The Devil’s Bible

Mouse is a very special woman. She can see a person’s soul, compel people to do her bidding, and kill with one word. What she can’t do is remain in one place too long, because she must stay one step ahead of her father. It’s been almost 700 years since the events of Carpenter’s Bohemian Gospel, which took place in the 13th century. In the present day, Mouse, going by the name of Emma Nicholas, teaches history at a university. When she’s confronted by a former student who is obsessed with the Codex Gigas, aka the Devil’s Bible—and can also see that she hasn’t aged a bit since they last met—Mouse flees to Rome. She’s searching for the book, which may hold the key to defeating her father, who is not of this world, and in a moment of desperation, she meets a man named Angelo, who offers his friendship and help. To defeat the hellish creatures that stalk her, she’ll need every tool at her disposal. Carpenter’s narrative alternates between Mouse’s life in the late 13th century and the present day, weaving a frightening tapestry of a woman who’s been through so much tragedy and feels like she has nothing left to give. She must learn to trust Angelo even as she falls in love with him. Mouse is both strong and vulnerable, constantly struggling with the dark legacy of her father, her own powers, and her efforts to be a good person. This exciting, poignant novel continues the strong opening in Bohemian Gospel and leaves room for more in Mouse’s fascinating world. (Mar.)