Shaking Hands With The Devil

What happens when a serial killer and a hapless detective start to get on each other’s nerves?

30 years since the first draft, this hilarious black comedy can at last be read.

Clifton Gentle is an apparently ordinary man without very much to distinguish him. Not much, that is, apart from being a serial killer leaving bits of young men scattered over North London. 

Dave Hicks is the flawed detective determined to catch him, but his attempts to capture the man he calls ‘the nutter’ through a combination of hunches, sheer optimism and personal abuse do not go well. All that turns up are yet more body parts. 

In a London dogged by growing sleaze and an IRA bombing campaign, the gruesome murders spur a crazily over-the-top media and merchandising frenzy. 

An increasingly personal feud ends up in a race against time as murderer, detective, a would-be victim, and a deranged copycat killer each try to find out what – or who – they blame for their predicament. 

But what do readers say? 

Reviews for Shaking hands with the devil: 

‘The author expertly combines comedy with tiptoeing into the sinister underbelly of society…a great read- M Wiltshre, Amazon

‘A wonderful romp’ – A Ursell, Amazon

‘Full of black humour…pacy and well written with marvellous wit’ – Deb’s Book Reviews

‘Ooh, I liked this. Unusual, for all the right reasons…some truly laugh out loud moments’ – Bobs and Books

‘A satirical tale from a master wit at his quirky, provocative best’ – Crime Fiction Critic

‘If you love crime with a funny, albeit dark, side, give this book a go’ – Beyond the Books

‘I read some odd books at times, and this is right up there…a really cracking read’ – Donna Morfett

‘Had me sniggering a lot and laughing out loud’ – Lynda Checkley

‘Raskalnikov meets Ignatius J Reilly’ – Skybatwig, Amazon

‘High drama with great characterization and wonderful language. I couldn’t put this book down’ – Carolyn, Amazon

‘A ton of wit and intriguing writing that really kept me engaged’ – Jessica Belmont, Goodreads

‘Mason is definitely an author to appreciate…he gives a lot of respect to his craft’ – Natalie ‘Curling up with a coffee and a Kindle’

‘A must for those who like their satire as black as night’ – David Prestidge, Goodreads

‘I was so taken aback at how this author created something soe immenselyy disturing that was also completely comical’ – Nicola Hancock, Amazon

‘What a fun read…right up my street’ – Deb’s reviews.