that also explores themes of self-acceptance and identity - I flew through it (Ravena Guron, author of This Book Kills)

A taut, moving thriller. (Irish Times)

Juicy murder/identity theft mystery with lots of twists and unexpected turns. Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson. A real page turner. (Peters, ‘Book of the Week’)

Twisty, thrilling, unputdownable - Better the Devil will grip you, break your heart, and make you constantly look over your shoulder. (David Fenne, author of Overemotional)