The devil downstairs

"The Devil Downstairs" by P. F. Costello is a funny fantasy book, written in the middle of the 1900s, telling about where the world of magic and our regular lives meet though the story of Joe Emerald, a detective who suddenly deals with the Devil. The Devil uses Joe's basement to hide as he plans some crimes. The telling of the story uses funny parts, mysterious magic, and questions big ideas about what is right verse wrong. It all begins when Joe finds the Devil in his house, turning his normal peaceful life upside down. At first, Joe doesn't think much of it, but he soon finds himself in a funny back and forth with the Devil who is trying to take over Joe and his life. But after Joe's wife and kids get involved, the Devil is luckily caught. This brings peace to their town as the criminals give up, but this doesn't last long. Later, the Devil finds away to escape leading to more funny moments and a deeper look at what evil really is and how easily humans can give in to it. The conclusion shows surprising turns involving not remembering things and who everyone truly is making the readers think if the Devil can ever be locked behind bars for good.