The summary of this book sounded really interesting. I just felt that I missed something?

The main character had a backstory that is kind of dropped here and there throughout the book, but you feel like you're missing a chunk of history and how he works as an insurance agent. There is also the fact that he seems used to supernatural goings on but again, you don't really get to know if this was truly his first encounter.

I feel like the plot and the characters didn't really connect to one another and that both of them were doing their own thing and shoved together in a story that seemed to ride at a speed that was too fast for me to settle and enjoy.

Side Note: The location of the story is on the east coast of the US, but the writing and tone of the characters is VERY UK. They say and or reference things that would make sense in a UK setting. I had to double read passages to make sure that I was indeed on the east coast.

I think if anything readers will find this book to be interesting and with quirky dialogue, but that it can't be saved with characters and a plot that seem separated from one another.

I appreciate the advance copy from NetGalley. This story isnt for me. I just didn’t connect with the writing style, felt it was missing something to keep me engaged.

Friend of the Devil is a book for readers who like constant action. There's some background story to the protagonist, Sam, a veteran of the Vietnam War, and to the gardener, a stoner former Mormon. There's not a lot of pondering, mainly action, action, action. And unspooling intestines, though watching intestines fall out is also a form of action.

The action is gruesome, and the punishments don't fit the crimes. As much as we'd like to unspool someone's intestines for wearing a Reagan button, most of the time we refrain. This flying/demon/thingy hacks away at just about anybody.

Friend of the Devil could go right into a movie script. Action. Dialogue. Did I mention action? It won't be remembered as a literary novel--demons, guts, and krummhorn playing don't often win Pulitzer's, but it's good for action and disembowelment. And there's a krummhorn player!

Thanks for Netgalley and Putnam for allowing me to read and review an eARC of Friend of the Devil and reminding me that if I want to keep my intestines inside of my body, I should not hang around with BBFs of demons. And maybe not take up the krummhorn.

It will come to no surprise to the reader that author Stephen Lloyd is a television writer. Friend of the Devil reads like a classic teen horror movie. That is not a criticism...this was a fun, fast read, and while there was no real character development, if you read to the end, you'll see why!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was really looking forward to reading this, the description alone was enough to draw me in. But it just didn't do it for me. There was a lot going on and parts felt very disconnected.
The story itself was interesting and the plot twist was a good one. Just not for me.

Raymond Chander and Bram Stoker - not. But I liked it all on its own. I'd like to see more fleshing out overall, more story, more world building. Excellent start to a hopefully new series that will last awhile! Thank you!

It's clear that author Stephen Lloyd was trying to channel young adult occult adventures like Stranger Things, but there were two fundamental problems with this book; it feels rushed and too short, and it completely lacks any charm with its heavy-handed approach to the narrative. It's set in an isolated 1980's boarding school and the protagonist is a former soldier who is now an insurance investigator. When the school reports a stolen book, he shows up to learn more and hopefully track the stolen goods down, slamming violently from encounter to encounter with the young residents of the school. The teachers and administrators are even weirder, and yes, there's the obligatory D&D game in the basement. The end twist is neat, albeit inconsistent with the earlier portions of the book, but Lloyd also can't seem to figure out his audience, offering what is essentially a YA storyline but with a violent and aggressive protagonist. There are gruesome deaths that are completely unnecessary to the narrative and the last chapter reads like it was finished up over a rushed writing session to meet a deadline. Really, one of the least enjoyable titles I've read this year.

This was a great story. I thought the characters were well developed and their were definetly some twists that you don't see often. I think this is a wonderful addition to the genre and will definetly raise eyebrows.

An isolated boarding school full of elite kids is scary enough. Add in a few underprivileged students, and the bullying potential goes off the charts. Anything could happen. Despite what felt like a weird misdirect by Lloyd, this "detective is hired to find a missing manuscript" caper is a great deal of fun. The missing book is in itself quite dangerous, and insurance investigator Sam Gregory's not the only one trying to find it. This is described as a horror/noir mash-up, and while it's a bit uneven toward the end, it's deeply entertaining.

This was a weird one and a bit of a mess.
I chose this egalley because I was interested in the ancient manuscript at the center of the plot.
The story takes place in a New England boarding school. The atmosphere felt more British than American to me.
Parts of this story were interesting and engaging. However, I could not always tell if the weird sequences were supposed to be dreams, hallucinations or actual events. Maybe that was the point. For me, it just didn't work. This is supposed to be a book about evil forces, which is not my preferred subject matter, though I have liked plenty of supernatural horror novels in the past. Maybe readers who enjoy this genre or read it more often than I do may like this story.
I finished this book a couple of days ago and have already forgotten how it ended.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I have requested this book for a possible future review or consideration for awards, so I am not prepared to offer comments ay this time. I will do so, or provide a link to my review, if that comes to pass.

Thanks so much for your understanding and patience!

Many thanks,

Paula L. Woods

I picked it up because of the comparison to the Dresden Files, but I didn't see it. The character tries to make wisecracks, but they fell flat. Wasn't really likeable. The mystery was interesting. I guess just not meant for though.

Friend of the Devil takes place on a small island that houses a school. It's the 1980s and mysterious things are afoot. A book has gone missing, a former marine has come to investigate, an epilectic student is investigating...there's lots of stuff.

There are a lot of pieces here and lots of plot twists and the like. Friend of the Devil is a quick read with a nice twist at the end. I wasn't in love with this book, but I didn't hate it.

What a great novella! There was so much characterization and suspense in this story. Was surprised by the ending, which was a refreshing change.

It’s the 1980’s and insurance investigator Sam Gregory is trying to put his past behind him as he arrives at a New England boarding school in search of a priceless manuscript. But the manuscript gets put on the back burner when he learns that students are disappearing. He teams up with school newspaper reporter, Harriet to uncover the truth, which is even darker than they could have imagined. This mystery, set in the era before cell phones and the internet is very character driven. Sam is the ultimate tortured conflicted hero, and all the more believable for it