Bishop Fontaine, a buttoned-up widower, father, and funeral director, dies. In death, as he did in life, Bishop leaves an indelible mark on his circle of family, friends, and acquaintances.

Daughter Kristine understands that others are saddened by her father's death. She's not.

Up-and-coming singer Rayne will miss Bishop because he was the only person helping her to remain on the straight and narrow.

Business partner Lamar regards Bishop's death as the key to unlocking what he has desired most.

Distant cousin and world boxing champion Cole respected Bishop and considers the truth of the words he shared about life...and Cole's wife, Nora.

THAT DEVIL'S NO FRIEND OF MINE is one of those stories which keep the reader off balance. Even as I understood how Bishop influenced or manipulated each person touched by his death, and how they each faced and dealt with their own "devil", I found myself hoping for a big, happy ending, just so I could get back on even keel.

The ending is bittersweet, as some characters face their comeuppance and others find their salvation. J. D. Mason is a masterful storyteller, able to skillfully weave together these distinct stories with the common thread of Bishop Fontaine, while occasionally throwing in other seemingly insignificant ties. Each character is fully developed, and the reader feels as tough he's witnessed four fully told stories.

Yet, kind of like watching multiple full-length movies in a single afternoon theater visit, after a while, the stories begin to run together, and it's necessary to emerge from all that darkness. In spite of it being a fast-paced read, I wish I'd been able to pause and savor each story with THAT DEVIL'S NO FRIEND OF MINE individually.

Although this was my first J. D. Mason novel, I definitely would read more given the opportunity.