I just finished “The Devil’s Labyrinth” by John Saul. As with most of his books, it involved evil possessing a child or teenager. This time it involves a teenage boy named Ryan who got beat up at his high school and ended up being sent to the private St. Isaac’s Preparatory Academy. There he meets up with Father Sebastian Sloane, a Catholic priest who has had some “success” in helping troubled teens. This priest has been noticed by the Vatican for his successes.

The only problem is, he uses “exorcism” that isn’t really an exorcism and the Pope has noticed. He arranges for a visit to the Boston school but he’s about to get more than he bargained for. Father Sebastian isn’t all he seems. Luckily, Ryan, with a little help from his deceased father and a gift his father left for him, can help foil the plot.

The only disappointing thing was that the book’s “climax” came at the very end and frankly, wasn’t all that great. The book was great and I could hardly put it down, but it just didn’t have the same thrilling climax that John Saul’s books usually have. Now I’m not sure if it’s because he’s written 34 novels (more actually because there’s at least one more after this book) and he’s running out of steam, or if it was just a fluke. Of course, every writer has at least one book that doesn’t live up to expectations, so I guess this one was it.

I give it four stars.

Tags: book review, John Saul