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Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (A Niki Slobodian Novel: Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

J.L. Murray (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Niki Slobodian sees things - things that aren't supposed to be there. Labeled an Abnormal by New Government, her name is tacked onto the Registry, which seems to be getting longer these days. Now she can't work or she'll end up the same place as her father: in prison. But with no money coming in, Niki's getting desperate. 

So when a mysterious client offers to get her off the Registry in exchange for taking his case, Niki jumps at the chance. All she has to do is round up a homicidal Dark that's escaped from Hell and is cruising around the city in borrowed bodies. The murders are piling up, with Niki's notorious father somehow involved, and Niki's running out of time. And it seems the Dark isn't the only thing that escaped...


The Niki Slobodian Series:
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
The Devil Was a Gentleman
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
The Devil Was an Angel
The Devil's Backbone (Releasing 2014)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Made of awesome, with awesomesauce and itty bitty awesome sprinkles."

~Lisa Olsen, author of the Forged Bloodlines series.

"As you have Niki and Bobby hunting down the denizens of hell through the city, you're taken on a wild ride. The plot is quick paced but it's not rushed. There are pauses here and there for it to slowly build back up again. There are also enough twists and turns in the story to keep it from going stale. It was exhilarating and I felt like I was on one fun roller coaster. I had a ball with Niki and I hope there are many more books to come in this series."

4.5 stars.

The Akamai Reader 
(akamaireader.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/review-between-the-devil-and-the-deep-blue-sea/)

From the Author

Officially endorsed by Grub Street Reads. 
"The best indie authors come from Grub Street."
 
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • File Size: 331 KB
  • Print Length: 192 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1469998017
  • Publisher: Hellzapoppin Press (January 29, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0073998MC
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,903 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
(75)
4.4 out of 5 stars
See all 75 customer reviews
“ I can't wait to read the second book. ” Sanz  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
“ I would recommend this to urban fantasy fans. ” Pam  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Reading at the Speed of Niki Slobodian February 4, 2012
By Emily C.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Some stories take you places, some in time and some in a blur of entertainment. And then there is Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. The author takes you on a voyage between good and evil but doesn't really tell you exactly which side is which. Although lots of stories can have interesting sections, the characters in this story propel you forward rather than just suggest that you might want to turn the page. The main character is strong, but believable not really moonlighting on the classic hard edged paladin of good or the damsel in distress. Her catch phrases are memorable, adding a hint of hilarity amongst bloodshed and devilish mayhem (literally). All in all, I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to enjoy a quick, creative read.
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Entrancing modern take on a classic noir March 28, 2012
By E. Meyer
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to say that I really enjoyed "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea". The book is an excellent modern "noir" tale, somewhat along the lines of Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files", with a touch of dystopia thrown in for good effect.

The book pulls you in like a good hard-boiled detective story, and keeps you interested with some great characterization. I think J. L. Murray has a possible series star here with her ghost-seeing detective Niki Slobodian. She's not Jim Dresden and she's definitely not Buffy - she's an enjoyable character all her own. And the big selling point of the story for me: No vampires, no zombies! The cliches' Murray uses are not the ever-popular ones that the fans lap up like dogs today. This is an old school mystery with magic, ghosts and devils woven into the fabric.

This has to be the most enjoyable indie-authored book I've read since William Meikle's "The Midnight Eye: Amulet". After this fun read, I'll definitely pick up the next book by J. L. Murray.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Read February 8, 2012
By Linda Hawley
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
J.L. Murray has created a new twist on the age-old struggle between good vs. evil and heaven vs. hell in "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." This dystopian novel portrays a society where those who have paranormal abilities are shut out from participation in normal society. The author's multidimensional heroine is one such person. The writing is smooth yet hardy. The author understands how to build suspense, get the reader to invest, and is savvy in developing an intricate plot. The author brilliantly takes the reader to the edge--almost into horror--but then pulls back just a bit to allow the reader's imagination to fill in the rest. Writing in this way is an advanced skill as an author, and shows the prowess of J.L. Murray. A worthy read.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Blown away! February 6, 2013
By Blueberry
Format:Paperback
After reading some of the reviews on the series I was looking forward to reading these so much that I bought the omnibus AND I WAS NOT LET DOWN!!!

I love the main character, Niki. I love the way she talks, I love the way she thinks, I love that she's tough, smart and funny and her back story. The world Murray has created is a character all of its own too which is always a great accomplishment for any author. The only thing that came close to being a disappointment was how quickly I was able to finish the book. Fortunately I already have the next two downloaded :-D

Murray is definitely my favorite new author and is probably in my top five right now. I'll be keeping an eye on her and buying any subsequent books that come out so I hope there are many, many, man more.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Exemplary May 5, 2012
By David Antrobus
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Something occurred to me after reading J.L. Murray's exemplary noir offering "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea". Knowing I'd just finished an excellently written example of the sub genre "female noir", I couldn't quite place it at first. After a few days of reflection, however, I realised what it was: Murray has held something back here. This novel moves along at a perfectly pitched canter, the language spare and devoid of all ostentation, the characters wonderfully drawn and realised, the dialogue natural and incisive, but what is missing turns out to be a positive: this sense that she has not shown her entire hand, but has delivered a winning hand regardless. Which bodes well for future Niki Slobodian novels and Murray herself, who will hook more readers as a result.

The novel itself I won't spoil by over analysis. Suffice it to say it's a dystopian supernatural noir story reminiscent of Richard Kadrey's "Sandman Slim" series, albeit more contemplative and subdued, in which the forces of Hell are pitted against a handful of interesting human characters with paranormal abilities, not least the main protagonist, Niki Slobodian. When I say subdued, I am not suggesting there's a lack of fireworks, just that the novel is less garish, less comic book, than you might expect, given the conventions of the genre. Personally, I like that; by giving us only one barrel instead of two, Murray has whet our appetite for more.

This is a cleanly-written novel, packed with psychological insight, imaginative world building, as well as some well-staged action scenes, and I will certainly look out for more of Murray's work.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Dying for more! November 1, 2012
By T. Tabler
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was wonderful! I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good adventure. I was riveted the entire book and didn't want to put it down! Now I just have to find out what happens to Niki and Eli and Gage.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Between the devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Great book and excellent characters. The best I have read in a while. The characters blend well and the story is riveting.
Published 6 days ago by Terri Amos
3.0 out of 5 stars Decent enough for me.
It was a good story. The plot was a bit.. lacking but I still managed to find Niki interesting. There is an air of mystery about her. I want to find out more about her. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Joycelyn E. Minor
4.0 out of 5 stars Like this first book very much
Of the series, this first one, in my opinion is the best. The characters are unique and the plot is definitely different. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Forester
5.0 out of 5 stars Made of awesome, with awesomesauce and itty bitty awesome sprinkles.
In the land of free books, it takes a lot for me to relax and get lost in a story these days, and this book had my inner editor tied up in the corner by page one. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lisa Olsen
5.0 out of 5 stars In the tavern of good and evil
This book reminds me more than a little of Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files", but it is a favorable comparison for sure. Fans of one should like the other. Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. E. Drury
3.0 out of 5 stars Liked it
Interesting concept. Enjoyed the interactions between the characters. Kept me reading and found myself wanting to see how the story was resolved.
Published 2 months ago by Jesse Louthain
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Fresh take on the paranormal concepts of Demons etc. good fast read. Very film noir with good characters . Not a romance
Published 2 months ago by Lisa A. Jessup
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Start to the Series
Snarky, fun, and dark, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a fast-paced and engaging start to the series. Looking forward to more.
Published 2 months ago by T. Marquitz
4.0 out of 5 stars Urban PI
not a bad story, well written I think, not a big fan of hell as the good guys, not a big fan of dystopyian bigotry, or maybe how it was added, maybe I was in a bad mood. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John
5.0 out of 5 stars Great entertainment!
Read books 1 & 2 so far and I can't wait for the next one. I love the fantasy of these books.
Published 3 months ago by Denise Gray
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More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's J.L. Murray Page
J.L. Murray
J.L. Murray grew up in Northwestern Montana in a rural logging and mill town. Like most writers, she started writing at a very young age. She overcame great odds before returning to college and focusing on her craft. A novella she wrote for her first creative writing class was published in an anthology, and another professor invited her to write a memoir about her life, to be published at the university. J.L. declined, being more comfortable with fiction, but the encouragement sent her on her way to writing her first novel. This she threw away immediately after finishing it, and started work on Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. She has never looked back.

J.L. lives in Hawaii where she now writes full-time, with help from her husband, the writer and editor John Q. Murray, and two sons. She writes the Niki Slobodian series, and is currently working on several other series and standalones. She can be reached through her website at www.jlmurraywriter.com.

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