The Infernal Heart

Alastair Stone Chronicles #9

by R.L. King

Librarian's note: This an alternate cover for: B06XKQK5T8

Heart of the matter.

When a police detective approaches Alastair Stone to consult on a grisly occult-related murder, he initially considers it nothing more than an intriguing puzzle to fill a few dull late-summer hours.

But then the detective becomes a victim, and the murderer begins taunting Stone, daring him to discover the truth before more of his friends join the list of targets. As he delves deeper into the case, Stone soon learns that the murderer isn't human - and has committed similar crimes in the past. Why has it resurfaced again after all these years, and how can Stone stop something that can move without a trace?

Aided by a devout young woman with secrets of her own, an elderly researcher, and a cat with a bizarre connection to one of the victims, Stone must call up new depths of courage as he tracks the killer to its horrific lair. But when he finds it, will he be strong enough to destroy it?

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy

558 pages, ebook

First published March 13, 2017

About the author

R. L. King is the author of the Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series The Alastair Stone Chronicles.

When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.

She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."

Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.

When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.

Reviews

[Killian McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was uncertain if my interest would stay turned up to such high levels as Jason and Verity's characters drifted off stage for the most part, but Grace Ruiz's introduction into this universe is such a tour de force. She has everything Alastair values: intelligence, compassion, devotion, and a ton of raw magical talent. And yet, her world view is so far on the other side of the spectrum, that he has trouble forcing himself to accepting and respecting her choices her at first. But what I loved about their interaction is:

1. It NEVER goes anywhere near romance. King makes it clear early on in their improvised partnership that that is off the table. It's such a relief to read a strong male character and a strong female character both come to respect and value each other without sexual tension having to be a factor.
2. When Alistair first encounters Grace, it's like Michelangelo being presented with the most beautiful piece of marble he's ever seen, and told he can never sculpt it. It's frustrating to him, and he feels for a little while (though he's never overly aggressive about it) that it's his place to open her eyes to his reality and bring her over to his way of viewing magic. But what's wonderful about this is that she quickly learns to accept and respect what he is and what he can do without any envy or aspiration. The devote Christian character practices more tolerance, a well executed decision for the author to go against the cliché this type of character is often presented as. In fact, it seems to bolster her own faith and resolve to remain true to her own beliefs.

I think this was one of the best installments in the series yet. I also must mention how fun it was to read of the interaction between Alistair and Raider, both of the magical and mundane variety. I hope to see Miss Ruiz pop up in later installments, and please, please, please, her abuelita too.

AUDIOBOOK NOTES: The narrator on this is AMAZING. He has a whole menagerie of voices in his portfolio that breath life and authenticity into his performance. It marries the material perfectly.

[Lybo Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent; back to present day; Alastair is confronted with a killer who takes an organ from his victims & leaves them skinned. Tracking what is doing this, & why, leads him to the church for some answers from a priest on demons. Here, a very devout young girl overhears Alastair talking to the priest & reaches out to him to warn him against pursuing this. "Demons are real" she says & "very dangerous". The young girl has some kind of powers that Alastair does not fully understand. She believes her power come from God. Alastair must go to the other side if he has any hope of destroying the demon. Which is just what he does. But needs the help of the girl. Somehow the demon is affected by her.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent well written story and well developed characters. Dr. Stone has another mystery to solve as people are dying left and right. He meets a Grace Ruiz who has some hidden undeveloped talents but she has faith in God. Stone has faith in his magic and Grace in God but together they will defeat evil. There is a new character which is called Raider but with humor it renamed Crowley! Read and enjoy this excellent story!

[James Nugent · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love most about The Alistair
Stone Chronicles, now that I have read 9 of them is that they are so well and naturally written that, being an actor by profession, R.L. King’s genius writing ability allows me to live in-the-moment and as a result, I become each and every character. The “he saids,” and “she replies,” disappear and I am giving King’s supreme gift of living and breathing her books. Bravo, Diva (in the best sense of the word), Brava!!

[Diane C Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other worldly dimensions for Stone to travel

This adventure was really a challenge for Stone because he was the under dog in this story. He has faith in his magic but not necessarily in GOD. That is what was lacking and he Found Ms. Ruiz who had faith in GOD and she protected him from evil and saved his life. I liked the dynamic duo fighting evil, even if Ms. Ruiz doesn’t believe she has these abilities. But I do miss Verity and Jason and Stone together as a fighting team.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to like? Gruesome crimes to solve and an evil entity to track down and destroy. Combine that with a new furry house guest and an assist from a young, devout Catholic woman with magical abilities which she denies are magic but rather a God given gift, and you have an interesting, intense page turner.

[GP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best of the Alastair Stone books so far

Very intense, chilling scenes & a whole new way to experience magic come together in a suspenseful story. True to form, Stone is a bit of an idiot & let's say the twist isn't exactly a shocker. But overall, good, effective and naturally read that makes you want to get to the next storefront away.

[Amy Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you think he's been through it al.....

This series is so riveting! Possibly the toughest opponent yet for poo professor Stone- at least psychologically! I can't say enough about my love for all these characters. Great story!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better and Better

R.L. and Al are stepping up their game with each book. I am really get more invested in the characters and how they are developing. I would say you CAN teach and old dog new tricks.

[TRACY M SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow it keeps getting better and better

I thought the first few books were good but they just get better, I’m totally hooked. Can’t wait to start the next one.
Love the characters and the plots are never the same which is just a bonus. Keep them coming...

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gruesome

Went on for about 20 pages about Dr stone being tortured by a demon. So unnecessay. Story would have been so much better without it.I can't even relate how a author could write this gory crap.This is where I stop reading this series

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dark, a couple times I had to put it down. Very exciting, I was worried about Alastair surviving at one point. But Alsatair's magic won the fight of good verses evil.

[Ken woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Good Read. ..

Like Dresden,wizards , really odd stories??... odds are you will enjoy these books..worth considering
if you are a Dresden Fan.

[pauline hemmings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I highly recommended this book for anyone who lives urban fantasy. Fast paced and plenty of twists with magic and demons a plenty.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Thoroughly enjoyed every bit. Well paced, great new characters, in other words, same-old same-old from Ms. King! Looking forward to the next.

[Geoff Siegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been away too long from this series. Picked it up,felt like I hadn't even left. Great job, RL!!!

[Carol Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series I’m hooked on it

Can’t wait to see what happens next I love the growth in Alistair and the way that he’s beginning to open up he still arrogant though.

[Wendy Schindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic addition to the Alastair Stone Chronicles!

A new mystery. An ancient stone box with an angelic dialect inscribed on it.. Gristly gruesome murders.. Demonic activity.. And an orphaned kitty.. Yes, Stone has his hands full once again.
Get your copy today! Get the entire series if you haven't already read it! You won't be disappointed..

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series.

The Stone books just keep getting better and better. I am looking forward to seeing more of Stone's ability to use that other form of magic.

[Richard H Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRITE MORE AND FASTER DAMNIT

Read cover to cover in one sitting / laying / leeching /prone / rolling around / petting the familiars. Now I can finally sleep.

[Lani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series! Leaves you wanting More!

Really enjoyed this story! Will definitely get you hooked on the series!

[Kat Lebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Infernal Heart, Alastair Stone Chronicles, Book 9
by R. L. King

I think this may be the highest I've rated a book in this series, but it was worth it. Were there things I didn't like? Yes. Were there more things I loved? Yes. So, let's get into it!

In this episode, Stone is approached by a local police officer who believes there is an occult connection to a recent murder. It's not that the officer, Johnny Cheng, believes in the occult, but he does understand that some people do and some of those people who do commit crimes. He brings Stone a set of crime scene photos and some questions regarding specific items found at the scene. When another murder with similar elements occurs, Cheng has Stone come to the scene to have a look around. What Stone discovers are arcane sigils which are familiar to him, but he can't quite put his finger on what he is looking at. He also discovers that the murdered man had a cat who was present at the time of the murder, so he volunteers to take the cat home with him, hoping to be able to pick up some impressions from the cat's memory. He isn't sure he'll be able to do so, but has had luck picking impressions from animals in the past. However, the cat has been taken to the pound.

Because of being traumatized, the cat isn't available for adoption when Stone goes to the pound to find it. In fact, the cat is scheduled to be euthanized that very morning because of behavior issues. So, Stone's first adventure is liberating the cat from the pound's death row without being discovered. Once he has the cat out of the pound, it seems to settle down and he has little problem with it the first day it's at his home. In the meantime, he begins poking around on his own, looking for other similar crimes, as well as trying to find out information on the items found at the first scene: a stone box and a wooden cross with runes in the Enochian language, an ancient language once believed to be either the language of the angels or, conversely, the language of demons. As the box was dug up at a construction site, he is also interested in viewing the site and in discovering the history surrounding the site of the box, which dates back at least 100 years.

Once the cat, Raider, has settled in, Stone attempts to communicate with it. He is able to gain an almost play-by-play vision of the first murder, but in the attempt is not only scratched badly by the cat, but re-traumatizes the cat, which quickly retreats under an armoire and nothing Stone can do will coax it out if he is in the room. He communicates some of what he has discovered to a still unbelieving Cheng. He and Cheng remain in contact, even though, as his photo was taken by the press at the second crime scene, he has been fired as consultant, by the police department who didn't want the hassle they were getting for having an occult expert on the case.

Long story short: Stone, of course, continues his investigations on his own. He is attacked by humanoid, but inhuman constructs of the demon he is seeking and receives a phone call from the demon itself warning him to butt out of the investigation or risk the lives of his friends. Stone refuses to back down and the next day news breaks that officer Cheng has been murdered in a similar ritualistic manner. Stone continues investigating, meeting along the way, a local priest who obviously knows something about the history of the box and its connection to a demon, a young woman who works at that church who turns out to have some magical, faith-based abilities, an older researcher into the runes found at the crime scenes, plus making contact with old friends in England who help him research what the runes mean. And all the while, bodies pile up. In his battle with this powerful demon, Stone will travel to another dimension, see a very different side of his co-worker, Dr. Edwina Mortenson, make new contacts -- not all of whom turn out to be friendly, and discover the truth behind the idea of the power of faith, whether in oneself or a diety.

What I liked about this story:
1) I liked that Stone seemed a bit stronger, and a better planner, than he has been depicted before. Yes, the demon he is chasing is strong -- perhaps stronger than Stone. But Stone seems to not underestimate his prey in this novel, and seems better able to plan for his attempts to deal with it.
2) I liked his new "friend," Grace, the young woman with faith-based magical abilities. Although opposed to what she believes magic is, based on her faith, and firmly believing her powers are possible only because she is a conduit for God's energy, she still is clear minded about the purposes she and Stone are using such abilities, and she is pretty darn strong, even in the face of what must seem to her as apocalyptic scenarios.
3) I liked Raider, the cat (well, maybe Crowley when all is said and done). I can foresee the cat's involvement, even if it never becomes a magical 'familiar,' in future adventures. And, hey, I just like cats.
4) I liked meeting some of Stone's cohorts from his past in England. I'd like to see more of his England roots, and of his butler, Aubrey.
5) I liked that although Jason and Verity are definitely mentioned, they had no direct involvement in this adventure. It isn't that I don't like them. I do like them. I just think it's more interesting when Stone is on his own and needs to find his help from other quarters. Would I like to see one or both of them in another adventure with Stone. Sure. But I like the variety of contacts with others, both believers and non-believers.
6) I loved, loved, loved that Stone didn't "scrub" anything in this novel. Not his hair, his face, his arms, not one body part. He shoved, he ran his hands across or through, but the references to anything with "scrub" in it had nothing to do with rubbing a body part.
7) There were some fun things in here that definitely made me smile. For instance, at about 5322, when Stone is reading notes made by the mage who originally was involved in dispelling this demon from our dimension, there is this: "...he, the one whose name we do not speak..." Ah. Shades of Harry Potter!
8) And lastly, although I would find it hard to believe that R.L. King was actually describing our 45th president, this one did make me laugh. Stone is addressing the demon, in the final climatic action scene: "You're nothing without people. Without worshipers. If you don't have a collection of people around telling you how great you are, giving you their energy, you're nothing. When you don't have anyone, you lose your power. That's the way you work. I'm not sure if you were made that way or if you've just convinced yourself it's true, but that doesn't matter either -- you believe it, and that's enough to be getting on with." Sound familiar? Twitter, anyone? Yeah, count me firmly in the Resistance.

What I didn't like:
1) Whenever Christianity (or any other religion) is mixed with magic, I think there is a very thin line between preaching and story-telling. King did a good job here, but there were a couple of times that I felt a definite need to roll my eyes. I think I would have liked the character, Grace, even better if she had seemed to realize that while the power to use her abilities may be God-given, the abilities themselves reside in her. Her characterization of anyone who had faith being able to do what she could do didn't enhance her faithfulness for me, but actually denigrated it, as surely she knew that others, her priest, for instance, couldn't do what she could. Surely she didn't believe that her faith was greater than his or other faithful persons. Wouldn't that have made her guilty of the sin of pride? I think King wanted her to appear innocent. But for me, that's not how it came off. She grew up poor, in an unsafe neighborhood and experienced loss when relatively young. Given the backstory she was given, she was neither innocent nor naive, she was faithful. And it was that faith which gave her hope and strength to continue. Hopefully, when we see her again -- if we see her again -- she'll be more confident in herself. I actually think that journey to confidence was what King was trying to explore, both for Grace and Stone, as well as the journey to faith in oneself, be that faith a belief in a higher deity or in one's own abilities. So, this part left me conflicted.
2) I found a few proofing errors. One was a simple missing word at approximately 3990-3997 (With luck, he could get out of there and be long gone before anybody figured out where went -- if they ever did at all.). The other was a bit more grievous, with what I see as two errors in one sentence, at approximately 5804: "The doorway, believe in sickly red light, yawed open before him." I think the believe in there might have been intended to be 'bathed.' The yawed -- I'm not so sure about. Yawed usually means a turn, perhaps an unwanted turn to the left or right, and is usually used to refer to a plane or ship. Of course, there's an urban meaning to the word that has a bit of a different take, but neither seems to fit the above sentence. I'm wondering if the author meant "yawned," as the sentence it's used in follows the door being blown to bits by Stone.
3) and #2 leads me to my next wondering. Just a Kindle page or two later, the door slams shut behind him? What? Did the demon reconstitute it? The sentence just before the 'yawed' sentence was "The twisted wood disintegrated, flying into thousands of rotted shards."
4) And #2 and #3 not only just stopped me in my reading of this very intense action scene, it sent me running for my dictionary to look up "yaw." I hate that.
5) And I'm not sure if this is a misspelling or just an alternate spelling at approximately 7408: worshippers instead of worshipers.

All in all, this is one of my favorite books in the series. I mean, I listed 5 things I didn't like and still rated the novel 5 stars. So I'm happily looking forward to the 10th book in the series, "The Other Side," which is due to be published this summer (2017).

[Heidi K Bachenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alistair Stone



I am continuing to enjoy this mages exploits. Alistair is growing to be a great character. Thank you for letting him out of your imagination.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply addicting, I love Alastair stone and his friends. Definitely one of those series which leaves me craving the next one.