Infernal Affairs [Paperback]

Jane Heller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002

Recently divorced and frustrated by her life, out-of-shape Florida real-estate agent Barbara Chessner appeals to heaven for help and wakes up the next morning in the perfect body, with hilarious and diabolical results.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Move over, Faust: Heller (The Club) adds a witty, feminist slant to a strictly 20th-century story of the tug-of-war between good and evil. The devil in disguise makes his appearance to frumpy real estate agent Barbara Chessner in Banyan Beach, Fla., on the night on which Mitchell, her husband of 10 years, announces he is leaving to tie the knot with his partner in adultery. Having been derided for her flat chest, excess avoirdupois, disinterest in sex and failure to sell a house in over a year, Barbara ties one on, then staggers out into a tropical storm to tell whoever's listening that she's ready to make a deal. Done! She's a bodacious babe with a mouth. Soon, an attractive client, David Bettinger, comes on to her. But once she learns there's a price to pay (aside from brussels-sprouts breath), Barbara wants out of her bargain. Banyan Beach takes on a whole new light, or in this case, darkness. Waiting in the wings is pudgy Jeremy Cook, fisherman, singer, hater of pollution and secret admirer of the old Barbara. Cook cooks up a plan to best the bestial; Barbara buys into it. A bunch of wacky characters, including a persistently on-the-scene dog, share this frothy scenario, which lacks subtlety in plot and prose but succeeds on the strength of Heller's fast-paced dialogue and humor. Film rights optioned to Disney/Touchstone.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Florida real estate agent Barbara Chessner is prematurely gray, overweight, and drinking too much. She hasn't sold a house in ages when her husband announces that he is leaving her for a 24-year-old weathergirl. After a tipsy Barbara beseeches the heavens for help, she is thrilled to wake up the next morning, blonde and successful. Joy turns to horror, however, when Barbara discovers that the Devil is responsible for her transformation, and he expects quite a lot in return. Will Barbara be able to get her soul back from the Devil and thus thwart Satan's plans for the moral destruction of south Florida? Readers of this very funny novel will have a great time finding out the answer. Barbara is a terrific character?clever, witty, and truly likable. This enjoyable tale is highly recommended for popular fiction collections.?Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758203063
• ISBN-13: 978-0758203069
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,736,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I hope those who've enjoyed my novels of romantic comedy will try my first nonfiction book, "Confessions of a She-Fan," about my passion for the NY Yankees. Yes, it's about baseball, but it's also about marriage (mine) and what it really means to be a fan. If you aren't into baseball, maybe you know someone who is and you'll tell them about it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaing!, December 3, 2000

By 

Simonetta Cavilli - See all my reviews

This review is from: Infernal Affairs (Paperback)

This is my first Jane Heller book and being a fan of Olivia Goldsmith, I was tempted to try something from JH. Well, I was certainly not disappointed! This is a very 'light' read but it is laugh-out-loud hilarious and exactly what I was looking for after a few heavy crime novels, that I had been reading.

This is a great story about a very depressed woman who basically makes a deal with the devil to get everything she wants out of life. But of course this is a dangerous pact and she learns to deal with it as best as she can throughout the rest of the book.

If you are looking for something to keep you laughing and very entertained for a few hrs, then pick this up, you will not be disappointed!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Chuckle a Day Keeps the Devil Away, November 21, 2000

By 

Ronald Flackus "Music/Movie Addict" (Chandler, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Infernal Affairs (Hardcover)

I was looking for a light read, and voila! INFERNAL AFFAIRS was the answer. This is great fantasy. In the hands of another author, it could have become really "cutesy," but Ms. Heller's sense of humor, along with her light-hearted approach, made this a delightful romp. I guess this book is geared toward a female readership, but I, a guy, had a lot of fun with it and appreciate the author's keeping the romantic aspects from becoming maudlin. I recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for an escape from more serious reading and just wants one "helluva" good laugh!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unreal but Funny, March 23, 2003

By 

Betty Chan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Infernal Affairs (Paperback)

Let me begin by saying that I like to read books whose storylines are unusual. Infernal Affairs is one of them.

Jane Heller has written a very funny and captivating story about how Barbara's life was changed (for the better?) overnight when she accidentally made a pact with the devil.

I enjoyed the story every step of the way. It kept me thinking and guessing who the characters in Barbara's life really were and I fell in love with the dog who appeared on her doorstep - Pete. It made me wish I had a dog like him.

A lovely read that made me laugh out loud many times. Very original, very addictive. Go get it!