Title:	The Devil You Know
	Author:	Elizabeth de Mariaffi
	Published:	2015, Touchstone
	No. of Pages:	306
	Cover Price:	$24.99 Hardcover, $12.99 Kindle

---

As a 10-year-old child, Evie Jones lived through the disappearance and subsequent murder of her best friend, Lianne; the murder was never solved. The Devil You Know takes place about 10 years later in 1993, and Evie is a summer intern at a small newspaper. She discovers that she can do research on current stories via the newly popular internet, and, while researching Paul Bernardo, a suspect who is just arrested for the murder of several girls (the cases closely resemble her friends murder), becomes obsessed with researching and investigating Lianne's murder. In her quest to set things right and heal her psyche, Evie puts herself into several dangerous, life-threatening, and terrifying situations. Evie enlists the help of her best friend from early childhood, David Patton, and he tries to help her, although he secretly thinks that her obsession is hindering any reasonable outcome. Evie is fairly immature (as most are in their early 20's), and jumps to conclusions regarding suspects; she is always sure she has the murder solved, even when one of her sure suspects is David's father.

Elisabeth de Mariaffi has written this excellent novel in first person, and the reader sees the story unfolding from Evie's point of view. Evie's obvious lack of skills and knowledge in the art of investigating leads to suspenseful and sometimes dangerous twists and turns, including the discovery of a stalker whom she believes has come to murder her like he did her friend so long ago.

Although The Devil You Know is not a light thriller novel, it is one of those books that is very difficult to put down. The scenarios seem plausible, and readers will relate and feel they are experiencing Evie's woes vicariously. There are no unnecessary fillers in the story, i.e., dozens of bodies, graphic violence, etc. The writing style is straightforward and makes this novel a good choice for almost everyone, especially since Mariaffi adds enough humor that results in a bit of relief through stressful situations.

It is no wonder that Mariaffi has been critically acclaimed as an author; she has the uncanny ability to draw readers, not only into the story, but also to feel that the characters are real people. There are psychological undertones, which add to the suspense, and a subplot that forces Evie to confront the reality of disturbing past family issues.

Special Thanks to Jessica Roth of Simon and Schuster for supplying a copy of this book for review.

This book may be purchased at Amazon:
The Devil You Know: A Novel (Hardcover)