He's the Devil

An exhilarating, darkly comic debut novel about a do-gooder whose world is turned inside out when his new roommate―who might be possessed by the devil―moves in.

At once a visceral, unhinged, and comic novel about the roommate generation, He’s the Devil is a tantalizing literary thriller exploring possession and obsession, friendship and betrayal. Tobi Coventry’s debut is propulsive, funny, and touching, marking the arrival of a bold new literary imagination.

Simon has always been a good guy, a charmer. He’s consistently employee of the month at his bougie restaurant job, neurotically tidy, and generally tries to do right by everyone. And his dark parts? He keeps those well-hidden. But when his best and only friend Josh moves out of their shared apartment, Simon’s world starts to fall apart when his new roommate Massimo moves in. Because Massimo has brought something―or someone―with him. He might just turn out to be the roommate from hell….

Strange things start to happen. Weird noises come from Massimo’s room, smells of earth and spoiled meat drift through the halls, lights flicker, and Simon’s nights fill with disturbing and alluring dreams. Meanwhile, across the city, murders are being committed, bodies torn apart from the inside. Massimo and whatever he’s unleashed begin to awaken Simon’s wild and exciting and horrifying inner self.

Whatever this new friend is could be the end of Simon―or a completely new beginning.

For the past ten years, Tobi Coventry has worked as a book scout for film and television production companies. In 2023, he produced an award-winning short horror film, Blood Rites, based on a story by Daisy Johnson. He lives in East Sussex, UK. He’s the Devil is his debut novel.