Review: PNR crime novel on crack!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 9, 2013
Let me begin by saying, if you haven't read the prequel, Burning, then I encourage you to go out right and do so. Not that The Devil You know can't be read as a stand alone, but, come on, it's a series so it should behoove you to read it in sequence, right!?!Anyway, I was one of the fortunate few who received an ARC of The Devil You Know from Ms. Gregoire herself. I have been following the progression of her writing career for the past year now and I have to say I am so proud of all that she has accomplished. With that, I admit,  I was going to be super bummed if I didn't like the book. However, I wasn't too concerned being that I thoroughly enjoyed Burning.It was only with the mildest of trepidation that I open up to the first page of The Devil You know and was instantly whisked away. I believe I read the book in 3 hours. In that span of time I took 1 pee break, and made myself a cup of tea. So yeah, I guess you could say HECKS YEAH!  I LOVED IT!The Devil You Know reads like a paranormal, romance, crime novel on speed. Literally bouncing the reader all over the map. It has the style of those old school detective serials that would appear in magazines or perhaps broadcast over the radio in the 50's.  It's sort of a style of it's own, and that is the best way I can describe the flow of The Devil You know. It's a hard style to do well as the author must constantly keep the reader on their toes and in a state of suspense, all while providing sub-plots, characters, character development, relationship development, and not to mention the difficult task of giving it cohesion so it all sticks together. With shorter quick paced novels you still have to have your audience care about the characters. You don't have the luxury to drone on and on about how they felt ways about stuff just so you can give them depth. My point being, every word and action the author creates with this type of work is critical. And oh, man, you better believe my girl delivered! Squeee!!!! Happy dance!When I opened up to the first page I was curious how the new characters Dez, and Vegas, were going to fit into this world Ms. Gregoire created in Burning. I immediately liked their friendship/working relationship, and enjoyed the banter between the two as it was obvious the tension was defiantly there. As the story unfolds we find the link between the two books and new characters, and that's when the party begins as the story is thrown into fifth gear. With a character pool of Vampires, Human-demon hybrids, Demons, and Witches, you better believe it's fun ride. And just when you think you're at the end and there is going to be a nice little wrap up to this adventure - the rug is violently ripped out from under you and you fall smack-dab on your butt. I swear I could hear Ms. Gregoire maniacal laughter as I read the phase,...To be continued.What!?! No!!!Sigh,..  I guess I will have to patiently pine away for the next installment of this series.If you're into Paranormal, urban fantasy, crime romance then check out The Devil You Know. And keep a close eye on J.M. Gregoire. She is defiantly a new author to keep tabs on.I give The Devil You Know 5 Stars!