Craig Russell's novel, The Devil Aspect, is a wicked good read. The story starts in the 1930s, in an insane asylum in Prague. An infamous group of criminals, the Devil's Six, reside there. The doctor who is treating them uses drugs and hypnosis to get into their minds and explore their evil urges, but even greater evil is eventually unleashed.

Some content in this book will disturb some readers. There are violence and graphic descriptions, so be forewarned. Otherwise, readers who are intrigued by the triggers that cause killers to kill will find much to explore here.

"Prague, 1935: Viktor Kosárek, a psychiatrist newly trained by Carl Jung, arrives at the infamous Hrad Orlu Asylum for the Criminally Insane. The state-of-the-art facility is located in a medieval mountaintop castle outside of Prague, though the site is infamous for concealing dark secrets going back many generations. The asylum houses the country's six most treacherous killers-known to the staff as The Woodcutter, The Clown, The Glass Collector, The Vegetarian, The Sciomancer, and The Demon - and Viktor hopes to use a new medical technique to prove that these patients share a common archetype of evil, a phenomenon known as The Devil Aspect. As he begins to learn the stunning secrets of these patients, five men and one woman, Viktor must face the disturbing possibility that these six may share another dark truth.

Meanwhile, in Prague, fear grips the city as a phantom serial killer emerges in the dark alleys. Police investigator Lukas Smolak, desperate to locate the culprit (dubbed Leather Apron in the newspapers), realizes that the killer is imitating the most notorious serial killer from a century earlier - London's Jack the Ripper. Smolak turns to the doctors at Hrad Orlu for their expertise with the psychotic criminal mind, though he worries that Leather Apron might have some connection to the six inmates in the asylum.

Steeped in the folklore of Eastern Europe, and set in the shadow of Nazi darkness erupting just beyond the Czech border, this stylishly written, tightly coiled, richly imagined novel is propulsively entertaining, and impossible to put down."

Prague, a Jack the Ripper imitator? All the yes!

Outside of Prague, is a medieval castle being used as an insane asylum which holds six inmates. They are known as the “Devil’s Six.” They all say that they were influenced by a demonic figure for their violence. Dr. Kosárek has just arrived to work at the isolated insane asylum known as Hrad Orl for the criminally insane. He learns that the castle was built to keep the devil’s gate closed. Dr. Kosárek has an interesting and new theory on what causes these criminals to kill the way they do. He hopes and does use hynoptic drugs on the six murderers. Will Dr. Kosárek be successful in his treatment? Meanwhile a Kapitán Lucas Smolak of the Prague Police is trying to find and capture a serial murderer known as “Leather Apron.” His acts of murder are similar to a famous murderer in the past known as “Jack the Ripper.” Will Kapitán Smolak be able to find the murderer?

The author also includes in the background of the novel, Germany being led by Hitler’s philosophies. The police case is full of twists and turns. The insane asylum part of the story is full of curious and strange activities which also kept me wondering what was going to happen next. It is a complex novel. I found myself completely involved in the novel. I was completely surprised by the ending of the novel. Don’t miss this terrific read!

The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell
Wow, what a wicked good ride!! I have to agree with another reviewer though, this one is not for the faint of heart. But if you are looking for a great, thought provoking murder mystery with several surprises, and a lot of interesting legends, then this book is for you. I normally don’t read this type of story, but the description intrigued me, the first chapter lured me in, and I had a hard time putting it down. This is one you savor, the twists and turns will keep you wondering and the storyline could not have been done any better.
The writing is excellent, up to par with some of the best authors I’ve read. The story describes some rather gruesome, horrendous crimes done by the Devils Six, six of the most dangerous, pathological serial killers. Under induced medication, the six tell their stories to Viktor, while they are incarcerated in an old castle located in a remote area. The castle itself holds its own secrets and eerie beginnings. This is a dark, deep thinking, surprisingly entertaining read. I would highly recommend.
I was given an advanced copy from Doubleday Books through Net Galley for my honest review, this one is a high 5****’s. Excellent read, highly recommend.

Shrouded in mystery, the eye of evil takes hold of the darkest minds in the faces of the most notorious killers of all times. Secluded, up in the mountains near Prague, in an old stone castle that was built upon the devils nether “Mouth of Hell”, the devil still controls his hold.

“It was that - that extinguishing of their very last hope – that I savored more than anything, more even than the extinguishing of their lives…It was then they realized that the Devil is just God in his night attire.”
- “Mr. Hobbs”
(Recorded at Hrad Orlů Asylum for the Criminally Insane)

It is 1935 and Dr. Viktor Kosárek, a handsome man at the age of 29 is transferring from Bohnice Asylum to the Hrad Orlů Asylum for the Criminally Insane in Prague, where the infamous "Devil’s Six" are locked up. He is hoping to use some of his new treatment methods to enter the tortured minds of the insane, bringing them to the edges of their being to a point he calls “The Devil Aspect”.

Kapitán Lukáš Smolák of the Prague Police knows the asylum and the animosity towards it by the locals very well. Currently, he is investigating a chain of terrible murders happening around Prague that seem to copy the infamous “Jack the Ripper” murders of women. The tabloids call this new killer “Leather Apron” per witness descriptions. An apron, such as a butcher would wear, only that this killer is dismembering his human victims and is removing their organs.

Viktor Kosárek believes innately that everyone is infected with the potential for madness and evil, but only some develop a disease. He is beginning his casework on the six notorious killers, nicknamed The Woodcutter, The Clown, The Glass Collector, The Vegetarian, The Sciomancer, and The Demon .

Through hypnosis and drugs, Kosárek is entering the minds of these men one by one, while they are restraint. He makes them tell their version of the murders. A most disturbing truth and evil come forth in these patients that will put him and others in major harm. What each of them possesses is the devil “Mr. Hobbs”, and he has only just begun to unleash his power. Like a virus through space and time, he is the elusive evil spreading minds. Unstoppable!

***

This novel is absolutely stellar. Amazing!

I am stunned in the best of ways by this historical fiction/mystery/ thriller. The setting was amazing, the twists and elusive plot were completely engrossing and the suspense held me captively surrendered to the pages.

There was so much thought put into this masterfully crafted novel, it left no stone unturned to be included to deliver a detailed, atmospheric plot. Some of these I did not mention in the review above and they include:

*Time and place in this novel reflect the young Republic of Czechoslovakia, where most people identified themselves as Czech, Moravian, Silesian, Slovak, German, Polish, Ruthenian, Hungarian and Jews, “The principal ingredients of a richly seasoned stew.” Targeted victims were women of German heritage the killer beheld as “Fotze”…a very dirty word. Other references and subgroups in this novel that add to the general ambiance and tension are the German-Czechs, the High-Germans, Nazis, and Gypsies.

*There were three main characters aside from the insane. For each of them a backstory and past is presented for the reader to keep up with. In part diversion, in part enrichment. It may or may not play an important role in figuring out this mystery. Some of them are misleading, but all are detailed to bring the characters to life vividly in the readers' mind. It creates the perfect blend of a character-driven novel and the mystery itself.

*“The Devils Six” encounters and recollections were suspenseful and horrible in the cerebral sense. References to myths and legends, intellect and dark brooding places gave the novel a dark, imaginative, mystical feel. Absolutely stunning.

*The murder cases and their elusive details were told from the side of the victims and the murderers, as the plot wove in waves back and forth through time, place and recollections. Simply mesmerizingly fabricated, it created a perfect maze of intricate details in the big puzzle.

*There was a hint of romance blooming and referenced to by some characters, in all of this. For one, I thought perhaps I had figured out who the “Leather Apron” was. A case of obsessive love or something I had missed somewhere. But to no avail, I was unable to crack the mystery.

My suspicions to solve this case began perhaps 2/3'rds into the novel, but the twists kept on coming. At that point I was somewhat mad with myself, thinking that perhaps I had missed some detail somewhere. Therefore it is definitely worth a reread on my part. Plus it's so engrossingly entertaining!

Summing up, this novel was par excellence. Simply superb. If you enjoyed Dracul by J.D. Barker and Dacre Stoker, you will love this book. I implore you to read it, it’s superb.

I received a digital copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my owm. Thank you.

Review on my blog has hadded pictures.
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I got an ARC of this book.

There is a lot to this book. I was in love with it from the very first chapter until about 89%. The last 11% just made me feel so cheated. The opening scene introduces one of the main characters of the book. The book is mostly told surrounding Viktor. He takes his post and its all fascinating. His ideas are very Jung, which is you know me, I wouldn't normally enjoy. The exciting part for me was he was doing this and had met Jung. So it was like psychology history fanfiction for me. It was wonderful. There was even a hint of Nazis and WWII looming over everything. It was the perfect setting for me. It was the type of thriller that actually held my attention. I normally am not a fan, but this one was special.

There were interviews with The Devil's Six. They are interviewed one by one and you learn their terrible pasts and their terrible deeds. It was really engrossing. So if you like reading about serial killers and why they started killing, this book will hit buttons for you. There is a lot of mythology and lore in the book too. So if you read about Vlad Dracul III and were fascinated by him, then this book will be perfect. You get all this lore about Jack the Ripper and possible explanations for what happened. There is a lot of references to demons and devils which made the book have the potential for the supernatural. There was clear strong hints throughout the book about it. It was really spooky at times. I was all for it. 

The romance plot felt forced to me. There was no chemistry between the two and there was no real reason for the romance. This was the weakest plot for me, up until the big reveal. The big reveal just left me feeling cheated. There was all of this build up and then it was what it was. I don't want to ruin the ending as it is still a decent ending. The plot device used was done somewhat convincingly throughout the book, though it felt more less convincing through the last 11% of the book. If it weren't for the ending, I would have given this book five stars. 

I do have to warn about content. There is graphic descriptions of gore and violence, sexual assault of a child, religious figures engaging in sexual assault, an assumption that DID makes someone a killer (A HUGE PLOT POINT), and a great deal of racism (mostly antisemitism and against the Romani people). So there is a great deal to be triggered by, it is easy to overlook unless you are sensitive to these things. Despite them all, I was engrossed in the book and would have happily kept reading. Just that ending...

I enjoyed this book until the last couple of chapters. It featured the suitably creepy setting of an ancient castle purportedly built on the gates of hell and interesting characters. But I found the ending unsatisfying- some portions were too neatly wrapped and a character I was actually interested in was simply dropped. In the end, the novel didn’t quite come through for me.

What a surprising turn of events at the end of this fast-paced and very interesting novel! Duplicity in intent and meaning throughout as Dr. Viktor Kosarek, a psychiatrist seeking to prove that the use of narcotherapy could allow a delusional (and often dangerous) client into seeing this demons as what they really are....figments of the imagination. In the mind 1930's, the country on the verge of Hitler's regime, Viktor has come to experiment with "The Devil's Six", six individuals being held at Hrad Orlu Asylum for the Criminally Insane, near Prague. Six individuals who have committed murderous acts beyond belief, and all imagined to be driven by the Devil in some form. It is no help that local lore holds Hrad Orlu, a castle said to be built to close off a network of caves that were believe to be the mouth of Hell and a previous dark-spirited resident, Jan of the Black Heart. Viktor's sessions are met with skepticism. On top of this, his dear friend Filip Starosta, appears to be losing his own brilliant mind and Viktor is desperate to help him, as events unfold that make him reluctantly suspect that dear Filip may be The Leather Apron butcher who has brutally murdered women throughout the area and is likened to Jack the Ripper. As he moves between Prague and the castle, seeking answers in all directions, the murders continue and Viktor's theories are proven to be more than what they have been declared. Truly fascinating topic, drawing you in to the dark myths of the Devil in all forms.

This was a very intense look at what makes up the criminal mind, and how unlocking one can lead to unlocking others. Using the minds of a group of insane criminals, the hero tries to stop another of their ilk. Will it work? Maybe..... If he can stay sane himself.

1935, Prague.

A young doctor named Viktor comes to the ancient castle/asylum, Hrad Orlu, excited to test his new theories in psychology. Housed at this asylum, isolated atop a mountain, are the 6 most dangerous killers alive today. At the bottom of the mountain in the town proper, a police detective named Lukas is trying his best to solve a series of murders which the press attributes to the "leather apron killer." At the same time as these events, the Nazis are on the rise in Germany. Will Viktor's new theories pan out, and allow psychiatry to identify dangerous individuals in the future? Will Lukas find his killer? Will the Nazis put a stop to all of that before it has even properly begun? You'll have to read THE DEVIL ASPECT to find out!

I found this book to be a marvelous new (to me), voice in fiction. The synopsis of this book had me so psyched I couldn't help but want to read it right away. I loved the Gothic setting of the castle, surrounded by rocky areas and dense forest. (What horror lover doesn't love that type of isolated setting?) Yet, just down the mountain is a town full of scared people. Losing its citizens one by one to a brutally violent killer, with what seems like zero progress by the police- I almost expected to see the townsfolk armed with torches heading up to the castle. (Because, surely that must be from where their misfortune emanates?)

But, that didn't happen, because the voice of Craig Russell is more original than that. This tale twisted and turned until I had no clue what was going to happen! As more of Viktor's theories were tested, some things became clearer, while others became more perplexing. On top of all this, there was the rise of the Nazi party always in the background. Combined together, these components contributed to the overall feelings of anxiety and darkness that permeated this book.

So why 4 stars and not 5? I felt the pacing dragged a bit during the middle portion of the story. Even though I was interested in all of the criminals Viktor was interviewing, I didn't feel that all of them were integral to the tale. It's a small thing, but at times I felt like I had been reading quite a lot without really getting anywhere.

This is what I took away from THE DEVIL ASPECT: A NOVEL. Fun? Check! Hypnotizing scenes between the doctor and the criminals? Check! A Gothic castle, set atop a mountain surrounded by a dense forest, and creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere? Check! Twists and turns galore which put our heroes in jeopardy? Check! A denouement to beat the band? Hell yes!

In short, (too late!), I recommend this novel to fans of the above, but most especially to fans of Gothic fiction and psychological horror! I predict that this novel is going to knock some socks off!

*Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*

A creepy and dark tale that keeps you guessing the entire time. The characters are deeply drawn and leave you with a chill. A fantastic psychological novel.

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Huh... Interesting and dark. This was a well-written read which was rich with history and detail. The synopsis/blurb alone drew me in with its dark and mysterious setting. The pacing of the story was like a slow burn of apprehension that gave me goosebumps from beginning to end. Although seems deliberate to set the "stage" of this story, I felt it dragged for my liking. However, I think this is a contemplative horror mystery that fans of this genre will definitely enjoy. And, that's just it... The Devil's Aspect is not a read that one just breezes right through it; but, this is one that is engrossing and thoughtful which adds to the rich history of the time period that this takes place in.

Although this a genre that I don't read often, The Devil's Aspect is a read that one should read be it a genre one doesn't read much. Why?!? Even I'm asking myself that. Well, all I can say is that The Devil's Aspect is a well balanced dark historical horror mystery that kept me thinking.

There was a village outside Prague surrounding an asylum that was once a castle.
A Devil or devils, one bad man from time ago, Jan of the Black Heart, and six men, killers in captivity in the asylum.
A psychologist Dr. Viktor Kosárek investigating his theory of the devil aspect along with the villagers growing untrustworthy of the Hrad Orlu Asylum goings on and doings.
Mythologies, legends, identities, malice, light and darkness, the seen and unseen, doings and undoings with malevolence set in motion.
Two hunters, one a detective, another a psychologist, an inner and outer affair.
The hunted, a killer or a devil?
What truths will prevail?
One aspect clear.
A centuries old villain ingeniously resurrected in this tale.
A slow burning insidious malevolent tale, successfully Impregnating the subconscious of the readers mind with the devils aspects and ensuing rumination on perceptions.

The brief synopsis of this book grabbed my attention because its story mentions castles and is located in Prague (a hopelessly romantic, yet hypnotically scary, historic and beautiful city).
These two bullets alone grabbed my interest, and I felt the plot would be somewhat boilerplate. Wrong. So very dangerously wrong.
Craig Russell has a grand imagination, and he’s cranked out a believable historical fiction here with the hopelessly handsome yet single young psychiatrist, Viktor Kosarek, trained by the famous Dr. Jung. We’re reminded on numerous occasions that he resembles a vampire and his persona is well-suited for the cold and drafty Hrad Orlu Asylum, located in the mountain cliffs outside Prague, where he has taken a new position in order to study the six criminally insane patients locked up within the castle walls. And in the air and the minds of other employees of the asylum is the enchanting prose of the new leader in Germany, whose words are enthralling many to ostracize those of the Jewish faith. Thus we have an ominous cloud inside and outside the cold clammy walls of this foreboding castle.
Viktor has coined the phrase “the devil aspect” to describe what he believes is a common archetype of evil found in most criminals of brutal and senseless crimes. He conducts sessions where he injects high levels of serum to the point of death in order to bring forth the true evil within each patent’s soul.
Intertwined with this absurd and oh-so-not-normal doctorly deed is the local folklore and legends preached by the townspeople who detest the asylum and its tenants.
This is a well-researched novel with a very realistic foundation. I was caught up in the therapy sessions, the local crimes and the history and beauty of the country as I rushed to find out who did what to whom.
I must say, I didn’t see it coming.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Doubleday Books for making it available.)

I have to admit this book gave me goosebumps. The style of writing and descriptions help to create an atmosphere of foreboding, and the timing at the advent of WWII provides additional concern. Throughout the story the idea of the devil incarnate keeps popping up, the question is left open as to whether the devil is manifest from inside the individual, or is it using human bodies as a channel. The story takes place in Prague and in the Silesian Mountains of Czechoslovakia. I have been to the places in this book, and they are well-selected and well-described. Elements of romance and fascism float through the story, providing more realism and greater foreboding. This book makes you think, and keeps coming back to mind after it has been read.

The devil made me do it. And the things the Devil does in this gripping tale of madness will make you think twice about turning your lights off at night. This is a very cunning mash-up of psychiatry, serial murder, folklore and detective work set against a backdrop of pre-war creeping Nazism in Czechoslovakia. If that's not enough to scare the pajamas off of you as you look for the nearest bottle of slivovitz, then czech your pulse, my friends. Craig Russel has delivered an erudite thriller that leaves us wondering what madness awaits us all. You can keep all the girls on the train, in the window, and gone and I'll be looking for the Leather Apron!

I was immediately sucked into this book. The story was dark and thrilling, given the time and place in history added to the subject matter. I definitely left the lights on while reading this on the Kindle. It might take a few days to shake out of this book. Very interesting. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

An interesting and dark read. I had expected it to be a little more thrilling, but still, it is full of mystery and poilitical intrigue.

Well, talk about reading something out of your comfort zone. You need a strong stomach and a good bright light to read this book. And maybe a little time off between reading sessions, just to think about things.
The author puts forth through his character Viktor Kosarek, a bright young Jungian psychiatrist, that there is in all of us the propensity for both good and evil. The difference is in what we choose. He declares his intention to prove his theory by obtaining a position in the asylum for the criminally insane, Hrad Orlu Asylum, outside Prague. The year is 1935 and Carl Jung, along with Freud, offer new ways of thinking of psychoanalysis.
Dr. Kosarek believes the aspect of the devil is ever present and we choose to listen to or ignore the presence. If we listen, if we give ourselves over then evil is manifest in the worst ways imaginable.
While Dr. Kosarek is getting acquainted with the Devil’s Six, the six and only inmates at Hrad Orlu, people he believes chose to listen to the evil, Inspector Lukas Smolak is in Prague trying to track down a sadistic killer who is known as Leather Apron because of the similarities to Jack the Ripper. There are too many similarities to the tortured victims of the Devil’s Six and he asks for help from the doctor. Again, more gore.
The timeline and location of the story puts us in the sights of 1935 Nazi Germany taking over Czechoslovakia and while the author is trying to explain how evil manifests itself to us we all know how that plays out.
This is where I throw to the reader the spoiler alert. The author holds nothing back. I imagined him at times trying to outdo himself in presenting evil and gore on the page. But keep reading. I’m glad I did because while this may not be a tea and crumpet style book for discussion, the premise is certainly worthy of discussion. And here it is, a week after finishing it and I’m still mulling it over.

This was far creepier than I had anticipated, and even though I felt like I should have seen the ending coming from miles away, I didn't. I'm usually not much for historical fiction, but this was a rare exception and I'm glad I made it.