In Trent: The Devil’s Detective, Travis Walters blends the supernatural with classic detective work. It is chaotic urban-fantasy fun, anchored by Trent, a protagonist who is equal parts disaster and delight. If you enjoy supernatural mysteries with humour and heart, this one is an absolute blast. Watching Trent stumble, charm, and bribe his way through supernatural mayhem is wildly entertaining. His accidental entanglement with an actual devil—and his lack of questioning at the prospects of this—sets the tone for a story that never takes itself too seriously while delivering all the satisfying twists of a classic whodunit. The structure of the novel provides the steady investigative rhythm while peeling back the layers of Trent and the characters he meets along the way. Walters leans into snark and occult shenanigans with confidence. Chaos first. Consequences . . . eventually. Trent’s perspective—caught between wanting more from life and doing very little to change it—adds an interesting layer to the narrative, offering insight into the uncertainty of early adulthood. However, one of the standout elements in this story is the portrayal of Jane, the love interest who is blind. Rather than reducing her to her disability, the narrative highlights her agency. Her representation feels thoughtfully integrated and treated with respect. While a bit more care for other side characters and their tokenization would benefit the story moving forward, Walters’s characters feel complex and real overall. Though the novel’s fast pacing and engaging twists make it an entertaining read, some elements don’t fully deliver on the promise set up by its strengths. Although the characters are introduced as complex and believable, they undergo limited growth, with Trent in particular often rewarded for avoiding responsibility rather than confronting it—an interesting choice that can make the emotional arc feel underdeveloped. Similarly, while the book leans into urban fantasy, the city itself remains indistinct, missing the sense of place that often elevates the genre. These choices don’t detract from the book’s charm, but they do leave a gap between its strong premise and its full potential. Ultimately, Walters crafts a uniquely dark and amusing tale that is reminiscent of Jason Pargin’s John Dies at the End series. If you enjoy crime-solving with a supernatural twist, morally grey characters, and a curveball to the urban fantasy genre, don’t miss Trent: The Devil’s Detective. —CANREADS BOOK REVIEW Published by Pearl Place Publishing: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pearl-Place-Publishing/100092686307549/