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A review by lindsayb09
The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow, that was a wild ride! I highly recommend picking up the audio for this one -- the narrator is absolutely superb. I don't know if his pronunciations of the Czech and German names and places are correct, but it was much better than trying to slog through them myself. He gives such subtle differences to each character that really brings them to life.
The best thing about this book is the atmosphere. It's brooding, cold, bone chilling. You can feel the looming ancient castle walls, the dark and twisty city streets, the dark and secretive forest. There's such a creeping feeling of dread and unease from the very first scene.
There is a wide cast of characters and it took me a little while to get all the names straight. The story has two main focal points -- the investigation of the Leather Apron murderer in Prague, and Viktor's sessions with his patients at the castle. There are the 6 patients, known as The Devil's Six, as well as hospital staff, and the police team, and other ancillary characters. It's a lot to track, but it gets easier as their stories start to intersect.
The plot kept me guessing, and the final few twists were pretty wild. I can honestly say I wasn't expecting that at all, though others may be able to work it out sooner. It was a thrilling climax, followed by a final sinister twist.
Overall it was a great listen that I didn't want to pause! If you like historical fiction, true crime, and psychological thrillers, definitely check this one out. I can't wait to check out his other books.
The best thing about this book is the atmosphere. It's brooding, cold, bone chilling. You can feel the looming ancient castle walls, the dark and twisty city streets, the dark and secretive forest. There's such a creeping feeling of dread and unease from the very first scene.
There is a wide cast of characters and it took me a little while to get all the names straight. The story has two main focal points -- the investigation of the Leather Apron murderer in Prague, and Viktor's sessions with his patients at the castle. There are the 6 patients, known as The Devil's Six, as well as hospital staff, and the police team, and other ancillary characters. It's a lot to track, but it gets easier as their stories start to intersect.
The plot kept me guessing, and the final few twists were pretty wild. I can honestly say I wasn't expecting that at all, though others may be able to work it out sooner. It was a thrilling climax, followed by a final sinister twist.
Overall it was a great listen that I didn't want to pause! If you like historical fiction, true crime, and psychological thrillers, definitely check this one out. I can't wait to check out his other books.