Usually, first posts on reborn book blogs reflect a profound, life-changing sort of book. For example, I could review ‘Angela’s Ashes’, or even ‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ both of which I’ve read, and perhaps will review for the readers at some point. Of course, both of those belong to Oprah’s Book Club already, and she might get upset if I start straight off impinging on her territory.
Besides, it’s been a while since I read either of those books.
It has not, however, been even a full day since I finished ‘You Don’t Have to be Evil to Work Here, but it Helps.’ My initial impression of this book, shared with my mother, fellow BBBB (Big Bad Blogger Bookclub, obviously) contributor Lisa, was “Damn. This book is very, very… British.” Holt is much, much more ‘British’ in style than Neil Gaiman. ‘Evil to Work Here’s’ humor is dry, relying on clever allusions and the reader’s knowledge of history and world culture. “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell” this book is not (Damn. I guess I’ll have to review that, now, too. This might start being work!). If you enjoy Ricky Gervais on the British verison of ‘The Office’, or even his stand-up, you’ll enjoy Holt. He’s written 27(!) books in ‘Evil to Work Here’s’ vein, including titles like ‘Flying Dutch’ and ‘Snow White and the Seven Samurai.’
‘Evil to Work Here’ chronicles the journey of Colin Hollinghead (younger), a young man drudging through life in the family’s struggling widget-making business. Soon after, he finds that the new consultants his dad has hired, J.W. Wells & Co., posess business cards which describe their business as ‘Practical and Effective magicians, Sorcerors and Supernatural Consultants.’ To top it all off, they’re currently brokering a deal between Colin’s father and the devil, in which the family business will receive an unlimited free workforce for the measly price of one Eternal Soul.
Of course, Colin turns out to be a time/star-crossed lover reborn, and the representative from J.W. Wells, Cassie Clay, is the woman he’s predisposed to love. One problem – the two of them aren’t even remotely attracted to each other, and so their ‘symptoms’ are more distressing than warm and fuzzies ought to be.
Colin’s struggle to get his dad off the hook with the devil and figure out the situation with Cassie are the center of ‘Evil to Work Here,’ a delightfully understated Urban Fantasy novel by Tom Holt.
“Of course They can do it. They can do anything. Look it up in the dictionary, under M for Magic.”
Next Up: “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams
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