A devil who deals in fire, brimstone, and fine print. The only weapon against ancient evil? Close reading. 

"An impressive and, quite possibly, perfect debut novel. Careful Readers is a book-lover's book." —Stephen Dudas, PhD, Reedsy Discovery 

Mephisto collects souls. He wears a courier’s uniform, rings the bell, and hands over the parcel you have wanted your whole life. Then he asks you to sign for it. 

A Cuban American copyeditor in the last days of copyeditors. A novelist in Germany who sells well and still can't make rent. A cosplay bar hostess in Japan who reads Faulkner between customers. Mephisto owns a contract for all three, and for the first time his marks can compare notes. Each has dodged a creditor before. None of them intends to pay this one. 

From San Francisco to Baden-Baden to a Tokyo love hotel, the path to salvation follows translation, diaspora, and human connection. Three lives across continents, woven by a Faustian bargain, and a climax that pays off. 

For fans of Ryka Aoki's "Light from Uncommon Stars," V.E. Schwab's "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," and other stories about Faustian bargains. 

Information for reviewers

This is literary fiction in a magical realist mode. A devil's bargain is the frame for a novel about language and friendship. This is not horror or a paranormal romance. Recognizing the Faust material and the comp lit antecedents deepens the book but isn't required to follow it.