The Devil You Know

By: Mike Carey

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Author of The Girl With All the Gifts Mike Carey presents the first book in his hip supernatural thriller series featuring freelance exorcist Felix Castor.

Felix Castor is a freelance exorcist, and London is his stomping ground. It may seem like a good ghostbuster can charge what he likes and enjoy a hell of a lifestyle, but there's a risk: sooner or later he's going to take on a spirit that's too strong for him.

When Castor accepts a seemingly simple ghost-hunting case at a museum in the shadowy heart of London, what should have been a perfectly straightforward exorcism is rapidly turning into the Who Can Kill Castor First Show, with demons and ghosts all keen to claim the big prize.
But that's business as usual: Castor knows how to deal with the dead. It's the living who piss him off. . ..

Critic reviews

"The Devil You Know is a spectacular novel, one of the best supernatural thrillers I've read in years."—Douglas Preston, New York Times bestselling author

"Sleazy and down-at-heel and quintessentially London, Mike Carey's Felix Castor steps effortlessly into the growing field of supernatural noir and brings with him a blast of fresh, British air. Think Shoestring meets Constantine, with backing vocals from the shades of Leslie Charteris and Anais Nin. Carey's plotting is tight and laconic, and laced with shivery, understated horrors from both the human world and beyond. It grabs you from the first out-of-nowhere nasty surprise, and rarely lets go thereafter. You'll be up all night finishing this one."—Richard Morgan

"Engrossing . . . perfect . . . an ingeniously multilayered tale."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"An imaginative spin on the hard-boiled detective . . . mixes horror and humor in a way that spells good omens for future Castor novels."—Entertainment Weekly

"Carey transcends his comic roots in this quirky, dark and imaginative tale that compels reader to keep turning pages long after they should have gotten to sleep."—Kirkus (starred review)

A great listen

This was recommended because I liked the Dresden files. I found it much more enjoyable actually.

Definitely British in nature

The story was quite good. And there were so many references to people places and things that I had no clue about. I think you have to be British to completely enjoy some of, what I assume were, tongue-in-cheek references.

Good

Went into this story blind because it was on sale. I'm, glad I took a chance on it. It's entertaining. I'm open to listening to other titles in this series.

Pretty frickin’ good

Didn’t know what to expect at first but man this story was pretty frickin’ good.

Urban Fantasy Done Right

I've read a good amount of urban fantasy and after being burned by The Iron Druid Chronicles I wasn't sure that I wanted another book in the genre outside of the Dresden Files so soon. Felix Castor though scratched my occult itch admirably. Less fantasy and more hard-boiled detective, I was happy that it was so self contained. the atmosphere is dark and a bit stylishly grubby, like London should be and the characters are just morally twisted enough to make them interesting. I will definitely come back for more and can barely wait for my next credit!