This sequel to Falling Angel, written almost 40 years after the original, is compelling from start to finish. You may have a feeling where it is going to end up, but Hjortsberg delivers the goods right to the end. I remember recommending Falling Angel to my wife to read--and her disgusted reaction! She would react the same to this sequel, no doubt. But like its predecessor, Angel's Inferno is an incredible blend of noir, detective story, devil worship, and (at least in this case) travelogue as Johnny Favorite travels to Paris and Rome in his pursuit of the devil. There is something here to offend just about everyone, especially faithful Catholics, but the book does (if you accept its premise) explain the rise of Donald Trump. I wouldn't be surprised if he is one of the Council of Thirty...

Highly highly recommended. I will now go back and re-read Falling Angel, which should take on new meanings in light of this sequel.

For some reason, this book doesn't even seem to be published in the USA, other than a very limited edition that has sold out. I ordered mine via Amazon from Britain. Do the same! ( )

Angel’s Inferno – dancing with the devil

William Hjortsberg has created a novel that will question what you think about this thriller and when you think you have the answer, you will find you will not have it. You are constantly questioning yourself, and that is no bad thing.

Harry Angel is a private eye and his is under arrest in post war New York for murder, and he knows who has set him up. Sat in his apartment as the NYPD search it, he knows somehow, he has to get away, and find the person who has set him up to clear his name.

Somehow, he manages to escape and heads to his downtown office, where he collects his grab bag and clearing out his safe, along with his various passports. Some in names he recognises but cannot remember why, but that may be because of a war injury.

He manages to escape and heads for Europe where he begins to rediscover who he really is. Whilst staying a few steps ahead of the law and the ever-prying police. He rediscovers his satanism and finds that his was and is part of his identity and it takes him on a journey he was not quite expecting. He follows his satanistic past to wherever it takes him.

As the body count rises around him, and not necessarily because of him, the search for answers becomes urgent. This really does become a matter of life and death, for whom is the question. Even falling in love will not stop the spiral towards his final drama, and the twist that happens. ( )