Dance of the Assassins, by Hervé Jubert

This is one of those that looked interesting as it crossed my desk while cataloging it. It is a YA book, the first of a proposed trilogy called "The Devil's Dances." It's the first time I think I've seen magic integrated into relatively modern day (maybe 5 years into the future?) as a pretty holistic part of society.

The plot surrounds the concept of pacts made with the devil. If one sells one's soul to the devil, he is bound to carry out his end of the bargain, if you do yours, right?

So when he doesn't, you need to summon him and collect your legal damages. And in this book, someone is trying to do that, with the help of Jack the Ripper (who--here at least--is a girl?), a French serial killer, and Montezuma (who is portrayed as a vicious murderer--something I don't think I'd've called him, but...).

The world Jubert has created is very interesting, and I do like the main characters: a new police recruit who seems to have some hidden affinity for magic, and Roberta Morgenstern, a middle-aged witch with a cat named Beelzebub.

Fun book. Perhaps I'll read the rest of the series. We'll see.