This was Moore’s first novel (and also the first set in his monster-ravaged fictional town of Pine Cove, California), and his lack of practice does show. While the trademark Moore dark humor and offbeat characters are present, they are not as developed as the reader might wish for. Also, the plot is a bit too pat, the back story a trifle over-explained – a deficit corrected in Moore’s later writings. Still, it is an amusing romp and quick, fun read for fans of Moore and demons alike.

I enjoyed this introduction to the sometime wacky citizens of Pine Cove and their encounters with Catch the demon. Moore’s description of the attempts to attract tourists (and the resentment of the same) was especially funny to me. I also liked the interactions of the characters such as between Travis and Catch and between Augustus Brine and the djinn Gian Hen Gian.