The Devil’s Advisor Brad Abdul Publisher: Flame Tree Press Page count: 241pp Release date: 21st Feb 2023 We’ve all been there; hate the job, the colleagues, life in general. Well, for Brian it’s a bit different. You see, he is the thing – or person – most hated by all of the staff where he works. He can’t help that he’s meticulous with paperwork or an overachiever. Lucky for him, Brian’s name comes across Lucy’s desk by way of an email survey completed by his jealous colleagues. Lucy – aka Lucifer, the devil – wants to retire, but cant do so without a viable heir. The thing is, she has two children, Dallas and Dahlia, but for reasons revealed layer, that won’t work out. Enter Brian – Lucy’s new advisor and potential replacement. All he has to do is increase the productivity in Hell by 50% or suffer ... It’s a work match made in Hell. As Brian learns more about how Hell operates and meets some of the hellions like young Jeremy plus spends time with Lucy’s kids, those pesky feelings get in the way of business planning. Dahlia in particular is intriguing, not to mention attractive. In fact, everything Brian thought he knew, well, let’s just say it’s certainly a learning experience for him. Fans of Bentley Little’s ‘The Consultant’ and Claudia Lux’s ‘Sign Here’ will enjoy this, I think. The dry humour, the author’s relish at their world, the dark elements plus the ridiculous bureaucracy, all come into play here. The scenes with Sal are quite fun and I think a few readers might figure out why he’s in Hell. Dallas is also a highlight of the novel, from his cheerful bro image to his tempestuous and conniving nature, he’s a great character. Though Brian is our main character and our POV, it’s his reactions and what he sees, who he sees, that make the novel work. He’s the random boring human thrown into chaos he can’t always control. The world building is fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed my journey to Dante’s playground.