Diabhal - by Kathleen Kaufman (Paperback)

About the Book

Diabhal (gaelic for "devil") follows Ceit Robertson as she explores the true nature of evil and wickedness. In her world of cults, exorcisms, and unspeakable horrors, she discovers that perhaps the devil is not what we should truly fear.

Book Synopsis

Diabhal (Devil) is the story of cults, exorcisms and the devil in 1980's era Los Angeles.

Ceit Robertson, age ten, is the next Matrarc to the Society, a cultish, matriarchal group living in an inconspicuous cul-de-sac in Venice Beach. When Ceit's mother is attacked by spirits from the old world, a failed exorcism results in Ceit's exile into the foster care system in Los Angeles. She eventually lands in the infamous MacLaren Hall, a very real and historically auspicious center for disturbed and abandoned children in El Monte, CA.

Diabhal is the sympathetic story of the devil in Los Angeles. The exploration of the true nature of evil and how intention colors what our definition of wickedness truly is. Ceit grows into a force of nature, as she contains the potential and mythology of the darkest degree, but discovers that perhaps the devil is not what we should truly fear.

Review Quotes

"Imagine a world of old magic that exists beside our own, but one that is darker, grittier, and more dangerous than you ever imagined. Kathleen Kaufman's Diabhal rings with ominous truths." --Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger

"A great choice for readers drawn in to the folk horror of the movie Midsommar, fans of dark fantasy authors like Seanan McGuire, or horror featuring strong, female, teen protagonists like M. R. Carey's Someone Like Me (2018)."--Booklist

"Vivid, evocative, brimming with themes of classic horror and ancient magic juxtaposed against modern life, Kaufman's new novel shines with twisty plotting and an appealing young heroine who must juggle the past, present and future as she strives to discover her birthright as a powerful sorceress."--Denise Hamilton, bestselling author of the Eve Diamond crime novels, shortlisted for the Edgar, Macavity, Anthony, and Willa Cather Awards

"Atmospheric and creepy as hell. Diabhal will get under your skin." --Kaaron Warren, Australian Shadow Award Winner and Peter McNamara Lifetime Achievement Recipient, Author of Tide of Stone.

"Spine-chilling tale of ancient rituals and restless spirits" - Fresh Fiction on Diabhal

"...an engrossing tale of magic, darkness, and natural order" - Publishers Weekly

"A potent tale of mythos, superstition, and the power of little girls, Diabhal is told with rigor and surety. Kaufman is magnificent."-- Lee Murray, two-time Bram Stoker nominee and author of Into the Mist.