Hell to Pay

By Author / Illustrator

Lora Beth Johnson

Genre

Supernatural

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Hot Key Books

ISBN

9781471420450

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

28-07-2026

Synopsis

With twisty heists, an eclectic crew, and otherworldly magic, this book has it all! Hell to Pay is a high-stakes, magical masterpiece. - Kayvion Lewis, award-winning author of Thieves' Gambit

Elle Fields comes from a long line of thieves who specialize in breaking into the Afterlife to steal secrets from the Dead. Until, that is, a job goes horribly wrong - which cost her brother his soul. Now she's desperately trying to restore the life she lost.

Out of the blue a sultry, handsome stranger called Rook approaches Elle to hire her for an impossible job, but also gives her an opportunity she can't refuse: the secret to resurrection.

Elle gets the crew back together for one last heist from hell, only to discover that her brother's death isn't what it seemed, and neither is the mysterious figure at the centre of it.

An action-packed supernatural thriller, with shocking twists and turns.

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Reviews

Sam

Hell to Pay is an engaging mix of heist, horror and fantasy genre. Set in a world where travel to the underworld is possible, this rather complicated tale follows Elle, and 'her crew', as they attempt to steal a soul from the Afterlife to resurrect her deceased brother, Dante. Elle must convince her crew that she has planned the perfect con and, while some of them are a little reluctant, they finally agree to help. However, with several different syndicates led by mythological gods, ruling both the 'Beforedeath' world and the 'Afterlife', things don't always go to plan.

Elle is bit like Marmite: you'll either love her, for her determination, or hate her for being so egotistical. Her crew have known one and other for years, are loyal and each one of them has a particular skill that will benefit the heist. Written in the first person, from Elle's point of view, as a reader you would expect to understand her plans easily, but unfortunately this is not always the case; the action is often explained by 'flashbacks' and therefore not always in chronological order.

As an adult reader I enjoyed this action-packed tale of friendship, grief, magic and a smattering of romance. Packed with humor, teen-relatable banter, and otherworld characters, the story twists and turns, keeping you guessing. However, moving back and forth between before and after death, searching for souls in hell / Tartarus, with demons, hellhounds, Greek Gods and ethereal souls, Hell to Pay is definitely best suited to the most confident of readers.

368 pages / Reviewed by Sam, teacher

Clair

If you are looking for a book that provides a complete escape from reality, then pick this one! It has the most eye-catching cover and its content will also grab your attention.

The story follows Elle Fields (Elysia) who, with the use of magic, is able to visit the Afterlife. Her brother, Dante, lost his life and ended up in hell so Elle is on a mission to bring him back. To do this she needs the help of her team; Poppy, CJ, Tolliver and the new addition and love interest, Ezra. Their mission is to retrieve the Grimoire, which should contain the spell to resurrect a soul, translate it and use it to resurrect Dante.

Full of dark humour, quick wit and action, Hell to Pay is an engaging read. Lora Beth Johnson is a talented world builder who has also created characters that are interesting to follow. Can Elle and her crew pull off the seemingly impossible job of stealing a soul from the Afterlife?

This is a perfect book to recommend to fans of Six of Crows. I thoroughly enjoyed Hell to Pay because it is both a magical and thrilling read.

368 pages / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian