From Publishers Weekly
Fans of "Deal with the Devil" stories ought to be delighted with this fifth novel from British horror writer Newman (Anno-Dracula), which brings a new twist or two to the genre. Be advised, though, that supernatural elements play second fiddle to social satire in this fast-paced tale: it's no accident that the "Devil" here is a media mogul or that those caught in his web are involved in film, books, TV and, especially, comic books. The victims are four young men with high aspirations who become inseparable friends in school. In 1978, as they are approaching adulthood, three of them-Mike, Mark and Mickey-are offered a deal by Derek Leech, head of a vast media empire. Their future success will be ensured, but they must offer Leech pain in return-not their own pain, but that of their absent friend, Neil. Accepting the terms, the three prosper over the next 15 years, all the while working together to bring travail into the failed life of their former comrade. But, when a private investigator hired by the trio to keep track of their victim becomes suspicious, things begin to fall apart. In deals with the Devil, as we all know, whatever goes around comes around: moral enough for this fine and funny romp.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In this Faustian fantasy, three school chums make a pact with one Derek Leech, a humanoid creature born fully formed from the muck of the river Thames. He seemingly offers them lives filled with success in exchange for a sacrifice of lifelong pain. That pain need not be theirs, he assures them, but our chums neglect to read the fine print. This well-told tale is peopled with a fascinating array of characters and offers much witty and sage commentary on our materialistic society. American readers may find the modern, colloquial British English a bit daunting, particularly since Newman's previous novel, the popular Anno-Dracula (LJ 8/93), was set in Victorian England and did not suffer from this handicap. For large fiction collections and wherever the author has a following.
Patricia Altner, Dept. of Defense Lib., Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
