The Demon's in the Details

MM Paranormal Fairytale

By: Meghan Maslow

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The Demon’s in the Detail

Can a sexy demon really spin straw into gold?

Poe Dupin, raven shifter and thief extraordinaire, is in trouble with a capital ‘T.’ Not only did he get his wing caught in the cookie jar during his latest heist, but his loser stepdad, the alpha, seems determined to run their roost into the ground. And Baltimore is many things, but forgiving is not on the list.

When his stepdad puts the roost in peril, Poe sees no choice but to bargain with Charm City’s only demon, Tommy Tittoti. Rumors are that Tommy eats the souls of those foolish enough to try. Three strikes and you’re out. But really, Poe wasn’t using his soul anyway. And if it saves his roost? Worth it.

Tommy isn’t what Poe expects. Demon - huge, horned, hairy, and scary, right? Nope. Blond, gorgeous, with a bubble butt, and a lilting drawl that beckons Poe to come play. Total hookup-app fantasy material. Even if he is a murder twink.

Poe’s no angel, but Tommy...well he’s more devil than demon. Yet, Poe just can’t seem to keep his feathers out of the fire. As one bargain turns into two, and then a third tragedy strikes the ravens, Poe finds himself falling for a guy who may very literally be the death of him. Or maybe the flames will burn them both.

The Demon’s in the Details is a fast-paced roller coaster of a romance with a guaranteed HEA and lots of steam. Shenanigans include: a gold object that is definitely not a ring, a best friend who’s trigger-happy, and a demon who’s got a few surprises up his, uh, sleeve.

Previously published in the Fables Retold Anthology. Around 60,000 words. No new content has been added.

©2021 Meghan Maslow (P)2021 Meghan Maslow

First time with this Author

I loved everything about this book!! I laughed, I cried, i got hot and bothered...lol...I loved the play on words, from the Raven, named Poe, living in Baltimore...to the special clock in Tommy's shop. Greg did a fantastic job with this one and I will end up re listening to this one :-)

Love it

Just the right humor, angst, satisfaction, and steam. ;) this book is on my repeat play list. I’ve listened to it twice now in the same month

wish there was more

I am hoping for a sequel. I liked the characters and the world created here.

fun

Story: 4.25⭐️
Audio: 4.5⭐️

As a very accomplished thief, raven shifter Poe is well-acquainted with living in the moral grays when it comes to protecting his roost from the consequences of their alpha’s selfishness. However, when the alpha (Poe’s stepfather) gets so far in debt there’s no way to keep the roost’s territory from the ruthless criminal, Briggs’s clutches, Poe visits the barbershop Rumpled Still: Skin, Hair, and Scalp to find the demon, Tommy. Tommy can make your dreams come true—for a price. Punishment for not paying is brutal, but Poe is desperate, and for all his scary reputation, Tommy isn’t what Poe expects. Even when Tommy’s power and pitilessness are on full display, Poe can’t fear him. However, Poe’s willingness to do anything for his roost is put to the ultimate test when he is asked to give up his most personal and precious possession to save them all.

Full disclosure, I’m a Maslow stan so I was primed to enjoy this story, and it doesn’t disappoint. To me, it’s also the best example of mirroring and honoring the fable’s core themes and archetypes, while creating a completely unique world, tone, and protagonist to the originals. I love raven shifters, and haven’t seen enough stories with them so that’s a plus as well. I also liked Maslow’s less traditional concept for alpha dynamics and powers in a roost compared to most shifters, specifically as it creates a validly insurmountable obstacle to the stepfather problem.

The chemistry between Tommy and Poe is scorching, and Maslow’s skill with creating funny, natural-sounding sarcastic dialogue and banter is a treat. Comedy is an art and not easy to create. With the increasing trend of comedy/snarkiness in paranormal and fantasy stories, I’m reading more and more forced banter and formulaic Lorne Michaels-esque humor, so I appreciate Maslow’s talent with a turn of phrase all the more. I enjoyed this alternate reality Baltimore where territories are called Neighborhoods and controlled by Rogers. At times, the scale of the world building overwhelms the story, so some elements aren’t as clearly defined as they need to be to avoid seeming like contradictions/holes, but overall a gem.

Greg Boudreaux! Always a pleasure to hear him!

Raven shifter Poe Dupin's stepdad alpha Evan puts their entire roost in danger because of a huge gambling debt totaling $80,000. Even as a premier thief, Poe knows he is unable to raise that amount of money. When his friend suggests he approached the demon Tommy Tittoti with the problem, Poe feels he has no choice. His much younger half-siblings and the other members of the roost are depending on him. And it isn't the first time he's saved them from his stepfather's selfish choices, incompetence, and irresponsibility. Challenging him as the roost's alpha won't work either as the alpha's power is a synergistic combination of the power of ALL ravens in the roost.
Poe visits Tommy at his place of business, a barbershop where he is known to administer more than a shave and a haircut. Expect to encounter an enormous monstrosity, Poe finds a gorgeous, blonde, and small-statured twinky demon! Just the kind of man Poe may not find too hard to work with after all. But it is a demon's nature to bargain for any requests made of them and Tommy is no different. However, he never expects to do business with a person like Poe who is so giving, protective, selfless--and handsome!
Writer Meghan Maslow gives readers a special treat with her awesome retelling of the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin. Setting it in Baltimore, the home of Edgar Allan Poe who famous poem is titled "The Raven", the author builds an incredible world filled with shifters and other supernatural beings--each with their own particular gifts and abilities. The city forms the backdrop for turf wars and battles between paranormal factions that allow for extensive development of the main characters both in the relationship between themselves and amongst the other players in the story. The writer is especially imaginative in designing a demon who, in spite of his basic nature, was able to win the readers' hearts. The challenges and conflicts for the protagonists are also well imagined. The resolutions and conclusions are absolutely brilliant. This writer continues to amaze me with her stories and I am wanting for more of just anything she writes!
As a native of Baltimore City Maryland, this story is near and dear to my heart for so many reasons. The world Meghan Maslow creates from Baltimore is awesome, especially for those readers like me who are familiar (and in love) with its neighborhoods, landmarks, and history. The Bromoseltzer Tower! Yes, there's a fire department right there. And Fort McHenry? A school trip was scheduled there every year of elementary and middle school! Yes, Francis Scott Key penned the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" as he observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 during the War of 1812. He was inspired upon seeing the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn. And Key's Highway? It's named in honor of Francis Scott and passes the Domino Sugar plant where my father worked until he died in 1999. Here's hoping this tale becomes book one of a series or, at the very least, a trilogy.

Loved It

the story the narrator was hands down the best story teller... I can't wait till the next and hopefully there will be a next and it becomes a series

So good.

Greg Boudreaux was amazing, yet again.

This was my first time listening to one of Megan's books but I'm about to buy more.

Loved all the way

Greg Boudreaux is always amazing to listen to and this book was a could not put down!

Great Story & Great Narration

I've read this book before, so I already knew I loved the story. Poe and Tommy are fantastic. There's adventure, humor, and spice.

But I also appreciated the narrator on this one. He got the tone right and he didn't bash you over the head with Tommy's Southern charm. I could hear Poe's sarcasm and sass, but he had gravitas in the tragic moments too.

phenomenal book made better with Greg Boudreaux

if you're a fan of Mary Calmes, Alice Winters, Charlie crochet and others like them you will absolutely love this book. there is humor, risk-taking, very bad guys that get their butts whooped and a happily ever after what more could you ask for!