I Shot the Devil

A clever, twisted and dark tale that will keep you up at night and keep the pages turning.
I Shot The Devil is written smartly, with a growing anxiety that leaps off the page and with just the right amount of twists to keep you guessing. A must read for this season.

#IShotTheDevil #NetGalley
Loved it.
Erin Sloane was sixteen when high school senior Andre Villiers was murdered by his friends. They were her friends, too, led by the intense, charismatic Ricky Hell. Five people went into West Cypress Woods the night Andre was murdered. Only three came out
Ativan, alcohol and distance had dimmed Erin's memories of that time. But nearly twenty years later, an ageing father will bring her home. Now a journalist, she is asked to write a story about the Southport Three and the thrill-kill murder that electrified the country. Erin's investigation propels her closer and closer to a terrifying truth. And closer and closer to danger.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for giving me an advance copy.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it is well written with a gripping storyline and well deve,loped and engaging characters. It was fast paced, twisty, mysterious and unpredictable. I couldnt pu tit down and would highly recommended.

As a teenager journalist Erin Sloane was part of a group of friends led by the charismatic Satanist Ricky Hell. While Erin was away the other 5 in the group met up in a local wood and during the usual drug and alcohol consumption things spiralled out of control with only 3 of them coming out alive. Those 3 became known to the media as the Southport Three and the story achieved notoriety as a satanic thrill-kill with the demonic perpetrator meeting his own end at the hands of the police.

Twenty years after the event Erin is asked to write an article about the killings which takes her into a past that has left her scarred,in more ways than one,and with alcohol and other issues. The more Erin digs the more she realises that there's a lot more to than story than first appears and her memories and perceptions are deeply flawed.

This is a very dark tale with plenty of graphic violence and some deeply unpleasant characters. There are many scenes that some readers might find upsetting. It is however a great read,I wasn't too sure what to expect and the book appeared to be going along a predictable route until author Ruth McIver throws in the first curve ball , things really begin to take off and it appears the accepted narrative is very far from the reality and there are some deeply nasty people trying to prevent Erin from discovering,and exposing,the truth.

It took me a little while to get into the book but once I did I was gripped, it's clever,pacy and original. Erin is a flawed character but a resilient one and the rest of the cast often turn out to be very different people to how they initially appear.

Dark and absorbing story surrounding perceived satanism, murder, abuse and corruption. I really connected with the troubled and likeable protagonist, Erin. The pace throughout varied and it was sometimes unclear when the timeframes changed and some of the scenes are disconnected - nevertheless it was an enjoyable read. I was gifted an advance copy of this book by the author, publisher and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.