The Devil's Evidence - (Thomas Fool) by Simon Kurt Unsworth (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Thomas Fool is a detective from Hell--literally. Having survived the wrath of both angel and demon, and still without memory of his life on earth, Fool is currently spending his damnation as a bureaucrat heading up the Information Office of Hell. But when mysterious fires begin spooking higher-ups in the Bureaucracy--homicidal arson, it's believed--and a series of unexplained murders plagues Heaven, Fool is dispatched north to investigate.

But Heaven is not what Fool imagines. In fact, it's not so different from Hell. And friction between the two afterworlds is only beginning to mount as Fool conducts his investigation. The Devil's Evidence is a thrilling ride through the spiritual realm, and a welcome return for the dead's most endearing private eye.

Review Quotes

"A grim yet terribly fun version of Hell. . . . [Unsworth's] prose resembles a Baroque-era Caravaggio painting of a Grand Guignol landscape of filth and depravity." --The Rumpus

"Unsworth has built a very horrible, yet believable universe with characters who you can hate as well as root for. While you don't need to read the first novel to enjoy the second in the series, we really do recommend you start at the beginning. There's a lot to take in and a great deal of character development to enjoy. A real page turner." --Starburst Magazine

"Strange and beautiful. . . . Unsworth captures the tone and weary, wounded voice of the best noir detectives." --Fantasy Literature

"Very clever and very sharply written--an obvious crossover with appeal to both mystery and science-fiction readers." --Booklist

"Unsworth's conception of a spiritual universe where deeper understanding may itself be the greatest curse is as nuanced and ingenious as his depiction of "poor little Fool," perhaps the most oddly endearing sleuth to come along in years...Thomas Fool will return, with more respect from readers than from his spiritual jailers. It's less a whodunit than a ripsnorter, with an emphasis on the ripping. Or maybe the snorting." --Kirkus

About the Author

Simon Kurt Unsworth was born in the UK in Manchester and now lives in a rambling house in Cumbria with his children and the writer Rosie Seymour. He is the author of The Devil's Detective and many short stories, including the collection Quiet Houses.