there were some weird plot holes and inconsistencies especially towards right before the climax that I thought might be intentional in a shifting dream logic way but which I think were probably just oversights. we didn't really get enough characterization or explanation to make the murderer's motivations sense and the final red hearing is particularly confusing because they definitely also were doing crimes (destroying evidence, murdering) but that gets totally ignored. the whole thing with his boss was also frustrating; instead of subtlety laying the groundwork for an interesting twist or revelation, we just keep getting hammered over the head with how mysterious and morally unaligned he is, so that it's not really that much of a reveal when we find out his real identity. my reaction was essentially "oh, sure, why not, he might as well be that."

the whole time I was groaning because the text seemed so intent on making a hero out of Fool, the titular devil's detective, and of his profession, but was hoping this was a feint. I'm glad I withheld judgement; the last chapter makes it explicit just how hopeless and counterproductive hell's police are. 

overall I feel like this could have been an excellent novel with some more revision. i am still curious about the sequel and will try to read it if I can find a copy at the library. 

rating: somewhere between two and three stars