All the Bells on Earth — James P. Blaylock

“Blaylock is one of the most brilliant of that new generation of fabulist writers: All the Bells on Earthmay be his best book . . . Enthralling” (The Washington Post Book World).
 
In the dead of night, a man climbs the tower of St. Anthony's Church, driven by a compulsive urge to silence the bells.
 
In a deserted alley, a seemingly random victim is consumed by a torrent of flames.
 
And in the deceptive light of day, a mail-order businessman named Walt Stebbins receives a bizarre artifact -- a glass jar containing the preserved body of a bluebird.
 
Things like this don't usually happen in a town like Orange, California. Ordinary people don't expect to face evil -- real evil -- in their backyards. But as Walt unravels the mystery of the bird in the jar, he learns that the battle between good and evil takes place every day . . .
 
“An absolute page-turner . . . A terrific novel by a master of the offbeat and the absurd.” -- The Washington Post Book World
 
“In the best tradition of The Twilight Zone, crossed with wacky characters, humor and moments of real love stunningly portrayed.” -- Rick Kleffel, The Agony Column
 
“With acrobatic grace, Blaylock, winner of two World Fantasy Awards, once again walks the dividing line between fantasy and horror -- this time, as he relates a deal-with-the-devil story set in suburban Southern California.” -- Publishers Weekly
 
“While juxtaposing subtle humor with grim horror, the author portrays a world in which human virtues become mystic weapons and unlikely heroes grope their way toward salvation.” -- Library Journal