John Devil

by Brian M. Stableford (Adapter), Paul Féval père

London, 1816. A mysterious criminal mastermind known as John Devil challenges the detective powers of Scotland Yard's chief superintendent Gregory Temple. A true literary event; this is the first time in fiction that the term "detective" was used. JOHN DEVIL, written in 1863, is the first procedural thriller in the history of modern literature.

Genres: Crime

648 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1861

About the author

Brian Michael Stableford was a British science fiction writer who published more than 70 novels. His earlier books were published under the name Brian M. Stableford, but more recent ones have dropped the middle initial and appeared under the name Brian Stableford. He also used the pseudonym Brian Craig for a couple of very early works, and again for a few more recent works. The pseudonym derives from the first names of himself and of a school friend from the 1960s, Craig A. Mackintosh, with whom he jointly published some very early work.

Reviews

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh! I loved this book! It's one of those rare crime novels where the focus is much more on the legendary criminal genius (the titular John Devil) rather than on the detective who spends his career trying to bring him to justice, and while it can be a bit convoluted at times, it was well worth every second I spent on it. It's likely another book that can be called a niche read, probably not for all readers but for the few who are interested in old French crime or what I call proto-pulp fiction, it is a no-miss novel.

This is one of those very rare books that is actually impossible to discuss in any length because a) reading it is an experience in itself and b) the word "labyrinthine" is an apt description at times as it is filled with backstories, major deceptions, a villainous plot bordering on "techno-thriller" and most definitely conspiracy fiction, and it has a rather huge cast of characters so that I couldn't really explain it anyway. Basically, it's like this: John Devil is a bigger-than-life evil crime genius, the likes of which rarely grace the pages of fiction, and no matter what he does or what he's responsible for throughout this story, he remains virtually untouchable. He is the nemesis of Chief Superintendent of Scotland Yard Gregory Temple, who has spent his entire career trying to bring him down to absolutely no avail, and whose single-minded quest pushes him past the brink of madness.

This isn't a casual mystery/crime novel in any sense of the word -- it can become so complicated in fact, that by the end of the novel I was beyond grateful to translator Brian Stableford for the afterword that not only explains things, but puts it all in perspective as well. However, once I got a feel for how this book works, I had to finish it come hell or high water, and at times I didn't know whether to loathe this master of crime or to cheer him on for being so deliciously diabolic. In the end though, I felt so badly for Temple that I ended up siding with him against his monstrous foe. It's such a gripping story that it will lock onto your brain not too far in, and you'll be amazed at just how much capacity one man can have for sheer evil and even more, how he manages to draw others into a web of complicity.

Niche read it may certainly be, but for me, it's a win. It did take me a while to feel completely immersed in the story, but once there, I couldn't get out until it was all over and I could stop holding my breath.

I loved this book, and more of Féval's work is on its way to my house where it will be given a place of honor on my home library shelves.

[Stuart Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novelization of an 1860's newspaper serial. Introduces the concepts of the police detective and the criminal mastermind. Other detectives existed, but Gregory Temple of Old Scotland Yard is possibly the first to not be a private investigator but one who is professionally employed by the police. He also uses logic and investigative techniques common today, like the whiteboard with a flowchart of suspects and facts with lines connecting them, today's Conspiracy Board. John Devil is the first super criminal with a world spanning organization and plans for toppling nations. He has five doctorates, speaks several languages, has traveled the world, has minions from Melbourne to New Orleans, is the head of several illegal organizations, has a dozen aliases, is a master of disguise, and has even met Napoleon on St. Helena. Hercule Poirot and Ernst Blofeld owe their lives to these two.

This was a newspaper serial so it needed a new story every day. There is a good deal of padding which would normally be edited out in a novel. The story randomly diverts into allegories and tales told by characters which may or may not have anything to do with the plot. Sometimes a chapter is spent describing things like the French judicial system or life in London. Much time is spent describing England in general and London in particular and as a Frenchman Paul Feval has the same view of London as the general U.S. populace has of New York City: overcrowded, pestilent, and crime-ridden, filled with people who have an extremely overdeveloped sense of self importance.

The story meanders about with several diversions which makes it difficult to keep track of the sinister plot since it is quite complicated. John Devil is a nom-de-guerre used by several people, basically whoever is the biggest current criminal genius. The main character is a profligate liar and conman, and since most of the facts come from him and he changes his story often it is seldom clear exactly what his motives are. As it is a newspaper serial it reads something like a soap opera, with every introduced character revealed to have some connection to the plot, John Devil following his master plan only to have it threatened by a new obstacle, from which he cunningly escapes. At one point a man finds that the woman he has been courting is actually his sister, and supposedly dead characters are found to be quite alive. The "Perils of Pauline" vibe runs throughout, but we are sure our intrepid rogue John Devil will make a daring escape.