Devilish Dust, by Erik Dean, is a collection of five stories that describe the experiences of several individual and group characters' activities while stuck in the same Arizona dust storm. There are creatures within the dust storm intent on attacking, murdering, and/or inhabiting the bodies of drivers and their passengers stuck in the storm, waiting for it to pass and allow them to continue their individual journeys.

From "A Trooper's Story" to "Grand Slam," "The Long Haul," "Family Outing," and the concluding story, "A Couple's Visit," the tension remains constant as innocent and unaware individuals and families encounter unspeakable horror in the middle of a dust storm. They can't be easily seen. They're attracted to light, and they are evil incarnate as they attempt to inhabit the body and use that body to commit murder and mayhem. Dean adds just enough scene-setting to evoke the reader's empathy for individual characters leading up to their adverse situations.

As I read the stories, I constantly wondered when and where some kind of background and motivation for the dust devils would appear. It was not until the end of the final story that Mr. Dean concludes the book with an essay in "Afterthoughts" as to how he came to write about the stories contained in Devilish Dust, in particular how he came upon the idea for the dust devils. I'd have preferred these tidbits of information be woven into the stories. Regardless, Devilish Dust is a sweet collection of horror stories, guaranteed to entertain horror and supernatural activity readers everywhere.

Richard Hickman, a state trooper, headed to work thinking it was going to be a normal day. When the weather forecast predicted a dust storm on freeway I-10, Richard’s boss asked him if he was up to the task. Truly, he thought he could handle it; he had no clue that the ghosts responsible for his partner’s death six years ago were going to show up. As Richard went about his duties, a wicked dust storm gathered in the distance. Moments later, vehicles crashed into one another, and explosions rocked the freeway. But it wasn’t about the car crashes. It was about what the illuminating light of the explosions exposed: dark phantoms looking to pounce on unsuspecting people who left their car lights on. Will Richard be able to fend off the dust devils? Devilish Dust by Erik Dean holds the answers.

Devilish Dust by Erik Dean is a multi-plot horror story based on a superstition about dust devils. Set mostly on the Tucson-Phoenix freeway, Erik cunningly merges five independent sub-plots into one chilling story that ends in carnage and fireworks. Apart from the multi-plot dimension, which is a stroke of genius, the tale was straightforward. Although it was detailed, I liked that Erik limited the details to what the characters did, preventing the narrative from veering off track. It was also easy to read, and the editing was so good that I didn’t see even one typo in the book. Also, the characterizations were lifelike. It sometimes felt like I knew some characters personally. Indeed, Devilish Dust has all the ingredients of a great read.

If you find yourself in a dust storm in Arizona, the advice that is usually given is to turn off the headlights and brake lights and lock the doors of your car. If it is understandable that turning off the lights is imperative to prevent other cars from colliding with yours, why is it necessary to lock the doors? Richard, Mike, the Lopez family, and all the other characters you meet in Erik Dean's novel Devilish Dust will discover the reason for this precaution at their own expense. Someone out there is waiting for the next dust storm - some spirits, but not good ones.

Devilish Dust is a great book that I enjoyed reading. Erik Dean creates the right atmosphere from the start and introduces the characters one after the other in the chapters dedicated to them. In this way, it is possible to learn their background and share with them every moment of their dust nightmare. The stories of the various protagonists are incredible and exciting, but there is another aspect of the novel that struck me even more. This, for me, is even more compelling because it is a mystery. Who are the evil spirits that appear during the dust storm? I could never have imagined their origin, and Dean did not reveal it until the end. It can be said that the last twist takes place on the final page of the book. I highly recommend this book to any reader looking for a well-written story.

In the unusual horror story Devilish Dust by Erik Dean, Trooper Richard Hickman and his wife lived in Phoenix, Arizona where the regular dust storms were evil and violent. Richard’s job was to go into dangerous situations to ensure the safety of every member of the public and any visitors to the area. Trooper Martin Sandoval and Officer Terry Jefferson were killed during a raging dust storm which also took the lives of many other men and women. Ruth and her boyfriend Mike were caught in just such a dust storm as were trucker Conrad, the Lopez family, Romero and his fiancée, Susan. What happens creates mayhem on the highway causing a pile-up, the details of which are shocking and disturbing as the drivers and their passengers encounter a dust storm of unnatural proportions.

Devilish Dust is well-written, filled with surprises and a bizarre twist to the tale. Author Erik Dean has created some interesting characters, events, and unusual circumstances. The story is written from various points of view with interconnected tales of people who cross each others' paths during the dust storm. I enjoyed learning about each character and their families as this gives us some background to the story and allows the reader to connect with the interesting variety of characters. I love the way Erik has produced a unique cause of the evil dust storms and the impact on the residents. All-round, a great novel, highly recommended to readers of all ages.