If you like your horror storytelling to come at you in surreal, stream-of-consciousness fashion, or in the form of a supernatural-meets-romance mashup, then Clay McLeod Chapman has something to meet your needs on both fronts.

DEVIL INSIDE is his latest novel, and the often-inventive Chapman really goes off the rails in all the best ways with this unique story. He describes it perfectly when he says, “Horror and romance are two sides of the same coin: they’re visceral and propulsive and terrifying and beautiful.”

"Chapman has given us a wild literary ride that is sure to be one of the most memorable reads of the year. What really makes DEVIL INSIDE sing is his use of language, which flows with words and images that readers cannot help but be drawn into."

Jordan is a young man who belongs to an urban bicycle group. One day, an accident while riding his bike almost costs him his life. He actually did die in the hospital for a couple of minutes before being revived. That was all it took to open his body, mind and soul to something beyond himself, something that may be dark. Nevertheless, whatever happened to him during this traumatic experience still haunts his dreams and gives him waking nightmares. It also makes him a magnet for the supernatural and just ripe for the picking when he catches the attention of a demon possessing a young woman.

Lilith has been enjoying jumping from host to host and eventually lands on an attractive lady. She runs into Jordan and seduces him. The one-night stand is perhaps the greatest thing to ever happen to Jordan, and he is obsessed with finding Lilith, who disappeared before he woke up in the bed that they shared. When he finally tracks her down, she claims not to know him and completely ghosts him. It won’t be until Jordan is eventually approached by someone who claims to be Lilith that he realizes he had the night of his life with a demon. However, this doesn’t dissuade him from wanting to spend more time with her.

Their relationship is obviously unique. Lilith gets into Jordan’s psyche and reveals some of the darkness that he encountered during his near-death experience. He completely lets go and vows to give her everything. Chapman has given us a wild literary ride that is sure to be one of the most memorable reads of the year. What really makes DEVIL INSIDE sing is his use of language, which flows with words and images that we cannot help but be drawn into.

The body-hopping continues, with Lilith promising to return to Jordan as she always does. In this occult version of Romeo and Juliet, they are in a relationship that makes no sense and on every level should crash and burn. The beauty of this novel is sitting back and waiting to see if love can win out, even in the darkest of landscapes. The best advice that Jordan gets is this: “The devil is you, Jordan. Can’t you see? You can never outrun yourself. No matter where you go, there you are. You’ll always be you. Damned.” DEVIL INSIDE is chilling and so much fun!