Bargain @ $1.99 from some Random Penguin House imprint in Canada & the US:
Spanky by Christopher Fowler (
ISFDB,
SYKM,
Wikipedia), 1st in a humorous 2-book diptych involving deals with personal demons which are probably about to go very wrong. Originally out from Warner Books in 1994, this edition has a nice retrospective introduction by the author, from whom we've recently received a
freebie pseudonymous psychological thriller, so if you liked his writing in that, you may wish to give this a try.
In this stylish Faustian horror novel from the prize-winning author of the Peculiar Crimes Unit series featuring Bryant & May, a young man learns firsthand the perils of dealing with the devil.
With a dead-end job, a miserable family, and no romantic prospects, twenty-three-year-old Martyn Ross has a rotten life—until he meets his own personal demon. A Spancialosaphus Lacrimosae, or “Spanky” for short, he’s Martyn’s diabolically handsome alter ego, a tuxedoed charmer who’s willing to share his wild world of wine, women, and wealth . . . for a price.
Under Spanky’s tutelage, Martyn gains confidence, career success, even a girlfriend. He’s living the good life. But like all demons, Spanky expects something in return. And it has nothing to do with Martyn surrendering his soul. In fact, quite the reverse . . .