Master of Lies also goes by the title, Black Angel. It’s one of dozens of horror novels by Graham Masterton, who is more well-known in the U.K.
In Master of Lies, detectives are trying to nail a serial killer known as “Fog City Satan.” The Fog City Satan brutally murders entire families in a ritualistic cult-like manner. He appears to get help from a supernatural entity, and is nearly unstoppable. Larry Foggia, the lead detective on the case, is drawn in despite not wanting to get involved with this cult murder mayhem.
This book is incredibly scary, and worth picking up just for its first chapter alone. Chapter one is macabre, gruesome, bloody, sickening, and every other adjective that could possibly relate to a great horror novel. The first line of the book reads:
Joe Berry fastidiously wiped up the last circles of spaghetti sauce with a torn-off piece of sourdough and then pushed his plate away, and that was the end of the last meal he would ever eat.
It sucks to be Joe, because moments after this, Fog City Satan shows up to kill him and his entire family.
Master of Lies begins with a bang, then trails off into humdrum police procedural business. Larry Foggia interviews people, attends seances, and visits occult bookstores in an effort to find out how to destroy the serial killer. There are a few gory scenes before the end climax.
If you enjoyed Master of Lies, please check out Feast and Death Mask by this author. They’re great!
Other books by Graham Masterton include:
- The Soul Stealer (2022)
- The House at Phantom Park (2022)
- What Hides in the Cellar (2023)
- House of Flies (2025)
What did you think of Master of Lies? Yay or nay?
Last Updated on January 20, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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