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A review by tiffanyxcc
The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell
5.0
The first time I attempted to read this I did not make it very far before putting it down, thinking that I would probably not finish reading it. I gave it another try a couple days ago and barely put it down until I read the entire story.
The story takes place in Prague, 1935. An up and coming psychologist Viktor Kosárek is beginning his new job at the Hrad Orlu Asylum for the Criminally Insane. This asylum, an ominous mountaintop castle that looms over the nearby town (much to the dismay of the citizens there) houses the Devil's Six. Six killers who are all deemed to dangerous to ever walk again among civilized society. Here Viktor intends to test out his theory that all six of these patients share a commonality, a trait he refers to as their Devil Aspect. Their stories are not for the faint of heart, but engrossing in their recount. If I had to pick a favorite part about this novel, it would be the stories of the devil's six.
While the asylum does indeed house the devil's six, the nearby city is being stalked by a serial killer dubbed as "Leather Apron. " It leads some to believe at least one of the patients is able to come and go from the castle as he pleases. Investigator Lukas Smolak visits the asylum following up on a lead and to glean information from the doctors about the mind of a psychotic killer. The knowledge imparted is less than comforting for the investigator however, what if this killer does not know he is in fact a killer at all?
Both the investigation into Leather Apron's murders and the interviews at Hrad Orlu are enough to keep the pages turning, never a dull moment. The ending I found rather predictable but as it was well written and thoroughly entertaining I was not at all disappointed. Usually I am not a fan of historical fiction but in this case I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes place in Prague, 1935. An up and coming psychologist Viktor Kosárek is beginning his new job at the Hrad Orlu Asylum for the Criminally Insane. This asylum, an ominous mountaintop castle that looms over the nearby town (much to the dismay of the citizens there) houses the Devil's Six. Six killers who are all deemed to dangerous to ever walk again among civilized society. Here Viktor intends to test out his theory that all six of these patients share a commonality, a trait he refers to as their Devil Aspect. Their stories are not for the faint of heart, but engrossing in their recount. If I had to pick a favorite part about this novel, it would be the stories of the devil's six.
While the asylum does indeed house the devil's six, the nearby city is being stalked by a serial killer dubbed as "Leather Apron. " It leads some to believe at least one of the patients is able to come and go from the castle as he pleases. Investigator Lukas Smolak visits the asylum following up on a lead and to glean information from the doctors about the mind of a psychotic killer. The knowledge imparted is less than comforting for the investigator however, what if this killer does not know he is in fact a killer at all?
Both the investigation into Leather Apron's murders and the interviews at Hrad Orlu are enough to keep the pages turning, never a dull moment. The ending I found rather predictable but as it was well written and thoroughly entertaining I was not at all disappointed. Usually I am not a fan of historical fiction but in this case I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.