Novella Review: The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Titan Books (October 10, 2023)

Length: 123 pages

Author Information: Website

I’m always a little leery of novellas, but Richard Kadrey has pulled off something rare, treating readers to a supernatural rollercoaster which combines dark fantasy with elements of mystery, action, and humor. It’s been a while since I read the author’s Sandman Slim series, but The Pale House Devil definitely evokes a throwback feel to that tone and style.

In this story, we follow protagonists Ford and Neuland, a paranormal mercenary duo with an unconventional skill set—the former is alive and the latter is undead, and Ford can only kill the undead while Neuland can only kill the living. Their differences aside though, they have a longstanding partnership that’s based on a rough, trusted camaraderie. After their latest job goes south in Manhattan, the two of them decide on a quick change of scenery, hastily departing for the sun, surf, and sandy beaches of California.

They have barely arrived, however, when they are approached by a young woman named Tilda Rosenbloom who comes to them with an intriguing proposition. Her great-grandfather, whom she refers to as Mr. Shepherd Mansfield, has heard of Ford and Neuland’s services and is willing to pay the pair of them big bucks to solve his problem. The old man claims that an evil entity has set up shop in his mansion and wants the two killers-for-hire to come up to his estate and dispatch the interloper, who he believes is the devil himself.

The Pale House Devil is the best kind of novella—one that is short but doesn’t feel short. There was just enough to make the world, the characters, the plot feel robust and coherent. Kadrey’s storytelling packs every page with interest and plenty of quirky moments with our memorable protagonists. Individually, both Ford and Neuland are given room to develop and grow on readers, making it a pleasure to tag along with them on their adventure. The story was also well-paced, even when the setting abruptly changes from New York to Los Angeles.

This was also accomplished without sacrificing the depth of the world-building. The Pale House Devil feels firmly rooted in horror, with just the slightest touch of cosmic horror, done in a way that is rich and immersive. However, the overall tone is also light-hearted enough to feel like a buddy comedy, complete with the easy ribbing and back-and-forth banter between our memorable protagonists, which even non-horror fans might find appealing. Best of all, when stepping back to look at the full picture, what shines through is a captivating and well-balanced narrative that is at once suspenseful, mysterious, and entertaining.

Since this was a short book, I’ll be keeping this review short as well. Ultimately, Kadrey leaves his readers engaged and satisfied while working within the confines of the novella format. I’ve found that few writers can manage such a feat, and I highly recommend this for readers looking for a quick romp into the realm of paranormal and horror.